"Got Weeds?"

Did you know that weeds can be harder to pull out of the ground than nice green grass? We have a weed in our flower garden that has literally turned into a small tree! Last Saturday, I mowed and cleaned up our backyard. By the way. . . I have a new appreciation for my son now. Nothing like doing some yardwork to show you how out of shape you have gotten. . . that's a J O B! As I was de-weeding and blowing out the garden, I saw this weed that stood tall and strong as if saying "Go ahead. . . just try and pull me up from this ground!" I had noticed it for several weeks and figured when the time came. . . I would just pull it up. I was O SO wrong. I heaved and hoed and gave it the best pull with all my strength. It didn't budge one bit. As a matter of fact one week later. . . and it's still standing in same spot.

Now before you exit this Blog and say "Yeah Debby. . .that's a real nice story about a weed in your garden that you couldn't pull up. But I have too many other things to think about and do. Sooo...catch ya next time."  Give me just a few more mins of your time.

Thanks!

When I look at that weed I see our life, our children's life, other's life. Let me try and explain what I'm saying.
We all know that weeds are so much easier to remove when they are noticed early on and pulled up. Many times though we become uncaring or lazy telling ourselves "I'll take care of it later." Later comes. . . later goes. . . weed still there. Only as time goes by this weed begins to grow and can take over places if allowed. It's a mystery how weeds can be so healthy and spread so quickly . . . EVEN in a drought such as we are having.

Sin is much like a weed I believe. They both start out small and innocent. They grow as a result of our laziness choosing not to remove it. If left unchecked - they both take over places we never intended. And they both can appear to be impossible to remove with time.

Anyone can have weeds in their yards, just as anyone can have un-checked sin in their life. Weeds don't pick and choose whom they will visit, neither does sin only visit the heathens of this world. The rich, the beautiful, the faithful, the diligent, the God fearing, the christian as well as the poor, the lost, the beggar, the dirty, the unsaved ALL have sin in their lives and when left un-checked turns into something bigger and stronger than they ever imagined. And once given time to grow it becomes seemingly impossible to remove.

This is where I believe God steps in and becomes that tender loving Gardener of our "gardens". He knows how weak we are. We are nothing but dust to begin with. Genesis 2:7 tells us that. Though we are weak, God also warns us to beware!! As I mentioned above, sin starts out small and innocent. Just as a weed never comes up out of the ground as a full grown plant, sin never comes into our lives as a monster. We must be alert! Sin enters in, over time, as something that gradually just becomes easier and easier to accept. I won't go naming catagories and names of sins in our lives for I believe the Holy Spirit can show you where and what those "weeds of sins" are. As He shows you, will you be willing to agree with Him that Yes, Lord these are "weeds" that need to be removed and I'm willing to make the necessary changes in my life to let you do that ?

Sometimes those "weeds" in our life have become so deeply rooted that only God Himself can uproot them. We can try all we want. . . but the truth is. . .  God and God alone is greater, able, and mighty to save us from ourselves! His power, His love, His grace, His sovereignty steps in and makes new! There are times when God must do this through a process and not all at once as we had hoped. Just as it has taken time for that "weed" to grow in your life, it can take God time to uproot and change things in our lives. Don't get me wrong though. Whenever God chooses, He also can take that "weed" right out of our life and we become all the better for it then and there! Trust Him for He knows what steps we need and He never makes a mistake with His timing and His ways.

As well we can see those darn ole "weeds" in others we love and care about. We want so very much to step in and say "Can't you see this?!? It's not going to take you anywhere good!! Get rid of it!!" I believe as parents we can be an example to our children, we can pray, we can guide, we can love - but ultimately it is up to our loving God to remove and set them free from those "weeds" we see present in their lives. Don't ever give up, Mom and Dad, for God is mighty to save, His timing is perfect, and He is able!

So go outside today and take a look around. See any tiny weeds budding out of the ground? Better seize them before they seize your yard!! :) Or else you could have an odd looking minature TREE growing in your flower garden that really just doesn't belong. And let's not forget . . . to beware in our own lives for those unwanted "weeds" of sin that start out so small and innocently. Romans 12:9 "Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good."



"Don't Touch Me Mom!"

Out of the 40 something Blogs I've shared I've probably written about or touched on this subject somewhat before. That's alright. . . I can repeat myself. . . I'm at that age that allows it. : )

I will tell you that I REALLY really wanted to be inspired to write something this past weekend and I kept coming up with blanks mostly but not entirely. I told my Mother that I was having a hard time finding just the right story to share. I pray always before I write and I sit and wait after that. I had in fact started going in a direction but didn't finish. That's when my ever present, always willing to help Mother texted me this morning with the simple words of "A Mother's Touch". . . and thus begins my Blog. . . .

Yesterday, while leaving church, I was walking out with David and Levi. While still in the building I happen to reach over and just lovingly pat my son on the back. He immediately jerked away and made quite a mad face. He said "Why did you have to do that?!?" to which I replied "Because I'm your Mother and I didn't know I wasn't supposed to." When we got to the car, he still seemed pretty mad about it. He said "I just don't see why she had to do that." David spoke up at this time and said "Because she's your Mother, she loves you and she wants to touch you." He still didn't get it of course. . . and David ends the conversation with "Someday...... you will."

A Mother's touch is so important throughout our lives. I can remember every single day that I lived in my parent's home that I always came and hugged my Mother before starting my day. It's just what I needed. Today, when I visit,  I still hug her as well. There is something comforting and securing in that hug. I believe, that in those days of growing up, it gave me the strength I needed and to know that I was loved. . . always. Today I have my own children to love. . . and love them I do! But I will tell you . . . they each are different. Although I love each of them with great amount, they each respond differently to it. I have a child who comes often to give and receive a hug of love and comfort. . . but it must be of her decision because when I come to give it myself it doesn't hold the same meaning it would seem. This child loves to hug with great aggression due to her personality. She will hug me anytime and anyplace. I have another child who has not let me even so much as reach out and touch in her anyway whatsoever for a very long time . . . and this hurts. Not even on a birthday or holiday. Through time I have come to accept it and know that God's great ways of overcoming things in our lives are always able and present. . . . I choose to wait on Him. And then, of course, there's my "sweet" son. No, really he is my sweet son and for the very most part he allows me to hug him, play with him and I even sneak in a kiss on his cheek when we are wrestling. I understand too though that he is growing up and doesn't need a "Mother's touch" out where he can be seen by others. : ) Sidenote: Although I didn't find it TOO noticeable when we are walking through a crowded room of people all with the mindset of finding their family and leaving! Haha! Ah well. . .

So as much as I love my children I also accept the fact that they all respond differently to my touch.

How about when we think of God's touch in our life? How does God touch our life?

I will be honest with you and tell you that I get really put off when I read stories of how people have just felt that "overcoming sense of God putting His arms around me and hugging me tight and everything just became better". I know God very well CAN do that. . . but just the same I don't think He's ever chosen to do that in my life and believe me when I say I've needed it! There's is kind of a funny situation here as I think about this. . . .I was upset no make that VERY upset. . . I was crying and praying and just really needing God to be close to me. While being like this, I started feeling very WARM all along the back of me. I was sitting and praying out my prayer window. As this warmness came upon me it started making me feel sick. I told God through tears "Ok God....you're standing too close and it's making me feel sick!" :) Heehee!

Although God may not choose to physically reach out and touch/hug me, I most certainly believe He does still touch us in many ways! There are touches through other people God places in our life! Our family members (I am SO blessed with the family members who give me God's touch often), there are friends (many of you have given me God's touch through your encouragement), there are godly leaders God gives us, even strangers can be used by God to touch us! It can be something simple like a song on the radio, a song at worship, words spoken through devotions/messages, books, ...... you name it! And one very important way is through God's Word....the Bible. Any and every part of life we live (yes, in this day) is covered in His Word. But don't forget. . . God does also speak to our hearts and you will know it.

How will you respond to all the many ways God is reaching out to touch you today? I hope and pray that you will willingly and gladly accept each and every single one of them! For He happily gives them! Will you accept them, draw strength from them and be renewed from them? Or will you turn away from them, going your own way and drawing from your own strength? The choice is yours my friend!

I hope that you will choose to be touched by God today and be on the lookout for all His many ways! I know I have been through, a distant in miles though near in heart, Mother's touch of a text leading me to share this Blog with you. I love you Mother! :) 



"Results or no results!"

Sometimes. . .  I think I'm the only one.

And then I stop and realize just how selfish is that?!

The father of lies wants us to be discouraged and decieved. When he succeeds he knows we aren't being our best for God. So what's the remedy? Don't listen!!

Let me explain myself. . .
Most know that I'm relatively a quiet person by nature. I'm not the center of attention . . . although oddly at times I like to be, I'm not loud and outgoing, but I am friendly, I don't have a big circle of friends, I'm not all involved and caught up in "Ladies ministries" at church, I don't have a job outside the home, my kids are human and have far to go,  my very BEST friend is my husband, and my ministry/gift is encouraging others, and.....I feel like I can do that best through writing.

My job as a mother is nearing it's end . . . .I know I know "Once a mother always a mother". . . but your influence can seem weak when 2 "adult" children live in your home. And all throughout our child rearing days I have turned to the leader of our home both spiritually and physcially to guide us through.....my David....so he makes many of the decisions. Yes indeed I know WHO leads him and I pray daily for that in his life!

So maybe you can see a little bit of me and understand when I say I don't always feel like I have a whole lot of influence, purpose and outreach in this world. Ya know....I have found it very easy to get on FB and get discouraged. You can get caught up in thinking everyone else's life  has lots of friends, lots of purpose, lots of good kids, lots of involvement, and this list goes on. . . .  But that really isn't the whole truth. There must be others, who like me, don't always feel as far reaching and purposeful as they would like to be.

As I said earlier. . . my gift (although I don't like referring to it as such because I feel like I'm lifting myself up) is encourager. My God given ability is writing. When God puts the two together I know that's how I can reach out to others hopefully to inspire, to strengthen, to lift up. I would love to write a book, but God hasn't put that into plan as of yet. I would love to have a story entered into the Guideposts inspirational magazines, but God hasn't put that into plans as well. I would love to write and encourage ANYWHERE God wants me to be . . .  and for now it is here with you through Blogs and status updates. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE Blogging and am so very thankful for a very sweet friend who opened this world up to me! It has given me a chance to share me with you in ways that I wouldn't be able to otherwise. :) I sincerely hope and pray that with each Blog or status I share that you, my friend, find something to encourage you or even just make you smile.

The deception comes when I start thinking I'm reaching no one. . .  based on the lack of Comments/Likes . . or very few. And I will tell you that those who have shared their Comments/Likes regarding statuses and Blogs have been a great encouragement to me! I realize that I should not rely on this method to know that I'm reaching out to others and it is selfish of me to do so. The real me will tell you that I have another sweet friend (mentioned above) that is also an encourager through writing statuses and Blogs and it is at times of selfishness that I fall into the trap of listening to the deceiver say "SEE .... look at how many people she is influencing, helping, and encourging!" I know this is wrong. Michele, if you are reading this know that you are a wonderful friend, woman of God, encourager, and faithful servant. Blessings to you! Keep shining for HIM! And to you my readers. . . I'm sorry for my selfishness for I know that it is NOT based on the comments/likes or the lack thereof that tells me if I'm reaching out to others for God. There are those that do and those that don't.....and I thank God for both! Whether or not you are touched, inspired, encouraged, lifted up, or just made to smile.....I do it all for God and He is the One to receive glory and honor! :)

Just the other day, my Mom shared a very SPECIAL blessing with me! She has a circle of sweet ladies that are her friends and they call themselves the FIT group. As she went to their lunch outing, she told me how that my name was mentioned several times in regards to the Blogs I share and such. I will tell you wonderful ladies that may be reading this  - YOU each blessed this girl's heart and I am so very thankful for everyone of you! You brightened my day when my Mom called and told me!! :)  In saying that, I know that there are those that God has allowed me to reach out to and many times I'm not even aware of it! Thank you God!

So. . .  although I'm not a person with alot of friends, or an out-going and aggressively friendly person - God can and does use us quiet people too! I'm not the one with all the comments/likes, but I'm still reaching out to people others in ways I don't always see! I'm not busy and all caught up in other things like many are, but I am serving God through a mission led by our church! I don't have a job outside the home, but I do have lots of absolutely wonderful fun times with a husband who has work hours to do this! My kids aren't as good as yours sometimes, but they are my gifts from and by our God who is molding, shaping and leading them to be what He wants them to be! My influence may seem weak at times as a mother, but I'm gonna keep loving, praying for and being the best Mom I can be! And although I may not have many visible outlets to share a ministry through writing, I'm gonna keep writing and praying that God uses what I can offer to do His will!
(Results or no results.....for they are all in His hands. )

Don't get discouraged, my friend, when you physical eyes may not see and your physical ears may not hear for "We never know how far reaching something we may say or do today will effect the... lives of millions tomorrow." And never compare your blessings to the blessings of others for they are given to you by our God who loves you and knows you best!

Above all. . .  know that each of our purposes is to have a relationship with Jesus our Lord and our Savior as well as to bring Him glory, praise, worship and thanksgiving to Him alone. For there is no other greater purpose!

Thanks for letting me.....be me. :)