Troubles...

Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ.  2 Corinthians 2:14
In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. (Message)

Grasping the idea that I can truly overcome, and walk through any situation, because Jesus and the Holy Spirit have given me unlimited power, is difficult.  Somewhere between the knowing He can do all things, and that He has given me the ability to do what He has done or even greater.... well, it get's lost in my mind!

In following Christ, we are promised that we will also go through trials and struggles.  That we will struggle, because we live in a fallen world.  These types of things are inevitable.  One of my "pet peeves" are ministers who seem to teach that if you are following Jesus, everything is wonderful and perfect.  That my friend is just not true.

The amazing thing is not that we will never go through any struggles or troubles, but that Jesus walks with us in them, and that He has given us strength and power to "press on".  If we try to do it all in our strength, we will fail miserably.  But if we keep moving forward, listening for His voice and watching His ways, then we will be pleasantly surprised by what we find on the other side.

Sometimes it is the "other side" of the troubles and trials and hard places, that we find more joy, more grace, more faith, deeper growth... and the list goes on.  If we just quit, every time something is not going our way (or the way we think it should be going) oh what we will forfeit. 

Help me to keep going, when I feel like it is not worth the battle.  Help me to believe that You have given me power, that sometimes I can't even see or feel within myself.  Give me strength and courage to keep pressing on, until I get to the other side.  For the prize ahead is so much greater than my mind could ever conceive.  Amen

Happy Mother's Day

 "Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come."
"She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue."

I will be honest, I have been so blessed all week.  My husband decided to do a week of mother's day!  So every day, I have received lovely gifts.  Just for me!  Things that spoke to my heart, my needs, my emotions...

I have seven wonderful children, two children in love, and one grandson (and grand baby on the way).  I am covering several stages of life all at once... it is a whirl ride of a time.  But one I wouldn't ever give up.  I have a 24 year old daughter (married) and a 20  year old son (married), my role in their life is so different, sometimes it is a blessing, and sometimes it is difficult.  Gone are the days when they listen to mom just because I AM the MOM.  But at this age, they make their path - good or bad.  For these two, I pray wisdom and God's grace.  Regardless of their age, this mom's prayers are never done.

Then I have an 18 year old daughter and a 17 year old daughter.  Two girls could never be so opposite as these two!  Being the mom of teen age girls with their feelings and heart on their sleeve is like walking through land mines.  Every day, sometimes every moment is different.  Prayers at this age, are sometimes easy, and then there are those gut wrenching, prayers of desperation.  You know the kind, the ones when you lay on the floor, snotty and red faced!  lol  Oh how I have had some of those nights.  But over the past year, I have seen so many of those prayers answered.  God has proven and assured me over and over again... He hears me and loves me and is going to answer.  The hard part, the REALLY hard part, is knowing that although they are "mine".... they really are His and He will do whatever He wants in HIS time.  Oh what grace and patience HE has on me. 

Then there is my 10 year old son, 8 year old son, and my 5 year old (bossy and prissy) little girl.  I love the prayers for these !  God lead them, love them, protect them, thank you for them, thank you for their life, their tears, their hugs and kisses.  Thank you for speaking to them while they are so young.  Thank you for leading their hearts to you at such tender ages.  I see God growing amazing and life changing "warriors" in these three.  I've had more time and more knowledge, more patience, understanding, and well... just about everything has been easier, only because God has taught me so much from my failures and successes with the older crew.  I love this age.  I love that God gave me a third "stair step" in our children!

I thank the Lord, every day that He has made me a mom.  I hope my older children know I did the best I could and followed the Lord, His Word, and my heart for them.  I love every one of them dearly.  I could not imagine my life with out any of them.  I hope they will have fond memories, even amongst the bitter sweet ones when I am gone.  Sheila, Shawn, Macaylin, and Amy.... I love you more than life.  My prayers for you are daily.  They remain always with you.  God can do mighty things with your lives, just allow Him to lead you!

For my Caden, Caleb and Cayla... may you know that you bring such joy.  Your lives will be a little different always, because of your brothers and sisters that grew up before you.  I will make mistakes still.  I will fail you at times.  But, I will always, ALWAYS, be there for you.  I pray for you daily.  That God continues to work in you NOW, every day, in every way, to bring you closer to Him.  May I be an even better mom in the days ahead, because I choose to walk closer  and closer to my "Daddy".

To all of my children, you will never know, what an honor it is for me, to be called - Mom, Mommy, Mama, and yes Shawn, even Maaaaaaa!  I love you, I love you, I love you!

Short Post

This is my story, this is my song, 
Praising my Savior, all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long.


I am beyond thankful and blessed, that I have a story, and a song... and that it was written just for me by my Father.  He knows everything that was, that is, and that will be.   I love living this song as He writes it for me! 

Have a great weekend!!!!

Seeking Treasures

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  Matthew 6:21

I choose to be a stay at home mom.  I choose to be a homeschooling mom.  I do not believe that everyone is called to do the same.   And I won't look down on others' that choose to work or send their kids to other places of learning.

But... I am concerned for those who choose to put anything above the biblical priorities of their home.

I love to be a mom.  I love to teach (most days).  I love to be there for every little thing.  I love being a wife.  I love seeing my husband and being his help meet. 

My treasure is found in my husbands touch, my children's hugs, my friends happiness, my churches ministries that reach others and save the lost.  These are the treasures that I seek.

Sometimes, I do have a pity party for myself.  What if I had a bigger house, a lawn keeper too!  Why can't I have a new car?  Why does living even "simple" seem to take so much of my sweet husbands income.  Why not......... new clothes, shopping sprees, awesome vacations, cool cars, manicured lawns, diamonds, gold, silver, perfume, well......... you see my point.

And much of these "things" I could have had, if not for my choices.  I believe God has given me every "good and perfect" gift.  I am loved and adored by my husband. He is my protector, my cheer leader, my best friend.  I have blessings galore that stem from our seven children.  I have a sweet grand-son.  I have so much that fills my treasure trunk........... and the best part of these treasures... I CAN take them with me! :)

My priorities were not always this clear, but as I have grown closer to God.  Loving, serving, teaching, praying, leading and all those wonderful things I get to do every day, mean more to me, and to eternity, than anything - ANYTHING, this world can offer. 

Thank you Daddy God, for these amazing and wonderful treasures you have placed before me.  I'm so thankful that I am still learning to do what You have called me to do, in my home and in these jewels lives.  May every step I take, every nose I wipe, every tear kissed away.... always remind me that my choice was the BEST, that You had for me.  I am so very grateful.

Trust

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight.  Proverbs 3:5-6

 The past few years have been filled with great highs, and some really deep lows.  Everything I "thought" about God and what He would "do" for me has been challenged.  I definitely would not "choose" to ever go through some of these times again, but I have found some basic truths that walked me through these times and will get me through the days ahead.

So what are these truths?

There IS a God.  Yes, there sure is!

He knows my name and everything that I am going through.

He will never leave me, not even for one moment.

Knowing these things have given me an amazing ability to "know that I know, that I know" regardless of what is going on in my life, HE holds it all, and will walk me through it all.

There are still times when I worry or stress.  I don't know of anyone who NEVER worries or stresses. Do you?  But all in all, after the initial panic fades, I have assurance that I am not alone.  In fact  God is probably closer to me than before I knew about the situation, because it has given me a greater need.  (Yes, often, we are allowed to face things, in order to draw us further and deeper in a relationship with Him.)

So, what have you learned about trusting God?  Do you know how much He truly loves you?

Father God, I am so thankful, that in spite of all the hard times I have or will face, that I have assurance You are beside me.  I know You hold all things in Your hands and that You want to bless me and prosper me with so many blessings.  Thank you for growing me in these times too!

Freedom....

I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.  Psalm 119:32

Freedom is not... being able to indulge in all of your desires.  That is slavery to the world.  The world wants you and I to believe that we can HAVE anything we want.  Nothing is off limits, everything is for your pleasure, for your taking.  But that brings bondage.  Chains that are not easily broken, chains that hold us captive for years.

Real freedom only comes from God.  The God who loved us so much that He sent His only son, Jesus, to die for us and free us from the chains of this world. 

Real freedom only comes from following God's commands.  His plan is so much bigger and greater and powerful than anything we could ever imagine for ourselves.  But there are "rules" to His plan.  His word is very specific about how we should live and what we should do.

God's word reveals all we need to live in freedom.  So why do we so easily become ensnared in all that this world offers?  Why is it so easy to walk any way but HIS way?

We have power within us, power from our Father, to give us the ability to be free.  There is no sacrifice to great... but then again, what we gain when we lay down the world... wow... you can not even imagine how free you will be.

One  more thing about freedom, It is saying, "I don't need anything, except what God gives me."  When we make this our passion, to only need and crave what God wants for us, we are free.  Free from the commercials, the images, the ads... free from what the world tells us we should possess, should look like, should strive for.... it is all in vain. 

Freedom is accepting every "good and perfect gift" from the Father, and knowing it is enough.  Freedom is knowing every step we take, following the footprints of our Savior, is taking us to places we would never have imagined.  Freedom is ....... FREE! 

Father, in a world calling out to me to buy into it's pleasures, may I stand strong and walk only in the paths of Your commands.  May my freedom come from knowing You give "good things" to your children.  May my freedom always be found in You.  Amen.