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

The Struggle is Real

I have always struggled with what my time with Jesus looks like on a daily basis. I have so many friends that wake up super early, get their prayer/devotion time in, work out, shower and then go about their day. I was like man that sounds like something I would love to do - get everything done early and then have the rest of my day to be productive as a mother and wife.

Well let me tell you something - I tried that 5am wake up and held fast to that for a while but guess what, it started turning into a routine, a ritual that I would complete. I felt like a zombie at that time of the day, no matter what time I went to to bed. I didn't feel like I was giving Jesus my best and doesn't he deserve that? YES! More than anything else in my daily routine, that time with Jesus was the most important.

I felt defeated. I felt condemned and I knew that those feelings were not from God. I knew that they were my own feelings because I wasn't starting my day out like so many friends of mine were. So like I said up there, I struggled and I struggled. I went weeks without opening my Bible. I went days without talking to Jesus. My daily routine was just so busy that I didn't feel I could fit him in. I felt like if I couldn't give him the hour he deserved then why would he want my 10 minutes of quiet time.

Then I read the words of Priscilla Shirer

" Although my goal is to be alone with God every day, the demands of my season of life often interrupts my intentions. This inability to master my quiet time burdened me with an immense amount of guilt during my first years of mothering. I always felt "heavy" with condemnation that I wasn't spending enough time with God. It seemed to me that if I couldn't get an hour in then 10-15 minutes wasn't worth it."

Wait, what? This amazing published author and speaker, who us as women put on a pedestal, struggles to find time during her day? It made me feel some what better to know that I was not alone in this! Other women struggled too! Haha! Not that that made me happy to see them struggling but it made me feel less like a failure in this daily walk.

So us women, whether we work outside the home or stay at home with our babies, we are busy! We get caught up in the every day hustle and forget that our time with him is so very important. I have learned that getting up that early is not what I am supposed to do. I believe that he wants me to spend time throughout the day, not at just a specific time! I have learned that writing scriptures on my bathroom mirror, on a sticky note in my car or on my locked screen on my phone and mediating on those brings me closer to Jesus daily. I surround myself with the Word. I worship while I fold clothes, clean dishes, drive, etc. I make it a point to spend time with Him throughout every hour of my day - just letting him know that I love him and thank him for all the things he has blessed us with and continues to bless us with. He is my father and if I can't have a conversation with him, then who can I talk to?

So take this as some encouragement. I struggle and I know many of us do but each one of us are different. My worship time won't be like yours or yours like mine! So just spend time with him through out the day.

AND I have realized that the best time for me to sit down, read and journal to him is after the kids get on the bus in the morning. If I try before that he isn't getting my best, he is getting my seconds. So do what works for you. He deserves our best loves!

What my morning looks like! I found this amazing prayer journal online. It is the best thing ever. After my devotion I sit and journal and listen to worship music. 

Book: "Quieting Your Heart: 6-month Bible-Study Journal"

Darlene Schacht

JOY!

So here in Southeast Virginia we are experiencing some chilly weather. It's like winter's grip is just not loosening up. I mean come on! Our tourist season is about to begin and I can still comfortably wear a scarf during the day! So not right! 

But on the bright side (literally) - the sun has been out for two days straight and if the forecaster is correct (we shall see) we will have sun for the next 10 days! 10 DAYS! That is definitely something to smile about. 

So my morning devotion was about Joy and felt like I needed to share some of that with you all. There is just something about that unspeakable joy! It is something that God has given us and we have the choice to enter into that Joy or not. It isn't the same thing as being happy. Happiness is an emotion that is effected by our daily routines. Someone cuts us off in traffic, happiness gone! Dog pees in the bed, happiness gone! There are many things that can happen throughout our day that can definitely take our happiness away. But that Joy! It isn't an emotion. It is from our heavenly father! It is a fruit of God's Spirit. As Sarah Matheny says, "It is a manifestation of who He is, a result of the heart-transforming power of Jesus Christ in us." Someone cutting us off or a dog ruining your perfectly clean down comforter isn't enough to take away our Joy! 

Sarah also says, "Joy is not a momentary pleasure - it is the deep and lasting condition of our relationship with God this world cannot steal away." We have so much to be joyful for! So remember that today loves. As the busyness of our lives can take over just take a moment to thank God for his Joy that resides in each of us. Enter into that Joy today!

'Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy." John 16:22, NIV

*Sarah Matheny, She Reads Truth

Gotta Have Faith

Have you ever had one of those days where you feel like Jesus is just speaking to you over and over!? Well today has been one of those days for me. I mean like in everything that I read and everyone that I speak too, its just crazy! I read several devotions during the day and I can honestly say that each one was about the same thing. I kid you not! That's how good Jesus is! He obviously is trying to get something through to me! Its funny how many times it takes for us to get the hint that He is trying to talk to us daily. Sometimes it isn't this BIG VOICE that calls out to us - but a scripture or just a word that we need to hear.

So if you read my blog yesterday you would know that I stepped down from a position because I clearly heard Jesus tell me that was what I was supposed to do. Well that was a scary thing for me and my family. Losing the pay meant there would have to be a lot of sacrifices from us, which I do believe he asks from us often but it doesn't hit home until we have no other choice.

So this month was the first month without that pay. Can I just testify that God provided everything we needed. Anthony actually had a small bonus come through and then our renters (we own two homes) paid a non-refundable pet fee that came directly to us! WHAT!? Let me tell you something - with those two extra things coming in, it was almost the exact amount to what my April 1st paycheck would have been. I'm totally serious! That's how good our God is! He provides. He shows out and lets us know that he is still here.

He just wants us to have faith, faith that he will provide what we need. But I can honestly say that I am still struggling with what my next step is. I do know that I need another job. My kids are getting older so pulling off the stay at home mom thing won't last too long. Teaching is always something that I can do since I have my bachelors in Pre-6th grade but honestly I do not feel that's the direction I am supposed to take.

But I do know that Jesus has us! He made that all too clear these past few weeks. So I know whatever I am supposed to do next will be something he brings across my path and I will have no doubt that that's where I am supposed to be!

Its such a good feeling when you know you have Him! He has a plan for each one of us; its our choice on whether we are going to listen to Him and go where he tells us to go. I can promise you this, not every thing He asks us to walk through will be easy. Sometimes the path can be a little rough but know that that's where he teaches us!

Have an awesome day and remember who has you!!

"Why would I fear the future? For I am being pursued only by your goodness and unfailing love."
Psalm 23:6

Lets Get Our Crap Together!

Good Morning!

Y'all this morning truly is good. To be alive, to be healthy and to have everything we need provided to us - come on!! And I didn't say everything we want -- sometimes I get caught up in that myself. Man Jesus why can't we have enough money so that I can have such in such or go on vacation here or there. But when I actually sit back and think about the little things he provides my family with daily, how can I be so ungrateful?

We truly should be thanking Jesus this morning. If you are reading this you obviously have a computer or phone or a job to where you can see this from. Things could be so much worse than they are. Why do we as humans never seem to be satisfied? Trust me, I struggle with that daily. I am a woman! I love fashion and home decor and so much more but I know that our budget right now does not afford me to just go out and get what I want when I want it. Things have changed financially in our home. With God telling me to move from a position where I was getting a pay check to a position where there isn't one, well that was tough. I knew that things were about to change and let me tell you - they already have!

I honestly believe that God uses moments like these to see what we are made of. I know that Jesus wants to bless our family but if we can't be good stewards of what he has already given us, then why would he want to give us more. Its time to get our crap together and be thankful for everything we have. So when you talk to your Father today tell him how thankful you are. Apologize for being ungrateful (I do daily!) and just let him love on you! He wants nothing but the best for us loves!

Isaiah 41:10
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand,"

Little Brick Ranch

Do you ever miss something so much but know that God has you in a better place? Thats how I am feeling these past couple of days. God has blessed our family so much and 9 years ago we were able to buy our first home. At first this house was just supposed to last us a few years and then we would move on to something bigger! But we fell in love...

Whats not to love about this sweet little brick ranch?! It wasn't the biggest or newest house on the block but it was ours and we couldn't have been happier. But as our family began to grow the house seemed to shrink! We moved in with one baby and two dogs and moved out with three babies and three dogs! So yea - just a little bit different! We knew that the time had come to find a bigger home for our family. It was sad, I mean really sad. To leave the house that our little family ever knew was heart breaking but we knew that God had better things for us! 

So as we are searching for new renters this week, memories keep flooding my mind of all the firsts that house has seen. So if you rent our home just know that it has a piece of our heart - a piece that will always be left behind. The day that we actually sell this little beauty I will be a wreck but I know that it will see many more families and many more memories! Keep rocking and being the cutest little brick house on Hillwell Rd!

And thanks to an amazing App called timehop, I can catch a few sweet pictures of our first home every so often! Although everything was painted white before it hit the housing market, this wall was my favorite part of the house. My husband hated me but when it was finished, perfection! 

If you do not have this app, GET IT!

~ arise & remember who you are ~

Life is hard. I get that. I understand.
Being a woman is hard. I get that. I understand.

But ladies, we've got this! We are strong, stronger than we think.
I mean, come on! God made us to handle things that no male can comprehend -
to handle pain and emotions that only us women understand.

Sometimes we feel like giving up. I know...I have been there myself.
I have felt like no one cares, no one would even know if I just crawled
under these blankets and went to sleep for a week.

But let me tell you something ladies - we do matter and we matter
a whole lot! Our heavenly father knew what He was doing when
He created us. He knew the things we were going to have to endure.
He knew the emotional ups and downs that we would deal with.

He put everything in order so that when those times come we can
handle them with grace and understanding.

So today as we tackle the everyday duties of life remember who
our Creator made us to be! We are mighty, powerful daughters
of the most high King loves - don't ever forget that!

Arise today daughters and remember who you are!