After " The Shack"

Well, we finished it today. If you plan on reading it, then please don't go any further and let the book speak for itself.

If not, this is what I got from it. No, it is not gospel. It doesn't profess to be.Yes there are things in it that will and more than likely does offend some. It didn't offend me.You see, I know my God is bigger than anything anyone can put in writing.The only real story ever written about God is the BIBLE. Everything else is just fiction produced from the musings of man's mind. It's written from a human's stand point that perhaps has dealt with the pain and confusion brought on by some of the events in life that seem so unfair.

For me, it helped me with the struggle I've had with God letting Marty die.
"You could have stopped it from happening, but you didn't. You could have healed him, but you refused." and the extreme anger I felt over that fact. I wonder if the pain from that will ever truly go away completely, but it has lessened a great deal.

I never thought of my anger as judging God.Putting Him on trial and letting that anger boil so much as to almost become a hatred.... almost. I was hurt and didn't understand why something so dreadful still happened when with a simple breath of air, my husband could have been healed. The Shack addresses a father's pain and anger over the death of his child.

God appears to this man as a woman. My take on that.... well, if a man I felt was responsible for letting my child/loved one die knowing full well He could have stopped it from happening, yet chose not to, stood in front of me and admitted it... Honey, I'd have been all over him, pelting him full force with every ounce of anger and hatred boiling up inside me, never once giving him the chance to explain. I wouldn't have stopped until one, the other or both of us were dead. So, in my opinion God came to this person in a way that would ease his pain. GOD knows what we can and cannot handle. I wouldn't care what God looked like, I'd just be honored that He chose to let me see His presence at all.

Jesus is portrayed as a gentle, loving man with a sense of humor. I like him.

The Holy Spirit was portrayed as light, movement and color. I like that much better than thinking of it as a ghost.

The book made me laugh and it also made me cry. It made me think about events and feelings in my own life.My judgemental attitude toward God.

In the end, the main character of the book was in a car accident. Everything he experienced during his time at the shack was a dream. In fact, several times through out the book that very thing is eluded to. I've had my share of crazy dreams, haven't we all. I'd like to think it's possible for God to visit us in our dreams. Hey, after all, nothing is impossible for God if He so chooses to let it be.

Thanks for visiting with me friend!

It's called "Bow Tucks Tote"

The pattern was created by Penny Sturges

I loved seeing this purse come to life! The only thing left to do is add the button for the closure.
Can't wait to make another one!

Have you read " The Shack" ?

When the book "The Shack " first came out, my Pastor's wife told me I was NOT allowed to read it under any circumstance. It would be too difficult for me. At that time in my life simply thinking the word cry and I'd be in a torrent of tears, I knew I better listen to her. When I mentioned to her that I was about to begin listening to it with a co-worker, she again advised me that it might be a little too rough emotionally for me. I have been going through some very personal/emotional situations and I was tempted to listen to her once again. Only this time, a voice said.... "Now is the time. Now, you will understand."

Hmmm, I thought, understand what? Understand the sweet , beautifully ugly chaos of my life? Can a book help me do that? What is in this book that a dear friend tried to keep me from. What emotions will it stir. Anger? Pain? Disbelief? She did mention that I needed to let my heart heal first. I needed to be at peace with the ugliness that had taken place in my own life. Was I, am I ready ? What kind of impact would I let the words of another have upon me?

My imagination is so vivid that when I read, or in this case listen to, I am transported there. I am in the shoes of the characters. I feel their emotions, the joy, the laughter,the pain. Was I really ready to let myself experience "The Shack" ?

Well, the little voice is saying.... "Yes, you are."

I'll let you know how it goes!
~Lisa

Sunday Service...

I have to tell you that yes, I am still struggling with getting back in the pew on a regular basis. The anger I've held in my heart towards God, over the death of my husband, has been melting away little by little and my heart is once again open.

So, I've slowly begun warming the bench as my father used to put it. I don't like going and sitting alone. That's just not for me. It's very uncomfortable for some reason. Sure, I can sit with friends, but even that isn't always an incentive to get me there.

Thank God for the Toddlerette! She is now my pew buddy. Laugh if you want, but taking her helps in more than one way. I've got someone I love with me and if things get to be "too much" I can simply take her to the restroom to change her nappie and leave if I want to. No one complains. In fact there are several who are glad to see the Toddlerette go.

"Babies have no place in the sanctuary! That's what the nursery is for!" ~~ Well excuse me, but I don't believe that. Not one little bit. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

If the child is freaking out screaming and crying then yes dear parent gather them in your arms and step out into the foyer or crying room if your church has one. Calm them down and then return to your seat.

I do have an issue with those that simply expect you to take the baby straight to the nursery. Forget the fact that the child may have been in daycare all week long. It's with it's parents on Saturday and that's it. Why should Sunday be another day in the care of others?

I wonder if that's why a lot of new parents stop coming to church. The glares from those who don't want bothered with baby giggles is kinda sad. There was a time when infants and really all kids were considered a blessing to have in church.

Well, today I went to the church my sister attends. The toddlerette giggled and sang and would put up her arms and say YEAH..... and no one complained. No one glared at us. No one made me feel we shouldn't be there. I on the other hand tried to shush her, keep her quiet and nervously looked at the people around me. My sister kept saying..."she's fine we aren't like that here trust me!"

After the service several folks came up to meet the little blessing that God brought into their lives that morning. They thanked me for bringing her. We left with a smile and the thought that perhaps, maybe next Sunday we'll warm the bench there again....

Thanks for visiting with me today friend!
~ God's Blessings be yours!
~~Lisa

Is it time to get off Facebook?

I look at my blog and wonder why it's sitting here so empty. Is it perhaps that my creative juices have stopped flowing, or maybe it's all that time I sit playing mindless games. Mindless thought numbing games like Farmville. Don't get me wrong, I really do enjoy clicking that mouse button over and over and over and.... well, I think you get the idea.

No, it's not FB's (Facebook's) fault that I sit there for an hour or more feeding people's chicken's and fertilizing their crops. It's my own lack of self motivation that keeps me sitting there. It's just too easy to do. Too easy NOT to do.

FB is a great medium to use when you want to have that quick fix of seeing what is going on in your friends lives. It's a great way to keep in touch with friends all over the world when a telephone call isn't possible. Much faster than a letter, but oh so much less personal. I still have to admit I get giddy when I receive a real live, in person, letter or card in my mailbox. Those still brighten my day much more than an email.

So, on my agenda for this weekend... finishing my Germany blog, working on my apron photo shoot and maybe designing a couple new ones. I've got a purse that is sitting on my sewing table, a bag of tops a friend has asked me to alter and a bracelet that needs fixing.

Most importantly though, is the toddlerette that is now living with me full time. She's got me wrapped around her little finger. So when nap time comes around, I've got a lot more to get accomplished than sitting in my chair clickin' a button and watching a make believe farm come to life.

I've got a life to live and enjoy and it doesn't revolve around FB.

It's my life..... and only I can make the most of it!

Thanks for spending a few moments of yours with me!

God's Blessings!
~ Lisa

Another year has flown right by!

You would think, that someone who loves to scribble her thoughts, would do a much better job with this whole blogging thing. Oh, so not true. This past year has been a whirlwind of uncovering the me I want to be, but I've not shared a thing. Maybe I'm more of a private person than I thought.

To sum it up...I've become much more self confident. I've lost 40# , flew to Germany and found out I CAN survive. I can be a bitch when I want to be and a kitten when I feel like it too. I've welcomed stronger friendships and I've left those that dragged me down blow away like the seeds from a dandilion puff.

I like the woman I'm becoming. Yes, sometimes I miss the girl I used to be. That girl however had her identity tied up in being a wife/mother/caregiver. Now, I have time for me and I like it.

In the words from the lyrics of a song.....

"I've found you find strength in your moments of weakness. For once I'm at peace with myself.....

I'm movin' on."

Thanks for sharing a bit of your day with me!

~ Lisa