Don't Worry!

It seems I always feel inspired to write on Sunday.  I think it is because I get inspired on Sunday...by God, great friends, and family members.  On Sunday, one of the few days I take a break from my life to focus on rest and praise these thoughts seem to flow....

Today we talked about worry...how we worry, why we worry, when we worry, and how ridiculous it is in the "big picture" to worry at all.  I've thought for a long time that worry - the very act of worry - is an insult to God. 

For me, a natural born worry-wart, it's an art.  I was born to worry!  However, I learned an important lesson several years ago when both of my children were out of town, in situations outide of my control, and in the hands of people I really didn't know but had decided to trust.  I asked God to take care of them, trusted Him to protect them, and then continued to worry anyway. It didn't work out very well. 

Both of my children fell into seriously difficult situations at almost exactly the same time.  Both were well beyond my physical reach to help or comfort them. I felt completely helpless and frustrated beyond imagination!  I got angry....at God, the people I had trusted to care for them, and the people who were hurting my children.  Two different cities, completely different circumstances, and all I could do was cry, worry, get angry, cry, worry some more, and get angrier.  I even got angry with my husband because he could sleep and wasn't as frantic as I was.  How could he possilby rest when our children were in trouble! 

I reached a state of hysteria and finally had a little "come to Jesus" talk with God.  I told him how disappointed I was in Him and how betrayed I felt because after all, I had entrusted my children to Him!  I can only imagine how that must have been received and it grieves me to admit my lack of faith. I must have been out of my mind. In fact, I know I was. It was the first time I had ever felt truly abandoned by God...and the last.

  The next day I started receiving phone calls from complete strangers offering help to my children.  I was able to speak with each of my children and realized they felt a kind of buffer surrounding them. They felt God.  He was with them and He was caring for them. Yes, they were still frightened and needed our help but truthfully, they were much more calm and in control than I.  It was then I realized the fault was mine.  I may have said I trusted God to care for my children and I may have asked Him to protect them but I didn't let go - really let go and let God do the job.  I thought He needed my help.  I thought I could do a better job! What foolish arrogance!

God doesn't like it when we worry.  In fact, I really believe he's insulted by it.  When we worry we're telling Him, "I don't trust you to take care of me, my family, my friends, my job, my life!" and then we turn around and insult Him even more by declaring our supreme abiltity to do all of these things better than He.  Of course, when going through big drama it's hard to shrug and turn the burden over to anyone we don't fully trust to be singly capable of handling the job.  We are always better at fixing these problems.  There is a real irony in this thinking.  If we're so great at handling our problems, how did they get to be problems at all and why aren't they already "fixed".  Because God fixes things. Saying we trust God is easy.  Actually giving it over to God, giving up all control, especially when it comes to our children,  is the most difficult part of faith.

I asked God to forgive me for my arrogance and lack of faith, my harsh words, and my stupidity.  I know He granted that request simply because I confessed and asked, but more importantly, because He loves me...even when I'm stupid and faithless and arrogant.

I've gotten better at letting go.  I don't worry much anymore.  I still have to fight the urge, the need to control, and the pride.  I have to fight my natural instincts and that is what I believe faith is all about.  It's believing you CAN let go even when your instincts and common sense tell you to hold on.

When my son was a little boy the movie "Cocktail" was in theatres. The music was all over local radio stations but I had never heard the songs...or maybe I was just too busy to listen.  He came home from school one day and I heard him humming a tune I didn't recognize.  When I asked him about it he just started singing the words.  He knew each word but the most important were "Don't Worry, Be Happy!"  I thought it was cute, funny and incredibly sweet.

I still hear those words in my head today but now I know just how true they are. I don't have the power to  live this life alone.  Now. Today. Tomorrow.  I choose to live them and believe it is truly possible.

and I hear Him whisper......"Don't worry.  Be happy."

A wonderful new artist on Etsy...

This brand new Etsy shop belongs to my wonderfully talented friend Jan! Check out her very first listing! She creates amazing Paper Art! It's just too bad she couldn't show all 20 pages of this recipe album. They are each and every one gorgeous and unique! She has only one listing so far but her little shop is getting ready to GROW! Give her a warm welcome :) (clapping....)

My son is a Nerdy Llama!

My son has a new website and marketing design site! He really can help you make your dreams come true! Tell him "your Mama sent me!" so he'll know I'm out here rooting for him :)

Truthfully? Son or not, I wouldn't promote this company if I didn't believe in the quality and value available. I'm incredibly impressed with the work he and his partners do at Nerdyllama.com. They have fresh, new, innovative ideas for all types of Internet marketing. If you're looking for a new look or an upgrade at an affordable price; let them show you what they can do!

Kraken's Treasure

Check out this new listing in my ChrissyMarie shop on Etsy! If your a fan of the movie series "Pirates of the Caribbean" you'll love this Kraken necklace. This is just one in a series that will be coming soon. If you have special shells, charms or treasures I can make a custom pendant just for you!

It's been an Amazing two weeks!

Wow! In two weeks time I have experienced such a myriad of events. I'm almost speechless...and that is very rare for me.

Let's see....

1. Evidently I've been in the "lost and found" box for about 40 years. I was adopted when I was a wee child and have recently been found by ten siblings I had no idea existed.

2. I am of French Canadian descent and I've been pronouncing my last name incorrectly for the last 50 years. For those of you who speak "Missouri French" the name "Thibeault" is NOT pronounced "thigh-bolt" but "T-bo" (right?)

3. I am surrounded by a group of women who are truly amazing and inspiring!

4. Sciatica is NOT fun and IS very painful.

5. I'm married to "Rip Van Winkle" at least until he get used to being back at work on a full time job...hard for us "old people".

6. I'm helping launch a new Equine Therapy group-another passion of mine...if you're interested in helping or donating to the cause contact me!

7. I've decided to return to my free-lance journalistic roots and write a book...actually one of several if all goes as planned. People have been urging me to do this for years. I think it's time.

8. I have an incredibly blessed life! (not news really but it's nice to be reminded..)

9. And last but not least, business is picking up...Yea!

I think that's everything. It sure seems like a lot in a short period of time! A friend told me the other day "They ride the roller coaster of my life with me". Yep! That's a pretty darned good description!

Have a great week my friends. Live life joyfully!

Cheyenne, Carved Poppy Jasper Pendant Necklace

I've just listed this wonderful Poppy Jasper Pendant Necklace in my Art Fire Store. It's absolutely gorgeous and perfect for the upcoming fall season.

The pendant is a large carved leaf and it's beautifully detailed. I added a pretty beaded stone necklace to enhance to leaf using Tiger Iron, Red Jasper, Bali Silver, and Hematite.

(Please note: Hematite is a man made stone. Natural Hematite is no longer readily available. It is seldom found in it's natural form so. This is not Magnetized Hematite. )

If you're wondering how I came to call this piece "Cheyenne" please check out the shop listing. This piece is dear to my heart because of the child it was made to honor. Most of you who know me also know that I have a very special place in my heart for adopted, abused, neglected and/or abandoned children. I have recently made a series of leaf necklaces, each named for a child I love. What better way to honor the challenges of a child who is in the process of building a new life!