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Wednesday, June 1, 2016

The Unknown

Do you ever have moments where you second guess decisions that you have made? I'm at the point right now. I look back on certain things that I walked away from and wonder if it was the best decision for myself and my family.

In my time with my Father this morning, I asked just that. Was what I did what he told me to do? Was it his voice and not mine? I moved because he told me that it was right move, the move that he wanted me to make. So why do I keep asking myself if it was right? I have been struggling with that for about a week. As I sat at my kitchen table this morning I just asked him for an answer. I was honest with him, I didn't hold anything back. I even asked him for forgiveness if it wasn't the move that was supposed to be made.

I could feel his arms wrap around me and tell me that everything was going to be ok. He told me that what I heard was correct, he wanted me to do what I did - it was time. But then why so much hardship, so much unknown about whats going to happen next?

One of my closet friends put it this way - if we were to know what was coming next all the time, then why would we need to rely on God? BAM! That's so true. He needs us to rely on him for our situations. He wants us to know that he has us, no matter what. He isn't going to let us completely drown, but he will ask us to step out of the boat.

I feel like the past few months I have been in the water barely keeping my head above it, gasping for air before I go back under. But you know what, I know that we will come out on the other end stronger, wiser, and giving all the glory to God! Because I can honestly say that the only way we will get out of this is Him.

So let me just encourage you today, He is there with you - during your storm, during your battle. Whatever you are facing, He is there walking beside you. Know that whatever mistakes you have made, He has already forgiven you. He loves us. He is not condemning us and if you are feeling that right now, that's the enemy. The enemy will do anything he can to make us second guess our decisions, to turn the wheel the other direction when we know which direction we are supposed to go.

Trust in him loves. Trust him with everything you have. My family is in a battle right now and we are growing stronger together in it and I can't wait to see us on the other side - its going to be a beautiful thing. So stay positive and make sure you are talking with your Father daily.

Monday, May 16, 2016

Move With Me

Have you ever been in prayer with God and you just completely break down! Yep that was me this morning. I have been dealing lately with a few things that is between myself and God but this mornings prayer was different. He showed me things I was dealing with that I had no clue were there. And I know those things were holding me back from what He wanted to do in me. It held me back from true worship. It held me back from fully having complete faith in Him.

He is amazing like that. As I was praying the words that were coming out were new to me. I was like who am I praying for that is feeling that....oh wait....that's me! Tears began to stream down my face when I came to the realization that it was me that was harboring those feelings.

Bitterness. Resentment. Unforgiving.

Really? Me? Were those things really so deep inside of me that I didn't even realize that they were just in there hanging out. Well after this mornings devotion and when I began to pray, God brought all those things to the surface. Basically telling me that if they do not leave, the blessings and levels He wants to take me will be at a standstill.

I laid it all out this morning. Covering my Bible with tears, I asked for forgiveness. I asked for all those feelings to leave. I asked for a renewed heart. I asked to be clean of those feelings. I asked for His joy to return to me and guess what - in that moment it felt like a ton bricks were lifted off my shoulders. I began to laugh! I began to literally laugh and raise my hands in the midst of my prayer. I knew that He was healing me of those things that I had just asked for!

Guys! We are all human and if you get to the point where you think you are holier than thou and think you don't deal with those things - that's a dangerous place to be. We all deal with emotions on a daily basis but it is when we let them fester day after day, that they turn into a lifestyle, a norm for us. We have to learn that when those feels arise, we rebuke them right on the spot. Don't let them build up! They will steal your joy and that's what the enemy wants. He wants us to be filled with hate, resentment, bitterness - because he knows what it is keeping us from.

So today loves I ask this, is there anything that is holding you back from what God wants to do in you and through you? Be honest with yourself this morning and really dig deep. I had to dig deep this morning to see what I was keeping inside of me. It affected my daily walk and I didn't even know it.

Ask God to free you and He will, if it comes from a place of true meaning. You have to mean it with all your heart or they are just words coming out of your mouth. They have to come out of your heart. God knows you better than you know yourself. Remember what I said last week...

Sometimes we have to speak things for us to even know that we are dealing with them! Speak it loves! God knows but He just wants to hear you say it. Then it will be released!

As I am ending this blog post for today I feel more free than I have in a few months. I just needed to speak it. I didn't even know those feelings were there but they came out with a vengeance. I am ready to move to the next level with God. Move with me loves!

Thursday, May 5, 2016

Mother's Day Tea

Today was such a good day! Its the little things that remind us to be thankful for where God has brought us and what He has given us. 

Today was Emma's class Mother's Day Tea. At first when the flier came home a week ago I begrudlingly said that I would go. I am not your normal PTA mom, its just not me and sometimes since I have three children its hard to go to every single thing. Well Emma's teacher this year insisted that all moms be there, so I went.

....and it was the best decision ever. 

First it started with the moms waiting in the hallway filled with portraits the kids drew of us. We had to guess which one was us. It was so much fun standing there with a bunch of ladies I didn't know guessing which beautifully drawn portrait was ours. Next each student came out to get their mom with a pink rose in hand and they escorted us one at a time to our seat. The room was filled with candles and flowers. Let me just tell you that I cried as soon as I saw my little Emma Grace walk out the door to greet me. 

Once we all sat down the kids sang a few songs and then wrote a few things about us.

Here was Emma's

My mom's names is MORGAN 
She is 34 YEARS OLD
Her favorite food is SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS
Her favorite TV show is ELLEN
What makes my mom special is SHE HAS A HEART OF GOLD

What?! Did my little miss Emma just say her mom has a heart of gold? She likes me, she really really likes me! And then....TEARS...........all over the place! I was a snotty, teary mess! I am happy to say I am not the only one that cried - thank the Lord! 

After that we had light refreshments. It was the perfect way to spend my morning. I am so happy that her teacher insisted that we come. If she hadn't I probably would have blown it off to run errands. I know, I know - mom of the year once again! 

5 stars to Emma's teacher for putting on the best Mother's Day Tea ever! It will be something that I will never forget! 


Wednesday, May 4, 2016

We Are Human

My devotion today brought up something from my past. I think sometimes we get so caught up in would haves, could haves and should haves. Its time to break lose of that mentality.

About a year ago I was hurt. I mean deeply hurt by someone that I trusted and when I say trusted, I mean seriously trusted with my life. But something happened and honestly to this day I have no idea what that something was that caused this person to just up and leave, pretty much without an ounce of an explanation.

It hurt bad. I was so angry and upset with this person that it caused me to become bitter. Its crazy when you are that close to someone and then they just up and leave, I actually felt like I went through  a grieving process. I was an emotional wreck for months. I was down and just out of it. I cried out to God, I was angry at Him for letting this happen. I was so upset and confused.

And you know what, He stood by me and let me throw my tantrum but guess what? He was right there when I was done acting like a child. He knew the reason this happened, He knew why He took that person out of my life. I remember standing in my bathroom one day and it hit me, as I fell to my knees and tears starting falling, I apologized and repented for the way I had acted. For blaming Him for all of it. For being angry at Him. For becoming bitter towards that person. I asked for forgiveness and like always He was there with arms open wide.

I just wanted to share that today because I honestly feel like someone that may read this needs to hear it. We are human, we get caught up in emotions and we can let them run us. But that doesn't mean we are forever ruined. We have a God that loves us and He knows us better than we know ourselves. Even if we do not speak it, He knows. I can honestly say from experience - SPEAK IT! When you speak it, it brings healing. It brings it to the surface and you can out loud repent for what you are feeling. God already knows but when we recognize it, that's when true healing comes.

We need Him loves. In every aspect of our lives, we need Him. If you are dealing with something that is causing anger, bitterness or hate - call out to Him. He is just waiting for you!

"Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge" (Ps. 62:8)

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

A Ton of Bricks

Today the weather here in Virginia is absolutely gorgeous! It has taken spring a little bit to catch up with the rest of us but I think she has finally arrived and our family couldn't be happier. Sitting here at my computer I am so beyond thankful for what God has done for my family. Could we have less bills, of course! Could we not argue every so often, most definitely but you know what, none of that matters at the end of the day.

Life happens, we may step in dog pee first thing out of bed or stub our toe on the way to waking our kids up to get ready for school, but the question is, how will that affect us? Does that mean that our automatic response to a grouchy kid not wanting to get up is to yell or get angry? Or do we respond in love and patience. To be honest that's how my morning began - too many snooze button pushes after going to bed waayyy to late and then it seemed to get worse from there. I was already angry before I even got to my daughters bedroom. I knew it wasn't going to be a good response but instead of calming myself and beginning my day praying, I just stormed through the door, threw the covers off and demanded her to get out of bed before I hit the number three. As I sit here and type this out I see how freaking ridiculous I must have looked and sounded. Last night didn't have bath time planned in so guess what, she had to shower. Oh that's a bundle of fun right there. Once she got in the shower, crying of course, I stormed into bedroom number two to wake my son. Throwing the covers back again I angrily asked him to get out of bed by the count of three. I guess he is used to it because his feet always seem to hit the ground just as I am about the say the last number. Then off to the shower he went. He is a bit easier to work with since he can pretty much handle everything it takes to get him clean and dressed.

Now today was especially awesome because since the last snooze button made them miss the bus that meant I had to drive them to school. Now I had to wake the third monster. Lord help me. She is a sleeper so as I storm back into bedroom number one she is curled up, completely covered from head to toe with her comforter. She knew I was coming. Third time throwing the covers back and third time having to count to three. By this point you can imagine my patience - non existent!

I nicely forcefully laid her clothes out on the bed for her to get dressed but not before I made a threat that I knew I would never carry out. At this point my middle was coming out of the shower, still crying mind you and ready to get dressed. Something went my way this morning because she actually liked the outfit I had ironed for her the night before. Thank you Jesus! So after she was dressed and ready and my son was done I realized I totally forgot to make lunches. Great! Just Great! That's exactly what went through my mind. I can honestly say I have no idea what made it into the their lunch boxes this morning. Mom of the year right here!

On the way to school the entire car was silent even down to the puppy, he must have felt the tension in the air. As we pull up to school we said our goodbyes after I again lost my patience with how slow they were to get out of the car and the line that was building behind me.

Once they got out of the car and walked into school, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I am a monster. I let my own laziness of wanting to get a few extra minutes of sleep, to stepping into dog pee, to stubbing my toe turn into their fault. What is wrong with me? And I can tell you 9 times out of 10 our mornings begin like that. Maybe not to the point of missing the bus but to where their mommy, ME, acts like the world is ending.

As I drove away in tears I asked God to let my kids have a great day and to not think of me as the mean mommy. I felt God's presence this morning in my car. I felt him touch my shoulder and tell me that it was okay. We all fall short, we all mess up daily but as soon as they get home they will walk in the door with smiles on their faces and loving me just as much as they did before.

I'm not really sure why I shared that this morning but something said to. Please tell me I am not alone in being absolutely crazy sometimes. Please tell me that other moms and/or dads lose it occasionally.

I have learned that when I try to do this thing without Him, that's when all hell breaks lose. Tomorrow is a new day. I promise to myself and my babies that our mornings will be better. I can't promise that every thing will always run smoothly but I make a vow that my reactions will begin to change. That I will take a deep breathe, ask God to help me and step into the situation better prepared.  I hope someone gets something from this this morning. We aren't perfect, far from it but we have a God who most certainly is and all He is asking is for us to call out to Him. He is there waiting for us to ask Him to come into our day.

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Control Freak

Do you ever get frustrated, angry, weighed down? I'm not going to lie and tell you that I never feel those emotions because I do. Frustrated with where I am going, angry because I don't feel seen, and weighed down because I keep trying to do things on my own.

But do you ever read that one devotion, that one scripture that turns your world upside down? That was me this morning. My devotion was what I needed, the Word from God that I needed to hear - pretty much a slap to the face. A word that said, "Get Up! Be what I have called you to be!" And that may be to serve whom He has placed me under, learn from what He places in my path and just be patient with Him.

Just because God told me what He has called me to be doesn't mean I automatically will jump in that position. Geez I mean look at the life of David. I am studying his life right now and to see how many years were in between when he was anointed and when he actually became king. Guess how many years! 22 YEARS! Yes! For 22 years he patiently waited and SERVED under the king that he knew he would eventually be. 22 years, wow! Can I honestly say that I would have patiently waited that long? David waited and served until that crown was finally placed on his head. Each trial during those 22 years prepared him for what he was called to be!

We can live out our lives frustrated, confused, angry and weighed down - but that's when we try to live this life on our own! We were not meant to do this thing by ourselves. Jesus is with us! He knows you better than you know yourself. He knows your frustrations and what makes you angry. Loves, just give it over to Him. Fall to your knees this morning and ask Him to forgive you for trying to fight this battle and live this life on your own. He already knows what you are dealing with but speak it to Him. Confess what you are feeling, express your emotions to Him. Just talk to Him! That's all He wants and that's exactly what I did this morning.

I am typing through tear-filled eyes. I am there loves. We get tired and worn out but that's because us women sometimes feel the need to be too strong for our own good. Turn it over to Him today beauties! He loves us so much and wants nothing but the best for us, we just need to learn to let Him have control. Man that word means so much! We like to have control, don't we? I know I do! Some would call it being a control freak, haha! But lets relinquish that control today to our Father that wants to love on us, help us get to where He has called us to be.

Be strong today loves. Remember to serve where you are at and whomever you are under. God has placed you where you are for a reason. Don't let this season pass and be fill with regrets.

"Because we know that this extraordinary day is just ahead, we pray for you all the time - pray that our God will make you fit for what he's called you to be, pray that he'll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it all amounts to something. If your life honors the name of Jesus, he will honor you. Grace is behind and through all of this, our God giving himself freely, the Master, Jesus Christ, giving himself freely." 2 Thess. 1:11-12, The Message 

Thursday, April 21, 2016

The Purpose

OK so I am about to be real this morning. My devotion was so right on. Everything about it spoke volumes to me about how we as Christians do certain things. First I wasn't raised in church. I wasn't surrounded by believers. We weren't atheists, we just were ignorant for lack of a better word! We just didn't know. So when my husband and I got married and found our church, I was bought in 100% and don't get my wrong I am still bought in 100% but my thinking over the past few months has changed.

How much time and effort is placed into programs that we forget the true purpose? And I am talking about all churches here. We spend so much time and money into programs that we sometimes forget why we are doing them. We forget to be relational, we forget that the true reason behind it all is to bring people to Jesus. To let His love and light shine!

Last weekend my home church put on a block party instead of a normal Sunday morning service. Let me just tell you - after 12 years of being a part of my church, this was one of the best things we have done. Now granted with it being the first one ever we most definitely can improve but that just makes me even more excited for the next one!!

But it was wonderful not because we provided free food and other activities, it was because we were able to show our community that our doors are open. We did it for the sole purpose of showing people the love of Christ. We wanted to build relationships with people. We wanted people to know that we were there for them. To hear the stories from different families on how they were touched during this party, lets me know that all the petty mess that comes up doesn't matter. They are what matter.

His people are our purpose and once we make that our priority there is no going back! Churches can have programs all day long, but if the purpose isn't ultimately His people, then they serve no purpose at all. The only purpose they serve is to show off. Who likes a show-off? Not me!

So today be relational. Be about His people. Show His love and just live your life so that He gets all the glory. Remember that His purpose was the people!


"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your father who is in heaven." Matt 5:16