Today was an unusual day. It took me 2 1/2 hours to get to work...I think God is trying to tell me something here, and longer than usual to get home. Needless to say, I was not in the best of moods. In fact, I think I irritated my mother with my less than happy attitude.
However, as I logged on tonight, thinking of what I would blog about, my drive came to mind. Even though it was too long by my standards, I'm still thankful that I am gangfully employed. I'm thankful that I actually love my job, and that my kids make me smile EVERYDAY!!! I'm really thankful that tomorrow is Friday, and that I am one week closer to summer break...PTL!!!!
Today, I'm thankful for so much, that I can barely put it into words. I drove to church today not wanting to go, but knowing that I couldn't miss it.
I've been so frustrated, praying/begging for God to reach right into my situation, and turn it around. I drove to church, listening to "Made Me Glad," (see below for the video...stop music on the right), and just hoping that He could hear my heart because the words wouldn't come. So many questions, impatience...patience is not my virtue, but I'm working on it, and just feeling like my faith was literally flying out of the window as I drove down 59 N because I was allowing the enemy to take me back....snap me right into a 'rerun' of my worst season of life if you will.
My struggle is not sex, it's not lying, my struggle is the battlefield called 'the mind.' I ward off thousands of unedifying thoughts a day...literally...most times, I have to take each day minute by minute, because satan is sneaky in his approach with me. It's exhausting, but I'm determined to win this war through Jesus. But with determination to press on with God, comes MUCH opposition from the devil.
In the past, it's always when I'm about to break through...about to burst through the barrier, and reach a new level in Christ that the past creeps in, and strangles my future. But not today...God interceded, and tonight, I stand in the presence of God, declaring just like Jacob did that I will not back down, and I won't leave until He blesses me. Do you hear that satan..? BRING IT ON!!!!!!
Day 3!!!!! Blog friends, God is MOVING!!! He is amazing, and His timing is always right on time...no matter what we think.
Remember I told you about the torrential rains we had yesterday? Well, they turned into flooding, and it was so bad, that I wasn't able to cross one of the main roads on my way to work this morning, so, I had an impromptu day off! How awesome was that?! I must admit that I was kind of annoyed in the beginning, because my mind was already in work mode, but I just asked the Lord to make this day about Him, and for it to be worth my while to stay home...it was!
Today, I'm thankful for glimmers of hope, and God's promises, for they do not return void. God is a god that cannot lie, but He is not concerned with our time schedules either. Sometimes, that is such a hard thing for me to remember. I kind of want what I want when I want it...smile!
My heart is so full right now, and there is such a spirit of expectancy around me, but with that comes opposition from the devil, so I'm asking for your prayers. For strength, wisdom, discernment, and to keep my eyes on the prize!
I hope you had a great Tuesday...tomorrow is Wednesday...hump day! Until tomorrow!
Hello lovely blog readers! Day 2 is here, and today, I'm thankful for 5 more weeks left till Summer break! The drive is KILLING me, and it's almost over for a couple of months. Speaking of that, could you join me in prayer about what God will have me to do concerning my job next year? I LOVE this side of town, I feel that I've built a great life here, and quite frankly, I don't want to move!
When I first found out I was moving to Houston, this is the side of town I wanted to live on. It's close to the airport, my doctors are over here, and my placement for Junior League next year almost mandates me to be close to our HQ. What to do, what to do?! I know that it will all work out, and if I can be honest, I don't think I can handle learning a new area. Not so soon after just moving here....
Dream, ideal life....work for myself, from home, and do what I've always wanted to do! It's going to happen one day....it will!!!
Right before Christmas, I started blogging everday about something that I was thankful for. Well, after visiting my Grandmother for 2 weeks, I stopped blogging because her internet connection is DIAL UP!
Well...I'm bringing it BACK! NaBloPoMo is HERE!! I want to finish what I started, and my month starts tonight. I truly feel that at the end of this, God will show Himself in a way that He never has before, and that the fact that I didn't finish the first time was a trick of the enemy.
I told you earlier that I LOVE Priscilla Shirer....my last 2 quiet time Bible studies have been accompanied by books that she has authored. Here is my latest endeavor. I so wish I could meet her one day and tell her how her stories, hurts, joys have helped me realize just how normal I am. The God in her allows her to be AWESOME! What a mentor, and she has no clue who I am...HA! If you're looking for a study aide to take you deeper into the word, and mature you no matter how many years you've been a Christian, allow me to introduce you to Priscilla Shirer.
So tonight, I'm thankful that God is a god of second chances, and that His mercies are new every morning. I'm thankful that He is in control, and I can rest in that assurance. I'm just so thankful! Until tomorrow, Goodnight!
WARNING!! This post will be all over the place. I've been wanting to post for a few days, but things have been a little crazy, and it seems as though I always have some meeting to attend after work.
First things first....we have had some BEAUTIFUL days. While it rained all day Friday and Saturday, today was gorgeous. When I walked out of church today, it took my breath away!!! Weather that beautiful makes me want to stay outside all day long.
Strange thing that I want to chronicle right here on my blog....6 weeks ago, I woke up with my left eye swollen. I'm talking, quasi-moto...UGLY!!! I went to the doctor, and she told me it was an eye infection, gave me 2 antibiotics, and sent me on my way.
Fast forward to last Thursday. I woke up with the SAME issue, on the SAME eye, only this time it was much, much worse. Here's proof:
I went back to the doctor, and got back on meds, and hopefully this issue won't happen again. It's kind of scary, because I really don't like eye issues...but I guess who does?! My eye looks almost normal now...still a little swelling below the eye, but thanks to some Mary Kay eye mask, it went down a lot!
I mentioned earlier that I found a church in Houston, and God has exceeded ALL of my expectations. I wanted a place where I could serve, fellowship, and grow in my relationship with Christ, and Higer D is a place where that is taking place. Today during the sermon, I was overcome with so much emotion, because I felt like I was in the right place at the right time, and I am where God wants me to be for now. What I mean by this is that there are some things that I'm not thrilled about that are happening, and for the most part, it's out of my hands. I'm grieved, I feel misunderstood, I feel ostracized for my beliefs, and my hands are tied. But God's aren't. I seek your prayers. Specifically for wisdom, peace, and for me to be slow to anger. I want God to be glorified in all that I do, and sadly, when I'm upset and lose my temper, that is rarely the case. It's all about me being heard, my point received, and those are selfish ambitions. So please pray for me. One of my MOST FAVORITE worship songs EVER is "Made me Glad" by Hillsong! This song is so amazing, and it has ministered to me during so many seasons of my life. I've included it below for your enjoyment. (Make sure you pause the music on the right.)
I was having quiet time last week, seeking, no, begging God to show me His face, have mercy on my soul, and give me the answers I so desperately need. I didn't really hear anything that night, but the next morning, God told me two things as clear as day: 1. LOVE, don't judge, and 2. When I least expect it. I'm not quite sure I know what "it" He's talking about, I mean, I can offer an educated guess, but I suppose I'll just wait and see.
I want you all to know that Satan is SO BUSY, and sadly some people have no clue. Satan is so good at knowing what our hot buttons are, that we don't even stop to question the origin of our encounters. My heart literally cries out for those people that think God is a joke, and that He does not exist. My heart cries out even more for those who know Him,, but don't give Him the time of day. Who think that He knows their hearts, and excuses our behaviors. I shudder at the thought of one day having to account for EVERY sin...have mercy on me Lord! Two weeks ago, Pastor shared in his sermon that "God's delay of dealing with our transgressions should not be taken as Him letting us slide." WOW! I immediately thought of all the times I "got by" with something.
The funny thing is, it's the same today as it was when Christ walked the earth. This Easter, I watched "The Passion of the Christ," with my Dad, and I weeped through entire film. People who walked the earth with Christ, sat with Him, spoke to Him, SAW His miracles firsthand were those same people who chose for Him to die over the most evil criminal in the land. They were the same people who nailed Him to a cross between 2 criminals, and sadly, God revealed to me that when I choose my desires, my wishes, and myself over His will, I'm in essence playing for the other team. WOW!!
I love it when God speaks directly to the issues of my heart, corrects me, and convicts me. And if no one on the earth ever thinks that my beliefs are worth copying, I'm OK with that, as long as the Father is well pleased. That's all I really care about, I just wish that I always acted like that!
So, friends, that's been my life lately, hearing, waiting, learning, being pruned, expecting, and loving! Oh, and a few pedicures stuck in between...HA!
Oh yeah! One more thing before I leave, and I do promise to write more. Remember about two posts ago that I shared that God called me to minister to young ladies on the issue if sexual purity? Well, I was approached at church the other day about a ministry opportunity, and let me just say this....it is WAY BIGGER than I EVER DREAMED....but isn't that just like God?! I'm not sharing details because frankly, I don't know them just yet, but I promise you my faithful readers will be the first to know!
Hello! How I've missed blogging, but a whirlwind my life has been! Yesterday, my Junior League Provisional Class held our Literacy Carnival. It was a HUGE success! I couldn't have had a better time, but today, my body aches...I feel like an old woman, but it was so worth it seeing the looks on those kids' faces. It reminded me of my days at MCYC, and the summer events we used to have!
If you remember my last post, I was telling you to seek God with me for an arena to minister to teenage girls concerning sexual purity. Well, I don't know for sure, but I hope that I've found a place, and if it's for me, IT'S A PERFECT FIT...just like I knew it would be! I can't wait to tell you all about it when I find out if I was selected, but as excited as I am about it, if it's not for me, that's OK as well.
Can I just tell you how much I love this weather?! I know that hotter, more humid days are just around the corner, but we have had some beautiful days here in Houston. Just gorgeous! My favorite part has to be showing off my pedicures in cute sandals, and buying my yearly pair of sunglasses. And WOW, this year's pair is HOT HOT HOT!!! What do you like best about this weather? I want to know!
