My morning devotions spoke straight to my heart this morning. As I was reading, this verse jumped off the page to me.. Proverbs 16:24 "Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the mind and healing to the body." WOW.. how did the Lord know that I've been struggling with words coming out of my mouth that aren't.. um, so much like honey and more like vinegar?? You see, lately, I have been overwhelmed by the circumstances in my life. I know that God is bigger than my circumstances, but I have allowed myself to let the circumstances weigh on my heart and the result has not been pretty. Someone very close to me asked me a few nights ago, "Have you heard yourself lately? You're complaining about everything?" Ouch! Thing sad thing was, that yes, I did realize that I had been letting any and everything get to me and I WAS complaining about all of it!!
I had already made the decision to consider everything that I spoke.. but how gentle and gracious our Heavenly Father is to us. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb...yes, they are! Today, I will choose to let my words be sweet and words that bless, encourage, and I choose to be grateful. This is an act of faith, because you see, my circumstances haven't changed, but the attitude of my heart has!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Faith
The year 2009 came to an very unexpected end for my family. We were not mentally prepared for the attack that came, we didn't see it coming... but one thing was certain- We were SPIRITUALLY prepared. You see, as a child, my parents made decision to "Train me up in the way I should go". I was blessed with the opportunity to attend Christian school and we were a part of a great church. Church and school were not the only two places where the foundation of my faith was laid. My mom and dad lived a life of faith, morality, and walked a close walk with God. They showed me how to not just say I was a Christian, but rather they built a relationship with Christ. We've all heard- You don't just need religion, you need a relationship. The difference to me between these two is that religion can just be words, but a relationship with Christ requires effort, communion, and interaction. All of that said... Mom and Dad taught and showed me how to have faith. Faith.. the hope/belief of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 says- The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see.
The last 35 days have been a true test of that faith. We have watched my mom struggle to recover from a vicious attack on her body. The enemy was underhanded and attacked her brain. My thought is that he knew her mind held so much of the Word of God, so much that she had studied.. but what the enemy didn't know was that MY MOM didn't just store the Word in her head, she stored it in her heart, in her spirit. Although the last month has been a struggle for her to recovery, it is very evident that her faith is still there, still strong, and pushing her through.
A month before all of these events, I was praying and asked the Lord to meet a certain need. He told me.. "I will meet this need, but you must remember to have faith that I will do what I say that I will and leave NO room for doubt." I thought.. that sounds simple enough. Faithful to His Word, God answered that initial prayer that I had prayed. Then when my dad called to say that my mom had been taken to the hospital, the phrase-Leave no room for doubt, came back to me. So many of our family and friends have stood so graciously with us, praying and believing that God would restore Mom's health and heal her wounds (Jeremiah 30:17). But I want to say, it's not just this promise that has held my faith.. there are teachers, children's church workers, pastors and of course, my parents that took the time to teach me that God is faithful to what His Word says. He will make this crooked path straight.. He hears my prayers and He WILL heal my mom.
So remember, whether you're a parent or teacher, or whatever door opportunity to plant a seed of faith in a child's heart.. you might not see that flower bloom today, but knows when they'll need it and your labor is not in vain! Lay a strong foundation of faith for your family because you never know when that faith will seemingly rise up and carry you ALL through.
The last 35 days have been a true test of that faith. We have watched my mom struggle to recover from a vicious attack on her body. The enemy was underhanded and attacked her brain. My thought is that he knew her mind held so much of the Word of God, so much that she had studied.. but what the enemy didn't know was that MY MOM didn't just store the Word in her head, she stored it in her heart, in her spirit. Although the last month has been a struggle for her to recovery, it is very evident that her faith is still there, still strong, and pushing her through.
A month before all of these events, I was praying and asked the Lord to meet a certain need. He told me.. "I will meet this need, but you must remember to have faith that I will do what I say that I will and leave NO room for doubt." I thought.. that sounds simple enough. Faithful to His Word, God answered that initial prayer that I had prayed. Then when my dad called to say that my mom had been taken to the hospital, the phrase-Leave no room for doubt, came back to me. So many of our family and friends have stood so graciously with us, praying and believing that God would restore Mom's health and heal her wounds (Jeremiah 30:17). But I want to say, it's not just this promise that has held my faith.. there are teachers, children's church workers, pastors and of course, my parents that took the time to teach me that God is faithful to what His Word says. He will make this crooked path straight.. He hears my prayers and He WILL heal my mom.
So remember, whether you're a parent or teacher, or whatever door opportunity to plant a seed of faith in a child's heart.. you might not see that flower bloom today, but knows when they'll need it and your labor is not in vain! Lay a strong foundation of faith for your family because you never know when that faith will seemingly rise up and carry you ALL through.
Friday, November 20, 2009
A Lesson in Thankfulness
At the beginning of November, someone on Facebook challenged others to use their status update to give thanks for blessings in their lives, daily. As I began each day, I would contemplate and think of all of the blessings in my life that I am thankful for. My family, my health, my freedom... the list goes on and on. But what this challenge helped me to remember, was that, although I have these blessings, others sometimes don't. These reflections also helped me to put into perspective how often I take all that I've been given so for granted.
I was single for so long and prayed for a family of my own. So now, on the days when I have mountains of laundry, piles of dirt, dirty dishes, and NO ENERGY.. I remind myself that I waited for Dan, Christopher, and Cy, I prayed for them to come into my life. So now, I wouldn't trade them for a moment of peace or a perfect house. This has also reminded me to pray and believe for my friends, who are still patiently waiting and praying for God to bring them a Godly husband and sweet babies!
My family is also healthy... how often do we forget to be thankful for that blessing?! Sometimes it's a headline or overheard conversation about a sick child or someone's relative... I am so grateful for the health that we have been blessed with. This blessing reminded me that there are families that will celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years' in a hospital ... the gift they'll be hoping and praying for is that their loved one will make it just a little longer.
What I hope to accomplish during the upcoming holidays, is that we become a blessing to others who might not have a family, health, or much to be thankful for. Dan and I are planning on taking the boys to our local rescue mission. We've challenged the boys to pick out a toy of their own that they will donate to the missions. We're also going to plan a day to serve at a Ronald McDonald house. My prayer is that these small act of kindness will open our eyes to all that we've been blessed with and open our hearts to become an even bigger blessing to others. I have a feeling that at the end of those moments of serving, God will have planted even more of a desire to become a servant to all.
Happy Thanksgiving... take time to remember your blessings and challenge yourself and your family to find an area of need. Someone out there is praying that you will be obedient!
I was single for so long and prayed for a family of my own. So now, on the days when I have mountains of laundry, piles of dirt, dirty dishes, and NO ENERGY.. I remind myself that I waited for Dan, Christopher, and Cy, I prayed for them to come into my life. So now, I wouldn't trade them for a moment of peace or a perfect house. This has also reminded me to pray and believe for my friends, who are still patiently waiting and praying for God to bring them a Godly husband and sweet babies!
My family is also healthy... how often do we forget to be thankful for that blessing?! Sometimes it's a headline or overheard conversation about a sick child or someone's relative... I am so grateful for the health that we have been blessed with. This blessing reminded me that there are families that will celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years' in a hospital ... the gift they'll be hoping and praying for is that their loved one will make it just a little longer.
What I hope to accomplish during the upcoming holidays, is that we become a blessing to others who might not have a family, health, or much to be thankful for. Dan and I are planning on taking the boys to our local rescue mission. We've challenged the boys to pick out a toy of their own that they will donate to the missions. We're also going to plan a day to serve at a Ronald McDonald house. My prayer is that these small act of kindness will open our eyes to all that we've been blessed with and open our hearts to become an even bigger blessing to others. I have a feeling that at the end of those moments of serving, God will have planted even more of a desire to become a servant to all.
Happy Thanksgiving... take time to remember your blessings and challenge yourself and your family to find an area of need. Someone out there is praying that you will be obedient!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Time Changes Things
Most people who know my Dad, know that he loves all things football. He loves the little guys just starting out, the Jr. High teams, High School football (especially in Texas), also, the Texas Tech Red Raiders, but most of all.. He LOVES the Dallas Cowboys.
This weekend, there were two important games. Texas Tech played Texas and the Cowboys played the Giants. While I was growing up, I clearly remember that from around September until the Super Bowl, our television at home would be tuned to any games being aired. This of course was not my favorite time of the year. You see, I was a girly girl and football was of no interest to me. My poor dad, I was his only child and he really wanted me to like it. He even asked me to try out for the boys team a couple of times. He thought I could do some damage on the field! I was not interested and rarely sat down to watch a game with him. What a silly girl I was!
For the last year, I've been a married woman, living far away from my dad. Although I love being married and have a wonderful life here, living far from my family has not been an easy adjustment. This last weekend, I knew that these games were coming up and I also knew that my Dad would be watching. So for the first time in my life, I sat and watched most of the games, just to feel a little closer to my Dad.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled
Most of the people who read my posts are close family and friends. I guess that's why I feel safe talking about my good days and also the bad ones. I've been struggling with my emotions this week. It began after a conversation and then before I knew it, it was a snowball effect and I was so overtaken that I didn't know how to recover.
One thing that I've realized is that once you open the door to let your emotions control you, it's a battle to close it again. This morning, staring at the computer screen, a verse came to mind, John 12:27 "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." I was reminded that when I take my weaknesses, fears, or struggles to God, He always has a remedy. My heart was instantly soothed and the source of this struggle seemed so small. We have been given the Word of God, not just for correction, but also for comfort. In the still of the morning, He was waiting for me. The God who made the heavens and the earth wanted to remind ME that HE had given me His peace and all I have to do is remember that what Jesus did on the cross for me.
What a powerful revelation to me ... I hope that if you read this, you're reminded of God's love for you today and that His answer for your situation is always one verse away.
One thing that I've realized is that once you open the door to let your emotions control you, it's a battle to close it again. This morning, staring at the computer screen, a verse came to mind, John 12:27 "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." I was reminded that when I take my weaknesses, fears, or struggles to God, He always has a remedy. My heart was instantly soothed and the source of this struggle seemed so small. We have been given the Word of God, not just for correction, but also for comfort. In the still of the morning, He was waiting for me. The God who made the heavens and the earth wanted to remind ME that HE had given me His peace and all I have to do is remember that what Jesus did on the cross for me.
What a powerful revelation to me ... I hope that if you read this, you're reminded of God's love for you today and that His answer for your situation is always one verse away.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Cy's Salvation
Yesterday marked a memorable day in our family's history. Last night, Dan and Cy were talking quietly in the boys' room. I wondered what they were doing because those two together are never "quiet" ... I didn't get too curious because Christopher and I were engrossed in something on the computer. A few minutes later, Dan called me and I went into the boys' room where he and Cy were sitting on the floor. Dan said, "We just wanted to tell you that Cy just asked Jesus to come into his heart!" Whoo Hooo!! This has been an answer to prayer. Many of you know that our boys are in an non-Christian household when they are not with us and we are always believing that God protects them from things that they should not see or hear. Christopher asked Jesus to come into his heart four years ago and his spiritual compass is always on! We've been believing that Cy's heart would be open and hungry for the things of God. This was a true answer to prayer... God is so good and continues to show us His faithfulness!
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