Project Pinterest - First Edition

I waste a lot of time on Pinterest.  But it's only truly wasted time if all those hundreds of pins I pin just sit there without ever being used, reflected upon, or made into delicious fare for my family to enjoy.  So, I thought to myself.  I am going to complete a Pinterest project; and not just one, but many all rolled into one BIG PROJECT- the Pinterest Project.

Each week on this blog, I will feature a post about a recent Pinterest inspired project that I have completed or a quote that has inspired me and that I hope will inspire others.  This should ensure that I actually focus on DOING more rather than just pinning more.  So here goes...

This quote is one that I've been reflecting on recently.  It can relate to both large and small things in life.  Whether it's a job, or a relationship, or a day to day task.  As I reflected on what this meant for me personally, I have realized that I tend to hang on to things.  My tendency is to keep working and trying to make something work even when it just isn't.  I'm finding that God is teaching me that I can't control others.  I can't make my mom agree with me about how silly it is to have house cats that are not de-clawed.  I can't expect my girls to be perfect angels all the time and be as into a project or activity as much as I am.  I can't get upset when my husband can't read my mind or make my friend end a relationship that is unhealthy for her.

But this is hard for me because I am a natural problem solver.  I remember loving solving the word problems and doing brainstorming activities in elementary school.  When I see someone that's hurting or a situation that isn't right, I want to solve problems.  Again, I have to remind myself that I am only an instrument that God can use for good.  But just like God can't make us choose the right, neither can I.  And this is true in my own problems.  I cannot solve my own problems either.  It's like that verse from Romans 7:19 that says,

"For I do not do the good I want to do, but the 

evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing."

 I need God's grace, for as this verse from 2nd Corinthians 12:9 says,

 "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."

I have to close some doors.  And perhaps some of the doors will open on their own and they will lead somewhere again or perhaps they are just something I need to let go of permanently.  But I am finding that God is asking me to let go of my own plans and expectations for life and relationships, and asking me to simply allow him to work in me.  God has to close doors on us sometimes to show us that he has an even better plan for us through another open door.  My problem is that I try to open those doors where God is saying "Let it go, I have a better plan".  I have to just wait on the Lord and work to cultivate true love and joy in own life.

I  need constant reminders so here are a few more great quotes to help me let go and love better.

Simple reminder

You can't just rely on serious quotes to be inspiring all the time...

I love this.  Talk about your joys...FINALLY a way to justify talking about my kids all the time!  :P


 So here I go talking about my joys/kids!
Kayla: sweetest little smile and determined to be a real ballerina.
Elise: this girl has more goofy in her little finger than most people do in their whole body
Ava: baby giggles and chubbiness abound and she's always ready to fling herself into my arms for a good hug and a nose-scrunched, gap-toothed smile.