What I am feeling today…


After such an encouraging and sobering weekend I awoke with so many things going on in my head.

It seems like so many people are going through things. Not just the little everyday things; but BIG major things. In the midst of that we have been having some…out of this world services. Not just in the worship; but in the words coming across the pulpit. Strong words. Words that make you consider. Words that are asking you for a choice. Decide. Commit.

I kept hearing the Lord say today…”I’ve given you a glimpse of things to come…”.

I feel like He’s showed us a glimpse of the types of things we could be facing on a smaller scale. Not so much the pressure from the outside yet; but as was said this weekend the pressure from within. Not just from others; but the Lord is turning up the fire in our own individual lives. Causing things to happen to push us closer to Him. To get plain with it…He wants us to give up COMPLETELY. Ashamedly I admit to not doing that. Telling the Lord He can have this much…and even that sometimes comes with an IF attached.

I kept thinking Lord you’ve given us a glimpse of the power, the glory, the joy; and yes the victory that’s ahead for your people, now am I ready to jump in with both feet? No reservations. He’s showed me what freedom really looks and feels like, now do I want it bad enough to GIVE UP myself, my goals, my dreams, my ideals to have Him? Am I ready to close my eyes and give Him my hand? To REALLY let Him lead???? To really walk in the spirit. Not just worship in the service; but to REALLY let it lead us. In our daily lives. Working on our jobs. Raising our children. In our marriages. Am I ready to let go and let HIM??

I was talking to a good friend this weekend and I said you know you don’t just make this decision once a day…every time you come to a situation (which may be 5,000 situations a day) you have to stop…consider…and follow the Lord. If you fall on one get up and confront the next situation. It is a DAILY…hourly…and yes sometimes minute to minute struggle; but as seen this weekend He has given us the power to do it. To overcome in those steps if we will take that spirit we all like to wade in and put it to use as it was really meant to be used.

For most of my life I think that I have worshipped and drank of the Holy Ghost; but have failed to USE it as the tool that it really is. It is to help us…give us power to overcome our very nature!!!! To change the person that we’ve always been into the person He has always known we could be.

Read: Romans 8!!!

Zechariah 4:6 “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This [is] the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”

The Lord is so near right now. Helping, wooing, encouraging. He’s giving so much grace and so much help to those that are willing to call on Him. Those willing to step on in and finally overcome those areas in their lives that have been holding them back for years. I can tell you it’s hard to sit in a service and not feel the victory in people’s lives. It’s almost like you can reach out and grab onto it. It’s that obtainable!!! It’s THAT real!!!! It’s right here!!!! Reach out and grab it!!!

Lay hold on your salvation the glory of the Lord is at hand!!!!

Power of Prayer

Something I've been thinking about tonight.  I overheard a younger woman asking a little bit older woman what bit of advice they would give a newly married couple.  As she was speaking my heart screamed out within me LEARN HOW TO PRAY.  Not that marriage is all difficulties (some parts are); but it is so important to develop that relationship with the Lord so that when the hard times come you know right where to go.  I felt like shouting it from the roof tops.  Don't be timid about calling on the name of the Lord.  He is the one that can make the difference between a marriage surviving or failing.  I know this for a fact.  I have failed to use this tool as often as I should and have lived to regret it severely sometimes!!!  You may not always have time to take an hour to pray; but if you've spent time doing that when you DO have time you will be able to tap into that strength and connection at a moments notice.  I wish I could get over how important this is by just writing it.

PRAY   PRAY   PRAY   PRAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

I love to read and have gained a lot of knowledge about life from books; but I have also found in marriage and in parenting that if I will take the time to talk to the Lord He will without fail lead me in the right direction.  He will give me the answer I need if I will go to Him.  When all else fails ask the Master.

My Little Bit turns 4

Today I have been reflecting a lot.  My oldest has turned 4 today and I am just thinking how blessed and thankful I am she is in my life.  I am not the greatest parent and she has been very patient with me while I learned; but when she tells me I Love You Momma...melts my heart.  I literally have 10,000 pics; but here is a little review in pics. 

Nana

PawPaw

Mamaw

Papaw

On the road home

Her foot to Phillip's thumb

Today at 4.

Well ain't God good!! 
To give us so many blessings
Undeserved that's what we are.
We ought to praise Him
Love and thank Him.
A little more today
And a whole lot more tomorrow!!!

She spent 17 days in the hospital.  It would take a year to tell everything that happened in those 17 days; but suffice it to say the Lord watched over our little girl and has continued to watch over her.  I ask the Lord often to make her a pillar in the house of the Lord.  I think He does have a special place for her someday.  As well as her little sister :o)

I've made up my Mind

{Can't get this song out of my head}



I've made up my mind (Commitment)

I've counted the cost (Putting Him first)

I'll take the way with the chosen of the Lord (Chosing a path)

Why should I worry or fret (Chosing to believe)

My God has never failed me yet (Standing on your faith)

I've made up mind I've counted the cost (Determination)

And I must go on (VICTORY!!!!)

Time Slipping Away

Tonight I was wrestling around with my little ones and the thought hit me..."how much time I have wasted worrying about trivial things".  Yes a clean house, clean clothes, etc...IS important; but how that I have allowed myself to become so frustrated in this area that sometimes I have forgotten to just ENJOY my children.  Sometimes just shoving them out of the way so I can have "ME" time.  The contrast to tonight playing and laughing with them was so glaring!!  As we rolled around on the floor laughing and playing I thought about how much fun I was having. 

I tend to get so caught up in the "The first five years are the most important years of your child's life" complex that I forget to have fun with them, hold them, love on them, play with them.  Instead of trying to make them into perfect little robots I need to just relax and LIVE.  Opportunities to teach them will present themselves.  Life will see to that...the Lord will see to that.  WOW!!!  It's a shame I am just realizing this as my oldest will soon be turning 4.

As I held and prayed with my kids tonight I thought what perfect little jewels I have been given.

My oldest is so loving and craves nothing; but my attention.  Yes this can be exhausting at times; but what an easy thing to give her.  Doesn't require money or some big to do!!  The things that make her happy are when I reach out and grab her hand or take the time to hold her tight.  How precious a gift to be given someone that loves to just be with me.  How fortunate I am to have the chance to love and be loved.

My youngest is loving as well; but instead loves you to play with her.  She loves to wrestle and tickle and read and play.  She also loves to spend time with me; but in a different way.  Setting up the table and playing tea party or dress up or babies makes her face shine with joy.  This also can be something that takes up a lot of my time; but what better use of my time then watching my children grow and learn.  How blessed the Lord has made me to give me someone to play with and learn from.

Tonight as my children sleep in the other room I feel my need ever more to lay down my life for them and my husband.  To put aside my "ideas" about life and just LIVE the wonderful life I have been given.  Help me Lord to take it one day at a time and hold onto the moments I have been given.  Not to stress out about "making" them into good girls; but instead to realize that they "ARE" good girls and take the teaching opportunities as they come.  To understand that my job is to teach, to guide; and to encourage WITH LOVE.  

Tonight marks Day 6 of Potty Training "Camp" for my baby.  She is 2 years and 5 months on the 5th. She has gone for 2 Days with no accidents and is waking up completely dry.  WooHOO!!!!

I am so proud of her!!!  After pottying in my shoes (yes you read that right :o)  on Friday I had about given up hope and then it seems that something clicked and she got it.  Thank you Lord :o)

My babies are growing up.  Tonight I feel the time slipping right through my fingers. 

It's not her actual birthday yet but: 

My little bit was 3 lbs and 3 ozs when she was born and will be four in a couple of weeks and I am realizing how that time flies so quickly. Even though it seems so long ago I can still close my eyes and I am immediately transported back to her room in the NICU. Holding her in my arms…singing to her hymns…and encouraging her to keep pushing on!! Oh how the Lord carried me through those times and blessed me with a beautiful, smart; and loving little girl when it seemed that all hope was gone!! Thank you Lord for the hard times that have taught me to cherish the good times!!!