The Order of Things

I am sure by now that anyone who reads my blog is wondering about the title.  I chose the title because I have learned in life that there has to be an order to things.  Without order, there is chaos.  I am not happy when there is chaos in my life.  Therefore, I choose to live in JOY.

     Jesus First
     Others Next
     Yourself Last

God must ALWAYS be first in my life.  I have learned this the hard way.  When I do things without praying about them and seeking wisdom from God, they don't always go the way that I want them to go.  God has a plan for my life, and when I do things on my own, sometimes I get in the way of His plan.

My husband and kids typically come next.  It is important that my husband and kids know that I love them enough to make sure that their needs are met.  After all, they do the same for me.  However, sometimes I find it hard to find a good balance of taking care of others and knowing when I need to take time out for me.

Lastly, I take time out for me.  After all, how can I care for others when I am physically and mentally drained?  There are many things that you can do for yourself that don't cost much money, or even that are free.  A bubble bath can cost only a few dollars every few months depending on the bubbles that you buy.  Sitting down for a cup of coffee uninterrupted really doesn't cost a whole lot if you look at the fact that you are probably buying the coffee anyways.  A phone call to a friend or family member while you drink that cup of coffee is nice too. Sometimes it might just mean spending extra time alone with God.  This morning instead of just reading 1 chapter in my Bible, I read the entire book of Esther before anyone else was even out of bed.  This complete quiet time with no one asking for anything, allowed me to think about what I was reading today and remember some things from a book I was reading yesterday.

I want to also give you something to think about regarding order.  I went to a christian school from 4th grade through 12th grade graduation.  I grew quite fond of several of the teachers there.  After having open heart surgery 5 1/2 years ago, I decided to visit.  A lot of the teachers were very surprised that I was there since they knew of my surgery and had been praying for me.  They all asked how I was doing with genuine concern.  However, one teacher asked a more important question.  He asked "How is your relationship with Christ?"  Honestly, it threw me back a little.  I had to think about my answer.  I answered the best that I could.  I told him that it was getting better.  So even though we want our friends/family to feel well, I think that we need to remember that more important than our physical and mental health, is our spiritual health and well being.

So, my question to you is the same as that teacher asked me.  How is your relationship with Christ?  Also, are you living in JOY?  Do you have something in your life that is getting in the way of your relationship with God?  I would love to hear from you.  Let me know your answers.  If you are in need of prayer, please post your prayer request.  I would be happy to pray for you.

The Beauty Around Us

Those of us that live in the north always wait for spring with excitement.  After a winter full of snow and cold weather, spring brings hope of warm weather, sunshine and pretty flowers.  However, tomorrow is the last day of April, and we had snow flurries this morning.

I got to thinking today... We spend so much time complaining about the cold in the winter, then an equal amount of time complaining about the heat in the summer that we don't really appreciate the beauty around us.

I'm not just talking about the beauty outside either.  Beauty is in everything around us.  To me, there is beauty in spending time indoors with the fireplace on enjoying a cup of coffee or cocoa.  There is beauty in spending an evening outside in the fall or spring around a campfire with friends.  There is beauty in the summer when we can gather as friends/family with a picnic.

So you see, God created beauty outside in nature.  He created beauty in our children.  He created beauty in our family and our friends that have become like family.  We just have to take the time to enjoy the beauty around us.

Work in Progress

I often see posts on Facebook where people are putting each other down. It makes me wonder why we are so hard on each other. We should be encouraging each other & lifting each other up.  However, no one is harder on me than me.  I see each mistake that I have made. I even see the mistakes that only God sees.  I tend to fret about each one.

I thank God everyday that he sees me as a work in progress. He forgives my mistakes. Not only does he forgive my sins, He has wiped them away completely.  With His help, I can make each day better than last.

I am going to do my best to be an encouragement to others.  I want to be an example of God's love in this dark world.  After all, we are commanded to love one another.

Also, if you are like me and you tend to beat yourself up, just remember that God can and will forgive your mistakes if we just ask.  Then you can continue in God's grace.

Love that Endures

I am a very emotional person, so I guess you could say that I have always been sentimental & sappy 😀. Today my husband and I celebrate our 21st wedding anniversary.  Time sure does fly.  I never imagined what a ride it would be.

We have had our ups & downs.  But we always seem to get through it all together.  In fact, just today I was thinking about how we always seem to be there for each other.  You never truly know how much someone loves you until you need to lean on them for strength.

Recently I was reminiscing about the past.  I can think of many instances in life where I had to lean on my husband for strength.  Then there are other times where I was able to be there for him.  God sure knew what he was doing when he placed this God fearing man in my life.

After 21 years, we still have many more adventures ahead of us.  However, with God in the center of our marriage, we can face anything.

What Scares Me

I have always only had a few close  friends.  However, lately it feels more like I have friends, but we are not close any more.  I feel lonely and it scares me to think that God is using that loneliness to pull me closer to Him.  Especially since I have gotten closer to God in the past few months.

My husband and I are both feeling this sense of loneliness & it has gotten worse since my mom passed away.  We often prayed about moving back to NC.  For a long time, we got the answer "just wait." Then all of the sudden we were told "no." That His plan does not include us moving back to NC.

Lately we have been talking about possibly moving back to TX.  This would allow us to be near my husband's family.  The question is, is this God's plan, or is this our want out of loneliness.  What scares me is that I know that if we move & it is not God's will, we will be miserable.  My other fear is my not finding a church family in South Texas.  It is a Spanish speaking community and I don't speak Spanish.  Will I be able to plug in somewhere?

All of these feelings I have given over to God.  I will no longer fret over any of it.  I am praying for God's will to be done.  Wherever He leads, I will follow.  For now though, I will grow and bloom where I am planted.

Why do we worry?

I am a worrier.  Even worse, I am spoiled.  I tend to get angry when there is something that I want but I am not getting what I want or what I feel I need when I want it.   Looking back at life, I can see that God always supplied what I truly needed.  Why is it though that I couldn't see that He knows what I need?  Why am I a worrier when I am called to be a warrior?

One of my favorite scriptures is Matthew 6:24 which says "So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today." We need to live for today - not worry about what tomorrow will bring.  No matter what it is, with God on our side, we can do anything. 

I have found that when I let go of my worries & insecurities, that I am happier.  I know that no matter what God's plan is for my life, he goes before me.  Therefore, I don't need to worry.  By giving it all over to God, I have been a happier person.  The Bible clearly tells us not to.  It always tells us to trust.  It's definitely not easy to completely let go & let God.  However, I am slowly learning to do just that.

Is there something that you are worrying about?  Give it over to God.  You will be amazed at the peace that you will feel.

Not today Satan!!!

Quite some time ago our pastor preached about the Armor of God.  I listened... I thought I heard, but I didn't really apply it all.  I kind of took what I thought I needed at the time.  However, God had more for me to learn.

Ever since I got home from the Ladies Retreat, I have been trying my hardest to focus on God & what His will is for my life.  However, Satan has been lurking & waiting for me to put my guard down.  He doesn't want me to succeed.

My husband and I took our son to Washington, DC for a few days.  In fact, we we're lucky enough to have friends (more like family) join us as well.  While at the Museum of the Bible, my husband and I started to get HANGRY.  I can only think that Satan saw us enjoying ourselves and learning more about God & he didn't like it.  After lunch, we were both more mellow.  We were able to continue enjoying the museum & the company that we were with.

On our way home, my husband and I were both exhausted.  Just as I started to fall asleep my husband asked me to talk to him so that I could keep him awake.  First thing that popped into my head was negativity.  However, I sat it aside knowing that if he fell asleep at the wheel that we could crash.  God turned it all around.  We had an awesome conversation that included God.  In fact, I lost track of time and before we knew it we were home and able to rest comfortably.

So, I am learning that when I put aside my negativity, it allows God to step in & bless me as well as those around me.  Positivity helps keep Satan from getting ahold of me.  Remember that when we allow Satan to get even the smallest hold over us, it makes it easier for him to take control over other areas of our lives.  Therefore, we need to constantly be in touch with God in order to keep Satan at bay.