Busy Minding Our Own Business

       I had the idea to start this blog because our family is unique (to say the least) and so many folks kept encouraging the idea so I decided to make the jump.  That was in January....and it is now September!  Life got busy and I honestly couldn't decide on a name, what I would write about, blah blah blah.  Well I decided to get serious and discussed it with John and jumped in with BOTH feet!!

    Growing Up on Dublin Lane parallels my husband's childhood with ours as a family.  I hope to intertwine all the wonderful stories of John growing up on Dublin Lane with my own lessons I learn as I "grow up" as a Christian, a wife, mom, sister, and friend.  Dublin Lane also represents a shift in our lives.  We decided to downsize our home, begin to live a simpler life and most recently for me to leave my career to be a stay at home mom.  (To be honest I am still getting used to that idea!!) I am a much different person after the last 3 years on Dublin Lane and I pray that God continues to transform our lives to better serve him.

     I mentioned how reluctant to get this blog started because I had a small voice in my head saying "What in the world are you going to find to write about week after week?"  Well, seems as though my life really is full of blog-worthy happenings.  This past week I was stranded on I-20 after running out of gas about 2 hours from home.  Not to call out anyone but I am NOT usually the one that forgets to get gas....that would be my wonderful hubby.  He has ran out of gas numerous times with one recent experience requiring him and the kids to walk 2 miles to the nearest store!  But as I sat in the September Texas heat today waiting for our help to arrive, I realized I could learn something by this experience. Of course, you are thinking...Duh!  Be sure to have a full tank of gas before you set out on your journey to Dallas...but I learned much more!

1.  Although my situation could have caused a panic, I had peace in knowing that God would provide the help needed.

My husband John, who I turn to most often, was an hour away and unable to help in this situation.  My person wasn't there and I had to rest in the peace knowing God would provide the help I needed.  And he did by way of a  friend of a friend.  A total stranger who would be willing to stop his day to help us.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Psalm 46:1 

2.  God provides just what we need when we need it!  Even if we don't know what we need!!!

As I sat in the heat waiting for help to arrive, I was able to enjoy a nice breeze and a line of trees that offered shade.  The boys had plenty of room to sword fight with their treasures they discovered in the small field.  I was reminded that even in this moment I had several things to be thankful for and I am reminded that God is good all the time.  

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in 

glory in Christ Jesus.  Phillipians 4:19 

3.  We don't have all the answers.  EVER.

I thought my only option was to ask for help.  Little did I know a service station was less than a quarter mile from us just out of our sight.  I could have easily made the quick trek there and back and been on our merry way.  If you know me, you know that I like to be informed of all options so that I can carefully plan my next steps.  I felt like a failure for not only running out of gas but for sitting within walking distance of a store.  Another confirmation that I don't have all the answers but I know who does!

Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding 

is beyond measure. Psalm 147:5 

4.  A reminder to not be caught up in the "busyness" of life and miss out on God's real purpose.

We were stranded on the roadway for about 45- 1 hour.  For the first 45 minutes not a single car stopped, honked, waived, and as far as I could tell even noticed us. Busy to get to their destination or distracted by the world, our plight was overlooked and not a single person stopped to help.

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about

 many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.

Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be 

taken away from her."  Luke 10:41-42

I love how every day is opportunity to learn but I hope my future lessons do not involve me being stranded.  But there is never a dull moment.....Growing Up on Dublin Lane.