Mini-Golf and Lizzards...

What do these 2 things have in common? Absolutely nothing! The 2nd night we were in Florida, we decided to go play mini-golf. We didn't want to travel far and weren't sure exactly where all the hot spots were for this type of thing, and we had a coupon for this particular one, so we chose to give it a try. Let's just say it wasn't the greatest choice.

I mean the place was ok, but where there was supposed to be water, there was none. The greens were very run down and there were little lizzards running around everywhere! We had a good time and all and it was great being able to spend quality time as a family, away from all the "worries" of this world.

One thing kinda put a damper on that though. Our 6 year old is scared to death of just about everything! Spiders, bugs, bees (she did just get stung the other day!), dogs, sometimes even people, trying new things, and now...lizzards. Every time it was her turn to putt, she would literally hit the ball while not even looking at her club or the hole, because she was too busy looking out for the lizzards that might creep up on her! It was comical, but at the same time, I felt a little bad for her, because I knew she probably wasn't enjoying this as much as I wanted her to.

Seeing her reaction to all of this made me think about all the things in my life that distract me from looking at the things that I need to be focusing on. Hebrews 12:2 says, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith." So many times in my life, I lose sight of that. I am constantly looking over my shoulder at the past events that have taken place in my life that I'm not happy about or proud of...things that aren't quite going my way. And I grow tired. And at times, I may be looking forward, but not necessarily at the hole on the green. I look to the right or to the left, all the while worrying about what God has in store for our future. I distract myself from just looking at Jesus. And I start to lose heart.

For Rachel, her distractions were the lizzards. Because of that, she was off-balance, hitting without looking, and could care less where the ball was going. For me, the everyday struggles and trials of life right now are my distractions. And if I'm not in the Word, and praying to God about these, I get so off-balanced. I may half-heartedly hit the ball because I have to, but I don't care where it's going. Distractions. They are annoying for sure. And Satan will do his best to keep them around for a very long time.

So what are your "lizzards"? I don't have all the answers as to how to get rid of them, but I can tell you this: When you grow tired, don't lose heart. Jesus cares...so fix your eyes on Him.

P.S. We ended up playing mini-golf 2 more times that week...at a different location!

I Samuel 16:7

The 4 of us were walking on the beach and I had just gotten done taking some pictures of Macayla. I mentioned that I would like to eventually be in some of the pictures since I'm the one that usually takes them of everyone else.

After I said this, Macayla looked up at me and said, "I'll take a picture of you mommy." I said back, "No, that's okay...I don't look very nice tonight for pictures." (I knew as soon as I said this, that was the wrong thing to say) Macayla then responded with, "It doesn't matter what you look like on the outside...it's what you look like on the inside." I smiled and asked her, "Where did you learn that?" (I already knew the answer, just wanted to make sure!) She pointed at me and said, "you".

At that moment, I felt both good and bad. Good because something that I try to teach my girls and have told them lots of time actually was remembered. Bad because I didn't live that out. I was teaching Macayla in that particular situation that "looks" were so much more important than heart and character.

Isn't it so easy to know all the right things we want to say and teach to our kids on how they should act and live, but so hard to carry out in our own life? 1st Corinthians 11:1 says, "Follow me, as I follow the example of Christ." In my life, I want the things that I say and the things that I do to match up. I want my girls to be able to know that they can "follow me" in my teachings as I point them to Jesus, knowing that what I tell them is true and good and right and worth living by.

I kinda blew it that day. I told Macayla one thing but did another. After failing that one, I decided to go ahead and be in some pictures that night, no matter how I looked on the outside. How I share and show my heart to those around me is so much more important...

"God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart."
I Sam. 16:7 The Message

P.S. Thanks Macayla...

"Hey , what's in YOUR eye?"

We just got back from an awesome vacation in Florida, so for the next 2 or 3 blogs, I will be sharing some stories and lessons learned with you. My prayer is that they will encourage and challenge you.


We had just finished eating at Cracker Barrel (one of Macayla's favorite places) in Memphis, TN. We had decided to try and make the trip to Florida by driving it through the night. Matt had been driving for a while, so it was my turn. Everyone was in their seat, buckled up and ready to go and I told Matt that I needed to go ahead and take my contacts out and put my glasses on. It was starting to get darker and I knew driving through the night with my contacts in, that my eyes would dry out very fast. So I took my right contact out first and put it in the case. After I removed my left one and put it in the case, I immediately started rubbing my left eye. It was a little irritated and dry and as I rubbed, I felt something else on my eyelashes...like another contact, but I knew that couldn't be because I just put it in the case. My first thought was, "Oh great...my contact just ripped." And I didn't pack any extras...duh! I reached up at my eye to see what the deal was and sure enough, I pulled out a 2nd contact!!! I had gone several hours with 2 contacts in 1 eye!!!

At this point, you should be asking, "How did you manage to do that?" Here's the deal. After I got home from church that day before we left, I decided to change out my old contacts to a new pair for the trip. Apparently, I never removed the old one before I put in the new one. Yes, to answer your next question, it did feel rather weird, but nothing that unusual, b/c my eyes are dry a lot and occasionally blurry when I first put them in anyway. So there I was, getting ready to drive while pulling 2 contacts out of 1 eye...I'm sure my family felt totally safe!!!

It got me thinking about this as the trip went along. I remember how good it felt to get those contacts out. My left eye was so irritated and dry after I got those contacts out, but I can't imagine how they would have felt had I left them in any longer. Are you familiar with the verses in Matthew 7:3-5 which say, "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." I got to thinking about the "planks" that are in my eyes. I hate to admit this, and I'm actually embarrassed by it as a Christ-follower, but it's very easy for me to point out all the "specks" in those around me.

As we made that almost 22 hour drive to our destination, God was working on me. I began thinking about how great it felt after getting those "planks" out of my eye...a.k.a. "2 contacts". And how there are so many other irritations in my own life that are distracting me from being able to clearly see what God has for me. Here's just some of my "planks"...anger, bitterness, lack of faith, fear, pride...I could go on. What are some of your "planks"? And or you asking God to help you with those or are you only dealing with the "specks" that you see in others' lives, ones that you really would like to take matters into your own hands and rip them out?

Sometimes, we think it would feel so much better if we could remove those out of "someone else". Of course, not in our own life. We have it all together, right? Wrong! That's pride. This week, let's do inventory in what "planks" we must remove. Let's not leave them in any longer. God helped me see a bit more clearly after I removed my contacts. God will help you too.

Some things never change...

Dad...great pics!!! It was neat being able to view both of these...from your pic 50 years ago and the picture now. Sure, there have been a few changes from then until now. But one thing has never changed about you dad. And that is this...your love for me has remained constant. You might say, "Of course I love you...you're my daughter." But please know that I don't take the love I have from my parents for granted. I am very thankful for that.

So Happy Father's Day, Dad! Thank you for your constant love, support and encouragement along this journey called life. You may have changed in your looks a little over the years...but your love and example has remained the same. Because of this, God has used you to help "change" me into the woman He wants me to be. (I'm still changing though...He's still workin' on me and it might take a while! :)

Enjoy your day...and we will see you in a couple of weeks.

I love you,
Your favorite daughter

P.S. Be glad I posted these pics...I was going to use the "Italy" one but decided on these instead!!!

Florida Vacation 2008

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Please Pray...

Friends and Family, please pray for the family of Steven Curtis Chapman. They tragically lost their 5 year old daughter yesterday. For years now, he has been my all-time favorite Christian artist. I just heard this news this morning and my heart breaks for them.

www.stevencurtischapman.com

Please say a prayer for them today...

Meet Matt Bycroft...my BETTER half!

This is my man. I made him go out into our backyard and take this picture by our pretty flowers. Needless to say, he felt like a dork doing it. I kept reminding him that none of our neighbors were even home.....well, I don't think so anyway.

How often do you brag about your spouse? You may throw a compliment to him/her every now and then just to keep the "love bank" full, but is praising your spouse part of your every day? Most of you would sadly say, "no". Don't worry, I am right there with you. It's not that I don't think about it...I just have "other" things to do.

Matt knows that I love him. We tell each other that every single day. And he knows that I am thankful for him. I admit though, I don't always show it by my words and actions. I'm sure you all can think of those tougher times in your marriage. Everyone has them. But our good days far outweigh the bad. I am blessed to have him in my life...and I know he's blessed to have me. I know this because he tells me...and not just on our anniversary.

So Matt, this is for you. I wanted to take the time to brag on you a bit. And for those who want to read on, you just go right ahead.


Hey Matt,

It's me. You know there are many things that I have been proud of you for over the last 13 1/2 years we have known each other. We have had a lot of moments together for sure. But I wanted to highlight 3 that I am most proud of.

First of all, everyone that really knows you has seen how hard of a worker you are. It's not too often that you leave any job unfinished. Sure, things come up where you have to put things off a bit because of something more important, but those things that truly need done, you are right there. You show that example not only in our church, but here at home as well. There is not anything that you would ask someone else to do that you wouldn't be willing to do yourself...within reason. Your work ethic amazes me at times. You take on more than one person should have to at times. I know that is just who you are though and how God wired you. I am thankful for it.

Secondly, you are an awesome dad to our girls and a kind, loving husband to me. God could not have given me a better dad for our daughters. It's obvious that they adore and admire you. I think you do a great job in balancing your work with time with our family. And we know that's not always easy being in full-time ministry. No matter how tired you may be at the end of your work day, you still take the time out of every day to play with our girls. Thank you for being a "family man". You have told me time and time again over the years that you would rather be here with us than doing anything else. I am thankful for that and I don't take that for granted. You don't let a day go by without saying that you love me. There's not a day that goes by without you kissing me goodbye and wrapping your arms around me. You also show appreciation for me in the things that I do. Again, I try not to take this for granted because I know not everyone is as lucky as I am. I love our family and appreciate the love and commitment that you show to us. Thanks Matt.

Lastly, I love your integrity and your attitude that is so much like Jesus. I always knew this about you, but this has definitely become more evident within this last year. Needless to say, this past year hasn't been easy on our family. There have been a lot of hurts, some that we are still trying to heal from. The amount of stress that has been put on your shoulders has been more than I would have wanted you to bear alone. You have had many personal attacks come upon you and yet, your attitude remains like Jesus. Matt, you have no doubt lived out the verse in Philippians 1:27 which says, "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." You have a calmness about you that I admire. Your integrity in this whole situation has been one that I want to always emulate. You continue to do what is right, even when others aren't. You are the same person...all the time. When hard times have come, you get yourself through it by prayer. Instead of taking matters into your own hands, you take them to God. I admit...that's hard for me to do. But because of your example to me, I know that's the right way to go. So Matt, even though this has been (and somehow continues to be) one of the hardest years that we have had to endure, I know that we are a team. And God will get us through it. Needless to say, I don't enjoy these trials...who does, right?! But if I'm going to go through them, there's no one I'd rather have by my side than you.

You make me a better person. Thanks for letting me brag on you a bit. I know how much you don't really like attention. But I'm giving it to you anyway. I love you...

4-ever you and me...

Jenn


P.S. To show my appreciation to you, I would love to be able to buy you a 4-wheeler or a canoe or kayak...money is tight today though. So you'll have to settle on my love and commitment to you instead. Maybe someday we can purchase one of those!!!