Sunday, September 4, 2011
God Gave Me You
-It's okay to have differences in personality and opinions. We're a great team and learn from each others perspective. I'm often overly optimistic and he can be pretty realistic. I'm messy and he's a neat freak. I'm a take it as it comes girl and he's a planner. I've learned to make lists and have a plan when I need one, and he's learned to relax and smile when things get stressful.
-I will always have a number one fan. I know that Eric will support me in anything I do and will push me to do my best. I'm a great cheerleader for Eric when he has dreams and aspirations. It's a powerful thing to have someone you love on your side.
-Husbands are not mind readers. As much as I might want to deny this, I often catch myself dropping hints or thinking that Eric must know exactly what I'm feeling or thinking. Not true. And not fair, either. I've learned to realize that I can tell him anything and that I need to take advantage of that, and not assume he has other worldly mind reading powers.
-I married a sinner. And so did he. Grace is a huge part of our marriage and we both encourage, pray, and support each other when it comes to each others faults.
-Always, always tell each other the truth. I've learned the value of the truth in the little things. Leaving out the not so great details of a situation or forgetting to mention something unpleasant causes nothing but problems. We're a team. And as a team we can work through just about anything, even the bad stuff.
-Men and women are so, so different. This has been one of the hardest but simplest lessons to learn. Eric and I are wired very, very differently. He doesen't think that same way I do and operates on an entirely different kind of system than I do. And I need to continually remind myself of this.
-Gods grace is much bigger than mine. My husband is not my savior and I am not his. I've learned not to rely on him for every single one of my emotional, spiritual, mental, and physical needs. One person can only handle so much. God's shoulders can handle anything I throw at them. My husband is a human. (Another mention to those ever so absent mind reading abilities).
I am blessed beyond measure by a man who puts up with me, laughs with me, listens to me, encourages me, forgives me, and loves me. Here's to the years to come. I love you, Eric.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Love Wins // My Thoughts
Sunday, March 27, 2011
an unfaithful bride
Sunday, March 13, 2011
To few and far between
I'm finally about to start working for real again and couldn't be happier. *enormous round of applause and cheering* and the weather is slowly but surely warming up. Enough to even get Eric and I outta the house to go geocaching yesterday AND two long walks with Big B. Here's to hoping it stays that way.
I leave you with a few fun finds from this week. Happy Sunday!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Love, love.
Yes, I'm done with the mush, I promise.
I got to spend time with my momma this morning before sunrise, spent the afternoon with my siblings and the dogs, got to talk to my daddy, and have had the whole evening spending time with my husband. Spaghetti Warehouse take out and Arrested Development. Perfect describes today.
Oh, and did I mention that I got the TIFFANY RING I wanted?! Yes. I die. And Eric set the bar for valentines days to come. :)
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Weekend Reboot
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Hoover Hustle
I, Trish Palac, WILL be running the Hoover Hustle on April 17th. It's a 5k/10k race here in Westerville, OH and it's something I promised myself back in December that I would do. I did a great job of keeping up with my training schedule for quite some time but then I let myself slack off for a week so before I had some health complications (totally unrelated) and stopped all together. But I still have time to whip myself into shape and run my little backside (ha!) over that finish line. I'm really not and never have been a runner, but it's also the only form of physical activity that I enjoy. Once I get back into the swing of things, that is. The first week is always the hardest, but I know I can power through it. My long term goal is to do a half marathon by the end of the year. I don't know how realistic that goal is yet - but I would like to do one eventually.
So now that everyone who wants to know is aware of my one and only resolution this year - keep me accountable! Knowing I have to answer to anyone about it is a big motivator when choosing between the gym or a chick flick paired with Ben & Jerry's.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
21 and done.
Monday, February 7, 2011
I'm a sucker for a handwritten love letter.
In a world that thrives on acceleration and convenience - handwritten letters aren't exactly the most popular form of communication. A text can be received by my lovely grandmother across the country and answered within minutes. I can Skype with my dear friends to catch up and learn what's going on in their lives. I can even email my dad now, who is in prison half the country away, whenever I wish. Why should a girl complain?
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Complacent and Wretched
Thoughts on Isaiah 1
First of all, I fully believe that God spoke directly through Isaiah in his vision here. I also believe that while there are times in the Old Testament where the words and actions described in the Bible are specific to the time - I think that there is always an application for us here and now. In terms of broad principles at least, versus specific laws, there is application for us whether it’s a message to learn or knowledge to gain, it’s always there.
I don’t believe Isaiah is talking about an ignorance of God like I might have an ignorance of Chemistry or of Physics.. but rather a rejection of God. They had gradually, and it seems almost totally, drifted away from God. They had lost belief.
I know I’ve said plenty of times in my life that “I know what this Bible passage says.. but how does this matter to me right now? How is it relevant to me, now?”. I wonder if the people in Isaiah’s day said the same thing? Maybe I’m more like these revolting people than I think. Maybe I’m revolting in God’s eyes.
I’ve so often doubted the practical application of God’s words then - to today. I feel like I have to continually remind myself of the statement I made at the beginning of this post. It’s always there.
Besides, who is the man who is qualified to tell us what changes need to be made in the Christian faith? Who knows the mind of God well enough to challenge the practice of today versus that of what’s found in the pages of the New Testament? I know I’m not. Sounds to me like blind guides leading blind people. We over and over create our own brand of Christianity today to suit our needs (IE, hundreds of denominations). We have become, or I have become, just like the people of Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah is crying out to for change.
Those people Isaiah was speaking to weren’t outright mocking God either - they were still holding worship services, giving burnt offerings, using incense, ect. They had the whole godly act down to a science. But God was still saddened by it all because their hearts and daily life weren’t in it. It was all an act. Sound familiar? I know it does to me.
God even said “I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly.” (1:13) He says their incense “is an abomination to me.” (1:13) He doesn’t want us to put on a show for Him.
There is only one way to know and understand God. One must become a faithful and diligent student of the word of God, not just an occasional and casual reader. It’s His personal love letter to us! Why do we struggle to spend time reading a book that was written and dedicated to us personally. One thing that my husband and I have been trying to make a priority in our lives, is consuming the Word of God on a daily basis.
God tells us to “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes. Cease to do evil, learn to do good.” (1:16) He sure does make it sounds easy.
But God is able and willing to save the greatest of sinners, to save me and you, if we will just repent. But isn’t it more than that? I can’t even begin to count how many times I’ve fallen to the ground begging God to forgive me. Begging Him to make me new. Over and over God tells me “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (1:18). Even now as great as my sins, as deep red at scarlet can be, God can wash us to the purest white. That’s mind-boggling. Why aren’t we jumping for JOY!?
God wants restoration for me. He wants to rebuild our lives. But how do we attain that? A daily journey? I believe so. Without our authentic and loving God in our lives throughout every moment.. who are we to demand forgiveness? A relationship needs to be made. And it needs to be priority.
“He prays to God and finds favor with him, he sees God’s face and shouts for joy;he is restored by God to his righteous state.” Job 33:26