Self: Hope

March brings so many memories to mind, but always top of the list is March 22, 1996.  The day my best friend died.  2014 marks 18 years, it is strange to be heading towards a 20 year anniversary of her death and realizing the years that follow will number greater than the years she lived life on this earth.

March also brings a time of reflection on my own life and the season I endured in 1996 ...the grief, growth, faith and hope I experienced in that season...I am who I am because of that day.

Because I have hope. 

I don't have hope in this world.
I don't have hope in a bank account.
I don't have hope in a person completing me.
I don't have hope in material things.

I have hope in eternity.  I have hope in Jesus. 

It's been almost 30 years since I believed in Jesus in my heart and knew I was a sinner.  I grew up in a generation of "re-commitment" and church camp to youth event challenging me to what feels like now a message of "doing better" and checking off everything I was to do on a daily basis and making sure I didn't do the things I wasn't supposed to.  I challenged my faith at 17 years old, was I really saved, did I really know what that meant, was that really forever??

As I've grown in my understanding of Bible, the will of God and the "plan" for my life I can look back on seasons, like 1996, a season that lasted a long time and see that through each of those seasons I had hope.  I was sad.  I was in disbelief.  I was angry.  I wasn't sure how to "help" a devastated family.  

But, I had hope. 

This life, the Christian life, isn't about me checking the box every day and making sure I did everything right, and feeling like at the end of the day/week/month/year I did __________ every day.  Or, heck, didn't do ______________ at all. 

The Bible tells me "his mercies are new every morning".  He doesn't keep record of right and wrong.  So why should I? 

If I am honest, it doesn't matter where I've come from, nor what I bring to the table, I have hope.  I have a God who loves me despite my poor decisions at times, despite my disobedience at times, and despite my other shortcomings on a daily, sometimes hourly basis. 

I have hope in an eternity with Jesus.  He doesn't ask me to only recommit my life at camp or a conference.  He asks me to recommit my life every day and live it better than the day before because I have learned to be obedient and have been loved through my shortcomings.  He asks me to honestly repent and recognize where I fall short, and He receives that and moves on.  He doesn't keep a score sheet.  I suffer consequences at times, because He loves me and disciplines me with love.

I can confidently say I am content because no matter the season, I have hope.  The seasons of lies, deceit, loss, waiting, and also the seasons of great joy and delight.  He loves me the same.  He pursues me the same.  The hope is the same. 

We're all dealing with "stuff" and endure seasons of life.  My hope for you is that you recognize in Jesus you always have hope and He will never leave you nor forsake you.  He is pursuing you through it all to bring you ultimately closer to him, a loving merciful God. 

This morning on the radio Laura Story's song "Blessings" played and reminded me of the faithfulness through all the seasons and sometimes what it's taken for me to realize the faithfulness of Jesus: 

...What if your blessings come through rain drops...

...What if Your healing comes through tears...

...What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near...

....What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise...

Through all of life's seasons may you "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." Romans 12:12

Blessings,

Space: Closets...a simple solution

I spent the better part of a year with my closet looking like this ... in fact I think this was on the way to 30 days of Houston Rodeo last year which is currently underway for 2014!  I was on the road and my clothes traveled in hangers instead of in suitcases. It made for faster packing and easier settling in when arriving for a show.

I know, closets are a pain to keep organized.  I have been asked a lot about keeping a closet organized.  I could give you a handful of tips, and will in a future post, but keeping your closet in order depends also on how to make your closet functional for your lifestyle.  Before you start sorting short sleeves vs. long sleeves or by color or fabric ... check out your hangers! 

Hangers?

Yes.  Hangers. 

 

If your clothes are constantly falling off your hangers, hangers are jumbled in your closet, similar items are hung on various types of hangers making them impossible to see at quick glance then chances are you're frustrated with your closet. 

 

I use a few different types of hangers in my closet....

 

1. Lightweight Slim Design velvet-like hangers.  (top left) All shirts with sleeves (button up, t-shirt, tunic, sheer, 3/4 sleeve) go on these hangers.  They are available at any Marshall's or TJMaxx for $12.99 in packs of 25 and every color you can imagine.   I chose gray and black for mine, and will soon be adding cardigans folded and hung on these in my favorite .. chartreuse green! :)
2. Old fashion plastic hangers with shoulder breaks.  (top right) The kind you can buy in packs of 10 or more for $1 at any Walmart, Target, Dollar Store or heck probably Walgreens carries them by now.  These are for tank tops. Quit fighting the in-arm-clear-plastic-strap to hang up your tank tops and quit fighting those straps when you're wearing the shirt. 
3. Retail Store/Boutique Style plastic hangers.  (bottom left)  The hangers you usually get with items when buying and they ask "would you like this on a hanger" ... YES.  Your answer is yes.  I've never bought these kinds of hangers, I've just moved whatever I bought to type of hanger I use in my closet and used these for specific items.  All dresses, blazers, jackets and hanging cardigans (not folded, see #1) are on these hangers.  They are sturdy for heavier items like jackets and coats and are little wider at the top which I like for dresses. 
4. Cleaners pants hangers.  (bottom right)  Again, I don't buy these.  Well, except for I pay for the dry-cleaning.  I'm from the south, so I have jeans I get starched - heavy please and it's hard to find a place in a big city who knows how to starch jeans like they do in a small town.  I digress.  Pants that you wash and dry at home or pants that you pick up from the cleaners.  Put them on these hangers. 
5. Skirt hangers. (not pictured)  I use either the Retail style with clips or the multi-tiered hanger with clips.  Depends on what it is ... strapless dress - on a single hanger, collection of colored skirts - on a tiered hanger - ultimately taking up less closet space. 

So there you have it.  Easy, simple and relatively inexpensive.  Might take some time to sort your clothes onto the right hangers, but once you do, they will all be hanging and viewable in your closet. 

 

Here's examples of life in tiny spaces with hangers in place ...

 

when I lived in an RV ... in the middle of tornado season, but that's another story for another time.

 

When living with a bestie and only have a small closet ....

 

 

When living on the road and a hotel is home for 30+ days ...

 

 

No judgement on the starched jeans ... 30+ days at a time of Horse & Rodeo Shows!

 

So instead of thinking "I need to organize my closet" ... start simply.  Just get your clothes on hangers that function for the type of item you're hanging and maybe you'll start to notice a difference and lose the dreaded "why bother hanging it, it will just fall off the hanger" frustration in your closet! 

 

Blessings, 

Success: Encourage

When a student turns the corner to my hallway, makes eye contact with me and excitedly gushes "Miss Gillikin I ...."

- made a 100 on my driving test  - got an interview - made an A for the semester - scored points in a game - got a job - beat my personal best - got  a car - got new shoes - made the video announcements

and, even the not so exciting updates ....

- we got beat for the Xth time - I am grounded - I have a punishment workout for wearing opposing team logo - failed a class and am ineligible

I remember.  It's hard to be a teenager.  I remember despite the fact it was a LONG time ago.  It's fresh to me because some days it's hard to be an adult. 

There are times you just need to know that someone is for you, cheering you on and notices the little victories and the big accomplishments. 

It's hard to be a girl.  From little girls to grown-up girls.  It is amazing to me how young and how quickly girls learn the art of comparison.  The language to best themselves over someone else.  It carries with us through to adults. 

Often I think we don't really think anyone notices our words. 

Or maybe even that anyone cares what we say. 

 

But, someone does.  I've noticed, having had discouraging things said to me.  And, I've noticed myself, having said discouraging things.  I just did it recently.  It has been on my mind over and over again., "just keep your mouth shut". 

 

Didn't we all learn, "if you don't have something nice to say, say nothing at all"? 

 

Why won't it stick?! 

 

We are human.  We fail. 

 

But, we can try again, and maybe one day we won't mess up 100 times, only 99 and maybe 1 person will be encouraged by our words and actions.  And, maybe another day 2 people will be.  Maybe you'll be the one that is encouraged on the day you need it most.  And, together we will celebrate the victories. 

 

I love teaching teenagers, I love being able to encourage them in victory and trials.  But, my heart is for my peers, we leave a legacy to the generation(s) that comes behind us. We have a responsibility to encourage each other on in this life.

 

Before you write this off as "just for girls" ... guys need encouragement too.  I can't say how guys encourage one another, (aside from "iron sharpens iron" - Prov 27:17)  but women, encourage the guys in your life... from the youngest to the oldest. 

 

Make encouragement a priority.  Most of all be encouraged by the One who loves us the most and gives us grace and mercy new every morning to get up and try all over again with a clean slate. 

 

 

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13

 

So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

 

Blessings,

 





Self: Fighting to be heard

How many voices are in your head all trying to be heard, each their own agenda?  To get the last word,  to make their point?  If you're like me ... there are several that have to be reined in on a regular basis and silenced more often than we would like to admit what comes to mind to say.  This weekend I attended Women of Faith conference and laughed when a couple of my favorite Bible Teachers shared the same sentiments .... there is a war in minds on a daily basis and a fight for our filter to do it's job.  Sometimes it doesn't.  Sometimes we have to eat those words we said and it's never very fun. 

Here's a few of the fights I have, maybe you can relate ...

- Insecure vs Self Assured ... on any given day these two fight like cats and dogs and are relentless all day long.  Some days one wins, and the other gives in to defeat.  It's part of being a girl.  More than that, it is just part of being human.  Some days we wake up and are ready to conquer the world, feeling self assured and knowing we are empowered for whatever comes our way.  Some days before our feet hit the floor, we give in to insecurity and it follows us talking us down all day long. 

- Where you are vs. where you thought you'd be .... I never really had an idea on the  "10 Years from Now" assignment in High School of where I would be, but honestly I never thought it would be where I am.  That said I can honestly say I am content where I am.  But, that  doesn't mean my heart and head haven't questioned more times than I want to admit "why not?", "why me?", "when?", "how?" and on and on including more "what if" scenarios than blogger has word space available. 

- Skinny days vs. Not ... I know this is a daily struggle for women, but it is for men too.  One day you own your shape and size and no airbrushed magazine cover stares back at you with how you should change your body and within 3 minutes you can immediately write a list longer than a child's Christmas list of all the things you would change if given the chance. Don't be fooled by the one you think "has the perfect body" ... she's fighting the same conversations you are. 

-Gentle advice vs. the real opinion ... if given the right platform, it's finally our time to make our point and make it loud, proving our expert-ness in said subject.  But, really our gentle gracious self has been shut down and we are not proud after that moment.  Especially if we have to eat those words. 

I should stop here before I get all these voices riled up and 8 is enough in my head!!

The truth is our mind is a daily battlefield.  The fight is simple, the filter shouldn't always be at the outward expression and who's going to be heard for the day.  The filter starts with what goes in.  Who do you believe validates who you are?  Only ONE is worth your time. He has created YOU to be unique, flawless, perfect, individual, and for your purpose.  For no one else's. 

Consider what you watch, read and most importanly allow yourself to believe ... the lies have to be filtered before allow them in to take residence in the mind. Calm the voices, cling to the truth.  BeYOUtiful and let yourself shine.  You were created for exactly this.  Your story.  Your mistakes.  Your victories.  They are yours, no one can take them from you and grace is new every day to win the battle for your mind to believe who you were created to be.  Go boldly. 

From the inside of a pair of skinny jeans that hardly fit over my knees ... a gentle reminder.

Blessings, 

Style: Transition

My wedges are almost at a scream to come out of winter hibernation and show their face for Spring!  Despite what I imagine will be a record number of days in the 30's here in Texas to start off 2014 this week Spring has given us a little teaser.  Sunshine, humidity, high 70's, windows down, sunglasses on ... and I'm begging for the season change of my closet!

I've had to overcome the desire to layer up black on black for winter warmth and break out of a rut despite the cold.  I even went on a limb and wore white jeans.  On a day the high was in the 30s.  Who cares?!  The sun hadn't shown it's face in days and I needed something bright.  The school happened to have the heat set in my computer lab hovering around 90 degrees, so it all worked out perfectly, was just like summer in there!  I wouldn't break out the linen pants just yet, but the white jeans - get them out, start getting your wear out of them for 2014!

Traveling and working on the road I met so many inspirational people with a talent and a dream that is now a reality.  One company, XOXO art & company is 3 former teachers creating shirts and jewelry, each design hand drawn and colored.  I have so many favorite T's and tanks from them.  I love to layer up my tanks as transition pieces from Summer to Fall and Winter to Spring!  This tank says "oh give me a home where the buffalo roam".  Tossed on with an old Gap cardigan, scarf and subtle stripe pants and it is a go!  Go out on a limb...mix the direction of your stripes!

Third option, the floral or light colored denim jeans you have and/or roll-up cropped pants, give them some air, let them see the light of day.  Again, pair them with a more in season shoe vs. flip flop or wedge sandal and top appropriate for the weather.   Booties are perfect transition shoe!  Side note...it will become obvious, not only is leopard a neutral in my closet, but camo is a neutral.  I got this shirt for Christmas and I would wear it about 3 times a week if I could. 

Don't dread getting dressed in between the seasons.  Start easing in your Spring wardrobe, we'll soon be looking for the sweater weather again when the records are counting days in the 100's during August! 

Blessings,

To Sort or Not to Sort

Your dishwasher that is. 

I didn't grow up using a dishwasher.  The dishwasher was my brother and me calling while at the dinner table either "I dry" or "you wash". No one ever called "I'm washing"!  ha! My Mom cooked most every night, we hardly ate out and we didn't have enough plates to eat multiple meals so handwashing all the dishes was how it happened at our house.  Thankfully as our family has grown so has Mom's plate collection and we use the dishwasher regularly.   

Recently I had one of the funniest conversations with my Mom, Aunt (Mom's sister) and cousin about our dishwashers.  Ask someone how they load theirs and you will get all kinds of answers and some pretty strong opinions about how it's done in "MY" house. 

I am pretty organized in most areas of my life, so it's not surprise I approach the dishwasher the same.  I believe in loading from the back, stacking similar things in a row, hand washing **gasp** pots, pans and bakeware, sorting silverware and generally tying to maximize the space as best as possible.  Turns out all 4 of us in the family have similar "rules" and ways we manage our dishwasher.  Some, no names here Mom, might take things out and re-arrange when not sorted or stacked as per their own rules.  :) 

Here's my dishwasher rules theory ...

• Stack your plates in the back, like sizes together and all in a row
• Stack smaller plates in the front of that plate
• Load cups, mugs and glasses in the top rack
• Load bowls in the center of the top rack
• Sort your silverware in the holder by knives, forks, spoons, serving and other.  You either sort it when you put it in or have to sort it when you unload.  So, why not sort it when you load?  If you have children in your house, let them help.  That part of the dishwasher is easily accessible to small children and it's great practice for matching like items and separating plus helping with chores. They can't see into the drawers for a while and are usually interested anyway when you have the dishwasher open and are loading it up.
• Handwash pots, pans and Pyrex type dishes.  I know this is WAY old fashioned and all those items are now "dishwasher safe".  However, the non-stick spray you bake on doesn't come off in the dishwasher, you fill up your dishwasher with one meal's pans before really putting in your dishes and if you're like me and clean as you go those pans can all be cleaned and put away mostly before your meal is served.  Since I used to have to handwash all the dishes, only pots and pans isn't that bad! 

For example ...

I won't go into the debate of rinsing before you load your dishes or loading straight from the table ...

And, my dishwasher the other day just before adding soap, I laughed, it looks like this every time... :)

Sound off in the comments ...how does your dishwasher function!? 

Blessings,

Steady Heart

Yesterday on the last day of the 2013 one of my besties waited while her Dad underwent quadruple bypass and while praying for his surgery I thought a lot about the heart. Same as I did when my Dad was hospitalized Oct 2012.

There are so many emotions of life that affect our heart, the best of times and the hardest of times. No matter what our days contain, the heart beats steady for us through all of our days without us even considering it.

2013 might have been one that made your heart smile, maybe your heart was mended, maybe your heart raced through a season, maybe your heart was broken for loss, maybe a thankful heart or maybe your heart was simply content. Whatever the condition of your heart, it beat for you every day.

There is One who breathed life into you and set the first beat of your heart into rhythm for all of your days. He is the one who also pursues your heart every day and offers a gracious and merciful love no matter who you are, nor what you have done which you deem unworthy of acceptance and love.

Consider your heart this new year. Be good to your heart by taking care of your body, but give your heart away everyday to the One who loves and gives you more than anyone or anything ever will. At the end of the day you will find yourself with a content heart, that is thankful and no though broken it has hope, racing to see what each day has to offer, feeling mended and ultimately despite it all a happy heart.

If your heart needs to be encouraged, there are 850+scriptures that reference the heart ... here are a few ... 

Psalm 13:5-6 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.  I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

Psalm 20:4 May he grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans!

Psalm 28:6-7 Blessed be the Lord! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Psalm 62:8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.

Psalm 112: 7-8 He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.

Psalm 119:35-37 Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.  Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

Matthew 5:7-9 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.  “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Matthew 9:22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.

Mark 12:29-31 Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

John 7:38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”

1 Corinthians 2:8-10 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.

Phillipians 4:6-8 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Colossians 13:14-16 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

2 Thessalonians 3:5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

2 Timothy 2:21-23 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.

James 5:8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

Blessings,