Have I ever mentioned the fact that Mary Ruth has reflux? Well she does. Often she will wake up in the morning and be sick to her stomach (my nice way of saying vomit) for several hours. Then sometime around lunch she returns to her normal self. Well today was one of those days. My big brown eyed girl woke up miserable. My little blue eyed girl has a very stuffy nose. So, I've been cleaning up a lot of yuck if you know what I mean.
Remember when I was trying to come up for my word for 2011? The word that has found me so far this year is "sick". There's been a lot of that so far.
Somehow (the LORD!!) I have been in good spirits today in spite of it this crazy day. I've been grateful for the opportunity to love on and care for my little ones.
I don't feel like we are having the kind of school days we would like and my to do list is ever so long, but today....
The joy of the Lord is my strength. Nehemiah 8:10
I've had that verse and another on my mind and heart today. The other one is...
Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 2:22-23
I sat down at the computer to have a snack and rest for a minute while the kiddos are having quiet time and dropped by the blog of one of my favorite girlfriends, and she had that verse on her blog for today as well!! So I literally copied and pasted it to my blog! Her blog post today is also my story except she managed to include some cute sad face pictures. No pictures from me. At least not right now. Maybe later I will get to posting Baby E's 4 month report and adding pictures. Maybe.
Quote
Showing posts with label Encouragement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Encouragement. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Friday, October 22, 2010
Facing My Giants
I say this from time to time, but it warrants repeating. The pictures are pretty. Yes, maybe even perfect. The smiles are beautiful. The house looks great. I've showered, dressed, put on make-up, and I kind of look the part of a super-mom who has it all together. BUT....there's WAY more behind the picture perfect blog posts or should I say way less (like sometimes no smiles, messy house, no shower, no make-up, and still in PJs). Sometimes, it's necessary to keep it real. So be prepared as I share my heart just a little bit...
I don't feel very well tonight. There's been stuff going around our house this week. Everyone but Wesley has had some kind of something. Before today, I've had a sore throat. But tonight, I really don't feel good. I've either got something or maybe it's mastitis or maybe it's thrush (I say that because something is also not right with nursing) or maybe it's just fatigue and hormones. I don't know, but regardless something is not right. I've also been an emotional wreck several times today. In addition to stuff going around (sickness), there's also a lot of stuff going on (decisions and such).
Tonight I was thinking about the movie, "Facing the Giants". I love that movie. I was specifically thinking about the part were Grant is in the field by his house and he's praying and he says something like, "God there's giants of fear and failure staring me down, trying to crush me." I feel like that tonight and a lot of nights. I was fretting about a decision earlier today, and Wesley said something like, "chill out." I responded with, "I'm just scared of making a mistake." And then I thought of this scene in the movie, and I realized how much I fear. I fear making a mistake. I fear getting it wrong. I fear failure. I fret. I worry. I plan too much. It's exhausting. And it's very, very counterproductive. I become ineffective and inefficient. Then I start to look around and feel like a failure for not keeping up with everything. It absorbs way too much of my time and energy. If I would only give it over to Him. Oh, the peace. Oh, the peace that I might know. Could know. Would surely know.
You are probably thinking, "wow, must have been a big decision." Nope. Not really. Sometimes it is. Other times it's small and ridiculous.
In that same seen in the movie, Grant says, "Lord, I'm tired of being afraid." Me too!! Me too, Lord!!
A few sentences later he something like (so yeah, I've watched this one a couple times. Ok, a few times.), "You're my God. You're on the Throne."
Oh, Lord, YOU are my God. Help me to let go. Help me to trust You. Help me not to worry, fret, plan, so much. Help me, Lord. I want to live and walk in victory. I want Your peace.
I also read this tonight. These are not my circumstances, not even close. But reading this, I thought, "Lord, I want to see You too." I have seen Him. But I want to really, really see Him. Everyday. Everywhere. In all my circumstances. Big and small. I want my vision of Him to totally and completely, really, really change me. Ya, know what I mean?
I also read this from another blog:
We have been given so much more than a life of mediocrity. Everything we have or don't have. Everything we've been given or have been denied. We can use that to praise God and enrich the life we have right now.
I'm empowered. He dwells in me. His love is beyond my wildest dreams. He can do more than I ask or imagine. I can have fullness, contentment, and complete joy in this life, right now, in this very moment. (mouth agape)
I'm working for that, folks. Scratch that. I'm accepting that gift, folks. I'm asking my Abba to bind up Satan, take away his foothold, and I'm accepting my Father's unimaginable love and unending grace.
I am his beautiful and perfect daughter, and I deserve more than mediocrity.
.
LOVE THAT!!
So, anyway there's a little bit of real life. I'm feeling a little better after sharing. Now I'm going to rest my little mind. Say my prayers and meditate on a bit of scripture as I drift off to sweet sleep.
Ephesians 3:14-21
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Philippians 4:4-9
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Isaiah 26:3
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Ahhhhh.....
I don't feel very well tonight. There's been stuff going around our house this week. Everyone but Wesley has had some kind of something. Before today, I've had a sore throat. But tonight, I really don't feel good. I've either got something or maybe it's mastitis or maybe it's thrush (I say that because something is also not right with nursing) or maybe it's just fatigue and hormones. I don't know, but regardless something is not right. I've also been an emotional wreck several times today. In addition to stuff going around (sickness), there's also a lot of stuff going on (decisions and such).
Tonight I was thinking about the movie, "Facing the Giants". I love that movie. I was specifically thinking about the part were Grant is in the field by his house and he's praying and he says something like, "God there's giants of fear and failure staring me down, trying to crush me." I feel like that tonight and a lot of nights. I was fretting about a decision earlier today, and Wesley said something like, "chill out." I responded with, "I'm just scared of making a mistake." And then I thought of this scene in the movie, and I realized how much I fear. I fear making a mistake. I fear getting it wrong. I fear failure. I fret. I worry. I plan too much. It's exhausting. And it's very, very counterproductive. I become ineffective and inefficient. Then I start to look around and feel like a failure for not keeping up with everything. It absorbs way too much of my time and energy. If I would only give it over to Him. Oh, the peace. Oh, the peace that I might know. Could know. Would surely know.
You are probably thinking, "wow, must have been a big decision." Nope. Not really. Sometimes it is. Other times it's small and ridiculous.
In that same seen in the movie, Grant says, "Lord, I'm tired of being afraid." Me too!! Me too, Lord!!
A few sentences later he something like (so yeah, I've watched this one a couple times. Ok, a few times.), "You're my God. You're on the Throne."
Oh, Lord, YOU are my God. Help me to let go. Help me to trust You. Help me not to worry, fret, plan, so much. Help me, Lord. I want to live and walk in victory. I want Your peace.
I also read this tonight. These are not my circumstances, not even close. But reading this, I thought, "Lord, I want to see You too." I have seen Him. But I want to really, really see Him. Everyday. Everywhere. In all my circumstances. Big and small. I want my vision of Him to totally and completely, really, really change me. Ya, know what I mean?
I also read this from another blog:
We have been given so much more than a life of mediocrity. Everything we have or don't have. Everything we've been given or have been denied. We can use that to praise God and enrich the life we have right now.
I'm empowered. He dwells in me. His love is beyond my wildest dreams. He can do more than I ask or imagine. I can have fullness, contentment, and complete joy in this life, right now, in this very moment. (mouth agape)
I'm working for that, folks. Scratch that. I'm accepting that gift, folks. I'm asking my Abba to bind up Satan, take away his foothold, and I'm accepting my Father's unimaginable love and unending grace.
I am his beautiful and perfect daughter, and I deserve more than mediocrity.
.
LOVE THAT!!
So, anyway there's a little bit of real life. I'm feeling a little better after sharing. Now I'm going to rest my little mind. Say my prayers and meditate on a bit of scripture as I drift off to sweet sleep.
Ephesians 3:14-21
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Philippians 4:4-9
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Isaiah 26:3
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Ahhhhh.....
Friday, August 6, 2010
Debt
I wanted to write about what happened with the "new wheels" that I thought I was going to get yesterday. So here's the 411...
If you've been keeping up, you know that we have been on the hunt for a new vehicle. Our family van which is 16 year old with 260,000 miles on it has served us well. However, it recently developed some pretty major mechanical problems (are you surprised), and it doesn't have room for the newest addition who will be arriving very soon!! So a few weeks ago we began doing research and shopping for something new. My dream ride is the massively big passenger van sometimes referred to as a church bus. Crazy, isn't it?! But it isn't easy to find those used, and when you do they are either a) old, wore out, high mileage or b) out of our price range. So we targeted newer mini-vans that would seat 7 and SUVs that would seat 7 or 8. We discovered that only the largest SUVs would truly meet our needs. And, not all of them were easy to get in and out of. Mini-vans are definitely easier as far as that is concerned, and they of course get much better gas mileage. Problem with mini-vans is that we were only adding room for Elizabeth and then we would be maxed out again with no room for a grandparent or friend to ride with us. Also we have all of our children still in some type safety seat. They are not all legally required to be, but according to safety recommendations it's better for them to be. We did re-evaluate our standards in regards to the safety recommendations, but still had a very hard time finding mini-vans that truly met our needs.
Again, if you've been following along, you know there's been a few serious possibilities, but for one reason or another each of those didn't work. Finally, f-i-n-a-l-l-y, our search led us to a beautiful, one owner, white (my favorite color for a car), loaded with several extras, low mileage, reasonably price Suburban which was for sale a couple hours north of us. It was exactly what I was looking for and what I wanted!!! We went to bed Wednesday night planning to finalize the deal on Thursday. I was so excited Wednesday about getting it. But, guess what? I couldn't sleep. I mean I really, really couldn't sleep. Wesley was at work covering a midnight football practice, and he got home at around 3:00 AM. I was in bed, still awake, waiting for him, because I didn't have peace about what I had hours before considered the "perfect" deal for us. Guess what else. Wesley didn't have peace about it either. The problem? We were going to have to go into a decent amount of debt for it. For us, the word "debt" is a nasty, ugly word letter word.
Allow me to further explain our position on the matter of debt. I feel like this topic is a rather sensitive and controversial one. We hold a rather uncommon view of debt in comparison to the world's view of this subject. We don't believe that debt is necessarily a sin although I think it's possible in some situations for it to be. However, there's no arguing the fact that scripture clearly warns us about debt and the consequences there of. Debt is not God's best for his children. Don't we all want God's best. Wesley and I have participated in Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University, Jim Sammons Financial Freedom series, and every year in the month of January our pastor teaches a stewardship series. We know that debt is not best. We first did Dave Ramsey's course on good financial stewardship in 2000. Since that time, we've not accumulated any new debt with exception to our current home and one other minor except in 2004 that we quickly paid off. We regretted even that one small infraction. We paid off all debt we had except our house and a student loan that we are still working on and vowed to not do it again if at all possible. As it became harder and harder to find the right vehicle in our budget, we began to cave in. That's were we were this past Wednesday, just so ready to get something. I really believe we were so restless Wednesday night, because we were under conviction about it. We had no peace. I believe God was warning us not to make that mistake. It was very, very hard to listen to that come Thursday morning. But, we did. Wesley called the dealership who had already prepared papers and told them the deal was off. I was so disappointed, because it meant I wasn't getting the car I really wanted. But we both knew it was the right decision, and as time has gone on we haven't doubted that.
There has been another Suburban that we've been looking at for a little over a week that is an older model with higher mileage, but much, much more within our means. We've decided that so long as we don't have any new warnings, we will purchase that one tomorrow. I initially didn't want to get this one, because of the fact it was older with higher mileage, but I've had a heart change. This one just makes sense. It really is priced right for us. We've had it checked by a mechanic, and it does need a couple maintenance things done to it but nothing really serious. Wesley feels good about it. The bottom line is that this one requires more of my faith. Since it's older with higher mileage, I haven't felt as secure. Additional, time for the real truth here, I've felt a little prideful about this one because it's not as new or nice as a lot of the others we've seen. I can't rely and put my hope in things like the age and mileage of a vehicle. I have to trust and submit to Wesley, and have to trust the Lord. It's all His anyway. He owns it all. He can keep a clunker of a car running (not that this one is a clunker) or He can allow a new car off the lot to blow up. I'm trusting Him with the details as far as the mechanics of this vehicle is concerned. I've gotten over what I want and shifted my thinking to the practical need. I'm seeking to know and do His will. We don't sense any cautions in regards to this one as of now.
God blesses obedience. I feel as though, we've sought Him and we were obedient in not getting the more expensive one. I know that He will honor our obedience over that decision. A dear friend reminded me that sometimes the blessing comes in just knowing you were obedient. Sometimes it's peace over a decision. Sometimes it's not something we see on this side of Heaven. Sometimes it's more. Regardless the focus should be on glorifying Him. I'm sharing all these details, because I hope that in doing so He is glorified.
We are still going to have to be in some debt for this one but not much and not long term. It's not what we want, it's not ideal, and I still believe it's not His best. But we are continuing to seek Him, and He's provided a way that we can quickly pay it off. If this too is the wrong decision, we are praying that He intervenes once again to show us. I'm trusting Him to direct our steps, and to make His will known. We feel at peace with this.
So now you know the rest of that story! Of course tomorrow I will let everyone know how it all turns out!
As for today, it was a great, great day!! Peace. I felt at peace. We shared the day with great friends on a practically all day long field trip (maybe a post about that at another time). And, the job situation for Wesley seems promising as of today. Thanks for following our lives. Thanks for praying with us. Please feel free anytime, to email me or leave me your prayer concerns as well!
If you've been keeping up, you know that we have been on the hunt for a new vehicle. Our family van which is 16 year old with 260,000 miles on it has served us well. However, it recently developed some pretty major mechanical problems (are you surprised), and it doesn't have room for the newest addition who will be arriving very soon!! So a few weeks ago we began doing research and shopping for something new. My dream ride is the massively big passenger van sometimes referred to as a church bus. Crazy, isn't it?! But it isn't easy to find those used, and when you do they are either a) old, wore out, high mileage or b) out of our price range. So we targeted newer mini-vans that would seat 7 and SUVs that would seat 7 or 8. We discovered that only the largest SUVs would truly meet our needs. And, not all of them were easy to get in and out of. Mini-vans are definitely easier as far as that is concerned, and they of course get much better gas mileage. Problem with mini-vans is that we were only adding room for Elizabeth and then we would be maxed out again with no room for a grandparent or friend to ride with us. Also we have all of our children still in some type safety seat. They are not all legally required to be, but according to safety recommendations it's better for them to be. We did re-evaluate our standards in regards to the safety recommendations, but still had a very hard time finding mini-vans that truly met our needs.
Again, if you've been following along, you know there's been a few serious possibilities, but for one reason or another each of those didn't work. Finally, f-i-n-a-l-l-y, our search led us to a beautiful, one owner, white (my favorite color for a car), loaded with several extras, low mileage, reasonably price Suburban which was for sale a couple hours north of us. It was exactly what I was looking for and what I wanted!!! We went to bed Wednesday night planning to finalize the deal on Thursday. I was so excited Wednesday about getting it. But, guess what? I couldn't sleep. I mean I really, really couldn't sleep. Wesley was at work covering a midnight football practice, and he got home at around 3:00 AM. I was in bed, still awake, waiting for him, because I didn't have peace about what I had hours before considered the "perfect" deal for us. Guess what else. Wesley didn't have peace about it either. The problem? We were going to have to go into a decent amount of debt for it. For us, the word "debt" is a nasty, ugly word letter word.
Allow me to further explain our position on the matter of debt. I feel like this topic is a rather sensitive and controversial one. We hold a rather uncommon view of debt in comparison to the world's view of this subject. We don't believe that debt is necessarily a sin although I think it's possible in some situations for it to be. However, there's no arguing the fact that scripture clearly warns us about debt and the consequences there of. Debt is not God's best for his children. Don't we all want God's best. Wesley and I have participated in Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University, Jim Sammons Financial Freedom series, and every year in the month of January our pastor teaches a stewardship series. We know that debt is not best. We first did Dave Ramsey's course on good financial stewardship in 2000. Since that time, we've not accumulated any new debt with exception to our current home and one other minor except in 2004 that we quickly paid off. We regretted even that one small infraction. We paid off all debt we had except our house and a student loan that we are still working on and vowed to not do it again if at all possible. As it became harder and harder to find the right vehicle in our budget, we began to cave in. That's were we were this past Wednesday, just so ready to get something. I really believe we were so restless Wednesday night, because we were under conviction about it. We had no peace. I believe God was warning us not to make that mistake. It was very, very hard to listen to that come Thursday morning. But, we did. Wesley called the dealership who had already prepared papers and told them the deal was off. I was so disappointed, because it meant I wasn't getting the car I really wanted. But we both knew it was the right decision, and as time has gone on we haven't doubted that.
There has been another Suburban that we've been looking at for a little over a week that is an older model with higher mileage, but much, much more within our means. We've decided that so long as we don't have any new warnings, we will purchase that one tomorrow. I initially didn't want to get this one, because of the fact it was older with higher mileage, but I've had a heart change. This one just makes sense. It really is priced right for us. We've had it checked by a mechanic, and it does need a couple maintenance things done to it but nothing really serious. Wesley feels good about it. The bottom line is that this one requires more of my faith. Since it's older with higher mileage, I haven't felt as secure. Additional, time for the real truth here, I've felt a little prideful about this one because it's not as new or nice as a lot of the others we've seen. I can't rely and put my hope in things like the age and mileage of a vehicle. I have to trust and submit to Wesley, and have to trust the Lord. It's all His anyway. He owns it all. He can keep a clunker of a car running (not that this one is a clunker) or He can allow a new car off the lot to blow up. I'm trusting Him with the details as far as the mechanics of this vehicle is concerned. I've gotten over what I want and shifted my thinking to the practical need. I'm seeking to know and do His will. We don't sense any cautions in regards to this one as of now.
God blesses obedience. I feel as though, we've sought Him and we were obedient in not getting the more expensive one. I know that He will honor our obedience over that decision. A dear friend reminded me that sometimes the blessing comes in just knowing you were obedient. Sometimes it's peace over a decision. Sometimes it's not something we see on this side of Heaven. Sometimes it's more. Regardless the focus should be on glorifying Him. I'm sharing all these details, because I hope that in doing so He is glorified.
We are still going to have to be in some debt for this one but not much and not long term. It's not what we want, it's not ideal, and I still believe it's not His best. But we are continuing to seek Him, and He's provided a way that we can quickly pay it off. If this too is the wrong decision, we are praying that He intervenes once again to show us. I'm trusting Him to direct our steps, and to make His will known. We feel at peace with this.
So now you know the rest of that story! Of course tomorrow I will let everyone know how it all turns out!
As for today, it was a great, great day!! Peace. I felt at peace. We shared the day with great friends on a practically all day long field trip (maybe a post about that at another time). And, the job situation for Wesley seems promising as of today. Thanks for following our lives. Thanks for praying with us. Please feel free anytime, to email me or leave me your prayer concerns as well!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Encouraging Quotes
I came across this quote on another blog last night:
"Never give up. This may be your moment for a miracle."
Then this one in my devotion today:
"The glory of tomorrow is rooted in the drudgery of today."
Also our pastor has delivered some powerful, convicting, and encouraging sermons lately. Just never enough time to write about it all!
"Never give up. This may be your moment for a miracle."
Then this one in my devotion today:
"The glory of tomorrow is rooted in the drudgery of today."
Also our pastor has delivered some powerful, convicting, and encouraging sermons lately. Just never enough time to write about it all!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Resurrection Sunday, April 4, 2010
We had a wonderful Resurrection Sunday, aka Easter! Here's a family picture from the day.
It's so hard to get a picture with everyone looking and smiling at the same time, but I'm pretty pleased with this one. My Mom, my brother - Wendell, and his girlfriend - Priscilla are pictured with us. We all went to church together. I can't remember being in church with my brother since we were children. So, I was so thrilled that he and his girlfriend came with us!! They have plans to go back! Pray that they will.
We went to church at a small baptist church close to my Mom's house. It's where we go when we are visiting her. We really like it. The message Sunday morning was incredible!!
I have a ton of notes, but here's just a few things I wanted to share from that message:
What does the resurrection of Jesus Christ mean to you? Does it mean anything at all? Does it offer you hope, power, help?
We all hear that Jesus died for our sins. But, have you ever considered how He suffered for our sins. There are people who are willing to take a bullet for someone else. Examples includes bodyguards for the President or for celebrities. But, what about being beaten, tortured, mocked, crucified? Jesus did more than just take a hit for us. He suffered God's wrath for us. He took our place. And, he didn't just do this to save us. He did it so that we might have victory, hope, peace in our lives.
The pastor began with this comment: "All disappointment/discouragement comes from putting our hope in something other than Jesus." He asked us what we put our hope in. Is it our spouse, job security, our savings, this or that working out for us, etc. This definitely had/still has me thinking.
So what about you? Does this message stir you too?
It's so hard to get a picture with everyone looking and smiling at the same time, but I'm pretty pleased with this one. My Mom, my brother - Wendell, and his girlfriend - Priscilla are pictured with us. We all went to church together. I can't remember being in church with my brother since we were children. So, I was so thrilled that he and his girlfriend came with us!! They have plans to go back! Pray that they will.
We went to church at a small baptist church close to my Mom's house. It's where we go when we are visiting her. We really like it. The message Sunday morning was incredible!!
I have a ton of notes, but here's just a few things I wanted to share from that message:
What does the resurrection of Jesus Christ mean to you? Does it mean anything at all? Does it offer you hope, power, help?
We all hear that Jesus died for our sins. But, have you ever considered how He suffered for our sins. There are people who are willing to take a bullet for someone else. Examples includes bodyguards for the President or for celebrities. But, what about being beaten, tortured, mocked, crucified? Jesus did more than just take a hit for us. He suffered God's wrath for us. He took our place. And, he didn't just do this to save us. He did it so that we might have victory, hope, peace in our lives.
The pastor began with this comment: "All disappointment/discouragement comes from putting our hope in something other than Jesus." He asked us what we put our hope in. Is it our spouse, job security, our savings, this or that working out for us, etc. This definitely had/still has me thinking.
So what about you? Does this message stir you too?
Monday, March 15, 2010
Gratitude
First, I just want to say that I strongly dislike the word "hate". Actually one of our household rules is that use that word carefully and appropriately. We don't toss it around or use it lightly. The kiddos aren't allowed to say, "I hate rainy days" or "I hate broccoli" (no one actually hates broccoli anyway, I'm just giving you an example). We can use the word if we are referring to something that God hates. Some examples might be: I hate that people die without knowing Jesus. I hate to see people hurting. If we aren't sure, we should avoid using it. So, I say all that to say that I broke that rule in the title of my last post. I will be editing that as soon as I finish this post. May sound crazy, but I don't want to be ashamed of my kiddos seeing it if they were to walk by. OK, now that I've cleared that up, let's move on, shall we?
I was feeling discouraged for a while earlier today. Mostly I was discouraged about our finances. We have done Dave Ramsey's Financial University, and we try to follow it as best we can. One day I will try to find time to write more on this topic, but for now I will just say that financially things are tough. Having the surprise car repair today was really stressing me. I planned to write about how stressed I was about it all. But throughout the day I as I thought about it, I realized how discontent and ungrateful I was being. I could right a book about how good God has been to us, and how He has provided time and time again. He has been faithful. Yet lately anytime something doesn't go my way in regards to our finances, I find myself frustrated with Him. The truth, though at times it is hard to accept, is that He has allowed this struggle so that we would be dependent on Him. In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Paul writes of a thorn in his flesh.
"...there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I a weak, then am I strong."
I feel like our finances might be a "thorn" for us. God uses it to show Himself strong on our behalf. He uses it to keep us humble, to keep us dependent on Him, so that "the power of Christ may rest upon us." Our budget rarely works out of paper, but He always provides. It's only through His provision that we make it! Over and over we've been given the opportunity to testify to His goodness and faithfulness with miraculous stories of provision.
As I began to change my focus today, I began to think about God's hand in this, His hand in our life, His sovereignty. As I reminded myself that He loves us, has a good plan for us, is teaching and growing us. As I focused on Him and His Word, not the situation or our circumstances. I started to remember His faithfulness in our lives. Then, my heart changed. I began to think about how good I have it and how I should be content and grateful.
Lord, forgive me once again for losing sight of the many, many ways you provide, have provided, and bless us each and every day!! Forgive me for my discontentment, for complaining, for being so selfish. Forgive me for my lack of gratitude.
I made a pretty big grateful list in my head, and it has grown throughout the day as new things keep coming to my mind. But tonight, I want to share just a few that top off my list.
I'm grateful first for His saving grace. When I look back over my life and imagine how differently it might have turned out if I had not responded to His calling at that young age many years ago, I literally get chills. Friends, I have first cousins my age who are currently in prison, who are strung out of drugs, who have lost custody of their children, who have no home to call their own, who have never been truly loved or respected by a member of the opposite sex, who have been abused. I still see many of these family members when I go home. It breaks my heart. One who people use to say that I looked like, currently has few or maybe no teeth and weighs maybe 90 pounds and is about as tall as me. When I hug her I can feel all the bones in her back. I don't think she's never been married, lives with family, doesn't have custody of or even see her son, and will sleep with absolutely anybody male or female to get her next fix. My mother will not like to read this and would say no way, but honestly I know THAT COULD HAVE BEEN ME! IF not for JESUS!!! He saved me from all of that. He has saved me for eternity!!
Secondly, I grateful for my parents. I did not grow up going to church, wasn't raised reading the Bible, and we didn't pray together. My parents will admit they made mistakes, BUT I never doubted or questioned that they loved me! My Mother made so many sacrifices for me and my brother. She tried hard to teach us right from wrong. She LOVED us, no doubt!! My Daddy also LOVED us. He has a lot of guilt over the kind of parent he was, but I always knew he LOVED me! It is SO important of a little girl to feel loved by her father. My Daddy was very tenderhearted towards me. My parents wanted my brother and I to turn out to be good people, make good decisions, and do the right things. Their love and support encouraged me to feel worthy, important, special, confident, and to desire to please them. Though they made mistakes, I believe their love for me made such a difference. Proverbs 10:12 says, "love covereth all sins." BTW, I should mention that I wasn't the perfect daughter either.
Though the "grateful list" in my head is very long tonight, I'll end by expressing gratitude for one more on my list, my greatest earthly gift, Wesley. He was given to me by God Himself, shaped and moldy especially for me through the years. I knew it when I first met him. I was Christian before I met him, but he has been the number one Godly influence in my life. My life changed the day I met him. Wesley loves me the way that a wife deserves to be loved. I don't have to compete with work, hobbies, friends, sports, other women or anything else for his affection. He isn't perfect, I'm not either, and our marriage isn't perfect. But, it is solid, built on the only solid foundation, the Lord Jesus Christ. For this and for him I'm so grateful!!
On a final note, it was as my attitude started to change today that God yet again stepped in to encourage me. This time through a dear friend. I was already feeling much better, so this was just like a cherry on top! I was at the table with Luke helping him with his math, and all three girls were looking out the front storm door. Bella Peace insist on looking out the door every time she thinks she hears an airplane. I think she just likes looking out and dreaming of the outdoors. Anyway, Grace started screaming, "Mrs. Heather, Mrs. Heather!!" Then all the girls started yelling and jumping up and down. Then, Grace went really wild, because Heather was carrying flowers. Heather brought me a beautiful bouquet of brightly colored daisies, just to let me know that she was thinking of me this week. So sweet!! It was a tangible reminder of how loved I am!! Loved by Him and loved by so many people that He has placed in my life. Thank you, Heather!!
"Thank you" hardly seems adequate, but here goes...Thank you Lord for saving me and for loving me. Thank you for your patience with me. Thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for your forgiveness, for your grace, and for your mercy. Thank you for continuing to grow me and teach me. Thank you for my parents and for Wesley.
Thank you, Mom. Thank you, Daddy. Thank you, Wesley.
Maybe I will do a part 2 and continue this list sometime, but right now I must get to bed. I'll be a single parent again tomorrow!!
I was feeling discouraged for a while earlier today. Mostly I was discouraged about our finances. We have done Dave Ramsey's Financial University, and we try to follow it as best we can. One day I will try to find time to write more on this topic, but for now I will just say that financially things are tough. Having the surprise car repair today was really stressing me. I planned to write about how stressed I was about it all. But throughout the day I as I thought about it, I realized how discontent and ungrateful I was being. I could right a book about how good God has been to us, and how He has provided time and time again. He has been faithful. Yet lately anytime something doesn't go my way in regards to our finances, I find myself frustrated with Him. The truth, though at times it is hard to accept, is that He has allowed this struggle so that we would be dependent on Him. In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Paul writes of a thorn in his flesh.
"...there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I a weak, then am I strong."
I feel like our finances might be a "thorn" for us. God uses it to show Himself strong on our behalf. He uses it to keep us humble, to keep us dependent on Him, so that "the power of Christ may rest upon us." Our budget rarely works out of paper, but He always provides. It's only through His provision that we make it! Over and over we've been given the opportunity to testify to His goodness and faithfulness with miraculous stories of provision.
As I began to change my focus today, I began to think about God's hand in this, His hand in our life, His sovereignty. As I reminded myself that He loves us, has a good plan for us, is teaching and growing us. As I focused on Him and His Word, not the situation or our circumstances. I started to remember His faithfulness in our lives. Then, my heart changed. I began to think about how good I have it and how I should be content and grateful.
Lord, forgive me once again for losing sight of the many, many ways you provide, have provided, and bless us each and every day!! Forgive me for my discontentment, for complaining, for being so selfish. Forgive me for my lack of gratitude.
I made a pretty big grateful list in my head, and it has grown throughout the day as new things keep coming to my mind. But tonight, I want to share just a few that top off my list.
I'm grateful first for His saving grace. When I look back over my life and imagine how differently it might have turned out if I had not responded to His calling at that young age many years ago, I literally get chills. Friends, I have first cousins my age who are currently in prison, who are strung out of drugs, who have lost custody of their children, who have no home to call their own, who have never been truly loved or respected by a member of the opposite sex, who have been abused. I still see many of these family members when I go home. It breaks my heart. One who people use to say that I looked like, currently has few or maybe no teeth and weighs maybe 90 pounds and is about as tall as me. When I hug her I can feel all the bones in her back. I don't think she's never been married, lives with family, doesn't have custody of or even see her son, and will sleep with absolutely anybody male or female to get her next fix. My mother will not like to read this and would say no way, but honestly I know THAT COULD HAVE BEEN ME! IF not for JESUS!!! He saved me from all of that. He has saved me for eternity!!
Secondly, I grateful for my parents. I did not grow up going to church, wasn't raised reading the Bible, and we didn't pray together. My parents will admit they made mistakes, BUT I never doubted or questioned that they loved me! My Mother made so many sacrifices for me and my brother. She tried hard to teach us right from wrong. She LOVED us, no doubt!! My Daddy also LOVED us. He has a lot of guilt over the kind of parent he was, but I always knew he LOVED me! It is SO important of a little girl to feel loved by her father. My Daddy was very tenderhearted towards me. My parents wanted my brother and I to turn out to be good people, make good decisions, and do the right things. Their love and support encouraged me to feel worthy, important, special, confident, and to desire to please them. Though they made mistakes, I believe their love for me made such a difference. Proverbs 10:12 says, "love covereth all sins." BTW, I should mention that I wasn't the perfect daughter either.
Though the "grateful list" in my head is very long tonight, I'll end by expressing gratitude for one more on my list, my greatest earthly gift, Wesley. He was given to me by God Himself, shaped and moldy especially for me through the years. I knew it when I first met him. I was Christian before I met him, but he has been the number one Godly influence in my life. My life changed the day I met him. Wesley loves me the way that a wife deserves to be loved. I don't have to compete with work, hobbies, friends, sports, other women or anything else for his affection. He isn't perfect, I'm not either, and our marriage isn't perfect. But, it is solid, built on the only solid foundation, the Lord Jesus Christ. For this and for him I'm so grateful!!
On a final note, it was as my attitude started to change today that God yet again stepped in to encourage me. This time through a dear friend. I was already feeling much better, so this was just like a cherry on top! I was at the table with Luke helping him with his math, and all three girls were looking out the front storm door. Bella Peace insist on looking out the door every time she thinks she hears an airplane. I think she just likes looking out and dreaming of the outdoors. Anyway, Grace started screaming, "Mrs. Heather, Mrs. Heather!!" Then all the girls started yelling and jumping up and down. Then, Grace went really wild, because Heather was carrying flowers. Heather brought me a beautiful bouquet of brightly colored daisies, just to let me know that she was thinking of me this week. So sweet!! It was a tangible reminder of how loved I am!! Loved by Him and loved by so many people that He has placed in my life. Thank you, Heather!!
"Thank you" hardly seems adequate, but here goes...Thank you Lord for saving me and for loving me. Thank you for your patience with me. Thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for your forgiveness, for your grace, and for your mercy. Thank you for continuing to grow me and teach me. Thank you for my parents and for Wesley.
Thank you, Mom. Thank you, Daddy. Thank you, Wesley.
Maybe I will do a part 2 and continue this list sometime, but right now I must get to bed. I'll be a single parent again tomorrow!!
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