Hey guess what?!
Did you know that there is hope in any and every situation and circumstance of life that you face today?! Yup, sure is!! Just as sure as I'm sitting here writing this to you....and I am.....there is hope!!!
This topic is nothing new for me to write about in my Blogs, for it's been shared many times. And so it is that I know I'm being led once again to share a very heartfelt subject.
If I could share anything on this awesome word - HOPE - it would be when things, people, situations, problems, circumstances appear hopeless, God is ALWAYS at work!!!
Often many times all we see and focus on is what is right in front of us....the unchanged. If we could only see the mighty hand of God at work in our lives and the lives of those we love, we would never have reason to doubt. But it is in those times of discouragement and possible doubt that God says "Child, trust me. I'm working. You don't have to see it to believe it." Often, what appears to be ordinary and mundane is God working behind the scenes with his extraordinary power and hope. Many times there will be no indication of the hope that is coming!
God offers hope abundantly- life changing hope - hope that shatters any and all hopelessness! And what God is NOT doing is mingling or diluting your hopelessness with his hope to make it more tolerable! That is not the mighty and all powerful God we know and serve! He is here to shatter hopelessness completely!!
We must resist the questioning of God's promises and reliability to us. Don't let hopelessness take you to a place of being consumed and therefore viewing all things in our lives through hopelessness.
You may ask: Then how do I get hope?
Want a simple answer?
Trust.
Trust in the promises of God that he is ALL that he says he is - - Healer, Comforter, Provider, Rescuer, Restorer, Savior, Protector, Forgiver....and so much more.
Trust simply in a God who knows, who loves, who cares, is in control, and is taking care of YOU (and those you love)....even when you don't see it.
Believe even when there is no sign to believe. He is going to do in your life what he has promised to do! If you are not sure of what he has promised to do.....go and begin reading the book of Psalms, for it is full of God's promises made especially to and for YOU.
So friend.....what do you do when the things of life appear to be full of hopelessness and no change seems to be in sight? Do you run to the world looking for reasons why and how to overcome it? Or do you choose trust - - trust in an Almighty Loving Heavenly Father who is there to guide you through?
And remember - - When all appears hopeless.....God is ALWAYS at work!!!!
(Points in this Blog were taken from the message shared today in my church. I thought it was so encouraging and wanted to share with you!)
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Sunday, November 11, 2012
"Dear, How Long Is This Going To Take?"
My sweet husband is redoing a bathroom.
Nothing really spectacular about that for a story now is there? Although, I do think he IS spectacular and doing a wonderful job!
This particular bathroom has taken him at least 2 months to give his labor of love on. And shall I say....the work continues. In the beginning dear husband thought this project would take no more than 2 weekends to complete - - little did he know.
Carry on dear, for there really is light at the end of the tunnel!!
As I watch him work diligently on each project through completion, I think of God and how he works in our lives. We are individually each a project of God. Each area is a unique work of God. We trust him to form us into the very man/woman of God he has chosen us to be. With that said, there are times that God decides to take his time in the molding process. Instead of a short 2 weekend project, it becomes a lengthier one.
There are many areas of life that God is shaping daily. Our faith, our trust, our hope, our character, our obedience.....and the list goes on. In some areas he works quickly. In others, painfully slooow. But his timing is perfect always. There are times that we call upon God for healing from grief, loss, pain, discouragement and his answer is - wait on me, trust in me, hope in me. "Wait on the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Ps. 27:14. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5. "Those who hope in me will not be dissappointed." Isaiah 49:23c.
Maybe you have prayed for your children to have their eyes opened, their hearts softened, their wills brought into submission of living for him. And it may seem the more you pray, the further they drift out into this world. Does it hurt? You BETCHA! Is it discouraging? Absolutely! Does that mean you give up on God answering your prayers and delivering them? Ten million times over - a strong and absolute.....NO! what it does mean is that we keep on believing God's Word; never being moved away from it by what you see or feel. And as you stand firm, God's power is being developed in you. The fact of looking at your prayers and knowing this is God's will for your children's lives, and being unmoved by what you see or do NOT see- makes you stronger in every sense of the word.
I know that - "Deliverance comes from the Lord." Ps 3:8. I know that - "He rescues and he saves." Daniel 6:27. And I also know that - God uses his power to change the areas in my children's lives, and my own, that desperately need his touch. "Ah Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outsretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you." Jeremiah 32:17. I know that - God's timing is perfect and lacking nothing. Think of Abraham and Sarah who were promised a son. God required a whole 25 years to pass before that promise was fulfilled!! "And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised." Hebrews 7:15.
And so my friend....whatever you are waiting on God for in your life - deliverance, hope, answers, strength, know that God hears, God sees, God knows. His answers will come in HIS timing. For we serve a faithful and trustworthy Lord God Almighty.
And just as I wait patiently on my loving husband to finish up what he has started.....I wait on a loving Father who will finish what he has started as well! "He who began a good work in you (or your children) will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6.
Nothing really spectacular about that for a story now is there? Although, I do think he IS spectacular and doing a wonderful job!
This particular bathroom has taken him at least 2 months to give his labor of love on. And shall I say....the work continues. In the beginning dear husband thought this project would take no more than 2 weekends to complete - - little did he know.
Carry on dear, for there really is light at the end of the tunnel!!
As I watch him work diligently on each project through completion, I think of God and how he works in our lives. We are individually each a project of God. Each area is a unique work of God. We trust him to form us into the very man/woman of God he has chosen us to be. With that said, there are times that God decides to take his time in the molding process. Instead of a short 2 weekend project, it becomes a lengthier one.
There are many areas of life that God is shaping daily. Our faith, our trust, our hope, our character, our obedience.....and the list goes on. In some areas he works quickly. In others, painfully slooow. But his timing is perfect always. There are times that we call upon God for healing from grief, loss, pain, discouragement and his answer is - wait on me, trust in me, hope in me. "Wait on the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Ps. 27:14. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5. "Those who hope in me will not be dissappointed." Isaiah 49:23c.
Maybe you have prayed for your children to have their eyes opened, their hearts softened, their wills brought into submission of living for him. And it may seem the more you pray, the further they drift out into this world. Does it hurt? You BETCHA! Is it discouraging? Absolutely! Does that mean you give up on God answering your prayers and delivering them? Ten million times over - a strong and absolute.....NO! what it does mean is that we keep on believing God's Word; never being moved away from it by what you see or feel. And as you stand firm, God's power is being developed in you. The fact of looking at your prayers and knowing this is God's will for your children's lives, and being unmoved by what you see or do NOT see- makes you stronger in every sense of the word.
I know that - "Deliverance comes from the Lord." Ps 3:8. I know that - "He rescues and he saves." Daniel 6:27. And I also know that - God uses his power to change the areas in my children's lives, and my own, that desperately need his touch. "Ah Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outsretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you." Jeremiah 32:17. I know that - God's timing is perfect and lacking nothing. Think of Abraham and Sarah who were promised a son. God required a whole 25 years to pass before that promise was fulfilled!! "And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised." Hebrews 7:15.
And so my friend....whatever you are waiting on God for in your life - deliverance, hope, answers, strength, know that God hears, God sees, God knows. His answers will come in HIS timing. For we serve a faithful and trustworthy Lord God Almighty.
And just as I wait patiently on my loving husband to finish up what he has started.....I wait on a loving Father who will finish what he has started as well! "He who began a good work in you (or your children) will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6.
Monday, November 5, 2012
"That Phone Call No Parent Wants!"
I really thought I had Blogged about this story already. I guess the time was never right til now as they say. It has been crossing my mind ever so often to share with you.
Four years and seven months ago (April 08) I received a phone call from my daughter, Savannah, who would have been about 2 months from turning 17. She told me she had been in a wreck. It wasn't the first time for me to receive such a phone call. Our daughter, Heather, previously had multiple wrecks herself . This would be Savannah's first one.
As I remember, she didn't have panic in her voice....most likely she just matter of factly told me we needed to come. I gave the phone to her Dad and thats when he was put on the phone with the Fireman. Wait....the Fireman?!? Hmm....a little unsettling, but still nonetheless we assumed all was well.
We got the location and we're off to find her.
As we are driving, we see countless flashing lights ahead. Hmm.... As we are nearing the lights, we see that the entire FOUR lanes of traffic, on Hwy 1960 going both directions, are completely closed down!! We pull over and begin walking. Still not understanding the sights we are seeing! Savannah had simply said "I've been in a wreck. You need to come." (My heart is starting to race as I'm just thinking back and relaying this story with you.) Closer we come upon the scene. . . there in front of us in a vehicle turned over on it's side. It's laying in the grass median of the intersection of 1960 and Will Clayton. I quickly exclaim to David, "Look someone's car is turned over!! O my gosh!!" It is nightime. We are walking around it and that's when we notice......this isn't just someone's car anymore. This is our daughter's truck!!!!!!!!!!!! (I seriously did not think I would have this reaction while sharing this story with you...but my heart still is racing remembering this moment!)
Four years and seven months ago (April 08) I received a phone call from my daughter, Savannah, who would have been about 2 months from turning 17. She told me she had been in a wreck. It wasn't the first time for me to receive such a phone call. Our daughter, Heather, previously had multiple wrecks herself . This would be Savannah's first one.
As I remember, she didn't have panic in her voice....most likely she just matter of factly told me we needed to come. I gave the phone to her Dad and thats when he was put on the phone with the Fireman. Wait....the Fireman?!? Hmm....a little unsettling, but still nonetheless we assumed all was well.
We got the location and we're off to find her.
As we are driving, we see countless flashing lights ahead. Hmm.... As we are nearing the lights, we see that the entire FOUR lanes of traffic, on Hwy 1960 going both directions, are completely closed down!! We pull over and begin walking. Still not understanding the sights we are seeing! Savannah had simply said "I've been in a wreck. You need to come." (My heart is starting to race as I'm just thinking back and relaying this story with you.) Closer we come upon the scene. . . there in front of us in a vehicle turned over on it's side. It's laying in the grass median of the intersection of 1960 and Will Clayton. I quickly exclaim to David, "Look someone's car is turned over!! O my gosh!!" It is nightime. We are walking around it and that's when we notice......this isn't just someone's car anymore. This is our daughter's truck!!!!!!!!!!!! (I seriously did not think I would have this reaction while sharing this story with you...but my heart still is racing remembering this moment!)
That's when my mind just started going numb I suppose.
As we kept walking towards the now visible Ambulance, I wasn't quite thinking clearly. David had to reach for my hand and pull me back from being hit by some passing cars even. All I could think is "How can this be happening? Cars turned over are serious! She just simply said 'Ive been in a wreck'. This isn't a wreck, this is a WRECK!!"
We found Savannah with the Fireman. He had put a neck brace on her and they were about to load her onto a stretcher. Still puzzled, I can't believe my eyes. She appeared to be visibly alright. She was shaking. She remained calm. As her mother, I wanted to reach out to her and hold her in my arms. I was SO thankful she was alive after seeing her truck and would be even MORESO thankful later as I heard the details of the story to follow. But....I couldn't. We, as her family, had, have, and will always love her dearly....but we were not close in fellowship. She was living with another family pretty much during that time. And it would be them who would reach out to her. That hurt deeply as her mother. But, I hold no remorse for this family. As she was placed on the stretcher and shaking....I simply reached out to touch her leg somehow hoping she knew just how very MUCH I cared.
Savannah was with a friend (daughter and neice to family reaching out to her) and so they both were transported to a hospital in another town. As I watched her ambulance go away, I just sat there and wondered helplessly what was happening to my daughter. David went and talked with the police and witnesses. The story goes as follows: Savannah and Jessi were leaving Chick Fila entering 1960. As they came upon the Will Clayton intersection, they both were talking and NOT noticing the very RED light in front of them. Savannah drove through the intersection and 1 van and 1 car hit her hard at the same time. This would send her truck spinning in circles AND rolling over several times before coming to a rest on it's side in the median, right beside a pole!
Jessi would later say that she could remember looking over and seeing Savannah's hair flying all over the place and wondering what was happening to them. Terrifying to say the least!! Once they came to a stop there were some friends that had seen the wreck and ran up to it. They first started trying to rock the truck back over. Once that wasn't accomplished, they got the passenger side door opened and tried to get the girls out. Savannah remembers smelling something and thinking her truck was about to catch on fire. No way was she going to burn alive! She tried to get Jessi to crawl out quickly, but apparently she was too dazed to move. That's when my dear daughter puts plan to action and actually crawls literally over Jessi and out the passenger door!!! They did get Jessi to crawl out as well. :)
In time, we arrived at the hospital. I was very anxious to hear how my daughter was and where she was. They were only allowing 2 people back at a time to talk to her. Again...WHAT is happening here....going through my mind! Heather, her sister, had receieved word about the wreck and actually beat us there to the hospital. She was back with her at the time. I went when allowed and found my daughter sitting up in bed smiling and talking as usual like nothing major had even happened! She had some minor cuts and scratches from the flying glass and probably some bruising later. I was so very THANKFUL!! I had to ask her if I could hug her....and again very THANKFUL I was that she let me!! It was quick, but it was a hug that I needed to give. I left her room and went back to the waiting area to do what you do in a waiting area......wait. Jessi, her friend, was complaining about a little more serious injuries. So we waited with her family. Before not too long, Savannah was released and comes walking out. She sat with us to wait to hear Jessi was going to be. In time, Jessi was released and both girls miraculously walked out and away from that hospital on their own!! We would later hear just how serious of a wreck that was through others as well as our insurance agency. Many, many people do NOT walk away from a wreck such as that....in fact many die!! These 2 girls were given a giant miracle as well as a very BIG BLESSING!! We hoped that we could and tried to convey that as much as possible to Savannah. She seemed to understand.
In the following days, we located her truck in a junk yard.
Can I just say here that as David and I came upon this truck in full daylight, the full reality and somberness of this event really hit us H A R D. There is just something about the fullness of a tragic situation being brought to full terms that makes you realize just what a beautiful blessing you have just been given. It was almost eerie looking at this mess and leaning inside the doors to realize what your precious child just went through.
Pictures don't always do justice, but here are some:
You can see the grass in the frame from rolling over.
That wheel is in the wrong place by the way!
Needless to say....the truck was totaled.
But thankfully....our daughter was not! :)
There is one very special picture I will leave with you as I close at this memory and story. This picture I share speaks a 1,000 words to this Mother. Although it may not speak as many to you, know that it holds a very dear place in my heart.
This picture was taken after the fact that this truck had not only spun, but rolled as well. This picture was also taken after the fact that this truck had been righted up, hoisted up, taken to a junk yard, and placed in the position it now was in. In this picture, you will see one penny lying in the driver's seat...my daughter's seat.
For those who know and those who don't know, pennies have meant so very much to me. For on them, as we know, it says In God We Trust. Each time I see a penny on the ground I pick it up and it to me it symbolizes a reminder that I CAN trust in God for He is there reminding me to and showing me that He is with me. So when I saw this one lone penny sitting there in her seat, it was as if God Himself was saying "See...just keep trusting me. I took care of her through this terrible accident. I will continue to take care of her as the days come and go." And in that I say ..... "Yes, God. I do and I will trust you. For YOU alone are trustworthy!" Although there have been bumps in the road and I don't always understand all that He allows and doesn't allow.....I will trust my heavenly Father. For in Him I find my hope.
Thanks for letting me share a very special time in my life.
I hope that in reading it, you also will find God to be trustworthy in your own life.
For He is.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
"Today....I Share Me With You!"
Today....I share me!
I have often found myself squirming when asked the question "So what is it that you do with your time?" I don't know why other than the fact alone of what will others think....I guess. But it shouldn't really matter and I've decided that it doesn't.
You see I have a unique life and it doesn't match most everyone elses.....and I like that. That trait alone, I'm sure, comes from my Dad and for those who KNOW him can laugh along with me on that note. :) I've been married to my very best friend for 25 years and for over 24 of those years I haven't worked. I would become a Mom 9 months after marriage and from there on out gave my life to being a servant of God first, a wife second, and a Mom third.
Sidenote: I did try once to take a job during those years and found out 3 things - - 1.) I don't like other people's kids. 2.) I don't like my own kids being in daycare. 3.) I left when they said I had to make up my own curriculum. It was a daycare teacher's AID job and yes it didn't last long at all!! Haha!
So part of my unique life has been that I haven't needed a job to make me who I am in this world. Don't read that offensively - those who find themselves through their careers are good, well, and fine. I did struggle with that for probably many years thinking that I wasn't using my fullest potential of why God put me here. But I don't see it that way anymore. Rather He has placed me in life right where He wants me.
Sidenote #2: I do know what it's like to have a job in case you were thinking this girl never worked a day in her life! Before marriage at 21, I could say I've been a Teacher's Aid, a Daycare Teacher, a Office Secretary's Aid, a Dental Assistant, and an Accounts Receivable Data Clerk. So yes....I've worked. :)
Another part of my unique life is that in all my spare time I haven't needed to fill it with "women stuff" such as get-togethers, parties, group things, events, projects....all that women like to do together. To be honest, I just fill lost in a crowd and would rather just be me....at home. :) I think I have a Mother In Law that could identify with this thinking. ;)
And yet one more aspect to my unique life....I do have time!!! In today's world it seems the number one thing said "If I only had more TIME!!" When you turn on the radio you hear "I know you are SO BUSY and there isn't enough time." When you go to church you hear the pastors say "I know you are SO BUSY and there isn't enough time." Everywhere everyone is saying "I'M SO BUSY!!!" People ask me "Well, how are you? Life busy for you right?" to which I say "No...it's normal."
People - everyone is not busy.....and that's ok. I just wish people wouldn't be generalized into a catagory. I tend to brake out of them anyways. I haven't always - but through the sweet patience and love of my husband - I today can see more clearly how that NOT being busy is such a blessing! :)
So with that being shared.....I answer your question of "What do you do with your time?"
My time is devoted to God first through prayer and Bible reading, and my husband second through spending each and every single moment we are allowed together. When David and I are not together, it is due to work...but even in this we are blessed because he has such a schedule that allows more time to be spent together than probably most. So I live my days to be in God's will and fellowship foremost, and to enjoy each and every single God given moment with the man I love. I have no greater calling or purpose than to fulfill these two blessings in my life. Yes....my children are loved deeply by me and all you have to do is read my Blogs to know that. But, they are God's to deal with. I will always love them and be here for them, but my life is lived for God and my husband....nothing more, nothing less.
Annnnd any time spent in between those two purposes I live for is taken up by whatever I feel like doing for the day. It may be blogging a Blog, reading and sharing on FB, swinging in my favorite swing outside in between 2 trees (no matter the heat of the day...I love it!), cleaning my house, listening to my favorite Michael Jackson CD, taking a walk, playing games on my phone with those I love, organinzing a pantry, sitting on the couch petting my kitty, calling my Mom (the ONLY person in the world I love talking on the phone to!!) .......or anything. Whatever pops into this little head of mine. Do I have times of being bored? Sure I do. But, doesn't everyone?! It's in all those other times of just seeing how truly blessed I am with the life I have that gets me through the boring times. Be it busy....or not. Be it full ..... or not. What it is full of is love, happiness, peace, grace, mercy, fellowship.....and a God and husband who accept me.....just as I am. :)
Friend, I shared me with you not to offend you, show off to you, or disrespect you. I shared me with you to show you a part of me not many know as well as to say......this is my life and I am blessed......but you have your life and you are blessed TOO! Take the time to see the blessings all around you. Our lives don't have to parrallel for that to be seen! God has you right where He wants you, and He has me right where He wants me.....and both are equally blessed!! :) My life isn't better than yours, nor is yours better than mine.
Don't compare! I once had a lady tell me "....well surely you must do more than that with your time." And then she proceeded to tell me everything she did and was involved in. Needless to say....it was the wrong thing for her to say. She would not know that because I kindly shoved it off. Don't let people make you feel small and insignificant. We are ALL here for a purpose to bring praise, glory and honor to Lord Jesus Christ Himself. For some that may mean being "busy" and for others it may mean being less "busy"....but nonetheless both pleasing and loved by God.
I have often found myself squirming when asked the question "So what is it that you do with your time?" I don't know why other than the fact alone of what will others think....I guess. But it shouldn't really matter and I've decided that it doesn't.
You see I have a unique life and it doesn't match most everyone elses.....and I like that. That trait alone, I'm sure, comes from my Dad and for those who KNOW him can laugh along with me on that note. :) I've been married to my very best friend for 25 years and for over 24 of those years I haven't worked. I would become a Mom 9 months after marriage and from there on out gave my life to being a servant of God first, a wife second, and a Mom third.
Sidenote: I did try once to take a job during those years and found out 3 things - - 1.) I don't like other people's kids. 2.) I don't like my own kids being in daycare. 3.) I left when they said I had to make up my own curriculum. It was a daycare teacher's AID job and yes it didn't last long at all!! Haha!
So part of my unique life has been that I haven't needed a job to make me who I am in this world. Don't read that offensively - those who find themselves through their careers are good, well, and fine. I did struggle with that for probably many years thinking that I wasn't using my fullest potential of why God put me here. But I don't see it that way anymore. Rather He has placed me in life right where He wants me.
Sidenote #2: I do know what it's like to have a job in case you were thinking this girl never worked a day in her life! Before marriage at 21, I could say I've been a Teacher's Aid, a Daycare Teacher, a Office Secretary's Aid, a Dental Assistant, and an Accounts Receivable Data Clerk. So yes....I've worked. :)
Another part of my unique life is that in all my spare time I haven't needed to fill it with "women stuff" such as get-togethers, parties, group things, events, projects....all that women like to do together. To be honest, I just fill lost in a crowd and would rather just be me....at home. :) I think I have a Mother In Law that could identify with this thinking. ;)
And yet one more aspect to my unique life....I do have time!!! In today's world it seems the number one thing said "If I only had more TIME!!" When you turn on the radio you hear "I know you are SO BUSY and there isn't enough time." When you go to church you hear the pastors say "I know you are SO BUSY and there isn't enough time." Everywhere everyone is saying "I'M SO BUSY!!!" People ask me "Well, how are you? Life busy for you right?" to which I say "No...it's normal."
People - everyone is not busy.....and that's ok. I just wish people wouldn't be generalized into a catagory. I tend to brake out of them anyways. I haven't always - but through the sweet patience and love of my husband - I today can see more clearly how that NOT being busy is such a blessing! :)
So with that being shared.....I answer your question of "What do you do with your time?"
My time is devoted to God first through prayer and Bible reading, and my husband second through spending each and every single moment we are allowed together. When David and I are not together, it is due to work...but even in this we are blessed because he has such a schedule that allows more time to be spent together than probably most. So I live my days to be in God's will and fellowship foremost, and to enjoy each and every single God given moment with the man I love. I have no greater calling or purpose than to fulfill these two blessings in my life. Yes....my children are loved deeply by me and all you have to do is read my Blogs to know that. But, they are God's to deal with. I will always love them and be here for them, but my life is lived for God and my husband....nothing more, nothing less.
Annnnd any time spent in between those two purposes I live for is taken up by whatever I feel like doing for the day. It may be blogging a Blog, reading and sharing on FB, swinging in my favorite swing outside in between 2 trees (no matter the heat of the day...I love it!), cleaning my house, listening to my favorite Michael Jackson CD, taking a walk, playing games on my phone with those I love, organinzing a pantry, sitting on the couch petting my kitty, calling my Mom (the ONLY person in the world I love talking on the phone to!!) .......or anything. Whatever pops into this little head of mine. Do I have times of being bored? Sure I do. But, doesn't everyone?! It's in all those other times of just seeing how truly blessed I am with the life I have that gets me through the boring times. Be it busy....or not. Be it full ..... or not. What it is full of is love, happiness, peace, grace, mercy, fellowship.....and a God and husband who accept me.....just as I am. :)
Friend, I shared me with you not to offend you, show off to you, or disrespect you. I shared me with you to show you a part of me not many know as well as to say......this is my life and I am blessed......but you have your life and you are blessed TOO! Take the time to see the blessings all around you. Our lives don't have to parrallel for that to be seen! God has you right where He wants you, and He has me right where He wants me.....and both are equally blessed!! :) My life isn't better than yours, nor is yours better than mine.
Don't compare! I once had a lady tell me "....well surely you must do more than that with your time." And then she proceeded to tell me everything she did and was involved in. Needless to say....it was the wrong thing for her to say. She would not know that because I kindly shoved it off. Don't let people make you feel small and insignificant. We are ALL here for a purpose to bring praise, glory and honor to Lord Jesus Christ Himself. For some that may mean being "busy" and for others it may mean being less "busy"....but nonetheless both pleasing and loved by God.
Monday, September 10, 2012
"Not Yet....But I Know Where My Hope Is!"
It's been two months since my last Blog. I have so wanted to write, but just haven't felt led or inspired in knowing what to share with you my readers. Today, as I was walking and listening to my music, I finally felt led once again to have something to share. I thank God in every way for that, for I do not write this Blog or any Blogs without Him.
You see though. . . I feel a little confused because I've shared this topic - HOPE - before. . . in fact many times. For that IS what my story and life is all about - HOPE. I even look back and 2 years, almost exact, I was sharing this very subject - HOPE- in an in depth way. But, I believe God is saying "Tell it again. People need hope." And so it is that I continue to share my story of HOPE........
Not quite sure knowing where to dive into this story, I will just begin with this -
We have a child that is living their life in some very real sin. I will not disclose by name nor gender, for I do not wish to slander any of my children. Should you choose to try and guess which one or judge them that is between you and God to deal with. This child is in full knowledge of the sin they are choosing to participate in because, if for no other reason, their Dad and I have made it directly aware to them. This child chooses, with all knowledge of sin, to fully continue on seemingly having no regrets whatsoever. I, myself, have even made it quite clear that they can and will bring God's judgement and wrath on them should they desire to continue on. To my utter disbelief and amazement it seems to affect them none whatsoever. I shake my head at this very fact for as a child, as a teenager, and as an adult myself I could NOT even begin to perceive heading on knowing that fact!! If for no other reason just knowing God can and most likely will do something dreadful!! Where is the reverent fear in our children today??
As I once again, last night, discussed this situation of living in sin to this child it was met with statements such as these "I know YOU feel this is wrong, it goes against what YOU think is right, it makes YOU sad...." I stopped the child and said "This has absolutely nothing to do with me! This is God Himself saying this is wrong and not to continue on. It's very plain in the Bible and I can show you." And of course the child wanted nothing to do with what was said in the Bible....sadly. And so it continued on with the same theme....I know YOU feel this is wrong..... At one point I was even met with I was using God as a "cop out" to say what I wanted to share with them. This child wasn't believing that God would share with me to share with them of the sin they are choosing to willfully live in! How very sad. I very lovingly and calmly told my child that I love them, that is why I share these things, and I don't want to see them bring the very judgement of God on their life. It is very clear in the Bible that a child of God cannot and will not go on sinning willfully. I was met with love in return, but also a very sure and absolute that this child was not in anyway changing nor turning from their wrong and willfull ways. They were happy with life and that was that. How fast this child forgets all the troubles - emotionally, physically, and spiritually that they have been dealing with.
I could go on. . . .
But does that really help to know all the disappointments? I shared with you what I did only to let you see some of the pain that is there and how real it is. These things do indeed give this Mother's heart a heavy and sad one for my child.
As I talked with my David, last night, of all that was said and shared with this child it of course saddened him...even to the point of tears in his eyes (I do not share that lightly with you....know that). We talked about the frustration of not knowing what our part is....what course of action to take if there is one.....how to keep showing love, but all the while NOT showing acceptance of choices made. So many things to think about, wonder WHY about, wonder how long will we be waiting for things to get right....when it has seemed so long already.
But remember - - this is a Blog of HOPE!!
Towards the end of our conversation, I was sharing another dear Mother's testimony of her children and how far they had came in their lives. I then asked David "Their is hope....right? I mean that day is coming....right? We've waited so long surely it's coming....right?" And my faith filled and steadily trusting husband replied with "I don't know if and when that day will come. But our hope is NOT in the fact of hoping our children will one day wake up and make the right decisions. One day start living a life that is pleasing to God. Our hope is..... in God." Ok, I paraphrased some there....he's not a man of many words, but that was his true meaning. We doNOT hope in our children, but we DO hope in our God. And just as I've said before many times.....His plans don't have to look like, sound like, feel like, or even smell like what we think they should. God is God and His knowledge fars outweighs our very teeny tiny own. He is trustworthy even when it's hard to trust. He is faithful even when we are not. He is constant even when much of life isn't.
As I said earlier, I was walking and listening to my music.....the very first song that was played as soon as I turned it on was "My Hope is in You" by Aaron Shust! How awesome is that!! For it wasn't a song about my hope is in my children, in my husband, in my {insert whatever}, but my hope IS in you (God and God alone!).
My hope is in You Lord
All the day long
I won't be shaken by drought or storm
The peace that passes understanding is my song
And I sing
My hope is in You alone
I will wait on You
You are my refuge
One other song of encouragement I share with you are the words. . .
Even when it hurts
Even when it’s hard
Even when it all just falls apart
I will run to You
‘Cause I know that You are
Lover of my soul, Healer of my scars,
You steady my heart, You steady my heart
I’m not gonna worry
I know that You’ve got me
Right inside the palm of Your hand
Each and every moment
What’s good and what gets broken
Happens just the way You plan
And I will run to You
I’ll find refuge in Your arms
And I will sing to You
‘Cause of everything You are
You steady my heart
Friend, I know there is hope and it's real. God has delivered me from some very real sin in the past. And this I know is true..... God and God alone was the very One to do it. If you ever should wonder if God can truly deliver, go and read Psalm 34....He will tell you not once but FOUR times of His deliverance in your life! Trust Him. Hope is real.
And so it is with this that I end this Blog......I do not wait on my child to see the error of their ways and turn from their willfull sins, but rather I wait on God and God alone to deliver - in His time and in His way.
Thanks for reading. :)
You see though. . . I feel a little confused because I've shared this topic - HOPE - before. . . in fact many times. For that IS what my story and life is all about - HOPE. I even look back and 2 years, almost exact, I was sharing this very subject - HOPE- in an in depth way. But, I believe God is saying "Tell it again. People need hope." And so it is that I continue to share my story of HOPE........
Not quite sure knowing where to dive into this story, I will just begin with this -
We have a child that is living their life in some very real sin. I will not disclose by name nor gender, for I do not wish to slander any of my children. Should you choose to try and guess which one or judge them that is between you and God to deal with. This child is in full knowledge of the sin they are choosing to participate in because, if for no other reason, their Dad and I have made it directly aware to them. This child chooses, with all knowledge of sin, to fully continue on seemingly having no regrets whatsoever. I, myself, have even made it quite clear that they can and will bring God's judgement and wrath on them should they desire to continue on. To my utter disbelief and amazement it seems to affect them none whatsoever. I shake my head at this very fact for as a child, as a teenager, and as an adult myself I could NOT even begin to perceive heading on knowing that fact!! If for no other reason just knowing God can and most likely will do something dreadful!! Where is the reverent fear in our children today??
As I once again, last night, discussed this situation of living in sin to this child it was met with statements such as these "I know YOU feel this is wrong, it goes against what YOU think is right, it makes YOU sad...." I stopped the child and said "This has absolutely nothing to do with me! This is God Himself saying this is wrong and not to continue on. It's very plain in the Bible and I can show you." And of course the child wanted nothing to do with what was said in the Bible....sadly. And so it continued on with the same theme....I know YOU feel this is wrong..... At one point I was even met with I was using God as a "cop out" to say what I wanted to share with them. This child wasn't believing that God would share with me to share with them of the sin they are choosing to willfully live in! How very sad. I very lovingly and calmly told my child that I love them, that is why I share these things, and I don't want to see them bring the very judgement of God on their life. It is very clear in the Bible that a child of God cannot and will not go on sinning willfully. I was met with love in return, but also a very sure and absolute that this child was not in anyway changing nor turning from their wrong and willfull ways. They were happy with life and that was that. How fast this child forgets all the troubles - emotionally, physically, and spiritually that they have been dealing with.
I could go on. . . .
But does that really help to know all the disappointments? I shared with you what I did only to let you see some of the pain that is there and how real it is. These things do indeed give this Mother's heart a heavy and sad one for my child.
As I talked with my David, last night, of all that was said and shared with this child it of course saddened him...even to the point of tears in his eyes (I do not share that lightly with you....know that). We talked about the frustration of not knowing what our part is....what course of action to take if there is one.....how to keep showing love, but all the while NOT showing acceptance of choices made. So many things to think about, wonder WHY about, wonder how long will we be waiting for things to get right....when it has seemed so long already.
But remember - - this is a Blog of HOPE!!
Towards the end of our conversation, I was sharing another dear Mother's testimony of her children and how far they had came in their lives. I then asked David "Their is hope....right? I mean that day is coming....right? We've waited so long surely it's coming....right?" And my faith filled and steadily trusting husband replied with "I don't know if and when that day will come. But our hope is NOT in the fact of hoping our children will one day wake up and make the right decisions. One day start living a life that is pleasing to God. Our hope is..... in God." Ok, I paraphrased some there....he's not a man of many words, but that was his true meaning. We doNOT hope in our children, but we DO hope in our God. And just as I've said before many times.....His plans don't have to look like, sound like, feel like, or even smell like what we think they should. God is God and His knowledge fars outweighs our very teeny tiny own. He is trustworthy even when it's hard to trust. He is faithful even when we are not. He is constant even when much of life isn't.
As I said earlier, I was walking and listening to my music.....the very first song that was played as soon as I turned it on was "My Hope is in You" by Aaron Shust! How awesome is that!! For it wasn't a song about my hope is in my children, in my husband, in my {insert whatever}, but my hope IS in you (God and God alone!).
My hope is in You Lord
All the day long
I won't be shaken by drought or storm
The peace that passes understanding is my song
And I sing
My hope is in You alone
I will wait on You
You are my refuge
One other song of encouragement I share with you are the words. . .
Even when it hurts
Even when it’s hard
Even when it all just falls apart
I will run to You
‘Cause I know that You are
Lover of my soul, Healer of my scars,
You steady my heart, You steady my heart
I’m not gonna worry
I know that You’ve got me
Right inside the palm of Your hand
Each and every moment
What’s good and what gets broken
Happens just the way You plan
And I will run to You
I’ll find refuge in Your arms
And I will sing to You
‘Cause of everything You are
You steady my heart
Friend, I know there is hope and it's real. God has delivered me from some very real sin in the past. And this I know is true..... God and God alone was the very One to do it. If you ever should wonder if God can truly deliver, go and read Psalm 34....He will tell you not once but FOUR times of His deliverance in your life! Trust Him. Hope is real.
And so it is with this that I end this Blog......I do not wait on my child to see the error of their ways and turn from their willfull sins, but rather I wait on God and God alone to deliver - in His time and in His way.
Thanks for reading. :)
Saturday, July 14, 2012
"What's Left After Mom?!?!"
As I sit here tonight, with just me, kitty, and the bird.....I think about life and where I'm at in it. As most know, my children are "grown". I do have my son living here still, but he has a truck and a job....need I say more? As I've said before - - my role as "Mom" is dwindling down to the very bare minimum of neccesities. I've read that by the age of 30 they want to come back to Mom's house again.....we will see! I look forward to the day when we can all be grown up friends and just simply enjoy the time spent together. :)
I read an article that my Mother In Law sent my way. It was about a Mom who, as me, was realizing her days were numbered in the Motherhood Dept. She realized she didn't know WHO she was apart from that all important role of "Mom". I too have wondered that. Moreso....maybe.....than other Moms. For you see I've been a Stay At Home Mom for over 24 years now! My God, my husband, and my children (and in that very order) have been my life....nothing more.....nothing less. In this article, the Mom begans to realize she once was a person with her own likes, desires, and so forth. So she pursues those very things again and finds happiness starting to follow.
I've heard how Mom's find "life after children" in their own ways of becoming themselves once again. To that I commend them for their achievement. If your life was one of independent goals and doings than go for it....but don't forget to bring your spouse along with you at some point! :)
But, as I examine my life and review it......I find two things. My life begins and ends with a loving God and my beautiful husband. There was no me, previous to children, to go and fulfill all that todays woman seems fulfilled with. I am first and foremost a child of God, who lives to do His will, follow His path, and share the gift He has given me. I love God with the sincereist of hearts. I will live for Him always.
Following that - - there is my life with my David. My life never stops, never looses hope, never is meaningless with him in it. I honestly look forward to spending each and EVERY single moment with him. We never grow tired of each other. We are best friends. Our world is each other. He is truely God's gift, in the utmost sense of the word, to me.
So as my children leave this "nest" God has helped us make for them, I know I have my answer who "Who will I be when they are gone?". I will forever and always be first and foremost a child of my Lord and Saviour, who lives to please Him - - - and I will be my David's wife and very best friend.
Nothing more....nothing less. For there is no me apart from him!
Friend, this knowledge is more than enough for me, but maybe you would wrinkle your nose up at it and say "Not for me!" Just know..... that we all find our strength and happiness and purpose in different forms. Yours may not look like mine and vice versa. But God does have a plan for you to give you life to the very fullest.....yes, even after children! So, if you are a Mom reading this and wondering as the years are dwindling down to the "empty nest".....what is there for me after this? Hold on, my friend, for the BEST is yet to come!!!! Who knows whats just around the corner?!?!
I hear traveling days and a new home are both around our corner!!!! (Possibly)
I read an article that my Mother In Law sent my way. It was about a Mom who, as me, was realizing her days were numbered in the Motherhood Dept. She realized she didn't know WHO she was apart from that all important role of "Mom". I too have wondered that. Moreso....maybe.....than other Moms. For you see I've been a Stay At Home Mom for over 24 years now! My God, my husband, and my children (and in that very order) have been my life....nothing more.....nothing less. In this article, the Mom begans to realize she once was a person with her own likes, desires, and so forth. So she pursues those very things again and finds happiness starting to follow.
I've heard how Mom's find "life after children" in their own ways of becoming themselves once again. To that I commend them for their achievement. If your life was one of independent goals and doings than go for it....but don't forget to bring your spouse along with you at some point! :)
But, as I examine my life and review it......I find two things. My life begins and ends with a loving God and my beautiful husband. There was no me, previous to children, to go and fulfill all that todays woman seems fulfilled with. I am first and foremost a child of God, who lives to do His will, follow His path, and share the gift He has given me. I love God with the sincereist of hearts. I will live for Him always.
Following that - - there is my life with my David. My life never stops, never looses hope, never is meaningless with him in it. I honestly look forward to spending each and EVERY single moment with him. We never grow tired of each other. We are best friends. Our world is each other. He is truely God's gift, in the utmost sense of the word, to me.
So as my children leave this "nest" God has helped us make for them, I know I have my answer who "Who will I be when they are gone?". I will forever and always be first and foremost a child of my Lord and Saviour, who lives to please Him - - - and I will be my David's wife and very best friend.
Nothing more....nothing less. For there is no me apart from him!
Friend, this knowledge is more than enough for me, but maybe you would wrinkle your nose up at it and say "Not for me!" Just know..... that we all find our strength and happiness and purpose in different forms. Yours may not look like mine and vice versa. But God does have a plan for you to give you life to the very fullest.....yes, even after children! So, if you are a Mom reading this and wondering as the years are dwindling down to the "empty nest".....what is there for me after this? Hold on, my friend, for the BEST is yet to come!!!! Who knows whats just around the corner?!?!
I hear traveling days and a new home are both around our corner!!!! (Possibly)
Monday, July 9, 2012
"How Many Times Can She Jump??"
Today I was watching out my window at something I hadn't seen before. It was a Mother squirrel and her baby, about 15 feet up in a tree. I've seen squirrels plenty of times in our trees, but what she was doing caught my attention.
We have three trees relatively close to one another and the squirrels often hop from one tree to the next with such ease. They have such TRUST that they will land safely on the other side. It would appear, at times, that they look like they are literally flying! As I was watching, I began to notice the Mother was repeatedly jumping to the same tree....over and over again. She almost always would run down the tree jumped to, land on our shed, and back up once again to do the same thing again. As she would run up the tree, she would always find her baby and hug him as if to communicate with him. And then as she coaxed him to follow along, she would jump into the air landing on the next tree. The baby would only go so far and stop. You could see he was clearly hesitant, fearful and not trusting himself to make the jump. Annnd once again....Mother would travel back up the tree to begin again. She was patient. She was loving. She knew the best way. And yet the baby would not follow.
Finally, because of exhaustion and not knowing what else to do, the Mother decided to safely lead her baby down the tree, across the shed, and up the next tree. She always made sure he was with her, and when he seemed lost she would go back and reassure him once more.
At last....success! They reached their destination!
And they lived happily ever after!
The End.
Nice squirrel story huh!
But like so many times, as I was sitting there watching them, I began to wonder if there was a Blog in this episode. And I believe there is! :) Through this I believe God is sharing this one simple fact - -God is in control and His will will be done. This Mother squirrel knew she had a will and that was to get her baby safely transferred to the next tree, and NOTHING was going to stop her, not even her baby's doubts, fears, and mistrust. God also has a will, a plan, for our lives and NOTHING is going to deter, stop, or hinder His plans from being done! I believe there are many people who have the thought process that it's all about their own choices and decisions they have made as to whether or not God's will is being done. This baby squirrel clearly chose not to follow his Mother's leading to go as she was showing. But that didn't stop her plan from being done. It only served to make the journey longer instead of the shorter, straighter path they could've traveled.
I know that God is in sovereign control over every single part of our daily lives. His ways, His thoughts, even His plans seem unfamiliar to us at times. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts; neither are your ways my ways." Isaiah 55:8. But we can trust Him still for it says "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." Jeremiah 29:11. I do believe that our choices can make the journey longer and keep us from enjoying all the many blessings God has for us. But, I also believe that God allows us to delay the journey to sharpen us, strengthen us, and mold us into more of the person He is creating us to be. In saying all of this, and hopefully in not too many words, there are times in life when we triumphantly "jump" from point A to point B in God's plans, trusting as He leads us. But, there is also those times that we stand fearfully, doubting, not trusting looking over the edge of the limb saying "God, I can't do this." As we do, He quietly continues to lead, wait, love and reassure. And sometimes, He allows us to travel the longer path taking us rather from point A, to point A 1/2, and finally to point B. All the while reassuring us of His love, "Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall." Psalm 56:22. Also, "When I am afraid, I will trust in you." Psalm 56:3.
Friend, if God has taken you to it - He will bring you through it. God sees our tomorrows before they are our todays. Trust Him. God can keep us from bad decisions and choices - but He uses them to make us into the beautiful person He designed us to be. So KNOW.....no matter what ------ God's will WILL be done. Not you, not me, not satan, not ANYONE can stop it.
And.....He will get you safely to the other side. : )
Happy Jumping!!
We have three trees relatively close to one another and the squirrels often hop from one tree to the next with such ease. They have such TRUST that they will land safely on the other side. It would appear, at times, that they look like they are literally flying! As I was watching, I began to notice the Mother was repeatedly jumping to the same tree....over and over again. She almost always would run down the tree jumped to, land on our shed, and back up once again to do the same thing again. As she would run up the tree, she would always find her baby and hug him as if to communicate with him. And then as she coaxed him to follow along, she would jump into the air landing on the next tree. The baby would only go so far and stop. You could see he was clearly hesitant, fearful and not trusting himself to make the jump. Annnd once again....Mother would travel back up the tree to begin again. She was patient. She was loving. She knew the best way. And yet the baby would not follow.
Finally, because of exhaustion and not knowing what else to do, the Mother decided to safely lead her baby down the tree, across the shed, and up the next tree. She always made sure he was with her, and when he seemed lost she would go back and reassure him once more.
At last....success! They reached their destination!
And they lived happily ever after!
The End.
Nice squirrel story huh!
But like so many times, as I was sitting there watching them, I began to wonder if there was a Blog in this episode. And I believe there is! :) Through this I believe God is sharing this one simple fact - -God is in control and His will will be done. This Mother squirrel knew she had a will and that was to get her baby safely transferred to the next tree, and NOTHING was going to stop her, not even her baby's doubts, fears, and mistrust. God also has a will, a plan, for our lives and NOTHING is going to deter, stop, or hinder His plans from being done! I believe there are many people who have the thought process that it's all about their own choices and decisions they have made as to whether or not God's will is being done. This baby squirrel clearly chose not to follow his Mother's leading to go as she was showing. But that didn't stop her plan from being done. It only served to make the journey longer instead of the shorter, straighter path they could've traveled.
I know that God is in sovereign control over every single part of our daily lives. His ways, His thoughts, even His plans seem unfamiliar to us at times. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts; neither are your ways my ways." Isaiah 55:8. But we can trust Him still for it says "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." Jeremiah 29:11. I do believe that our choices can make the journey longer and keep us from enjoying all the many blessings God has for us. But, I also believe that God allows us to delay the journey to sharpen us, strengthen us, and mold us into more of the person He is creating us to be. In saying all of this, and hopefully in not too many words, there are times in life when we triumphantly "jump" from point A to point B in God's plans, trusting as He leads us. But, there is also those times that we stand fearfully, doubting, not trusting looking over the edge of the limb saying "God, I can't do this." As we do, He quietly continues to lead, wait, love and reassure. And sometimes, He allows us to travel the longer path taking us rather from point A, to point A 1/2, and finally to point B. All the while reassuring us of His love, "Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall." Psalm 56:22. Also, "When I am afraid, I will trust in you." Psalm 56:3.
Friend, if God has taken you to it - He will bring you through it. God sees our tomorrows before they are our todays. Trust Him. God can keep us from bad decisions and choices - but He uses them to make us into the beautiful person He designed us to be. So KNOW.....no matter what ------ God's will WILL be done. Not you, not me, not satan, not ANYONE can stop it.
And.....He will get you safely to the other side. : )
Happy Jumping!!
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