Light Bulb Moment

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Have you ever been watching a movie, reading a book or talking to someone and ding the light bulb of understanding comes on? This happened to me this past Sunday. I was watching a movie called Encounter: Paradise Lost. This movie is a christian movie and it takes place on an island in Thailand where a drug dealer, his wife and body guard are going to a resort to meet the drug lord. The owners of the resort are still there and the agent who has been tracking the drug dealer shows up too. They are all stranded by a typhoon when Jesus shows up. No one believes it's him until he starts sharing personal information about each one and heals the drug dealers wife. It's a good movie, but this isn't what made the light bulb go off. There is a part in the movie when Jesus is talking to the resort owner about his son's death. The owner, Chris, kept blaming God for killing his son in a Tsunami several years before. Jesus explained that he did not kill his son. That God created all good things and when Adam and Eve sinned in the garden good was no longer on the earth. At that moment a light bulb came on...the room seemed brighter with my understanding and I began to cry.
 I realized two things. One, that God did not take my daddy from me when I was a little girl. Two, that I needed to ask God to forgive me for blaming him for taking my daddy and being mad at him. Amazing how God can show you what's in your heart by watching a movie. I did ask forgiveness for being mad at God and for blaming him for not only taking my daddy, but my granny and my miscarriage. A whole in my heart seemed to disappear when I did that. There is nothing more heart breaking than losing a loved one but knowing they are in heaven with a God who loves them and me is an anointment to the wound. Healing occurred Sunday night and all because I watched a movie. I can now say that I understand the verse in Romans that talks about God works good for all those who love him. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 I may not understand why, but I do understand that God only does good things for me. It may hurt, and the emotions that come with it are normal but finding a peace that only God can give is important. Turn to him and the strength to move on will be given. Until next time may God Bless you and Keep you.
Bible verse taken from NIV Bible.

Irreplaceable

In the world we live in today most people view you as replaceable. This fast paced world with such high ambitions of becoming rich and famous or the top person in your field of choice teaches us that indeed we are and can be replaced. Sadly, we learn quickly that being courteous and sensitive to others can actually leave you as the low man on the totem pole. You have to be a go getter and willing to step on toes to get ahead in today's world. Look out for numero uno and you will go far and get ahead but what happened to putting others first? I know a lot of people and I use to be one of them that feels as if they are irreplaceable. This couldn't be farther from the truth. The definition for irreplaceable on dictionary.com is incapable of being replaced; unique. They teach you early in your career that you are replaceable just mess up a couple times and you will find out. The truth is you shouldn't look at yourself as being replaceable. True there is someone out there who can do the job that you are doing right now, but there is no one that is made exactly the same as you. God created each one of us different from the other. We are unique and he chose you to do a certain job for him that no one else can do. Hence, the word irreplaceable. There is no one else that can do the job that God created you to do. Your work for the kingdom can be done by no one else but you. You may be replaceable for the workforce or feel like you are being used and abused around your house, but remember God sees what you are doing. He knows your struggles and hurts. We may feel like we should be replaced because we are burned out, but again no one can do your job quite like you. "You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, “You did not make me”? Can the pot say to the potter, “You know nothing”?" Isaiah 29:16 We tend to get caught up in the small tasks of our lives and lose focus on why we are really here. When things don't go the way we think we start asking questions and complaining. We, and I am included in this, need to remember that God created us specifically for his purpose and though we feel confused he knows exactly what to do and where we are going. My friend go about your day focusing on bringing him Glory and realizing that you are in fact irreplaceable. Until next time may God Bless you and Keep you.
*Bible verse taken from NIV Bible

Admiration

"Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children." Proverbs 17:6
  
   I don't think there is a parent around who wouldn't agree that their child is a blessing from God. The moment you know you are pregnant there is a bond between you and baby that no one can take away. The day they are born and you hold them your heart is so full of love that you think it's going to explode. A blessing indeed, but what about as they grow? You still see them as a blessing but they start seeing you and I mean the real you. They see the person you are in public and at home. Are you a parent they can be proud of? My heart has been full of love for my kids since I found out I was pregnant with them but this past Friday night made my heart grow fonder of my husband and kids.
  My son who is seven and in less than a month will be eight does not really care to go to our hometown football games. This past Friday was the first chance we had to go see my husband at his school's football game. I told my son we were going to the game and he started to ask if he had to go, but before he could finish I told him we were going to watch his daddy's band. His eyes lit up and he never finished asking if he could stay home with his Papaw. The minute my husband met us until the minute we had to leave my son was attached to his daddy. He followed him around everywhere. The look of pride and admiration in our sons eyes put me in awe. I realized at that moment how proud our son was to call my husband his daddy and how much he enjoyed spending time with him. Our son was able to watch the football game with the band, he watched the band from the field and helped his daddy take care of somethings for the band. He grew taller Friday night, taller with pride. His eyes sparkled with joy and not once did he ask if we could go home. He truly enjoyed being at the game and experiencing it all with his daddy.
  I have not given much thought to the verse above in Proverbs, which states that parents are the pride of their children. "Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children." Proverbs 17:6 I can see how children are a pride to their parents but I didn't understand this verse until Friday night. I witnessed my son's pride of his daddy. We as parents, need to remember that our children are most definitely a blessing from God, but our children watch us closely and take pride in who we are to them. Take the time to be the Godly parent you are called to be. We all come from different back grounds and life experiences but it's clear how we should treat our children. Be a parent that your children are proud of but more importantly one that God smiles upon. As you go about your day, take a moment to let your kids know how much you love them and that they are a blessing to you. Spend some quality time with them and watch their eyes light up. Until next time may God Bless you and Keep you.
*Bible verse taken from NIV Bible

God's provisions

I have told you that I resigned from my job as a junior high teacher and started babysitting for my cousin. I love being able to stay home, the house stays clean, well cleaner than it did when I was working. The kids love me dropping them off and picking them up from school. I normally have supper ready at a decent hour. I also like that when one of them is sick I can just go pick them up and not worry about getting docked pay. Being at home is what God has asked me to do, but we have already hit a few bumps in the road. I'm not making as much money obviously with babysitting than I was teaching but God has managed to show me he truly has all my financial concerns covered. It started in August when a friend of mine asked if I would host a scentsy party for her. I agreed and she had an awesome party which means my commission was good. Then about a week later a lady that attended the party asked if I would host a party for her. I agreed and gave thanks to God for helping me in my scentsy business. Now, I have another lady who is interested in me hosting a party. This is wonderful news for me and my family and I pray this continues to happen. God is truly blessing me, but it doesn't stop with my scentsy business. My husband and I are learning to live day by day, week by week and sometimes my stomach hurts from the realization that we could be late on a payment. Then God steps in and someone gives us extra money, and just last week a letter from a previous bank shows we still have money in that account. Just today we found out a bill doesn't have to be paid this month. Wow, he is truly amazing. God has met us right where we are. We do not have "extra" money but we are living week by week on exactly what he provides for us. I know this seems extreme but I know in my heart God wants me at home and by these provisions I feel he is showing me that I am doing what he wants me to do. "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?" Matthew 6:25 By no means have we had to worry about food, or clothes but paying bills yes. God has shown me that there is no since in worrying and honestly I believe him. He has provided for us and right when we need it. I am in shock but I am completely at peace with my life and where God is leading me. I pray that you can find that peace today. Until next time may God Bless you and Keep you.
*Bible Verse taken from NIV Bible

Pride

How easy is it to fall to pride? How easy is it to say look at what I have done or what I am doing? Do you not feel accomplished when other people say great job or you are the best? It's just a compliment right?
 "From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit." Jeremiah 6:13 Did you read that? From the least to the greatest. My thoughts are from children to our elders all struggle with greed and pride. If the prophets and priests who are suppose to be the people with a very close relationship with God struggle with this, then it should come as no surprise that everyone else does. Pride sneaks up on us most of us. It's not like we all walk around saying look at my master piece or look at how good I am. Again, I say most people are not this way. The trick to remember is we are all given different gifts from God and should remember that God makes it possible for us to use those gifts. We all want to hear well done and get the pat on the back when we do a great job.  We shouldn't let it go to our heads. The work we do here on earth should glorify God and we should always give him the praise and thanks due when we receive our pats on the backs and well dones. When we start thinking we did something on our own, or start wanting the attention for the outstanding work finished then we start to slip into the prideful mindset. In Obadiah verse three it states that pride deceives the heart. "The pride of your heart has deceived you,..." Obadiah 1:3 It starts with a little and slowly we are deceived by our hearts, by our feelings and emotions. We want to be something to somebody and be accepted so we let little things get to us and become full of pride. It's important to remember who we are and that we do mean something to somebody. I know that I am the daughter of God, a sister to Christ and I mean the world to him. God should be who we find our need of acceptance in. Since we live in a world that focuses on me,me,me it's easy to get caught up in our plans. We have to remember we serve a greater purpose and his plans are far better than ours. So today do not be discouraged when you don't get noticed or your dream doesn't seem to be coming true. Take a deep breath, thank God for his blessings and seek his will. Let go of the pride that craves the attention and the kudos of a job well done and give it all to God. Until next time may God Bless you and Keep you.
*Bible verses taken from NIV Bible

How long do you trust God?

"Gideon replied, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me." Judges 6:17
 I started praying about my teaching job last October and I asked God to show me an answer. I prayed day and night all the way until May and then I got my answer. I wish I could sit here today and say that I have fully and completely trusted God, but I haven't. I guess I should say I trust God and know he will take care of me but the minute something comes up that puts my family in a bind my stomach knots up and I'm second guessing what I know I should be doing. I heard my answer loud and clear and that answer was for me to resign as a teacher and stay home. The journey of me staying at home has started off very bumpy. I babysit one baby and others as needed, but here lately that hasn't worked out. When this happens I start to question if I should stay at home or find another job. Then I remind myself that I am doing what God wants me to do and he will provide. This is when I feel like Gideon because I find myself saying, "Ok, God, you want me to stay home but why is it all this keeps happening? Give me a sign that this is still what you want me to do." I laugh thinking about it, because God isn't the one changing his mind, it's me and my lack of trust or more like the lack of wanting to let go of the control I feel like I have when I'm working. You see, without my income as a teacher, I have to fully trust that God will provide for us. He has already proven to me several times that he will provide. "To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless." 2 Samuel 22:26 So, what do I do when I hit a bump in the road? I look to God and say," I am giving it to you and I know you will provide." It is hard for me to do that but I know that he will take care of me and that is all I can do. The rest is out of my control. Does that mean my stomach doesn't knot up, no, it just means that I keep reminding myself that God is faithful and will provide. I do not understand why I've hit so many bumps already but I do know that I can trust my God. "The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy." Psalm 111:7 My God is mightier than any problem I will ever face and I find peace in knowing that all will be okay when I lean on him. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1 God knows what I hope for but more importantly I know his plans for me are far better than anything I could dream. So, how long do you trust God? I will trust him until he calls me home, and apologize for any doubts I may have along the way. Until next time may God Bless you and Keep you.
*Bible verses taken from NIV Bible.

All Seeing

 I love being able to take my kids to school in the morning. This morning we were talking about having a good day when my son who is seven asked me how I knew we were going to have a good day. I told him because God is with us and since we have God nothing can be against us. This apparently sent his mind into overdrive. He then asked me how can God see everybody. I told him that God is that powerful, he can see everybody because he is everywhere. My answer apparently wasn't right, so he replied, "It's because God is that big, he can see one side of the world with one eye and the other side of the world with the other eye." :) Something so complicated, yet so simple. I love that he was able to understand this concept in his own way. He didn't make it difficult, like I was trying to do even though I gave a simple answer. I came home and looked up some verses on God seeing everyone. I came across three verses that really stuck out. The first verse came from Job and it states,"His eyes are on the ways of men; he sees their every step." Job 34:21 Sure enough, plain as day there is the verse that says God sees you. He is watching your every step. This is here to make us aware that God knows what we are doing. He is not only watching your step and mine but every person that walks this earth. It is amazing that he can watch over 7 billion people at one time. "For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths." Proverbs 5:21 Even though there are over 7 billion people on this earth and buildings, cars, trees, and other objects that block our view, God can still see what we are doing. I picture it like God has a view from an airplane, only we don't look like ants to him. He can see us just as we appear but more importantly what's on our hearts and minds. Unlike this world, he does not look at us for our outward appearances, but takes notice and judges us based on our inward appearance and actions.
   Proverbs clearly says he can see our paths. When I normally think of a path I think about where I am going. God not only knows what way we are going but in this particular verse I think paths means he knows every decision we make. Everything you do you could have chosen not to do. At the time your decision to do or not to do something seems small but it leads you down a path that either reflects your beliefs or contradicts your beliefs. In this way he sees your path more clearly than you do. "My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes." Jeremiah 16:17 This verse lets me know that my walk is being watched from the time I wake up to the time I lay down. Every little thing and every big thing that I do throughout my day is seen in full view by God. This should not make us feel guilty for what we do, but to realize that we will be held accountable for our actions. God loves us too much to let us roam this earth without him being here with us and watching what we do. He is not watching us to condemn us, instead he wants to be there for us. To help you and guide you through your journey on earth. If he wasn't watching how would he know when we needed his help or when we were sinking into a sinful pit? His power is amazing to say the least, and the fact that he uses it to help me leaves me speechless. As you go about your day, try to think of your decisions and if they reflect your beliefs. I hope you know that God loves you and is with you in everything you do.  Until next time may God Bless you and Keep you.
*Bible verses taken from NIV Bible.