Month: October 2017

When you’re doing everything right…

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…but you still feel low.

You pray. You count your blessings. You exercise. You take your vitamins and supplements (if you don’t, check mine out! Clinically proven + non-gmo. I’m happy to answer questions about what they’ve done for me, just send me an email).

And yet… you find yourself in a funk.

Maybe it’s because you haven’t had enough water. Maybe you haven’t spent enough time filling your mind with life-giving Truth. Maybe you’ve been going so much that you’re just burnt out. Or maybe you’ve simply just forgotten your purpose.

Processed with VSCO with f2 presetIn these moments of funk, here’s what I suggest:

1) Pray specifically for God to remind you of your purpose. He has given you a job to do that He’s entrusted to NO ONE ELSE. What is that job? Ask God to reveal it to you if you don’t know. Mine is being a wife to Justin, and mother to my girls.

2) Plan a day of REST. If I don’t have a rest day planned, I tend to get overwhelmed and rest TOO MUCH during the week. But those rests end with me feeling guilty and not at all rested. Give yourself PERMISSION to take a day off and recharge. You’ll find yourself much more productive on your regular days when you can look forward to rest.

3) Do something that pours into your purpose. Do you have kids? Go fill their love tank by spending time with them doing something THEY want to do. Whatever your answer to #1, pick an activity that will pour into it–it may help you come out of your funk, and remind you why it’s your purpose in the first place.

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I hope you’re encouraged today! I’m praying God blesses you with a funkless weekend full of purpose-filled FUN! 💗

Mom says “no” again…

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“Momma, can we get a Lunchable?”
“No babe. Not today. You know those aren’t good for you, and we are getting good groceries today.”
“Momma, can I get a Gatorade?”
“No ma’am.”
“Awww!!”
“Please stop asking for things. I don’t mind telling you ‘no’, but I realize it upsets you and I don’t want you to be upset. Please stop asking for things right now; I’ll always give you what you need, and treats when I feel like you deserve them.”

I sure wish my kids would ask for things that I’m teaching them will HELP them. I would love for my kids to request foods that help their bodies grow healthy and strong… I would say, “Absolutely you can!”

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Boy was this a lesson for me. It’s amazing how often in parenthood I think, “ohh. Thank you God for your patience with me. I get it now.”

How often do I ask for things that are ultimately not for my good?
All the while He’s whispering, “No my dear child. That is not good for you. Please stop asking because it pains me to constantly have to tell you no. Get on board with what will better your SOUL, then I will bless you abundantly.”

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭37:4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

No, a trivial “Lunchable” is not what He wants to give me. That will not be the blessing of my delight in Him. If I am truly delighting in my Father, He is all I need and anything I want outside of His love must be grounded in His will.

I sure do love the lessons I am learning DAILY in motherhood. So many things I wish I had learned long ago, but I’m thankful for the opportunity to learn them now. ❤️

Halloween Socks

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“Momma! I just learned something!”
My sweet Ali says as she runs into my room.
“What’s that babe?”
“I learned that it doesn’t matter what you wear! You can wear what YOU want to wear; what matters is what’s in your heart!”
“Yes, baby! That’s exactly right! I’m so glad you learned that.”
“I used to fink people only would like you if you were pretty. But now I know it doesn’t matter! It’s just what’s in your heart!”
“Why did you used to think that, baby?”
“I don’t know!”
And she runs off to play…

Why DID she used to think that? We intentionally say otherwise in our house, so where does that teaching of beauty and outer appearances mattering more than the heart come from?

“the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

Apparently, it’s just human nature. To make snap judgements based on outward appearances. It’s wrong. And yet it’s what we do–especially when we are letting our flesh rule our spirit….

But God through His Son, calls us to live differently doesn’t, He?

“Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” ~John 7:24

I know a lot can be said about this topic, but I don’t think I could say anything that hasn’t already been said. So I’ll leave you with that. 🙂 And this:Processed with VSCO with c1 preset

Today, I’m taking advice from my daughter (who LOVES Halloween, btw), and am wearing what I want to wear strictly because I want to wear it. I am Halloween down to my socks y’all! And it’s stupendous. 😁🕸🕷🍂👻🎃

The Confident Christian Woman: Part 3

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Isaiah 26:3You keep him in perfect peace
    whose mind is stayed on you,
    because he trusts in you.

It’s finally here! Part 3 to being a confident Christian woman! In case you missed them, here are part 1 and part 2 that lead up to this one.  Be sure to go check those out! (Like, Share, and COMMENT with any questions or feedback.  I’ll do my best to respond to everyone!)

We know by now, that confidence (in the Christian’s eyes) is not what I can do–by ability or sheer will, but it is believing in what God can do through me.  That kind of confidence doesn’t happen by accident, but with daily intentional action. Action that starts in prayer, is rooted in purpose, and brings peace.

Peace. Let’s pick that word apart a little bit. After all, I am a mother of two girls. Is peace ever really possible? Or am I destined to live in a constant state of worry… because… MOTHERHOOD?

Yahoo defines Peace as: “freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility. Synonyms: calm, restfulness….” And, “freedom from dispute or dissension between individuals or groups.” 

That sounds quite lovely, doesn’t it? A life rid of worry, filled with quiet and calm; free.
You know, it is possible to have that life, but maybe not in the way you’re thinking. Let’s dive into the Word, and how this beautiful picture of peace can be OURS and bring us to a steadfast confidence.

First, we must be HUMBLE. True humility brings peace—recognizing what and who I’m NOT, and always elevating who God is.
Do I know the heart and thoughts of others? Nope.
Do I cause the sun & moon to rise at the right times? Nope.
Do I see the pain and suffering of every grumpy stranger I encounter who may rub me the wrong way? Absolutely not.
Who does? Our Creator, Father, Healer, Comforter, and Almighty God. (Matthew 5:45, Psalm 139:23-24, Job 38:12)
When I come to grips with my inadequacies and limitations, I can FULLY surrender worry and doubt over to my MORE THAN CAPABLE Father. Freeing me of all those unrealistic desires to be in control of the things of which I have NO control.

Remaining focused & disciplined with purpose will bring me peace. (Hebrews 12:10-11, 2 Tim. 1:6-9) Do you ever feel overwhelmed and downright directionless? Like you have 100 things to do at any given MINUTE and you just can’t choose where to start?
I have, and usually that feeling paralyzes me in inaction, laziness, or defeat.
Good news, though! There is hope. For me, a big part of that feeling has been eased through proper nutritional/bacterial balance in my body with natural supplementation (because often your body IS out a whack and in need of some help to function its best).  Most of that stress is relieved, however, when I remember my purpose–and focus my discipline there.
Bad habits are HARD to break. Starting the day on Facebook vs in God’s Word, is a BAD habit. It takes intentional effort & discipline to give God the first fruits of my day. Honestly, excuses and justifications often want my firsts in the morning.
“I’m not awake enough to study God’s Word.”
“I know I’ll read it later during Bible class, I can just do it then.”
“I’ll study with the kids later.”
“I really need sleep. God wants me to sleep–He made me that way.”
And on and on it goes…. all to avoid doing what HE has called me to, instead of what I want to do. Why do I not want to start my day in the Bible? Frankly, laziness. I want to be able to mindlessly scroll through pictures and see what my friends have to say because it doesn’t require anything from me. I don’t want to have to DO anything.
But that attitude illuminates another problem within me, doesn’t it? Choosing laziness over godliness is NOT going to bring me peace.  However, remaining focused & disciplined with purpose, will.

Relying on God’s strength will bring me peace. (2 Cor. 12:9-10)
“I just can’t. I’m too weak. I’m not a leader. I’m not anything. What if I fail? I will fail. I’ll be humiliated. What if I lose my friends? This life is too hard….”
ATTN: these are all thoughts you’ve allowed in your mind from the ENEMY.
STOP IT!
Revisit the above point, and get your mind in the WORDS of GOD.
He says, “Whoever loves father/mother/child more than me is not worthy of me. Do not fear! My grace is sufficient for you.  In this world you WILL have trouble, BUT take heart! I have overcome the world. Do not worry, do not be anxious. ” (Matt. 10:37, Isaiah 41:10, John 16:33, Matt. 6:34, Phil. 4:6)
Listen. The kind of trust required here is not EASY, but it is absolutely necessary to have the peace we are seeking.
Phil. 4:13 is a verse often taken out of context. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” What Paul is really referring to here, is contentment.
Do you feel like you have nothing? You can handle it when you rely on Christ.
Do you have more than you know what to do with? You can handle it when you rely on Christ.
That is the key; relying on God’s strength so you may go forward in His will. That, my friends, will bring you peace.

Being a Confident Christian Woman doesn’t happen by accident– it takes discipline and intentional focus. It takes a purposeful mindset and determination to seek Him above all else. It takes constant prayer, an understanding of purpose, and a peace the surpasses all understanding. And sweet sisters, it is ours for the taking. 🙂

“Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved...

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness[d] be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
~Philippians 4:1, 4-9