She Is a Busy One!

This granddaughter came (with her parents) 

to pick up her brothers.  

It was hard to tell who missed whom the most!

I was determined to get some pictures 

of our Ethiopian-born beauty,

but she was a Busy One!
It wasn't easy.

 It was a complicated process - getting this naked baby-doll 

wrapped up and tucked into her doll bed!  

Every success was followed by a gentle pat on the back,

as if to reassure the baby-doll that all was well.

Then came the un-tucking and un-wrapping and the process was repeated.

Over and over again.

Her name isn't Martha.  But she made me think of Martha in the Bible.

Friend of Jesus.   But a Busy One.

In danger of missing the most "important thing"

because of her busyness.

Many of us are aware of this possibility in our own lives.

A few of us have made the necessary adjustments.

I'm among those for whom maintaining balance will be a lifelong endeavor...

How are YOU doing?

A Prayer for a Balanced Life

While doing some sermon research for my husband, I came across this prayer. It is SO much the prayer of my heart! I think I will make it my personal prayer each day this coming week...

O Lord! Help me to be …

Firm but not harsh;

Realistic but not skeptical;

Scheduled but not rigid;

Pure but not proud;

Close-mouthed but not unfriendly;

Appropriate but not stiff;

Funny but not frivolous;

Teachable but not gullible;

Flexible but not scatterbrained;

Humble but not pious;

Kind but not compromising;

Dependable but not dull;

Decisive but not stubborn;

Persistent but not needling;

Precise but not picky;

Simple but not foolish;

Demanding but not intolerant;

Thorough but not unkind;

Human but not worldly;

Spiritual but not impractical;

Generous but not irresponsible;

Enthusiastic but not “hyper;”

Honest but not brutal;

Fair but not unloving;

Proper but not unreal;

Confident but not snobbish;

Bold but not brazen;

Busy but not harried;

Active but not shallow;

Deep but not dry;

Wise but not intimidating;

Intense but not forbidding;

Empathetic but not uncontrolled;

Forgiving but not naive;

Sympathetic but not pitying;

Helpful but not condescending;

Penitent but not paralyzed;

Organized but not bossy;

Spontaneous but not inconsistent.

Lord, I guess I’m asking to grow in favor with God and man.

I am asking you to help me become a balanced person. Amen.

(written by Marlene Evans)