Do you feel like you don't fit in?

Today my friend Joanne Kraft is featuring an interview with me about writing. If you visit her site at http://www.onesoblessed.com/ you will get a chance to read about my writing journey and some of my thoughts on writing.

I will warn you, I'm not a typical writer. In fact, I've always thought I was a freak of nature, or uniquely and humorously made by a loving God who designed me for a purpose. I'm choosing the second option.

You see, I don't fit any molds ... in any part of my life.

I LOVE to cook and watch Food Network (Paula and I are on a first name basis ... well, at least I am with her - she, on the other hand, doesn't know I exist.)

BUT, I have never created my own recipe.

I LOVE to write.

BUT, I have never journaled, kept a diary, and if you follow my blog, you will know I am inconsistent at best.

I LOVE to read home decorating magazines, such as Romantic Homes and Victoria. I'm an old-fashioned, romantic girl at heart. Should have been born in an English manor. With servants of course. Who I would have treated very well, like a part of the family.

BUT, I can't accessorize or decorate my home for the life of me.

So, what does a girl like me do?

Trust that God knew what He was doing, stop worrying about what I can't do, and focus with purpose on what I can do. I have realized that the more I'm me, the better I am at it.

I wonder if there are women out there who have decided they are disqualified from something because they don't fit into a mold. I kind of envision Satan as walking around with a big rubber stamp and stamping "disqualified" on the hearts of my sweet sisters around the world.

But today I want to tell you that God has already stamped you "qualified" with the blood of Jesus. Not because of your qualifications, but because of His.

So shake off what the world says, and the lies of the enemy, and embrace your calling, in all your unique and beautiful self. If you don't fit the "mold," that must be because God is creating a new one ... and it's called YOU.

With all my love and His,

Glynnis

Ideas for Dinner

Today I have started a new column called "Creating Home" on a website called "At the Well." This column will run once a month and is aimed at helping a woman set up her own home - whether it be a rented room, small apartment or first house.

My post today was about using seasonings to dress up simple cuts of meat. By buying one new condiment a month, you will soon find your creative cooking library expanding. I promised to provide some simple recipes using seasonings you can easily find your grocery store, so here are a few of my favorites.

Pesto & Sun Dried Tomato Alfredo over Chicken

This recipe can be made for one or more.

Use one small chicken breast per person.
Sprinkle with Cavender's Greek Seasoning.
Pan fry in a small amount of oil until cooked through.
Meanwhile, heat a jar of Sun Dried Tomato Alfredo (Classico's is great)
Add a tablespoon of pesto and chopped sun dried tomatoes if you like.
Cook appropriate portions of spaghetti.

To serve, simply put spaghetti down first, topped by grilled chicken breast and sauce.
Serve with a green vegetable.

Thanks to my friend Cheri Jimenez for this idea.


Baked Salmon

Paul Prudhomme makes a really great "Magic Salmon Seasoning." Simply sprinkle seasoning mix on salmon and bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes, or until salmon flakes easily. Buy more salmon than you need, and refrigerate leftovers.

To make a great sandwich filling the next day, add mayonnaise and extra magic salmon seasoning to the salmon.

Chicken Fajitas

Sprinkle Mrs. Dash's Southwest Chipotle seasoning on boneless skinless chicken breasts. Grill until cooked through. Slice thinly. Saute sliced red and green peppers and onions.

Warm a flour tortilla and fill with chicken, peppers and onion.
Everyone likes their fajitas their own way. I like salsa, sour cream, cheese, and guacamole on mine. Lettuce and tomatoes are yummy additions too.

Old Bay Shrimp Scampi (from www.mccormick.com)

1/3 cup olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 1/2 teaspoons OLD BAY® Seasoning
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon parsley flakes

Heat oil in large skillet on medium heat. Add garlic; cook and stir 30 seconds or until fragrant. (Do not brown.)

Add shrimp and Old Bay; cook and stir 3 to 4 minutes or until shrimp turn pink. Stir in lemon juice and parsley. Serve over cooked pasta or rice, if desired.


If you are feeling stuck in a cooking rut, I suggest you invest in a new seasoning that sounds good, and then do an online search for recipe ideas. Most seasoning companies offer recipes on their websites.

I also love buying unique condiments to dress up simply-cooked meats like pork chops, fish or broiled chicken. Consider interesting chutneys or seasoned oils.

My final tip for creating delicious meals is to plan them ahead of time, when you are hungry. I know you aren't supposed to go to the store hungry, but creating a meal plan is easier when you are hungry. Things sound better.

It's so easy to get worn out with cooking. Spices, seasoning and condiments can brighten things and make cooking more interesting.

In His Love,
Glynnis

Heading to Walker Louisiana

Tomorrow morning I am headed south to the beautiful state of Louisiana. I get to join the women of Judson Baptist Church, and other churches of the area, at a women's conference, where I'll be speaking on the "Heart of a Woman: Embracing Our Unique Design and Purpose."

I can't wait to get there and share what God has done in my life by transforming me from the inside out. Although I grew up loving Jesus from an early age, it wasn't until a move across country stripped me of all my achievements, friendships, employment and service, that the true state of my heart was revealled.

And I'm sad to say it wasn't pretty.

While I learned wonderful Bible stories at the feet of godly men and women, and I sang all the hymns of Believers throughout generations, and I can recite the Apostle's Creed and make a mean casserole - there was something missing from my church experience ...

I never learned that God cares infinitely more about the condition of my heart than the quantity (or even quality) of my service.

This weekend I'll be sharing about this journey ... that I'm still on.

If you are in the area, please contact the church. My guess is these gracious Southern ladies will make room for you.

They have promised me an oyster po boy when I'm done. And I can't wait for that either.

In His Love,

Glynnis

The Importance of Little Decisions

Today I have a devotion running on Proverbs 31 and Crosswalk.com regarding the importance of little decisions.

God has been speaking this truth into my life for many years. It's a principle I learned from reading Matthew 25 and Parable of the Talents. God was just as pleased with the servant who invested 2 talents as He was with the servant who invested 5 talents. Both servants showed themselves faithful with what they were given. And the one with the 2 talents didn't discount that which was entrusted to him because it was less. He valued it just the same.

I believe God is watching me constantly to see what I do with the "little" things He has entrusted to me. Am I faithful with what doesn't look like much to the others ... even me at times? Can He trust me with just a little bit more?

You see, being steadfast in little things is the truest indicator of whether you'll be steadfast in greater things. Making wise decisions in the little areas of life, prepares me for making wise decisions in the greater things of life.

I thought I'd share some of the little decisions I'm called to make every day that have great importance to me, and over time have proven to have even greater value when added together. These are not in order of priority, except for #1 and 2.

1. Reading my Bible daily. (Most of the time at night, just before bed.)
2. Not criticizing my husband.
3. Using coupons when possible. (A penny saved is more than a penny earned.)
4. Going to bed with my kitchen clean. (Helps me start the day with a right attitude)
5. Writing thank you notes. (I could still do better in this area)
6. Not saying "I would never do that .... say that ... wear that, etc. ..." (Helps keep pride and judgement from my lips)
7. Stopping what I'm doing and facing my children when they talk to me.
8. Using lots of fresh vegetables and fruits in my cooking.
9. Making shopping and errand lists.
10. Keeping my gas tank above 1/4 full.

I'd love to hear what little decisions you make that add up to make a big impact. I recently received a new book by author named Sarah Cunningham called Picking Dandelions. It's to be released next week by Zondervan. I've love to give it away to someone at random. Just make sure you leave a way for me to contact you.

In His Love,

Glynnis

**********************

It's Thursday night, and I'm happy to announce that Kerri was selected completely at random by my son Robbie, to win Picking Dandelions. Congratulations. I've sent you an email but if you don't get it, please contact me directly.

Tuesday - February 2 - I think Kerri's email address was typed in wrong, so I'm selecting another winner at random. Kerri - if you read this, send me an email and I'll send you another book. For now, I've selected Beth at jeffandbeth82@hotmail.com to win. Congratulations.

Overcoming Inertia

This past weekend my husand and I watched a documentary on the Galapagos Islands. One of my favorite parts was watching the marine iguanas.

These huge reptiles sleep on top of each other on the lava during the night, as their bodies shut down in the cool temperatures. As the sun rises and warms them up, they come to life, diving off the rocks and into the sea where they can hold their breath for up to an hour while they eat algea off the bottom.

The cold makes these powerful creatures lethargic.

I find myself a bit like those iguanas. In the winter cold, I find it very difficult to get going some days. I just want to burrow into my electric blanket and wake up when it's warm outside.

I've been feeling that way for about a week, and I'm ready to shake it off. I'm ready to overcome the inertia that has got me feeling stuck. Inertia is an interesting phenomenon. Basically is states that ojects in motion will stay in motion, and objects at rest will stay at rest.

For me to overcome this sluggishness, I need a burst of energy to get going. So today I'm making a dump list. I'm writing down everything I need to do - in all areas of my life. I'm not worrying about putting them in any order - not by projects, due date or type of work. I'm just getting them out of my head, off of sticky notes and pulled from pages of my notebook. And putting them in one master dump list.

Oh boy, does it feel good. Of course, when I discover something I should have done two weeks ago, I experience that "uh-oh" moment. But I'm not letting it stop me. Once I get my dump list done, I'll be able to put into manageable lists. For today, it's just what I need to get moving again.

If you're feeling like a cold, sleepy iguana, I invite you to make a dump list too. And make a cup of hot coffee and sit by a space heater while you do it - that helps too.

In His Love,

Glynnis

Becoming a Good Gardener

Without a doubt, nothing has stretched me more spiritually than motherhood. In addition to filling my heart with overflowing joy, being a mom has stretched me to the limits of my endurance, and revealed gaping holes in my character.

Here's just one of many examples. You see, before kids, I probably would have bragged about being patient. I'm a go-with-the-flow type of person, who doesn't mind a delay in a line or at a restaurant. I'm forgiving to drivers who go for miles with their left turn signal on, and full of compassion for those who seem befuddled by life. But give me a child who decides that she would rather wear shorts and a t-shirt, rather than the long pants I "suggested," and I'm as patient as a dog who hears the word "Walk?"

My relationship with my children is emotionally charged. There's the protective instinct I have for each of them that colors my decisions, as well as the hopes, dreams, fears and frustrations of dealing with children who think and act differently than I ever have. So when something happens to one of them, it happens to me too. Just in a different way.

Today I have a devotion running on Proverbs 31 and Crosswalk about being a patient parent. Specifically, I shared the challenge of sowing good character seeds into children, and being patient until the harvest shows up. And I also wrote about what can happen when we sow negative character traits into our children. We always reap more than we sow.

While I hope that others are ministered to by the biblical truths shared in the devotions I write, the truth is they always contain something for me too - even months after I've written them.

I believe God is reminding me that, like it or not, I am a gardener in the hearts of my children - and those around me. Every day I'm sowing something into their hearts. So, the question for me today is this:

What am I sowing into my children's (friend's/husband's/family's) hearts today through my character?

Is it patience, compassion, forgiveness, and mercy?

Or is it anger, bitterness, impatience and hurry?

I know that only through God's power in my life can I begin to be the person and mother He is calling me to be. May you experience that same power in your own life.

In His Love,

Glynnis

Making a Difference

Almost everyone I know wants to make a difference ... in their own lives, in the lives of those around them and beyond.

But how?

How can we make a difference when we are overwhelmed with life's problems, tripped up by challenges and some days, just happy to make it through?

I started thinking about some of the things I have personally done that have a made a difference in my life, and what others have done for me. Here in random order are some ways to make a difference right where you are today:

1. Invest in your own God-given talents, abilities and strengths. God’s calling on your own life is just as valid an investment as any mission venture you might give to. This might mean taking classes, purchasing a better computer, taking a trip or spending time developing a skill.
2. Finish what you start. This applies to everything, from putting away clean laundry to a big project.
3. Write thank you notes.
4. Ask someone else for their opinion. Wise counsel benefits you, and shows you value the other person.
5. Surprise someone with their favorite drink. (Starbucks Gingerbread Latte for me)
6. Remember birthdays and anniversaries – Remembering the difficult ones may mean even more to people.
7. Buy pizza for some teenagers just because.
8. Share God’s Word with people who are hurting.
9. Ask about people’s children.
10. Don’t offer your opinion right away in a conversation.
11. Be generous with encouragement and praise.
12. Keep your promises.
13. Admit when you are wrong.
14. Bring someone flowers from your garden in a tin can (recycle).
15. Pray about little things, and then tell someone when God answers.


That’s my list for today. I’d love to hear how someone has made a difference to you.

In His Love,

Glynnis