Who Or What Is Upmost In Your Heart Today?

This is the question to ponder today as we gather at the well. I was stunned that this was the topic question, because it hit home for me today.

Tonight I am having a women's gathering in my home. One of my daughters is starting in a business where she sells merchandise through home parties. I committed to host a party for her to help her get started. So, today my mind is going from one thing to the next, and I am feeling a bit overwhelmed at the thought of 20 plus ladies crowding in my livingroom.

I am trying to clean and make my home inviting. I am baking and thinking of how to make my goodies appealing. I am thinking what I will wear. I am answering the phone when ladies are calling to confirm they will be here. And I am getting a little anxious about it all.

I know that I need to be still and let God calm me down, and I know that I need to start my day in the right way by focusing on Him first. Then he can direct my path and give me peace and make me calm.

I am not all that social, and don't have many large gatherings in my home outside of family. It makes me stressed. I always want everything to be just right, and I fear that it won't be. Do you do this? Or am I the only one that gets all tense when hosting parties?

In the long run I know this is silly. Because all of the ladies that are coming are nice Christian people. They will just be happy to join in and help my daughter by looking at the merchandise and purchasing something from her if they find something that they like. They will chat with the other ladies and have a good time.

Why do I make it a great big deal in my mind and stress out so much? I know this isn't what God wants me to be like. He wants me to be given to hospitality. He wants me to do this with the right heart attitude, and not to stress.

I am going to try to surrender my stress to him, and my fears, and just enjoy the time with friends.

Please say a little prayer for me today, so that I can be a gracious hostess and think less of me,...and more of others. That I will put Him first today and every day.

Ok,...I must get on my knees and pray about all of this. You pray too ok?
Thanks! I'll let ya know how it goes.
Linda ... Truthful Tidbits

Attitude of Gratitude: The Lemonade Award

This is the Lemonade Award,... and I was recently given it by my friend @ Buildeth Her House, ...for having an "Attitude of Gratitude". I am humbled by her recognition. She also is an inspiration to me. Please go to her site and be blessed by her attitude of gratefulness!http://buildethherhousewithlove.blogspot.com/
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I thank you so much for awarding my blog. I am pleased that you have found it worthwhile and pleasing to God.
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I am awarding this Gratitude award to 10 blogs that I love. I follow them faithfully, and gain so much from them. They lift my spirit and make my heart sing! Some of them have faced great difficulties in life, but have not let those keep them down. They just keep trusting the Lord, and they make "lemonade" from the lemons,... and just keep on going! They bring glory to God.

Please visit their blogs. Share in some of their lemonade and be refreshed!

Kristin
http://littlegirlsofmine.blogspot.com/
God's Girl! Loving wife and mommy to three girls. Newly alive with overflowing love for her Lord. Eager to share Him with others. Overcomer, exchanging fear for faith.

Veronica
http://verandthegirls.blogspot.com/
Young, fun, mommy to two little girls. Married seven years to her high school sweetheart. Hooked on Jesus,...and on crocheting! Has her own crocheted hat business. Cares and prays for others! Posts their prayer needs on her blog

Kelly
http://sufficientgrace-kelly.blogspot.com/
Wife, mom to two boys on earth, and three babies in heaven. Serves her God in ministries with a compassionate heart. Prays for all of her blogger friends and always offers encouraging comments. Loves to sing, pray, read, write...and laugh with her sweet family.

Dee Dee
http://deedee-warren.blogspot.com/
Pastor's wife, married to her high school sweetheart for 32 years. Mom to a soldier son, and two beautiful daughters. New grandma experiencing new joys.
Ministry leader, and giver of encouragement!

Lisa "Lolli"
http://lollipopandpearls.blogspot.com/
Artistic and multi -fauceted wife, mother, and grandma. Serves her family, her church, her fellow bloggers and her God with zeal. She has a loving and joyful heart, and a zest for life. Always bringing a smile with her comments.

Joy
http://sahmissionary.blogspot.com/
Loves being a stay-at-home "missionary mom" to five children. Living out God's calling in Indonesia. Always offering hope, love and encouragement from God's word. Inspiring!

Jami
http://jamimania.blogspot.com/
Sold out to Jesus! Married to the love of her life, Luke. Mom to two great teenagers who keep her young. She calls herself "spazzy", I call her fun and invigorating. Heart of gold! Always tuned in to people's needs. Daily offering prayers and encouragement to all of her blogger friends. Love her lots!

AnneMarie
http://asealovertheheart.blogspot.com/
Encouraging women to turn their eyes upon Jesus. Sharing her life with God first, then husband, son, family, friends, and sisters in Christ. His Word is always on her blog,...giving hope and encouragement for all who visit.

Lynnette
http://lynnettekraft.blogspot.com/
Author of the book, "In Faithfulness He Afflicted Me". It is the story of God's faithfulness in her life when she lost three of her nine children. She desires to give people hope, in a world filled with sadness and sorrow. She wants to help hurting people find hope in God, and joy in life so they can dance again. Thus the name of her blog is called, "Dancing Barefoot",...on weathered ground.

Abigail
http://absartblog.blogspot.com/
Lynnette's daughter...(above). She has experienced loss at a young age, but has coped by God's grace, and is a lovely, well rounded teenage. Inspired artist, who loves the Lord, and serves Him through all her gifts of expression,...art, music, writing, and caring for others with her all of her heart.

Congratulations to each of you! Keep up the good work of serving God, and encouraging others. You've mastered the art of making thirst quenching lemonade from the lemons in life.


Love, Linda ~~~~March 2009