Dreams Gone...God's Grace Abounds

I don’t know about you but when I got married and dreamt about having kids my kids were going to act appropriately!  They were not going to throw temper tantrums in the store.  They were not going to back talk their parents.  They were not going to openly disobey me.  Then I had kids and that dream went out the window!  The tantrums, the whining, the disobedience, and the back talk it is all there! 

With my “perfect” children dream out the window, my parenting dream went out the window too.  There are days that I am harsher than I should be; words come out of my mouth that shouldn’t.  There are days the discipline doesn’t match the crime; the kids are grounded way longer than they really need to be.  There are days that I simply don’t want to deal with whatever it is and I choose not to address it.  My dream parenting didn’t have any of those behaviors in it! 

Lamentations 3:22-23 notes, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”  With my “perfect” parenting and “perfect” children out the window these verses are filled with such hope!  The love I receive and my children receive from the Lord never ceases!  It does not matter how imperfect we were throughout the day.  The best part, His mercies are new every morning! 

Each and every morning you wake up; remember it is a new beginning!  Share with your children how gracious our Lord is and thank Him for this new day and the ability to start out with a clean slate! 

Reflection Equals Insight and a Whole Lot More!

The last seven months I have been “journaling” a book for my husband.  My daughter gave me a journal for Christmas that sat in my drawer just begging to be written in.  However, I already had a prayer journal and I am not one that journals much beyond that.  Yet, there was this nagging that kept at me saying I needed to write in it.  The thought that kept coming to mind was write for your husband; let him know how much you appreciate him.  So mid January, I finally said all right God I will write.  Once again God knows best!

Journaling for Dan was the best reflection time I have ever spent.  To sit down and take dedicated time to ponder just who my husband is brought about a deeper love within me for him.  I could see through the day-to-day things how much he takes care of me, loves me, and supports me.  The small things that I didn’t see or took for granted became big things that helped grow the love, appreciation, and respect I have for my husband.  I found that when I sat down to write, no matter what mood I was in, I always ended up with a smile on my face and there was a peace within me.  I am truly blessed to have a husband who puts Christ first in his life and treats me like a queen.

While journaling I included a number of different things. I shared with him some of my favorite bible passages.  I found funny quotes as well as quotes that referred to marriage that caused me to ponder our married life.  I also wrote him notes about the little things I had noticed.  Overall, I wanted him to have the opportunity to know what he does for me as well as our children is very much appreciated. 

I would encourage all to take the opportunity to reflect.  What a gift it is to see someone you love in a different perspective even after 19 years of marriage.  

Cheryl

Needed Medicine

I'm sure most of us have heard "laughter is good medicine".  Just think about when you laugh.  It brings a smile to your face.  It lifts your spirit.  It puts a bright spot in your day.

Laughter is good medicine because God prescribed it.  Proverbs 17:22 "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."  Proverbs 15:13 "A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed"  Just think about when we don't laugh.  We are drained.  We have a dim outlook on life.  We simply don't care anymore or as God puts it our bones are dried up.

While exercising the other morning in a hotel exercise facility the news was the "entertainment" for those of us walking miles and going no where.  The guy on the treadmill next to me said "Is there ever anything good on the news?"  It made me stop and think, we are a doom and gloom society.  The "bad" stuff makes the news not the joyous stuff.

Therefore, we need to be diligent in taking a moment in life each day to laugh.  Share that laughter with a spouse, friend, children, neighbor or simply laugh because you have a memory that brings happiness.  My vision of laughter is my grandma.  She laughs all the time.  In fact, just thinking about it makes me laugh.  Life was not easy for her, but she always found the joy in life and still finds that joy today.  What a blessing she has given to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Laugh - God prescribed it!  Share it - God asks us to share!

Cheryl

Um...Really Lord?

The story of Moses and the burning bush is a pretty familiar story.  Moses is minding his own business tending to his flock and there before him was this bush that was on fire; yet not being consumed.  In that bush was the angel of the Lord, who was going to request of him a job.  Now mind you Moses already had a job.  He was a shepherd and was clearly working; yet, the Lord had something for Moses to do.  However, Moses wasn’t real thrilled.  In fact, he argued with the Lord about being capable of doing what God asked of him.  The Lord’s response – I will be with you.

How many times are we asked by God to do something and our response is – um…I’m not equipped to do that?  I have things planned and what You are asking doesn’t fit within that plan.  I’m sure there are plenty of arguments that we can insert here as to why we can or cannot do something.  Yet, in Isaiah it notes “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” (55:8)

If we are going to let the Lord lead our lives that means we are probably going to face challenges that we never dreamt we would face.  We may be asked to do something that we would never pursue on our own.  But as the Lord told Moses – “I will be with you”.  Those words are the words that need to replay in our head instead of I can’t do that. 

Be willing to step outside the little box that brings comfort.  The Lord will equip you with what you need when you need it. 

Cheryl    

Misses Nothing

The saying – a picture is worth a thousand words – can speak to this picture.  I’ll try not to use a thousand words but there is just something about this picture.  This picture presents a very commanding look by what some could say is just an adorable animal.  However, there is so much more to a Llama than its “beauty”.   Llamas are protectors.  They guard flocks of sheep or herds of goats from the predators that roam around waiting to attack.  The llama, who lives with his flock or herd, keeps his eye out for anything that does not belong or could harm his flock.  He is always on guard and if something threatens his flock he is off and running.  You see when a llama feels there is a threat he runs at that threat.  He stares down the animal that is threatening his flock and will spit if the threat continues.  If the animal does not back off and makes his way towards the flock, the llama will knock the animal down and stomp it with its knees.  The animal will either run off or be stomped to death.

While taking this photo, it was very interesting to watch the llama.  I was off to the side taking photos, and he always kept his eye on me.  At the same time, there was a great deal of activity surrounding his pen and he also kept an eye on that.  He paraded around his pen making sure all was well and his demeanor changed when someone would get too close to his pen.  He became stiffer in his walk and made his way over to the “threat”.  If the “threat” did not back away or chose to climb on the fence he would stomp his front feet.  If that didn’t work, the spit flew.  The “threat” got first hand exposure to his line of defense and it worked; the “threat” backed off. 

The llama in this picture brings to mind the verse from 2 Chronicles 16:9.  “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward Him.”  I have this visual of the Lord with a commanding stand watching out for me.  He is watching to and fro amongst all the activity that surrounds me and misses nothing.  He is my protector!  It is also noted in Psalm 34:7 that “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.”  Not only is He constantly watching out for us He is encamped around us.

I need a protector!  I need the Lord’s strength and might to surround me; to encompass me as the “threats” of world are around me.  “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2

Cheryl   

No Forgotten Detail

Appreciating God’s creation is something I easily overlook because it is so “common”.  We live amongst His creation all the time.  I do notice how beautiful His creation is but life gets busy and I forget to appreciate just how meticulous God is.  This weekend I saw the beauty of His creation unfold before me.  On the ground was an orange and white creature; one that I had never seen before.  I grabbed my camera and for the next 20 minutes I was in awe.  I want to share with you what unfolded within those 20 minutes.

The detail God put into this little creature was magnificent.  You, too, have been meticulously created.  The detail He put into creating you is so thorough He knows how many hairs are on your head.  It leaves me in awe to know just how much God cares about us.  When I take the time to appreciate God’s creation there is a sense of peace that overcomes me.  I see the detail He has put into His creation and there is no doubt God has a plan for me. 

Cheryl

What Would You Have?

I was reminded yesterday about a saying I had found on Pinterest - "What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday".  Ouch!  I started to think about what I would have and the list was pretty short.  Then I took a look around me and I have been blessed beyond words...Sigh!  I have neglected to thank my Savior for the blessings He has given me.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 states, "Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." and Ephesians 5:20 notes, "Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."  I have heard these verses many times.  In fact, they are underlined in my bible; yet, I didn't think much about it.

What a blessing it is to have a Savior that doesn't give us what we deserve!  Take time during the day to Thank Him in all circumstances!  Remember to thank Him for the little things, the big things, and all the things in between.

Thank you Jesus for blessing us beyond our wildest dreams!

Cheryl

Thirsty?

 Growing up as a little girl we raised hogs and I can remember a time or two the sows were “running” at me and I am pretty sure I turned and ran the other way!!  They scared me silly and I DID NOT like the pigs.  Fast forward many years and my children decide they want to show hogs for 4-H.  I think my heart skipped a beat because that meant I had to deal with the pigs.  Well, after many months of acclimating to the pigs I have learned to appreciate them.  They are funny and very photogenic. 

As I was looking at this photo, the bible passages of thirst were running through my mind.  “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters…” Isaiah 55:1.  All we had to do was turn on the water and “Diamond” (The pig) was right there.  She loved to drink water out of a hose so much so that she would follow the spray of water just to get a drink.  It was as if she didn’t have the opportunity to drink all day.  Of course, she always had water at her disposal but she was thirsty for the water out of the hose.

The Lord invites us to come to the waters and quench our thirst.  It’s as if He is standing there with a hose and water is pouring out.  All we have to do is partake.  David prayed in Psalm 63:1 – “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you…”  Quench your thirst through Him.  Open your bible and feel the thirst dissipate as His word fulfills.

Cheryl