"Brakes = Stop. . . Gas = Go!"

I didn't get to Blog, as normally would have, last weekend due to the fact of one sick husband. That and the fact that I need an empty house or a silent house to write in both of which I did NOT have. :) So here I am this weekend instead and I want SO very much to bring an encouraging, inspirational, motivating and a "real me" story to share with you and I'm just not sure where God is leading me to write at this point. Ah well.

For any new readers I may have simply know that I am NOT a dogmatic religious preacher type of some sorts. Although alot of my Blogs have to do with spirtual matters and concerns and are mostly about God's sovereign control, His great love for us no matter what and His ability to see us through anything....I am a real person with real stories to share as well. :) I am me who wants to encourage YOU! And anything I may have felt, experienced, or lived through to help you just makes it all the more better.

As I sit here and think of which to write about. . . two things come to mind. . . . The end of the world as some believed would happen and God's protection.

I can certainly sum up the first in a brief account! Matthew 24:36 "NO ONE knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." vs 42 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." vs 44 "So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him."

Are you ready?
If unsure, know that you can KNOW!

A= Accept that you are a sinner in need of a Saviour!
B= Believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead!
C= Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and call upon Him to save YOU!

As for God's protection. . .who of us hasn't seen that all around us at certain times?!
I'm sure that God's protection in our lives shows up in all different ways. . .even unseen ways that we were never even aware of. The number of "things" we have been protected from throughout our life will never really be fully known. We most likely would be absolutely astonished, to say the least, should we know!

Everyday as parents we must trust in that protecting hand of God to lead our children safely through this world. There isn't a day goes by that I'm not relying on Him to protect my children from all the evilness of this world.....and yet there are times He allows what I do not understand.....but yet I trust Him. Please know that it isn't MY trust that allows me to do this, but HIS trust He places in me to trust Him. A circle of life I would call it....we seek it, He gives it, so that we can put it back in Him. Sometimes we call out for more trust, but yet He gives simply what is needed, when is needed. There are SO many stories throughout my life I could try to recall and share of God's protection, as well you. But I will choose to share 2 today.

Recently Savannah told David and I about a park that was great for walking and running. By the way, anyone living in Kingwood and doesn't know about East End Park on Kingwood Dr needs to find out about it!! It's absolutely GORGEOUS and YES great for walking, running or even sitting! <Sidenote>  :)
She started running there with a friend, but soon was going alone in the mornings and sometimes in the evenings. David and I went there to check it out, and as BEAUTIFUL as it was, I also noticed how secluded it could be as well for a young, good looking girl, running alone. I voiced my concerns about it to David and he, being the man I admire so much with his rock solid faith, simply said "She's fine. No, we don't need to tell her to stop running alone. Wherever God is she is safe and God is everywhere." Now that may not sit well with some of my readers, but that's ok. I choose to live a life of faith - not always seeing, but knowing God IS in control and there is NOTHING I face that He is not with me.
Back to my story - as I choose to accept his words I resolve to not worry about her. Later, as Savannah is talking with me, I learn some encouraging news! First, I must tell you that this had to be God leading her to share this with me because otherwise....it wouldn't have been shared. She told me as she was running that morning a lady with her dog was running also. Savannah and the lady kept leap frogging each other throughout the trails. At one point the lady had passed her only to now be coming back in the opposite direction. She had taken her ear phones off and was making a noticable attempt to talk to Savannah. As she did she said "Run with me." As they continued on down the trail, the lady told her that there was a strange man out there that day and was not recognizing him. Once they had gone so far together the lady then tells Savannah "Ok...you can go now. I was just more concerned about you."
SEE! God's protection right there!! An angel....maybe.....but evenso most likely not....HE places whom He will in our lives to SHOW that protection at any given time! It didn't require Mom to say "Absolutely NOT! You are NOT going alone out in those woods to run and risk yourself to who knows what!!" No....it just took a quiet resolve to say "Yes, alright God....I trust you once again to take care of what I cannot." And He does.

Another incident of God's protection would be when my sweet son had what would be his first wreck....in my car. Yes, even before we got to the part of him actually acquiring the much coveted license, he encountered what Mom says his first and last wreck. I'm praying this boy does not follow in his sister's footsteps of driving MISSHAPS and capabilities!! O me.   Without going into too many humiliating details, I will tell you if you've ever heard of someone forgetting, at a moments time, which is the brake and which is the gas....it DOES indeed happen. Let me stop and brag on this boy who has done amazingly well at the fine art of driving! He drives us around town, out of town, night driving, you name it and does an exceptional job. But on this certain occassion .... he slipped. As we were turning into a parking space, he hit the GAS instead of the brakes causing us to go right up and over a curb, through some bushes that we literally plowed down, and onto a water line causing it to break into and sending LARGE amounts up and over our car. It was one of those situations where even Dad sitting in the front seat with him couldn't react quick enough to pull the emergency brake. We just kept going and going. At this point we are unsure if his foot actually ever left the gas pedal. We were all fine, just shook up ..... and stuck. The car had high centered onto the curb and grass....in other words we weren't going anywhere for a bit. My poor son felt downright awful and was visibly sorry as well as shaken up. I couldn't help but feel badly for him. Who cares if my car has two cracks on it now....I'll wear them with a smile of remembering how God protected us from what could have been so much worse! I say that because this could have happened at an intersection, at home going through a garage door, a pedestrian walking in front of our car.....any number of situations that could have resulted with so much greater consequence. I will also tell you that God sent 2 very KIND hearted men from 2 different cars to come and help us in our dilemma. One such man even had the knowledge of how to redirect the water line back into the ground somehow so that it wouldn't be spewing wildly over the parking spaces and drive. He and his wife even went the extra mile of getting us a phone number for the water dept to report it and made sure all was well before they left. God not only sends His protection, but sometimes He even adds over and above with it too!

There are countless verses of God's protection throughout the Bible. There are two that I have recently posted on my status' that I find fitting.

"The Lord Himself goes before you & will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

"We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help & our shield."

My favorite verse in the entire Bible also talks about it "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strenghten you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." And lastly I leave these verses with you - "My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip- he who watches over you will not slumber..... The Lord watches over you- the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." Psalms 121: 2-8

 

Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God....for He is protecting us through it as we go!

 

I truly hope that I have followed God's leading here in sharing with you today. I am trusting Him to use it however He sees fit.

 

Be encouraged my friend and know that God cares.....and so do I ! :)

"I Blog Because. . . "

Why do I Blog?
1. To share with others, in a way not possible otherwise, the real me - who I am on the inside. 2. To Encourage : to make (someone) more determined, hopeful, or confident.  To inspire with courage, spirit, or to spur on. 3. To give hope! 4. And lastly. . . because I love to write.

God has given me such a STRONG desire to encourage others even to the point that when I seem to have no encouraging words left (because I've said them all) it can be disheartening. I try not to repeat myself too much, but can't help but wonder if there are new readers that need encouragement as well. People need encouragement every single day of their lives . . . I know I do! I pray ALWAYS that God can use something in my words to reach another....whether it's through giving them hope, a new outlook/perspective, a new life through salvation.....or just to see that it's alright to be real and have flaws (meaning myself). I want to be the encouragement and hope that I'm looking for from day to day and maybe say things that people dare not talk about because they want everyone to "believe" their life is together and going well. I want to be the realness factor that God can use to show others that life doesn't have to be perfectly perfect. . . you can have flaws, your kids can have flaws, your husband can have flaws (although mine doesn't.....) < teasing > , that we fall down - and God alone picks us back up.

Just today I was listening to a Mom give a little bit of her heart in SS class referring to her daughter whom she has a strained relationship with. She talked about what a hard job she has ahead of her as this daughter has came back home to live with her. I know she must have seemed overwhelmed by the very thought of it. As I listened though, I wanted to tell her "It's ok! Your job is done! It isn't up to you to change the very heart of this child and get her to see the rights and wrongs of her life. We as parents have done the job God gave us to raise them to know and love Him and when they have reached this age....we let go and let God. He's in control....He always has been.....He has the plan for her life. Those plans don't have to look right, acceptable, and good to us. He allows difficult times into their (our child) lives to improve them, restore them, love them and also for a higher and greater purpose than we are even aware of at the time." I don't just say all that casually and effortlessly - I say it because I know the pain she feels, the yearning for God to intervene and move in her daughter's life. In other words, I'm there as well with my own children. But I've learned that letting go, as hard as it may seem, is always for the best. God has His own timetable of when, where and how He is going to wake these children of ours up and direct their lives in a way such as He has planned. But of course the best way for me to express any of that to anyone hurting, discouraged or overwhelmed is through .....writing. So therefore..... I write.....hoping, praying, yearning to reach out and help another.

I also literally yearn to be a light to a dark and lost world who needs God as their salvation. I want people to know the truth. I want God to open their eyes, ears and hearts to what He has done for them. Jesus is their one and only true provision from God to God Himself. There are absolutely NO good works, no good heritage, not enough money given, not enough wrong avoided, no church attendance and by NO other being by which you can be redeemed/saved. God and simply God alone. I will never tire of sharing that receiving God's provision for your very soul is as simple as ABC. . .
A= Accept that you are a sinner in need of a Saviour!
B= Believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead!
C= Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and call upon Him to save YOU!

I will be honest with you as well and say that it encourages me more than you realize when God allows YOU to share with me how that something I shared touched/inspired/enlightened/blessed you in a special way! I have to be careful in this area because humanly speaking I love to know that God is using me in some small or special way to fulfill His purpose. But....then on the other hand I strive not to be discouraged when I see nothing as well....for I know God can and still does use me regardless if my eyes see it or not. So if God allows me to know that He is using me in some way to help you. . . I give Him the praise. . . and should He not have that information given. . . . I praise Him still. . . . for He is worthy. Pray that I not let jealousy and disappointment creep in as it is easy for those two things to show themselves to a person who wants so desperately to encourage others and they see that happening on other's FB pages. Remember. . . I'm real. :)

So. . . I Blog for God. . . for you. . . and to share me!
Thank you for ALL your encouragement to me as I do. May God bring just the right amount of love, blessings, comfort and encouragement that you may be seeking however He chooses, my friend. :)

"Are You a Mother? My No Check-list Thoughts on One." :)

In honor of Mother's Day. . . .

What is a Mother?
Each of us are born with one....no denying that! And it simply takes no time at all to distinguish who that Mother is in our life unlike the little lost bird in Dr Seuss' "Are You My Mother?" book. Mothers come in all different packages, shapes and sizes with all having a very special uniqueness and love for their child(ren). No one Mother should ever be compared to another! I have ALWAYS despised the general summarizing and packaging up that ALL Mothers are this ____ and do this ____. I will forever and always dispute those sayings, thoughts, emails and such!! I don't know if it's my stubborness OR my uniqueness, but I always and undoubtedly find myself NOT in such silly lists. . . and then comparison comes to play. "Well, IF I'm not that or I don't do that....then I must not be the right Mother." God never gave us a checklist as Mother's to check off and see that we qualify. So the world should stop with the generalizing and summarizing and accept the fact that Mothers ....each and of their own.....are all different! God blesses us with our child(ren), places the love in our hearts to nurture them, and simply says "My love will guide you."

As my status stated "Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." couldn't be truer especially for Mother's with near grown or grown children. Not that it doesn't apply for Mother's of younger children, but I'm not at that stage anymore and so I think of now. A Mother is one of the TOUGHEST things you will ever be and it is by far the toughest thing you will ever do! Being a Mother causes your heart to hurt with great pain, it causes you to rely upon God our Father to be all that you canNOT be for your children as they grow older, it causes your faith and trust to expand in ways you never would have imagined, it causes you to wonder if God will ever decide to change things for the better. . . . and it causes you to come to a point where you give your child(ren) to Him and say "They're yours God. I can't, but you can."

But just as we know there is pain, hurt and disappointment there is also the deep and meaningful rewards that come along as well.....and who doesn't love rewards?! Each child, in their own way and in their own timing, can bring a sweet smile to your face, pride, great amounts of love and joy! Some children are quick and easy to give and receive love....while others you quietly wait upon God's love to penetrate their hearts so that they too can give love and receive. Afterall, God is the author and perfector of both faith as well as love, so who better to give that child(ren) to. Sometimes it just may be that God is teaching us parents to wait upon and trust Him.....no matter what. There is no set time....only God's time.

I believe that each child God blesses us with has a specially chosen plan by God Himself. Jeremiah 29:11 testifies to that "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." And there are times those "plans" do not fit our plans nor look like anything we could imagine as God's plans....but nonetheless....they indeed are. God knows best....in every sense of the word.....and it may very well be in those times of uncertainty and doubt of "Just what in the world could He be doing" that we lean heaviest upon Him. I also firmly believe that no child can ever mess up, change or even do away with God's plans no matter how worldly or rebellious they can be. Job 42:2 assures us of that fact "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted." Now that doesn't mean they can't miss all the blessings He has in store for them if choosing to live a life of worldliness....for they can....but His plans shall still stand and succeed.....period. And it is also in the those times of not understanding the whys of what God allows into our child(ren) lives that we lean on the verse found in Isaiah 55:8 "For my thoughts are NOT your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord," We know that God is never going to make a mistake with our children and He alone can bring out the beauty and harmony of His plans as He directs every facet of their lives. Besides, all crisis have already been met and overcome in and through HIM. We can trust in a loving Father who sovereignly controls our lives and theirs from beginning to end.

Comparison should NEVER be made of any child as well! My child does not think, act, look, excel, respect, love, give, talk, eat, sit, stand, run, nor sleep like your child and neither does yours in accordance with mine. They are each a unique and gifted blessing full of their very own potential and talents.... So why would there ever be a reason to compare?? God doesn't want us to go around measuring oursleves nor our children to others. When we do we always seem to come up lacking or boasting.....and if you ask me.....neither is right. And that doesn't just limit us to comparing our children to other people's children.....it also applies to children in the same family. No two children, HONESTLY, will ever be totally alike.....twins as well. We should rather praise, boast, proclaim our thankfulness in a God who saw fit to give us a piece of Him in so many unique and special ways through our children!

I don't know if these thoughts referring to being a Mother will mean anything at all to whoever may be reading. I just felt led to share me with you as always and this is what came to be.

I will leave you with this thought - -  "The same God who gave us our children - these precious gifts of His love - is worthy and able to take care of them. He is worthy of our complete trust. Trust : A conscious acto fo placing each child in His hands. With that act comes a beautiful awareness that through each experience (social, emotional, physical and intellectual) He is at work in their lives. He is molding them into what He would have them become. Turning what we perceive as hurtful into His good. Turning their failures -and ours - into footsteps....footsteps towards Himself."

So what is a Mother?
Someone whom God calls and equips, loves and forgives, assures and reassures, and places the very heart of Himself in. That is what I believe a Mother is.
Sending my love to Mothers young and old and everywhere in between. God's blessings to each of you! :)