Monthly Archives: March 2014

Born To Be With You

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Nick and I often stop to marvel at how we got here. Our journey was long and the road was winding, but we’ve finally arrived home. It’s beyond our comprehension that the Lord was gracious enough to work this out for us. We balance each other so well and yet, we are headed in the same direction. It’s not uncommon to hear one or the other of us say, “I was born to be with you”. It’s a beautiful thing.

Having met at 15, it took 19 years for our timing to finally be right. We learned so much in those years. There are times we are tempted to regret our journey, but the truth is, we walked those roads for a purpose. We are better people, better spouses, and better followers of Jesus for the hardships and loneliness we endured. We are grateful and deeply appreciate this gift we’ve been given. I imagine we would have struggled much as young newlyweds without the wisdom that comes with time and maturity. Maybe it would have been better. Who can say? All I know is the looks on our face in the moment God’s promise was realized for us tells our story. We want to tell of His goodness always.

This is the Lord's doing, it is marvelous in our eyes; this is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad.

“This is the Lord’s doing, it is marvelous in our eyes; this is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad.” – Psalm 118:23-24

Photo Credit: Innamorata Photography

This post in response to the Daily Prompt

Good Medicine

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A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up bones. – Proverbs 17:22

The link between body and soul has always been interesting to me. Have you ever been able to pull yourself out of the blues just by singing a happy tune, dressing up, putting on makeup, or just doing something silly? Growing up in a Mary Kay household, I grew up hearing things these quotes by Mary Kay Ash:

“If you think you can, you can. If you think you can’t, you’re right.”

“Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe remember you can achieve.”

“Aerodynamically, the bumblebee shouldn’t be able to fly, but the bumble bee doesn’t know it so it goes on flying anyway.”

Our mind is powerful. Sometimes we can change our reality just by choosing to do so. Sometimes we really can “fake it ’til we make it”.

I know, for me, if I’m feeling down, doing something to physically change something makes a difference. I might take some extra time with my hair and makeup, or even just go for a walk. But, the best medicine is usually laughter. Our house is full of it. It’s a beautiful way to diffuse the blues and reset an attitude. “A joyful heart is good medicine” and it can heal so many of the things that ail us. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of getting the sadness out of me in some way. If I’m really blue about something, it usually comes out as a song. I sit at the piano and pour out the bad feelings so I can leave them there. Or, I take the time to write them down in a journal so they no longer float around in my heart. There are so many ways to fight the blues if we choose not to wallow in them. (Please note: There are times when “The Blues” are truly more than a feeling, it’s something that requires a physician. If you need help, please talk to someone. You don’t have to fight it alone).

How do you fight the blues? What’s your “good medicine”? Anyone know any good jokes? It all helps heal our hearts!

This post written in response to the WordPress Daily Prompt

Aging With Grace

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In a conversation earlier this year, my husband mentioned that we would be people “of a certain age” this year.  We are reaching our mid-thirties and thinking about the years ahead as well as the ones we’ve already lived.  In all honesty, my thirties have been my best decade so far, so I can’t wait to see what’s ahead!

I have to laugh when I think about my reaction a few weeks ago when I thought I saw a grey hair! My heart skipped a beat and I did a double take. Nick was driving and I was in the passenger seat as I went on a frantic search for that one strand! It was just a false alarm (whew!), but it made me laugh at my own vanity! My Great-Nana had beautiful, thick, brown hair until the day she died. I’ve always hoped I would receive that gene! My mom is more and more beautiful each day and looks more like my sister than my mother. Again, I’m hoping for the same. I’d love to age that gracefully!

I just want to remember…

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30

As I begin this new season in my life, I want to continue in grace. I want to love people well, help where I can, and be a blessing to those I meet. Life is too short to fight the aging process or struggle with vanity. Live each day as if it were your last.  Embrace it! We are not guaranteed tomorrow, so walk in grace and make a difference while you’re here!

This post in response to the Daily Prompt

Wishing Anew

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I love fairytales and the romance of wishing wells. There is something in our heart that always longs for something more, something beyond ourselves. For many years, my heart longed for something unattainable. Before I could even catch myself, my heart wished for my Prince. Even when he was completely off limits to me, my heart never gave up hope. And, beyond all comprehension, the Lord saw fit to make it possible for this dream to be fulfilled. It’s been the most beautiful season of my journey so far.

In fact, my heart was so full from seeing my prayers answered and my wishes granted that I could barely imagine wishing for more. In fact, something happened on my birthday last year that spoke volumes about my heart…

The sweetest moment of the night came for me when it was time to blow out my birthday candle. For the first time, since I don’t know when, I didn’t know how to wish. For years, every time I had the opportunity to wish for something, my heart wished for this. Even when it seemed impossible, my heart held onto hope and wished for the fulfillment of this dream. My eyes filled with tears as I realized that I was right in the middle of seeing God fulfill my heart’s desires. “…A desire fulfilled is a tree of life”. I can definitely say that I am drinking deeply of that cup. My soul is resonating, to its very core, with the truth that God does come through for us, in His time. And, it’s beyond what we can hope or imagine.

But, as Emily Dickinson said,

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –

And, so, my heart is fluttering again. Hope never stays still for long. Nick and I have begun to dream about our future and what it may hold. What I didn’t share in my earlier Birthday Post is that when I told Nick I didn’t know what to wish, he assured me that I did. Now, we are praying and wishing together. It’s incredibly beautiful.

So, don’t give up on your dreams. Keep the faith and hold out hope. It’s richer than you can imagine when a long desired wish comes true.

This post was in response to the The Daily Prompt

Labels

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At Small Group last night, we had a great conversation about the labels we wear. In reviewing some old writing, I came across a blog I wrote about the same topic. This is an area in which I’ve needed significant growth and have seem tremendous progress. So, here’s a throw back to the moment I really began breaking free of others’ expectations of me.  What a journey it has been, and continues to be, as I seek to live only for The Lord’s approval and glory!

Originally Published March 8, 2011 at ChristyGiardino.Blogspot.com

I Just Don’t Care Anymore

As I was walking the other night, I spent some time thinking. (This is a common past time for me). But, that particular night, I was thinking about the labels that others have given me to wear over the years. I’m not going to go into them specifically here, that’s a blog for another time. But, I have been carrying around labels that people have placed on me as if they were true reflections of who I am.

Some of these labels have been good, if hard to live up to. Some have been negative, and I’ve struggled under their weight. Others have been untrue, but somehow I’ve come to believe them.

Some of the label makers have been family or friends while others have been acquaintances or even strangers. Each used their favorite type of stitch or glue to affix their brand to me, to my psyche. Each had their own purpose or claim to ignorance in doing so.

I’ve carried these labels and hurtful words with me for years. Some stitches have left unsightly scars, even if I have been able to tear the brand away from my skin. Some are still sore to the touch. Others suffocate me and make it hard to breathe.

But, this is no way for a child of God to live. No way at all. In the last few weeks, I’ve let go of my anger and resentment towards these people. I’m not sure I even realized it is what I was doing at the time. And, as I was walking the other night, I thought to myself, I just don’t care what they think anymore.

And, for the first time in my life, I realized that was actually a true statement. I don’t care. They don’t define me. My situation doesn’t define me. What defines me is the fact that I am a child of God (John 1:12). Nothing else should matter and I’ve let it matter for far too long. I’ve allowed those labels to leech life out of me. But, by the grace of God and with the accountability of my friends, no more!

We, as humans, judge by such limited perspectives sometimes. Only the Lord can judge the heart of a person or understand the picture as a whole. So, His judgment is the only thing that should matter. And, thank God for His grace that makes us complete in Him (Colossians 2:10)

In response to the Weekly Challenge

Writing Again – Secrets

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It’s been quite a while since I’ve made time to write.  I’ve been busy digging up roots, transplanting to a new city, and being grafted into a new family.  All of that takes energy and I’ve been pouring myself into my new adventure.  It’s been the most amazing season of my life thus far and I wouldn’t change a thing.  But, neglecting my writing has caused a backlog of stories in my brain.  It’s time to give them life.

I have several writing projects that need finishing and I’ve picked them up again.  Hopefully, the coming months will bring news of progress in that department.  But, there’s a story that’s working its way out of me – a story about secrets.  I’m doing a little research right now and would love your feedback.  Everyone has secrets.  Everyone knows someone with a secret.  And, these secrets can take on a life of their own.  I’d love to hear your stories about how secrets have affected you (negatively or positively), how you dealt with someone else’s secrets, when you were brave enough to share your own, or simply what the thought of secrets stirs in you.  I like to have a myriad of perspectives when I approach a writing project, so I’d love to hear yours.

If you’re not comfortable (as most people aren’t) leaving your name, please feel free to respond anonymously.  If you’d like to respond privately, please email me at: Christy@TheGiardinos.com.  I’d appreciate the help to kick-start my creative process and get this story out of my head!