Christmas Jesus

Christmas is in Jesus.

Not the blessings on the shelf.

Christmas is in Jesus

For you He gave Himself.

Christmas is in Jesus.

He is here all the year through.

Christmas is in Jesus

Not in just the holiday mood.

Christmas is in Jesus

You won't find Him in the tree,

in the lights, in the presents, 

or the children filled with glee.

Christmas is in Jesus 

as you put away your decorations

Christmas remains in Jesus

He lives through man's ablation.

Christmas is in Jesus

You cannot place Him on a shelf

to soothe your conscience

as you reflect upon yourself.

Christmas is in Jesus

Not the material things you have gained

Christmas is in Jesus

and the cross that He stained.

Christmas is in Jesus

Just for you He lived.

Christmas is in Jesus

Just for you He died.

Christmas is in Jesus

Not in the month of December.

Christmas is in Jesus

It is HIM you should remember.

Live Christmas each and every day.

Even when the decorations are all put away.

Live Christmas in Jesus

and give Him ALL of you today.

My Husband

My husband is awesome
My husband is great.
His humor is first class
not second rate.

My husband, so wonderful
and yet so complex.
My husband, how I love him
my heart he doth not vex.

My husband is loving
My husband is kind
My husband is always there
in body, spirit, and mind.

My husband, my blessing
He makes me complete.
Without him my life would be
an insurmountable feat.

Here's to you honey
The one who on this earth
loves me the most.
The one who does me no harm
The one on whom I love to boast.

I have a wonderful, wonderful husband.  I love him dearly.  He has always been my special angel.  To say that I love him cannot even begin to describe just what my heart holds for him.  He always puts God first, even when others don't understand.  Money is not his motivator (Praise God).  My husband is not material.  He seeks first the kingdom of God and His righteousness so that these things may be added unto you.  He provides spiritual guidance and leadership for our family above all else.  He is ministry minded.  He is people minded.  He puts others before himself - always.  To me he is precious and I am willing to go down whatever path God has for us regardless of what others may say.  It occurred to me today that I am 35 and I have gray hair!  Why should I let discouraging words affect my relationship with God or my husband?  Why should I sacrifice eternal blessings because "they" do not approve?  I will not and cannot do that anymore.  That part of my life is done. I am a grown woman capable of making my own decisions.  I am ready (and way overdue) to defend my husband and his actions.  You see, I know beyond any shadow of a doubt that we are EXACTLY where God wants us.  That's what matters most to US.
My husband has been a young man with lots to learn.  My husband has been down hard roads of lessons learned from mistakes.  My husband has made progress. (and so have I thanks to him!)  My husband is now a middle age man with knowledge gained from experience.  My husband is growing as a person, a Christian, a husband and a father.  My husband is wonderful.
I will support my husband in everything.  If that means poverty, homelessness, hunger or shame I will support him.  God shall supply all our NEED according to HIS riches in glory.  We have never done without.  We have never been hungry.  We have never suffered.  God has ALWAYS provided exactly what we needed when we needed it.  He has supplied above and beyond our needs and given us wants.
A Godly life does not always entail riches and glory.  Sometimes it's just walking the chosen path meant just for you and that is what we are doing - together.  We've been made fun of, rejected, scolded and lectured.  We have carried on together. My husband is someone in whom I delight.  He gives me strength when I am tired.  He gives me courage to carry on when people are so mean and nasty.  As I am writing this, I am realizing more and more that my husband is a direct reflection of Christ's love for us.  The strength, the love, the courage - it's amazing!
My husband is human, he is not perfect, but for me he is perfect.  He is exactly what I need and who I need to spend the rest of my life with.
I asked my children one day "Are you happy?"  They said "What do you mean?"  I said "You know, do you like your clothes, your shoes, your hair, your parents, your house?"  They all said "Yes, of course"  They do not desire a large house, fancy shoes or brand new clothes all the time.  They are happy because they see that displayed in their father.  My husband is not only a wonderful husband but a wonderful father.

For you honey, because I love you and I don't care who knows.  I support you in whatever, wherever, and however - now and forever.  I know you are not perfect but I don't care.  I'm bragging on the God that lives inside of you and what He has done in your life.  Only He can make you be what I need and you have done an awesome job of letting Him mold you in His hands.
Yours forever! 

If When Today, If When Tomorrow

If when you are called to do something great what will you say?
Will you just doubt, throw it out and walk away?


Often we live with the "Ifs" of life.Why?  Are we afraid to do what we know is right?  Are we afraid of what people will say?  Are we afraid of failure, rejection, or poverty? I am here to tell you yes on all counts.  We are afraid and it shows.  It's time to stand up and stand against those who would persecute, put you down and try to destroy the very gifts God has given you.  Everyone has their own gifts.  What is yours?  Are you using them or do you hide them because you are afraid of rejection?  Are you afraid of what people will say?


If you are an adult, act like an adult.  

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. I Corinthians 13:11

If you are letting people control you, don't!  God is the only one who's opinion should orchestrate the ebb and flow of your life.  If it isn't standard by man's ideas don't worry about it.  God is in control.  Stand up for yourself, Stand against those who will try to suppress and Stand against those who treat you like a child.  When you become an adult you act like one.  An adult is capable of making their own decisions and fully accepting the consequences or rewards of their actions.  

If when today you are called

Will you go?

If when today you are called

Will you try to stall?

If tomorrow you have a chance

and you take that first stance

Stand down your mockers

Stand down your scorners

Jesus has your back

and He's in your corner.

If Today, If Tomorrow, If When your time is here

Go to Him without delay

The laborer's few, the fields are white.

There is no time for play

Our time is drawing near.

If Tomorrow

If tomorrow you were told to quit your job and serve God faithfully would you?  Would you have enough faith to live by His grace and sufficiency alone?  If you can't trust God to supply your daily needs then what can you trust Him for?  Surely if He is good enough, strong enough, merciful enough and loving enough to keep our souls from Hell, HE can surely supply food, shelter, and basic needs of life.

Obedience is key in a happy, successful Christian life.  Using your 'common sense' will get you into a whole lot of trouble. Our Lord is not common nor does He work in common ways all the time. If you let your own sense of what is good for your life propel your decisions then you have taken your life into your own hands.  You have fully told the Lord that you don't need Him except for when you deem necessary.  Our actions speak volumes and our hearts proclaim our true intentions.


Word of the Day

Common - of frequent occurrence; usual; familiar 

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.  Judge not, that ye be not judged. 
Matthew 6:24 - 7:1

When God leads you to the edge of  the cliff
Trust Him fully.
Only one of two things will happen;
Either He will catch you when you fall or He will teach you how to fly.

If Today

If today God called you out and said "My Child, whose business are you about?"
If today He said to you "Lay it all down, leave everything behind. Your job here on Earth is to mankind."  Would you do what He asks or would you be found floundering around?
If today His call to you were to drop everything the flesh desires, a house, a job, stability and family close by.
Could you, would you, should you lay it all aside?
Yes you should, yes you could and whether or not you would is up to you.
The call is great, the call is hard, to save souls from hell is surely worth it all.

If His call to you today is great or small I urge you lay it all down.
Do what He says,  not what you desire.
 Life is short and the cost very great.
 Do not waste your time as He patiently waits.
 Do not worry about what family says.
Do not worry about friends with negative retort.
Just do what HE says. He gave His life for us!  What are you willing to do for Him?

The Right Thing

The right thing isn't always easy
The right thing isn't always clear
The right thing may elude you
The right thing may include you.

The right thing is hard
The right thing is easy
The right thing seems distant
The right thing is near.

The right thing is close at hand
The right thing dwells outside of man.
The right thing is in plain sight.
The right thing is dark as night.

The right thing, Can you find it?
The right thing, Do you mind it?
Look close and far
Look deep within
For therein lies The Right Thing
On the path you've already been.

The right thing is easily missed
The right thing is easily found
The right thing is so simple
The right thing is tightly wound.

You can find the right thing
You can do the right thing
You can see the right thing
You can have the right thing.

What you do and don't have is up to you.  That which you seek can only be found whilst you are spinning round and round.  So as you go round about, over and through, take a look up and ask God what the right thing is for you.  He will keep your mind on the ground and out of the sky, leading you right to what you can not see.  Trust in Him in every detail and just watch as He fills your heart with glee.

Word of the Day


Trust -  assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone 

Just when you think....

Just when you think you have it bad
Just when you think your life is sad
Just when you think you've had more than you can stand
Remember that the Father has you in the palm of His hand.

These are dear friends of ours.  Please take time to pray for them.  God has a perfect design and will for each of our lives if we will let Him use us as these precious people are doing daily.

http://jeremysams.blogspot.com/2011/11/our-little-girl-selaha-gift-of-joy.html?spref=fb&fb_source=message

Selfish Motives

I think I have asked this question before though I am not certain. =)  Why do you do what you do?  Do you do it for yourself?  Do you do it for others?  Do you do it to get something in return?  How often do you do something entirely for the benefit of another person?

We live in a selfish society who are always focused entirely on self.   Example:  When you give a Christmas present do you give it to get something back or do you give it to help another person asking nothing in return?  Do you say I love you because you mean it or because it is expected and nice to hear in return?  Are you nice to others to save face or do you really care about them?  Do you do someone a favor expecting something in return or just to be a help?

There's no point in being a hypocrite.  Be who you are and don't be fake.  The transparency of the lives around is so blatantly clear that a blind man could see it and deaf man could hear it.  The only person who doesn't see a selfish person's apathy is that person.
As we approach Christmas, let us strive to be real people who are truly helpful to those around us.  Give and take nothing.  Be sincere in your conversation.  Be quiet if you can't be genuine.  Be sincerely nice or be reclusive.  There are enough artificial people in the world without you or I adding to the number.

Have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving, giving God all the glory for everything!

Word of the Day 
Sincere = Free from pretense or deceit; proceeding from genuine feelings.

Condemnation

Condemnation - no not condemn the nation - but condemnation.   A very hurtful tool used all too frequently, particularly among family and people who know each other well.  We condemn for lifestyle, for occupation, for priorities, and for beliefs.  The thought "Can't we all just get along?"  comes to mind.

Lately, I have picked back up my torch of dog rescue.  I love animals.  It is a shame what humans do to them.  It is horrifying the number of animals that are euthanized DAILY.  Numbers, I should have brought my numbers to the board and I forgot.  Maybe I will do a post on that one day.  Why should animals have to suffer for the ignorance of humans?  Spay and neuter your pets please.  If you cannot care for your pets find them a responsible loving home.  Don't take them to the shelter and don't dump them on the road.  When I was growing up I saw horrifying things happen to animals.  A good majority of my family are not animal people so I get to benefit from this kind of  condemnation.  It just so happens I have always been a nonconformist so for the most part I really don't care what people think, only what God thinks.

When I analyze all the animals I've helped and the ones I am currently helping I can take 2 roads.  One is "Look at all the money, time, and space you've spent that could have been used elsewhere"  The other is "Look at all the good you have done for animals and people"  We recently had a Boston Terrier come through.  When I brought her home the Lord said "You do not need her"  This was His way of preventing me from becoming attached.  He then said "She needs you."  2 weeks into our journey with Lily she found people who knew a person who really, really needed her.  She now lives in a wonderful, loving home meant for her.

Often, when we do things,  it is not or should not be, for ourselves.  You never know how you can help someone through something as meaningful and easy as helping an animal.  Don't condemn animal rescuers and lovers, help them.  Donate your time, money, and prayers to them.  They would help you if you needed it.  Return the favor!  Don't condemn those who do it right and help those who don't.

Word of the Day
Condemn - Express complete disapproval of, typically in public

Long Time No See

I can blog again!  YAY!  My email account associated with my blog was lost in the land of the living cells that comprise my brain.  I could not remember my user id or password.  The reset email was not working.  Oh joy!  I finally got everything all figured out and now I am back.  Look for my blogs to resume soon.  If they don't, send me a message please and tell me to get with it.  I am so forgetful these days that I forget more than I remember.  Sharing with you soon, Stacy

Properly Ordered

All members of the home must function in their proper order.  The husband is to be the head, the woman is the heart, and the children are the hope.  God was before all other – He is the beginning of a family.  God created Adam first then the woman.  The husband must  be the head of the home in every aspect of it – Spiritual, Discipline, Debt , Income.  The wife is to honor her husband before her children and the husband likewise.  Without a solid relationship between a husband and wife with open communication and fellowship the unity of marriage is compromised.  A wife must not esteem her children higher than her husband.  In God’s order He gave Adam and Eve children after they had been formed as a couple in His image.  If your children don’t see  the proper order and respect at  home exhibited by  you,  their mother, they will never have respect for their authorities.  Children must have discipline and order.   The wife sets the example through her attitude towards her husband.  If you don’t allow God’s order to reign in your home you are single handedly setting your family up for failure.  God first, husband second, children last.   Outside of home remember   JOY – Jesus first, others second, yourself last. 

Holding It In

How many times have we said something we shouldn't have?  It is so easy for us to speak our minds yet so hard for us to hold it in.   I would like to encourage each and everyone of you to "Hold It In" rather than let it out.  There is much spoken that should just be kept quiet.  The next time we want to speak,  let us first evaluate whether or not it really needs to spoken.  Silence often speaks louder than words.  It is often in the absence of sound that we hear and learn the most.  The more we observe the more we learn and the more effective we can become.

Word of the Day
Silence = The absence of sound; stillness.

Be vewy, vewy quiet.

Serving Thankfully

Are you thankful or whining?  Are you trusting or working?  What is it that compels you to go about your daily business?  Do you get up each morning working for yourself or those around you?  Do you wake up with a "why bother" mentality or are you thankful for another day?  Do you strive for worldly gain or heavenly treasures?   There is so much to be thankful for every single day.  Life is not perfect, nor will it ever be, however that does not give us permission to go about whining over what we think should have.  If you are reading this you are breathing.  That is something to be thankful for.  If you have a computer and internet that is more than many others around the world have.  Don't take what you  have for granted.  Live thankfully every day looking for ways to serve others instead of yourself.  You might just be surprised at the change it will make in your attitude.

Word of the Day
Serving = to be in the service of; work for. to be useful or of service to; help.

 

Minding Your Own Business

I have to step on a soapbox here for a moment.  It is so sad and disheartening that people feel the need to tell others that they do not have the right to have children, in any quantity that they choose.  Circumstances should not determine if a married couple should "try" to get pregnant.  God is the author of life.  God is the finisher of life.  The Bible clearly states that HE opens and closes the womb.  Recently I have been acquainted with these scenarios.  One mother carried her baby to term and then the baby went to Heaven while still in the womb.  God began that life just as He ended it.  Now she is, by God's divine grace, pregnant with LIFE again!  I say good for them for letting God use them as HE deems fit.  Others seem to want to cause controversy.  There is another couple that I know that has been told they should not have children because they are not the most educated or financially sound people!  This is so ignorant.  When God gives life He gives it for a reason.  While that may be hard to accept on all levels, it the definitive truth defined by an infinite God.  In my own situation, people are highly critical of the number of children I have and God forbid I should have more.  I have dealt with this since I began having children.   All I can say is God is great, God is good, God is merciful!  My family has not lacked for one thing EVER.  As a matter of fact, God has provided in abundance.  It is absolutely amazing what God can do when we let Him!
Are you letting God use you to your full potential to which you were called or do you let others opinions affect your decisions?   When you lay down the cross of caring what others think about you and pick up the attitude of caring about only what God thinks, you have taken the first step to living a liberated life.  May I encourage you today to do that which is pleasing unto God and don't worry about what others think?  In the end, you are accountable for you.  'So and so made me do it' is the excuse of a 2 or 3 year old.  It's time to rise above that mentality.
For those of you who feel the need to criticize others decisions - pray for them.  You have no idea why they do what they do and I can assure you it is not done just to spite you.   A true friend supports and never criticizes.  Pray,  don't persecute and for  Heaven's sake, Mind Your Own Business.

Word of the Day
Persecute = to pursue with harassing or oppressive treatment, especially because of religion, race, or beliefs; harass persistently.   to annoy or trouble persistently.

 
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;  Matthew 5:44

Truthfully True

The truth.  There is no "grey" area.  There is only black or white.  Beating around the bush, exaggeration, omission, or just all out giving a bold-faced lie are all forms of deception.  Anything done to deceive another person is a lie.  It is not the truth.   What have you done to deceive yourself?   Did you spend that extra $5.00 thinking no one would know or it will be alright?  Did you eat something today that really isn't good for you but just "one" won't hurt?  When you tithe, do you tithe truly on ALL that you should?  Did you make your child a promise and not follow through?  Did you read and pray today?  Did you 'accidentally' take something home from work and never return it?
People live in different forms of deception everyday.   Those 'little' lies are all big.  The sooner you identify and banish deceit from your life the happier you will be, as will those around you.  Unloading anything negative from your life only opens opportunity for continual joy.   Be truthfully true in all you do and you will find it was the best thing for you to do all along.  Truthfully true you can do so much more than you expected to.  

Word of the Day:
Truthful - Consistently telling the truth; honest. Corresponding to reality; true.

It's Time

It's time to get your life in order
It's time to get it all straight.
Narrow is the way
Straight is the gate.
No one knows the hour
No one knows the date.

I apologize for my absence as of late.  I had the wonderful privilege of sharing a lesson in being a Godly wife this past weekend so my extra time has been spent in study and prayer.   The lesson was on doing what God would have us do as a wife.  We are to be submissive stewards for our Lord.   We are not to act on every fleshly desire and whim as we deem appropriate but rather we are to seek God's guidance for everything that we do.  We alone could be the reason Sally Sue down the street does not respect her husband.  What could she possibly think every time she sees us shoot him an evil look?    We may be why Junior at church wears shoes that are too small because we take our money and do as we please.  Maybe we are the reason Sister Susan sat at home lonely and depressed this week.  You know, we were too busy to even pick up the phone or put a card in the mail.  Our daughters didn't talk to us much because we seemed grumpy, too busy, or just irritated in general.  I wouldn't want to talk to someone like that either!   What are your affections set on today?  Where are your priorities?  Take some time to analyze and ask the Lord to show you how you can better be a submissive steward over all He has given you.


After all, it's not all about us.  It's all about Him.

In Christ, Stacy

Word of the Day
Steward - One who manages another's property, finances, or other affairs.

Judgmental Mother

Have you ever been to the grocery store and saw the "evil" mother?  You know the one who looks scornfully at her child when he/she asks for something for the 50th time and dear mother says "NO"?  (I resemble that remark, hehe)  I am sure you have as we all have.  What is your initial thought process?  Do you pass judgment on this woman without knowing the circumstance or situation?  How many times have you seen a mother correctly discipline a child but thought it was inappropriate?

As fellow mothers we should build one another up, not tear each other down.  It is not our place to pass judgment upon another mother.  Now, if I see someone abusing a child that is another ballgame.  John 7:24 says this "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment."   If we immediately judge what we see then we are not judging with righteous judgment.

When we see something we would frown upon we should pray for that person instead.  A prayer from a Christian who is free from iniquity reaches Heaven and our intercessor Jesus Christ.  By keeping yourself free from iniquity you have the ability to reach God anytime, anywhere and thus do your fellow mothers a favor that will be rewarded in eternity.  Psalm 66:18  "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:" 

Be a non-judgmental mother that other mothers can lean upon in time of need.

Word of the Day

Judgment - the forming of an opinion, estimate, notion, or conclusion.

MIA

I have been MIA!  Have you noticed?  You have the lovely Internet service provider to thank for that.  Apparently, my house, had noise on the line!  Huh, imagine that!  I only have 6 of the noisiest little blessings I know, he he he, and MY HOUSE had noise on the line that was disrupting the entire neighborhood!  Ha!  I find that most amusing.  More amusing is the fact that they DIDN'T EVEN TELL ME  they were disconnecting my service.  Just there one minute and then not.  I called. I waited, and waited, and waited.  I finally got an answer and they finally came and fixed it.  Yay!  So now I am back.   There is a moral to my silly little story.

(I just typed this and blogger wiped it out! YAY~ NOT!)

How many times do you think our Heavenly Father considers us noisy?  I can't even imagine.  No matter how much whining, complaining, or griping we do HE is still there to love us, caress us and hold us close.  He certainly does NOT cut us off to never speak with us again.  Our "noise" can also be disruptive to our own neighborhood.  What do your friends, spouses, children, coworkers and fellow church members hear coming from you?  Are you simply noisy or are you Praising, Thankful, Helpful?   Try to remove the noise on your line so that your conversations with God can be clear, concise, and compelling.

Word of the Day
Noise - a inharmonious or discordant group of sounds

Silence

Silence is golden but is it really?  Sure when you've had a day filled with screaming kids it is, but what about when the silence is dangerous?  When it makes you uncomfortable what do you do?  Do you just let it ride or speak up about it?  I am not an advocate of the silent treatment.  I find it silly, however, if you are going to say something you know will be damaging then silence is the better option.  Guard your mouth, mind, motives, and tongue carefully for you never know what may be related if you don't.  Once it's said it can't be taken back.

Speaking up can be appropriate but choose carefully and surrender to silence when necessary.

Word of the Day 
Silence = The absence of sound; stillness.  Refusal to speak out.

Things I've Learned

Some of the Things in Life I Have Learned Thus Far:

1. Defense is only necessary when offense is being run.
2. People are easily offended, particularly when the truth is spoken.
3. Children may not remember what you say but they will remember how you make them feel.
4. Old people really aren't that old and they really do know more than they let on.
5. Money always affects the minds and hearts of those who have it.
6. Being hateful is not necessary in most cases.
7.  The Bible is not meant to be argued.  It is meant to be read and believed.
8. True friends in life are few and far between.  If you find them, keep them.
9. Children truly are blessings from the Lord.
10.  If you are going to love, love with all of your heart or not at all.  Half-way loving someone only leaves them feeling confused.
11.  Priorities are clearly displayed in daily activities.
12. The masses will never have enough backbone to stand up for what they truly believe in.
13. Husbands are what you make of them. They will be to you what you are to them.
14. Christians are only human.  Don't place them on a pedestal you wouldn't be willing to put yourself on.
15.  Jesus is real!
16.  Don't teach your children that some family members are not okay to be around and then expect them to love them when they grow up.
17.  Advice is only accepted when it is wanted, otherwise, it just causes anger.
18.  You have to teach your children how to be proper spouses or they will have many unnecessary lessons to learn when they find spouses of their own.
19.  'God made me this way' is simply an excuse to justify one's sinful actions.
20.  Presentation is only half of the battle.
21.  Listen more, talk less.
22.  There is nothing wrong with taking a stand.  Whatever you stand for you must stand for firmly otherwise you will be swayed this way and that. No one will be sure what it is you stand for.
23.  Once a friendship is broken it is hard to repair it.
24.  Burned bridges are rarely rebuilt.
25.  If you have something to say, say it to the person to whom it applies or keep it to yourself.
26. Don't believe it just because you read it or hear it.  Research it for yourself.
27. Doctors don't know everything. 
28. You can learn most anything you are willing to work for/towards.
29. Wrong decisions last a lifetime.
30.  Verbal and mental abuse are never acceptable and can be overcome.
31.  If you are a person like me, who offends many people, take heart.  You can't make everybody happy all the time but you can make some people happy some of the time.

Word of the Day
Offense -the act of attacking or assaulting.

When the Strong Become Weak

Have you ever felt like queen of the mountain?  Have you ever just known within yourself that no matter what came your way you could handle it?  What happens when that strength leaves?  It can leave for any reason - age, health, economy, finances, or difficult circumstances.  Let me relate a little story or two from a personal perspective.

I used to feel like superwoman.  I used to think I could handle anything.  I was a vet tech.  Blood and guts were no big deal to me.  Rough people were no big deal to me.  Now, blood makes me want to vomit and rough people make me want to hide.  What has happened?

I took my son to the dentist.  He had 6 teeth pulled.  This is when my revelation to my weakness really came to full view.  As he opened his mouth to show me the new holes where teeth once had been, I almost lost it.  (My stomach contents that is).  My son, however, then put his head on my shoulder and began to cry.  At this point I realized I must be the strong one.  What has happened?

I have kidney stones.  I have LOTS of kidney stones.  I have been fighting the buggers for over 3 years now.  I have been fighting one in particular for almost 2 weeks straight.  It's not big enough to mandate surgery as the others have but it has been enough to knock me flat on my behind, incapable of performing most of my daily tasks.  What has happened?

So, the question still remains, What has happened?  I'll tell you.  I have aged.  I have given birth to 6 children.  I worked 2 jobs for 2 years and then I worked 3rd shift for 2 years.  I burned my candle at both ends, leaving a mess of  used up, mushy wax with just enough wick left for a flicker when I chose to work rather than be a mother.  My jobs became my priorities and focus, not my family.  Moving up and earning as much as possible became my focus rather than how I may serve Christ better.   When a candle is burned properly, its life is prolonged and provides much use to the ones in need of its light.  There is an even burning providing a steady glow of light.  When the wick is not trimmed and the candle is allowed to burn however it chooses, the flame is sometimes bright and sometimes dull, barely burning as it attempts to lay in the wax. 

Just as a candle needs proper trimming and care, so do mothers.  We must allow Jesus to trim our wicks so that we may burn efficiently and bright enough to make a difference in this world to the people around us.  For many years, I held rebellion in my heart that kept me from doing that.  I was too worried about bills, cars, clothes, a house, food, makeup, and what other people would think of me.  I have paid dearly for this rebellion.  The strong person I used to be, and will eventually be again, was burned up.  I used my candle at both ends instead of letting my master keep me trimmed in His way.  Now that I have let Him have my all, He has started giving me back my joy, my peace, my strength, and courage to help others in this walk. 

I will never be perfect, nor will you, but we can be the best we were designed to be.  Are you strong or weak today?  Where does that weakness come from?  Are you doing what you were designed to do or are you doing what YOU want to do?  While we may be made strong in weakness, that strength comes often after a  hefty price has been paid.  I have never been happier than I am now, but my joy has come much later in life than necessary due to my own foolish decisions.

Standing

I'm not afraid to take a stand.
I'm not afraid to meet your demand.
Upon this rock I firmly stand.

The road may be hard and the journey long,
but I rest comfortably in my Savior's hands.
Each day He gives a song.

When all is said and done,
When all life's work has ended with the setting of the sun,
Who will be left and Who will win?
I will, I will my friend.

In Jesus I have found my eternal end.

It is only on Him that I depend.
On whom do you lean today?
Turn to Christ. There is no other way.

Word of the Day = supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

a nonsense word by children to express approval

Testing

Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3!  Does anyone  out there see me?   If you read my blog please leave a comment below as an anonymous user!  This will help me determine the interest in the blog and frequency of posting!  Thank you!

Stray Dogs and Scarred Hearts

As I was washing dishes today, I heard my army of dogs, in their special way, saying "Hello!  Anybody in there?  Something's not right out here!"  We have fowl.  We have coyotes.  The dogs usually only act this way when a coyote has come to snoop.  My eldest child looked out and saw an unidentifiable dog, appearing to be a mix of some sort.   So, in concern for my fowl, I released one of the army.  The army charged in the direction and rolled the poor visiting snoop.  He ran.  He came back with help.  This time there were two of them.  My same loose army man went after them both this time, rolling the same one as before while the other fled the scene.

I used to do animal rescue so I have a soft spot for strays, so much so that at one point there were 15, YES! 15! dogs here. (I was insane, briefly, but insane none the less)  My first thought was "Oh those poor creatures need help".  So, I got in the car, followed them and called them.  They kept on booking it down the road and through the woods.  Oh well, they made their choice.  They ran from what very well could have helped them.

Why, however, do we feel the need to fix everything around us?  I think this pertains to lots of mothers in particular.  How many times have you seen a stray dog, cat or child in need of love and just wanted to scoop it up and shower them with affection?  Have you ever had your child come up to you and say "Why can't I have just one good friend?"  What emotions did that evoke in your own heart?  What emotions came about as you pondered how they must feel?  This is a question 2 of my children have asked in the past 2 weeks as their "friends" have changed and shown less interest in them.

So being a mom who wants children happy and animals safe,  I began thinking over the people and pets who I could potentially help in my life.  As I pondered I realized the animals were simply a distraction.  It is not right nor necessary to help that (or those) which (who)  flees from the safety and help being offered.  However, when someone comes to you with a broken, scarred heart as my children have, IT IS NECESSARY that all other distractions be put aside in an effort to sincerely help those seeking help.  I cannot imagine the pain they both feel for I have cried for them myself.  It hurts my heart deeply to see my children hurt.  The animals, well, not so much - at least not anywhere near the way it does when my children hurt.

We can help only those who desire the help. All other efforts are wasted and cause our focus to be distracted from those who can benefit the most from what we have to offer.  What or who can you (also read as SHOULD YOU)  refocus on?  Are you helping those who desire help or chasing after the "lost causes"?  Be effective, be efficient, and be epidemic.

Word of the Day  

Effective = prepared and available for service

Soap Box Priorities

Why do people do without?  What is the first answer that comes to mind when you ask yourself this question?  Do you immediately blame the person doing without?  Do you automatically release yourself from all responsibility of their need?   Have you considered any other answer to your question that includes your own responsibility to their need?

There used to be a day when family stuck together through thick and thin.  They helped each other out, even if that meant doing without a frivolity or want so that the other person would have what they needed.  These families are few and far between.   On the same lines, there used to be a day when you could call a friend and state your need, with concern shown and help given.  Ha!  That rarely happens anymore either.

It makes me deeply sad and sickened that people are so consumed with their own lusts, their own wants – wants are different from needs-  and their own personal gain that they can no longer see or care about the needs around them.  You never know who around you may be doing without because they know they can’t ask for help.  They know they will be shunned and scorned.  Once someone asks for help a million times and gets turned down a million times they quit asking.   The prosperity that some people have is not given so that they may consume it of their own lusts.  It is given to help others.   This does not mean you should not drive a better car than Sally Sue, but it means you should not drive a Porsche if your sister has to walk to work, church, the doctor or the grocery store.  It does not mean you should not eat steak while they eat beans but it does mean they should not be hungry while you chow down on Filet Mignon.  In my experience, those who have the least give the most and those who have the most give the least.  This is a general statement, not meant to include everyone, but includes most.  The reason so many do without is because so many retain the wealth they are given.  It is not our responsibility to judge the needs of others as viewed through our faulty human eyes.

I am acquainted with several people who have real needs and are part of families who have the wealth by which to relieve them of some of their problem, if not all,  yet it does not happen.   To whom much is given much is required. 

When is the last time you helped someone because you could?  When is the last time you gave something to someone while you “sacrificed” your extras?   What have you done to make an impression on those around you, so that they know they can count on you?  Not everyone can give and not everyone should give, BUT those who can should help out when, where, and what they can. 

For a scriptural backing of these thoughts see these verses, preferably  in the King James Bible.

Acts 4: 32 – 35 and  James 2: 15

Word of the Day 

Priority = the right to take precedence in obtaining certain supplies, services, facilities, etc., especially during a shortage.