Be the Blessing...

What does that mean? We have been discussing this on a daily basis as a family. What can we do today to be a blessing? It started out at bedtime one night when we were all getting ready to pray. I started asking the boys what they felt it meant to be a blessing to someone. We also talked about what it would be to be a blessing to each other. Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:31 This is like the golden rule after all right? Brothers will be brothers of course, but we were talking about lifting each other up. Saying positive things and looking for the good in what each other does rather than looking for what they might do wrong. At the same time we know that we can be a blessing to others wherever we may go. Follow God's example...Ephesians 5:1 What can we do for others to be a blessing? One answer was give money if they needed help. Yes, we can give money but it doesn't always have to be about money to be a blessing. We can help someone...another answer. Yes, we can help someone for sure. Maybe there is something that needs to be done and someone needs help. "See a need, fill a need"... from Robots. This is kind of a little motto in our house. This can be anything! Even if you see something laying around and you know it needs to be picked up...you see a need...you fill a need! We are told in Matthew 5:16...In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Let our light shine! Let God's radiance be seen wherever we are! No, we aren't perfect...and we never will be this side of heaven. However, we know that we can work miracles in people and around us every day just by being kind and somehow being a blessing wherever we are. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. Who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28.  What happens when you put others above yourself? What a difference we can make if we only look past ourselves to see what someone else might need. Whether it is an encouraging word, a praise, help where needed, maybe it is monetary...a blessing can be as small as a smile and a simple thank you. Maybe it is a hug to someone who needs it! BE THE BLESSING!!! Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather in humility value others above yourselves. Not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4. As I tell my boys, this world is hard enough. Kids (and adults) are put down and drug down on a daily basis. Be the one to share a smile and a pat on the back. Be the one to support and say "good job". I hope we all remember the next time we are in a restaurant...or in a store...in a parking lot...on the ball field or in the stands...no one is perfect.  Everyone makes mistakes and everyone has a bad day...they don't need to be reminded from you. Be the blessing and share an encouraging word.  You never know what that person is going through or what they are dealing with. The Lord Bless you and keep you. Numbers 6:24

Speak It...

It has been a long time and I was recently asked why I hadn't been writing in my blog...I didn't really have an answer for it other than well life's is just busy with four boys. I miss writing and I think about it often with anticipation of STARTING...but not sitting down to actually START.

God has placed upon my heart lately about being obedient. Being obedient to HIM! There have been some things I have been struggling with and honestly God has been spelling the answers out in front of me LITERALLY! I am not listening. I am not trusting. I am not being faithful that he will accomplish and do what I know only He CAN do. So afraid of making a mistake and so afraid of not making the right decision and because of this I am missing the blessing. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will NOT be afraid...Psalm 56:4 Why am I not faithful to believe God can do ALL that he says he will do. Why do I second guess what God is saying for me to do. Why am I letting Satan win the battle of the mind in telling me I am wrong. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on water and came toward Jesus. Matthew 14:30  FAITH...have faith that God will save me and protect me. TRUST...that he is always with me and will never leave me.

For so long in our lives I believe we have just been content or maybe the word is complacent...these two words have been bouncing around in my mind for months. What is it to be content? What is it to be complacent? We have looked at life as "well this is the way it is...this is what you do...this is the norm...this is the way things are...this is what my parents did their whole life". However, over the last year or so we have realized that what we were living was a lie and was not the truth so we chose to SPEAK IT! SPEAK LIFE...SPEAK HOPE... SPEAK with PURPOSE....... We have found that the little world we were living in was just that...a little world and that there is this great big world out there that we thought for certain we couldn't enjoy...we just couldn't.  We saw from others what life could be like and for a moment you feel...well that could never be me.  Why not? Why not me? Why not us? Why not? So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid..." Hebrews 13:6 I will never know until I try and step out in Faith and let God have complete control of the decisions and of the situation. So if I give God control...am I going to listen when he spells out the answers in front of me? Am I going to listen to what he is calling me to do? For us it is a time of change. There are some things that need to change and God is laying the path in front of us. WE MUST FOLLOW! WE MUST BE FAITHFUL!

I know that the Lord puts certain people in our lives to help us...to be better people and to GROW! Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain; to the place where you dwell Psalm 43:3 . I truly feel we are at the foot of this great mountain....we are taking our first steps as we climb...each step may not be solid and each step may not be stable but we know God has placed the mountain in front of us for a reason. WE MUST CLIMB! Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead...1 Samuel 17:49. The battle is never too big when Go has control. We are on a journey...it may be only the beginning of our journey but God has placed it before us and we will watch as He unfolds each step for us. If you think of us...pray for these steps...pray that I will be faithful and listen as God commands me to move forward and to know the right steps to take as I do.