Can't Wait Until Tomorrow!

My husband always looks forward to Fridays. I remind him that we don't know what Friday holds for our family, so enjoy today. Well, he found out that he has to work this Saturday, so his Friday joy was tainted a bit. Now, I guess he can't wait until Saturday, so he can enjoy his time off on Sunday. Whatever! I told myself a long time ago, that I would enjoy every day because something exciting happens everyday - I open my eyes! We can truly only live in the moment, so to look beyond the present can be a waste of our already limited time on Earth. What do you think? When we say we can't wait until tomorrow, are we saying we aren't content with today? Yes, it's fine to look forward to special occasions and events in our life, yet the next minute is not promised to us, so let's be excited about RIGHT NOW! Don't waste today, thinking about tomorrow.

Football Fanatics

As much as I love the game of football, I will never understand the pressure put upon children to perform. Are they not allowed to drop the ball sometimes? Are they not allowed to miss a tackle? Why is practice two hours long on school nights? It's crazy! I don't think any of the boys have been drafted into the NFL yet, so what's the big deal? My husband says I'll never understand because I'm a woman. Well, I'm glad I'm a woman because it's not that serious.
Last night, coming home from practice, my husband was on my son for missing a pass; he plays a few positions and one is wide receiver. I thought to myself, if we put as much energy into his character building and Bible teaching as we put into football, we'd score a real touchdown! I didn't part my lips and only prayed because I knew the enemy would blow my comment up into an argument. A Mother has got to know when to speak and when to shut-up and pray. Our influential role is much to powerful to misuse with simple words. Sometimes our prayers will get the job done before any words that cross our lips. Men will always be men and their ego in sports is a part of who they are.
My job during football season is to be on sidelines praying and ensuring my sons stay encouraged and prayerful on the field. I must also remind them that their talent is from the Lord and that they would be nothing without the powerful hands of God upon them. Are you ready for some football?

A Lighter Load

My husband was surprised to see me awake early this morning after an extremely eventful weekend. He told me I needed to get some rest, but I was preparing to meditate and exercise, so I could begin my day the right way. I always stress the importance of rest, so I appreciate my husband looking out for me, yet there is work to be done. My legs ache and my feet hurt, however, I neglected my home all weekend, so today is another busy day. As I put laundry in the washer, sweet Jesus whispered to me that my rest is in Him. His words were like a warm hug as I was reminded to plug into my power source for a recharge of strength, energy, and power. Rest and exercise is my physical energy, but it runs out. I need an endless energy that never tires – a spiritual energy, which is the Spirit of God. A woman’s work is never done, but when we allow God to lead and guide us throughout the day, our load seems lighter. The 23rd Psalm came to mind as I continued my laundry and I felt an extra ounce of grace and energy. The Word of God is potent when we make it personal and apply it to our daily life. Yes, my to-do list seems endless today, but I’ll take one task at a time as God leads me. I will do the things that I can and realize I can’t do everything. Let’s have a Magnificent Monday as we plug into God’s strength and power. He will restore us!

Psalm 23: 1-3 (New Living Translation)

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.

Gentle Reminder

The Lord woke me at 2:30 a.m. this morning to pray and I'm so thankful He did. I've been busy preparing to open a business, so my days have been quite full. He reminded me that my family is my first ministry and not to let the things of this world distract me from my prayer life. Thank you, Lord! Although the Lord has blessed me with this business opportunity, He also reminded me that He still requires to be first in all I do and that I need to continue striving to be the Godly wife and mother He created me to be. I'm so grateful for God's gentle reminder as He could have chosen any way to remind me. From the beginning of this business endeavor, I've made a special effort to stay focused on Jesus. I don't want to get overly excited, but I want to remain grounded and see Him in every part of this opportunity. To God be the glory!

A Short Stay

I don't like hospitals at all, but last night I visited a friend who is ill and it was a blessing to be able to walk out of the hospital. Thank God my stay was short and I was only visiting! I thought about how many sick people are depending on someone to feed them, change them, bathe them, and whatever else. Many people will not even see the outside of the hospital again. I don't ever want to take my portion of health for granted. Just to wake up in the morning is a blessing. To breathe without the help of a machine. To walk without a walker. To go to the bathroom on my own and bathe myself is a blessing. To acknowledge God's grace on my life makes a difference in my day. Beginning the day with thanksgiving to God sure sets the tone for a joyful attitude!

A Friend of Mine

Yesterday was an emotional day for me. A friend of mine is moving away and I had to say goodbye. As he looked at me with eyes full of water, I realized just how much he meant to me. I’ve never met anyone like this friend of mine and I know he was put in my life for a short season, yet for many reasons. Each Sunday after worship service, he looked for me and greeted me with a handshake, but instead, I would reach for a hug. He always seemed to go with the flow and never got caught up in mess. He never allowed anything to bother him and always minded his business. He served in ministry joyfully and had a smile for everyone. Whenever I asked about his job, he always spoke proudly and never said a mumbling word. He was thankful for everything and everything was always, “Gong good, going real good.” My friend was always polite and to see him stand and praise God humbled me in so many ways. My friend has Autism, and his life seems so simple – absent from life’s complications and confusion. My friend makes me wonder if he is the example God wants – to offer few words and show much love. To be content with just the ability to be. Yes, my friend is a special person and he reminded me that my worldly education and thoughts stifle God's work. My friend showed me the simplicity of spirituality and the strength in humility. Although my friend is moving away, the powerful way God used his quiet, gentle spirit to touch my life will stay with me forever. My friend taught me that all God wants is me – just simple little me, but all of me. It isn’t until I allow God to reeducate, renew, and redirect my mind that I will be transformed for His use.

Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Mental Stresses

Some mornings I pop out of bed like a spring chicken and other mornings I don't want to move. The body is amazing as it reacts to the stresses of life that we allow and those we have no control over. With this being the case, I must not allow unnecessary stresses in my life. I must pick my battles with my children, my husband, my career, and especially those personal battles that arise in my mind. Sometimes, I'm my own worst enemy when it comes to mental stresses. Every situation doesn't require a fight. Every issue that bothers me, doesn't need all my attention. Every person that offends me doesn't need a reaction from me. Feeling physically drained has got to be partially contributed to our mental state. Where are you mentally this morning? Where will you go this evening? Where will you allow yourself to go, mentally, over the weekend? Keep the peace in your home, your marriage, your job, and especially in your mind.

DELETE

I recently had to delete a friend of mine from my email address. She passed away not to long ago and it just didn't seem right to click the delete button, but I finally did. It's ironic, but we all want to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die. One thing is for sure and that is the fact that we will one day die. One day we will be deleted out of someone's address book. We will leave our family and friends and leave this Earth for good. Thank God for everlasting life and salvation! Live today as if it is your last. Dance as if no one is watching, laugh until it hurts, and grasp the moment.

A Rich Uncle

This weekend, my husband came home from grocery shopping and was commenting on the amount of money he spent and how few groceries he had. I hear this each time he does the shopping, so I just smile and listen as I put away the groceries. I heard him mumble something about having a rich uncle, which I knew he didn't have, so he must have been wishing for one. I can’t imagine what my husband goes through being the head of the household and breadwinner for the family. I sometimes see him scratching his head when he writes out bills or balances the checking account, so I just pray. This time, I did more than pray. I reminded my husband about our rich relative up North. I knew if we called him, he would be willing to help us. I waited for the right moment and then proudly mentioned the relative, our Father, King Jesus, who owns everything. I began to point out our many blessings inside and outside our home. I went further and joyfully spoke about the future blessings in store for our family. My husband was now smiling as I spoke from my spiritual soap box. I refused to let my husband board the ship of discontent and frustration. We are so blessed! I know every head of household, woman or man, gets frustrated from time to time, but we have to remember who we are and whose we are. We are children of a King! Just as we want our children to obey before we give them what they ask for, King Jesus is waiting for us to get our act together and surrender so He can bless us. Once we do our part, King Jesus will definitely do His part. With a relative like King Jesus, who needs a rich uncle?

I Chronicles 29:11 (NKJV)
...For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and You are exalted as head over all.

Character Class

Last night, I made my children get out of bed to clean their room. It was a disaster and they told me they had already cleaned it. I found one's clothes behind the other's bed, clothes in the sock drawer, and piles of stuff in every corner. Don't they know if they just keep their room clean, life will be a little easier for them? Lord, have mercy. I wonder about the decisions my children make and what goes through their minds. Lately, I've been prompted to put more time in our character training. Teaching children character is so important. Character is what will help mold their values, morals, and allow them to make right choices. Children grow so fast and before you know it, our opportunities to pour into them will be gone. Each day is another opportunity to give our children something they can keep for the rest of their lives. Life lessons of how to treat others, responsibility, honesty, truthfulness, obedience, cleanliness, discipline, perseverance, humility, initiative, the list goes on and on. Character defines the essence of who we are and our children will be successful in whatever road they travel with good character. Begin today and take advantage of every opportunity to teach a life lesson on character. Academics isn't the only thing that will take a child through life.

Homesick

I looked forward to the holiday weekend to travel and see my parents. Saturday morning, I was so happy as I packed my clothes and prepared for the trip to Montgomery. I had not seen my parents in a while and was homesick. The Lord quickly let me know that it's okay to miss my parents, but my heart should be longing for Him - homesick to be in His presence. Yes, my parents have loved me, cared for me, and protected me, but our relationship is only temporary. My Heavenly Father will love, care, and protect me eternally. I was reminded again, that this world is not my home. The temporal things and people I enjoy bring happiness, but my Heavenly Father brings me joy - everlasting joy. As I thought of being in my Creator's presence, the thought of no more illness, issues, problems, tears, and cares of this world became quite appealing. A song came to mind that I remember from years ago. Some of the words are...Can't wait to see Him and look upon His face. Bow down before Him and thank Him for His grace...A blanket of peace and unspeakable joy covered me as I longed to be in my Savior's presence and look upon His face. I began to long for my eternal home; I was homesick. It's so easy to get attached to people and the material things of this world. We have a special love for our parents, spouse, children, friends and family, and even our homes, but our love for God must be greater.

1 John 2:15 (NKJV)
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.