Praying When on Empty

Another rough day in the house. Kids yelling and screaming - at each other, at you, at anything that catches their attention. The house is a disaster. Rooms you have been in a dozen times still manage to not get any cleaner. Husband comes home in a bad mood - work stressing him. Again. Dinner is late to the table and all that is spoken are complaints about the food being served. Bath time is filled with chaos and getting everyone to bed is never an easy task on a good day. But finally, there is quiet. And in the quiet, you sit at the table, on the couch or maybe in bed. Your devotional for the time is close at hand along with your Bible, pens, notebooks and other needed items for this time. You breathe deep, inhaling to full lung capacity, exhaling fully. Your face turns toward the ceiling as you strive to relax. Next breath in, you begin. 

“Dear God”. Then nothing. Nothing comes to mind. Not a single word, thought or fully formed emotion is in place. Exhaustion has sunk into your very essence and you can not even think enough to speak to God. Eyes still closed, you lay your forehead on folded hands, trying so hard to think of one thing to say yet all that keeps repeating is “Dear God”. 

You long for a closeness to God. You wonder how other moms do it and why you cannot. You struggle with the to do list of faith - praying, reading your Bible, listening for God, serving and more. Advice from through the years runs in your head, constantly pushing for you to try harder, to be better, to do more. But it all leads to one point, where all you feel is one thing. 

Empty. 

Where is the overwhelming joy? The peace? The contentment? The promises? Why? Why the emptiness? Why can’t we do better, be better? And the answer is both simple and difficult. 

You are not enough. 

You are not enough for your kids. For your husband. For your household. For even yourself. 

God is enough. 

Psalms 55:22a says “Cast your burdens upon the Lord and He will sustain you.” In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus says “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

We cannot do it alone. We cannot be the perfect wife, mom, homemaker, friend or any other title. We are not sufficient. God is sufficient though. 

So next time you are crying out to God, feeling so empty that words will not come out, remember it is okay. He knows. He is with you. And He has you. 

And by the way, it is okay to refresh yourself by taking moments to step away from the house and kids. Take them to the park, and bring a sweet tea and a heart open to God’s creation. Or take a mom time out with a call to a friend. Impulsively blare the music and dance like no one is watching. Take bubble baths. Make baking memories - even messy ones. Go on scenic drives. All ways to reset yourself and your kids. We were not commanded to be everything to everyone. Keeping the house perfect, having dinner on the table on time, folding all the laundry every day - not things I have seen in my Bible. So make time to not worry on such things. Just love God, and love people. He will help replenish you so you can get to the rest in due time. 

When People Fall Short

Expectations placed upon other people are not always achievable. We want the perfect relationships. The invite to lunch. The call just to say hello. The understanding and empathy. The lack of judgment. But unfortunately we do not always get it. And sometimes, others hurt us whether knowingly or not. 

Adults who grew up traumatic childhoods learned early how to read a room. They see the slightly curled up nose of aggravation. They recognize the noncommittal tones behind the smile. They observe the connections or other people. They are quick to recognize distaste, annoyance and dislike. They try too hard to make connections and do not understand how they go wrong when they do not work out. Until God puts the people in their lives for those connections to happen. But it is not always an easy path. Most times it is one fraught with difficulty, confusion and emotional pain. And it is not an uncommon issue, else we would not have common phrases exuding gladness of finding our tribes or ones reminding us we can not be everyone’s choice sauce. 

The lunch plans discussed without the invite to join in while standing right there. The passive aggressive remarks of judgment in a Bible study group. The gossip behind the back. The social media posts that raises feelings of being left out. The pretend busyness or lack of noticing to say hello in the hall. The one sitting at the table that would rather use their phone to connect to someone not in the room rather than the one right next to them. The list goes on. 

Humans are not perfect. Most times we are so full of our own plans, problems, thoughts, and worries that we do not notice those around us looking for friendship and connection. The world is full of people so focused on their own lives they are missing connections right in front of them. So where does that leave those seeking connections? They do the right things. Smiling, making eye contact, trying small talk - yet failure repeatedly occurs. They lose confidence- in themselves. In others. Or, dare I say, in church. 

People do not become perfect when they become saved by Jesus. They do not become perfect when they walk through the doorways of church buildings. And unfortunately, being saved or even in the same church does not automatically mean connections will be made. There will still be difficulties. There will still be confusion. There will still be emotional pain. So why keep trying? 

Because of God. In the beginning of time, after creating our world, He made people. But He did not just leave them to their own lives. He created purpose, connection and joy by giving them each other and by being there Himself. Imagine, how amazing it had to been to walk in the garden with God. To have those moments in the cool of the day, spending time strolling together. 

Yet sin came into play, ruining the perfection of such a relationship and creating strife we still face today. And all of us sin. All of us have pain. And all of us cause pain. So do not fret when the passive aggressive behavior hits hard. Do not give up when the invites do not come. Let go the angst and confusion of lack of connections. Remember, God is always there. He knows you. He loves you. He is there and available for you to always seek in prayer. He knows the people you need in your life. Be it for a short or long season, His plans never fail. And keep trying to make those connections. Smile. Make the corny joke. Try too hard and look silly. Because in the end, it shows your love for others and that is always worth the effort. 

But Where is God?

Ever have moments you feel the urge to do something? Pressure starts building up on the inside and when you ignore it, the pressure gets more intense until finally you give in just to experience relief? I am there today. It's not the first time and probably won't be the last. I think of these moments as obedience tests. Sometimes things come out of it that I do not expect. Last summer (2025), for example, I felt this overwhelming urge to get a weekend program started for child care for young families in our church. I'm sitting in a Wednesday night service and arguing with God, though let's be honest, He wasn't arguing. I was thinking of my schedule. How busy I am all the time and how I did not have time to start and participate in such an endeavor. Sitting in the pew, the pressure was building in my chest. It felt like being swaddled tighter and tighter, then finally I said yes I'd obey and go for it. That pressure immediately lifted and the relief was crazy. But I have to admit I didn't really want to move forward with it. I even remember as I was talking to people about it, how I kept saying I am too busy for this but God put this on me. Reluctant obedience. So there I was, talking to all the right people and telling them what was being put upon me all the while thinking this will be an addition to my already full schedule that I don’t want. Then, I quit reluctantly obeying. I willingly obeyed, getting more excited about the possibilities. I obeyed in communicating the program I was aiming for, stressed about the endeavor but excited to get the opportunity to love on families in such a way. Thinking it would grow to be an amazing way to serve every few months but then things just fizzled out. A weekend program wasn’t possible, I didn’t feel called by God to follow other suggestions, just nothing. Definitely not how I thought things would go. But that would just be another time where God wasn't telling me to do something to accomplish some major plan that I could see, He was telling me to obey Him. The outcome didn't matter - He already knew the outcome. I just had to obey. 

So here I am today, after recent obedience with a trip to Guatemala, coming home with a plan for a few more projects that will add to my plate but I followed in obedience in putting them forward to the proper people and now this blog post. The one I've avoided for so long. So many times people have said, "you should write a book", or "you should give your testimony at...." and while that's a nice idea, I haven’t felt called to that currently. Yet now, here on this hot summer day, second day of homeschooling, I feel the pressure of putting part of my testimony on my lighthearted blog. So instead of arguing, procrastinating, or even ignoring, I am here typing, not sure what the final plan is but willingly following God's direction. 

A lot of times we face hard moments in life. Illnesses. Death. Natural disasters. Financial woes. The list goes on. The burdens feel heavy, suffocating at times. Darkness lingers as hope of getting through yet another hardship diminishes. We start to ask ourselves, where is God? Why hasn't He fixed this? How can He allow this to happen? And we start to doubt. We doubt His sovereignty, His love, and even doubt ourselves. We hear the platitudes that things will get better, just keep hoping, and of course the Christian favorites of keep praying, read your Bible, He's still there, etc. But when you're in the darkness, feeling so deep down the well that light can't possibly reach, it's hard to see past that moment. 

But it's just that. A moment. A singular bit of time that will one day be part of your past as you hold on to your future. How do I know? Because I've been there. I am the oldest of 3 kids. If you ask about my family history, I'll half laugh and tell you it's a mess. I have a biological father, who, last I looked on his social media page, has declared on his public profile picture that I died in a car wreck when I was 5. That was news to me. I have a legal father (dec.), mother, brother, sister (dec.), grandfather (dec.), couple of uncles (1 dec.) - all who fought or still fight the battles of addiction. Alcohol, prescription medicines, drugs - it's all been a part of the family life I grew up in. My grandmother (dec.), who I loved and felt so close to, was a practicing Buddhist but family stories tell me she was quite the partier in her younger days. Crazy thing, up until I was 12, I grew up Baptist. My legal father was a deacon in a small church and we were there every time the doors were open. But our lives were not God honoring when we were not there. Inside our home, life was not at all like the outside world saw it to be. 

Abuse. I really dislike that word. I don't like to use it, definitely do not like to think of myself as a victim of it. Yet I experienced a lot of different forms of it. Mental, physical, emotional, neglect and even spiritual. All before I turned 18. There were so many times I'd be on my knees, sobbing so hard I could not breathe, not understanding why God would allow a child like me to suffer through so many of these things. Between the ages of 18-25, I would fight the overwhelming darkness in the middle of the night, depressed beyond measure, contemplating things that, as my great grandmother would say, "are part of God's job for He gives and takes away life". I would be stuck in those moments, feeling the despair as a heavy weight and unable to remove it. 

But where was God? Right there with me. I had to learn to focus on Him. Bet you've heard that before, right? Probably thinking, oh gee, is that all? And yes, I heard it said so many times. I had anger towards those pushing that at me. I thought oh wow, why didn't I think of that and called them stupid, not understanding, impossible to relate, etc. I felt alone on the island of me, me, me and my battles. It was not easy yet focusing on God was not an empty platitude. It was the hardest thing I had to do. Stepping out of the mindset of victimhood. Discontinuing to dwell in the darkness. Actively seeking the light. 

I didn't magically have the urge to pick up the Bible and fill my mind with God's Word. I didn't suddenly obtain the desire to worship Him, be around His people, reach out to others, or any other idea that was suggested. I cried. I hid in my closet. I drove for hours. I ate way too much junk food. I zoned out in front of the television. I went to clubs with friends. And God was still there. Waiting patiently. Putting small things in front of me that I wouldn't notice until I started looking back asking where He was during those times. He was there.

A verse that kept appearing on billboards around my office. An atheist struggling with his faith after discovering he was dying. A Christian who always stayed strong in the Word of God and was not ashamed to share their faith nor their struggles. A counselor who acknowledged my darkness and limitations but encouraged growth and gave me the tools I needed. And finally, a church home. Not a church full of perfect people, definitely not that. A church of people who struggle. Who offered a recovery program that gave me a better foundation. Sunday classes with teachers who were transparent in their own shortcomings. A church that through 2 decades of my life, has had its ups and downs, but has shown what it is like to love God, love people and to struggle well. 

It was not easy. It was impossible for me to accomplish. To not fall into addiction. To not stay in depression. To not continue holding onto the chains of my past. Completely impossible. But God. He broke those chains. He gave me hope. He held me in the darkest of times. He showed me the way to a better future. He has always been there, no matter how I was feeling in the moment. 

These days I have a lot of platitudes I tell myself. “I can do anything for a moment”, “God’s got me/this”, “One moment at a time”, “Get out of yourself” and more. Every day is not perfect, but definitely better than it ever was. Not because of me. Not because I’m mentally stronger, spiritually more faithful, or anything I have ever done. But because of God. Where is He? He is right here, right now and He always will be. 

Relational Hospitaliity

Another gorgeous day in Guatemala and we're delivering food to families and a water filter system. The morning is already shaping up to be fantastic considering house number two has me privileged to snuggle a gorgeous 8 month old baby girl. The fourth home we stop in is the first time the habitant is visibly flustered. She nervously moves pots and pans around, smooths her hair frequently, needlessly straighening her clothes as she apologizes for a mess that I had not even noticed. I am too busy looking at the beautiful turquoise walls and noticing that though she was nervous her smile was still welcoming and warm. It takes me back to an event I attended where Barbara Rainey spoke on our homes being embassies for the Lord and the importance of being welcoming. Here this beautiful lady is nervously fidgeting over the unexpected visitors yet she's welcoming us in her home, pulling out seats and smiling warmly. To me, it's the perfect picture of making a home an embassy for the Lord. Though things are not perfect, still smiling, offering seats, showing obvious signs of caring and graciously accepting the unexpected visitors. 

Here in this foreign land I'm visiting to share the love of Jesus, I am the one getting a lesson on loving like Jesus and hospitality full of grace. Many times I have avoided inviting people in my home because it's not perfect - dishes are randomly left piling in the sink, shoes are left scattered in the entry because we can't seem to put them on the shelves that were built for them, clutter consisting of books, papers, and evidence of all activities randomly fill our tables. And if someone was to show unexpectedly? I'd probably be visibly frustrated, straightening things rapidly or worse - I'd stand on the porch visiting with them and not even inviting them in. How unwelcoming of me.

So on day 3 of delivering food and loving on people, I'm getting a lesson on hospitality. A reminder that a smile, offering a seat and a quick laugh at the surrounding mess is all that's needed to set those around you at ease, welcome them in your home and concentrate on what is most important - being welcoming, connecting and loving on people. 

Light of the World

The second morning of delivering food bags for our team was vastly different than the first. There was no steep hill making us all question our fitness levels and ability to breathe. Stories from the families we visited were a bit more uplifting though still had moments of hardship. Homes were a bit more put together with some even having concrete floors. One home was particularly inspirational. I could say it was because of the pride the young woman had in her husband's craftsmanship of their new home extension moving her from her in-laws home to right behind it in their own area. Or I could say it was the giggling kids that three of our team members got caught up in playing with giggles of their own. But really the most uplifting and biggest blessing was a wall area written on by one of her sons. The afternoon before our visit to this home we had our first VBS session. The lesson was on Jesus being the light of the world and how we can share His light with those around us. The Bible verse was John 8:12 where Jesus says "I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life." And there on the wall, written in Spanish was a message about the eternal light illuminating the world. Now whether he wrote this before or after attending VBS I am not sure but what we saw was evidence of God moving in the hearts of those we were loving on and that was inspiring to us. 

After delivering four food bags and a water filtration system to families, things were relaxed as our teams conversed, relaxed and reflected upon our morning. Entering the gate comes a young man who is introduced as being the grandson of one of our deliveries. He hugs us all upon arrival and very happy to just converse hang out with us. 

Then the conversation gets heavy. He imparts so many worries he has on his 17 year old heart. Worries for his future. Worries for his family. Worries over a friend. So much heaviness. Emotions run high and support is given in the form of large hugs and major prayers. It was a hard thing to witness, a heaviness on such a young soul and knowing the only thing we could bring to comfort was prayer. 

But God was there in that moment. God knew who would be there. God knew there would be support for that young man. God knew and still knows exactly what he needs. Because God is in the pain and worries. He's whispering in the storm for our focus to not be on the circumstances of this world but to be on on Him. He's reminding us that we just have to look to Him for support, comfort, provisions, healing and more because He has us in His hands. 

This day, similar to the day before, had moment of heavy that seemed unbearable but God's light shined on us and blessed us through it all. Our message to the kids, Jesus is the light of the world they could share His light with all those around them was never more apt than when we were there serving the community. His light shined through us as we delivered water filtration systems, food, as we conversed, as we sang and danced, and especially as we lifted those in need to the throne of the Almighty. In those moments, we may have been shining our Jesus lights on those around us, but again the bigger blessing was on the team. For we were receiving light shining brighter on us from the welcoming smiles, the privilege of sharing vulnerabilities, the honor of praying over those in the community and the hugs of all the families and kids as they welcomed us in their lives. 

 

Faith In Hardships

The day starts with a bountiful breakfast, fixed by smiling women and served buffet style. Three mission teams, most wearing their own large smiles, some showing a bit of nerves of the unknown, gather to eat before heading out to serve the surrounding communities. After breakfast, some load on a bus while others wait to hear our paths for the day. 

My daughter and I are part of the nervous ones. Unsure of the plan, but willing to follow. As the morning progresses, we are finally started on our part of the day - home visits where we get to know the families, find out about their faith and church life, and deliver food to aid them with physical needs. Sounded easy enough and I personally really looked forward to meeting the members of the surrounding community. We gathered our day bags filled with items we felt we might need, filled up our water bottles and picked up the food bags for our teams before setting out. First minute in and I knew this was going to be difficult because their hills are no joke and our team was set to start up one. 

As we came upon a rickety gate, made a bit of wood but mostly a sheet of tin, we walk onto a dirt path leading to a small garden area and a smiling woman. Her clothes are worn, house not what we would say was good living conditions in the United States yet her smile and demeanor is warm and welcoming. The conversation is a blend of English and Spanish, with our amazing translator bridging the gap between both cultures, commonalities and differences are laid out as we talk families, faith, and lives. Excitement ensues as she mentions expecting a new granddaughter on this day and honor is bestowed upon us as she allows us to pray over her and her family. We leave feeling uplifted and blessed to make this first connection before trudging up the steep hill for our next home visit. 

Our next home visit is harder physically to get to as we're still adapting to lower oxygen saturation levels, walking up a steep hill before walking at a decline down a rough path to a tin home with a tight fit for our team coming to visit. Sitting on a wooden chair is an 80 year old man and playfully greeting us is his 6 year old daughter. The conversation is hard as we learn he had broken his leg a year or more ago and has been unable to walk. Costs for the needed surgery are too high for him and when the nearby clinic was able to offer a lower cost surgery, the specialized items needed for it were not attainable by the clinic. He counts on his granddaughter's presence to help with chores and picking things in the garden. Yet even amidst his pain and limitations, he has a welcoming smile, he prays to God, he loves his granddaughter and he's still moving forward. He showed amazing faith and even more, amazing perseverance. No complaints, just living life the best way he could and grateful for what he was capable of.

Our next three visits would be similar. Climbing the increasingly steep hill to the next gates, walking the rough paths to homes that our country would not declare acceptable to children and pets, and starting conversations with the purpose of sharing the love of Jesus. The conversations were similar - major physical issues - tumors, diabetes, lung pain, leg pain, and worries for their future - yet they greeted us with welcoming, warm smiles, grateful we were present and happy to receive our meager food offerings. Issues such as transportation and health issues were frequently mentioned on why regular church attendance was not always possible and inability to read were commonplace on why they did not spend time in their Bibles. We empathized, handed over food bags, and prayed as we conversed about their family, faith, church life and prayer requests. 

On the way back down the steep hill that had me rethinking my capability to even breathe, my spirit was heavy with the needs of this community. How could I be a helper here? Why had God called me to this mission field? How would I ever make it through the week without breaking down because the stories were so hard to hear? Returning to camp, I immediately sat down with my Bible and journal, wanting to write down the experiences to reread and pray over and wanting to seek answers from God. Sitting alone, what we had just experienced weighed heavily on my heart. I wanted to go back to every home, hug them all and tell them it'll be okay. Not because of solutions offered by human hands, but because of God. Psalms 34:22 says "The Lord will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned." and Ephesians 2:6-7 says "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.".  The verses bring a peace that I can not give myself. He's with these families and His plans for them are better than any I could even try to make for them. 

So while my human self is stuck on the temporary world we live in with the struggles we all face, God is already here and He already knows what we are struggling through. He's in control and He holds us in His hands. And the perfect example was every family we met - struggling beyond comprehension with worldly needs yet still praying to God regularly and knowing He is their ultimate Provider. 

Growth in the Valleys

 

Arriving in Guatemala was an amazingly good feeling. The few months leading to this much awaited event had been fraught with discouragement - financial, relationships, physical, mental and of course even spiritual. Being attacked on every angle did not leave me in the greatest mind set to have the last 24 hours before arriving being filled with crazy plane issues that led to a Saturday arrival rather than the planned Friday night arrival. But God knew. 

Just like He knew I'd be standing in a valley after we walked out near the volcano to spend some time enjoying the view and seeing first hand the hardened lava of multiple eruptions. Feeling the urge to walk more down the path than where we stopped, I came to a place that reminded me of Psalms 23. The valley wasn't as vast as I picture when I think of David's words, but it was enough to lead me down a path of deep contemplation. 

There I stood, looking out at this small valley, and just seeing all the destruction. Behind me was a bunch of trash, whether left purposely or blown there I do not know, and more black rocky surfaces from past eruptions. My mission team was visible at the top of the hill and yet I stood in this valley feeling so alone. 

But through the destruction and trash, I started noticing some things. New growth. 

Though the ground was utterly destroyed by the hot lava that had flowed out of the volcano and hardened rocks covered the ground, there was still growth. And it reminded me of my past few months; how tested and stretched thin I felt. How I felt as though I was singed on all levels and I had been trying to harden myself against more trials thinking it'd be my only way of coping as I moved forward. 

Then I stood in this small valley, and it hit me so hard that tears filled my eyes and overflowed from my emotions. The reminder that He is with me no matter what I am going through. The reminder that He is growing something new in me, that He is making me holy. That He is growing me to be who He wants me to be. 

Three plane rides - delays, too short of layovers, way too heavy of bags - and all the months up to this point had a purpose. And it was definitely not what I had planned, but it was exactly what He had planned. 

I can not always see why He allows certain things. I get frustrated. I feel discouraged, I feel hopeless as things get harder and harder. Pushing through feels impossible. But God. God is there. God is in control. God knows what His plans are for me. God knew I'd stand in that valley, reflect on His Word, realize the world can harden the heart, it can fill it with trash, it can seem rocky and impossible to deal with but God. He can grow things when I think it's impossible. He knows the path that I can't see in front of me. He sees the impossibility of new life and makes miracles happen. 

So upon our return to the clubhouse/camp we were staying at, I journaled for the first time in forever. I let the emotions flow out, let God's Word flow in and I remembered who I am. I am God's child. And He's got the things I can't see under His control no matter how I feel. He's making me into who I need to be to serve His kingdom. And for that, I am grateful of His love, guidance, wisdom, and protection. 

Glow in the Dark Bracelets

Four glow in the dark bracelets. Four bracelets lighting up the arm of my sweet five year old daughter. Then the drama begins as I innocently suggest she share one, just one, bracelet with her three year old friend. I even go so far to mention that there are nine more in the van awaiting her return, but the pride of ownership and of selfish possession had taken full control and she refused to even contemplate sharing for even a moment.

As we left the church that evening, I spoke to her about sharing with others. How it shows love. How it is kindness. How we share especially when we have so much more. She was intent though, intent on holding on to what she could see on her arm. She was intent on gaining more when we reached the van. "Not all of them mommy. Just to get to seven." As we walked outside into the chilly night and across the darkened parking lot, I was stunned by a revelation. 

I am that five year old. 

I am holding on to the things I can see here in this world, even knowing the abundant blessings that God has ready for me. Blessings greater than anything I have here on this temporary world. 

I am not the only one holding on though. The saddest ones holding on are ones who are not even saved. They know God is real. They know Jesus is real. Yet they will tell you that they are not ready to commit to God. They are not ready to accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour. They want to become better before they go to Jesus. They want to get their lives straight. 

I have heard all the excuses and each time my heart breaks for them. They are so busy holding on to what is temporary, what they can see in this world, to accept what God is offering to them. They have the logic to understand there is something greater, their hearts have been prompted by the Holy Spirit yet they keep holding on to this world. 

We as Christians do it too. We hold on to our hurts. Our selfish desires. Our possessions. Our money. Our time. Oh, how we hang on to our time. We know God. We seek God on Sundays, maybe even on Wednesday evenings. Yet when He calls to us Monday through Saturday, we are too busy holding on to other things. Our priorities are just greater in our minds. We have our excuses too. Family. Work. Hobbies. It does not give us peace. It would overwhelm us. No time in our schedules. 

The thing we forget is that when God calls us for something, everything else fades away. He calls us to His glory, not ours. He provides His peace. Our priorities will be fixed to meet His goals. But first we have to let go. Let go of our selfish desires and wants in our lives. Let go of the priorities we think are important to our family. Let go of our hurts and let Him heal us. Go to Him more than just one or maybe two days a week. We know theses things. We know His plans are so much better than ours. We know everything works to His glory. If we know, why are we still holding on?

We are all like five year olds, holding on to our glow in the dark bracelets. Even though we know our Father has more than we will ever need waiting on us. 

Momlife Bootcamp Part 3

It's the final day of bootcamp. I have been covered in God's blessings. I have met other moms struggling in similar areas as I do, I have burst into tears as I face the changes God has allowed in my life and admitted my doubts in myself and God has covered me in His love and reminded me of who I am in Him using MomLife speakers, staff and guests.

Barbara Rainey is up to speak today. She is covering the topic "The Woman God Created Me to Be". I already know it is going to be amazing!

The first thing Barbara does is puts forth four questions: Who does God want me to become? What does God want me to become? What does God want from me? How do I become that woman? My answers: I dunno (shoulder shrug and dumbfounded expression and all).

Who does God want me to become? Well, Barbara does this ingenious thing - she opens up the Bible. (Wow, why didn't I think of that?) I need to grow and become holy - like Jesus. What does God want me to become? God wants me to become unique, like no other woman, looking to Him and not comparing myself to women around me. What does God want from me? I am to be women of courageous faith. It always requires courage to follow Jesus. How do I become the woman God wants me to be? By walking in the Spirit. The Bible is the most important book I have andI need to breathe, eat, and drink His Word. Listen to the spirit and imitate God.

Also, remember - I am no to be the Spirit to my husband or children. I need to pray that my husband and children will listen to the voice of the Spirit. I need to pray for the Spirit to help me and not harden my heart towards Him. Repentance and listening to the Spirit is a constant process.


The session has ended and women are standing up taking turns sharing how they were blessed this weekend. One mom struggles with special needs child. Another mom struggles with feeling worthy of her children. A mom shares her daughter's struggle with cutting and the impact it has had on her. Another mom shares she used to be a cutter. A mom shares her husband's letter of encouragement he gave her before she left. Between struggles and praises we all came for this weekend. Everyone who shared ended with the same thing - God was here, we were blessed and God is doing great things.


It is now Sunday evening. I left here Friday just to check off something on my to do list. I returned today reminded of who I am in Christ, who I am to my children and husband, and what I need to be as a mom. I am intent that life is not going to distract me from my greater purpose - Being the mom God created me to be.

Bible references: 1 Peter; Eph 2:10, 1:5; Phil 2:13; Heb 12:2; End of John (Peter and Jesus); Eph 5:1; Rom 12:1

MomLife Bootcamp Part 2

On each chair there is a personality quiz when we go to sit down for lunch. It is a simple enough quiz where we choose one of four words that apply to us row by row. At the end, we count up our marks in each column and total them by each color - Orange, Green, Pink and Blue. I end up with blue. 

The next session we walk into is led by Susan Merrill. She starts by telling us what the different colors mean. Pink is the perfect mom - the one whose home is always prepared for company. She's deep, thoughtful, creative, purposeful, self sacrificing. As a mom, she sets high standards,  sees the problems and finds solutions, sacrifices her own will for others and encourages scholarship and talent. An example of a pink mom in the Bible is Hannah (1 Sam 1:10,24,26) Oh how I was wishing I was a pink mom. 

The next color she talks about is orange - the popular mom. She's talkative, good sense of humor, life of the party, enthusiastic. As a mom, she is liked by her children's friends, turns disaster into humor,  is a circus master. She gives Mary (Luke 10:39, John 12) as an example of a popular mom in the Bible. Oh, why or why did I not get orange? 

Then Susan starts talking about the green mom - the powerful mom. Yep, I am already wanting to be a green mom - who wouldn't want to be powerful? The powerful mom is a born leader, strong willed, decisive, not easily discouraged, can run anything. As a mom, she establishes goals, motivates her family to action, knows the right answer, delegates work. Abigail (1 Sam 25:14) is given as an example of a powerful mom. I really, really, really want to be a green mom. 

Now here it comes. The blue mom. It gets a title that just makes me cringe. The peaceful mom. Tell you what, I was not feeling peaceful right then. The peaceful mom is relaxed, patient, all-purpose, keeps emotions hidden. As a mom, the peaceful mom is not in a hurry, takes time for the children, doesn't get upset easily, good under pressure. Then Susan blows me away. Mary, mother of Jesus, (Luke 1:27) is who she sees as a peaceful mom. Wow. I'm a blue mom...and I love it! 

The whole point of this exercise was not to be envious of the other colored moms, but to know that we are God's choice of moms for our children. He picks each mom and child combination and we need to be passionate moms. Susan uses Nehemiah as a great example of being a passionate person. Just as Nehemiah protected God's children, we need to protect our children. When there was a problem, Nehemiah perceived (1:2-3), pondered (1:4) and prayed because he had a purpose. We need to do the same. We need to take time to talk to our children - ask questions and listen to them. We need a purpose for our children. We also need to have passion AND joy as moms - the ultimate challenge. How can we win other moms to Christ if we don't find joy in being a mom? We need to find meaning, joy and purpose in being the mom we are because that is what being a mom is about. 

http://www.susanme.com/passionatemom/

MomLife Bootcamp 2014 Part 1

It's 5:45 on Friday evening and I am sitting in a parking lot listening to my van get bombarded by rain and hail. I am on my way to Momlife Bootcamp for the second year in a row looking forward to being blessed by the Lord yet not really wanting to be away from my family. Praise music is blaring in my sad attempt to prepare my mind and spirit for what is to come. The rain finally lifts enough that I can see more than 2 feet and I continue on my journey. A journey that is not going to go the way I think it will. A journey that is going to have an ending I never saw coming. A journey that is going to change my view of myself. Once again.

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Did you have dreams as a child of what you were going to be when you grew up? I was going to be a child psychologist who owned a book store above my office. That way I could help children from dysfunctional families and read all the books I could get in my hands. Needless to say, that dream has not come true.

God blessed me with a different dream. A dream with a handsome funny prince and a beautiful precious princess. A dream of two arrows to sharpen and send out into a world of chaos. Arrows in the hands of a warrior.

Our first session started off by having us think back to the children we used to be and to think upon how our past affects our present. It reminded us of how God sees children and how great is love is for us. We were given little flashlights as a reminder to shine our lights all around and not to let anything - not our past, our present, others or anything else block the light we have in us. The next session was a question panel and wise women took the time to remind us of the importance of lifting up our husbands and keeping good attitudes in all we do and say. We need to constantly choose joy in everything.

I was so excited this year that MomLife set up more breakout sessions! I chose to attend Dancing in Marriage with Barbara Rainey and Sharing Your Beautiful Mess with Tracy Eyster.

Barbara was so inspiring as she reminded us that God works in His own timing, towards His own purposes and has a greater vision for us and for our marriages than we could ever possibly dream. She reminded us that we need to focus on our parts in marriage which are loving, following and helping our husbands (Ephesians). Trusting our husbands, knowing our husbands, not comparing our husbands (or ourselves) to others and following our husbands leads make the most beautiful dance.

Tracy, who I have to admit I love and adore so much, spoke about how we started off walking with God in the garden of Eden and we had peace and tranquility. She went on to talk about how the deceiver shattered that peace by putting doubt in Eve's mind about God's plan. In this same way, the deceiver puts doubt in our minds that shatter the peace in our homes. He makes us doubt if we are the right moms for our children, the right wives for our husbands and our own value and worth. She continued on to remind us that when we do something wrong, don't listen to the deceiver and move away from God. Lean in closer to God because He has already leaned in closer to us and loves us so much.

Tracy continued to talk about how the deceiver tells us that we need to "do" more to be a better mom. NOT TRUE!!! We don't need to do more - we need to BE THE MOM. Be intentional in our roles as mom carving our arrows using the sword provided, the Word of God. Be relational with our children, spending time doing what they like to do and building relational equity with our kids. Be selfless and practice selflessness, not as a martyr but take time for our kids even in the midst of doing something else. Be ourselves for them. Do less, be more.

http://www.lifeway.com/Product/be-the-mom-P005507991

Barking At Turtles - Breakout session with Jennifer Dyer

During MomLife Bootcamp we had a breakout session where we were able to choose a topic to attend. I chose Jennifer Dyer's Barking at Turtles. Now the turtle story is all hers to tell, but basically this was about the distractions that come along in a Mom's life and can keep us from experiencing a life of grace and peace. She called each of these things 'turtles' but I'm not that big on turtles so I'm just going to write about them full out.

The first she mentioned were trials. In James, it is said to take joy in our trials because they produce perseverance. Jennifer gave us a few reasons to take joy in the midst of trials. The first reason is because Jesus always comes to those who need him the most. The second reason is because suffering produces longing for eternity, our true home. Another reason is when we go through trials we catch a glimpse of how much Jesus did for us. And last, trials can bring out the best in us and we can thank God for trusting us to endure the trials.

The next distraction she mentioned was guilt - especially guilt that will not let go or that we don't let go.  The first thing we need to do is admit that we have failures. In admitting we are not perfect, we can't feel guilty for when we make mistakes, right? When we admit we have failures, we understand our need for Jesus, our hearts are able to bloom in his light, we are open to receive and understand his race, we can pass his grace onto others and we can be a light shining in darkness. Without our failures and without being poor in spirit we would not understand how much we need Him. We need to let go of our guilt and remember that there is no condemnation in Christ. (Romans 8:1-2)

Fear and failure can also be major distractions. To overcome this we need to turn to God's Word and remember "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:23-24)  John 16:33 says "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome this world." We are not in charge or control of this world. God is.

Never ending messes are next on the list. We need to remember that messes are temporary and keep an eternal prospective so that they don't drag us down. "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18 Jennifer reminded us that there are no bonus points in heaven for dying with a perfect house. Thank goodness in my case!

We need to also remember to seek first the kingdom of God and avoid being distracted by busyness and stress. Matthew 6:33 tells us "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you." We need to avoid 'doing' things that get in the way of our relationships with God and with our family. Being stressed out with all that we are trying to do and accomplish and not nurturing those relationships is not our purpose here on earth. 

The questions we need to ask ourselves is "what is our primary purpose as a mom?" and "what are our families' goals?". Jennifer recommended we look at our family schedules and consider everything we do in a day, even including changing diapers and carpooling. She suggested we ask ourselves what does not fit in our purpose as moms or does not help meet our family goals. Then she suggested we filter these activities through those ideas. Do not allow guild to force you to say yes because life is full of seasons. We need to enjoy the one in which we live.

Hope this all makes sense and you enjoyed hearing about my bootcamp weekend! This wraps up that weekend but I am looking forward to attending Momlife Bootcamp again in March 2014!

Living the Mom Life - Part of Day 2 and Day 3

I am putting part of day 2 in with day 3 because they involve the same speaker, Barbara Rainey. Saturday evening Barbara showed us part of her Ever Thine Home collection. Her goal in doing this collection is to aid us in making our homes a place of refuge and peace for our families but more importantly helping us surround our families in God's Word. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 states:

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."

After giving this verse and others, she then asked a question I would have rather never heard. "What does your home say about you?" 

HA! What does my home say about me? Toys clutter up my living room, hall, both kids bedrooms and sometimes even the kitchen. My master bedroom is continually overwhelmed with so much stuff my husband bumps into it and gives me the "I'm so tired of this mess" sigh. My laundry stays piled in baskets or on the dresser after being washed rather than folded and put away. My master bath is a total wreck we won't even get into. Most of my decorations and pictures are in boxes in the garage. There is a major lack of storage in most of the rooms. Hands down, my house says I am either too busy or too lazy to maintain it, we have way too much stuff and not enough places to put it and we're just lucky the thing is still standing. There is no way my home is a refuge of peace for my family. The two kiddos maybe, but not for me or my husband. After listening to her, I definitely know I need to make more of an effort in making my home a refuge of peace and that is in the works even as I type. 

Sunday Barbara spoke to us being intentionally involved with our kids and intentionally involved in God's Word. She spoke of the Holy Spirit. Reminding us that the Holy Spirit was sent to be our Helper (John 14:16) and guide us. Jesus designed the relationship with the Holy Spirit to be very personal because the world is a dangerous place, marriage and being a mom are dangerous jobs and we need a guide. Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will be with us forever and will always be within us. He will teach us all we need to know and remind us of Jesus's teachings and words (John 14:25

Then Barbara did it again and said something I would have rather avoided. "If you are not studying God's Word, then you can not teach it to your kids. You can not remember something you do not know." Ouch. I definitely did not want this reminder that I needed to spend more time in God's Word so that when times crop up that my children ask or need it, I can provide it. 

Barbara sent a reminder out to all of us women. God has given us our children to raise. We have two jobs he has blessed us with: being a wife and being a mom. God knows what he is doing and we need to have faith that he does and remember it is his business not ours. We are so prone to looking outwardly for guidance and answers when the answers lie in God's Word and the Holy Spirit that dwells within. The only way we are going to know what God wants us to do with our lives is to listen and follow the Holy Spirit. In making choices, we know the Holy Spirit will never lead us against scripture and God's will. We need to ask the Holy Spirit to guide us, speak to us and lead us. He is here with us to help us follow Jesus's teachings and I am so glad he is! 

Living the Mom Life - Day 2 of Bootcamp

On this day, Saturday April 13th, I woke early and went down to the lake to see the sun rise. I didn't stay long enough for the sun to rise because it was freezing and dark. I figured I didn't need to be one of those dummies you see on horror films out alone, in the dark out in the woods at camp so I headed back in.

Before I returned to my bunk, I got to spend time praying, admiring God's miraculous work in a star filled sky and just meditating on what my life as a mom means. It was one of the best mornings I have had in a long time. Serenity filled my soul and mind. I was unafraid, rejuvenated and felt covered in God's love. I need more mornings like that.

That day the Mom Life crew's devotional asked us to describe God in as many words as we could and also to write down actions he has done in history and my life. He is just everything and all that is in my life that is good, pure and just has come from him. He has blessed me in so many ways.

After breakfast we joined a session with Dannah Gresh, author of "And the Bride Wore White". She spoke on what children need to become pure, holy adults and ways to live above culture. Dannah spoke two different words used to mean "To know" in the Bible. She spoke of Yada (spelling probably not right) which means to know, to be known, to be deeply respected. An example she gave of this word is in Psalm 46:10 Be still and know (yada) that I am God. The other word she spoke of is Sakab (also probably misspelled). Sakab means to exchange body fluids or the mechanics of sex without emotion. An example of the usage of this word is in Genesis 19 with Lot and his daughters. Yada is what should be in place in our relationship with God and in our marriages. The importance of friendship, deep respect and truly knowing our spouses should not be ignored.

There are two things that Dannah said was the most important things we should want for our children. The first is to love Jesus with all their hearts, souls and minds. The second is for them to marry well.  These are my prayers for my kids. I pray for their salvation and a deep relationship with Jesus but I also pray for their future spouses to also have a deep devotion to Christ.

As Dannah continued, she reminded us how important every decision we make in our children's lives are. Every decision matters and every decision builds. For example, when we give toys to our children to play with they are practicing for the future. Dolls dressed inappropriately can make a lasting impression on our kids and leave them seeking those types of clothing in their future. She also spoke of the importance of God's healing for ourselves. We can not raise sexually pure and whole children if we are not whole ourselves.

After we finished our morning session, we had free time which included things like riding horse back, volleyball, zip lining and arts and crafts that afternoon. It was a lot of fun and relaxing. :)

Living the Mom Life - Day 1 of Bootcamp

The weekend of April 14th, I joined my friend Kristen and went to MomLife bootcamp at  Pine Cove in Tyler, TX. I arrived Friday evening excited but also tired and worn down just from my daily activities. After I checked in, I started on the short devotional they had put together for us. The questions to answer on that day were about my fears for my family, children and for myself. Of course I did not want to answer because that would be admitting that I am not letting God handle my fears but truthfully I am not good at letting go of my fears and letting God have control of my life. Yep, I've admitted it.

I fear messing up my marriage. I fear becoming an addict like so many in my family. I fear my children not finding Christ and messing up their lives with addictions or not finding peace in Christ and instead search for it through worldly gains. I fear not being a Godly woman, wife, mom and example.

Now I would love to say after one weekend of bootcamp all those fears went poof into thin air. In reality, I was just reminded that I am not the only one who has these fears and struggles. There are moms who every day get up and look at themselves in the mirror and worry over ruining their children. Tracey Eyster, author of Be the Mom, spoke about the tug of war between doubt and doing more. She spoke of doubts such as "I am 'just' a mom" and how we as women and especially stay at home moms doubt our value in this world. She went on to say that to make up for those doubts we start 'doing' more. More activities such as spending more time cleaning our house, volunteering, saying yes to everything that comes along, etc. Pretty soon we are 'doing' so much we are not 'being' what we are supposed to be. Moms. Our children are not receiving the best of us and get the us when we are tired, cranky and worn down which means we are usually snapping at them and giving them the worst of us.

One of my favorite things she said was "If the enemy can pressure, pull and distract you away from fulfilling your God gifted role as mom, he robs children of the one thing they can not get from anyone or anywhere else." Wow. So yes, I am JUST a mom, but I am given the job by God to give my kids my love and attention. I am given the task of just BEING with my kids, not doing this, that and the other. I need to stop thinking in a Martha sort of way and start being like Mary spending time with God and my kids, showing my kids the importance of family love and time together and just Be The Mom.

The task Tracey ended with was for us to make a "To Be" list rather than a "To Do" list. List the ways we can just be with our kids. When I arrived home Sunday evening, I danced with my children, blew bubbles and cuddled. The bags didn't get unpacked, the blog didn't get written and the dishes stayed in the sink. That's okay, they were all there on Monday waiting on me.

Teaching Alex Hide-n-Seek

I try to teach our kids, Alex and Katie, something new everyday. Sometimes I succeed, and sometimes I fail big time. My favorite moment of teaching so far this week has been teaching Alex how to play hide-n-seek.

The game started yesterday morning. I counted, he hid (in the same spot). I'd turn and say "Ready or not here I come" and he'd pop out of his hiding spot and say "Here I am!" By the time Rob came home from work, it evolved into me counting and if I didn't say "Ready or not" fast enough Alex would pop out of his hiding spot and say it for me followed by "Here I am!". He cracked me up so much.

Now sometimes we would switch jobs and Alex would be the seeker while I hid. He would then count  one through ten just like me and say "Weddy here I come".

Well, Rob came home and started playing the game. Alex finally changed hiding spots but the catch was that he would hide where his daddy did the prior turn. One time he hid in the kitchen in the same spot as Rob had and when Rob was looking for him he said "Where's Alex?" and Alex replied "In the kitchen Daddy. In the kitchen!".

We're still working on learning how to play the game. We even tried it where I hid with Alex and Rob searched for us but Alex just could not contain his excitement on being found. In writing this memory it hit me that Alex was so eager to be found when he was hiding and yet sometimes I "hide" from God and I don't show the same eagerness at being found. Wonder if I can't learn something from my three year old? :)

Galveston

I was born in Galveston. I have always wanted to go but never got the opportunity until this last October. A close friend of mine and I went down and spent the weekend there while the hubby stayed home with the kids. We had a blast!

The beaches there are so awesome. The salt in the air and the sound of crashing waves on the shore reminded me so much of growing up near the gulf. I didn't realize how much I missed living that close to the beach until then. In the mornings I would wake up and go sit outside on the condo balcony. The view and the sound of the waves helped my mind to wander aimlessly and rhapsodize on various subjects. Napping, reading and playing in the waves were so much fun and relaxing. Eating at new places - especially the Old Mexican Cafe - was great. We even rode Segways and toured a neighborhood and then rode on the sea wall. I loved every minute of it.

Now when I get stressed or overwhelmed my mind plays back to my time in Galveston and of course the song singing in my head is always "Some beach... some where.. there's a big umbrella casting shade over an empty chair... "

View from Murdock's Pier

Yep, it's a healthy buffet - Chinese!

View from Condo in the morning

The Segways we rode

A three wheel car!

South Texas Trip

Monday September 24th Alex, Katie and I headed down to Kerrville Texas to visit our aunt and uncle. It took us about 11 hours to get down there. Our drive down was lots of fun. We stopped at rest areas with parks and played. We chilled at a couple of picnic areas. Played at a restaurant (probably McDonalds). A very enjoyable trip down for sure.

We also had so much fun while we were there. Playing in a park near the Guadalupe river. Taking drives during the kids' nap time in surrounding areas since they wouldn't sleep in the house. There are such beautiful hills and sights around there. We conquered one of the hills on our daily mile walks around the neighborhood. We loved visiting with our family and their three schnauzers. Alas, all good things must eventually end.

When we headed home on Saturday September 29th I had no idea our trip would end with a 14 hour stress filled drive. It rained the entire drive which meant no stops to play in the parks or chill outdoors. We got lost after leaving a McDonalds during an intense part of the storm. And worse of all in Jared Texas we needed assistance from the local police and fire department to come get Katie out of the truck.

Yep. I was *that* mother. Granted the whole event took maybe 20 minutes, but at the time it sure felt like it took hours. After filling up with gas I pulled Alex out of the back seat and shut and locked the doors. Then I walked around to get Katie. Guess what? Yes you guessed it. Her doors were locked. Locked up nice and tight. No biggie. I'll just get my keys... oh yeah, those keys along with my cell phone are sitting on the drivers' seat right next to the other locked doors. Can we say complete and total panic??? Being the rational person I am my first response was to check my shoes to see if I had heels on to break a window. Nope, rubber sole tennis shoes - not helpful. My next thought was the tire jack but it was dismissed just as quickly due to the fact it was under the back seat where my beautiful daughter sits.

I rushed inside the gas station and asked them for help calling a locksmith. Of course they didn't have a pay phone and the entire time I was panicking and watching the truck through the huge glass windows while they searched for a number. I told them what was going on and requested they call the police or fire department. The cashier was kind enough to call using her cell phone and Lt. Thompson answered the call and immediately sent the fire department out. The fire department quickly used their tools to unlock my door and let me get my beautiful baby girl out. They were of course concerned with the possibility of scratching the paint on the truck but I flat out told them they could break all the windows or scratch any of the paint they needed to for me to have my girl back.

Filling out the paperwork and answering the questions for the fire and police departments took longer than what the whole incident did. They amused me by asking where my husband was and one fire department man actually made a comment about my husband "letting me" take such a big trip with two toddlers. They were all very kind and helpful and I am so grateful they were there. By the way, you will be happy to know there are no warrants for my arrest in Texas or Louisiana. Yep, I laughed when they told me that.

We finally arrived home late that night after many, many hours of stress filled driving and stops. I am so thankful for my friends who let me ramble on the phone with them about everything I could think of my last two hours of the trip. They helped me stay awake when I was overwhelmed with exhaustion.

It was a fun trip but I am very glad that the next trip I make down there will be in my new minivan. Not only does it have a lot more room than the extended cab truck, but it does not have manual locks so I will hopefully never again think a door is unlocked already and find out it is not.

We Are Called To LOVE

Daily I am saddened more and more by the posts I see on Facebook. Posts throwing Bible verses out as attacks on others and judging people for their decisions regarding their marriages, money, children, life styles and the list goes on and on. When did we become so perfect? When did God's Word, His sword become ours to wield? When did we quit struggling with our own sins and were able to start telling everyone else how they were screwing up? When did we start pointing out sawdust in others' eyes and ignoring the planks in our own? 

In John the Pharisees bring a woman to Jesus and state they caught her committing adultery. They tell him that according to Moses she should be stoned. Do you know how Jesus responded? 

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” John 8:6-7

We are not perfect. Saved by the grace of God - yes. Perfect - no. We do not have the right to throw stones at anyone. 

More than anything during these times we need to show God's love. If we are constantly telling everyone how to live their lives and pointing out how they are disobeying God's Word then all we are doing is pushing them away from ourselves and more importantly from God. If we are busy telling everyone how perfect we are and how we are so obedient all we are doing is showing our own pride and NOT God's love. Not only do we push sinners away from knowing God's love but we also push away our own Christian family making them feel abandoned and judged. 

Instead of being caught up in the politics going on maybe we should look around us and see who we can love on today. Is it the divorcee who is moving on? The mom struggling with her walk in Christ? The couple across the street not allowed to legally wed? Or maybe, just maybe, it is the Christian opening her mouth on Facebook and telling everyone how to live. 

Yep. I could really use some love. 

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 


But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues,they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 


And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13

Short Yarns

Want to exercise your creative wings and do a little writing? How about read others' short stories? Go to : http://shortyarns.wordpress.com/ and follow the blog today! Two writers and some crafty friends joining together to provide motivation, inspiration, accountability and some good ol' fashion fun.  Today's prompt is listed below!

Pick a bad habit you have, write about a character that has the same bad habit but only worse. Write about how that bad habit gets your character into some serious trouble.

Prissy the Procrastinator
Why do today what can be put off to tomorrow was the motto she lived by. Living in a house built by her great-grandparents over 100 years ago, Prissy the procrastinator was never one to let her motto get her down. Her yard stayed overgrown with weeds so tall you couldn't see the front door. Every six months or so the city would come and mow it and leave a bill on her door, adding to the collection of bills already piled up. Her mailbox was so full the post mistress had put a hold on Prissy's mail years ago. The utilities had not been on since her parents added them to her responsibilities. The roof on the house leaked every time it rained, dripping down walls and helping the mold growth. Prissy knew the roof needed to be replaced, the house cleaned, the mold killed, and probably a total renovation needed to happen. That would all wait for another day. Every morning Prissy woke up to a beautiful sunrise and thought about all the things she needed to do. Then she rolled over knowing those things will be there tomorrow.



Go to http://shortyarns.wordpress.com/ to share your responses or to see others' responses!