To those around me, I want you to know you can come to me when needed. If you send me a text needing prayer, know that I am stopping what I am doing to say a prayer. If you need me at all, please don't hesitate to ask. If you need advice, feel free to send a text or message. I know with the hours I work it may be difficult, but know I will find the time for you. My new years word this year is intentional, and that's exactly what I am trying to be more of....more intentional about praying for you, more intentional with spending time with you, and more intentional spending time with God. Please don't ever think I'm too busy for you!!!
Thursday, February 18, 2016
Please Don't Think I'm Too Busy
I need to be more like Jesus. I say that often, but today I was reading my devotional and read about Jesus healing the little girl. He was busy when the dad came asking him to come and put his hands on her; however it didn't stop him from getting up and going to help this sick girl. On his way, a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years touched him. Instead of continuing on his way, once again he stopped to acknowledge the woman. These stories are in the Bible two different times, so I know they are important. I feel there is more to these two stories than just believing Jesus can heal. Think about it....Jesus stopped what he was doing to heal both the girl and the woman. It did not matter that he was busy. In this way I feel I need to be more like Him. No matter how busy I get, how much I have on my to do this, I want to be available to my friends, my family, my children, and my husband. I want others to know, I am willing to put things on hold to pray for them, to lend a listening ear, to be a shoulder to cry on, and to just spend time with them if needed.
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Titus 2:3-5
"Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that is appropriate for someone serving the Lord. They must not go around speaking evil of others and must not be heavy drinkers. Instead they should teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, take care of their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God." Titus 2: 3-5
I am so thankful for the women at my church for being great role models for me on how to be a mother and wife that honors God. I pray that I can also be that type of woman to other women in our church as well as to non Christian woman. I pray that I live in a Christian manner that will teach others how to be a homemaker, wife and mother after God's heart. I know I make mistakes often and that I have a lot more learning to do, a lot more practice, and more praying and reading my Bible to be the woman God created me to be....a woman that God can used as a mentor to other woman. I pray that I can be that woman that prays for other women's journeys of life...pray for their relationship with God, pray for their kids and husbands, their ministries and their careers. I pray that I can be the encouragement to other women, that these women at my church are to me. I pray that they can see Christ through me and how I live. If you are a new Christian, a newlywed, or a new mother, I want to pray for you and be an encouragement to you. I pray that God will also be able to use you some day in the same way...as a prayer warrior and encouragement to other young Christian women!
I am so thankful for the women at my church for being great role models for me on how to be a mother and wife that honors God. I pray that I can also be that type of woman to other women in our church as well as to non Christian woman. I pray that I live in a Christian manner that will teach others how to be a homemaker, wife and mother after God's heart. I know I make mistakes often and that I have a lot more learning to do, a lot more practice, and more praying and reading my Bible to be the woman God created me to be....a woman that God can used as a mentor to other woman. I pray that I can be that woman that prays for other women's journeys of life...pray for their relationship with God, pray for their kids and husbands, their ministries and their careers. I pray that I can be the encouragement to other women, that these women at my church are to me. I pray that they can see Christ through me and how I live. If you are a new Christian, a newlywed, or a new mother, I want to pray for you and be an encouragement to you. I pray that God will also be able to use you some day in the same way...as a prayer warrior and encouragement to other young Christian women!
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Lesson from a two month old
At church this past weekend, I couldn't help but be distracted with my two month old. I feel like God is always using something or someone in my life to teach me a lesson. This past Sunday, it was my two and a half month old little girl. I turned her around and she was in awe of the lights, windows, and all the people around. The way she looked around at everything, the way she was so fascinated with it all, made me realize that's how I need to be again...to be in awe of God's creation again....to have that childlike faith. Just looking at her, I couldn't help but wonder, what she was thinking. I would love to know what thoughts were running through that little head of hers. Just think what our world would be like if we all had thoughts like a child again...if we all were in awe of God's creation again. It's amazing to me how easily we take this world and the things in it for granted. But God is lending us all these things for only a short time. These things are here for us to enjoy.
We had a guest pastor and his wife visiting our church. As I was in awe of my child being in awe, the guest pastor's wife came up to sing. She spoke a little about her past and her story. Then she sung a song about, "This is my story.This is my song. Praising my savior all the day long." While I was on my way home later that evening, I heard another song about our story by Hillsong. The lyrics said, "And this will be my story. And this will be my song. My chains are broken. I am free. And this will be my story. And this will be my song. I'll praise You my Savior Jesus. Take my life but give me Jesus. To know You God is why I live. Take the world but give me Jesus. For all my days I'll follow You "
God uses our stories. He wants us to live because of him and for him. He wants us to follow him so He can use our story.
We had a guest pastor and his wife visiting our church. As I was in awe of my child being in awe, the guest pastor's wife came up to sing. She spoke a little about her past and her story. Then she sung a song about, "This is my story.This is my song. Praising my savior all the day long." While I was on my way home later that evening, I heard another song about our story by Hillsong. The lyrics said, "And this will be my story. And this will be my song. My chains are broken. I am free. And this will be my story. And this will be my song. I'll praise You my Savior Jesus. Take my life but give me Jesus. To know You God is why I live. Take the world but give me Jesus. For all my days I'll follow You "
God uses our stories. He wants us to live because of him and for him. He wants us to follow him so He can use our story.
Monday, January 18, 2016
1 Timothy 4:12
"Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity."
God doesn't need us to be a certain age, ethnic, or a Christian for very long to be able to use each and everyone of us. Over the last few weeks, I have been teaching my toddlers about different people in the Bible. It just happens to be that each of these lessons have become a repeat lesson for these young tots: God can use you no matter what your age.
We talked about Samuel and how Hannah gave him over to the Lord at a very young age. He probably wasn't much older than my toddlers! "As the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the Lord." (1 Samuel 1:22) Samuel was just a young boy, but yet God was able to use him.
We then read about David and Goliath. David was just a boy when his dad sent him to take food to his brothers. When he was there, he said he would fight the giant. He knew with God's help he could do it. This was originally our theme for this story, but soon led into a discussion about him being "just a little more than a boy" (1 Samuel 17:42) and yet God was able to use him just like God used Samuel! Again God can use us no matter our age or size!
Our most recent lesson was about some kings in the Bible: Josiah, David, and Samuel. Our discussion once again led to King Josiah being "only eight years old when he became king." (2 Chronicles 34:1) Again he was just a young boy.
After this story, I explained to them how my own children have taught me very important lessons. God uses my children all the time to teach me lessons that he wants me to learn. He even used my newborn son and 2 and a half month old daughter to open my eyes and heart to what he wanted to teach me.
It amazes me how God loves each of us and uses each one of us to bring glory to him and bring us and others closer to him!
God doesn't need us to be a certain age, ethnic, or a Christian for very long to be able to use each and everyone of us. Over the last few weeks, I have been teaching my toddlers about different people in the Bible. It just happens to be that each of these lessons have become a repeat lesson for these young tots: God can use you no matter what your age.
We talked about Samuel and how Hannah gave him over to the Lord at a very young age. He probably wasn't much older than my toddlers! "As the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the Lord." (1 Samuel 1:22) Samuel was just a young boy, but yet God was able to use him.
We then read about David and Goliath. David was just a boy when his dad sent him to take food to his brothers. When he was there, he said he would fight the giant. He knew with God's help he could do it. This was originally our theme for this story, but soon led into a discussion about him being "just a little more than a boy" (1 Samuel 17:42) and yet God was able to use him just like God used Samuel! Again God can use us no matter our age or size!
Our most recent lesson was about some kings in the Bible: Josiah, David, and Samuel. Our discussion once again led to King Josiah being "only eight years old when he became king." (2 Chronicles 34:1) Again he was just a young boy.
After this story, I explained to them how my own children have taught me very important lessons. God uses my children all the time to teach me lessons that he wants me to learn. He even used my newborn son and 2 and a half month old daughter to open my eyes and heart to what he wanted to teach me.
It amazes me how God loves each of us and uses each one of us to bring glory to him and bring us and others closer to him!
Friday, January 15, 2016
Intentional in 2016
I've decided to pick out one word that will help me stay focused throughout this year. After much thought, debate, and prayers, I decided on the word intentional. It kept coming back to me throughout the last few weeks as I would read, go about my daily routines, etc. That word kept popping back into my head. I want to be intentional with life, my time, my children, my husband, and most importantly my time with God. I want to be intentional with spending time with my children. I want to make each day count. I don't want to just be in the same room as them, but rather take the time to listen to my nine year old, sit on the floor and play with my toddler more, and snuggle with my baby and enjoy her as much as possible while she is young. I want to be intentional with my time with my husband. I don't want to just go through the motions daily knowing that he will always be there for me, I want to be intentional about making our time, especially our alone time special. I want to be intentional about bringing others to the Lord, spending time with the Lord, and making that time count. I want to be intentional about teaching my children about the Lord. I want them to grow up loving him more than anything else in the world. I want to be intentional about praying for their future spouses now. I pray that God is preparing their hearts and guiding their parents to raise them to know him. May sound crazy, but after talking to my mom last year about someone losing their son and how she would want to know that her kids are going to heaven someday and not just assume, I remember thinking, there is nothing more that I want for my children (and grandchildren) than for them to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I want to know that they will be in heaven some day. This doesn't just go for my children, but my family members, siblings, children in my care now, in the past and in the future. I want to know that I did everything I could to bring them to the Lord even if I just plant the seed or pray for someone to come into their lives that will. So for this year, this is my word: INTENTIONAL! I want to be intentional with my walk with the Lord, with my time with loved ones, bringing others to Christ, and living my life to the fullest!
Putting my word into Action:
I've decided part of the way to be more intentional is to stay off my phone as much as possible when I am around others, watch tv only when I am spending time with someone important or all is asleep and I have that extra time. I plan to read books that will encourage my walk with the Lord and strengthen my relationships here on earth. I plan to follow a schedule as much as possible so that I can work in my schedule the intentional time I need with each person in my life as well as a way to keep my life and home a little more organized and clutter free in 2016. I notice when I half do something, and old favorite Bible verse pops into my head, "Work willingly at whatever you do as if you are doing it for the Lord rather than people." Colossians 3:23. Then, I change my attitude, redo what I just did or make an effort to do it enthusiastically the next time without complaining. This verse has really helped my outlook on life. I recently read a short study on being a Proverbs 31 woman and boy did it make me feel like a horrible wife, mom, daughter and sister. I know that wasn't the intentions of it, but it made me rethink a lot in my life, from how I treat my husband, children, and family members (not that I treated them badly), but I wasn't being intentional with my life. I was only being half of what I should have been being, I wasn't trying my best to keep up on things. I wasn't being the best that I could be for my family. I knew I could have been praying more for my loved ones especially those unsaved and for the future of my children. I knew I could have been spending more one on one time with those I love. I knew I needed to keep the house better, but I was tired and wore out, and I knew things would be hard to change, but little by little God showed me how to handle my life a little more for him. I was able to work into my schedule, ways to keep up on laundry, dishes, vacuuming, and sweeping (things I feel are never ending as a mom and wife). Now that I have that worked into my schedule, I have more time to be intentional with holding my daughter, playing with my sons, and enjoying time with my husband, seeing other family members, as well as time set aside for the Lord. Is my life running more smoothly? Definitely! But there is still so many times God reminds me that I am doing this thing called life for him and not for people. So here is to 2016! A new year! A new Chance! My chance to be the best mom, wife, daughter, teacher, sibling, Proverbs 31 woman that I can be!
The thing is we don't know how much time we have here on earth. We don't know when that last day with a loved one may be. I've seen and heard so many stories as well as been around people who lost loved ones this past year that I want to be intentional about the time I have here on earth. When I meet Jesus, I want to know that I did all I could to love him and bring others to him.
Putting my word into Action:
I've decided part of the way to be more intentional is to stay off my phone as much as possible when I am around others, watch tv only when I am spending time with someone important or all is asleep and I have that extra time. I plan to read books that will encourage my walk with the Lord and strengthen my relationships here on earth. I plan to follow a schedule as much as possible so that I can work in my schedule the intentional time I need with each person in my life as well as a way to keep my life and home a little more organized and clutter free in 2016. I notice when I half do something, and old favorite Bible verse pops into my head, "Work willingly at whatever you do as if you are doing it for the Lord rather than people." Colossians 3:23. Then, I change my attitude, redo what I just did or make an effort to do it enthusiastically the next time without complaining. This verse has really helped my outlook on life. I recently read a short study on being a Proverbs 31 woman and boy did it make me feel like a horrible wife, mom, daughter and sister. I know that wasn't the intentions of it, but it made me rethink a lot in my life, from how I treat my husband, children, and family members (not that I treated them badly), but I wasn't being intentional with my life. I was only being half of what I should have been being, I wasn't trying my best to keep up on things. I wasn't being the best that I could be for my family. I knew I could have been praying more for my loved ones especially those unsaved and for the future of my children. I knew I could have been spending more one on one time with those I love. I knew I needed to keep the house better, but I was tired and wore out, and I knew things would be hard to change, but little by little God showed me how to handle my life a little more for him. I was able to work into my schedule, ways to keep up on laundry, dishes, vacuuming, and sweeping (things I feel are never ending as a mom and wife). Now that I have that worked into my schedule, I have more time to be intentional with holding my daughter, playing with my sons, and enjoying time with my husband, seeing other family members, as well as time set aside for the Lord. Is my life running more smoothly? Definitely! But there is still so many times God reminds me that I am doing this thing called life for him and not for people. So here is to 2016! A new year! A new Chance! My chance to be the best mom, wife, daughter, teacher, sibling, Proverbs 31 woman that I can be!
The thing is we don't know how much time we have here on earth. We don't know when that last day with a loved one may be. I've seen and heard so many stories as well as been around people who lost loved ones this past year that I want to be intentional about the time I have here on earth. When I meet Jesus, I want to know that I did all I could to love him and bring others to him.
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