Thursday, February 28, 2013

Five Minute Friday} "Ordinary"


It has been a not so ordinary day.
It's actually been a not so ordinary past year, 
the world around me spins with uncertainty, 
and some fear of whether I've made,
or am making good decisions as a Wife and Mother.
I sometimes take a moment, 
close my eyes, 
and just try to breathe in the ordinary, 
I just want an ordinary day!  Please!
Jesus whispers in my heart that
Ordinary doesn't leave much room for growth, 
through all of this uncertainty He is anything but ordinary.
And because He is anything but ordinary
I can trust that He will make my sometimes not so ordinary days
into a beautiful masterpiece...
all His own!

"He knows that what may be a tremendous blessing for you later could completely wreck your life now.  For this reason, though the Lord hears your prayer, He often pauses to give you time to prepare for that blessing" - Charles Stanley, In Touch Ministries


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Friday, February 22, 2013

Five Minute Friday Prompt} "What Mama Did..."

What my Mama Did, she may not have ever known, but now is my chance to show her what all her hard work, worry, stress, tears, and unending love did for me.
It may not be the things us Moms intentionally do to connect with our children;
oh... it's so much more than the getting me ready for school, making sure I was eating all my dinner, driving me to my friends house, and making sure to work hard so I would have nice clothes to wear, and all the other necessities in life.
What my Mama taught me were special moments that have imprinted a forever stamp on my heart.
These special memories are what I; because of her, get to treasure for the rest of my life!
They make my heart smile when I speak of them to my husband, my own children, and friends.
What I took from your Mothering Mom...
Is Priceless!

I grew up in the desert, and our family moved within our general area quite a few times, that meant changing schools- it didn't affect me too much- because there was always something I knew in my heart that was constant, that was my Mom.  She was my constant!

She was what Mothers are supposed to be, my safe place.
There were times I knew I did something terribly wrong, that I knew once I went to her she is where I would find my comfort.  Even though she may not have known it.

The way she always forgave me,
and with little words I knew in my heart she knew I could do better,
and she believed in God and kept on praying for me to see it too-
and I do.

Our drives through town to pick up some french fries, a carbonated soda, and park our car in just the right direction to watch the cars drive by Highway 111 as we shared such special conversations. We popped our gum in our travels (but never in public). ;) Just us Girls!

The way she showed me how to properly put sheets on a bed because she once worked at a hotel; and learned how to make a bed just so.
Her bed making skills are phenomenal-
seriously.
She has shown me, but I still can't do it like her.

The days we cried watching our dog get sick with leukemia together and had to put our sweet Mindy down.
I could break down and cry in her arms, and I always knew she'd be there.
To this day I can call her and lose it with pure exhaustion, I can count on her prayer and loving honesty to get me through. She will never cease to point me in the loving arms of our Heavenly Father.
She's never pointed me in any other direction than His,
-that-
to this day speaks magnitudes into any trials I face.

I remember watching movies, her back rubs, and her special touch.
I'd watch her hands-  and notice ours were the same-
I couldn't wait to be a grownup because I'd be just like her :) and I am- lol!

We can share stories of what Jesus has done in the smallest of situations and stay up til 3 or 4 in the morning just doing what girls do best... talking. :)

The way she was there with me as I gave birth to my first child as a single mother, the way she comforted me when I told her the news of raising a baby all alone.  She was the first to remind me I wasn't alone.  God would see us through- and He did!
All those fun days spent getting my apartment ready for my sweet little girl, the swollen feet we'd watch with awe while we stood in aisle after aisle shopping.  Followed by countless trips through the Wendys' drive through for Frostys.
All the Mother Daughter sleepovers we'd have so I wouldn't feel so lonely- and the night we jumped out of bed scared to death at her house, because the alarm was set off by a sensor while we were in a deep sleep. The way we laughed soooooo hard realizing how funny we both look when we are scared!

Through life...

I watched her worry, I watched her have faith, and I watched her never give up.

I am so honored to call my Mama "My Best Friend"!


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Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Seeking

"Have you ever done this?"  I covered my eyes with my left hand, opened my bible with my right and planted my finger firmly, wherever it may land.  

I continued asking my daughter " Have you ever just closed your eyes, opened up your bible, and placed your finger wherever it may go- just to see if there is something God wants to show you?"

Yes this sounds silly, but come to find out my husbands done it too.  It was interesting because I landed on a verse that was talking about constructional measurements.  I told her I don't think that was a word meant for me, but who knows?  We both laughed.

"Let me try" she said 

and her finger landed on Ecclesiastes 12:1-2; if you knew the day she had, and the struggles she's been facing; God placed His precious word on her heart tonight with a verse I have never read, pertaining to the youth:


"Remember your creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them"
Ecclesiastes 12:1

WOW!  To say this was not God himself would just be plain silly.  We laughed so hard, and we both were in awe at a moment that God revealed Himself to us.
A memorable moment shared, and never to be forgotten.

What an awesome verse for our youth to take a breather, release some pressure, and not feel the need to grow up so fast.  Not many adults "don't" wish they could go back and do things differently, by not stressing out so much about the things that didn't really matter as much as we thought they did then.  
If we find no pleasure in the days to come, because life is hard; if we remember our childlike faith in Christ; then as adults we will truly know He understands, and wont fail seeing us through the storms.


If the video doesn't play by clicking on the video; click on the link below!  :)  Enjoy!!!

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

I Didn't Know How to Answer Him...

I didn't know how to answer him, but God knew I wanted to know, 
and He placed within our conversation the perfect example to my sons' very question.

"Mom if God says we should put Him above everything then that's just rude of Him to say,
it's as if He's saying He's better than us or something!"

My quick answer was "Well yes, He is better than us! He created us! He is the reason why we are here!"

That answer clearly did not make him think any different, he was still trying to figure it out, and he looked pretty upset.  
This conversation happened just before reading together, the February 19th devotional, given to my boys by my Mother.  

In it spoke of sin and the dangers of it.  How sin leads to evil desires, and doing what we know is wrong leads to consequences. 

James 1:13-15 "When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away, and enticed.  Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." 

I watched as my sons' light bulb went off as he said...

"Like what happened to Christopher Dorner!"

If your from Southern California, then you know this mans name very well.  He was fired from the L.A.P.D years ago, and according to him wrongfully accused of lying .  He decided to kill anyone he felt was responsible, and their family members as well.  All in an effort to somehow clear his name.  The ending was sad he took his own life in a cabin before it burnt down, days after wounding 2 officers, killing 2 officers and an engaged young couple.

It was very very sad seeing someone so lost with absolutely zero hope.  Someone who went through life chasing empty dreams, his own desires, and filled his life with everything but God.  His sin led to the destruction of his own life, and the hurting of many innocent people.

In that very moment my light bulb went off, and God was giving me the answer to my sons legitimate question.
I proceeded to ask my inquisitive 8 year old a question that I knew would set it straight for both him and I.

I said...

"Jimmy, you are absolutely right! 
Sin causes evil desires just like it did for Christopher Dorner.  
Now Jimmy, 
let me ask you something...
why do you think this man needed God in his life?"

He answered-
"So he wouldn't have done what he did, so he wouldn't have been so angry."

God showed me at that very moment, and I spoke those words to my son...

"You are exactly right, 
so that is why we are told in Gods word not to place anything above Him,
because when He is out of the picture we can't possibly love others the way He does... 
or get through the hardships in life.
That my son is what God is- 
He IS Love
and He is the only one who can teach us to love.  
Placing anything above Him causes us to forget about Him, 
and lose sight of His plan for us.  
And He Loves us so much He doesn't want His children to miss any of it!" 

And as for my son, 
in that moment, 
he truly understood.  

So please don't be afraid when your children challenge Gods word, just pray through it, and God will always provide you with an answer, at just the right time.
I stand amazed!

Monday, February 18, 2013

"For the Joy Set Before Him, He Endured the Cross"


Just me, my laptop, hot cup of coffee, and my blog.
Ahhhhhh
I take a breathe after a long season that I still stand in the midst of.
It is a season that feels like forever.
Why is it that everything feels so difficult this season?
Why am I so utterly wiped out I can't even get myself up in the morning- 
because working out just seems like it would be an added stress.
Have you ever felt this way
so knocked down, you get back up for just a moment,
only to get knocked down all over again?
I'm living this right this very moment, 
while knowing others have way bigger problems than I do.
I do not want this post to sound like a downer 
so I try to regroup, take another warm sip of coffee
and feel the warmth as it seeps through my chest.
Kinda gives me a warm feeling,
but it's just not enough.
I know only God can calm the storm I am feeling inside.
Only He can lift my spirits.
I remember a time praying so hard that like the song, my heart would be 
broken for what breaks His, and I stand in this season, my prayer answered, 
broken for those closest to my heart that struggle with fear, worry, self control, anger, and 
undealt hurts that cause bitterness inside.  
For those who do not yet know the mightiness of Our Lord and Saviors hand, that they can
turn to Him!  
Watching those you love turn away from Gods will in their lives is devastating.
It breaks my heart, like it breaks His.
I just never expected it to hurt like this.
Lord, it is in the breaking of my heart for others
I realize, just how much YOU LOVE US!

In this season I will cling to You and Your Promise, 
what is yet to come, and what You've already done!

"It's not easy to run a race and win it"- Charles Stanley

"Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" ~ Hebrews 12: 1-3

Take a moment and read that line from verse 2 again- 

"Who for the JOY (you, I, and those we love) Set before Him endured the cross".

He Loves us ALL this much, so when we feel knocked down, we don't have to grow weary and lose heart, instead we can make a choice to fix our eyes on Jesus.  This does not mean it will be easy, but as Charles Stanley said 

"It's not easy to run a race, and win it".

Friday, February 15, 2013

Five Minute Friday} "Beloved"

You are dearly beloved in His eyes.
Don't let a day pass by forgetting it!
You sweet child are dearly beloved,
I as your Mother will never forget just how dearly beloved you are to me.

This is why He cares, this is why I care,
this is why He protects and shields us from harm-
this is why your Mommy protects and shields you from harm.
You my sweet children
are beloved 
and please never forget just how deeply and dearly beloved you are!

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