Friday, June 13, 2008

10 Things That Keep Me Going

(This is part of a meme from Christina's blog. I started to copy her list straight onto mine because when I first read it it sounded like something I would write!)

10. Morning coffee. When I wake up in the morning I think two things: 1.) Thank you, God, for another day. and 2.) I really need coffee.

9. Lists and routines. I have a calendar, task list and a purse full of post-its so that I don't forget what I am supposed to be doing. I can't tell you how many times I have said, "Please write that down. If you just tell it to me, it is gone." As far as routine, I tend to be a creature of habit. This has caused quite a few arguments between my husband and I. For example: I take a glass of water to bed with me at night. I leave it there to remind me to make my medicine first thing in the morning. After I take my medicine I take the glass to the kitchen. If the glass is still there I know I haven't taken my medicine. This has been my routine for 18 years!! However, my husband still occasionally walks through and picks up my glass off the nightstand and takes it to the kitchen. Thus, I forget to take my medicine. Not a good thing.

8. Prayer. Prayer is just a conversation with God. Sometimes I just talk and talk and talk and talk. Sometimes I am just silent and listen. Whether I am talking, silent or in conversation, prayer definitely keeps me plugged in and moving at a steady pace.

7. Quiet Time. Every night before I go to bed I have quiet time to read and pray. My bedroom is silent with the exception of the whir of the ceiling fan.

6. Volunteering. Not too long ago a friend gave me a tea towel that said, "Stop me before I volunteer again." Over the past few years I have had the opportunity in lots of different areas. I just love it. It feeds me emotionally, spiritually and relationally.

5. Friends. I have a lot of friends, but I don't make close friends easily. However, I am blessed to have several really good friends. The time I spend with them is time I really enjoy. Whether chatting about our kids, shopping, or on the phone, they always give me the push I need.

4. My family. Every family has it's own unique personality or as my Mom says, "Every family is weird in its own way." Our family loves to laugh, traditions, laughing, playing games, laughing, and just being together. Did I mention the laughter?

3. My boys. They have defied all odds and every doctor's naysaying by even being here. I would love to go to all those doctor's who said, "never" or "sorry" about having children and say, "Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Na! My God is bigger than your medicine and here is my proof!" I have two beautiful, perfectly healthy boys. They are the complete package: smart, funny, athletic, compassionate, artistic, loving, kind, witty, handsome, oh... I could go on forever. Their hugs, kisses and snuggles are definitely fuel for my heart.

2. My husband. We have been married for 18 years. Seeing that number on paper doesn't seem long enough for what we have been through in our marriage. I am definitely married to the most selfless, thoughtful, caring and compassionate man on the face of the earth. If he thought you needed the shirt of his back, he would give it to you. No one else but he could have put up with me this long!

1. My personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I believe that every person is born with a hole that can only be filled by God. I believe this is so because we are created by Him and I know this because the Bible tells me it is so. (Psalm 139:13) When I was growing up I can't ever remember there being a time when I did not love God, but it wasn't until I was a teenager that I really developed a relationship with Jesus Christ. There is something about being semi-conscious in a hospital listening to nurses talking about how you just suffered seizures and not being able to open your eyes and communicate that makes you talk to God in a whole new way. That was definitely a turning point for me. Since that moment I have realized that God really is there for me in a way that no one else can be. He is with me every moment of every day. He loves me -- warts and all.

8 comments:

Beth Cotell said...

I love your list and agree with most of the items on here. I wish I could say that I also volunteered but I don't. Maybe one of these days I will be moved by God to do something in that area. Until then, I am drinking my coffee! Lots of morning coffee!

Confessions of A Mississippi Mom said...

I love the list, a great refection of relationships we have with God and Family. Your Husband is the lucky one to, having such a wonderful mom, and caring individual, and Volunteering in any form is God's work.

From the Doghouse said...

Awesome blog.

Buckaroo Banzai said...

#10 is a negative. I may be the only police officer on earth that doesn't drink coffee. :)

Deanna said...

Thanks everyone!

Um, Wyatt, at the risk of sounding cliche', do you still do donuts?

Supermom said...

I really, really, REALLY need that towel.

Deanna said...

I would love to hear to all of your lists!! (Let me know if you decide to do one.)

Miss Mud Puddle said...

These are great...really.

But I'm still trying to process MMom's posts from last week. I may have to come back to this one!