"but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31
Great verse today for a soul that has been weary for the last few weeks. I know that I must walk on and continue to worship my Lord.
The first idea that God gave me to take a few things off of my plate was to send an email to seek prayer and grace from those around me. How can others support me if they have no idea what is going on in my life. I didn't go into every detail, just enough to let them know I needed understanding in this trying time. The email wasn't to ask others for help except for prayer and to ask them to be understanding when I put my immediate family first, second and most days third leaving no extra time for others around me.
I didn't step down from commitments I had set for before me but that too may come. I want to serve the Lord in the best way I know how but I can't do that at the detriment of my relationship with Him or the relationship with my family. So I asked my friends and family to pray and to be understanding when I don't answer the phone or email for a couple of days. I felt a great weight lifted off my shoulders and know that with the prayer warriors around me I will perservere through all the drama.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Mom, I think I can't make it to school.
"Can't make it to school." is the most dreaded phrase around my house. I know how much my kids love school. When one of them says they cannot go to school they are badly sick or really hurt.
Early this morning my darling boy, Aaron lumbered down the hall to say how miserable he was feeling then proceeded to dash back down the hall to show me how sick he really was. Making a makeshift cot on the floor by my bed we both tried to go back to sleep. Libby had gotten up early too and now snuggled up in bed since my husband was still at work. Funny how quickly a room can fill up when they know daddy won't be home for a couple more hours.
An hour later it was time for school. I woke Libby to tell her to get ready for school. Aaron popped his head from his pillow to say "Mom I don't think I can make it to school." I told I already knew and how sorry I was he was going to have to miss school.
He let me read him a book today. I shared one of my favorites from when I was a kid, Ramona. I savor these times not that he is sick but that I take the day for just him. It doesn't happen often enough. I may have to come up with ways to spend time one on one with my little man.
The same longing comes from our Heavenly Father to have more one on one time with us. I know I need more of that too. If I don't get enough time with God, I feel worn down, worn out and just down right miserable. I think I need some of that godly medicine from my Lord talk to you later.
Early this morning my darling boy, Aaron lumbered down the hall to say how miserable he was feeling then proceeded to dash back down the hall to show me how sick he really was. Making a makeshift cot on the floor by my bed we both tried to go back to sleep. Libby had gotten up early too and now snuggled up in bed since my husband was still at work. Funny how quickly a room can fill up when they know daddy won't be home for a couple more hours.
An hour later it was time for school. I woke Libby to tell her to get ready for school. Aaron popped his head from his pillow to say "Mom I don't think I can make it to school." I told I already knew and how sorry I was he was going to have to miss school.
He let me read him a book today. I shared one of my favorites from when I was a kid, Ramona. I savor these times not that he is sick but that I take the day for just him. It doesn't happen often enough. I may have to come up with ways to spend time one on one with my little man.
The same longing comes from our Heavenly Father to have more one on one time with us. I know I need more of that too. If I don't get enough time with God, I feel worn down, worn out and just down right miserable. I think I need some of that godly medicine from my Lord talk to you later.
Monday, September 14, 2009
It made me jump!
A thunder clap just rolled through and it was loud enough to actually make me jump. It got me thinking since it had been a long while since I actually got spooked because of weather. We live in an area that I have grown up with snow, big rain storms that have led to floods, and once I do remember having a tornado in the valley but it was shocking and very rare. After learning to drive in snow during my teen years there was really nothing to fear.
Crackling and clapping of the thunder brought back memories of the second grade of when we could clearly see lightning off in the distance. My teacher taught us that when you see a lightning rod strike the ground to begin counting one Mississippi, two Mississippi until you heard the thunder clap to tell how many miles away the lighting was. We spent the best part of the next hour counting in unison until our ears filled with the noise of thunder.
God has protected me from the fear of weather. Knowing that the wind moves with His word makes me know I cannot do anything to stop it. With His strength I can walk through all things that are laid in my path.
Years ago my daughter, Libby began crying her ears hurting from the sheer volume of noise. Sounding as if the end of our roof had been ripped off the house, I was feared that the huge tree in front of our house had fallen over during a wind storm. Home alone with a new baby I praised God that we were not hurt and hurried to see if we still had a living room. Amazingly, God spared our house minus a couple of shingles and saved our tree. It was not until the neighbors came to check on us did we find out that lightning had hit the house.
God has the great ability to calm our fears and give us comfort. The easiest way I know how to receive this gift from God is just to simply ask. Pray for his protection. Ephesians 6:10 - 18 is the armor of God and is the made for a protection prayer.
Crackling and clapping of the thunder brought back memories of the second grade of when we could clearly see lightning off in the distance. My teacher taught us that when you see a lightning rod strike the ground to begin counting one Mississippi, two Mississippi until you heard the thunder clap to tell how many miles away the lighting was. We spent the best part of the next hour counting in unison until our ears filled with the noise of thunder.
God has protected me from the fear of weather. Knowing that the wind moves with His word makes me know I cannot do anything to stop it. With His strength I can walk through all things that are laid in my path.
Years ago my daughter, Libby began crying her ears hurting from the sheer volume of noise. Sounding as if the end of our roof had been ripped off the house, I was feared that the huge tree in front of our house had fallen over during a wind storm. Home alone with a new baby I praised God that we were not hurt and hurried to see if we still had a living room. Amazingly, God spared our house minus a couple of shingles and saved our tree. It was not until the neighbors came to check on us did we find out that lightning had hit the house.
God has the great ability to calm our fears and give us comfort. The easiest way I know how to receive this gift from God is just to simply ask. Pray for his protection. Ephesians 6:10 - 18 is the armor of God and is the made for a protection prayer.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Lexy's is a legal driver!!!
I don't know which is scarier having my teenager on the road or the thought of continuing to drive her everywhere for the rest of my life.
I could see the excitement on my daughter's face as she practically skipped up the driveway that she had in fact passed her driving test to get her permanent license. I am so proud of her for getting her license and now she will have more freedom to get the places she needs to be.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Our Hope in a Dark Time
“He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom
for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.”
Isaiah 61:1b
At one time we have all been in darkness, not knowing the Lord. There are also times when we have been serving the Lord when circumstances around us cause us to be thrown into a dark time. I was not expecting to get divorced and was thrown into a deep pit by it. Everyone has been broken hearted or will be before the end of our days. How do we walk through that? Here are a few steps to help you start the process.
We first look to the Lord, through the Word and prayer. When we look to others around us; friends or those at church to help carry one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:20). We can also search out resources from those who love the Lord i.e. radio, books, sermons and devotionals. They relay the Lord’s message to help us walk through the pain that happens in our life.
How do I begin to process this? How can I get through this the quickest? In my experience there is no fast answer. I wish there was a high-speed fix every time but it is hard work. Many tears and small steps to a new stronger, healthier person is the real journey. There is a choice to remain damaged or embrace being whole through the Lord.
Going to the Word is not always our first thought when something has blown up in our life. It’s possible in today’s busy world that it may be hours before you are home to open the Bible. If that is the case, get in the habit of praying and calling out to the Lord. Also be aware that if you are at work and have access to internet there are some sites that have the full bible (http://www.biblegateway.com/ ) that you can read while on a break or in a slow moment at work. Maybe even invest in a small one you can carry in your car or purse, although as our eyes get older we may have to invest in a magnifying glass as well.
Asking for help can be as simple as a text message or email that says “having a rough day pray for me,” meeting for coffee to talk over things or just have a friendly face to feel God’s love, seek out those who will let you have a long good cry and will be supportive. I would encourage all of us to invest in people to hold us up when life gets tough and hold us accountable for our actions. Ask them to pray for you and with you. Be willing to do the same for them. Look for people that are not gossip mongers and that point you back to godly standards and principles.
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27: 17
Teachers that God has called to instruct and share his word are great for keeping us focused and aware of the Lord’s work in us. Daily devotions sent to our email, bible studies by yourself or with others, books that are on certain problems or Christian fiction that just give your mind a break are great tools. Be attentive that all authors have different views so when questions come up on any issue, go back to the original source and see what the Bible says. If you are not sure where to begin, ask a friend or leadership of your church where to start or their favorite authors.
We are all capable through Jesus to walk through the most painful of times and help others do the same. If you are weary or in over your head, call on the name of the Lord. He is there ready for the asking. If you have never asked Jesus into your heart and are wondering how, all you have to do is ask him to forgive your sins and be Lord of your life. When we have done this, we are welcomed to the fold my brother or sister in Christ. Please share your experience with me and I will rejoice with the angels my friend.
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13
for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.”
Isaiah 61:1b
At one time we have all been in darkness, not knowing the Lord. There are also times when we have been serving the Lord when circumstances around us cause us to be thrown into a dark time. I was not expecting to get divorced and was thrown into a deep pit by it. Everyone has been broken hearted or will be before the end of our days. How do we walk through that? Here are a few steps to help you start the process.
We first look to the Lord, through the Word and prayer. When we look to others around us; friends or those at church to help carry one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:20). We can also search out resources from those who love the Lord i.e. radio, books, sermons and devotionals. They relay the Lord’s message to help us walk through the pain that happens in our life.
How do I begin to process this? How can I get through this the quickest? In my experience there is no fast answer. I wish there was a high-speed fix every time but it is hard work. Many tears and small steps to a new stronger, healthier person is the real journey. There is a choice to remain damaged or embrace being whole through the Lord.
Going to the Word is not always our first thought when something has blown up in our life. It’s possible in today’s busy world that it may be hours before you are home to open the Bible. If that is the case, get in the habit of praying and calling out to the Lord. Also be aware that if you are at work and have access to internet there are some sites that have the full bible (http://www.biblegateway.com/ ) that you can read while on a break or in a slow moment at work. Maybe even invest in a small one you can carry in your car or purse, although as our eyes get older we may have to invest in a magnifying glass as well.
Asking for help can be as simple as a text message or email that says “having a rough day pray for me,” meeting for coffee to talk over things or just have a friendly face to feel God’s love, seek out those who will let you have a long good cry and will be supportive. I would encourage all of us to invest in people to hold us up when life gets tough and hold us accountable for our actions. Ask them to pray for you and with you. Be willing to do the same for them. Look for people that are not gossip mongers and that point you back to godly standards and principles.
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27: 17
Teachers that God has called to instruct and share his word are great for keeping us focused and aware of the Lord’s work in us. Daily devotions sent to our email, bible studies by yourself or with others, books that are on certain problems or Christian fiction that just give your mind a break are great tools. Be attentive that all authors have different views so when questions come up on any issue, go back to the original source and see what the Bible says. If you are not sure where to begin, ask a friend or leadership of your church where to start or their favorite authors.
We are all capable through Jesus to walk through the most painful of times and help others do the same. If you are weary or in over your head, call on the name of the Lord. He is there ready for the asking. If you have never asked Jesus into your heart and are wondering how, all you have to do is ask him to forgive your sins and be Lord of your life. When we have done this, we are welcomed to the fold my brother or sister in Christ. Please share your experience with me and I will rejoice with the angels my friend.
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13
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