Blessings

Luke 16:10 (NLT) If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.

This is a post and a prayer request…I know I am not alone in this and I will pray for you as well.

“It takes hard work to care for all the blessings God gives us. Be careful what you ask for…when God gives it to you, He expects you to take good care of it.” This sentence flew out of my mouth as I was talking with the kids about all the housework I was doing. Not out of the norm stuff...just the everyday for a mama of three. The three are just getting older and noticing the work it takes to run a household - often because I ask them to help.

Many days, I’m not sure I could handle more responsibilities. Ever get to the point when your blessings overwhelm you with the duty of them? There are many days I ask for wisdom to be the mama my children need. To be the friend my friends need. To be the wife my husband needs. To care for all my many blessings. I am not a great housekeeper…not in the least. But thankfully, the LORD looks at our hearts and not outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7)…and thankfully, my children and husband appreciate the work of life and not a life of work. We live our lives and live in our home – and care for it as it needs not as some of the world demands. I prefer to be responsible and faithful in the greater things and not let great things demand me.

I am enjoying and thankful to God that on some level He trusts me with the care of hearts not just worldly possessions. I am in awe that He would care for all the details of my life, know how my heart turns so quickly from Him and give me so much anyway. Who Am I Really?

My desire is to bless the LORD with all His blessings. I know I fall short (Romans 3:23) in my care of my blessings of life. Thankfully, God refines and trains me in the care He desires and how best to please Him with every stumble I make.

Deuteronomy 10:12 (NLT) [A Call to Love and Obedience] “And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the LORD your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul.

Encouraging Scars

1 Peter 5:10 (NLT) In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.

I’m not sure how I missed posting last week…the week was over before I knew what happened. This post has been jumbling in my mind for two weeks now and I still don’t quite know how to articulate it. Even When It's Hard

This past weekend was uneasy, empowering and encouraging for me. I was able to travel to a place that used to mean fear, shame and anxiety. This is a literal place…not just an emotional one. There is a town that I have avoided for 18 years because of the emotional wounds that it brings to mind…and this weekend, out of spite, out of gumption, out of stubbornness – I decided that God has healed so many of my wounds that I was no longer going to let anything (i.e. fear, shame, anxiety) direct my feet but Him. I dug my heels in (with some tears and trembling before I left) and walked the path that led to redemption. My reward was new and fun memories to overshadow the dark memories. I Still Believe

There are places I have NOT visited and things I have NOT done because of the emotional bondage past abuse has had over me. I know there are many people out there like me that have allowed the past (or present) and it’s emotional wounds to dictate where they go and what they accomplish. Ghosts from their past…emotional and mental specters, hinder the work and life God has for them. On my drive this weekend, God spoke many things of peace, redemption and security IN HIM. One of the phrases that He spoke gave me great insight into the life He desires for me:  He said, “the same power that took the sting of death away and set the moon and stars where they should be is the same power within you and for you. It is MY power that will take the sting of past hurts and wounds and set your feet firmly on the path that leads to life not death.”  He was for me before, during and after the hurt of my past – He never left or intended for me to be a slave to the evil I endured. (Jeremiah 29:11) He always wanted me to seek Him and live the victory and freedom He suffered and died for on my behalf. All the suffering I have endured is nothing compared to what He endured for me. He alone has the power to give my feet strength to move when the fear tries to set me in concrete shoes…He makes my feet light so I can soar above and reveal His truth of how life was given and lived in the midst of this wrecked world. I can reveal my encouraging and strengthened scars to those around me to reveal the hope, encouragement and love that Christ has done in healing and closing the wounds they bring to mind. The scars will never leave – they may fade, but they are meant to remind me of the life and experiences that Christ has brought me through and strengthened me in. No More Hiding

Galatians 2:20 (NLT) My old self has been crucified with Christ.[a] It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.