The Army Crawl

May 5, 2011

I am an emotion-led individual. It can be both a blessing and a curse if I'm not careful. It's gotta be in my DNA because there are a few emotional women scattered around my family tree eating the nuts! With that being said, I may or may not have birthed an emotional child. But, it wasn't a girl. Yep. I've got an emotional boy. Believe me, his is all BOY, nothing sissy about him, but he tends to be in tune with his heart more than some people are. And just like it can be a beautiful thing in my life at the right time, it is often a beautiful thing to be his mother because of it! Now, for the flip side... you knew it was coming.

The other day, he got into trouble about something and his heart told him to go into full emotional break-down! I'm talking dragging himself on the floor in shambles kind of sobbing. Pure and utter devastation! He managed to army crawl (like any good man would do) to his room and try to pick up the pieces of his heart in earnest. A short time later he came to me and said, "I'm sorry, Mom. I went into my room and asked Jesus to come into my heart and help me to not do that, but, I don't think he did. I pray and I pray, but God doesn't help me."

So what does all that mean? When we pray and God seems to not answer, what is that? Do we stop praying? Well, some of us do. Some of us lose our faith while waiting for answers to our prayers. We've all got to understand that sometimes when we pray the answer is going to be an immediate "Yes! I was waiting on you to just ask Me." Other times, the answer is "No. I'm sorry. That's not the best option for your life." And still others the answer is "Not now." How do we remain diligent in prayer? How do we keep our faith strong during those times of waiting, not sure if God is even listening to us? How do we keep from throwing our hands up in the air and saying, "Why pray at all? God's gonna do what He wants to do when He wants to do it anyway." Am I the only one who's ever felt that way and has had to struggle to pray? There are times when I even find it almost impossible to pray for others in their times of crisis and desperate need.

I think that it's a test of my faith and strength. I whole-heartedly believe in God. I believe what the Bible tells me, without a doubt. But, I must be careful not to become complacent and lose my line of communication with my Father. I have to keep the Evil One from flooding my mind with laziness and despair and feelings of unimportance. I have to fight him off and see him for the Liar that he is!

My God is graceful and merciful. He tells me that He knows the plans for my life. They are plans for good and not evil, to give me a future and a hope! (Jeremiah 29:11) I have to cling to that promise. He is truthful. He is loving. He is omniscient. I have to be willing to follow Him wherever He leads me. And I know that it may often be up the hill, through the brush and thorns, in cold and lonely darkness. But, He will go with me the whole way!

So, what do I tell my son, who feels as though God is not hearing the heart-felt prayers of a ten-year old boy? I tell him the same thing I have to keep telling myself.


"Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." 1Thessalonians 5:17-18


"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

I think that we need to remember that we are not only to ask for what we need, but, more importantly, we need to praise God and thank Him for all that He has already given to us and spared us from! We need to pray with a grateful and humble spirit.

"But if you pray to God and seek the favor of the Almighty, if you are pure and live with complete integrity, he will rise up and restore your happy home. And though you started with little, you will end up with much." Job 8:5-7 

When we pray, we must also examine our own lives. Are we living for our own benefit? Are we greedy in our intentions? Are we selfish in our desires? Or, are we seeking God's will for us?

So, today, on this National Day of Prayer, I will find time to be alone with my God. I will pour out my heart to God in thanks for every single thing He has given me. There is so much in my life to be grateful for. I think we all tend to forget how bad things could be for us. We take for granted the freedoms we have in this country. Even in this struggling economy, we are far richer than most! I will remember to thank Him, also, for all that He has spared me from. I do not know these things, but, I am certain He has constantly intervened against evil to protect me and my family! I will be sure to thank Him for all that He has planned for me. And I will pray for you. And, finally, I will include my kids in this holy prayer time. I will lead them by example. I will feed their little souls with the hope and peace that comes from prayer. I hope that you will join me.

And as for tomorrow and all the tomorrows that follow? Well, I will keep on praying. I will army crawl when I must, but, I will keep on praying!

Let's Eat: Week 9

May 4, 2011

Watching My Weight Wednesday

No recipe today, but, rather, a new snack! Listen, we all munch between meals. That can be the downfall of any diet. So, for that salty craving, I've discovered this little beauty. Zero Carbs, people!

"You say, 'Food is for the stomach, and the stomach is for food.' This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them."1Corinthians 6:13

"Those who think it is all right to eat anything must not look down on those who won't. And those who won't eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them." Romans 14:3

Friends

May 3, 2011

friend- a person who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile; a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard


acquaintance- a person known to one, but usually not a close friend

We all have friends and acquaintances alike. Some have more than others, but, usually our "Friend List" is significantly shorter than our "Acquaintance List". I, personally, have a very short friend list. I have about four really close friends, plus my husband, who know me intimately, emotionally speaking. They know how I work. They know where I'm weak. They celebrate my strengths. They can be trusted with my heart. And I know them the same way. I've formed a special fondness for each one of them. They have become a happy part of my life.

Recently, a dear friend of mine confided in me how someone dear to her said something in the name of "honesty" that was very hurtful and, in reality, untrue. Our friends count on us to be honest with them. It's natural. It's expected. It's the basis of trust and respect. But, should you ever sacrifice your friend's feelings in the name of honesty? Listen, we all need to be very careful and ever mindful, no matter how close we are with our friends, to never say anything to hurt our friends no matter what our opinions might be. It's just not acceptable. The world is brutal enough, the voices in our own heads are brutal enough, that we don't need anyone else, much less someone who is supposed to love us so much, to be cruel and hurtful, no matter how well-intentioned. Our job as Christians and women, is to lift each other up. There are many waiting in line to squash us down on their desperate climb up the ladder of  life.

If we have a hard time treating our friends well, how do we fare where our acquaintances are concerned? I recently read something along the lines of this: Be careful how you behave today. You may be the only bible someone ever reads! What a great reminder of how we are to conduct ourselves during our waking hours.

It's not always easy to be nice. Hey, I have been accused many times of being blunt, rude, and unkind. I am making an effort to change this perception of me. It's strange because I have never been super confident, boisterous, or mean within the confines of my heart of hearts, but, I'm certain that I've come across that way more than once. I have got to make an effort to be aware that there are circumstances in the lives of people I encounter that I have no clue about. You just never know what secrets are hidden behind closed doors; what demons are fighting within others' hearts and minds.

As we go out into the world, let's try to put our instincts of unkindness and intolerance aside. Let's all try to remember that our words and actions could very well do either much harm or much good. Let's all make an effort to extend the benefit of doubt in all situations and show the love of Christ everywhere we go. You may never know how it will impact someone's life.

"They must not speak evil of anyone, and they must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone." Titus 3:2


"In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them." Philippians 2:4-5


"But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law." Galatians 5:22-23

The Good Ole Days

May 2, 2011

I'm sitting here this morning, feeling very grateful. There are so many things that I don't have, that I wish I did have. But, the things I do have are far more important than anything I'm lacking. I learned firsthand a few years ago just how little in terms of material things that one person really NEEDS. God is always so faithful and graceful. He has provided abundantly for my family.

How much of our time is spent chasing rainbows? I'm guilty of looking past the present to the newest desire of my heart. The "smoking hot shoes", or "cool sunglasses", or "Power Wheels" for my baby 'cause every girl  needs a motorized ride at three!

I am being convicted to still myself in prayer. I'm missing a greater, deeper connection that can only be found there. I'm also being led to see the present for what it is- a gift! It's not something I have to get through to get to the next great thing. It's what I am going to miss in a few, short years when my kids set out on their own journeys. I don't want to miss one second of what I have now! I want to be sure that my "nows" are not filled with only "clean your rooms" and "take your bath" and "did you brush your teeth?" I want my kids to know how much I love them. I want them to feel my adoration and respect. I want their childhoods to be a magical gift of learning and discovery, time and love. I don't want to forget that these are "The Good Ole Days".

"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4


"These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to take care of their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God." Titus 2:4-5


"Fathers, don't aggravate your children. If you do, they will become discouraged and quit trying." Colossians 3:21


"Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him." Psalm 127:3