Work it. :)

Last night the lobster was working on his dress uniform. I know...all of my ladies are collectively inhaling and exhaling, closing their eyes, imagining the hotness of the outfit...snap out of it! We need to focus! No more day dreaming. Even as I write this I'm still secretly day dreaming. :)

He was working on the uniform and getting it all lint rolled, and double checking all of the measurements, etc etc, and it got me thinking, how many things am I really meticulous about? I have several things that I pay close attention to, deep study of, and work hard to maintain and protect.

First, and foremost is my faith. Not that Jesus needs protecting, but I hold that deeply close to my chest, and am constantly evaluating and examining if I am in line with God's will for my life. I want to grow more like Him, always.

Second, is my marriage. Truth be told, apart from my faith, this takes the majority of my time and effort. In the majority of ways, my faith directly effects my marriage. There is no single, human activity that I hold with higher regard, significance, or level of importance in my life. My husband is the single most important person walking this planet. In him I am held accountable, encouraged, and challenged. It is my heart's highest goal (and I believe the most honorable position to ever hold) in order to work to be a helper suitable to him, and to offer him the respect that is commanded by God, and desired by my husband.

Third, my chicken nuggets. No, not the McDonalds kind, but the kid kind. :) What greater calling do we ever have, than to raise children to be responsible, kind, generous adults!? I have been blessed with four little people to guide and equip. I would give my life without even blinking an eye, to protect them.

Fourth, my extended family. It's weird how things change as we get older. When someone would say something about my family, I always thought of my parents and siblings. Now, it isn't that way. When I talk about my family, I mean my husband and children. My sisters and my parents are in a different category. I know this is all a part of the leaving and cleaving aspect of life, but it's still kind of funny how we change as we grow older. They are deeply important to me. It takes hard work to maintain relationships, communication, and laughter, especially as we all go through different experiences in life and live in different places.

Fifth, my friends. I am excessively cautious about my friends. One might argue, in an extreme way. My best friend Koria (I know I never put actual names, but since that's a nickname, you will never know who I am actually talking about....security maintained! Ha!) told me a long time ago that I needed to be more choosy about my friends. She was right. I have almost become militant in this regard. My private life is extremely personal to me, and I am deeply selective about who I will allow to be a part of that. I also am constantly evaluating whether or not someone is genuine, trustworthy, or going to be a benefit to my life. Lets be honest, some people are just life drainers. You know exactly what I'm talking about, because we all have encountered them: the negative nancy's. You know those people who are constantly self berating, self defeating, complaining, whining, or "hurting" (exception: some times good friends are really going through a horrible time...this is not what I am referring to. It is our duty to stand by our friends as they encounter hardships. I am talking about the people who are ALWAYS in crisis, and never willing to grow or change. It's always the rest of the world's fault for their misery). In my older age, I have decided to quickly nix people like that from my life. I have neither the time, nor the emotional fortitude to be someone's emotional punching bag. I honestly want to shout at them to grow up. Life is short. Vent your crap and move on.

Sixth, the world. Honestly, the world is important to me. I want to be a giver of love and compassion to others. I am not always perfect at this (I am a work in progress....deeply so), but it is a desire in my heart. We pray every morning that God will open our eyes to the needs of others, and give us the courage and the strength to act on those needs. Sometimes it means hugging a homeless man. Sometimes it's pulling over to help a stranded person. Sometimes it's listening while someone vents. Where ever the Holy Spirit moves.

So that's my story and I'm sicking to it...meticulously. :)