Fingerprint Friday: Dog Hair?

By Ginny (MAD21)

So I asked my husband where he saw God's fingerprints today. His answer may surprise you. I know it did me. In fact, it took me about 15 minutes before I understood what he was trying to say.

He began speaking about the newness that spring brings... The leaves are full and the shadows are darker now because the leaves on the trees are almost fully grown. But leaves and colorful flowers appearing are not the only sign of renewal. They also appear in the most unlikely (and annoying) of places. Like our carpet.

My husband said that while most people think that piles of dog hair all over the carpet is just a sign that it isn't cleaned often enough (it is if you ask me!), he thinks that it also symbolizes something else.

Dog owners know that during spring and early summer, in just a matter of minutes, the carpet you just spent a half hour vacuuming can once again be covered in dog hair. One tummy rub, one romp on the floor wrestling around can result in a blizzard of hair with piles of fur left behind (much to my dismay!).

My hubby says we can also think of shedding season as a life-lesson, and see it for what it really is (me: a mess? more work?). He said, dog's also get to experience renewal. A fresh coat. A new start.  Shedding the old and growing new. Some dogs experience continued renewal (i.e., shed all year, no thanks!), others experience dramatic renewal (i.e, nothing and then all at once = lots of time outside!). We should recognize God can do the same thing in all of our lives. Continued renewal by fixing the little day-to-day things, as well as sudden moments of change.

As funny as it was to think my husband was seeing dog hair all over the floor as one of God's fingerprints, I'm thankful that he is someone who can see something funny, and something we can learn... and recognizes the fact that it's nearly impossible for me to keep our floors clean this time of year.

Ok, lesson learned... I'm off to vacuum... again.

Fellow blogger Beki at The Rusted Chain has a really great weekly post she does every Friday called "Fingerprint Friday." We are to look around and see where we can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Anywhere? Go find out where Beki saw God this week, and be sure to check out the other bloggers who linked their stories as well.

Tasty Bites: Fish Tacos

By Beth V

Have you ever tried Fish Tacos? When you think of fish tacos, do you think, “Yum, what a treat!” or do you think, “Fish taco meat? Gross!”? My own dear mom has the second reaction. Once you’ve tried them, you come to realize that fish tacos are in a completely different category than regular tacos. It’s not just throwing a packet of taco seasoning on fish and using all of the same accompaniments you would use on ground beef tacos. Think instead of well-seasoned, grilled or pan-fried fish tucked into a warm tortilla on a bed of shredded cabbage, with a dollop of lime-infused avocado cream and fresh-chopped pico de gallo. There is no “fishiness” just freshness. Fresh, healthy, palate-pleasing flavors.

We’ll start by chopping vegetables for fresh pico de gallo. There are five simple ingredients – tomato, onion, jalapeno, cilantro and lime juice. The heat-level of the pico de gallo is determined by how you chop the jalapeno.

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One Word At A Time: Road

By Ginny (MAD21)

Getting real with the road we are all on.

I've been thinking a lot lately about how often I write about the fun things we do as a family; ways that we as parents help grow our children; ideas regarding how to organize our lives; and make our family and faith stronger. I'm not saying that's a bad thing. It is, after all, the mission of my blog to cover all of those topics. But after the last few posts I've written about Fun Fridays, playing games, and strategies that generally work for our family, I have felt the need to make sure you all knew that my family wasn't living in a realm of perfection where the sun is always shining, my house is always clean and organized, my children are always well behaved, and my hubby and I are always on speaking terms. If you've been thinking that, I'm sorry to shatter that image for you! Haha

We all talk a lot about our families, and our experiences as parents to children of all ages. We discuss how things should be in the world and how strong our faith should be, and how big our God is. Talking about all of these things is important, but I wonder if there is something else, something that is just as real that needs to be addressed.

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Walking With Me

By Pat

A few days ago I was playing outside on the swings with my little granddaughter, Annie, who just turned two. She wanted to go down the sliding board, so as I lifted her to help her up the steps, she said, "No, me do it myself!" I said, "Okay, you do it!" and removed my hands from her. She carefully made her way up to the top, not knowing my hards had been there only inches away to catch her at the slightest slip. When she finally got to the top, she broke into a big smile and victoriously said, "ME DID IT"!

It reminded me so much of my relationship with God. I am very quick to say, "I did it!" Whatever successes I may have, hurdles I jump, mountains I climb, or victories I achieve, I sometimes say I did it, forgetting that I didn't really do it at all...God did it! God gives me everything I need, every moment or every day. Whatever I'm doing, God is right there with me, hands and arms outstretched, ready to catch my every fall and protect me from danger...able to boost me along and give me the strength and courage to forge ahead.

Just as Annie couldn't see me behind her keeping watch over her, I can't see God, but I know He's there/He told me so, and I believe it! And so, I will try to be more mindful and remember that without God, I can do nothing. I AM nothing. With Him, I can say say, "God and I did it!"

"The Lord watches over you-the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm-he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." (Psalm 121:5-8)

Pat is a good friend who is passionate about her faith and her family. She works from home supporting a family business, and loves to read, write and garden when she can, and spends every spare moment with her grandkids.

God Is... All-Glorious

By Dusty (Reflections on the Life of a Christian)

God is Worthy of Glory

God is worthy of all glory. He alone is consistently deserving of our praise. Even the majesty and splendor of creation exalts His name.

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” (Revelation 4:11)

"I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth." (Psalm 57:9-11)

"Who among the gods is like you, LORD? Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?" (Exodus 15:11)

There is no other like God. No one can compare to Him. He is worthy.

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