Queen

Queen

stretching, pulling, feeling unable

to give anymore

bending, sacrificing

never stopping until all needs are met

running, planning, accomplishing tasks

that seem mundane but really

are what matter most

time alone, never often enough

smiling, laughing, hugging

cuddling, crying, soothing

feeling important and loved

thriving, proud, blessed

wanting to shout for joy

for what God has entrusted to me

I would trade nothing for this opportunity

to be wife, mother, and queen

Not again....

Often I find myself wondering why I blow it.  I know it’s coming, and yet I feel powerless at that moment in doing anything to keep it from happening.  I feel the anger, frustration and/or irritability rising inside me.  Even though I know in my heart whatever the situation is really isn’t a very big deal, I make it one because it makes me feel better.

It is such madness, and goes against everything that I know to be true about walking this walk with Christ that means so much to me.  Literally, as soon as the cruel words fly out of my mouth, I wish I could simply reel them back in to release them back to the depths of hell from where they came.  Too late…..damage done.  It hurts me.  I feel the tears welling up in my eyes.  Disappointment and sadness fill my heart.

Lord, I know the things I should be doing.  I know that a gentle answer turns away anger and that I should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.  You said it in your word.  I know it so well.  So why do I lose my patience with my kids?  How do I let hurtful words be my choice when speaking to the ones I love most in life?  Why do I allow myself to let my worldly emotions overtake my heart?

I do not understand what I do.  For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate, I do.  And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.  As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.  I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.  For I have the desire to do good, but I cannot carry it out.  For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do – this I keep on doing…What a wretched man I am!  Who will rescue me from this body of death?

                        Romans 7:15-20, 25

Exactly!  For the moment, I am reminded that I am still human and I still sin daily.  I strive to live the way God wants me to, but I do fall short.  How grateful I am that I serve a mighty God who sent His son to save me from myself! 

Whew.  Another day to try to get it right-that is just what I need.  Thank you, Lord, for your continuous grace and mercy.  I am not deserving of it, however I am humbled and grateful for your unconditional love.  Please help me to show the same compassion and love toward my own family.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

Problems??

The problems you face will either defeat you or develop you depending on how you respond to them. Unfortunately most people fail to see how God wants to use problems for good in their lives. Here are five ways God wants to use the problems in your life...

1. God uses problems to DIRECT you. Sometimes God must light a fire under you to get you moving. Problems often point us in a new direction and motivate us to change. Is God trying to get your attention? "Blows and wounds cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being." Proverbs 20:30 (NIV)

2. God uses problems to INSPECT you. People are like tea bags, if you want to know what's inside them, just drop them into hot water! Has God ever tested your faith with a problem? What do problems reveal about you? "Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow." James 1:2-3 (Life Application Study Bible)

3. God uses problems to CORRECT you. Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. It's likely that as a child your parents told you not to touch a hot stove. But you probably learned not to touch it by being burned. Sometimes we only learn the value of something...health, money, a relationship, by losing it... "The suffering you sent was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your principles. Psalm 119:71 (Life Application Study Bible)

4. God uses problems to PROTECT you. A problem can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents you from being harmed by something more serious. Last year a friend was fired for refusing to do something unethical that his boss had asked him to do. His unemployment was a problem, but it saved him from being convicted and sent to prison a year later when management's actions were discovered. "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good..." Genesis 50:20 (NIV)

5. God uses problems to PERFECT you. Problems, when responded to correctly, are character builders. God is far more interested in your character than your comfort. Your relationship to God and your character are the only two things you're going to take with you into eternity. "...we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character, and character, hope." Romans 3-4 (NIV)


God is at work in your life even when you do not recognize it. Allow Him to guide you and see the blessings come as a result of your obedience.

Peace, joy and blessings to you!

Do you suffer from this syndrome?

I'm quite curious if anyone else out there suffers from "can't turn my brain off" syndrome.  Medical name: gottastopthinkingsomuchitis.  Symptoms: random thoughts, starting multiple projects and not finishing any of them, trying to rest but unable to completely relax and let go, insomnia.  Treatment: rest.

Sounds simple enough.  Just sit down.  You know, without thinking of all the "but I should be doing's."  Pray.  Worship. Take a quick nap.  Read a book.  Or if you're me, try to do one of those things, but get blindsided by those random thoughts again!

In my devotion time this morning, I was reminded of the need to make time to be with God.  Not just a quick check in, but some quality, quiet, focused time with just Him.  When we're overloaded with activity and have no downtime, we are focused on ourselves.  We fly through the day in survival mode, jumping from one thing to the next.  Suddenly, when God whispers to you to do something, you respond this way, "great, another thing to add to my to do list.  I'd like to help you out God, but I'm too busy!"  We end up missing opportunities to serve Him and bless others.

When we purposely add time to be with the Lord, we become available and more focused on what He wants us to do.  You don't have to live in overdrive everyday.  Get out of survival mode and build in some downtime to your schedule.  You'll be better for it!

Be still and know that I am God.  Psalm 46:10

The eternal God is your refuge,
And underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33:27

Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.  1 Peter 5:7

You gotta start somewhere....

Well, here we go!  I've always wanted to start a blog.  Not because I read them alot or even really know much about them, but mainly because I love to write.  I also love to talk, and sometimes the things I want to get off my mind aren't always things others want to talk about.  I figured here I can share ideas, release some thoughts, open the door to discussion and hopefully grow in knowledge. 

I am a Christian and I try to live my life in a way that please God.  I fall short of that goal daily.  I keep trying though!  Jesus is my homey and my references here will always give Him glory and honor.  My struggles and stories will hopefully show that walking with the Lord is hard, but the rewards are so great!

I hope you'll enjoy your time here, and I'd love some feedback if you feel led to share something.

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"Prayer is for the soul what nourishment is for the body."

I agree!  I used to be very intimidated to pray.  I always thought there was a "right way" to pray, and if I didn't use the correct words or say a fancy enough prayer, God probably wouldn't hear it, let alone respond to it.  I know better now!  Prayer is, for me, a conversation with God.  I start my day giving thanks to Him for waking me up.  I talk to Him like I do a friend.  I lay it all out on the line sometimes too!  He already knows how I'm feeling, so to pretend everything is peachy-keen when I'm actually feeling like I might explode isn't doing me and favors.

I encourage you to take a few minutes, right now if you want, to just say a quick prayer.  Maybe you have a blessing you are grateful for, maybe you are concerned about an important matter in your life.  Perhaps you aren't sure how to take the next step.  God knows your needs.  Just go to Him and ask Him to guide you.  You might as well give your cares and concerns to Him.  He's gonna be up all night anyway! :)

Have a truly blessed day.....