Fall just began and life is way crazy at our house. I wanted to take a few minutes and check in with you.
We are in full swing. We’re anticipating cooler weather, open windows, cool breezes and something aromatic baking in the oven. I’m thinking German Apple Cake with cream cheese frosting. Yum. I decorated my front porch with gourds, pumpkins, apple baskets, fall leaves, and a couple of scare crows. I'm ready for fall! Now, it just needs to cool down!
In the meantime, I just released my fourth novel, Forever Loved. My husband and I have been working hard co-authoring a book on self-publishing that should be out this next week. We are super excited about it. I’m also trying to finish up my novella, The Perfect Gift, which will be available later this month or early November. And as if that weren’t enough, my son wants a book about his dog, Leia. I’m hoping that one can be done as a Christmas gift for him. I’m not sure if I’ll market that one…or keep it in the family. We’ll see how it turns out.
Last week I had the opportunity to speak for a ladies’ group at the Wesley United Methodist Church in Shawnee, OK. I’m not sure who was blessed more the ladies or myself. I love it when hearts and lives are touched for Christ.
On Saturday I’ll be participating in a craft fair at St. James Catholic Church in Oklahoma City. I love participating in these fairs. I meet so many wonderful people.
My husband and I are looking forward to the day he can stay home full time. This past weekend he was off three days. We worked on our joint publishing venture. I only had to threaten to send him back to work four or five times. I didn’t think that was too bad. ;) All kidding aside, I am so blessed because we work so well together. Even so I’m trying to cure him of his habit to write long, drawn out, run on sentences. He insists these sentences are his trademark. I beg to differ with him.
Well, I know we had a short visit this week, but I’m thankful we had time to visit at all. I’m thinking I might need to get used to being busy. If you have a chance, check out my new novel. I’d love to know what you think.
Blessings,
Darlene Shortridge
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Some Things I've Learned
Yesterday I turned forty-seven years old. Or as my husband put it, three years away from the big five Oh. (For which he was promptly smacked.)
As I grow older these are some of the things I have learned.
As much as I love presents, it has become very easy for me to put off the instant gratification of tearing into a gift. In fact, I asked that gifts be delayed. I now know what it means to be patient and wait for the really good stuff that is coming soon.
I have learned that no matter where I am, or what my circumstances are, after God my family is the single most important thing to me. We could be living in a mansion or in a hut and as long as they are with me, I will find occasions to smile. Material things may be convenient, and may even bring a certain amount of pleasure, but nothing compares to hearing my loved ones’ voices and seeing their faces.
I have learned that mistakes are inevitable. It’s what you do afterward that really matters. I used to be a perfectionist. The key phrase in that sentence is “used to be”, as in past tense. My husband picked up a post card tonight that I use for handing out at events. He commented on how professional they look. My thought was, would I have it any other way? Yet, even in my quest for excellence, I have learned that perfection is too lofty a goal; it is unrealistic and impossible for mere mortals to experience. Excellence on the other hand is quite nice…and quite attainable. Learning from mistakes is what carries us onward to excellence.
I have learned that our dream is our own, no one else’s. We have to own it, develop it, work toward it and achieve it. No one will do it for us. No one will believe in us if we do not believe in ourselves. And even then, they may not believe in us. I have learned it doesn’t matter if anyone else believes because as long as we are walking in God’s will for our lives…and we believe it…with work and persistence, we can achieve it.
I have learned that others may have to make their own mistakes. I cannot remove the obstacles for them. I cannot save them from themselves. They must experience pain and roadblocks to grow. It is the way of life. As much as I want to reach out and pull them from the muck, I cannot. I must let them live, through the good and bad.
I have learned I don’t have all the answers. When I was eighteen and I knew everything, I wished for a platform so I could enlighten the world. Now, at forty-seven, I have a platform. Now, instead of shouting my opinions, I write and speak from the heart of God. My opinions no longer matter. Everything I do now is to further His kingdom, not my own.
I also know that in the next forty-seven years, should the Lord allow me to remain on this earth, I will learn many, many more lessons.
Blessings,
Darlene Shortridge
As I grow older these are some of the things I have learned.
As much as I love presents, it has become very easy for me to put off the instant gratification of tearing into a gift. In fact, I asked that gifts be delayed. I now know what it means to be patient and wait for the really good stuff that is coming soon.
I have learned that no matter where I am, or what my circumstances are, after God my family is the single most important thing to me. We could be living in a mansion or in a hut and as long as they are with me, I will find occasions to smile. Material things may be convenient, and may even bring a certain amount of pleasure, but nothing compares to hearing my loved ones’ voices and seeing their faces.
I have learned that mistakes are inevitable. It’s what you do afterward that really matters. I used to be a perfectionist. The key phrase in that sentence is “used to be”, as in past tense. My husband picked up a post card tonight that I use for handing out at events. He commented on how professional they look. My thought was, would I have it any other way? Yet, even in my quest for excellence, I have learned that perfection is too lofty a goal; it is unrealistic and impossible for mere mortals to experience. Excellence on the other hand is quite nice…and quite attainable. Learning from mistakes is what carries us onward to excellence.
I have learned that our dream is our own, no one else’s. We have to own it, develop it, work toward it and achieve it. No one will do it for us. No one will believe in us if we do not believe in ourselves. And even then, they may not believe in us. I have learned it doesn’t matter if anyone else believes because as long as we are walking in God’s will for our lives…and we believe it…with work and persistence, we can achieve it.
I have learned that others may have to make their own mistakes. I cannot remove the obstacles for them. I cannot save them from themselves. They must experience pain and roadblocks to grow. It is the way of life. As much as I want to reach out and pull them from the muck, I cannot. I must let them live, through the good and bad.
I have learned I don’t have all the answers. When I was eighteen and I knew everything, I wished for a platform so I could enlighten the world. Now, at forty-seven, I have a platform. Now, instead of shouting my opinions, I write and speak from the heart of God. My opinions no longer matter. Everything I do now is to further His kingdom, not my own.
I also know that in the next forty-seven years, should the Lord allow me to remain on this earth, I will learn many, many more lessons.
Blessings,
Darlene Shortridge
Thursday, August 1, 2013
He's Not An Either/Or God!
I really don’t think clearly when I’m sick. My brain is scattered. Sometimes I talk in circles. Sometimes I think in circles. I apologize for this ahead of time when I speak with anyone about anything I should be aware of, educated about or well versed enough to discuss. It’s like my brain is hanging out the sign “Out to Lunch.”
On Tuesday I went on a hot date with my husband. First we ate some dinner, which was delicious. We were celebrating Danny’s release of his Tips on Tips program. Then we went pricing food for kid’s jam. Yeah, we’re cool like that. After getting kicked out of Sam’s (who knew they closed at 8:30?) we headed to Walmart. Almost to the end of our little pricing expedition, my throat went crazy. I had a hard time breathing and I couldn’t speak. My nose started running and I could feel the drainage in the back of my throat.
Danny grabbed me a quick drink and after downing several swallows, I could at least talk. I chalked the whole episode up to sinuses. By that evening my mouth was in intense pain. We have no dental insurance so as I was mentally adding up all the available money I could get my hands on, I was making a deal with God. At that point my throat was scratchy as well. Still thinking allergies/sinuses.
My deal, Lord, You know we can’t afford a dentist right now. I’ll handle the sore throat, allergies, all the yuck etc. but please heal my mouth.
I gargled with salt water. Checked out my stash of essential oils. Numbed my mouth with Orajel and went to bed.
The next morning, Wednesday, I woke up with zero mouth pain. But my throat was in full throttle forward. It was hard to swallow. I winced with saliva let alone food. And I thought, now this I can handle.
On day three I woke up in even more pain. And this thought crossed my mind. Why does God have to be an either/or God? Is He not capable of being an “everything” God? And why do I feel I need to make deals with Him anyway? When my own children are sick do I make deals with them to take away the greater illness and instead make them suffer with a bout of the flu? No. I wouldn’t want that for my children now why do I think God would want that for me?
Matthew 7:9-11 says this: “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"
He is more capable than we give Him credit for. I’m done making deals with God and I’m going to approach His throne with confidence that He wants the best for me. Not seconds, not leftovers, not rummage sale quality, but the best!
Lord, I come boldly before your throne. I ask that you heal me in the name of Jesus. I pray that the enemy would be held at bay and that all my energy would be restored so I might glorify you in all that I must do. In the precious name of Jesus. Amen.
On Tuesday I went on a hot date with my husband. First we ate some dinner, which was delicious. We were celebrating Danny’s release of his Tips on Tips program. Then we went pricing food for kid’s jam. Yeah, we’re cool like that. After getting kicked out of Sam’s (who knew they closed at 8:30?) we headed to Walmart. Almost to the end of our little pricing expedition, my throat went crazy. I had a hard time breathing and I couldn’t speak. My nose started running and I could feel the drainage in the back of my throat.
Danny grabbed me a quick drink and after downing several swallows, I could at least talk. I chalked the whole episode up to sinuses. By that evening my mouth was in intense pain. We have no dental insurance so as I was mentally adding up all the available money I could get my hands on, I was making a deal with God. At that point my throat was scratchy as well. Still thinking allergies/sinuses.
My deal, Lord, You know we can’t afford a dentist right now. I’ll handle the sore throat, allergies, all the yuck etc. but please heal my mouth.
I gargled with salt water. Checked out my stash of essential oils. Numbed my mouth with Orajel and went to bed.
The next morning, Wednesday, I woke up with zero mouth pain. But my throat was in full throttle forward. It was hard to swallow. I winced with saliva let alone food. And I thought, now this I can handle.
On day three I woke up in even more pain. And this thought crossed my mind. Why does God have to be an either/or God? Is He not capable of being an “everything” God? And why do I feel I need to make deals with Him anyway? When my own children are sick do I make deals with them to take away the greater illness and instead make them suffer with a bout of the flu? No. I wouldn’t want that for my children now why do I think God would want that for me?
Matthew 7:9-11 says this: “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"
He is more capable than we give Him credit for. I’m done making deals with God and I’m going to approach His throne with confidence that He wants the best for me. Not seconds, not leftovers, not rummage sale quality, but the best!
Lord, I come boldly before your throne. I ask that you heal me in the name of Jesus. I pray that the enemy would be held at bay and that all my energy would be restored so I might glorify you in all that I must do. In the precious name of Jesus. Amen.
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