Kingdom Encouragement

 I have said many times to friends in fun, "It's not about you...it's about Him!" It isn't easy but it is so true. The world we live in bombards us daily with self-gratifying messages-You deserve it, Go for it, You're #1, Nothing else matters,  It's all about you, Whatever it takes, and so on and so on...
Today in our Bible Study we talked about this...getting past ourselves and into the lives of others-encouraging others. As a young Mommy, with 4 little ones, a husband, a pup and a cat...it's not easy finding the extra time or energy to share deeply into the lives of others. However, am I to live in my own little 3,000sq ft bubble for the next 18 years?!? No. We have become so preoccupied with ourselves that our time and energy reflect busy lives of to-do's and we become very self-centered. It should be family-first, however, when was the last time you took time out of your day or your week to encourage someone? More than just a passing "high 5" or a "Good to see ya" in the hallways or out front with the neighbor...but truly taking the time and effort to encourage and lift up another in your life?
Like anything, there is blessing when we devote ourselves to a relationship with our spouse, our children, our co-workers, our friends, our community...our God, because they grow us in countless ways. Beautiful relationships are not bought or borrowed. They are a product of love, nurturing and growth. Anything that involves growth, takes time, planning and commitment. Like a plant, you don't buy the seed packet at the garden store, take it home and lay it on the ground where you imagine it would one day grow! It must be cared for, and that takes work. No, that is not laborous work, just effort, a commitment to care for.
Imagine your relationship with your spouse, children, friends, if you never took the time and effort to express love for one another, have open communication, enjoying and living life together, sharing your plans and dreams, your hurts and fears, and really caring for one another. You would simply be two people co-existing in the same place. You would be two seeds tossed on the ground side by side. But imagine if someone came along and picked you up, found a special place in their life for you and tenderly set you in. You are in nurtured soil where you can dig your roots in and grow. You have been encouraged to be a better, more beautiful you in this nurturing environment.
God can do this. He is your caregiver if you allow Him, He has others working on His behalf to be His hands and feet here on earth. He brings other relationships within our family, within our circle of friends, our neighbors, our church body that encourage us to grow. 
How long has it been since you took the time to stop and evaluate the relationships around you? Are they healthy? Are they all about you? Are they all about them? Do you nurture each other? Are they growing you or hindering you? Proverbs 27:17, Iron sharpens iron.
When I take inventory about the people in my life, I see such a vast scope of how we are connected. To some, we are close because of shared history, we have know one another for years and share life stories with eachother as we grow old together. While others share common interest with the kids. Still, others have mentored me in my marriage and in parenting as I flow from one season to the next as they have already walked the season ahead of me. In some, I am the mentor to the younger. A large many are simply acquaintances either because we know one another from a corporate group, neighbors, or maybe a friend of a friend.
Then there are the dear friends, ones you share those tears with, run errands with, take off the mask of who you want everyone else to think you are-but not them. We can tell them when we are angry, scared, hurt and sometimes, they may even see it before you do and they love you enough to call you out on it. They share our joys, successes and celebrate the smallest accomplishment to the biggest achievement! What an incredible blessing to have these kind of friends in your life. For me, they are an answered prayer after years of praying that God would grant me the privilege to have a close few that would sharpen me to be the person God created me to be. 
Are you that kind of friend to another? Is there commitment in your heart to put forth the time and effort to be that kind of friend? Yes, it takes time out of our week and space in our heart, but isn't it a priceless cost? It's really in investment into the Kingdom's economy. God may cross two people's paths but it's up to them to embrace it and allow God to enter in-putting His principles into place to make it grow to be a beautiful reflection of who He is which is loving, forgiving, accepting, caring, kind, compassionate...and fun! What a joy to share life and love in the name of Jesus!
As we talked about this morning, we need to get out of ourselves and invest in God's kingdom by encouraging those around us more often (those we know and those we don't). When we bless, we are blessed! Some of us have been stuck in a pity party and everyone is invited! How often we take for granted the richness around us. How long has it been since you looked your spouse or your child in the eye and said "I Love You and I am committed to loving and cherishing you with all my heart!" How about a friend, "I appreciate you and I am thankful for the gift you are in my life!" This takes effort! This involves setting yourself down and focusing on the needs outside of yourself. Oh, how we love to have those pity parties!
This is not to say that we are going to have a bad day, because we are, and that is okay. But we cannot get stuck there and settle there. God created us to be a community, to live a life of joy and love with those around us. His second greatest command is Love one another!! It's not all about YOU!
I will share with you the challenge I gave: This week, will you take an intentional moment and step into the life of another and bless them? This can be a letter of appreciation to someone in your life...family, friend, co-worker, community leaders, maybe your kid's teachers, etc. Maybe a note, letter, gift, email to a friend-encouraging them in their walk with the Lord, their day. Maybe you know someone facing a trial and is in desperate need of hope and a tangible gift of love. Sometimes, you may encourage someone who you'd have no clue what they were dealing with in their life, but God was using you to be a grace gift in that moment. So often it has happened to me when my heart is shattered on the inside and someone comes along unknowing, and blesses my heart, bring me back to hope and joy. Be intentional to reach out and bless.

"let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:22-25 NIV

Here's how you start: 
Step one is PRAY! Offer thanksgiving for all those God has placed in your life. 
Step Two: Ask. Ask God to show you who He wants you to love on this week (and yes, it can be more than one person!!) 
Step Three: Seek-we are all so different in how we relate to others so do what fits your personality and meet the need God has shown you. 
Step Four: Act! Keep it simple and make the commitment just to encourage SOME ONE!
In doing this, you are sharing Christ. You are loving one another with the same love Christ Jesus loves you! He is committed to you. He adores you and He knows you historically, practically, intimately and extravagantly! It's not about you...it's about Him!! May sharing this gift not be a one time thing, but a way of life, to love one another in the sweet name of Jesus!

Pain and Joy of Pruning

Months ago, I asked my husband to take the kids to allow me a weekend of Me Time. I have been so excited about this upcoming weekend. I am staring at a bowl full of chocolates. I have waited for this day! This morning began with a cup of coffee, two scrambled eggs and two chocolate chip peanut butter cookies made for me by a friend in celebration of my big weekend. It was awesome because had the kids been here-no cookies for breakfast!!! What a treat!
But you know, the reason I wanted this weekend was not for a break from my loving husband or my four great kids..but as an opportunity of growth for all of us. I chose to make this weekend about me-taking time to do what I want which right now is placing myself in God's hands for more than just an hour at a time. Sit before Him and listen more intently, study Him deeply, hear His whispers. A sabbatical if you will. I cannot remember the last time I had a night alone much less a weekend...it was time for me to take time for me. As much as I have wanted it and looked forward to it, it was also difficult to follow through with, but I forced myself to do this
for myself.
I am the commander in chief, the conflict resolver, the chef, the nurturer, the helper, the cleaner, the scheduler, the planner, the nurse, the wife and friend. Here is an opportunity for me to not be in control of everything and I say that with seriousness. I plan and I organize as much as I can, it minimizes chaos but it also creates co-dependency on me for every need one of them has.
Letting go of that control is not easy. Ultimately, it means letting go and giving it over to God. HE will provide for them, HE will protect them. Then for the kids, they have to step it up a little and think a little more for themselves, figure things out with The Fixer getting involved.
For the toddlers, it is a healthy stretch for them to have space from Mom so they know they can function without me right there. For my spouse, I imagine and hope for a refreshed appreciation of all that Mom does, handles and takes care of daily in the lives of 4 kids! We'll see!!
So, it started out fun and enjoyable...chocolates, precious fellowship, jamming out to my IPod-past the typical 8pm bedtime for the kids...then Satan began to plot. Nothing like a little panic attack to throw a kink in the mood, the plan...it didn't start with me though. It was my daughter. As a parent, wouldn't you take pain on behalf of your kids if you could? I know, we learn from our pain, but still, you want to take it for them...she's only 4 yrs old but she has had anxiety and fear since she was in the infant car seat, months old. She would raise her arm over her eyes to avoid eye contact with whoever is trying to start a conversation with her. As she got older, it was not making eye contact, walking into classrooms was intimidating, being left with a babysitter. You want your child to be confident and happy and it is heart breaking when they are not. When they are afraid.
Today, being away from me was scary for her. Even though Daddy and her brothers were there, she is dependent on me to be her steady rock. I have spent lots of time with her teaching her that Jesus is always with her, wherever she goes...but at her sweet little fearful age, she finds great comfort being with me. I knew this would be a good opportunity for her to work some of this pain out in our short separation.
That is exactly what God did with me back in December 2008. He allowed me to be removed from His fellowship and it was hard. It must have been hard for Him too. He loves His children. He loved His Son but was willing to see Him hurting, in tears for the redemption of all of us, to restore fellowship with each one of us. Pain was the root of the gain. So it is this weekend.
I talked with her several times on the phone, encouraging and loving, focusing her on truths but in her mind, she still wasn't home and with her Moma. Somehow I felt it in my body minutes after talking with her. A wave of panic passed through my body only lasting 30 seconds. I knew it was Satan plotting to shake me up but I received it as a fresh and real reminder of where I have come from and where I am going. I am heading straight for Jesus.
He is all I want.
He is all I need.
I know in those days back when I first experienced the panic attacks that it must have been hard for God to allow me to fall and watch me work it out. It took this isolation, this fearful separation from His presence to make me really seek Him. To be desperate for Him, recognizing this was a place I never ever want to be again. I never want to be outside of His will for me. I will never be too busy to build a relationship with my Daddy God.
Tonight, I studied and it didn't take long for God to hand over some personal "Michele To Do's." I guess He heard about my weekend plans to study and grow in Him...funny how that works!
Pruning is hard work, for the plant and the gardener. The plant might loose a little edge, baring it's raw edges and it's bare roots. It is vulnerable till it develops new covering. In this vulnerable time we need to stand guard, stand firm, be watchful for attacks from the enemy. What a blessing to have friends...precious sisters in Christ who are willing to help you stand firm and stand guard with you.
There is a difference of depending on someone for help and receiving encouragement from another. It is important that we do not become co-dependent on another for our courage and our peace. Our comfort, peace and strength should come from God. How far can human comfort and strength take you, I would say not too far from where you already are. But God's comfort and strength is powerful, endless and brings peace. God will bring you comfort and strength through another, as a vessel, maybe someone being His hands and feet to help you stand. There is power in that-if it is from God-it is beneficial, real and life-changing. It is so important that we all have that special few to pick us up off the floor when we have fallen. Ones who can see that you have fallen, that you are weak and vulnerable, in need of divine intervention. That's a treasure worth finding, cherishing and protecting.
For the gardener, it's not easy chopping off sometimes beautiful flowers on the tips of your plant but you do it because the upcoming season it will be healthier and produce much more. The choice seems obvious.
With us too...God will prune you when you need to grow a little more. Maybe there are some dead branches that are ineffective or distractive. Or maybe there is a beautiful display of a dozen blossoms but He knows He can prune it to bring twice as many for next season...pruning is a good thing. But I tell ya, I went from fun and chocolate now to tears of joy and tears of pain. As much as I dislike the pain and discomfort of being vulnerable and exposed, I trust my gardener that He knows exactly how much to take from me in exchange for something better.
"Oh Great and Mighty, honestly, I look back at the past 10 months and as much as I hate it and wish it would have never happened...in the same breathe, if You asked me to choose between No Fear/Anxiety and live a life separated from You or a life consumed by You with grace for the fear...I would choose a life consumed by You. Father search me and clean me. Mold me into a beautiful instrument to be used by You for You. I do not want what I have gone through to become dead to me. Thank You for reminding me tonight that You are in control, not me. It is You through me that helps, nurtures, ministers, protects my family..it's not of me...it's all You! You hold me in the palms of Your hand.
I want to be more effective. In my life, in my weakness, You are my strength. Lord, replace in me my ways with Yours. Shape me, prune me even if it leaves me looking not so pretty for a short time. Bless those who You have given to me to help me stand guard. Help us all to be better protectors and encouragers in each other's lives. Help me to surrender it all down before Your throne, trusting Your plan and Your purpose. May Your Light reflect off me to bring others towards You. I love You, my Alpha and Omega, God Almighty, keep me close. Hold me near. In You I place my trust and my hope. Help me to sustain and endure the pruning process for this season. In Your Precious, Holy and Sovereign Name, amen."

"Double Date"

DOUBLE FEATURE: Toy Story 1 & 2

Tonight I had a "Double Date" for the first time in a LONG time! I cannot remember the last time I saw TWO movies in a row...especially in the theaters!! (Date Night really changes when you factor in the cost to pay a babysitter!!!)
Well, tonight I was out with my Cody! What a fun night being able to hang out with him. As the middle child, sometimes he gets lost in the shuffle between the babies and the big brother. I try to make time with each one and in a perfect world, I would have an hour a day with one on one time with each of the four, but we don't, so I can't! I do what I can though and tonight was a great night for it. He was much younger when Toy Story 1 came out so he was seeing it for the first time really. And it has been years for me and I barely remembered either one...having children will chip away at those already scattered memory cells!!
Not many of our movies have such obvious story lines of good choices and good character anymore. There were quite a few upcoming children's movies that look interesting, so we will see. Now a days it seems it's more about action, battles/wars/fights and love interests. What happened to the values, virtues, friends, perseverance, making good choices? It was refreshing to watch a movie that placed a high value on honesty, teamwork and friendship. The relationship between the toys and their "boy", the faithful and strong bonds between the toys/friends...refreshing!
My favorite part was looking over at my Cody and sharing the moment with him. We laughed, we cuddled and we shared a LOT of candy!!! What I will take away from tonight was a refreshing night with him. I will forget much of the movie, but I will never forget the night I ate so much candy and laughed at the silly lines in the movie with him.
You know, I imagine God feels the same with us. He enjoys our fellowship, no matter where we are or what we are doing, He seeks to spend time with each of His children. Amazingly for Him, He is Omnipresent, so HE CAN spend every moment of every day with each of His children. How cool! We are so blessed to have a refreshing, constant fellowship with our Heavenly Father that is everlasting!! He shares every moment with us.

"Thank You Dear God for Your refreshing fellowship, it is so sweet. Help me to remember that it is not so much what we are doing , it is more that we are simply spending time in fellowship together, smiling, laughing or crying...we are sharing precious moments. May my life reflect Your friendship, Your love and Your joy with those around me.
Thank You for the friends near and the friends far, Lord, would You bless them today with all that they need and more. Touch them and grant them extra joy, peace and love in their lives. Thank You for being the very Best Friend anyone could ever have!! Your fellowship is so sweet to me!
Lord, may I never minimize our time together or make it more work than it needs to be. But to just be with You, in the moment where we are. In the Name of Jesus I pray protection around my time, guard it and define it to best please You...continue to bless me with precious time with You every morning, individual time with each of my children and my spouse. I ask protection around my friends and my family, through our relationships, may we all be living examples of Your gentleness and faithfulness.
'There is none like You. No One else can touch my heart like You do. I could sing for all eternity long and find, there is none like You.....' amen."

The Little Girl in Me

Don't we all have that little girl inside that just wants to get out and play...explore the huge world around you but we don't allow ourselves the time to break out of our busyness to be that Princess or Explorer? For girls, we are drawn to the puffy princess gowns, sparkle jewelry, make up, painting our nails, tea parties and chocolate!! I am actually a little different...I love to have girl time and dress up (not glitz and glam-but simply wearing make up and styling the hair, add in some earrings!!-I consider myself dressed up!! woo-hoo!) but I am also super comfy in jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt! With this Texas heat, I have to settle for short sleeve though. If I could, I would sport my pj's all day!! I love pj's of any kind, flannel, silk, long dress, pant sets...as long as it is comfy!! Can't forget the slippers! :)

My most treasured jewelry is my wedding ring and my Mother's bracelet. I wear them every day! I think my daughter is a lot like me. She loves to play dress up with all the fluff she can fit into, all the bling around the neck and in the hair but she will take it all off to play football or chase with the boys outside in the mud! We both love chocolate treats and have a love for animals! She has a love for life, she is strong-willed, and she is a bit shy and overwhelmed in the crowds.
I love being a Mom. My daughter newest call for me is "Mom-uh." Not to be confused with "Mama." I love that sweet name. It is a high calling to be entrusted with God's little creations. While she completely trusts me to care for her, kiss her boo-boos and teach her how to do every new thing, I am completely trusting God to show me how to do all that with each passing season in each of my children's lives!!

Here are some of my favorite pics with my little girl who constantly reminds me to play!! (Actually, she begs...constantly! I have to remind myself to enjoy this as one day, she will have a crowded schedule of school, work and friends.) Hope you enjoy our pig-tailed moments from the past year! Thanks for allowing me to share these personal moments with you.
I pray you will take time to play in your week! Grab your daughter or a girlfriend and just be girls, have lunch, go get your nails done, go shopping (for fun-not grocery shopping!!), pick flowers at the park, watch a girl movie, put on pj's and walk down memory lane with a family photo album. Whatever brings out your inner child, do it! Enjoy the gift of Sisterhood!!
"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6

"There, in the presence of the Lord your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the Lord your God has blessed you." Deuteronomy 12:7

Current Family Motto

DICKERSON FAMILY MOTTO

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.

And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.” I Thessalonians 5:11-15

Specifically To the Adults: “You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” Titus 2:1-8

Specifically To the Children: “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” Colossians 3:20

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” Ephesians 6:1

The Privilege Card

Well, for the lucky few, they received a privilege Card from the teachers today. There was no mistaking that my 7th grader had received one when he burst through the door today exclaiming, "Mom, the greatest thing -ever- happened today!!!" He then flashed me The card! He was beyond thrilled and couldn't wait to share it with me the moment he got home. For the next 6 weeks, he will get to go to lunch 2 minutes earlier, along with several other special things! The catch is...it expires after the 6 week period is over. Then, a new one must be earned.
Can you imagine if God handed out privilege cards for us and they expired after 6 weeks? Would we ever get one? There is no one perfect except God. Hard as we try to make the right choices in everything we do, we are going to make a wrong choice sometimes, and that is okay...we are sinners saved by grace, not by our perfection. God will forgive your "wrong choices" but you also need to forgive yourself and move on.

"Thank You Lord that I do not have to continuously earn my privileges with You. Rewards are great and so are Your blessings, but it is and will be my absolute privilege to worship You, face to face. I do not take for granted Your unconditional love, Your forgiveness, Your patience. The fact that You can see me for me, who I am, what I am, where I have been...and You still give me the privilege card to Heaven which I do not have to earn and does not expire...wow! YOU ARE AN AMAZING GOD!!! amen"

The Faith of a Child

"Mommy, I am sacred."
"You are going to be okay, trust me honey."

As a Mom, I do my best to challenge, encourage and expose my children to life through the eyes of faith. I would never place them in danger or harms way, nor would I ever leave their side as they step into a new venture.

Today, I loaded up the "babies" who are 2 & 4 years old into the bike carrier and took off for a bike ride this morning. It ended being quite the cardio workout with all the wind. I am already towing two children that weigh 34 lbs each, plus the carrier cart!! It wasn't long before I was huffing and puffing, I needed this workout needless to say!! We wove through the streets enjoying all the squirrels and birds loading up on their morning delights.

Half way home, we stopped to play at the neighborhood playground. it was as if they had just entered a candy store with so many choices. Eventually, we made it to the Web I think it is called. A fireman's pole stands in the center and from it branch out arched ladders to climb up to the top of the pole. My 2 year old went straight for it. Just as he approached the tippy top, as it arched, he became uncertain, a little shakey. Of course, I was right under him ready to catch him should he slip and fall. He began to cry, "Mommy, I can't do it." It only took me looking in his eyes and saying, "Yes you can!!! Mommy is right here. You are going to be okay, so come on." And he said ,"Ohhhh..." He knows me therefore he trusts me. He couldn't decide which way to go, so he asked me and I told him to just climb back down as I showed him where to place his foot to start down the path. Once he stepped out, he got it and was back safely on solid ground with 15 seconds flat. I then went through the same thing with the following 4 year old. Soon, we were off to the swings and laughter flew!

If you have given over your life to God, if you have made the personal decision to follow Him, believing and trusting that He loves you unconditionally, you believe He sent His Son to die on the cross for your sins, and He rose again on the 3rd day, then you have someone who will catch you when you fall. He will never leave you. When you climb through life's obstacles, you can depend on Him, your Father God in Heaven. You may be scared and uncertain of your next step, but you must listen for His instructive voice. He is right next to you, many times right under you as your personal safety net. Will you trust Him? Will you call out to Him next time you are scared and then heed to His direction?

Like a child, we need to trust the One above us, the One who has our best interests at heart. If you choose to stay "stuck" in the obstacle, unmoving, you will eventually loose your grip from exhaustion and fall. For some of us with a small stubborn-streak, it may take enduring a few scrapes, cuts and bruises from a fall to learn our lesson the hard way.

It is my prayer for you that you will not avoid the obstacles in life, but to tackle them head on, trusting the Lord will be right there to encourage you as you climb. Oh, how God uses our children to speak to us. Daily, I hear God telling me, "See, that's just like Me and you." Sometimes that is not so good for He may be dealing with a tantrum while other times we are enjoying sweet snuggles as Father and child. (I guess there is so much I need to learn, that is why He gave me FOUR children to be my living examples!!!! Oh Lord, You are so funny!)

What Do You Need to Sort Through?

With the crisp fall air, I get into cleaning mode! I guess the air is refreshing and it naturally gives you a boost of energy...if I had a Plymouth of money, I would be tempted to shop but since the house we live in didn't come with the trees that money grows off of, my energy will have to go elsewhere..so, I started with my camera.
Do you have a memory card in your camera, 64MB or maybe a 8G card? I started with the 64MB, thankful that I was able to snap away 76 times before I had to download the memories into the computer. But then I wanted more!!! So, I bought a 2G memory card so that I didn't have to download as often and I could snap away almost carelessly, knowing that one day I would download them, I could delete whatever was bad and keep the rest. Sounds good in theory but I tell ya, the work involved sorting through all of the pics was a lot! It took a lot of time to pick and choose which one was ultimately better than the other, plus, I then had to remember where the picture was taken to place it in it's appropriate folder. I thought, "You know, it was easier when I had to download frequently and the pictures were more concentrated in application."
Same goes with our closets...we continue to throw stuff in them with the intentions of one day cleaning them out. Only to one day face the pile of mismatched games, toys, clothing, shoes, crafts which takes such a full day, maybe a whole weekend to sort through. Again, like the camera, it would have been easier to address the smaller things before they piled up to a big ole pile of sorting through. That is so stressful and yet we made that choice.
What in your life needs to be sorted through? I am sure you can easily name several areas around the house that could use a good reorganization: garage, closets, toy buckets, shoes buckets, kitchen drawers, craft containers, the "to be filed" stack, maybe even your camera!
But what about beyond that? What in your life needs to be sorted through? Have you been slowly, carelessly stashing things into your heart and your mind, even your day? Is your spirit bogged down with depression, anxiety and stress that it has become a "one day I'll get to it" project? Are you over-scheduling yourself and your family that you feel like you have lost control and order? Are you storing up thoughts, hurts, pains which soon become mismatched chaos and the thought of sorting through it all is overwhelming?
I don't know if you have this problem in your house, but I find little creatures seem to enjoy these dark, low traffic, warm places, eating through fabric and papers. However, if things are kept in order and are protected, you are lessening your chance to get destroying little bugs. In our life, stored up stuff brings "bugs" of many sorts. Stress, depression, spiritual warfare to name a few. Satan would love nothing more than to overwhelm us with our "stuff" to keep us from addressing it and handing it over to the Lord. We may not always be intentionally stockpiling our stuff, it may be that we have developed some unhealthy habits and routines which have become a way of life for us.
Let me encourage you to take a deep breathe of the crisp fall air and get to cleaning! Sure, you could wait another season to work through the clutter, but the "things" continue to pile in thus making more work for another time. We all have closets in our lives. Wouldn't it be nice if we could bring some order to them finally? Old stuff should be confessed and handed over to a loving God who brings forgiveness. They no longer have a hold of us. "Bugs" will evacuate since they do not have anymore junk to feast on. New stuff should be dealt with immediately with grace, truthfulness and love. Don't just empty your "stuff" only to move it around, maybe sweep it under the nearest rug. Take time to find it's proper place. For me, I sometimes feel so overwhelmed at the thought of cleaning, it seems easier to simply take inventory, then put it under a little rug somewhere to deal with another time. Well, you can imagine what is next...that rug gets pretty bumpy. It no longer functions correctly and it is certainly uncomfortable to enjoy.
As long as we are living and breathing, we will continue to accumulate stuff in our lives. Friend, I would like to encourage you, challenge you to sort through your stuff frequently. Do not expand your memory size or move into a bigger closet. Take the time and throw out what doesn't need to be there, delete the unnecessary things. Hand them over to a loving and forgiving God. He separates our sins as far as the East is from the West. He is the God of order, not chaos. He is a Healing God.
You know, just because it is your closet, doesn't mean you cannot have a friend help you. Sure, it will more than likely be embarrassing but you know what...your friend has a closet too and he/she may just ask you to help clean out theirs one day. Do not let pride keep you from asking for a extra set of hands in your life, physically, spiritually and emotionally. That's what friends are for...to love on one another, to encourage one another and hold one another accountable in love. A friend, a godly friend, digs deep into the corners with you, and helps you clear the clutter! Are they an expert in cleaning, sweeping, sorting and bagging? Probably not, but their heart, their commitment to loving you unconditionally, reflecting God's unconditional love is enough to clean out the largest of closets. Not every friend will be that kind of friend, for friends are gifts to share life with. But there are those precious few that God delivers to the doorstep of your heart and soul that will bring a broom and trash bag if asked! Praise God for those special friends in our lives. "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12
Sometimes it may even be necessary to call a Professional Organizer: a.k.a. a Counselor. And that is OKAY! Sometimes when we finally make the commitment to clean our overcrowded closet, it can be overwhelming and you just don't know where to even begin. That's what they are trained for, to start you and pace you through, one step at a time. Once you have regained order, won't you commit to never go back. The old stuff is gone and it no longer has a hold over you...it does not define you. You are no longer in bondage to the junk, you are free indeed!
Each day, take whatever comes in, whether pain, hurt, anger, busyness and put it into the proper place...present it to God, handing it completely over to Him, asking for His hand of guidance and direction. He is faithful. "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:8-9

"For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now He has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation-- if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel."
Colossians 1:13-23

The people we leave behind

On my way home from a field trip to the mall today, I was stopped by police escort at the intersection to allow a funeral procession to go through. It must have been 100 cars long. As each car passed, I looked at the number of people being escorted through in each vehicle and noticed the look on their faces. It began to hit me how each one of these people's lives are not as they had planned for this day, would they have otherwise been at work or at home caring for the kids or on vacation this week. Whoever had passed touched in some way, big or small the lives of all these people following.

We tend to get caught up in our own life. Often, I think I am just one person, what difference can I possibly make. It's especially hard when you have one of those days you have told your child for the hundreth time not to do something and yet they still do!?

I think we forget how our life touches another. We have family with extended family, neighbors, co-workers, league/church/organization memberships, friends of friends, strangers we meet in the parking lot or the mall, etc. We may not see it but we actually are significant in the lives of others. Most importantly God's. He didn't put you here just to eat, sleep, work and play. You are here for a divine purpose."I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!" Psalms 139:14-17 It is His plan for you to love one another!! He wants to prosper and grow you, teaching others about Him. Living not for yourself but through God Almighty to share this love with others. "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:10-21

For the lifetime of fear and hesitation I have lived with as far back as I can remember, I pray for boldness, wisdom, courage and faithfulness to a steadfast, trustworthy, all-knowing, loving God.

I pray that when He calls me Home to Glory, I will have thousands of cars following behind, mourning and yet celebrating how God worked through me to touch their lives, bringing them closer to God in their own life. Today, I wonder how many cars would follow...

"Lord, I am but one. I feel insignificant and yet I present myself to You daily, to use me in a mighty way in Your Kingdom. Not by numbers or with large presence before the crowds, but may every encounter, every relationship I have be guided by You. I am Your clay, small and unformed, be my Potter and mold me, make me into a useful instrument. I ask You to do immeasurably more than I could imagine. Till that day when I stand before You on Your throne...amen."

Be My Strength

"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 upon 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."
Deuteronomy 6:5-7


"Praise be to the Lord, for He has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. The Lord is the strength of His people, a fortress of salvation for His anointed One. Save Your people and bless Your inheritance;
be their Shepherd and carry them forever."
Psalms 28:6-9

"But I will sing of Your strength, in the morning I will sing of Your love; for You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. O my Strength, I sing praise to You;
You, O God, are my fortress, my loving God."
Psalms 59:16

Ever had "one of those days?" Well, I had one and I am so thankful for God's Word to bring comfort in the midst of the stress in our lives. Next time you are overwhelmed, take a nice, long deep breathe and exhale, moving yourself into the presence of a compassionate, comforting, loving Lord. Remember His promises, remember His provision, the peace that He alone provides. He is your perfect Counselor and Friend, knowing exactly what you are thinking and feeling in any moment.

I don't know what your tendency is to go to when you are stressed out, maybe alcohol, drugs, depression, food, shopping, running away physically or emotionally...but I encourage you to run to God. Our human nature is to run to the tangible things because it is proof we are going to be okay, we feel the help and we can see it. It may be an object or a person that we run to and seek refuge to make us feel better.

But I tell ya, NOTHING IS SWEETER THAN A GOD -SIZED HUG when we are hurting. You cannot see it, you may wonder if He is really there, but if you rest and be still, you can feel Him. If you need to call a friend, there is nothing wrong with that, but it should be your second "call." First, seek ye first the Kingdom of God then call your brother or sister in Christ. God can and does use fellow Believers in your life to encourage you and love on you, to share wisdom and insight. Sometimes we need that talk time, especially us women. We need each other.

Friendships come in many shapes. We have historical friends-those who have been around our whole lives and have experienced life's growing up with us; seasonal friends-those who God has given for a season to share a life's moment; mentoring friends-those who have been given to us to mentor us throughout different phases we enter in life (we may be the mentor for another); casual friends-those who we enjoy fellowship with and connect with on different levels; family friends-those who are closer than friends, they are like family and will be forever part of our lives; lifelong heart friends-those who we have connected with on a deep spiritual level and will forever be a part of our heat and soul. Friends are a blessing to treasure no matter how long they have been in our life! Take time to Thank God for the gift of Friendship and Sisterhood!

Let me encourage you if you are the listening/comforting friend, be sure to pray for your friend who is having the bad day, who is hurting. God will use you as his vessel if you sync your spirit with His in the moment to bring His comfort to your wounded friend. Entering into a gossip session or joining their cause will not bring healing. But God can use you to share His tangible hug, His words of comfort, encouragement, truth and peace if you submit yourself to His spirit.

I pray that you always have a good day, but you know, sometimes it takes "one of those days" to make us stop and reflect on the bigger questions in life...what is my purpose, why is this happening, where am I supposed to go, what path am I headed down, what changes do I need to make in my life, and so on.

"Father God, Thank You for hearing our cries and seeing each tear in our heart. Lord, would You hug those who are hurting, comfort them in Your embrace, give them a security that can only be provided by You. Thank You God for the gifts of friendship and relationships in the family of God, may we count it a blessing to have that sweet friend and may we be that sweet friend to another. Help me to run quickly first to You and be still, resting in You Lord. Be my refuge and strength. Thank You for Your steadfastness, never moving away from me but desiring me to come to You. I know You will never forsake me, I know You love me, for all the good and all the bad and I humbly thank You. As I bow before Your Heavenly throne, would You grant me peace, comfort, protection in the warfare and wisdom to do what it is You have called me to do in every little thing, in every big thing, every area of my life, in all that I am, guide me. God, I love You. amen"