Simply Tuesday

Rarely do I find a book so enjoyable that I read it cover to cover twice but such is the case for the second time in a row with Simply Tuesday: Small-Moment Living in a Fast-Moving World by Emily Freeman. 

To give you an idea of why I'm reading it for a second time, here is just some of the reviews that have come in for Simply Tuesday:

"This book is like a deep breath for my soul." Ellie Holcomb

"We live in a time where we are led to believe that everything bigger is better and something in my soul has been telling me for a while now that isn't necessarily the case. That's why I'm so thankful for Emily Freeman's new book, Simply Tuesday." Rachel Macy Stafford

"It's simply Tuesday, an ordinary day filled with beautiful, breathtaking moments I missed, until Emily Freeman taught me how to see...through small-moment living, my hurried heart is learning how to slow down and savor." Renee Swope 

"Simply Tuesday could move you toward the settled rest that Jesus provides." Dr. Larry Cobb

"What if God takes great delight in the simple acts of bench-sitting and gate-opening and being kind to our next door neighbor? What if the kingdom of God is built on tiny, little gestures on simple days like Tuesday?" Deidre Riggs

"Emily Freeman is a writer after my own heart. She's not afraid to be quiet, to move at a leisurely pace, and to think probably a little too hard about things. She believes that meaning and delight and revelation are found in the small moments. Her writing will slow you down, help your soul exhale, and show you that Tuesday, and every ordinary day, is full of magic." Adam S. McHugh

"Many of us are living at an unhealthy pace. We run from one task to another to another. We end up skimming the surface of life. This book challenges us to be present in the moments that we find ourselves in, and to live at depth with others." Dave Runyon 

Simply Tuesday is on sale now!

Sitting at His feet,

Valarie

Your Theme Song

I was watching UFC Sunday night and found myself fascinated by the whole walk-out process. Each fighter has a theme song played as they make their way from the locker room to the octagon, pumped up, surrounded by very stoic looking security personnel, coaches, trainers....their entourage. It got me to wondering...

Whether you're walking into a season of destiny and purpose or out of a season of hardship, what would your theme song be? Would it be something inspirational like the theme from Rocky? Would it be something whimsical like Tiptoe Through The Tulips? Would it be Gloria Gaynor's anthem about surviving a broken heart, I Will Survive?

I'd love to hear your thoughts....

Want to know what my walk-out song is? Stay tuned...

Sitting at His feet,

Valarie

Tuesday People

"Sit on a bench, count the stars, and let your soul breathe."

Emily Freeman

Who are Tuesday people? Well, there are many ways to describe a Tuesday person but I'll start with just one. Tuesday people are grateful people. Tuesday people find a rainbow hidden in every cloud. Tuesday people find blessings in the things others take for granted. 

To a Tuesday person, a traffic jam is an opportunity to give thanks for the gift of transportation.

To a Tuesday person, having to stand in line at the grocery store means there is food to eat. 

Tuesday people are grateful for the line at the bank because it means there's a paycheck to deposit. 

A Tuesday person is grateful for an invitation to sit on the bench and just be. A Tuesday person is also grateful to extend that same invitation to someone and say that it's okay to just be still and know...

A Tuesday person doesn't worry about what's left on the to-do list because His grace is sufficient...

Simply Tuesday

On Sale Today!

"Is your soul held hostage by hustle? If you've grown weary of do more and dream bigger, small moment living is just what you need. Real life happens in the small moments we find on the most ordinary day of the week." Emily Freeman

Sitting at His feet,
Valarie

Stones

Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Proverbs 16:24

I've always said that whoever coined the saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt" should've had their head examined.

Life is full of stones and those stones have a ripple effect for better or for worse. 

All to often, especially in world of social media, we hurl stones of hatred, bitterness, anger, and prejudice. I was nearly brought to tears as I watched Kathie Lee Gifford's moving tribute to her late husband Frank Gifford who passed away suddenly only one week ago. One valuable life lesson that Frank Gifford left to their children Cassidy and Cody and one that we can all learn from was to pick up a stone and see how far and how well they could hurl it.

Imagine the ripple effect we could create if we chose to hurl stones on love, patience, compassion, kindness, and peace....

Watch Kathie Lee's moving tribute to Frank Gifford here

Sitting at His feet,

Valarie

The Waiting

"And the earth was without form and darkness was upon the face of the deep.

And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."

Genesis 1:2 KJV

And the earth was without form...waiting. And darkness was upon the face of the deep...waiting. 

Waiting for that first burst of light to signify to all of Heaven that His work had begun.

Perhaps you're in a season of waiting with lessons to be learned or wounds to be healed. Perhaps there's a dream that you've given up on.

"Being confident of this very thing that he which hath begun a good work in you

will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."

Philippians 1:6

While you're waiting, His spirit is hovering; so lift up your chin dear one and trust, knowing that in the end, all things will work together for your good...

Sitting at His feet,
Valarie

Whispers

"He leadeth me beside the still waters." Psalm 23:2

Take a moment to listen. Do you hear the gentle, loving whisper of a Heavenly Father who just wants you to be still and know? (Psalm 46:10) Is the sound of His voice leading you away from the pursuit of man's approval to the truth that you are already approved of, loved, adored, and cherished by Him? He wants to remind that He has not forgotten you because your name is forever inscribed on the palm of His hand. (Isaiah 49:16)
Feel free to let go of yesterday' disappointments and frustrations, trusting in His plans (Jeremiah 29:11) for a better and brighter tomorrow!

Sitting at His feet,
Valarie