Lady Cady

Faith * Family * Life

Priorities

In my busy life I sometimes have a startling thought: Have I been too busy for Heavenly Father today? It’s easy for me to get caught up in all the things I “need to do” with 5 kids and my husband’s busy life: meals, laundry, dishes (again), school lessons, cleaning, etc. etc. Let alone creative time to write or paint or draw in my sketchbook! Sometimes there are days when I have been too busy and the overwhelm is real. If you ever have those days too, know you’re not alone! And let this be a reminder to us both to remember God a little more tomorrow.

Have you been too busy for God today?
Too busy to talk to him?
Too busy to fall down on bended knee –
Seek help through the thick and the thin?
Too busy to do what he needed from you?
Too busy for someone in need?
Too busy to see how he blesses you?
Too busy to spiritually feed?
Too busy for reasons that you are here –
To learn and to grow just like Him.
Too busy to pause, to reflect, and to know
Or notice His Spirit within?
Too busy to care for the young and the weak –
All those who need someone like you?
Instead, only thinking of money or fame –
The things of the world you pursue?
If this is the case, then don’t be surprised
When someday you need His return
And He doesn’t respond as quick as you want
Since He was never that much your concern.
While he waits in the wings before he can give
Since your heart never really sought His.
And you never tried very much to care
Or make your life at all include His.
So, take the time now to say a quick prayer
And set your priorities straight.
Get back on the path that God wants for you
That always leads straight to His Gate.

Thy Will

Are you great at jumping in and doing whatever it is that other’s need from you? Or is there a bit of complaining along the way? A bit of resistance? Maybe a bit of pride? Okay, maybe that’s just me! 🙂 It’s not always easy to submit your will to Heavenly Father’s and do what He needs you to do. It takes a lot of maturity to look beyond your own needs and think of those of someone else instead. It takes the heart of humility. But someday we will learn the full effects our service had on those we served. And those efforts will have all been worth it.

What do you need me to do today?
What do you need me to be?
Where do you need me to go today?
What do you need from me?
Who do you need me to help today?
Where can I lend a hand?
Who is in need of my time today?
Where is my love in demand?

Becoming

Growing and changing and becoming better can be so hard! Most people fight it and hide from it and try to avoid it at all costs. Don’t let this be you! The person we grow and become is the person the world needs us to be. So, keep on trying and trying again. God, your loved ones, and especially your future self will be so grateful you did.

This isn’t failure.
You’re simply growing more.
What seems to be a lot of pain
Is strengthening your core.
You can’t see the beauty that is You
But I see it in your face.
So, hug the try and try agains
And with each one embrace
That the new You is replacing
Those imperfect parts you had.
And each part is much better,
And soon you’ll be so glad
Because the You that’s reaching now
Is the one your meant to be,
The You that’s reaching now
Is the one that God foresees.
So, pick yourself up once again,
And crawl up off that floor,
This isn’t failure in any way.
You’re simply growing more.

Good Friends

Books can be amazing things. They teach us things. They entertain us. They can be life changing. I know they aren’t for everyone but many a bibliophile would back me up that the books that touch our hearts are friends for life. They are there when life is hard and there when life is great and an ever-constant friend through it all. Exactly what a good friend should be. ❤

Some of the greatest friends I have
Were found in a simple book.
They kindly took me by the hand –
And together we had a look.
Orphaned girls without a home,
And princesses at heart,
And wagons loaded up with goods
As we made a brand-new start.
Families living in a tree
With furniture made of wood,
Cousins living in Vermont
Who now are understood.
And many more who’s hearts touched mine
As their stories crossed my path.
They showed me how to live my life
And gave me all they hath.
And while I merely read their words,
And wasn’t there in life,
They’ll always be my best of friends
Through the good and through the strife
Because some of the greatest friends I have
Were found in a simple book,
When they kindly took me by the hand
And together we had a look.

Hey, Dad!

It’s Father’s Day time! Do the dads in your life hear this phrase often? It’s definitely said a lot at my house. Sometimes it accompanies things that make your blood pressure go up a few points. Sometimes its accompanied by things that make your heart melt. Maybe dads need more than just a day in celebration of all they do… If the dads in your life can relate, be sure and treat them extra special today. They’ve earned it. ❤

Hey, Dad! Are you glad?
I washed your tools with paint!
And then I rearranged your things
And did it without complaint!

Hey, Dad! Are you glad?
I fed the dog your food!
It looked like you were finished,
And it might improve your mood!

Hey, Dad! Are you glad?
I took your favorite chair!
I also ate your ice cream,
And got food stuck in your hair!

Hey, Dad! Are you glad?
I left the water on!
I was thinking I could wash my feet,
And water the front lawn!

Hey, Dad! Are you glad?
I took apart your stuff!
And now the walls can use your touch,
They were looking pretty rough!

Hey, Dad! Are you glad?
I’m in your family?
I’m not sure anyone else
Could love you just like me.

My To-Do List

I am going to be real here: I am unable to get all the things I need done in a day. Let alone all the things I need and want to get done in a day. For example, while trying to type up this little poem I neglected the dishes because I was writing. I also had to stop writing because I had to give a mama hug to a poor little two-year-old who had crashed his bike, cut up an apple for a snack, swat a million bugs away, and pet dogs a million times who thought they needed my attention more then I needed to be writing. There I said it. Whew. Now you know a tiny bit of how much I don’t get done! (Life with kids…) As you might imagine, this little poem came about from asking myself in exasperation “How will I get all the things done??” The short answer is: I won’t. And that’s okay. Instead, I will remind myself that it’s okay and instead try my best to get the most important things done and focus on the most important things I can do.

How will I get the Things all done –
The list I made, then set the sun?
Feed and wash and clothe each kid,
Then fold the towels my son redid.
Wash and put away each dish,
Then make a dinner, quite delish.
Study and read the word of God,
And spend two weeks traveling abroad.
Hug and kiss and make things right,
Then hide the clutter form my sight.
Finish projects needed done,
And still find time for extra fun.
Find time for hobbies, new and old.
Increase my wealth at least tenfold.
Oh, how will I get the things all done,
And find my sanity, I’ve not outrun.
It seems to me the thing to do
Is no longer chase down something new,
But focus on the things of worth,
Things eternal, not just of the earth.
And miracles may soon unfold
Within the walls of this household.
For aligning with the things of God
Melts away the Great Facade,
Illuminates the things to do,
Gives me strength to make it through.
And so, I’ll throw away my list
And keep God’s in mind for my new checklist.