Sometimes I struggle with feeling weak. Physically I just can't do all that I want or sometimes even need to do. When people look at me, they can't see anything wrong. To them, I “look” healthy, but there can be quite a war going on within my body and mind even as I smile.

There are times when I've been in so much pain, that I've really thought about using one of the motorized carts at a store. But I haven't been able to do it. Deep down the idea of needing help just to get around is still too much for me. As silly as it may sound, the thought of going to the grocery store or a field trip with my kids can have me clinging to Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

I have to remind myself that even though I may not be physically strong, I can still be mentally tough. I can be strong in the Lord, even when my body fails me.

Being strong is a choice, not a condition. God tells us to be strong in the Lord, not by our own power. Our strength comes from our union with Him, from his all-mighty power. Zechariah 4:6 says “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord Almighty.”

Being strong means remembering to walk by faith and not by sight, releasing the fears, and clinging to Truth. It means putting on the armor of God each and every day.

And that much I CAN do.

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6: 14 – 17

I have been thinking a lot about contentment lately. I have some friends who are going through some extremely hard times. They are people that I love and admire. And honestly, sometimes I thought they were “more blessed” than me. (Do you ever think that?)

On the outside, they seemed to “have it all”, great careers making good money, nice homes and cars, loving families, lots of friends, health, etc...

But now, they are going through some things that put all of that in perspective and  made me realize I need to rethink some things.

I realize that many times I've looked at God blessing me by what He gives me. Now I know that often He is also blessing me with what He doesn't give me – the things He has protected me from.

Does that make any sense?

It's not that the money or success that they've experienced are solely to blame for what they're going through. That's actually far from it. But those good things are what I could see and admire. I didn't see all of the things that they were privately battling (or would someday be battling).

Shame on me for thinking that somehow God loved them more because He was blessing them with certain things. Sure we struggle, but my family is extremely blessed. We love each other like crazy, we've got a comfy home with plenty of land to enjoy, and we get to spend lots and lots of time together. I have GOT to quit taking that for granted.

All families have their struggles. Some will struggle with finances. Some struggle with family tensions. Some struggle with marital issues. Others struggle with health or loss. Those things just come from living in this sinful fallen world where accidents, confusion, selfishness, envy, and disease run rampant.

We can't control all of the things that come into our lives, but those things don't have to consume us. We must walk by faith and not by sight, all the while trusting in God and knowing that He has our best interests at heart. We have to quit looking at others and wondering why things seem so hard for us, but so easy for them. Our lives were not created for our comfort. God chooses whether we need the sweet or the bitter. We were created to glorify Him and He gets to decide how – whether it is through success or trials, health or illness, joy or sorrow. Sometimes being content means letting go of our plans and desires.

We need to quit keeping score. Being content is a choice. One day I met a woman who was going through a horrible time, the worst time of her life. Yet she really didn't have any sympathy for others. She was certain that everyone else had things so much better than she did. She didn't know that many of our friends were facing extremely trying times themselves. Because even as those women were struggling, they were trying to be content, to count their blessings, and to look at how they could bless others.

It doesn't take a perfect life to glorify God, He uses struggling imperfect people every day.

And even IN our struggles, God is there, which is truly the greatest blessing! Remember the story in Matthew 14: 22-33 about the disciples being out in the boat on stormy waters? Even when Peter began to sink because he was scared by the storm, Jesus reached out to grab him and saved them all. We have to remember that He will reach out and grab us when we are scared and sinking too.

That's where my hope is. That's what keeps me content.

“This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.”

Lamentations 3: 21-25

•  new one year US subscription
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With the holidays right around the corner, we thought this might be a good time to discuss favorite family games. My family enjoys playing games with our family and friends at Thanksgiving and Christmas, and I've found that games make GREAT gifts.

My favorite is probably Scrabble, but here are some of my kids' favorite games:

• Monopoly and the new Monopoly Deal card game

• Jenga

• Guess Who

• Yahtzee

• Uno

• Dutch Blitz

• To Bethlehem (Especially perfect around Christmas!)

And these are our favorites to play at get-togethers:

• Catch Phrase

• Pictionary

• Scattergories

Hope this helps spark some ideas for fun or gift-giving at your house. I've got to admit that I don't play games nearly as much as the boys want me to. I drag my heels and tend to find other things to do, but I'm trying to do better about joining in the fun and hope you all will too!

Enjoy every minute!

~Nancy

PS – I noticed on Amazon that you can get the Monopoly Deal cards FREE when you purchase some of the other games before October 31st. Click here for the details!

1. Bright blue skies
2. Gorgeous Harvest Moons
3. Leaves of many colors
4. And that delicious rain-like sound as the wind whooshes them to the ground
5. The perfect weather for camping
6. The warmth and smell of the campfire
7. Roasted marshmallows!
8. Wearing cozy sweats and hoodies
9. Flannel sheets
10. My Autumn Wreath Yankee Candle (It reminds me SO much of my dad)
11. Pumpkins, mums, straw bales, and corn stalks galore!
    
12. Caramel apples
13. Lots and lots of soup and chili
14. Spiced cider
15. Shorter days and long cozy nights
16. Arts and Craft Shows & Fall Festivals
17. Thinking about God's abundance and the purpose for the different seasons
18. Really taking time to give thanks

It really captures what Fall is about for me!

But I also found this delightful Fall wreath ON SALE at Big Lots. Gotta love that!

The Fall colors: they speak to me.

And I did manage to get a START on my 2009 Fall Front Porch display. It's not all together yet. We haven't been to the pumpkin patch yet so I only have two smaller pumpkins that we've picked up along the way. And I would still like to find some orange mums to add to the display and my purple fabric for the table. But Fall is here and I just couldn't wait to start putting things out. It just makes me happy every time I see those mums and pumpkins on the front porch. If I was Rachel Zoe, I'd say "literally."

And here's a little money-saving trivia, especially for you new bloggy visitors (waving hello!) who clicked over here from Molly's Econobuster e-newsletter or The Homeschool Minute.

In our area, there is an Amish produce/flower auction. If the flowers aren't "perfect", they sell them at a whopper discount. I got these large mums for $3 each instead of $4.50 - $6. I'm not interested in perfect. I think a few flaws add to the rustic farmhouse chic vibe that I'm going for. Ha!

Anyway Happy Fall Y'all from my home to yours,  I hope you enjoy the beauty and comfort of this season and take some time to count your blessings.