Thinking Of Life....(A Guest Post from my 9 yr old)

A Guest Writer, my Daughter.....

Have you thought why your happy? Have you thought of your whole life? I am 9 almost 10, I been thinking of all my life. Wow, I'm almost double digits. God has been leading me and guiding me all though my life. God is like your guiding cones( like driving cones). I am still looking forward on my life. God has blessed you with a life. Now that I'm almost 10, I trust in God more than I used to. 

Some people have many talents. God has helped me write this blog. God has inspired me and you might be next. God can/will help, so you can help others. God loves you so He's guiding you though your life and mine. When I'm 10, I will be closer to God. I can be 10 for 1 year so I hope I can make it count.  

God will guide you were ever he wants you. God blessed me with a family and other things. Think about when you were 9 almost 10, think of your life and how God has helped you and blessed you.  I know that God has a perfect plan for you and me because He says in Jeremiah 29:11. When I am 10 I will learn to scuba dive and I know God will guide me down. Also I know this because I know Jesus is the regulator of my life. A regulator is something that helps you breathe under water to see His wonderful creation. God has brought me this far and will go farther. God is and has been leading me and you to something special. 

Do you know why you're reading this right know? Its because God led you here  so you can learn and maybe lead you to writing something good that inspires other people. God already has a perfect plan for you. Since I am 9 almost 10 I pray a lot more and talk to Him more than when I was 8. If you pray and talk to God you may know stuff and maybe more of His plan too. God is your shepherd and we are the sheep.

KD, age 9

6 month review

Half way...we are half way through our year of adventure. WOW!!! I can hear the pages of the calendar flip rapidly with the passing of each day. It's almost as if the deep gonging of Father Time marks every passing hour now. 6 months flew past! So, I have to ask myself, and ultimately The Lord, Have I accomplished so far what You purposed me to? and What is left that I need to do?
We know beyond a shadow of a doubt The Lord called us here allowing us to live out a desire deep in our hearts to experience an adventure as a family outside of our hometown of Houston, as well as to live on intentional mission for Him. We just never had the guts to do it before. We didn't make the time to commit it to serious prayer over the years either. No wonder we didn't do this earlier. Honestly, I am not sure we would have had the faith to go if He would have told us to go. A crowded schedule, busy minds and divided hearts, kept us from seeking and asking what His plan and His way was for us. We lived like so many do, one day at a time, status quo, keeping our head above water, the way we wanted to, assuming we were on a continuous path in the same direction and yet fearful (and honestly, lazy) to live how we really wanted to. 
Of course, God's timing is always perfect. Maybe He reigned in our desires till it was time for us to be ready. As we look back over the last few years, we can see God's hand preparing us and equipping us to step out on faith and say Yes to a move that would cause us to rely heavily on trusting Him with every detail. Leaving wasn't easy and neither will it be leaving here.
While the move has been a great adventure, we have also been on mission. God made it very clear that this was a purposeful move. We needed an uprooting to a place we could experience pruning and new growth, reconnecting to the Lord individually and as a family, and to each other. A sabbatical of sorts. Our busy, disconnected life was tearing our family's core to pieces. Being here on mission has re-focused us, re-centered us and God has drawn us back to a whole. We are stronger now. 
No, it hasn't been perfect. We have not lived every day as perfectly as we dreamed we would. After 6 months, my journals for the kids still sit in the box, I haven't opened my spanish workbook once, I am not a master chef, my house is not Pinterest picture worthy, my kids don't choose family devotional time over tv or game time, my marriage is not without selfishness or disagreements and my picture taking skills remain "pretty good"....but....God has been faithful to bless, give, take, correct, allow, teach, heal, restore, prune, bind together His children who desperately are seeking, asking and knocking on His door. I know we have missed opportunities but I have also learned over the years that God's ways are not mine and neither are my thoughts like His. I rest and rely on the grace of my God knowing He sees our heart's desire to live a life on mission for His purpose alone as we love Him and love one another.
"Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another,agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you." 2 Corinthians 13:11

I pray the remainder of our days here are full of His purpose as we seek to follow after Him, accomplishing what it is HE has for us individually and as a family, and to those He has placed us in community with. 

For those of you personally following our journey, here are our personal updates:
Josh: has been given an opportunity to teach his favorite group of lessons called the Basic Bible Truths on Wednesday nights. He is excited to teach these 6 week lessons again. He continues to work hard on his sales from the home office. He is intentional in taking time to engage with each of the 4 kids. If there is something interesting, educational or fun to do in our local community he makes plans for us to do it. I am glad he does otherwise we would spend all our days floating on the water or sitting at home, but what's so wrong with that!?! LOL. He has remained committed to leading our family spiritually and physically. He has enjoyed running with the older boys, although the 2 younger ones have done their best to keep up! He loves me well and thinks more of me than I think of me.

Big Boy: My Senior has done well with his Cross Country, placing 24th in State for 2A. He is now training for track and is playing on the Varsity baseball team. He is trying to figure out exactly where he wants to attend college and we are waiting to see if any Florida scholarships appear. He has become an amazing spear fisherman bringing home dinner every week. He absolutely loves being on the water. As often as he can, he takes the boat out.

Big Boy #2: has played football and tennis and made lots of friends. I think he knows everyone now. He had hoped for a golf team but they didn't have one this year. He has maintained a high GPA with his AP classes. He has also just earned his Learner's Permit!

Princess: she loves her teachers and school, especially GLEE Club. Singing,acting and dancing are her passions. She is such a prayer warrior and keeps our family focused every morning before school reminding us to do our devos and initiating the prayer time in the car on the way to school for all the kiddos. She loves church even though she misses our Houston Church and her friends there often. She loves to read, run, play, dance, sing, worship, write songs, and has even blogged a few of her own posts.

Little Guy: has adapted well as the youngest. This week he begins coach pitch baseball. He is so excited! Academically he is excelling and has a wonderful teacher and has made friends easily here. He loves being here but he also misses the Houston house's trampoline and pool, and his friends. Can't blame him!

As for me: it is God's overwhelming grace and beauty that fills my heart. God has been beyond generous in His protections and provisions. He has shown Himself in new ways and that is always exciting. He led us to a wonderful church family that has embraced us and welcomed us from day one. The kids love their children and youth ministry and Josh and I have enjoyed the men and women's Bible studies and meeting new people. I miss my Houston family and friends but through God's abundant grace, I have been blessed with meeting wonderful people here and developing what will sure to be forever friendships. 

I continue to ask God to help me be the person, wife, mother and friend He has called me to be, as I strive to honor Him in how I love and serve my family, others and most importantly...Him! He shares His "hearts" for me even here! I love love love the intentional time with the family. My favorite things are sunset dinners at our local beach and time on the boat snorkeling. 

My playtime with the camera has been so fun! Of course, it's always been fun! I continue my quest to learn better health for myself and my family, learning new recipes (how to cook fish!! and make salsa which we miss), exercising, drinking more water, playing more outdoors (kayaking, swimming, tennis, walking, biking). 

Spiritually: hard to imagine learning more but the more I study the more I realize I don't know...however the more I get to know Him, the more I really know Him! I pray the same prayer for my kids today as I did when God placed them in my heart- for God to reveal Himself to them daily, for them to fall deeply in love with Him, to fear Him more than man, to desire to live a God honoring and purposed life according to His plan. And last but not least, I know God has called me to writing for His glory, so I am taking one step at a time following His lead, trusting Him by faith, certainly I can do nothing on my own. Yes, I would love to publish a devotional or two that everyone thinks I should publish, so I wait for God to show me exactly how and when. There are solo many choices and ways to do it and I am overwhelmed and honestly not all that confident in my writing skills or my message. Enough about me.

I am so thankful and honored that you have stopped by my blog and spent a few minutes of your valuable time with me here. This blog has given me the opportunity to share my life journey with many of you whom live across the miles.
Blogging was one of the first tools God gave me to learn and practice being bold in my walk and talk of faith while discovering more of who I am along the way. I am still shy at the core of my heart, but He has helped me strengthen my voice for Him! I definitely make a little more joyful noise than years past! How I pray He would be pleased.
That's it for my time of review. It's been 6 months of sooooo much learning, growing, experiencing...I could fill in so much more but this will be all for now! Thank you to those who continue to pray for us!! His Peace and Purpose have been amazing! Hugs and Blessings, Michele

Here are some highlight pictures:

Life is Sweeter in 3s

As I mentioned in my last blog post, several years back, in 2009, my cardiologist said I needed to walk 5 times a week to strengthen my heart. At the time, I was suffering with panic attacks and my resting heart rate was usually 80-90bpm. You can imagine it didn't take much walking to get the numbers up to 115-125bpm. A walk up my own stairs at home, vacuuming my house, even grocery shopping kept my heart pumping at work out levels. I lived every day out-of-breath for a while. All the while, attempting to homeschool 4 kiddos ages 3-13yrs old. I have shared as part of my testimony that while yes, I was in a stressful season of life as a younger Mom as my Doctor assessed as my "problem," God used this time of physical stress to reveal to me my spiritual and emotional distress. I was a perfect candidate for a divine intervention!! (We all are!) 
My cardiologist prescribed heart medication for me to help slow the rate down while I did my part to "chill." 90 days later, I had myself weaned off of it. I just don't like taking pills if I don't have to. My body had responded well to the cardio workouts, cutting out all sugars and caffeines and learning to be still in my body, mind and spirit. (Or you could say God began pruning and replanting!) Little by little my heart grew stronger.
Walking was somewhat boring for me in the beginning. Once I got into a routine and created interesting playlists to distract me from boredom, walking got easier and I developed the habit and routine of going. But, like many things in life, it got boring again and I cheated myself. It's funny how much more we are capable of when we have someone we are accountable to or that actually does it with us! Much like life~ it is sweeter shared! 
Answered prayer! Life got sweeter!! God blessed me soon after with an awesome walking "team" in Texas. I say Team...the Lord was the 3rd Member. "And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12 (ESV) Working out with a buddy is way more fun, you go further than you think you can and the accountability keeps you from being lazy or giving up. We walked, laughed, worked on memory verses, talked about life, church, family, the world, shopping, she even let me stop and take pictures and I even let her stop to pick berries!!! You name it, we probably talked about it and even prayed about it! It was a sweet time of sharing and caring. These are rare friends to have! I know my heart grew stronger because of her love for me and our threefold cord will never be broken. I developed more and grew more muscles than the physical ones. I had a spiritual giant taking me for a walk and she pushed me pretty good! (Click here for a blog I wrote about mentorship/accountability. You just might see a picture of some of my Texas Teams!) 
When God called us to move out of state, one of the many things I knew I would miss was having a special "walking buddy" to share life with (physically, emotionally and spiritually) but it was going to be okay. I had my family and my Jesus to "walk" life with here in our new home. 
Physically:I figured I would be swimming in the ocean every day and there get my exercise. Not so. Thank you to Mr Jellyfish and his posse of thousands and to Mr Shark and his crew. We were in the water a lot but with such dense salt water, swimming and floating are effortless and you don't swim laps in the ocean. You float along like a fellow moon jelly wherever the tide takes you! I resigned to walking and riding my bike alone or with the kids on the occasions they wanted to. But still, boring and lazy was I. 
Emotionally: I had much love from Texas to satisfy my heart's need for fellowship and support here. 
Spiritually: Jesus, my all in all was all I figured I needed.
But God, He knew deep down I wished for a special sweet friend even though I said I was okay not having one or two here. I mean really, they are soooo rare to find and I feel like God has blessed me with a few precious ones already, how could He...why would He...gift me another rare one or two here...all the way in The Keys?!? Only God...Because He loves me so, and no other reason. He knew what I needed to accomplish all He had planned for me here. Just as He blessed my socks off with a sweet Texas team, He blessed me again with a sweet Florida team! Life has gotten even sweeter!! 
Along with a few precious sweet friends He has gifted me here, He also gave me an extra special dose of goodness in a "walking buddy" here. I know, I can't believe it either! We have certainly embraced living life, walking (life) together every path we find...especially ones that lead to coffee or Jesus! She is a hilarious, creative, very like-minded, determined, caring, honest, joy and sorrow sharing, same season of life, iron sharpening woman. We are so similar in our hearts and spirits that only God could have so perfectly matched us up to be on a team with Him! Together, we both marked completing a 5K off our individual Bucket Lists! (Click here to read my post about my Florida Team, what accountability/mentorship/shared walks look like, and our 5K accomplishment!)  

Walking our Hearts

It is crazy how much faster time goes. (Yesterday, I walked 45minutes and it felt...like...hours.) Together,  we equally share, care and offer prayer however God leads! We talk about every thing there is to talk about under the Son. From surface to spiritual, we walk our hearts! (See picture to the left.) And we laugh...a lot! Laughter is always a part of our times together and it is true...joy-filled laughing out loud is a good medicine for the heart and soul! "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22 (ESV) When you spit out your water from laughing so hard, and you realize your cheeks have muscles to them...you have been given a dose of pure goodness!! What a rare, wonderful blessing beyond measure! I may leave the house with a spirit crushed that morning and after our walk, my spirit is refreshed, in under an hour! With God, anything is possible!! 
"And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen." Philippians 4:19-20
Here is a Warning~There will be days like today for us, where schedules don't line up or the weather floods us off the roads, but I must still have the discipline to go on my own time. Accountability is a heart commitment more than it is a physical commitment. We can be accountable to each other for any number of things in life from addictions, attitudes, worry, controlling our time or tongues, providing for our family, Bible study, eating habits, physical fitness, etc, regardless if we are physically together. With the technology we are so blessed with these days, staying connected to each other despite the oceans between us is easy. It's the sweet cherry on top when you have a shared desire for accountability and you get to do it together as often as possible. Encouragement and building one another up has no boundaries! It can be done any time, for any one, any where in many a way!! So, no excuses!
I share this with you in hopes to encourage you, that you too will ask God for your own team to walk life with if you don't already have one! Yes, you can walk alone and some days we ought to, but how much sweeter together!! We are meant to live and function together as The Body of Christ, a Family. Whether or not your feet ever hit the trails, a shared walk is one of the most beautiful gifts you can receive from living in community. When we take time from our busy schedules to get to know each other well, talk shallow surface stuff to deep spiritual stuff....sharing tears of joy or sorrow together....and most importantly, when we listen to the heart of another and walk to the Cross with them in prayer, you will reap a bountiful harvest of blessings so numerous, it will be nearly impossible to count them all. Not impossible, but nearly! Nothing is impossible for Him! 
Want a sweeter life? Go walk your heart out!!

"For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:9-24

Staying Hydrated

Am I the only one who just can't seem to drink my required amount of water every day?!? I have struggled for years with this issue. I just don't wake up in the morning and crave a cup of water. My thirst is quenched first thing in the morning with a hot cup of coffee and throughout the day with my southern brewed iced tea. Can't you hear the justification in that statement?! (heehee)
During the day, I have to intentionally discipline myself to pour a cup of water instead of a cup of tea. Sweet Southern Iced Tea with a squeeze of lemon runs through my Texas veins. I have read every article about the importance and benefits of consuming water and I know the facts. You would think it has sunk into my brain enough times to brainwash me to drink more water! But...it hasn't. It is something I force myself to do.
However, I have realized that when I am working out, I must have water, desperately! 
When my Cross Country son is racing, the vendors place water stations along the course for the runners to quench their thirst. While he doesn't always drink the water, he swishes it to recalibrate the fluid in his mouth and spits it out the extra. I am certainly not a cross country runner, or walker for that matter, but I have begun walking in the mornings each week and don't ya know, the very thing I do as soon as my workout is finished, is reach for my water. 
If the sun is blazing or the wind is whipping, drying out my mouth, I carry the water bottle with me so I can sip on it. Following each work out, like a deer in the dessert, I gulp down the water and refill it as soon as I get home. Funny, I wasn't thirsty before my work out, but after...parched! Throughout the day, I find myself continually refilling my cup and sipping on the refreshing purified essence of satisfaction. But this is only on days I work out. Every other day, it's coffee, tea and hopefully a little bit of water. 
Years ago when I struggled with stressed out adrenals during a stressful season in my life, my cardiologist suggested I work out 5 days a week for an hour or two each time. Well, I certainly didn't have the time to do that! I did however start with 3 days a week. After a couple of weeks, I noticed a sort of relief inside my body as I worked out my heart. Walking relaxed me on the inside and my heart began a restfulness and strength to it. I felt better. I was also drinking much more water and eating healthier meals.
Walking and talking with the Lord this morning, I realize the same truths are true spiritually. Just as in our physical sense, the more we work out, the thirstier we become. The harder the trail-trial, the more we work out and the thirstier we become with every passing mile. "As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God." Psalm 42:1 (ESV) I can soooo relate. The harder my "path," the greater my pant for Water. 
The benefits of drinking Water daily are numerous. God's Word is a nourishment to both body and spirit. John 4:13-14 (ESV) says, "Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." If we would discipline ourselves to the proper daily intake of Water, we will minimize the risk of becoming severely dehydrated. Our Body functions better when it is kept well hydrated. Walking dehydrated (physically or spiritually) is painful, laborious and dangerous. We are better able to maintain a difficult or long walk when we have adequate Water intake before we start out. It nourishes us.

If you find yourself thirsty, I encourage you to recalibrate your dryness and daily drink of the Source of Living Water that nourishes your soul while it also nourishes The Body. Daily hydrate your heart and soul in The Word and you will feel the difference. Nothing else satisfies. And when the time comes for you to walk the trial-trails, take The Water with you to sip on as you walk and continually refill your cup throughout the day. Stay Hydrated with Water! 
And a word of advice: it's much easier to walk with a friend than alone! So, grab a friend and DRINK UP the Water that supplies all you need and take a walk!

"O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh faints for You, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

 So I have looked upon You in the sanctuary, beholding Your power and glory.

 Because Your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise You. 

So I will bless You as long as I live; in Your name I will lift up my hands. 

My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise You with joyful lips,

 when I remember You upon my bed, and meditate on You in the watches of the night;

 for You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I will sing for joy. 

My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me." Psalm 63:1-8

Standing on The Water's Edge

I don't know who else besides me needs to hear this, but hear these words penetrated my soul today. You know that feeling when you recover from an old injury and one day out of no where you bump it and it sends shock waves through your body? That happens to me in my emotional aches too. I praise the Lord Almighty for healing me from the bondage of fear and anxiety and insecurity, however, sometimes when I bump into "something", it sends a little pain through my soul. It's not broken, but it is easily bruised on the scar tissues. I find myself standing on the edge of something and fearing the next move, for fear of potential pain. 
So often when God calls us to do something (from job, relationship, family, career, ministry, emotional healing, spiritual growth or study, etc) we step up to the water's edge wanting to go "all in" but instead, we choose to be still. We look longingly into the waters wishing and wondering but fear whispers What if I don't make it? What if I drown? What if I don't know where to go or where it will lead me? Why is it we choose to listen to fear instead of faith? Are we more in tune with our flesh or the Spirit? Faith says What if God does what He says He is going to do? What if God performs a miracle in this? What if God is bigger than I imagine and can do greater things than I could dream? What if it's the most beautiful joy?
I think we forget Who God is, The I Am. He Is. He Can. He Will. And we forget who we are in Him. When we start the cycle of doubt, we spiral through fear, worry, feelings of inadequacy, aloneness, loss of control, eventually losing our hope and wonder. Soon, we loose our joy and awe. Without passion, we go nowhere fast.
Do you remember those days at the beach when you would stand still on the water's edge and let your feet sink into the sand? After the ankles disappear, you must pull with all your might to loosen the suction from down under. The deeper you sink, the greater the suction and therefore the power you need to break loose is greater. Same with our little (physical, emotional, spiritual) pits we create for ourselves. When we stand there long enough, the deeper we sink. The deeper we sink, the greater the suction. The greater the suction, the greater the strength we need to get back out. And if we don't have enough strength to get out, we will be stuck! Only a supernatural strength can free us from such a depth! Really, I ought to fear the super-power more than the suction-power. How much greater must it be to overcome such a great weight! "Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." 1 John 4:4b
Read this Word from Exodus 14:19-31 (ESV) and be encouraged! You are not alone! He doesn't need you but He wants you to join Him in awe and wonder!! Notice what the Lord did with Moses, despite His pit of doubt. And see what Moses accomplished with the Lord despite His power to put that man in his place for questioning Him. Not only did God teach a lesson of faithfulness and trust to Moses personally, but for all the thousands of Israelites who stood at the water's edge (not to mention us today!). Moses (in God's strength) was a witness of God's power and gave them courage to go "all in." He was a display of awe for The Lord. The impact is immeasurable! 
We serve a faithful, forgiving, gracious, all powerful God!! Don't forget it! The Israelites did...they got across the dry land of the red sea by walking one step at a time but they soon found themselves doing circles in the wilderness sand because of their fear and doubt. Guess they forgot about I Am!! 

"Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 

The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. And in the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic, clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily. And the Egyptians said, "Let us flee from before Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians." 

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen." So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as the Egyptians fled into it, the LORD threw the Egyptians into the midst of the sea.
The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen; of all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea, not one of them remained. But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 

Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in His servant Moses."

 

I admit there are days like today and sometimes of longer seasons, my pace is slower than usual. I may not be up to my ankles deep in a pit of sinking sand, but I am aware of the sand rising higher over my feet with each step along the water's edge. My soul quickly longs for the strength of a steady pace on Higher Ground. Faithful is He to meet me on the shores of the water's edge! "I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber." Psalm 121:1-3
His Word tells us and the Holy Spirit reminds us that God is with us, He goes before us and moves behind us in the face of opposition. He works in ways we cannot see and we may never know. He is in control, and if He is leading us then we must trust He will be our Guide and our Guard. And while God performs miracles on His own, He also uses us to be an instrument of His glory on display. Is He asking you to lead like Moses and join Him on a mission where not only your faith will be strengthened but so will the people around you be a witness of His power and faithfulness?!? May our passion, confidence, strength and steady pace be found in The I Am with a joy filled awe that never sinks in shifting sand.  

Mr Time, Please Slow Down!

Do you ever wish you had a "Pause" Button so you could simply slow down and catch your breath? The older I get, the faster time seems to tick by. I get frustrated sometimes when the internet goes down and my little wifi wheel spins for seems like all eternity (45 seconds in reality) but there are some days I am oddly thankful...it means I can sit still for a few extra minutes.
I remember when the kids were newborns and I would be so grateful for the moments they fell asleep on my chest because I was "forced" to have to lay still with them so they could rest so deep. I cherished those still moments because once the wiggle began, it was feeding and cleaning time and Mama was up and running...until the next nap. I admit that with my first child, I would feel guilty "just laying there not being productive" but I knew in my heart these moments were valuable, but I still felt like I should be up doing something since my hands were free. It didn't take long for me to discipline myself to be still and I soon took great pleasure in a few cuddles each day. 
Then came child #2 after experiencing a miscarriage and I enjoyed the cuddles a little bit longer and learned to pace myself better throughout the day. After 2 more Angel Babies kissed my heart and went back to their Father in Heaven, God gave me my first Princess. I had to wait in line to cuddle this little Pink Diva. Between Daddy, 2 brothers and family and friends, I held her and sat staring at her soft pink skin and dark blue eyes, dainty fingers and toes and oh....those puckering lips. I quickly learned to live with a few dishes in the sink so I could enjoy my 3 gifts. After missing out on holding my Angel Babies, I cherished every moment with the ones I could hold. Then God gave us Gift #4 and boy did everything slow down. Some days were soooo long while other days whipped by and didn't make it to the shower till late! It came down to choices I made throughout the day and how I chose to start my day before my day really began. Jesus and coffee make my days great!! 
I was blessed with 4 sweet cuddle bugs and every year they grew outside the frame of my lap, they just scooted in as close as they could. Now, they like to squish me and think it's funny.
I have learned balance in my choices for each new day. Every new season of life whether it's a new family member joining the clan, or the loss of one, a new job, illness, a move, as circumstances change, we also must change. We can fight it or adjust to it.
Life is busy and if we allow it, it can control us. There was a time we had each kid in an activity and it was too hard. We had to place boundaries on where the 6 of us spent our times. With our involvement in church and sports activities, we could be gone every day and weekend and never see each other, because with 4 kids, Mom and Dad divide and conquer which is a blessing to have the helpmate, however, it also means you are going in opposite directions. We learned by trial and error what balance looked like for us for each year. We would pick and choose who got to do what each semester as well as for us in our Bible study times and social play time. Life could not dictate our schedule, we would! 

Here I sit today, with a Senior in High School who is 5 months from moving out of my home. Oh how I will miss that King Lap Squisher. His now 5'10 frame blankets me. Time has gone fast. How thankful I am to have learned how to "slow it down." 
When we say we wish time would slow down, what we are really saying is "I wish I could slow down." We long for the days of simple decisions, play times of back yard swings, chasing bugs, picking flowers, trips to the zoo to see the wonder in their eyes again. While I don't miss the tantrums and wiping hineys, I miss the smells of baby lotion and the touch of soft skin. Simple board books and tickle fights that put you on the floor rolling! Kissing the sweet little piggy toes is now spraying them with air fresheners! Counting blocks has become calculus which I am of no use to them. But one thing remains, Love. Next to Jesus, nothing puts a bigger smile on my face than seeing one of my children doing something they didn't think they could! Their joy is my joy! Seeing them accomplish their goals, showing Christ to others through their own little personalities, enduring trials without loosing hope, facing rejection without loosing their confidence, sometimes just holding their tongue...bless my heart! They may have outgrown my lap, but they will never outgrow my heart! 
So, how can we slow down? There are some things we cannot change but there are many things we can change or adjust to. Here are a few lessons or adjustments I have done that make my clock tick a little slower. I pray that you find what makes yours slow down in your own home.

- Always choose people over projects. This seems to be a new buzz phrase across the media. It is a good summation of perspective. Projects will always wait. People won't. People feel, projects don't. Every day you are making history, what legacy and memories are you leaving that will forever be remembered? God chose you over works. He gave His Son for your heart to be joined with His. God chooses people every time! 
- Plan ahead. So often we wait till the last minute and find ourselves scrambling and feeling like we are constantly late and 2 steps behind. We don't think we have the time to plan our calendar out a week or month ahead, but living by the edge of our seat is exhausting and we won't find rest because there will always be something that should/ought/could be done. This is true for school activities, meal planning, house chores, play dates with others or as a family alone, date nights with the spouse. Don't live each day to it's fullest (as in packing it all in) rather fully live each day. Our clocks actually count time down, not forward.
- Rest. Plan your rest. You will see and feel the benefits immediately. And those around you will appreciate your calm, centered self too! Parents don't get days off and no one will tell you to take a lunch break or a vacation, so plan for it. Every day, find time alone to refresh and rest, whether or not you actually sleep. Peace and quiet does so much for you physically, emotionally and spiritually. If you are not a Parent and maybe you are a student or Grandparent, everyone needs a break in the day. Even as a working man/woman, take advantage of those 15 minute breaks and lunch times to take it in. Step away from the desk and breath fresh air or take a short walk. You will be amazed at what this little habit can do for your focus and energy. For the Believer, these are also great opportunities to nibble on some nuggets of The Word.
- Be okay with nothing. In a culture that continually tries to sell you anything you can dream of, and have it whenever your little heart desires, be okay with not buying it! We have over cluttered our lives (body, mind and spirit) with so much extra that we end up having to spend our valuable time and energy leaning to carry the extra weight on our shoulders. And then we have to figure out what to do with it when we don't use it anymore.
- Deal with what needs to be dealt with. Don't put off things you know need to get done. You know the holidays, vacation times, submission deadlines, athletic games. You know when a child is struggling and needs extra cuddles or help. So don't add on extra projects or errands if it can possibly wait. 
- Offer grace. Everyone has bad days and everyone makes mistakes...even you! We can be good about giving grace to others but we need to allow God's grace to penetrate into our hearts and minds too. I am my hardest critic. Plus my children have no problem letting me know exactly what think of things they don't agree. I have learned to accept the fact my kids aren't perfect (I thought if I prayed hard enough and taught them well enough they had a fighting chance) and neither am I "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23 (NIV). 
- Save your Drama. A lot can and does goes wrong within a home, within a family, within a marriage, within friendships, in the workplace, even within the walls of our church. But choose to stay on task with the issue you are needing to deal with and don't save your drama for your mama...mama got her own! Pray through every day, giving God all your plans and the unplanneds. He tells us in 1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." (NIV) There are plenty of things to complain and worry about but what a beautiful and peaceful day when we apply the wisdom and instruction of Philippians 4:8 " Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." (NIV) 
- One more thing even though I could go on to complete a Top 10 List of 101 Things I have Learned...you are not...I repeat...NOT a horrible Mom if you serve frozen, from a box, not made from scratch: bread rolls, pizza, waffles, chicken nuggets or a dessert which you responsibly purchased with a coupon! I cannot tell you how many years I carried that self-imposed pain around in my heart. I longed for the dream of truly homemade e v e r y t h i n g in my home from every meal, every snack to even the furniture inside. I felt so embarrassed showing up to PotLucks with something from a bag, box or more often a restaurant and setting next to an amazing dish who's recipe had been handed down from generation to generation. At least mine would be something good enough since I can't cook like them, I thought. And the cute bows and outfits some Moms made their little girls, super cute and dreamy! As my children have grown older and the physical demands are less on me as a Mom, I have been more intentional about choosing to simplify and do what I can to provide good, healthy meals for my family. I still get anxious over the thought of hosting others for dinner, but I can do it. (I have 5 dinners, then we will have to go on rotation! haha) I no longer put the pressure on myself to be Homemade Diva but I am trying to be better. I also realize I made "cooking" a mountain out of a mole hill. It's not hard. You just have to find recipes that work for you and your family's interest, budget and time frame allotment. Pinterest has been a huge blessings for all things handmade from crafts to food to home decor! Knowing my distress, God has blessed me with a teaching Sister who can cook and bake just about anything (and you wonder why she doesn't have a catering business), and I have been blessed with wonderful friends who have come alongside me and spelled things out in Kitchen 101 Basics Just for Michele. Joy of cooking has begun! Some days, I just want to give them warm baked cookies and I don't have the time or energy for an hour in the kitchen, so I slice & bake. (If you add a few extra chocolate chips, they will taste even more delightful!) And you know what, I am NOT a horrible Mom. Even if they are Double Stuffed Oreos, I can be instantly transformed into SuperMom! I love them with all I am and in my heart, I know I give my best for each day. Always, the best I can give is my love! What could be a better gift to give?! And guess what?!? In the end, they just want the attention of their Mom and her love poured out towards them. Whether it's cookies from scratch, or a sticky note on their pre-packaged lunch, kids want love more than sacrifice. Much like our Lord, "All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice." Proverbs 21:2-3 (NIV)
- Oh, sorry....one more, One more thing. It is okay every now and then to serve dinner on paper plates and use red plastic cups. Paper towels are great as napkins and toilet paper is soft on tushies and noses! Just sayin'

Eventhough we live on Island Time here in Florida, our minutes pass just the same as our friends in the big city. I pray every morning for the Lord to lead my day and accomplish for Him what is necessary to honor Him. Some days that is a day fully devoted to cleaning my home while other days it means sacrificing dishes getting done to spend time with one of the kiddos. Laundry has sat still in the dryer all day because a friend invited me to share a cup of coffee with her and share her life and prayers with me. And I will whisper so the kids don't hear me, but we have put the kids to bed early not because they were tired, but just so we can have a date night at home...ordering something To Go and renting a movie just for us! These are heart moments that make life richer, delightful, and you savor every minute. Time does slow down when it is led by The Creator of Time. It's when you look back and see how many treasures you have made that make time feel fast because how could you possibly have lived that much life in such a short amount of time!?! Or, you have just gone non-stop, worrying your days away and you have no concept of a minute. 

My pause button is Jesus! His timing is always perfect. Grace, Grace, Amazing Grace!!!

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. 12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:1-17 (NIV)

"But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)