Heart Choices: 2018-08-19

Theme Layout

Boxed or Wide or Framed

Theme Translation

Display Featured Slider

Featured Slider Styles

Display Grid Slider

Grid Slider Styles

Display Trending Posts

Display Author Bio

Display Instagram Footer

Dark or Light Style

Five Minute Friday: Loyal

It's Five Minute Friday when I link up with other writers. We are given a one-word prompt and get to write for five minutes flat. Our word for this week is LOYAL.


I consider myself to be a loyal person. I value honesty. I've learned through tough times how important that is in relationships, whether romantic or friendship.

It's through loyalty that relationships can grow. How easy it is to give up on each other when things don't go our way.

Love requires perseverance. What happens when a spouse or friend gets sick and is no longer the person they used to be? Will I be patient with someone who has trouble remembering or has become a bit slow as they move about? Will I be loyal? I know that as I get older, my face and body have certainly changed. She ain't what she used to be, despite trying. :) Will others be loyal to me when I can't do what I used to do?

"Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation." Proverbs 3:3-4 NLT 


Blessings and love,


Have You Lost Your Sense of Wonder?

Have you lost your sense of wonder? The little children in my preschool class teach me so much about life. As an adult, I often go through the motions. Sometimes, I'm so deep in thought driving to work that I miss my exit. I forget to notice the clouds or the hot air balloons rising in the sky.

Outside a window of our classroom, we heard a commotion. Ms. Patricia peeked out and told me there were a few roadrunners. Before I could say anything, my students quickly headed for the window to take a peek. But they weren't tall enough. That didn't stop them as they climbed on the bookshelf to get a better view. The birds darted behind the shrubs. The minute they stepped out, the children squealed with delight.

"I see the birdie." "Look, he's hiding."

~ Pablo Picasso ~

Children have a natural curiosity. They live in the present moment.

I notice this when I observe them at play. Addy is engrossed with her two little dolls. She pats their back, puts them to bed, and even asks Ms. Debbie to hold one of them.

Oliver loves to line up all the plastic animals on the shelf. He thinks nothing of emptying everything else, so he has room to march his elephants and tigers and monkeys. All the while, he is talking and sometimes even singing.

As we get older, we tend to lose that childlike sense of wonder. I have a few suggestions to re-engage that part of your self.

  1. Slow down. Don't be in such a hurry. Look around and notice the clouds, the moon, the flowers, people. 
  2. Observe children at play. See how they become excited when they spot a butterfly or a hummingbird. We can learn from them.
  3. Be on the lookout for things to photograph. I love photography, and it's opened my eyes to notice even the simple and seemingly ordinary.
  4. Be curious. Ask questions. Don't assume you know everything you need to know. 
  5. Learn something new. This summer I learned an Adobe program InDesign. I ended up using it to write my book for parents of preschoolers. Who knew?
  6. Get out in nature. Observe mountains or lakes or the ocean. 
  7. Take deep breaths. Simply be. Forget your to-do list for at least a while. Enjoy the day.
  8. Do something fun. Remember what brought you joy as a kid.
What could you add to this list? I'd love to hear in the comments. 

I'll leave you with the words to a song recorded by Lee Ann Womack. 

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty-handed

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance, I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances but they're worth takin'
Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin'

Don't let some hell-bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to sellin' out reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance, I hope you dance
I hope you dance, I hope you dance

(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along

Blessings and love,
