Some things I've learned in the last couple weeks...

1. If the garage door won't close when you push the button, you should probably go check and see if there is something in the way instead of holding the button down because that crunching noise you hear when the door hits some shelving is not good.

2. It's ok, because we have LOTS of extra money to replace expensive things that I break.

3. It's probably a good idea to check your pockets to see if your ipod is in one of them before throwing your pants in the wash. Ipods don't like washers. Or dryers.

4. Refer to # 2.

5. My husband is a man of incredible patience, understanding, and love....because he didn't make me feel bad about #1 or 3! No condemnation at all, not even a heavy sigh. Just a "hon, it's ok. You didn't do it on purpose..." as he gently took the club out of my hand (the one I was using to hit myself with) and replaced it with a big spoonful of grace! I love that man.

6. No matter how frazzled I am, I need to make time to go to Wednesday night prayer & praise service...it was SO refreshing this week and helped me get refocused. (Our church has it once a month). God really showed up and renewed my mind and heart and I have felt so much peace since then. I was reminded of how critical it is for my spirit to make time just for praise...not to go to God to ask for things like I do so often, but to just bask in the glow of His light, to reflect back to Him how awesome He is. I haven't been slowing down long enough lately to do this. I haven't been playing my piano very much either, which I need to make time to do daily. And now that #3 happened, I haven't been listening to worship music in my car like I used to...maybe that's ok? I think I have been depending too much on music to worship God. That can be so easy to do, especially for a musician...to make it about the music and not about worship. To focus on the song and not the One we are singing to. To enjoy creating melodies and harmonies, but miss altogether the opportunity to let the Holy Spirit move. During the service I found that when I stopped singing along, when I slowed down my mind, closed my mouth and opened my heart...when I focused on Jesus, it was then that I was able to hear His voice. And it sounds so much sweeter than mine.

The Heart of Worship - Michael W. Smith
"When the music fades
And all is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless Your heart

I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus

King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath

I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus"