Psalm 37:4

"Take delight in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart."

-    Psalm 37:4    -

I listened to the end of the book, Angry Conversations With God the other day.
In the last chapter, the main character, Susan Isaacs, is in one of her last sessions of couples therapy with God, when her therapist asks her what she does that God delights in.

She responds by saying little things, but then realizes that God must delight in her when she uses her gifts and talents, and also when she is living obediently.

Source: weheartit.com via Grace on Pinterest

I'm not one to go about quoting Psalm 37:4 incorrectly, inserting it at times and places where it is not relevant or used accurately.

However, the marriage therapist made me wonder, when do I delight in God?

And when does he delight in me?

Just like Susan, I believe God must delight in me when:

 I'm obedient,
 I slow down and hear his still small voice,
 I am struck with amazement by his creation,
 I "play my note",
  - use and share my gifts,
  -and when I craft my talents.

I think those are the times when God delights in me.

And now I think I'll kick back and think for a few days about when I delight in Him.
: )

Linking up!

The Little Things That Count pt. 2

Besides the basics (more about that here),
I believe that the little things really add up to make a house (or in my case, apartment) a home.
 Sidenote: I also have a few pipe dreams of wishing I could be an Anthropologie store design coordinator, interior designer, or a really awesome craft/art/design-type blogger.  : )

Since I believe that God calls me to create beauty in my life, or as I call it pretty-fying my life, I like to daydream about design.

And since I've expanded my internet hopping to:
craft tutorials, crochet tutorials, the addiction of pretty things on pinterest, and enriching my blog reading life,
I've really expanded my craft/home/fashion design taste.

So, here is my end-of-summer-sale wishlist of little things that would really add up nicely in my home
(via Urban Outfitters) : 

picnic pennant banner

metal wall shelf - living room

doily coasters - coffee table

triple bud vase - downstairs bathroom

rug for front door

 

2 paisley pillows - couch

serving tray

enamel panel hook - inside front door



you are so dear to me
wall art - hallway collage

apprentice stool - bedroom



iron strap side table -downstairs

<3

The Little Things That Count

I'm a firm believer that it's the little things in life that count....and sometimes they almost matter more than the big things.

Little things put the extra oopmh! into the essentials: four walls, ceiling, and floor.

Add:

the required furniture (bed, table, chairs)
+

necessary tools and accessories (plates, knives, screwdriver, hammer)
+
a closet or two (or four)

&
you have the basics.

And for some people that's enough.
But not quite for me.
I believe in creating and cultivating beauty.


Why? God calls me to do so.

God tells me  (via Noah and his arky, arky) to

Source: jonesdesigncompany.com via Grace on Pinterest

which is partly why I feel the need to create and cultivate beauty.

God tells me to live my life by Philippians 1:27: "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ."

So, I strive to deny myself, take up my cross daily and follow Jesus.  -Luke 9:23

To follow Jesus daily means that I
  speak the truth in love.
  take care of the poor and needy.
  love the unloved.
  put the needs of others before my own.
  humble myself.
  strive to produce the fruit of the spirit.
  choose peace and not strife.
  forgive and not hold grudges.
  repent and change for the better.
  spread and give joy.
  and live in obedience.
   daily.

And you know what that creates?
Beauty.
Me, being fully alive in Christ.
Having ashes exchanged for beauty.
And glorifying God by my very existence and salvation in Him.

Therefore, beauty is a call.

And creating beauty in my surroundings, life, and space is a natural flow from that lifestyle.

To play my note, live out my gifts and talents, and create beauty, I feel compelled to have beauty around me.

A lovely lady once said that she was  "the creative director of [her] surroundings."
I think that sums me up. God takes care of my environment, and then gives me the role of being creative director of my surroundings; pretty-fying my basic walls+floor+ceiling, if you will.

And if it is a goal in my life to live out and create beauty, why would I want to live in a plain (or ugly) space?
After all.....

Source: etsy.com via Grace on Pinterest

part two coming soon....
Any thoughts?
What does God call you to do with your life?

Because I Can

Tonight I'm going to....

...write those notecards I forgot about three days ago.

...watch NCIS to get the last creepy show I watched out of my head.

...eat Cheerios at 9:30 pm.

...blog hop for awhile.

...think about love stories and this interesting blog post.

...give myself a pat on the back for resisting the HUGE urge & temptation to get frozen yogurt after church.

...and then I'll go eat the ice cream sandwhich I've been thinking about for 4 days now.

...and then maybe I'll even have some Lemon Ginger Snap ice cream.


...while I think of this:

Source: skinnified.tumblr.com via Grace on Pinterest

...but then read this:
Don’t feel guilty for eating 3 peanut butter cups. Or 8 slices of habanero cheddar. Or anything that’s your Favorite Thing Ever.


And why will I do all of this tonight?


Well,
because I can.
: )


And here's a song that makes me feel yummy inside : )


Ought To Be -Audrey Assad

I love you more than a slow-falling summer rain
More than a silence that only the snow leaves behind
I love you more

And I love you better than the gray of the autumn air
Better than spring in its blooming against the sky
I love you more

It may not be red as the roses yet
It may not be strong as the old oak trees but
Love planted deeply becomes what it ought to be

Your love is steady and sure as the mountains high
Moving my heart like a river that gently bends
Your love is sure

Your love is wide open spaces where I can run
And yet, we're tangled up roots in the warm broken earth
Yeah, our love is sure

And it may not be clear as the morning yet
It may not be wide as a restless sea but
Love given freely becomes what it ought to be

It may not be clear as the morning yet
It may not be wide as a restless sea
And it may not be red as the roses yet
It may not be strong as the old oak trees but

Love planted deeply becomes what it ought to and
Hearts given freely becomes what they ought to
Love planted deeply becomes what it ought to be
What it ought to be