Hump Day!

Remember that we all have a purpose in this life. Listen to God and allow him to speak to your heart. I hope you all are having a blessed week. I pray this lifts your spirits and helps you get over the "hump," whatever it may be for you this week. God Bless!

Pray for EVERYTHING

God's Peace

Last night my husband and I sat up talking. I'm sure in every marriage at some point you have those talks about life. Things that you both have on your plate, the kids, the finances, etc. We spoke of our burdens as well. I love my husband and am so thankful for him. God blessed me with a wonderful man; the provider, father and husband. He amazes me. As a woman, we are natural worriers. We worry about the house, our kids, our family, our finances, our friends,...everything. It's nice to know I have someone in my life to lean on and talk to. After our talk last night, even though we talked about good stuff, the obstacles stood out. I went to sleep thankful but my heart was still full of burden. I woke up this morning, read my devotional and it was about God's peace.
He is so faithful. He knew exactly what I needed to hear/read to calm my anxiety. He met me at that place to make sure I felt peace. He reminded me that the closer we are to Him, the safer we are. He is always beside us and within us, helping us not to sink in the deep waves of life. We just have to keep our focus on Him.

Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Called and Qualified

One of our pastors spoke in regards to the picture above this past Sunday and I was moved. It is so true in my life right now. I didn't believe that I would ever be qualified to speak on religion, let alone God, but here I am putting my words out there for all to read. He is helping me to learn all I can so that I can speak truth, and He encouraged me to seek greater counsel by possibly going back to school.. He gives me the words to speak and leads me in the direction I should go. I am so thankful to be on this journey and am excited to see where God will lead me next.

Allowing ourselves to be led.

It's Wednesday and it's been quit a week already. Rylie has been at vacation bible school in the mornings this week and I've taken it as a small preview of what it will be like when she starts school. Getting up in the morning, getting her dressed and driving to drop her off. Then Ashton and I are off on our own for a few hours before picking her up by lunch time. I'm not gonna lie, I shed a few tears thinking about it on Monday after I dropped her off. I'm so ready for her experience all this wonderful life has to offer and for her to become more independent but it's also a sad moment for me. We are closing a chapter in our first baby's life and starting a whole new book in the little series of her life. I'm excited for her and I know she will do great things.
Today I read about viewing each day as an adventure. She writes "instead of starring into the day that is ahead of you, attempting to program it  according to your will, be attentive to Me and to all I have prepared for you." I can honestly say that over the past few months I have gotten better about talking to God throughout my day. Not only to keep a close relationship with Him but also so I will know where He wants me to go. I often find myself saying "Okay God, should I really go through with this?" I tend to ask Him "why?" alot.  I think it's easy for us to forget about Him in the hustle and bustle of every day life. To go our own way instead of the way He would have us go. We have to be willing to follow wherever He leads and trust in Him fully. That is easier said, than done. I've learned that one the hard way. We have to trust that He knows best and that He won't steer us in the wrong direction. Psalm 91:2 reads "...he is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust." He will protect us, and if we trust in Him; He will not lead us astray. I love that about our God. He is EVER faithful.

Peter 2:21

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

Hope, Affliction, Prayer

I have a serious problem with always trying to please everyone. No matter sometimes, what the cost. I tend to go out of my way to be at certain events to show my support; even if it's late, or far away or even if I'm broke. Some would say that's a good characteristic to have, but I see it as a problem. Why? Because when I don't get it in return and my feelings get hurt. I am the type of person that feels that if I do something for you than you'll do the same for me. That's not why I do it though. I do it because I enjoy being supportive to those I love. But I find that more often than not I'm the one that gets stepped on, or forgotten. It can be painful or even make me angry. I don't want to feel that way. I don't want to feel animosity towards anyone. But when you give and give and give, and all they do is take, it makes me wonder what am I doing wrong? It makes me second guess my actions. Should I keep doing what I'm doing, which I consider to be the right thing, even though I get the crappy end of the deal. Or should I just stop in order to not feel this way anymore? I'm lost, and I don't know what I should do. So in times like this, I seek counsel from Him.
I am a follower of Christ. While I am not perfect, and fail at many things, I strive to be whom He wants me to be. With that being said, I know what He wants me to do. In this life we face many obstacles, but we must keep moving forward. With His help we can overcome anything. He doesn't promise that it will be easy but He does promise that He will be there with us every step of the way. To lead us, guide us,...direct our path. So that tells me that while it is difficult and often painful, I must keep doing what I know is the right thing. Even if it never comes back to me. Even if they never notice. I will seek my reward in heaven, from my Heavenly Father. I will not stress on wanting certain results that I think or feel are correct. I will rest assured on His timing, His presence, and His ways.

Romans 12:12 "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer." 

Jesus Calling

I started reading "Jesus Calling: Women's Edition" on Saturday and I am floored by how wonderful it is. Sarah Young is the author and she puts the devotionals in His words and it makes the reading so much more intimate. I find myself wanting to read two devotionals in one day but remind myself that I need to take it at a slow pace so I can really take it all in.
Today's reading was on learning to deepen your dependence on Him. Part of being a follower of Christ means to rely on Him and His teachings and allowing Him to plant His desires within you. Not going the way YOU think you should go, but the way HE would have you go. That has been a tough struggle in my life. I always think I know what's best and that I have it all figured out, when in reality I haven't got a clue. It wasn't until I started seeking God's guidance and praying for Him to direct my path that I started to get an idea of what direction my life needed to go in. The more in depth of a relationship I build with my Heavenly Father, the more He pours into me. For example, I'm in the beginning stages of finding out how I can go theology school. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that I of all people would be interested in that. But I heard God speak to me and I think that this is what He wants me to do. I'm not saying I'm going to become a pastor or preacher, I just think if I'm going to be writing a blog on what I'm reading it would beneficial to me (and my few readers) if I had a background in theology. Who knows what all is in store for me, but I have never been more eager to learn everything I can about His word. As always, I'll be praying for direction and guidance, but I'll also be praying for courage. lol! God knows I'm terrified to try to go back to school, especially with two kids! But as Sarah Young mentions in her book, "True dependence is not simply asking Me to bless what you have decided to do. It is coming to Me with an open mind and heart, inviting Me to plant My desires within you." So that's what I'm doing, opening my mind, my heart and placing complete faith on Him.

Psalm 139: 7-10 NIV

" Where can I go from you Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast." 

Week full of good women!

 I pray that your week is full of blessings from the women you surround yourself with. Whether it be family gatherings during the holiday, play-dates or just having your own quiet time, I pray the spirit be amongst you.

Happy Monday and have a blessed week!