Security

Do you feel secure? Secure in your relationships. Secure in your walk with Christ. Secure in your house. Secure in your new business adventure. Secure in your role as a Mother.  And so on...

"But he who listens to me shall live securely and will be at ease from the dread of evil."

-Proverbs 1:33

Feelings of security are everywhere. This world makes it harder and harder to push those feelings aside. The more that happens bad around us or to us, the more the news reports of evil in the world, the more advancement in technology - well you get the point - the more we feel insecure about our safety. Things have changed so much since the 1900s and I can't even begin to imagine what the world will be like  another century from now (if God allows us to be here that long). There is one thing that will never chance and that is GOD. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). If you let Him, He will secure all your needs (Philippians 4:19). Notice I said NEEDS and not WANTS. We as humans can get those mixed up sometimes. We want a lot more than we need and we get a lot more than we deserve. I know, I am right there too. Contentment is a big problem in today's time. That comes for another day and another post because its something I am doing a devotion on as well. I think the lack of being content in your life is one reason why so many people become criminals or do evil things. They want a  way to get ahead, have more, be more, do more - they just don't do it the right way. So, the need for us who do the right thing and have what  we do (aside from God allowing us to) from working hard have to go a step beyond to protect it.

"However, as Christians we can still know and enjoy the peace of God in this insecure world." 

- Excerpt from More Faith in My Day  by Emilie Barnes

How true is this statement. Our faith goes beyond the insecurities of the earth. Things here will pass away and be destroyed. There will be evil, sin, and Satan lurking beyond every corner.  Christians, we have a promise and a place prepared for us that is everlasting and free of sin/evil. I am happy to know that our God cares enough to do that for us. If you don't know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, please message me or someone you trust and talk about it. Don't let your insecurities of life and faith go down with the world...

Women Have Fragile Strength

Why did I pick that post title? Honestly, it just came to me when I decided to write about this topic below. I think women are fragile yet strong! Just that. We are fragile in our emotions. They get the best of us. They consume us sometimes. They break us at times and they pick us up sometimes too.  Yet, we are stronger because of this. Our emotions make us a strong force too. We have strength in many areas... mentally, physically, emotionally, verbally, etc.  How we handle our emotions and strength is what makes us.

I had bought the book, by Lysa Terkeurst, Unglued  a year ago and have not made it very far. How far have I read? I made it to the third chapter on a few different occasions. Yes, chapter three is all I get to time and time again! I get that far then get busy and put it down not to pick it up again for months then I start over and stop in the same spot.  Well, I picked up the book tonight and headed to the jacuzzi where I made myself read the first three chapters AGAIN to refresh; although, I knew it word for word at this point! I did that so I didn't miss anything. Those first few chapters lead you into what the books about and I wanted to be reminded and reflect that I am not alone in this issue. I think every time in the past I get stuck because I am busy - busy - busy and come unglued in life situations and when I walk by the book I don't want to face that fact... That's me! I mean how many of us hold it together after four hours of sleep the night before and by mid day we have a screaming child, the phones ringing, the house is dirty, dinner is boiling over on the stove, and the dog is using the bathroom in the floor... ALL AT THE SAME TIME! This time I am moving past that stopping point of chapter three. I don't want to become the woman of crazy emotions going all over the place. Heck, its hard to do at times when your hormones are highly off track from your miscarriage and after two years of dealing with that and trying to get medicine to work in regulating it and nothing is working so far that you would think I could adjust to my new hormonal self causing more mixed emotion... but I haven't. That last long probably miss-punctuated sentence is not my excuse but its my REALITY.  I want to feel balance and grace in my actions not just some days, but everyday! I want to control my emotions not have them control me. I want to be able to react like a woman of grace all the time like I do half of the time. I can hold it together great some days and I feel confident and accomplished.  Others I ask -  How am I making it day to day - How much more does God think I can juggle - Why are my emotions all over the place - Is this really that bad why can't I shake this...  Are you with me yet? Its hard but it can be easy too. We have to DECIDE to react to things differently.  This I am working on! I am praying. I am praying some more and digging into devotionals, Gods word, etc.  Reading this wonderful woman of Christ opens up about her struggle in this area and how God helped her manage it is encouraging.

I am now going to face this book and see what some Godly views are to help in "making wise choices in the midst of raw emotions." (excerpt quote from Unglued) 

If you are reading this, lets make a pact not to let minds fill up which causes us to become more fragile. Give room to stay so strong in all situations. To be able to think and decide to react in a way that is pleasing to The Lord. Let's take a step back and say no to things coming onto our plate, let's lay down on the couch while our kid(s) sleep to refresh our bodies, let's open the Bible or devotion any quiet moment we get, let's order take out one night to give ourselves a break from cooking and so on.

 I am a woman of fragile strength. Are you?

Playing Catch Up!

1. We have now moved into our new home that took only a little over four months to build. God was our contractor for sure! We could have never done it with out His direction and grace through it. A lot of blood, sweat, tears, and late nights spent but it was worth it. We love our home and still doesn't seem real to be here. We sold our other home before we even moved out, another God thing, and closed just four days after we moved out. Sure not worthy of this wonderful new journey God has put us on. Here is an updated picture from my last post (which I will leave out the MANY pictures in between. lol)

2.  The "Great Debate" was solved. HAHA! I chose dark cabinets with light island and LOVE it.

3. Aiden's check up for his 6 month Ortho  visit happened in October and they found the spot was back again. Yes, its appeared back on the x rays... but small. The doctor doesn't think its anything to worry with still and is even considering it to be fluid filled where it fills up and drains. This would help explain the whole growth and disappearance then re appearance cyst. We go back in May for another follow up. God is in control and I still trust and lean on the fact He knows exactly! Praising HIM that it isn't causing pain this time though.

4.  To refer back to one of my previous post about a devotional. I bought the Jesus Calling  book and started reading it last year around Jan. I quit in March when I felt it was controversial on some days of wording and the fact the author used things in first person... from GODS perspective/words! Not my cup of tea; although, it did have some uplifting points and days I needed to read what it had to say at that time. I just didn't feel as though I should continue it. Lately I have heard flack about the book and reasons not to read... So?! 

5. I have had a tugging in my heart to start keeping up with my blog again. Why? Because I had tried to keep it Christ focused and encouraging in The Word. (Sometimes I get off track, but its still my personal blog) I want to speak truth and spread the gospel through this. I want to help others going through tough times or just encourage those trying to do the same and give God the glory in all things. I am not that great at it, but if God leads them to me He will help me find what to say. When I posted my Gracen  post over two years ago my blog jumped in numbers. I had people messaging me to talk and ask questions on I dealt with miscarriage. People who said "Thank you for sharing your story it helped me during my miscarriage" and others who opened up with things in their life that they have faced and not been able to share. To know God brought all that into play through me giving that part of my life fully out there its helped only a dozen people... and hopefully more than I know about... is amazing! I felt bad for not sharing sooner because I could have missed an opportunity to reach out to someone God wanted me to cross paths with. The point is..., hold nothing back. Share your story. Its your testimony!