Control Relinquished

I don't know about you, but in the last few weeks my heart has gotten extremely heavy as I look at the current events of our world. I think it started a few weeks ago when Josh Dugger's Ashley Madison account was exposed, then the Planned Parenthood videos came out, then details on the persecuted Christians in Syria became more real, then Kim Davis is jailed when she exercises her freedom of faith, and now Black Lives Matter activist groups threaten to kill "white people". It's sad. It's sickening. And it's worrisome. All the heartache, violence, and robbed freedoms has reminded me that the safest place in all the world is under a shadow--the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91 gives us some pretty marvelous promises if we choose to live under His wings, in the Holy of Holies. He promises divine protection. Obviously, Christians are not immune from trials, but God promises to protect is in trials. He will be by our side, every step of the way in the d...

Back by popular demand! Several readers referenced this post I wrote last year, so I wanted to re-post for all you mommas that are sending off your precious ones to school this week! This exact picture hung in the hallway of my parents' home when I was a child. I often found myself staring at it, thinking. One time, I remember my mom asking which of the sheep we see ourselves as. One of my sisters quickly responded that she was the lamb being held by Jesus.That was okay. I already knew which one I wanted to be. The black one. The different one. The one  following  Him. Yeah, profound thoughts for a young elementary student. But I was already realizing the cost of following the path less traveled. I already felt the call to  be  different.  Monday begins a new era in my role of motherhood. It is the first time my daughter will spend more of her waking hours with someone else, somewhere else. Hello, 1st grade. It has been a reflective w...

I recently came across this picture on Pinterest and I CANNOT stop thinking about it. It certainly is a picture worth a thousand words. The more I think about it, the more I realize that I'm probably most like the women in the third row. How boring, how sad, how serious, how lifeless.  I certainly have my fun and goofy moments, but reflecting on this photo has deepened a craving within me to laugh more, lose myself in memorable moments, and truly love life. I want to live like those women in the first row! Recently, I was almost in an accident. By almost I mean: brakes squealing, me screaming, and having to veer off the highway. In that moment of terror, I was reminded how fragile life is and how often I take it for granted. How I often just assume that I will be here tomorrow. The devotion on August 13 in "Jesus Calling" really resonated with me. "Learn to enjoy life more. Relax, remembering that I am God with you . I crafted you with enormous capa...

I don't know if it's mid-summer blues and boredom. Or maybe it's due to the fact we are moving this week and my husband and I are stressed, with little time and attention to offer. Perhaps it's because tomorrow is full moon. Whatever the cause, my kids are out of control. On a week that I would love to let them veg in front of the TV or computer, they, unfortunately, lost that privilege on Monday. For clarity, the behavior I am referring to consists of disobedience, talking back, fighting, kicking, hitting, and biting.  I'm not joking...biting has been an issue this week! Not sure if I am currently parenting children or animals. All this unwanted behavior has given me serious doubts in the parenting realm. Do I have what it takes to raise Godly, respectful, loving, and caring adults?! There is my mistake..."I". Of course, a sinful, messed-up human being like me certainly cannot turn my fighting brood into angelic beings. Lord Jesus, come.  That wa...

Ever have one of those days where it feels everything you start, ends in failure or disaster? Or maybe life's circumstances just have you down of late. Maybe you can identify with Charlie Brown: Funny, but oh, so true.  Sometimes it is so easy to enjoy the paved roads and smooth sidewalks through  life, but what do we do when the road gets rocky and bumpy? Do we press on, knowing that God balances rain with sunshine, storms with peace, tears with laughter? Psalm 91:15 says, "He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. Do we have the courage to look away from ourselves and our difficulties and turn, in faith, to look to Christ? Whatever journey God may be taking you on right now, remember God never wastes 'detours.' How much of our journey do we overlook because we are too busy focused on tomorrow? I encourage you to embrace the now. If anyone is a pro at overcoming obstacles, tha...

It's not uncommon for God to speak through nature. God spoke to Moses through the burning bush. (Exodus 3) God used a storm and a big fish to make His plan very clear to Jonah. David often referred to nature in his psalms: "When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them." Psalm 8:3-4 Many people can agree that we feel closest to our Creator when we enjoy His creation. Quite a few years ago, I was at the age of the 'crossroads.' I was eighteen and my life stretched before me. I had several life-altering decisions ahead of me including plans after graduation, dating, and career choices. There was no clear right or wrong way and I found my mind in turmoil. I still remember sending a pleading prayer to God from my chair on the porch of a rustic cabin. "God, I don't know how to ask for a clear answer, but if this is wh...

This is a follow-up post from 2 days ago. So, if you didn't read that post, you'll have to go back and read that one first! Some of you asked how Phoenix is doing since his sunflower seed episode and I can't resist sharing a bit of a miracle: Yesterday, I awoke wrestling with worry. Knowing we are leaving for vacation in a week, I was concerned an infection would flare up and impose on our fun. I was debating calling an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist to ask their opinion of if/when an infection might occur. Above all, I begged God for confirmation of where that seed went. I had no idea how He would make it clear, but I wanted and needed to know if Phoenix swallowed the seed, coughed it out, or if it was still floating around in his sinuses somewhere! Around lunchtime I was cleaning up my counters and noticed a wadded up tissue. Grabbing it to throw in the trash, I just happened to glance at the tissue closer. And there, inside of it, was a...sunflower seed! My mind...