It's a New Year of Blog Posts

I'll admit; I love to blog!  Not everyday though; sometimes life takes over and I'm given that opportunity to live what I write during the hiatus.
When God gives me an opportunity to reflect on what I have lived, well... I blog.
I pray over each and every post that women, and teen girls out there will find something or someone to relate to.
Therefore this is a year of new blog posts!
Hello 2013!
I am so excited to see what God has in store for our family this year!  
For now I think there's another short blogging hiatus in my near future!
So off I go- 

Living Life! :)

Happy Birthday Shianne

The changes you are making,
your beautiful smile,
your laughter,
your silliness,
your strong will-
I love all of this about you.
Even when it seems rough, I am reminded you are being shaped into a young woman, there are bound to be bumps along the way.
You celebrated your 13th birthday two days ago; I sit back and wonder where the time goes.
I pray as you grow you never lose sight of your purpose in life;
and that you pray through every decision that is yet to come your way.
There will be friends, boys, crushes, dances, dresses, heartbreak, new privileges, loneliness &; fullfillment.
Never forget God will always fill your needs, and will always listen to your prayers.
Please know...
there will be prayers of yours that will be answered in ways you weren't expecting,
but always take heart that "Father knows Best",
 and you my dear,
 are a treasure in His and our eyes.
 
I Love You!

The Last Look Back Post} Posted December '2012

Posted} December 2012

 What if you don't fit in?

 
Dr Seuss certainly got this right!  The desire to fit in has sadly caused parents to try everything in their power to help their child fit in.
While fitting in seems to send an idea to someone as inviting, comforting, and an easier way to get through life; it is just another one of the worlds biggest lies.
Why would I want my children to do what everybody else is doing for the sake of their popularity; instead of teaching them how to stand above the rest; and understand the dangers in life.
I don't want my children to be like everyone else, in a way this sometimes makes me the uncool Mom.  In other words I choose not to be afraid to say no to my children if they are asking about certain types of media, video games,movies, or photo sites that I have researched and found to be unsafe.
Since when did parents stop becoming parents?
Since when did parents start saying oh you can do that since everyone else is; I'd hate for you to be left out, I want you to be cool.
The number of parents parenting this way is extremely high; and I just don't get it.
This makes it very hard for us as Moms to help our children discover the benefits of standing out.
While it is harder- it is still worth it- and it is still possible!

I as a parent do not have any desire to be like the other parents just because they make those decisions, likewise I don't want my children to be like every other kid just because their friends are allowed to do certain things that I do not allow them to do.  
I as a parent seek Gods will; I would like them to do the same.  

Gods will is catered to us as we are His unique creation; He has so much in store for us individually that we may miss out on if we are too busy trying to fit in to this world.  We are called to lead others to Christ; and standing out is key.

God calls us to do our research, and be wise in our decisions; and know why we are making them.  Is it based on what others are doing? Or is it based on the safety of my child?  I choose the second.

Many would argue that the more you don't allow your children to do things; the more they'll want to do it.  
Look at Adam and Eve; they were told not to eat from the tree of life ; but it was in their nature to disobey; 
did that make God change His mind about the rule He set in place; so they could fit in the garden better?  So they could feel more comfortable?
Absolutely not!  
He knew the dangers in store for them; and He loved them.

Just as we love our children we need to be looking into the possible dangers of all things they are exposed to.  Especially in this digital time we live in.
Will our children struggle with obedience to the rules?
I'm sure they will,
but it is our job to keep on teaching, and keep on loving.

"Train a child in the way He should go and He wont depart from it"

Proverbs 22:6

I know this verse to be true,
I am living proof!

I grew up very sheltered (I now like to call it very loved).  :)

There were a ton of things I was not allowed to do; and there were many times I rebelled.  
That never changed my parents- the rules were the rules; if I chose to disobey them I had to live out the consequences of my rebellion.  

I was not a teenager who made wise choices; I carried this on to my young adult life- 
I was spiraling downhill for sure.  
I was experiencing the life of fitting in- 
I was doing everything everybody else said was cool; 
and that enticed me for years.  
I didn't even know who I was; because my identity was found in what the world said was fun and free.  
The worst part of it is the world seriously thought this kind of living was standing out and being yourself; 
and I believed the lie, 
I would insist This is who I am; 
but it wasn't.
It was who everyone else was.

Then the time came when God set me free from this bondage, and showed me who I was in Him.  He taught me how to stand out and not be like the rest.  

Even as a Mommy; I don't have to say yes to my kids just because every other parent has said yes to theirs; I instead have an opportunity to stand out, and point out possible dangers to other Mothers who may not see the dangers in the things their children are exposed to, because we all can be blinded by blending in to this world; just because everyone else is doing it.

But God has called us to be so much more!
He has called us to stand out; because only He truly knows our hearts;
and only He can bring out the best qualities in us.

He has created you and me as individuals with unique qualities that He so powerfully brings out in us; to serve a purpose;
to set free the lost, by our example
for Him.

Lets teach our children to stand out; because God knows their hearts better than the world ever will.  They were not created to fit in...
They were created to Stand Out.

Five Minute Friday} Cherished

Today was a day that will be cherished.

Down to the breakfast in bed on my 34th birthday,
the brakes being fixed on my car by my hubby, and the wonderful friends that made a point to come to my home and share my birthday with me, by their own choice- on the fly.

I am brought to happy tears at the thought of how true the few friends I have are.

I am not one of many friends, but the ones I have are so dear to my heart.  
There is such realness in it all, and I am feeling cherished by the women God has answered my prayers with.

I cherish every friendship He has placed in my path; the memories of them all have touched my heart
with such amazement.

No matter where life takes me, God has always placed a good friend in my path.

There is nothing that can make me feel more cherished than that.

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Now it's your turn - click on the five minute Friday logo below to participate, or to just read some beautiful entries based on one word.

A Look Back at Last Year} November '2012

Posted: November 2012

 

Thank You Dad

 

Thank you Dad.  

I've been thinking about you a lot this Thanksgiving Season; and just how grateful I am for you.

Thank you for always teaching me what silly does for the soul.  For the cute languages we would make on our car rides throughout town.  
 Your sayings; oh how they crack me up! 
 "Dang Squid, Mama Jama, Dad gum Punk" and so on hahahahaha.

Thank you for our countless hours playing Super Mario Brothers on the Nintendo; because of you, to this day that is my favorite game.  It makes me think of you. 
You have always been a kid on the inside-
gotta love you for that; that's one of the many things that makes you so fun.

Your strength I admire with a loss for words.  I have watched you push through trials in your life and strive to become better through them all.
You have taught me to think twice, and not to live my life with regret.
I grew up seeing you go through so much pain; between my middle to high school years you experienced loss; of two of the most important people in your life; your only brothers. 
And just under a year ago the unexpected loss of your Father.
My heart has always ached for you; not ever having a clue how these events must have changed the course of your life dramatically.  
I saw you- 
I still see you sometimes when you ache-
 through all this pain I have a Dad who places so much value on life; more than most people I know.  Because of you our family never parts without saying "I Love You"; you taught me just how important that is.
You've shown me what it is to live life through the hardest of circumstances;
and how to have faith even when it is so hard.

Dad you are the epitome of Rockstar; you are "My Rockstar".  You showed this girl what rock music is; and because of you I agree; the Beatles were the best band EVER!
You love playing the guitar; and are by far Alice Coopers biggest fan!!! 
Do you have any idea how fun it is to talk about my Dad with my friends?  You are by far the coolest!!!
You love sports, street bikes (thank God your still here), cars- and you share your Grandsons love of motocross.

Yep; I've got a Starbucks Dad- I am so so so blessed!!! Your such a coffee shop kinda guy; I just Love It!!!!
Oh don't even get me started on movies; You ARE NETFLIX!- hahahaha.

Bottom line My Dad Rocks; that's all I can say;
and I am so Thankful He is my Dad!

I Love You Daddo!

Love,

Your Kiddo

A Look back at Last Year} October '2012

Posted} October '2012:

 Day 23} The Dreaded Internet

Today we have I-Phones, I-Pods, I-pads, Kindles with Internet access, the list goes on and on.  

Yes the creativity that goes into all these" I- things" is extremely amazing!
For children; I have to second guess whether or not it is okay for them on several levels.  Or sometimes; even us as adults.

First- notice most these devices begin with "I"; 
I find it funny that all these gadgets create such an element of self absorption everywhere.  People now can stare at a screen for hours, not have any real conversations with people face to face, ignore family members, stare at their phones while out to lunch or dinner with their best friends.  
Why is it so hard to put these things down? 
We are now stressing ourselves out as a nation thinking we must always be checking on something.  Me included.  If you don't agree; spend a day looking around you- you'll see it.  
You might even notice yourself doing it.

What is happening to families because of this?   

There are less conversations in the carpool lane with our older children; because we become too busy checking our messages.  
There are less conversations at home because everyone in the house is looking at some sort of device instead of just being together.  
The average household has more than one computer; usually one for the kids & one for the parents, and sometimes they are placed in kids bedrooms.  

Am I the only one that is scared of the access my children have to the internet?

Even if I set limitations and watch them like Hawks while they are on it- I now have to worry about the guards their friends have regarding this.  These days kids watch You Tube videos at school during their lunch break, at youth group and sometimes just playing outside.

It feels like it consumes us sometimes; and it is sad.  

So how do we avoid this?  "Lord Help Me" is how.

Help me to remember why we were placed here on this earth.

Remind me to get my priorities straight according to your word.

Remind me to impress these priorities on my children.

Show me how I can safeguard them from the things of this world, so the world doesn't wash my children away.  

Teach me how to teach them how to be social in such a "techie" day of age.

I have to share with you that in our household we had our first internet scare over the Summer; our daughter was on You Tube; which we don't allow- but it happened.  
If you don't know, you tube doesn't have restrictions; I take that back- It does- but their restrictions are not the kind us parents can count on.  In a matter of seconds our daughter was looking for a popular song and was exposed to soft porn; and well lets just say because it was considered soft porn there were no restrictions!

This kind of term for pornography these days is just ridiculous; there was absolutely NOTHING in this that is or ever will be appropriate for a 12 year old; not even an adult!
You have to know-
This is accessible to our children when they have internet access on anything.
Even I-Tunes; every song with explicit lyrics is easily accessible to our sweet children.
And we wonder why our kids are growing up so fast, and so desensitized to what is clearly wrong.

I'm sharing this with you to be on your toes, no matter how many locks are put on your computers- you cannot count on them 100%; parents still have to be parents, and know what your kids are watching,
and what your kids friends are watching- we have to talk to them.  

We have to set an example; by stepping away from our own devices; because our children are exposed to so much more than we ever were- there are plenty of discussions to be had because of it.

*****************************

To view the rest of this series; 31 Days to Fear Free Mothering

Click Below: 

I am so happy you stopped by!  :) 

Raking Leaves in Winter

Boys will become men!  Today is the day...

and we will start...

with them raking leaves :)  

Yes, you can bring your doughnut too...

As long as the job gets done; and you make it fun! :)

Oh and there were way more leaves than this; the tree in our front yard is HUGE!!!

 Job well done boys; you made this Mommy smile! 

 

Five Minute Friday} Dive

It is Friday (well almost).  
I am so excited that Five Minute Friday is back for a New Year!!!  
I love visiting Lisa Jo's sight every week and feeling the freedom that she explains as "writing and not worrying whether it's right or not".  
So much freedom here, so inspiring, and sometimes mind blowing what God can show me in my life in just five short minutes.  
Sometimes it is bland ; as in I'll get more out of it that anyone else;
but I just love that that's okay too!  
You never know when you touch someones heart who is yearning to relate to someone;
even if that means simple.

This weeks Five Minute prompt is: "Dive"

As I ready for bed tonight; sipping my small cup of coffee I click on Lisa Jo's sight to see if the five minute friday prompt is up yet.  I can dive into my busy day tomorrow if I just write for five minutes tonight instead of during my busy tomorrow .
Oh- and my Mom might be happy to see a new post so early in the day, so here I am-
I dive in.

My first thought as I read the word "Dive" today was a little chuckle, wondering if Lisa Jo watched Bethany Hamilton on the celebrity high dive the other night on Fox.  I watched it and find myself increasingly amazed at just how much of a light Bethany Hamilton has been for so many.  My youngest son who is 8; absolutely loves her!  He took a dive right on the couch and glued his little eyes to that TV set.

I plan to do a lot of diving myself this year.

Not actual diving off a diving board- because that would scare me to death; and I have no plans on overcoming that fear anytime soon; or EVER!  All is good!

-Instead...

- a dive into a good book (clean suggestions will be much    appreciated) ;)
- a dive into bettering the marriage God has blessed me with
- a dive into Mothering the three precious children God blessed me with
- a dive into being a good friend
- a dive into an organized house

This New Year- Have at it!  Dive In!

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Now it's your turn - click on the five minute Friday logo below to participate, or to just read some beautiful entries based on one word.

A Look Back at Last Year} September

Posted:  September 2012

Five Minute Friday: Grasp

To grasp a love  so unfailing is no easy task.
We go through life searching for approval in just about everything we do.
We catch ourselves reading the faces of others to see if we have gained their acceptance.
When we do- our spirits take flight,
and when we don't -
we find ourselves taking one more step up that dreaded ladder of insecurity.
To grasp a love that is so unfailing, is a task that takes work,
work that requires taking a leap into Gods' waiting arms.
And with His love, slowly- desiring the approval of others begins to fade from existence.  We begin to experience that His approval is all we need, and with this
 He leads us-
one step at a time-
off that "going nowhere" ladder of insecurity- into His sweet presence, security, trust, and confidence in Him.
It is here where we grasp how unfailing His love really is!

A Look Back at Last Year} August

Posted:  August 2012

Five Minute Friday: Connect

He Loved us FIRST!

There was a time; long ago when the idea of connect came so easy!  I look back and see myself as a young 20 something.  I see her, a young woman who dealt with connecting to people in a whole different way than she does now.  So different that it's me; and it doesn't even feel like it was me.

Finding a connect, and being social came so easy somehow.  And well now- it's just different. 

I've even been called "socially awkward" ; in a jokingly way- but OUCH!  

Being described as socially awkward was enough for me to reach out to God and seek Him to find out what has happened to me.  Because if I can be that Christian woman who can share Gods love and have the same skills of connecting with people as I did as a young 20 something; well - then - THAT WOULD BE AWESOME!!!

So what happened?

Because of the Five Minute Friday prompt today - CONNECT -  I asked again - and He answered.

Disappointment in my past relationships have developed me to shut down; put my head in my turtle shell and clam up!  LIFE happened; relationships changed and it caused me to connect less.

God showed me this morning that to CONNECT with people doesn't have to be easy; I will be let down; but I need to keep on loving and keep on connecting; REGARDLESS of my fears.

IT GETS BETTER:

He showed me "Clear as Day"  that when I am not responsive to His calling, and when I am not connecting with Him - He never walks away and says "Oh she's just not gonna listen" - or "Oh Man that Heather is so difficult to get along with"!!! and telling all the angels in heaven "Can you believe what Heather just did??? I am not talking to her ever again!"  Or better yet-  "She didn't invite me!"

Nope that's not the God I serve!

The God I serve is the God who Loves me through it all.

How does this teach me how to do better at connecting with others?

To follow His lead and Love others through it all too!

To connect with people NO MATTER what response I get, or whether or not they've let me down in the past.

That before disappointment I didn't even know what "hard to connect with people" was, therefore to not let disappointments affect the Love and connection I have with others.

After all He loves me this way!  I am called to do the same!

Jeremiah 31:3-4

"I have loved you with an everlasting Love; I have drawn you with Loving- Kindness

I will build you up again, and you will be rebuilt,

again you will take up your tambourines 

and go out to dance with the joyful"

God's love is UNFAILING and EVERLASTING; because He Loved us FIRST!

Isaiah 54:10 

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, 

yet my unfailing Love for you will not be shaken

nor my covenant of peace be removed,

says the Lord,

who has compassion on you.

1 John 4:10-12

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us 

and sent His son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us

and His love is made complete in us."

A Look Back at Last Year} July 2012

Posted:  July 2012

Saying Goodbye to Facebook...

Facebook and the Comparison Game:


Oh I so know why I have such negative feelings about Facebook; it can cause a person to get into the comparison trap; down to what people grew up to be, to how much more fun they seem to be having than me- jealousy is a dangerous, dangerous thing- and facebook can sadly consume us and trap us in the downward spiral of creating a spirit of jealousy.

You know what I mean; say a friend or family members constantly seem to be "Living the Life"!  And, well- you just haven't had the opportunity to do those things.
I found myself caught up in getting the jealousy bug, then expecting my husband and I to be doing the same things they were doing; and when he was clearly not as interested as the friends on facebook were to go to all these fun places-  I became heartbroken!!!


How damaging is that??? 
To place your value of your marriage based on others marriages across a computer screen!
It's just so unfair to our spouse!  
I know because I struggle with that.


That enemy- he knows what he's doing;
but I take heart and confidence that our God is so much bigger than him- and I CAN- THROUGH JESUS overcome all of this!


There is no need to be jealous; no need to compare because He has our journey set out for OUR marriage; and it has nothing to do with other peoples' marriages,
ours is unique,
ours is prayerfully led by Him- and therefore I will stand faithful in what He is showing me "here"!


And it doesn't end there...


The Judgemental Pit:

Facebook can also make me extremely judgmental and I know that is wrong- and SO against what God has taught us!

The judgmental pit; this is where we find a family member, friend, or a child of someone close to us that is clearly headed down a path of destruction; but instead of praying for them, we find ourselves judging them.

I say "we" because it makes me feel comfortable; in reality I mean "me"!  I have done this too many times to count and realize that facebook has become so damaging to my walk with Christ; I have shared things with other family members about others in my family, just based on what I was so shocked by on Facebook -

I know in my heart this is not where God can thrive through me!  Facebook to me is no good.

Anything that separates me from God is not beneficial- this I know.

And for me- I am being led; led by Christ to say goodbye to Facebook for good!!! 

 Yep- I'm closing my account!!!

I will be leaving my account open for one week, to give an opportunity to those to bookmark this blog; it is where I share my journey; the journey of the things God has taught me along the way!  This is where I speak my heart; and this is a place I feel so inspired by the many Christian blogs I read.

So if you'd like to stay in touch- please follow me here on my blog, or email me at heatherlapierre@gmail.com

I realize this may seem extremely drastic to some; but when I know, that I know- THAT I KNOW that HE is leading the way I am bound to follow- because HE has NEVER led me wrong!!!

A Look Back at Last Year} June 2012

Posted: June 2012

My Beautiful Grandma Bell...

It was a happy day in heaven when my sweet Great Grandma Belle " Sweet Lily Dutton" arrived! She lived this earth as a Mother, Grandmother, great Grandmother, AND "great-great" grandmother; she was always so proud of that!

She's the woman who taught me how to roller-skate when I was 5.  

She's the one who loved her coffee in small tea cups-"little"- just like her.

Oh- and we all got it from her; we ADORE our sweets!!! With coffee of course.

Her memory makes me smile from my heart.  My heart has been touched by this sweet strong willed, little firecracker Great Grandmother of mine.  

She was 92 when she went home to be with Jesus.  Up until that day she made sure everyone at the nursing home knew who Jesus was.  My Aunt Heidi,  Grandmother, Mother, Cousins, Nephew, Sister, Mandy and Papaw spent countless days by her side and have some beautiful things to say about how she lived her life this past year.  She was a little preacher.

She  is my Papaws' Mother;

never in my life have I seen such a beautiful relationship between Mother and Son as I saw in them.

 When my Papaw entered the room her eyes lit up with the most endearing smile you ever saw!  The love she has for him was written all across her face.  I've always adored my Papaw; there's never been any denying that; the way he spoke to his Mother- the way he kissed her goodbye after visits- and called it giving her Sugars, the way he so kindly updated her on what her hair lady was doing, all the people that wanted to know how she was, and my Papaw is a funny man- he always cracks some kind of joke; and no matter how bad my Grandma Bell felt; he had the ability as her son to make all her pain disappear!

I've never seen anything like it; their bond is a bond that will be shared for eternity!

I thank God for my sweet Grandma Bell, and thank Him for welcoming her into heaven to watch over all of us; I thank God that I see her happiness and her youth; and her pain gone away- I thank God for such an awesome Great Grandmother; and for all these years to have her in my life, and my children's as well.  I hope she knows how much her life has touched ours.
Her presence on this earth will deeply be missed; at the same time we entrust her into the care of our Heavenly Father; where we know she is just dancing away...

A Look Back at Last Year} May 2012

Posted: May 2012

Five Minute Friday: Identity

If anyone knows how to instill the true meaning of identity; it would be my Mother. Identity is how others identify who we are. Like an I.D. on our drivers license- it is how we are identified. My Mother always instilled in me a true sense of character. The desire to be identified as a follower of Christ, in the character I display. That is the only identity that truly matters; I am so happy that I had a Mother growing up that instilled in me a desire to do what’s right; so that when I do not do what is right, or act out of my natural human desire; I have planted in me another kind of desire, that is to be identified in Christ and not let my human desires control me. This is way different than worrying about what people think of me- that identity is very temporary and stressful; but instead being Identified by Christ; and living my life with eternity in mind; His opinion of me is the ONLY one that matters; because when we let Christ identify who we are we display His Love to the World! I want to share one of the most beautiful quotes I have ever read from Soul Surfers’ Bethany Hamiltons’ newsletter: "I don't want to be lazy, selfish, or half-hearted. I don't want business to get the best of me. I don't want relationships with those around me to wrongly effect my walk with the Lord. I want nothing to do with ungratefulness, and more... I want to be a smile on His face!"- Bethany Hamilton Absolutely Beautiful!!!

A Look Back at Last Year} April 2012

Posted: April 2012

Five Minute Friday: Light

"You are the Light of the world; a city on a hill cannot be hidden" I hear this song playing in my head; a song by Hillsong worship team.
It is a song that I clearly remember singing more than 12 years ago; while expecting my first child. I remember driving in my car as a baby christian belting these lyrics out to my Savior. Feeling every lyric lift my soul.
Thinking on the word "Light" this morning
This is who I yearn to be,
This is who I pray my children will yearn to be,
This is what I pray my marriage to display; His light.
Because a city on a Hill cannot be hidden!
I pray that we can live a life in this way; being His light in this dark world-
so that others can feel Gods precious, never-ending love lift their souls too.
That they be given a reason to sing, a reason to shout, so they will get to experience what it's like when He lights their world!

"You are the light of the world. A city on a Hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on it's stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16

Looking Back at Last Year} March 2012

 Posted in March of 2012:

 Five Minute Friday on Sunday: Empty

The word Empty is such a hollow thought in my mind, the word brings back my past,
if I think on that word I remember that hollow pit in my gutt

BUT...!!!
to truly know emptiness is to finally see where God has filled the old empty me.
To truly see He allows us to feel such a hollow emotion; without it... I really wouldn't know just how much I need Him.

To see just how much He has filled my life with such beauty,
down to my one of a kind hubby (who still makes me blush),
the laughter in my children,
that twinkle in their eyes,
those special hold me and squeeze me tight hugs,

He has blessed me with all of this, and much- much more!

Looking Back at Last Year} Feb. 2012

Basketball Season is headed our way; in only one week.  I am so excited to see my girl run around that court again!  :)  But this year--- Daddy is coaching!!!!  YAY!!!!

Here is a look back at Last Year:

Posted February 2012

Love Our Basketball Player...

Watching her drive and determination in her first basketball game- left me with no words to describe how beautiful it was to see.
To see her strive to be at her best, despite being the only 6th grader on her team of 7th and 8th graders.
Finding her rhythm in a game so new to her- and visibly enjoying every minute of it!
Shianne has been through so much this year trying to find her place in a new school, with adolescent changes and moods kicking in full force- It was great to watch her out on that court venting that energy in such a positive way. Seeing determination in her eyes, and a drive to strive with everything she's got brings tears to this mamas eyes. I just love her so much!!!

A Look Back at Last Year

I decided to take a look back at this past year.  Part of the reason I love to blog so much is because this is one of the places God speaks to my heart.  To have what God has shown me typed out here for others to see they are not alone is just beautiful to me.  It provides an amazing opportunity for God to speak into the lives of others as well.  Not to mention a place for me to look back and remember all those precious moments I've reflected on His word; and my life.

One of my resolutions last year was to blog more and facebook less.  Well- I've given up facebook for good- and posted "110" POSTS in this past year!  That is huge for me!

I've decided that for each month of last year; I will re-post the entry out of that particular month that made such an impact on my life through reflecting on His precious word.

And here is....

JANUARY 2012  

 

The Power in Reaching

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9

Imagine for a moment that sense of security in reaching for a hand, and it reaching back for yours-

the way it feels once those two hands willingly connect.

"You have made known to me the path of life! You will fill me with joy in your presence with eternal pleasure at your right hand" Psalms 16:11

As I read this verse I remembered one day in the parking lot- in front of the mall- reaching for my sons hand- I didn't even have to look- I just put my hand back trusting my son would grab hold. It felt so good when he did.

Now this is the way it has been with all my children; but of course there is the occasional frustrated, stern Mommy voice saying "HOLD MY HAND!!!" I know I'm not the only Momma whose kids don't 100% of the time practice this simple gesture so naturally.

Just look at how good God is- He's on the other end patiently upholding His right hand just waiting for us to find that natural response, to reach right back for His.

Like the verse... when we know, and live like we are at His right hand- (because we are my sweet friend) we are filled with joy in His presence.
Just like the Joy that is felt when our sweet children naturally respond to our hands reaching out for them.

We know it pleases the Lord when we live our lives for His purpose- I'm positive He feels that JOY every-time we naturally grab hold of Him knowing He is reaching.

As with our children; sometimes it's reaching for our safety, for our comfort- and sometimes just because HE LOVES US THAT MUCH!

Happy New Year!

This was a blog post I wrote for Lisa Jo's Five Minute Friday earlier last year.  As I was skimming through my blog; I found it- and thought -what a great reminder for heading into this new year...

This is my year to be stretched-

stretched beyond what I ever thought possible 

in my walk with Christ

and in my walk with others.

While being stretched isn't always comfortable; 

I am reaping the life living rewards of following His Precious ways.

As I stretch my arms out wide I feel His presence,

and He never fails to give me a timeline glimpse of where I once was,

to where He has brought me to.

I am utterly overwhelmed by His love I can't keep my arms down-

He is more than worthy of praise!

He is my Amazing!

He is my guide- and He loves me- 

and I

Love- Him - too!

In the midst of beautiful song and worship I am drawn by Him to feel closer-

I stretch my arms out

and

HE SETS ME FREE!

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God"  Colossians 3:16