Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Thankful
I receive a daily devotional in my email every morning. I try to make sure it's the first thing I read when I get online. I received two not long ago that I know God sent to me. I have been struggling lately and these two spoke to my soul. Hope you are encouraged!
Beauty
Pretty, Pretty Princess
By Micca Campbell
“Your beauty should not come for outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is of great worth in God’s sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful.” 1 Peter 3:3-4
Devotion:
The other day I came across a photo of my daughter’s first school dance. She looked like a Princess. Part of her fun that evening was getting dressed up for the event. Like most girls, Peyton has loved playing dress-up since she was a little girl. I have many pictures of her dressed up like a bride, a princess, or a ballerina. Peyton loved playing dress-up so much that one year on her birthday I bought her a board game called “Pretty, Pretty Princess.”
Quickly, it became her favorite game. With each turn, the player had the opportunity to put on an earring, a necklace, or a bracelet according to which card was drawn. You won the game if you drew the Princess crown! I can still recall how cute it was watching her play with her daddy, and how fun it was to see him wearing the plastic jewelry. One time, he actually answered the front door wearing his Pretty, Pretty Princess jewels. Looking back over the years, I’ve come to realize that Peyton is not alone. No matter how old we get as women, we still long to be as beautiful as a princess. That desire is a God-given desire. However, since we live in a fallen world, we often try to fill our God-given desires in unhealthy ways. For example, the world tells us in order to be beautiful we must be a perfect size, have no defects, and a cover-girl face. Anybody measure up? I know I don't. Most of us probably don't but secretly we wish we did. How do I know? Just look at the millions of dollars spent every year on cosmetics, lotions, surgeries, and beauty aids. I can't say that I wouldn't like a lift and a tuck myself!Turning on the TV or looking at what women are wearing today will give us evidence that we've allowed the world to shape our views on beauty. The world encourages us to seek a beauty that only lasts for a brief amount of time. God encourages us to cultivate a beauty that will never fade but only grow more beautiful with time. God's Word always has a way of bringing me back to truth. It removes the pressures of what the world says, and allows me to be nothing more than who God created me to be...beautiful in His sight.
Besides, if you’re a child of the King, then you’re already a princess. “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9). You and I were not only called out of our sin into the saving light of Christ, but we were made daughters of the King. As royal princesses, who cares what the world says? God’s princesses come in all shapes and sizes—and He loves them all!
Dear Lord, Help me not to focus on my outward appearance more than I should. Instead, give me a greater desire to cultivate my inner beauty that grows more attractive with time, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
By Micca Campbell
“Your beauty should not come for outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is of great worth in God’s sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful.” 1 Peter 3:3-4
Devotion:
The other day I came across a photo of my daughter’s first school dance. She looked like a Princess. Part of her fun that evening was getting dressed up for the event. Like most girls, Peyton has loved playing dress-up since she was a little girl. I have many pictures of her dressed up like a bride, a princess, or a ballerina. Peyton loved playing dress-up so much that one year on her birthday I bought her a board game called “Pretty, Pretty Princess.”
Quickly, it became her favorite game. With each turn, the player had the opportunity to put on an earring, a necklace, or a bracelet according to which card was drawn. You won the game if you drew the Princess crown! I can still recall how cute it was watching her play with her daddy, and how fun it was to see him wearing the plastic jewelry. One time, he actually answered the front door wearing his Pretty, Pretty Princess jewels. Looking back over the years, I’ve come to realize that Peyton is not alone. No matter how old we get as women, we still long to be as beautiful as a princess. That desire is a God-given desire. However, since we live in a fallen world, we often try to fill our God-given desires in unhealthy ways. For example, the world tells us in order to be beautiful we must be a perfect size, have no defects, and a cover-girl face. Anybody measure up? I know I don't. Most of us probably don't but secretly we wish we did. How do I know? Just look at the millions of dollars spent every year on cosmetics, lotions, surgeries, and beauty aids. I can't say that I wouldn't like a lift and a tuck myself!Turning on the TV or looking at what women are wearing today will give us evidence that we've allowed the world to shape our views on beauty. The world encourages us to seek a beauty that only lasts for a brief amount of time. God encourages us to cultivate a beauty that will never fade but only grow more beautiful with time. God's Word always has a way of bringing me back to truth. It removes the pressures of what the world says, and allows me to be nothing more than who God created me to be...beautiful in His sight.
Besides, if you’re a child of the King, then you’re already a princess. “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9). You and I were not only called out of our sin into the saving light of Christ, but we were made daughters of the King. As royal princesses, who cares what the world says? God’s princesses come in all shapes and sizes—and He loves them all!
Dear Lord, Help me not to focus on my outward appearance more than I should. Instead, give me a greater desire to cultivate my inner beauty that grows more attractive with time, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Overlooked
Overlooked By Everyone Else
Lysa TerKeurst
“After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart, he will do everything I want him to do.’” Acts 13:22 (NIV)
Devotion:
Sometimes I wake up on Monday mornings a little grumpy. Time to do it all again. I'll buy food that gets eaten. I'll wash clothes that get dirty again. I'll sweep floors that an hour later will be littered with crumbs. Is there more to all this than just doing the tasks of everyday life?Before I jumped into the normal routine this morning, I sat with Jesus. And I found some big truths as I took a little glance into David's life. Despite how others saw him, his own propensity to sin, and lack of position in his own family, David had the sweet reassurance of God and that was enough.
Overlooked by everyone else. Handpicked by God.To his older brothers, David was a pest. To his father, Jesse, he was just the youngest son. To on-lookers, he was just a shepherd boy. But to God, he was the one destined to be king. And not just any king. His lineage was the one from whom Jesus would come.Overlooked by everyone else. Handpicked by God.Even how David was anointed to be the future king is a telling story. In 1 Samuel 16, God tells Samuel that He has rejected Saul as king and chosen one of Jesse's sons to be the replacement. Think of the list of qualifications that must have run through Samuel's mind for such a position: tall, smart, articulate, brave, groomed, well mannered, a natural born leader. "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his outward appearance or his height, for I have rejected him (meaning Saul who had these qualities). The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (verse 7).Overlooked by everyone else. Handpicked by God.Samuel had Jesse line up all of his sons before him. All of them were to be looked at. Yet, Jesse doesn't call David in from tending sheep. Was this an oversight? An assumption? A judgment call? A necessity? A deliberate choice?Overlooked by everyone else. Handpicked by God.Samuel passes on each of Jesse's sons and then asks, "Are these all the sons you have?"I imagine Jesse with a quizzical expression replying, "There is still the youngest but he is tending sheep." Surely one who spends his time taking care of animals is not the one to take care of a nation. Overlooked by everyone else. Handpicked by God.As soon as Samuel saw him, he knew he was the one. David was anointed to become king. But he was not immediately ushered to the throne. It was years before David would be recognized by the world. So, where did he go after being anointed as king? To a refining school? A government academy? Military training? Nope.He went back out into the fields and continued to shepherd his flock. A king doing lowly tasks. A king whose character was being refined in the fields of everyday life to prepare him for his calling.How like us. In the midst of smelly laundry, dirty dishes, snotty noses, misplaced keys, overdue library books, bills, and that birthday gift that still needs to be mailed to grandma - there is training there. There is character building. There is attitude shaping. There is soul defining. There is heart grounding. All of which must take place for us to become what God intends.Ever feel overlooked by the world? Take heart sister- we are handpicked by God.I am not just doing tasks. I am building a legacy. I am shaping God's kingdom. I am in the process of not only discovering my calling but that of my family as well. And I don't know about you, but it sure does make me look at my everyday tasks... even the smelly laundry in a whole different light.
Lysa TerKeurst
“After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart, he will do everything I want him to do.’” Acts 13:22 (NIV)
Devotion:
Sometimes I wake up on Monday mornings a little grumpy. Time to do it all again. I'll buy food that gets eaten. I'll wash clothes that get dirty again. I'll sweep floors that an hour later will be littered with crumbs. Is there more to all this than just doing the tasks of everyday life?Before I jumped into the normal routine this morning, I sat with Jesus. And I found some big truths as I took a little glance into David's life. Despite how others saw him, his own propensity to sin, and lack of position in his own family, David had the sweet reassurance of God and that was enough.
Overlooked by everyone else. Handpicked by God.To his older brothers, David was a pest. To his father, Jesse, he was just the youngest son. To on-lookers, he was just a shepherd boy. But to God, he was the one destined to be king. And not just any king. His lineage was the one from whom Jesus would come.Overlooked by everyone else. Handpicked by God.Even how David was anointed to be the future king is a telling story. In 1 Samuel 16, God tells Samuel that He has rejected Saul as king and chosen one of Jesse's sons to be the replacement. Think of the list of qualifications that must have run through Samuel's mind for such a position: tall, smart, articulate, brave, groomed, well mannered, a natural born leader. "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his outward appearance or his height, for I have rejected him (meaning Saul who had these qualities). The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (verse 7).Overlooked by everyone else. Handpicked by God.Samuel had Jesse line up all of his sons before him. All of them were to be looked at. Yet, Jesse doesn't call David in from tending sheep. Was this an oversight? An assumption? A judgment call? A necessity? A deliberate choice?Overlooked by everyone else. Handpicked by God.Samuel passes on each of Jesse's sons and then asks, "Are these all the sons you have?"I imagine Jesse with a quizzical expression replying, "There is still the youngest but he is tending sheep." Surely one who spends his time taking care of animals is not the one to take care of a nation. Overlooked by everyone else. Handpicked by God.As soon as Samuel saw him, he knew he was the one. David was anointed to become king. But he was not immediately ushered to the throne. It was years before David would be recognized by the world. So, where did he go after being anointed as king? To a refining school? A government academy? Military training? Nope.He went back out into the fields and continued to shepherd his flock. A king doing lowly tasks. A king whose character was being refined in the fields of everyday life to prepare him for his calling.How like us. In the midst of smelly laundry, dirty dishes, snotty noses, misplaced keys, overdue library books, bills, and that birthday gift that still needs to be mailed to grandma - there is training there. There is character building. There is attitude shaping. There is soul defining. There is heart grounding. All of which must take place for us to become what God intends.Ever feel overlooked by the world? Take heart sister- we are handpicked by God.I am not just doing tasks. I am building a legacy. I am shaping God's kingdom. I am in the process of not only discovering my calling but that of my family as well. And I don't know about you, but it sure does make me look at my everyday tasks... even the smelly laundry in a whole different light.
Dear Lord, thank you that even when I feel overlooked, I can rest in the fact that I am handpicked by You. Help me to live my life for an audience of One. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Reading
I have always been an avid reader. Not sure when it started, but I can remember bugging my mom to order from the scholastic book order from school. I loved the library and when in high school I was thrilled to be hired to work there. After having babies, toddlers and now school age kids, finding time to read is a bit hard. But I have pressed on and the reading bug has hit again.
I've always hoped that my own kids would love reading as much as I do. I started reading to them since the very beginning. Gabriel is in 2nd grade now and loves to read. He comes home every Monday with two new books from the library. I have started reading chapter books to the kids each night which even Lillian at 4 will sit and listen. I do have to pick books that does have a picture every few pages. But it's amazing that they can sit and remember the story line. After I read to them, I let Gabriel stay up and read his own books for awhile. He loves that I let him do this, but I look at it as just encouraging reading. Though he looks at it that he can stay up a bit longer. lol
Victoria's teacher highly encourages reading to the kids and I have to fill out a reading log every night for her. If you aren't already reading to your own kids, I encourage you to do so. I know we're all tired at the end of the day and some nights I have to drag myself to their rooms. But it's also quality time where we sit together and read. I know this is also laying the foundation that as they get older it will turn into talking time for more serious conversations.
A little hint, make sure you pick a book that sounds interesting to you as well as the kids. There is nothing worse than reading a book that you find boring. Also, pick books with good morals and values. I just ordered the whole Little House box set. I loved these books as a kid and I know my own will love them as well. And if you haven't picked up a book for you lately, go get one!!!! If money is a bit tight, head to the library. Also Hastings sells used books at great prices!!!!
I've always hoped that my own kids would love reading as much as I do. I started reading to them since the very beginning. Gabriel is in 2nd grade now and loves to read. He comes home every Monday with two new books from the library. I have started reading chapter books to the kids each night which even Lillian at 4 will sit and listen. I do have to pick books that does have a picture every few pages. But it's amazing that they can sit and remember the story line. After I read to them, I let Gabriel stay up and read his own books for awhile. He loves that I let him do this, but I look at it as just encouraging reading. Though he looks at it that he can stay up a bit longer. lol
Victoria's teacher highly encourages reading to the kids and I have to fill out a reading log every night for her. If you aren't already reading to your own kids, I encourage you to do so. I know we're all tired at the end of the day and some nights I have to drag myself to their rooms. But it's also quality time where we sit together and read. I know this is also laying the foundation that as they get older it will turn into talking time for more serious conversations.
A little hint, make sure you pick a book that sounds interesting to you as well as the kids. There is nothing worse than reading a book that you find boring. Also, pick books with good morals and values. I just ordered the whole Little House box set. I loved these books as a kid and I know my own will love them as well. And if you haven't picked up a book for you lately, go get one!!!! If money is a bit tight, head to the library. Also Hastings sells used books at great prices!!!!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Unknown
I am coming upon a path that is unknown to me. My youngest will be entering Kindergarten in the fall. To think that all my babies are growing up is scary. I've been a mom to little ones for 7 years now. Tony and I agreed that if at all possible I would be home with them. And praise God that has been a reality for us. I've enjoyed every minute of it and don't regret our decision at all. But now with these days quickly coming to an end I feel so lost. I plan to be in the schools most of the week helping out in the classes, helping with PTO stuff, etc. But most mornings I will come home from dropping them off and find myself in a silent house. I'm very scared of this new event. People are constantly asking me what am I going to do all day? I feel all this pressure to know who I will be, what I will be doing. I feel pressure to run and get a job as saying oh I'll be staying home alone to clean and love my family by serving them sounds horrible. I have been praying about it, and I feel this peace about staying home and tending to house stuff that gets passed over as you take care of little ones. You know all those baseboards that should be wiped down or given a fresh coat of paint?! lol
I am earnestly seeking God's guidence in all of this. While thinking of all this, I was reminded by Lillian at how children seem to face the unknown head on at times. It may be a bit scary, but they know with us near-by they will be ok. I took this photo of Lillian the other day as she was on the trampoline, but she was unsure about doing something new. Here is the result of some guidence and now she enjoys it so much.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Hard
Tony is coming home today after being gone for a week. He has been in Atlanta for work. We've missed him so much and I'm reminded at how much we rely on each other daily. The time apart has helped me remember to cherish every moment. I was listening to a podcast from the wife who lost her husband in the Columbia disaster. It's amazing all the little things you remember and miss. My prayer is that we will never forget to express and show our love to one another.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Field Trip
Today Victoria's class went to our local pumpkin patch. She was very excited and talked about riding the bus days prior to the trip. It was a fun field trip as each child got to pick a pumpkin, learn about pumpkins, go through the maze and see farm animals. I took some good photos which is always a plus for those scrapbooks. But more importantly I got to spend time with Victoria outside of home. It was fun to see her relate to her classmates and how she still is so young trying to grow up so fast. As we were pulling into the school she started to cry. This is something that has been happening at school quite frequently. We still aren't sure what sets her off, but it is usually something so small that she makes into something huge in her thoughts. So today it was that I don't do anything fun with her. I am starting to see that these episodes are pointing to something deeper within her that she doesn't know how to communicate otherwise. I was able to calm her down and explain that only she and I went on the field trip that morning and her sister or brother didn't get to come. I think what she was trying to tell me is that she needs one on one time more often. Her other meltdowns have been how she misses Gabriel. And one other day she had somehow thought that only she was left at school and the rest of us went somewhere. Now even with three kids with three different classes, teachers and schedules, we have tried so hard to give that attention and time to each one. But apparently Victoria is needing more of it. So over the next few weeks I will be looking for ways to provide that for her. Maybe she only goes to the grocery store with me, crafts that we can do when others are gone and quiet time together before bed. I think that will help, but I will also be pouring my heart with fears, hopes and dreams before God. Only He can fill that empty place in her heart that she is feeling.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
I have finally found my grove again. Probably helped that I just finished up a crop at ScrapnCircle this past week. I am now hoping to be able to continue and get more pages done. I hope that whatever hobby you have, that you are able to spend a little time enjoying it this coming weekend!!!
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Wives
During my quiet time tonight I came across verses that I need to refocus on. I am in a spiritual unequal marriage. Even though my husband goes to church with me and encourages the children to learn and grow, there is still that part where I feel a separation. I have struggled with having married Tony even though I knew it was wrong based on God's word. God has shown me that I have never asked for forgiveness for being disobedient. And there has been guilt and shame from this. I do know and believe that God has blessed us greatly and only good can come from this.
God has reminded me again that it is my job to continue to be an example for my husband. And there are many times when I am exhausted and just don't want to. And for me, my example needs to come from the way I talk about people and my feelings towards his family. This is where our biggest issue lies and I have to remember that I am that example whether I want to be or not.
"Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your live." 1 Peter 3:1-2
I believe that God put these verses and commandments in the bible is because He knew some of us would be unequally yoked. I look at this as a chance to help do my part in helping my husband accept Christ. I can't make him do anything, but my actions can help close the gap either way.
God has reminded me again that it is my job to continue to be an example for my husband. And there are many times when I am exhausted and just don't want to. And for me, my example needs to come from the way I talk about people and my feelings towards his family. This is where our biggest issue lies and I have to remember that I am that example whether I want to be or not.
"Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your live." 1 Peter 3:1-2
I believe that God put these verses and commandments in the bible is because He knew some of us would be unequally yoked. I look at this as a chance to help do my part in helping my husband accept Christ. I can't make him do anything, but my actions can help close the gap either way.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Revalation
I've been going thru a very rough few weeks, 6 to be exact. Being the Christian woman, my own advice that I give to friends is: just pray about it, it will get better. And now being on other side of that advice, I've found that it's not that easy to do just that.
There have been some major attacks on our marriage. And when it started, it came full force. Usually I have seen that things will start small and either build or will quickly go away. This time has not been the case. There has been blow and after blow. It's almost like these bombs are exploding and you can't seem to come up for air.
Until tonight, I've been trying to fix it as best as I can. If I take care of the house better, dress better, be a better wife, then my husband will respond to me and that will fill the missing link. And as I work a little more, the problem seems to get bigger.
This week has just been so draining. And today I seemed to be completely out of steam. After babysitting all day, getting kids to and from sports, coming home and feeding everyone, only to then go to the grocery store and finally at 8pm I can finally eat some dinner. As hubby was getting ready to leave and joking around, my tears couldn't be contained anymore. He has been working 6 days a week for the last 5 weeks and we've hardly seen each other. He asked what was wrong and what has been bugging me for the last 5 weeks is that he just doesn't listen to me. And I could see my words struck something deep in his heart. I wasn't mad or angry with him, I am lonely. Words were said and a promise that next week he would be back to "normal" working hours.
It was then that I realized I've been looking to my husband to fill that emptiness in my heart. That part that is sad, lonely, hurt, and betrayed. My husband can't keep all his promises. I pulled out my devotional that my MOPS steering team is doing. With the stress of the last few weeks, my quiet time got pushed to the side. I opened it and started reading. The more I read tonight the more my eyes have been opened. This month's chapters are on Jesus as he travels teaching others. So many parts spoke to me.
First, we need to come before God and have our quiet time with him. This is when God will meet those needs that only He can. In order for Him to meet us, we have to come before Him and spend time with him daily. And a huge part of that time is being still and listening. Even Jesus needed time away from the people and his disciples. Second, when the storms are raging around us, He is there. We have to keep our eyes on Jesus to make it through those storms. And if we don't, we'll be just like Peter, sinking and crying out, Save Me.
Tonight as I read and prayed and was still before God, he reminded me of my past. This current storm I'm in really isn't all that new to me. Over 8 years ago, I went through a very hard time in my life. And when things started falling down around me, I took my eyes off Jesus and I started sinking. I look back on that time that I was under water for a very long time. It was so long that the side affects still plague me to this day. But, God is also faithful and though the scars are still there, they are not as deep as before. God reminded me tonight that Satan is attacking us because he sees that God is working. And because I'm a child of the King, Satan can't take that away. But he can paralyze me and make me ineffective for God's kingdom. So while I have felt like walking away from it all, I have been reminded what happened the last time I did that.
My only true joy, hope and peace comes from resting in God. How amazing that God doesn't give us 2nd chances, but He continually keeps calling us back. While laying in bed giving praise, a song came on that I love. It's by Jaci Velasquez, "I Will Rest In You." In order to make it through the storms of life, we must always come before the Lord. I feel so honored now that God has called me to stand in the gap. The spiritual warfare that we are facing is real. But so is God and only He can meet the needs our soul desires and thirsts for.
I came upon this verse from a blog and it was just so powerful to me.
Psalm 56:8 (The Message)
"You've kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless nights, Each tear entered in your ledger, each ache written in your book."
There is something so powerful in that. So many times I feel that at night is when I can release my emotions because my family can't see them. But that is also the time when I feel so alone. What an awesome reminder that God sees it all, even those times at 3am when we can't sleep. How awesome is our God!!!
There have been some major attacks on our marriage. And when it started, it came full force. Usually I have seen that things will start small and either build or will quickly go away. This time has not been the case. There has been blow and after blow. It's almost like these bombs are exploding and you can't seem to come up for air.
Until tonight, I've been trying to fix it as best as I can. If I take care of the house better, dress better, be a better wife, then my husband will respond to me and that will fill the missing link. And as I work a little more, the problem seems to get bigger.
This week has just been so draining. And today I seemed to be completely out of steam. After babysitting all day, getting kids to and from sports, coming home and feeding everyone, only to then go to the grocery store and finally at 8pm I can finally eat some dinner. As hubby was getting ready to leave and joking around, my tears couldn't be contained anymore. He has been working 6 days a week for the last 5 weeks and we've hardly seen each other. He asked what was wrong and what has been bugging me for the last 5 weeks is that he just doesn't listen to me. And I could see my words struck something deep in his heart. I wasn't mad or angry with him, I am lonely. Words were said and a promise that next week he would be back to "normal" working hours.
It was then that I realized I've been looking to my husband to fill that emptiness in my heart. That part that is sad, lonely, hurt, and betrayed. My husband can't keep all his promises. I pulled out my devotional that my MOPS steering team is doing. With the stress of the last few weeks, my quiet time got pushed to the side. I opened it and started reading. The more I read tonight the more my eyes have been opened. This month's chapters are on Jesus as he travels teaching others. So many parts spoke to me.
First, we need to come before God and have our quiet time with him. This is when God will meet those needs that only He can. In order for Him to meet us, we have to come before Him and spend time with him daily. And a huge part of that time is being still and listening. Even Jesus needed time away from the people and his disciples. Second, when the storms are raging around us, He is there. We have to keep our eyes on Jesus to make it through those storms. And if we don't, we'll be just like Peter, sinking and crying out, Save Me.
Tonight as I read and prayed and was still before God, he reminded me of my past. This current storm I'm in really isn't all that new to me. Over 8 years ago, I went through a very hard time in my life. And when things started falling down around me, I took my eyes off Jesus and I started sinking. I look back on that time that I was under water for a very long time. It was so long that the side affects still plague me to this day. But, God is also faithful and though the scars are still there, they are not as deep as before. God reminded me tonight that Satan is attacking us because he sees that God is working. And because I'm a child of the King, Satan can't take that away. But he can paralyze me and make me ineffective for God's kingdom. So while I have felt like walking away from it all, I have been reminded what happened the last time I did that.
My only true joy, hope and peace comes from resting in God. How amazing that God doesn't give us 2nd chances, but He continually keeps calling us back. While laying in bed giving praise, a song came on that I love. It's by Jaci Velasquez, "I Will Rest In You." In order to make it through the storms of life, we must always come before the Lord. I feel so honored now that God has called me to stand in the gap. The spiritual warfare that we are facing is real. But so is God and only He can meet the needs our soul desires and thirsts for.
I came upon this verse from a blog and it was just so powerful to me.
Psalm 56:8 (The Message)
"You've kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless nights, Each tear entered in your ledger, each ache written in your book."
There is something so powerful in that. So many times I feel that at night is when I can release my emotions because my family can't see them. But that is also the time when I feel so alone. What an awesome reminder that God sees it all, even those times at 3am when we can't sleep. How awesome is our God!!!
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