When Life is Too Loud Life of a Pint-Sized Mama

My name is Mackenzie, and I'm honored to be sharing on Courtney's blog today! Though I've never met Courtney in "real life," my Dad married Courtney and her husband Jerry, so it feels like we've met. :) 


I'm a wife and mom, I work with a missions organization called Youth With A Mission, and I'm incredibly short - 4'8" to be exact! I love sharing about my faith, family, and life as a tiny mom at my blog, Life of a Pint-Sized Mama. Recently the Lord has put something on my heart, and I'd love to share it with you.

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Some days my life is too loud.

It feels like there is noise coming at me from all directions. Everywhere I look, there's an email to answer, a Facebook message to reply to, a baby to snuggle, a kitchen to be cleaned. I could probably shut out the noise if I wanted to, but it seems like I'm just turning up the volume. Though some things are "have-to's", it's mostly my own choices that are making my life this loud, this busy.

My heart feels full, but not in a good way. I'm distracted and tired. And I feel the Lord calling to me and saying,

Abide. Wait. Sit at My feet.

The things I'm choosing to do with my life right now are all good things: mommy-hood, my marriage, visiting with family & friends, networking for our YWAM ministry, blogging and connecting with other women, starting a sponsorship program on my blog (soon!), preparing for my first blogging conference in October.

But even these good things, when they aren't fueled by the BEST thing, are just a distraction.

The Lord reminded me this morning of the sisters Mary and Martha. Jesus visited their house, and Martha was scurrying around to get their home ready. (Hello, Jesus was coming over! I would have been cooking and cleaning like a mad woman too!) I think Martha's intention was to be hospitable, which is a good, Godly thing. But all of her preparation caused her to be distracted from the reason that she was doing all of those things - Jesus. Her sister, Mary, chose to sit at Jesus' feet, instead of making sure their house was perfect for the Lord. And Jesus told them that Mary's choice to be quiet and listen to Him was the better thing. The best thing.*

I don't have this all figured out. I want to be a woman who shows God's grace and love to everyone around me. I want to use my my life, my family, my blog as a platform to give glory to God. But if I am not laying all of those things at Jesus' feet and letting Him fill me first, they will be for nothing. They will do the opposite of what I intend for them to do. They will be another noise in this loud, blaring world.

Lord, help me to take a deep breath. Help me to choose You, the better thing. Help me to be quiet and sit at Your feet. Use the platforms You've given me to share Your name and Your love. And let me be willing to give up all the "extras" in a heartbeat. Breathe into all that I do. Help me to turn down the volume and listen to Your voice. I choose you, the best thing.

*From Luke 10:38-42

Connect with Mackenzie:

Blog / Facebook / Twitter / BlogLovin'

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"Pinning!" is a Weekly Pinterest Link-Up

(Share pins, meet others who love "Pinning", get inspired!)

First Time?  It's simple just follow these rules:

 Please follow your hosts: Courtney & Kimberly

And your Co-Hosts:

Stephany // 'ol Mother Hyder

Amanda // Bullfrogs and Bulldogs

Paige // The Eloping Stethoscope

then

 Link up your Pinterest Inspired Post & Profile below

and

Make sure you link back to the party!

<center><a href="http://www.baxtronlife.com/search/label/Pinning" target="_blank"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gbvryU40_Qo/Ty_cGnh2JNI/AAAAAAAAB9k/iwfB9OZ7SFo/s200/PinningHalf.jpg" height="150" width="150" /></a></center>

Each week a winner will be chosen to flaunt the title of "Pinning-est" for successfully wowing us with the best Pinterest find.  The winner will be featured/announced in the following week's post!

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Welcome to the newly redesigned Baxtron{Life}!  <3 What do you think?  :)

I thought with the redesign that today would be a good time to share some awesome blog freebies found via Pinterest and the Web.  Is it time to Pimp out your Blog?  These awesome goodies are made by bloggers and designers who have graciously offered up their talents to help us spruce up our spaces. Visit the links to pin to your boards!  Check out more freebies via my Blog Stuff Board on Pinterest.

Blog Headers

Water Color & Bokeh Textures

Washi Tape Label

Think Design Blog

Fonts!

Labels

Pugley Pixel

Photo Layouts

Pink Moustache

Social Media Icons

JuneLily

Backgrounds & Layouts

THANK YOU to all who linked up last week!

I chose this week's "Pinning-est":
Elizabeth from "Love is the Adventure"

She pinned a lovely collection of images and inspiration related to being kind to yourself.
I felt so refreshed after looking at her post!  And this picture here reminds me of what Zion may look like when she is older! ~ Courtney

WANT TO BE A GUEST JUDGE or HOST? 

Email us!

Elizabeth! Feel free to grab the button, and flaunt it!

Are you "Pinning"?  

Come on, everyone is doing it.  

Join us MONDAYS for weekly sharing of Pinterest finds.  

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Link up your PINTEREST INSPIRED POST below:

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Link up your PINTEREST PROFILE below:

Lovely July Giveaway

I'm honored that these lovely ladies have generously donated great prizes for my group giveaway this month.  Click on the images below to visit their fabulous blogs!!  Happy entering!

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Stripped All Glorious Within

Well Hey there Baxtron{Life} Readers.
I can't even begin to tell you how stoked I am that Courtney is giving me the priviledge of sharing my heart with you guys today.

I should probably explain who I am right....

My name is L and I blog at All Glorious Within. 

I have a heart for encouraging others in their walk with the Lord,
so my blog is me sharing things I am learning in my relationship with Christ.
I married my wonderful husband in July 2010, so I often include newlywed bumps along the way.
So with that said....I what to share with you guys some thoughts I had on trials and how each of us is Made to Shine for Jesus.


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In the last few months I have been able to help a couple of different friends with their house projects. Two of them have just bought fixer-uppers and are so brave in tackling them with a deadline in mind.  These homes needed serious work I tell you.
One of them had no electricity or plumbing and people had broken in and pretty much stolen anything they could from it.
Crazy right.


So as I was helping one friend strip paint in her new hallway, we discovered that under all those layers of old paint which looked pretty awful, there was beautiful dark wood.
So we began heating the paint up and removing it piece by piece from the wood.
And I realised, that's how the imperfections are in each of us.

We all have these layers of imperfections & sin that need removing from our life.
It makes each of us look awful.
But as we allow God to help us remove them and piece by piece get them out of our lives for good.
We begin to see the way we were supposed to be.
We begin to shine from the inside out, as the inside is finally visible.

We begin to shine the way God made us.
We allow Him to shine through us, people around us begin to see Him.
To see beauty.
But it is through His incredible grace that He is helping us become the person we were originally made to be.
Just like that wood, we were made to beautifully reflect the Lord.
But all that paint that gets added on top, sinful patterns, pride, our past.....
It prevents people around us and even ourselves from seeing that beautiful person that was created.

Isn't it funny how you can put those imperfections under heat and they get removed.
Just like in life when trials come our way and we are refined.
The imperfections are painfully removed sometimes.
But they are really worth it when they free us to shine for Him.


Some ponderings for me to remember the next time a painful trial comes my way.
Want to ponder with me?

Much Love,
L

Connect with L:
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / BlogLovin' / Pinterest

Strengths & Weaknesses Special Feature

What is your greatest strength?  What is your greatest weakness?  Are you like me and have the easiest time coming up with your flaws, but a difficult time acknowledging your strengths?  Let me challenge you today to think on the things you do well, your strengths.  I'd love to hear what you come up with.   I'll share mine in a minute, too.

Every month I get the privilege of partnering with amazing women who continuously impress me!  These women share their lives, passions and inspirations in a way that is refreshing, uplifting and vulnerable.  This month I asked these lovelies to divulge not only their biggest strength but also their biggest weakness.

Brooke | Covered in Grace / @CoveredinGrace / Facebook / BlogLovin' / HelloCotton

Weakness:This is so hard. I'm going to say, though, that it's ONE of my greatest weaknesses ... I tend not to believe in myself enough, or rather, I don't have enough confidence in myself sometimes. I think that's a pretty big weakness because it trickles into so many other facets of my life, affecting them all. It's something that I constantly struggle with and need to continually lean into Jesus to overcome.Strength:My greatest strength... I want to say it's my capacity to love and encourage others . But really...my greatest strength is my savior, Jesus Christ. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Lish | Imprintalish / Shop / @Imprintalish / Facebook / Pinterest

Weakness:I'm an introvert in 'real' life. I think this holds me back in promoting myself and even making new friends... I would much rather sit at home, then go anywhere , especially if it means I have to meet new people. I hate putting myself out there , and am so shy!Strength:My creativity. It's my passion and as long as I am in that creative state of mind , I am fueled and can't go wrong. Or at least I feel that way, lol, things always go wrong. Creativity for me equals strength and happiness.

Stephany | 'ol Mother Hyder / @HyderMommy / Facebook / G+ / Pinterest / Instagram

Weakness:I am a very, very blunt person. I do not see holding back the truth. And, a very firm believer that "the truth just hurts." (if it is not what you want to hear, of coarse). BUT sometimes people think I am being cruel or negative towards them . That's not it. I am just not fake. I never want to hurt feelings, but if it's the truth...it will probably be said.Strength:Creativity. I do love to use my imagination. If it's on my blog, decorating my home or preparing my son's lunch...I want it to be creative. Creativity defines an individual and brings ones life out.

Chelsea | In These Shoes

Weakness:I am a people-pleaser. I so desperately want everyone to like me--even people that I honestly don't like. I have grown a lot in this area. But still, sometimes I can get so self-conscious or convince myself that someone doesn't like me for no reason. I feel like I have to earn everyone's love and that if I mess up too much everyone will just decide they don't like me and don't want to be in my life . Every day I am trying to lean on the fact that Jesus chose to show me the most love when I was at my absolute worst.Strength:My greatest strength is compassion. If I can do one thing, it's care. I'm often brought to tears by the pain of a stranger or friend. This allows me to come alongside others in empathy and to help lift them up with encouragement. I have to flip the channel when those sad puppy commercials come on because I just can't handle it. Sometimes something sad I heard during the day keeps me awake at night thinking and praying. My friend once said I model "godly sorrow." Ungodly sorrow would be the kind where you think there is no hope. Godly sorrow is being so broken about your puny human condition or the condition of the world that you cry to Jesus because he is the only hope. This is what I do best.

Megan | Absolute Mommy / @AbsoluteMommy / Facebook / Pinterest / Instagram

Weakness:

Headstrong. It causes a lot of problems.

Strength:

Love. To love and be loved.

Yesenia | Then There Was Us / Facebook / BlogLovin' / Pinterest / Instagram

Weakness:

A big weakness of mine is that I tend to talk over people during conversation. And I don't realize it until I'm already doing it.

Strength:

My greatest strength would have to be that I am a very independent person and have always been a quick learner. I have a pretty good ability to grasp new concepts and skills quickly. This always worked to my advantage in the workplace.

Me

Weakness:

One of my greatest weaknesses is that I can be too direct.  

When I'm short and to the point, it can come across as harsh, and unloving.

Strength:

Reliability.  I am committed to keeping my word - and my commitments to people.  

I would go great distances for a friend in need.

What is your greatest strength?  Weakness?  We'd love to hear your thoughts!

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