"Trust Me" (2 Part Post)

Part 1

I love having a blog, not just to inspire others, but to keep inspiring myself. I feel like not only does God use it to help others grow but to continue to help me grow as well. 

There was this one evening last year I decided I wanted to go get one of those half price shakes from Sonic, my addiction to those is a problem... Well I knew I had to hurry because a huge storm was on its way, but of course I thought I still had some time so I decided I'd get my shake and go into town to the bookstore to pick up this book I had been wanting to read for a while. The sky looked so bold and beautiful with storm clouds rolling in, and I was driving on a bridge up kind of high so I could really see everything. I whispered to God that I would love to see the storm and all it's might... I didn't think He would actually hear a tiny little prayer like that. Oh but He did. I was just like ten minutes away from the bookstore and when I got to the road it was on, the storm had hit in a split second. I had to make a u-turn into an Olive Garden parking lot, at which I saw trash cans and huge tree limbs blowing across the road. Golfball size hail, and wind like I've never seen it. I was barely able to find the Olive Garden parking lot due to the wind and rain making it hard to see and it was only seconds away from where I was. Plus the car in front of me had completely stopped in the middle of the road so I had to find my way around him. When it finally died down, I thought it was over so I still drove to the bookstore but their power was out. On my way home it was getting dark fast due to more rain clouds coming in, and another storm was coming at a fast pace. So round two came. God doesn't take prayer lightly. Two crazy storms I drove in all in one day, by this time I thought I was going into shock, literally. Now that my vision has gotten so much worse as I've gotten a little bit older, I can't see good at night anymore. I was balling my eyes out and thought I was going to die from hyperventilation. I said out loud, "Jesus please carry me home and get me back to my son and husband." I kept repeating this over and over. I felt His presence and was compelled to glance over at the passenger seat and although it was empty to my eyes, I felt in my heart it wasn't really empty.

These past couple of days, I've been forgetting about moments like this. With everything that's been going on in my life, I've been hearing nothing but encouraging words from my family and friends. But even with the uplifting comments, I've still felt alone. I kept asking God to show me if what I'm doing is the right thing. So when I got up to sing for our Easter Sunday service at church, I had to hold back tears because I was so overwhelmed by His presence. It's Satan who wants me to feel like I've been alone in this, and it's Satan who wants me to stop and love the ways of the world. God loves me so much and He's for me. He fights my every battle, so I don't have to. He saw my face when He was in excruciating pain on the cross, dying... He will never stop pursuing me.

So a couple nights ago I was doing my Bible reading and I prayed to God again and asked Him to show me if I should keep going with my blog despite negative feedback... and as I was reading I felt God really speaking to me and loving on me, so much that I felt His hands on my face and I heard the words, "Trust me." I couldn't help but break into tears... He had answered my prayer. I guess I always thought to myself that I would never have a problem with negativity or nonbelievers, that was a really ridiculous thought. Of course you'll be tested and questioned, for some reason I just wanted to remain oblivious.

Just because people of this world make you feel bad about yourself or make you feel like you're a failure doesn't mean it's true, and it sure doesn't mean that's how God sees you. Through all of this I've been trying to fight by myself, but really I've just needed to let go and let God take over this for me. He knows our hearts, and He knows the hearts of others that hurt us. That's all that matters. God is a just God. He will fight for you. As human beings we don't always use the right approach or the right words because we're imperfect, and when someone tries to break our spirit, of course we immediately want to retaliate. We are all guilty of it. But there's a reason He opens and closes doors in our lives, and whatever the reason, I'm always going to trust Him and keep on going.

Just want to share some great words I read recently as inspiration:

Not taking a side on issues means to take a side. To decide it is a matter of indifference is to risk having Jesus against you. Read the description of Christ in Revelation 1 and consider if you would ever want to risk that Jesus being against you. -Pastor Sam Allberry

Part 2

Easter Pictures!

Redirecting

I reverted "The Salt Speaks for Itself" to not published, and let me tell you why...


When I post my articles on here or Facebook, I don't want anyone to think I do it out of hate or self righteousness. God knows my heart and He knows that's not my intention. The closer I become in my walk with Christ the more my views and my mind become transformed (Matthew 22:37). Sin is sin. Whether you've lied, murdered, cheated on your spouse, it's all the same. We are all human beings therefore we all sin every single day. No one is perfect whatsoever (Romans 3:23). 

I have committed awful sins and have done the most detestable things. Sometimes when I think back on the things I've done in the past, I get sick to my stomach thinking things like, "How can God still want me to be His bride?" He does though, because I practice repentance. I've been washed white as snow every single day when I wake up if I ask God for forgiveness. I know I'm not supposed to bring up things from the past seasons of my life, it's not of God for me to dwell on it (Isaiah 43:18). But no matter where your heart lies, there will always be people who want to test you and question your actions, and reject your way of life.

All I can do is say that I love you. I won't reject you. I won't treat you any differently from anyone else or avoid you like the plague. Just like I wouldn't want anyone to do that to me. But I won't change my words when I say I can't participate or include myself to be for abortion, homosexual marriage, or ever think that it is acceptable by God for me to be for these things. If there comes a time in my life when I slip up and do something I'm not supposed to in disobedience to God's Word, I pray that I will know I need forgiveness and to turn from it. There is nothing wrong with having a heart for all mankind, to love all mankind. Love for all people is from God because He loved us so much that He sent us a Savior. Love and acceptance, however, are two completely different things. 

I decided to write this because I don't want anybody to feel like I'm judging or excluding anyone from God. It is my mission and would be my greatest accomplishment in life to bring people to God. I want everyone to know you are welcome here if you're willing to try.

Have Courage & Be Kind

I'm a stay-at-home mom, but more importantly I follow Christ. I use my blog and the Internet as a way to encourage people in their walk with God, or to become a believer altogether. And I know this is my mission right now. My audience is mainly women but I know some men who enjoy reading what I write. I decided to try Facebook again so my friends and family could have easier access to my blog page. However, all social media sites are black holes in my opinion, they can break your spirit and break your friendships. Our society today is not afraid to say what they want on the Internet. To have a social media page means you have to be willing to undergo any and everyone's comments and opinions. People will sometimes say awful things just because they're bored.

I want all my outlets to let everyone know we shouldn't be afraid or ashamed to be Christians. To have Facebook to post Bible verses, to say we support other Christians, or what God has shown us today to inspire others. That is what being a Christian is about, sharing God's good deeds and the good news. Please don't be afraid of this world. This is temporary. All of these things we go through that make us feel like this life is unbearable are temporary and will pass. I have been there, I've felt like the lowest of the low. I am so undeserving and guilty of so much, but if I give up and stop what I'm doing to blend in more with the world, I wouldn't be setting a very bold example like Christ and all the men and women of the Bible.

I feel that sometimes we get confused about who Jesus really is, and that's how we get swayed. Jesus came because God loves His people and Christ died for our sins, and we have to accept Him as our Lord and Savior to have access to the Father. However, Jesus was God in the flesh, He does not change, He is the same God of the Old Testament as in the New.

"Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, "Which is right in God's eyes: to listen to you, or to Him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.'" -Acts 4:18-20 NIV

"You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love." -Galatians 5:13 NIV

The Duck Boys

Matthew & I didn't get to physically attend "The Gathering" this past weekend at McLane Stadium but we watched it on TV. We were joking around and I said, "Maybe Phil Robertson will show up." Matthew was like, "The duck boys are going to be there?" Of course I was just hoping in my little heart they would be, unfortunately they didn't make it. It was just really cute how he called them "The Duck Boys." Our family loves the Duck Dynasty tv show, but really we just love their family in general, and all their courage to make it known to the world that they love God and won't back down from that. Ever. 

I recently started reading Phil's book Happy Happy Happy, and let me tell you I can't seem to put it down. I've always love to hear and read the wisdom that comes from people who have lived in rougher and tougher times than I have. And I'm always striving to find ways to keep myself humble about our family. We're not abundantly successful in this world, but we are abundantly successful in faith, life, and love. My cup is overflowing right now as I write, we have hot water, bathtubs, food, beds, air conditioning, a roof over our heads, and good health, we are truly blessed. Now I'm not going to give it all away, but Phil talks about how he and his brothers would have to all get in one bed, and huddle together to keep warm during the winter nights. I've never had to do that in my life. Sometimes I just lose sight of how truly favored by God I really am. My mom, however, told me recently about a time that her and my dad had to ask for help to buy our Christmas presents one year. We had six kids altogether so I'm sure it was a huge task every year. The point is, we were too young to realize we were scraping the bottom of the barrel. If your family loves God and is happy happy happy, what else do you need in life?

Most 24 year old women don't pick up Duck Commander books and go read them for hours. I could listen to or read Phil's words all day. He is a very wise, intelligent man, as is his whole family. They are a wonderful inspiration our country needs. Some people only see the outside of a person and think they aren't worth anything to this world, and they'd be right. They aren't worth anything to the world, all the world does is stomp on you and tell you you'll never be good enough. However, you're worth all the streets made of gold in Heaven. While they were being made, God was thinking about you walking them with Him.

Don't let any person try to degrade or take away your worth, their words may sting but they don't mean anything in the end. This is all just temporary.

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."' -Hebrews 13:5 NIV

Reflections

Photo by: Pretty Petals

Some people say life as a stay-at-home mom is easy... but to be honest, it's real work. For me doing what I love is a wonderful job, and yes some days are easier than others. Sometimes we don't realize how huge of a responsibility it really is, parents are the closest thing children will have to God when they are little. They need comfort, kisses, discipline, and tear catchers. We should be a reflection of God to our children, and His love for us should shine through to our babies. 

Have you ever thought about why we have such beautiful things, like flowers, on this earth? It's all God's reflection. I like to think that when God made all the beautiful things of our world like animals and nature, He thought to Himself, "Surely they will see me in all these things." One of my favorite movies as a child was "The Secret Garden" with Kate Maberly. I would go to my Nanny's house and watch it over and over all weekend long. So my Nanny decided to fence off her whole backyard and make it into a huge flower garden, that would grow all along the inside of the fence, for me. You know, looking back on this, I wasn't as appreciative about it as I would be today... Nobody had ever done anything like that for me before. Actually, it was probably the most wonderful, thoughtful, extravagant thing anyone has ever done for me in my life. Sometimes I think about what Nanny has waiting for me in Heaven, she's probably got miles and miles of beautiful flowers of every kind ready for me to set my eyes on. One of the last things she wanted to see in the hospital before she passed away, was me in my graduation cap and gown. Besides my mom, my Nanny was a beautiful reflection of God to me. She loved me unconditionally, if I came to her and told her I had just committed a crime she probably would've turned herself in for me.

God loves us more than this. You can't even begin to compare His love with anything else. If a human being like my Nanny with so much love, did a million wonderful things for me while she was here on earth, imagine the amazing things God has done and will do for me while I'm still here. All I have to do is take up my cross and follow Him every day of my life. I want to be His beautiful work of art with His radiant light shining off of me, so that when people see me they know there's something different about me. Our greatest commandment He called us to obey was to love each other.

I may not agree with your lifestyle, your choice of words, or your view for our country, but one thing I will agree with is being your neighbor. If you need money I will give it to you. If you need clothes I'll buy them for you. If you're hungry, you are welcome at our table. 
And I am welcome to pray for your soul.