Ok Satan....you win

We keep getting hits from the right and from the left. You get one thing done and something else happens. Days you just want to lay out in the grass with your arms wide open and say "I give up...Satan you win". He knows what buttons to push. He knows how to make you squirm. He knows how to make you lose it and give up hope. He just knows! Then God wakes you up and slaps you around a little bit and shows you that things could be far worse. He shows you that the blessings of this life are not in the things. The things that cost us money and the things that seems so important but in reality they aren't. They are just things. Things that are bought and sold everyday. Things that are forgotten about in a month. Things ...cannot replace life. Life is fragile and fleeting. Life is precious. Time is like gold. Savoring the moments and not the things. The memories. The laughter. When we leave this earth what is left behind? Our things won't matter but the memories will. The impact we made. The lives we changed. The moments we savored. The time we took. The love we gave. The JOY we create. Joy...its a tough one for me. I get down and out easily. I get lost in what needs to be done. What should be done. How much to be done. Often times I don't look at the joy in it. I take it for granted and miss the joy. But today...today I choose Joy. My joy is what makes my kids joy. When I am joyful they are joyful. When I am snappy. They are snappy. When I'm upset. They are upset. Today I choose joy. Find the joy. It may not be easy. It may even be downright painful but look for the JOY. It's there...in everything we do. We just have to look for it. So today Satan doesn't win. The bills may stack up. The car may blow up. That thing you wanted may slip through your fingers. But it's all material. Don't let it steal your joy. Don't let it steal your laughter. Praise God for the things you have that aren't "things".

 

Reflections...

So here lately the blog posts have been about being grateful for the time we have. Finding the joy in the moment and seeing the blessings around me. I was talking with my boys this weekend. We were discussing memories and sometimes the lack of but then also the things that stuck out to them and they remembered most. Years of camping is one of them. We started camping when Dylan was just 6 months old so each of them have so many memories of us together at the lake. Lately we have talked about getting rid of the camper. The boys are getting bigger and our time to be able to go is much more limited with activities going on. However, to my amazement each of them said they would rather have this time together than any vacation we could take. This brought on more thought by me. Making the most of my time with them. Creating so many moments of memories that when they sit down to talk to their kids or grand kids someday that they have so many memories that they don't know where to start or end. What will they remember about me? I am lucky in that I have been able to spend my days with my boys. It's not always been easy and yes we have had to make financial sacrifices for me to do so. Choices we made so that I could be home with the boys. They may not have the newest everything and I might buy their clothes and shoes on sale but the memories I pray we are creating will far outweigh the price of those clothes and shoes...it's just "stuff". Stuff that will not make a lasting impact in or on their lives. I pray that me being with them and the opportunities that we have will give them guidance and choices for the rest of their lives. After all I'm not just raising my boys. We are teaching them to be godly men and fathers and most of all a godly example in all that they do! In the blink of an eye it can all be gone. I want the memories to be great. I want them to know how much they are loved and how much I thank God that he let me be their mommy! I'm so proud of each of my boys and the words that I have written here are here for anyone to read but most of all for my boys to have whenever they want or need it.

Twinkies...

The road less traveled....
It isn't always easy. It isn't always pretty. It's living outside of this world and in Gods light. It's taking a stand and living a life that is reliant on God and not on this world. Living of God and not of this world. It's easy to get caught up in what's in and happening or in what everyone else is doing. God tells us "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." (‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ NIV) we want want others have. We covet and boast about the things of this world. I'm guilty! We've all done it. Do not conform...what does that mean? The definition...
: to be similar to or the same as something
: to obey or agree with something
: to do what other people do : to behave in a way that is accepted by most people...
so we are not suppose to be similar to what the world looks like or agree to what the world says is ok to do...we are to be different. Or , as one of our favorite comedians Tim Hawkins says "twinkies living in a ding dong world"! We should look different. We should act different. People should know us by our fruits... Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control! No, we are not perfect. Yes, we will mess up! But we should desire to be different and we should desire for others to see us as different than what they see of the world. So the next time you are tempted to be part of what God says is wrong and the world says is ok...remember we are called to be twinkies!

Where the sidewalk ends...

...God begins! Out of answers. At the end of your rope. Mission Impossible. No way no how. There is no hope. Do you believe in a path? Do you believe that you are here for a purpose? Do you just need answers or guidance? I believe in a path. A light at the end of the tunnel. The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. A light bulb moment. Whatever you want to call it. God has a plan. "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ NIV) So many times I want things. Did you get that? "THINGS"! Sometimes I want to trust my own way and make up my own right answers instead of going to God for guidance. I want to believe that my way is his way. God reminds me that he is more than "things". That my life was not created to be about "things". My life was created to serve and honor Christ. My life was created for more than I can see? Did you catch that? MORE THAN I CAN SEE. I know that God created me to be the mom of four amazing boys. He created me to instill in them the love that Christ gives in an effort that they love others the same way. He created me to love them, raise them, teach them and challenge them. He has given me this awesome opportunity that is so easy to take for granted. He has given me the opportunity to be a wife to a wonderful godly man. God has given me someone that loves me. That holds me when I'm down and lifts me up when I'm weak. Someone that challenges me to be a better wife and mother. At times I've asked myself "what purpose am I here for. What has God put me on this earth to accomplish?" Often times I have missed the answer in front of my face all along! He tells me to embrace this moment. To see the joy and the glory in what I am getting to do. To see that "yes" you were created for so much more! More love, more hugs, more kisses, more more more... Embrace this time. Love this time. Time that I will never ever EVER have again! When you think you are out of answers. When you think you are out of hope...Seek HIM! "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭33-34‬ NIV) He has the answers! He's the only one that does. I can try to come up with the answer. I can try to find my own way. But it's so much easier if I just let him lead! It's so much easier if I only trust! So when you feel like your sidewalk is ending...know there is someone who can make your path clear again!

Sometimes...

Sometimes you just don't know what to pray for. Some days are hard when you are going through "stuff" ...just everyday ups and downs. But, when you look around you can only feel blessed that your stuff isn't as big as other peoples "stuff". But, your hear aches for what others are going through. Sometimes, I just pray out to God and say "you know my words...you know the words in my heart even if they don't come out of my mouth". He knows what we go through daily and the issues that arise. He knows the people on our heart and the struggles we have daily. The insignificant things...He knows. The big things...He knows. When I feel like I have no direction and clarity on issues I can pray for it. God tells us in James 1..."If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking". (‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬ NLT). Go to him like a parent guiding his child. Ask him for clarity. Ask him for answers and seek his will. I struggle with my will and his will. Let his will be mine and not mine his. He knows the best answer...but I have to seek it from him. For me it is not writing on the wall and an answer is given. But rather a tug at the heart and soul knowing the right thing I should do. The unsettling feeling when I follow a certain path and know that it doesn't feel right. I earnestly pray that my boys seek God in big things and little things. That I can teach them at a young age to ask and seek Gods will in everything. Instead of waiting until later in life to truly seek God as I did. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. "For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." (‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭7-8‬ NIV) "For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." (‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭8‬ NIV)

A Season of Greatness...

I am super proud of all my boys. They are each wonderful and talented in their own ways. But they all possess a kind, servant hearted spirit which makes this momma proud. Today, I wanted to take a few minutes an brag on Mason.

About four years ago he decided he wanted to take some tumbling classes so we started him in one. His interest grew and he decided he wanted to further the tumbling into gymnastics. He was hooked! For the last two years he has worked hard in the gym. He just completed his first season which was phenomenal. For the last year he had been working toward this season of competition. His working consisted of three nights a week in the gym or about 9 hours a week. Plus the work he did at home  on conditioning and skills. His dedication of the last year proved his commitment. I honestly cannot remember him missing a single practice...nor did he want to miss. He looks forward to going and working hard. He looks forward to facing a new conditioning and practice season. He looks forward to learning new skills. He looks forward to conquering those giants! Me, I look forward to when he accomplishes that new goal and reaches that new milestone and looks over to find me in the crowd and gives his momma that thumbs up! That is priceless to me!! Enjoy some of my favorite Mason pics from this season!

The Fear...

The fear of the unknown. The fear of uncertainty. The fear of failure. The fear of survival. No matter our walk with God we all face the fearfulness of life. The fear of the "what ifs". Stepping out in faith for me has never been easy. Something I struggle with is change. If things change...can I handle it? "For God did not give us a spirit of fearfulness..." Then why am I fearful? "...But one of power, love and self-discipline" 2 Timothy 1:7. I trust Him. I follow Him. So why does this fear follow me? Convincing myself daily to live FOR Christ and not in fear of this world isn't easy. To know that He has created me for so much more than fear. Fear cannot control my life if I am longing for a close relationship with my Heavenly Father. I have to turn it over to Him. I have to lay the worries, the burden, the fear at His feet. But,I have to trust that He has control. He knows them each. I don't walk this crazy life alone because He carries me! He carries you! My only strength comes from Him. The grace that he gives is unlike any other. The love that he shows as has is unlike any other. Just know that you can lift your eyes to Him. He will comfort. He will carry you. He is the light in this dark world!