"Does God Really Care?"

The last two evenings God has really placed on my heart the desire to tackle the landscaping around the house. Why? Well, it is spring after all and things are growing at a very healthy rate. The hedges needed trimming, yard needed cutting, and things need to be weeded and edged. Really we don't have a huge yard, but in reality I don't think it is any less then we had before.

As I was working today on the hedges, God began to impress on me why I was doing it. Sure, I needed to make sure it was done, otherwise we would face the consequences by the HOA for not doing our share in keeping our home and yard nice and neat. Then I begin to question why? Why was I so concerned? Sure, I am a rule follower and did not want to break any rules but really ~ those who are associated with our HOA aren't living in our neighborhood to be doing daily checks. None the less, keeping them pleased was a motivation ~ but not the only one. I WANTED our home to look nice, not only because it shows how much we care about our home (and those in it), but .... let's face it. A well kept yard is welcoming to guests, strangers and is a nice thing to come home to every day. So the idea became "Does God really care?". Does God really care about how we keep our homes? I am sure He does! There are many scriptures about taking care of our homes, not for prideful reasons, but for the simple form of worship and being thankful for what God has given us. Do we, The King's believe that God was in the midst of purchasing our home, and moving in this particular house, on this street, in this neighborhood? Absolutely! We truly believe that as a family!

Then the thoughts went to... does God really care about how we take care of our homes ~ the physical ones ~ our bodies?! Well, just as any house is unique and it's own, so are we! NONE of us look exactly alike. I mean, I have a "mini me" living with me ~ who looks just like me, yet there are many differences between us. (The 26 years between us doesn't count though!) God began to impress on me that HE is indeed like an HOA (Home Owner's Association) and has given us rules for taking care of our "homes" even to the point that He called them a temple for the Holy Spirit. We are instructed to live in a way ~ and if we would just take the time to look at His guidelines .... and LIVE them out He would clearly not only give us a FULL life, we will not get "fined" (blessings lost, trials, etc...) or rebuked, but instead praised! And we won't have to be the ones "praising" ourselves! How many do you know that put so much time and effort into building a "perfect body" yet without having the correct foundation (spiritual health) to continue for a life time? Me? I see it in this world every day ~ all day, day in and day out. I see people living to run the fastest just to say they could. I see people cutting out dessert all in the name of 'willpower'.

Each and every day I praise God that He took me out of a continued diet cycle and instead replaced it with a life that is searching for Him, in every and anything around me. I see Him in the birds that sing in the morning. In fact, I saw one actually worshiping this morning. PURE worship! You will never understand what I am saying until you can see it for yourself!

Just as I am not afraid nor ashamed of doing what the HOA asks of us, I am NOT ashamed of doing what God asks of us too! In fact in some ways i truly DO believe God is like the HOA of our lives ~ as we are to be living for HIM and by his restrictions.

It's NOT a mom thing ~ it's a GOD thing!

On Sunday I posted about giving my daughter her childhood back. Little did I know how much would change in just a few days!

The peace that is in our home regarding our TEENAGER is an amazing thing! I have seen her go from one tired, cranky, and almost undesirable child to be around to this sweet, kind, and encouraging girl! Who knew taking away these little "distractions" would really begin to change her heart, and mine. I realized through the last month and a half, almost two how living a life of comparison to not only the other's around you ~ but to false realities just the same zapped the life right out of you (and the people around you). As I began to realize how sweet of a change this has been, God brought to my ears a scripture and then I had to go find it myself.

⁴ Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, ⁵ for each one should carry their own load. Galatians 6:4-5 NIV

Amazing is it not? This wasn't just a quirky "mom" thing ~ it IS INDEED a GOD thing! We must teach our children (and ourselves) that it is displeasing to God to live a life of comparison! Not only is it difficult to test our own actions (take responsibility in what choices we make) if we are comparing our choices with other's .... it can bring doubt into our life. Doubt that maybe we are not living the life God would desire for us. Doubt in that maybe we are not filling our roles that we were created for.

How does removing her 24/7 access to social media sites and the like take away the life of comparison?! Well, I cannot guarantee it does. BUT.... it clears the way. Her focus is no longer on looking at someone's comment on a picture posted, or comparing her hair/body/clothes to someone else. My husband and I are NOT raising our children to be superficial and materialistic. If they want to "pout" or "sulk" because we say no... then that is an attitude we need to work on. A parent's job is not to give each thing our children ask for. Do we want to? Well we want to give them things, but it's not our main goal in life. We like to give them something every now and then "just because", out of the blue. Not asked for, just a surprise. Why? There is amazement and much gratitude. If we give all the time, and everything they ask for ~ there is NO amazement, and gratitude is hard to find. Removing the outside influence opens the heart for gratitude and excitement of what is happening right now, at this moment before our very eyes.

Would I open that door back up for her? Not on your life! :) Have I been changed by this? Absolutely! God has really taken this "little" thing ..... and given back so very much. I am so glad that I chose to follow His lead, and as hard as it was at the moment ~ it is a HUGE reward! Obedience rocks! (Even as an adult!)

This Mother's Day I am giving back....

This Mother's Day, I have sent my love both to my mother and mother in love, but most of all ~ I am sending it out to my daughter. No. She's not a mother ~ she's 13.

It all began on Thursday morning, and continued into Friday. That little .... pleading whisper to take action now! I wasn't sure what or why, but I knew that God was calling me to make a stand and change a few things in our home, beginning with the oldest (and only daughter).

As time passed, the urging became more fervent and the path made more clear. I was about to take the steps to give the gift of a lifetime. The gift of life ~ to be lived as God intended. The gift of purity in childhood. The gift of learning about and being able to accept oneself in a way that is NOT taught in our society to these precious children. In fact, society now a days really want to rob our children of this gift ~ and make them reliable on total strangers to find their oneness and acceptance from.

I remember being 13. It wasn't an easy time in life. Compared to today ~  it was a piece of a cake. Sure I sought out acceptance from people, longing for their approval. I probably said things I wouldn't have ... had I not had this so deep within me. I probably did things that I wouldn't have, if I just solely desired the approval of God and my parents alone. Teens, preteens, and even young youth now face a whole different world. They are constantly bombarded with what society things not only of them ` but of what it thinks they should be. I am not one to give in to raising our kids in a superficial world. I don't WANT them to long to "fit in". And quite frankly I am tired of "letting" society have this freedom with my own children.

Sadly one used to be able to distinguish when a writer used the word "society" it often referred to a standard in the world. As Christians we are NOT to be living the standard of this world, and who would want to? It is so empty, vile, dark, lonely, and sadly headed in a downward spiral more with each passing year. Even your typical "Christian" falls into the trap of living one way on Sunday, but living completely different the rest of the week. They say one thing, but do another. So often, we fall into the trap of wanting to fit in so bad, that our choices effect our character, decisions, and even .. our testimony.

I want more for my daughter! She is at a tender age, and I feel like she has been robbed! I feel like her innocence, purity, and just simple child like faith has been tested in more ways then she should ever have to experience before the age of 20, let alone before the age of 16! Teenagers, especially girls are NOT nice! I see it, and I praise God for the gift of discernment He has given me! Just this week I realized so many of these girls just want to be "accepted" that they will do anything to get it. Gossip. Slander. Even to the point of vandalism, threatening of one's safety, and beyond our wildest imaginations. What's left to do? Fight back? At what standard?

 

As as mom, I am fighting back! I am taking back my daughter from this broken generation that lacks character building, respect, and the pure fear of God Almighty! That's right! I am fighting back! The first way? My daughter is being removed from all forms of social media. Sure she has a phone ~ but it is so she can be reached by me or her father at any time. That is the ONLY reason she has one. At one time she was very involved at school in sports and other after school activities. She needs a way to get ahold of me, and I of her. On her phone ~ she will no longer have access to social media apps. (It goes far beyond facebook and YouTube now a days!) Will she have access to these sites? Yes, at most once or twice a week. Will it be difficult for her? It depends. I have faith that God will replace the desire .. with a desire to seek Him and serve Him more then she ever has before.

I want my daughter to know who she is ~ not by what society/her friends/ even her family thinks ~ but truly to KNOW what her desires are in this life. I want her to get a solid foundation in Christ. When your living a life that is a double standard, and is constantly battling each other ~ it hinders HIS doing! I want more for her then I ever had ~ and I had it pretty good. NOT in a materialistic way, but in life in general. I am blessed to say that she had a solid firm family at home. Her father and I are united ~ and will remain that way. I LONG more and more each day to stay up under the authority of my husband for this very reason. I am tired of hearing my children base their desires on what other's desires are. Too many times they look to what others have or what they are doing to base their decision on their own.

It is this world of comparison that gets us in deep. We begin comparing what we have, what we do, how our lives are lived based on those around us. Guess what?! God does not desire that to be! Sure, we are instructed to look to those older (or wiser) then we are (not by age ~ but by faith) NOT just anyone. This is an area that God has really been working on me in my own life ~ and I am honored to be challenged to bring it to the children next. I am tired of being involved in a "look at me" or even a "look what i can do better then you" world! Social media THRIVES off of this. I am going to be bold enough to say that when we live this way (and stop telling me it's "natural"), we are sinning in a big way. Like breaking a ten commandment kind of way.

¹⁷ “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” Exodus 20:17

This is big!! This is HUGE! And I am broken to my core! I am tired of living my life to "fit in".... and be something that I am not! This means so much, and if we think about it ~ our world is full of "coveting" or .... comparing and compromising! Removing the ability to have my daughter subject herself to this kind of living is BIG. It's taking everything I have to not give in to her "compromise" but I see this very minute that there is no way I can. As soon as I saw it begin, God grabbed a hold of me. I must do what He is commanding, and I need to act on it WHEN He asks ~ not when it's convenient. And I can no longer compromise myself either.

I am looking forward to having my "little girl" back. As she see's herself ~ 13 is not "little" but I can tell you one thing. I am almost 40 and I can't imagine being 13 again! I am looking forward to experiencing watching her discover who she is, and what she one day wants to do with her life without the outside false influence of the world. Right now, there is a whole generation of girls who are desperately unhappy, and looking for affection and attention. Lord let my daughter seek YOU to fill that gap if there is any.

I am looking forward to the way God fills our days ~ and what lessons we must learn in order to grow in the way in which He is calling us to learn. Reflecting today (and last night) on the pregnancies and births of our children, just made me realize how fast time is going ~ and how it won't be long before they are off living their lives. I need to make sure they have a strong foundation in which to live on ~ so that when difficult times come, they can stand and not get swept up in the world wind of defeat.

This Mother's Day I am giving my children a gift. The gift of being able to be kids with no expectations of growing up faster then they need to. I pray that they accept this gift of wholeness. It truly is the biggest thing I have ever given them. I hurt this evening for mother's who have lost their children to this cold dark world. Children ~ who are slaves to prison of comparison and the guilt that they can't live up to false expectations. I am weeping for mother's whose children have taken their own lives, out of "not living up", or even being given the chance to overcome this painful lonely walk of living up society's idea of "life". I pray that even though it is hard for my daughter this evening, that she will see my heart, and understand that it is the BIGGEST gift I truly can give her. Freedom to be herself ~ without fear of judgement, or not living up. She is a beautiful girl who loves life! I just want to make sure the life she loves is her own ~ not the desire to be someone she isn't.

It's Okay!

I am growing and being challenged all at the same time as of late. But you know what?! It's okay! There are times in our lives when what we believe is questioned, even snubbed at but in reality it doesn't matter. If it changes things, then it is either because you realize that yes what you believe is right for you and a place where God has for you at this moment or.. it was never meant to be, and now it's time to move on. Choices. Choose! But either way, it's okay!

I am also learning that sometimes sharing too many deep personal things with just anyone isn't always what God would desire of us. Yes, HE wants us to share things ~ and yes, even personal things, but more often then not we are called to change and not demand that others notice this change. If the changes we are wanting to make are being done so others can see the changes, then the motive is wrong. I am also learning that it's okay to be reserved in sharing what you are going through at the moment because perhaps the person/people you desire to share it with are not ready to hear it! Did you get that?! It's taken me years to figure this out! I am always wanting to share but ..... I am learning how it isn't always wise ~ even with pure motives.

Our internet service isn't the best connection or is it? See, I have been having issues with blogging/and facebooking. I long to write, to share, but the internet isn't cooperating as much. Now, I have a feeling that it wasn't just the connection ~ or the internet connection at least. I truly believe God has blocked the whole thing to protect me from sharing what I need not to share. And you know what?! It's Okay!

I do however hope to be back to posting regularly as God leads! There is going to be a fun little giveaway coming up over at The Happy Homemaker Perspective! Four more weeks of preschool, and we are out for Summer Vacation! That usually means more pinning, posting, and sharing!

Redemption

                                                                    Redemption

This is one of those posts that if you know me well ~ you just have to read it and see HOW it applies to you, instead of dissecting it to see what exactly I am sharing. Does that make sense? This is one of those posts that God is going to use differently in each person who reads it. I haven't even written it yet I can feel that deep within me. So, do yourself a favor. Don't try to read between the lines, just read it and digest it and see what God can do!

Since about the start of the school year (End of August, beginning of September) I have been in a season of harvest in my life ~ professionally, personally, and in our family. This school year I have been able to see God do amazing things in these little lives, mine included. This school year, we began the search for a new home, went through the tedious process, and have been living in our home for three months now! My marriage with my husband is better then it ever was ~ not that it was bad, but we have grown so much together that I would never want it to go back to like it was.

Redemption is about deliverance. Deliverance from the act of destruction whatever that destruction may be.

Redemption is about losing GREED ~ the desire for more. Redemption is found in contentment! Redemption is a gift that gives back, over and over!

Redemption is about healing ~ of the mind, relationships, the heart. Without redemption, healing cannot be received.

Each morning you wake up, you have been given the gift of redemption IF you accept it! Each day, that God Almighty gives you ~ is your chance to find redemption in relationships, in your health, in your faith.

Monday's reflection

As I sit here this morning, I hear worship music coming from the teen's room, the dryer singing it's humming lullaby, a podcast on my own computer teaching me about putting God first, this is how our week starts! I couldn't be happier!

The coffee is steaming, tasty, and a good jolt to start the day. The shoulders are feeling the effects of moving a heavy desk ... and moving it again. Not pain, just a reminder of the day before. A reminder that each day we have tasks that need to be completed, and sometimes they leave reminders to remind us of our productivity, or perhaps even lack of it.

Lately, I haven't spent much time online ~ let alone blogging. It hasn't been out of laziness but instead of taking care of the people in my life who have needed me. The husband's oldest sister passed away, so it was spending time with him as he grieved, making sure the kids were okay and their questions answered about death, cancer, heaven. There was revelation this week in the classroom as I have seen some kids bloom at an amazing speed, and questions answered as to some who are struggling. Watching, observing, to see what the last steps of our school year needs to be as plans are completed. Teen drama, taking over in the process and realizing that being 13 is one of the hardest things a girl has to go through. One way or another ~ whether your on the instigating side of the drama or the receiving end. LOVE hurts ~ and hurting people hurt others. What a precious time to pull her back in, and allow her to be grasp that last bit of childhood while she can. Being on the brink of womanhood, yet... longing to be free as a child.

Through God Almighty, I have grown more in tune with HIS desire for our lives then ever before in the last few months. Moving was a big step ~ but it has opened a door to completely let go of that comfort zone that we found comfort in, yet strangling ourselves at the same time. I did not realize how much of a hindrance living in a comfort zone can be to not only actual physical growth ~ but spiritually as well. Now, please don't get me wrong ~ being comfortable in your life is important. BUT... sometimes that same comfort holds us back from ever experiencing this WHOLE life that God has for us! Do I know what that is? No. But I am willing to let go of my expectations of what a comfortable life is, and how I think it should be ran to let Him lead me. The more I learn to let go and let Him lead, I am happier, my life is full of more joy, AND even in conflict ~ I grow! Does it hurt? Yes, sometimes. But even in the hurt, I am drawn closer and closer to God Almighty!

I know this is a hodge podge kind of post. A Monday reflection kind of post so that my mind is free to begin again! Have a blessed day, and I will be back on a regular writing schedule soon.

A Morning Gift

Yesterday morning I woke up and began having feelings of anxiousness. That feeling in the pit of your stomach when you know something is wrong, or not right. It wasn't stomach pains, I knew this feeling. If left alone, it would loom and build and gain strength until it set me in full circle of anxiety.

On the way to work I was listening to a podcast and was prompted deep within to put it on pause, and just let go of whatever this feeling was in prayer. So, it began. I prayed. I gave God everything I could think of that was bothering me that morning from bills to teenage drama. I told God that since He called me into exploring and embracing child like faith, that was indeed what I was going to do. I was going to give him my burdens no matter how small or how big they were, and I was not going to control those situations in any shape or form. At the end of my prayer, I took a deep breath and immediately my focus was OFF of those concerns.

I arrived at the preschool, began getting ready for the day and I could tell it was going to be an interesting day to say the least. A large envelope was given to me and as I was welcoming a parent and child into my classroom I tossed that envelope on the counter .... and heard the most horrific sound EVER! It slid .... down a hole between my counter top and tall cabinet in my classroom. I often refer to it as a "black hole". The hole of no return.

Immediately I gasped loudly, and the classroom became silent which doesn't happen often when  your in a classroom of 15 four olds ~ who are mostly boys by the way. I was now on the spot! So.... I did the only thing I knew to do before I panicked! I prayed .... out loud! I asked for God's help to get this envelope back. Instantly an idea came... get a yard stick (because it would fit and I knew we had some) and some heavy duty tape and make a sticky stick to grab it.

I tried.... and failed. I tried again.... and failed again. So.... I prayed again. Out loud! I was peaceful, not anxious, not panicky! THAT in itself was a miracle. And lo and behold.... after fervent prayer and simple trust.... the envelope was retrieved!

I then turned around and said "God's word says we are to worry about NOTHING and pray about EVERYTHING and this was a perfect example of that!" One of the kids didn't think that God really said that so we pulled out the bible and read it together!

Yes it was  teachable moment, one that was embraced. I was able to not only show the kids what we should do when something doesn't go our way ~ I was able to give the RIGHT answer as to why! Because God tells us to! It helped me ... as I had already given the burdens of my heart to God on the way to school, and less then an hour I NEEDED Him, prayed to Him, trusted Him, and .... He was very alive in our room!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6