My Word for 2014

Although I need to stop, slow down and enjoy the people in my life more, I do still have a few goals for this year - very small ones but goals nonetheless.  One of the things I would love to do most is to begin keeping a family journal.  I have started one many times and usually write it in it for...oh...2 or 3 days and then never pick it up again.  I love writing, and I already regret not writing about our earlier family years.  The older I get, the more I realize how quickly our family is growing up...and how easily it becomes a blur!  So...I would love to keep a faithful journal this year of our family's happenings.

I also want to be a more faithful Christian who is steadily growing.  I felt like last year, I was an unpredictable Christian - growing like a weed at times and then shriveling up like a dry dead plant at others.  I want to be always growing, always seeking and always striving to have the mind of Christ.

My word for the year 2014 encompasses all of the goals and dreams I have for making this year exceptional. And, I have to admit, I am cheating and reusing 2013's word! :)  The word...relationships!  I am much better at accomplishing a project, checking off a list, seeing immediate results.  The problem is none of those things are the way relationships work!  I tend to try to make even my relationships into a check list!   Last year, I had grand plans for improving relationships, and then...I became pregnant.  I don't know about you, but pregnancy and improving relationships are like two polar opposites...very difficult to do.  I tried, and I didn't forget, but it definitely was not a stellar year of achieving goals!  So...my focus again for this year is relationships.  Focusing on people and their needs. Putting people ahead of my lists and plans.  Having meaningful conversations.  Handwritten letters instead of emails.  Encouraging words in place of irritation. Seeing interruptions as amazing opportunities.  Stopping to enjoy the people in my life more!

Those are my goals for 2014.  Nothing amazing, but I hope it will still be life changing.  What about you? Have you thought of how you want to be different this year?  I know I can not do this in my own strength.  I am asking God to infuse me with His strength and His desires so that through Him I can accomplish all He has for me this year.  I hope that I can live a small part of the verse that my Savior lived out His entire life on this earth. 

Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. ~Matthew 20:28

Every Day I Choose...

I have been reading Max Lucado's devotional Grace for the Moment because it seems as though I need more grace than usual for every moment of the day here lately.  My favorite short piece from the book so far has been the very first one I read.  It has become something I read almost daily to remind me of how important the small choices are that I make each day.  Whether we are moms or wives or friends or employees...each of us are responsible for making the right choices each day, but it so wonderful to know that when we fail, God's grace will cover and give us strength to do better the next time.  

I CHOOSE LOVE...

No occasion justifies hatred;

no injustice warrants bitterness, I choose love.

Today I will love God and love what God loves.

I CHOOSE JOY...

I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance.

I will refuse the temptation to be cynical...

the tool of a lazy thinker.  I will refuse to see 

people as anything less than human beings, 

created by God.  I will refuse to see any problem as

anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I CHOOSE PEACE...

I will live forgiven.  I will forgive so that I may forgive.

I CHOOSE PATIENCE...

I will overlook the inconveniences of the world.

Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll

invite him to do so.  Rather than complaining that the

wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment

to pray.  Instead of clinching my fist at new 

assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I CHOOSE KINDNESS...

I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone.

Kind to the rich, for they are afraid.  And kind to

the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I CHOOSE GOODNESS...

I will go without a dollar

before I take a dishonest one.  I will be overlooked

before I will boast. I will confess before I will

accuse.  I choose goodness.

I CHOOSE FAITHFULNESS....

Today I will keep my promises.

My debtors will not regret their trust.  My associates

will not question my word.  My wife will not

question my love.  And my children will never fear

that their father will not come home.

I CHOOSE GENTLENESS...

Nothing is won by force.  I choose to e gentle.

If I raise my voice, may it only be in praise.

If I clench my fist, may it only be in prayer,

If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

I CHOOSE SELF-CONTROL...

I am a spiritual being...

After this body is dead, my spirit will soar.

I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal.

I choose self-control.  I will be drunk only by joy.

I will be impassioned only by my faith.

I will be influenced only by God.

I will be taught only by Christ.

I choose self-control.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

To these I commit my days.

If I succeed, I will give thanks.

If I fail, I will seek his grace.

And then, when this day is done,

I will place my head on my pillow

and rest.

MAX LUCADO

Grace for the Moment

Wishing you a day full of blessings,

Christy

No Choice but Faith

One thing that this quickly growing world of communication has shown me is that there are many, many hurting people in this world and that I am blessed beyond measure.  We are bombarded with stories of children fighting cancer, families trying to put back the pieces of their lives after fatal accidents, grandparents coping with the idea that they will never see their grandchildren grow up because they are facing certain death.  It can become quite depressing especially if we see these things happening in the lives of people who do not recognize that there is a sovereign God who cares about them.  I have recently found a mom who has spent the last 15 months of her life at the hospital with her baby who was born premature.  For fifteen months, this mom's life has been completely put on hold, and everything has focused on helping her baby become well enough to one day come home.  However, God had other plans for this little one, and just a week ago, brought her to Heaven with Him.  This mom's faith and testimony through this time has been astounding, but the post she wrote just a week after her baby girl's death brought me to my knees in repentance for my selfishness and lack of faith in God.  I thought I would share her words with you today.

Thoughts from a mom grieving her daughter's death:

I continue to feel each and everyone of your prayers. Through this time I find myself asking God. God why am I doing so well during this time of loss. I miss her so much and the love I have for Halle is unimaginable. His answer to me. He reminded of the time I was transported to UAB at 18 weeks pregnant. Every doctor that came in and checked me, looked at the ultrasound, and spoke with me said this baby will not live. You will miscarriage. God spoke to me that day and said I will take care of you. You will be fine. I did not know if it was because she would live or if it was because He would call her home to be with Him. So, as I was questioning Him about my grieving , He brought that back to my attention. He always keeps His promise. It was up to me to have faith and trust in Him that He was going to take care of me. No matter how hard times would get. He never let me down. I have so many people write, or stop in walmart and say you are so strong your faith is amazing. No!!! Its ALL GOD. I give Him all the glory. Without Him I am nothing. He is my ALL. He gives me strength, He gives me peace, He provides in every need I have, His LOVE is more than I can ever imagine. His LOVE for Halle is more than I can imagine. I loved her and still love her soooo much. Its hard for me to realize that He can love her more. But without a doubt He does, and I'm so grateful for that. Because that, in itself is why I can sleep at night without any problems. How I get up every morning and be the mother and wife I have to be. God is good yall. I pray everyone can experience Him in way that I have been able to through the journey. I pray and ask Him to continue to strengthen my faith more. Give me trials where I have no choice but to have faith. That might sound crazy to some. But....I long for that personal, intimate relationship with Him. Where I have no choice but to run to God because theirs nothing I can do on my own. My life is so much better when its stress free. When all my fears and worries are cast on Him.
I love you all and thanks for all the prayers.

The last part literally took my breath away.  I will admit that I have selfishly prayed, "Please, God, don't ever let that happen to me."  And here, this mom has lost her baby and is asking for more trials so that her faith in God can grow even more.  "Give me trials where I have no choice but to have faith."  That is a prayer filled with faith already!  And so today, as I pray for this mom - who even though she has an amazing faith is still struggling in a very real and human way, I'm sure - as I pray for her, I pray also that God would give me that kind of faith.  Faith that will put aside my selfish desires and say, "God make me completely yours.  Give me no choice but faith!"  How about you?  Have you experienced God in a very real way because of a trial that has been chosen for you by Him?  Have you been able to see your faith grow in a way only God can grow it?  Is a personal and intimate relationship with God your heart's desire?

Wishing you a day full of blessings,

Christy

I Am the Lord Thy God

Just a short post today.  A phrase from the Bible keeps coming to my mind this afternoon.  It is "I am the Lord thy God."  I've been asking myself today if I am living my life as though the Lord is my God, or am I just saying words?  Do I remember that my God is a jealous God.  He wants all of me...not just a part of me.  He wants the best of me...not just the leftovers.  It is easy for me to look at others and criticize them for the compromises to Christianity they seem to be making, but what about me?  Have  I given God the best of my time today?  Have I remembered Him in all that I have done today?  Have I shown Him the greatest love today?  If I am sure to measure everything by those questions, I believe my life would be lived much differently than it has been.  Deep thoughts for this weekend, but it is what is on my heart.  The desire of my heart is that my family and I live a life of excellence for Jesus Christ, but it is so much easier to fall into the compromises and temptations that the world and the flesh offer.  Let's make sure we take time this weekend to renew our desire and vision to live our lives remembering that the Lord is our God - a jealous, holy, righteous, loving and gracious God who desires the very best of our lives.

Wishing you a day full of blessings,

Christy

Do I Have Enough Compassion?

There have been several difficult situations that people around me have had to experience and walk through lately.  This morning, as I was preparing for the day, I was convicted by my lack of sympathy and compassion for some of them.  It is easy to feel sympathy and take action with compassion on good people who are thrust into the middle of bad situations such as a horrible car accident or the devastation of a tornado.  But what about people who put themselves into their own situations because of poor choices?  Do they deserve our compassion?  

Well, at first, I want to shout NO.  They are getting what they deserve!  But, then, I recall to my mind how God looked down on me a sinner and had compassion.  Compassion is not just a feeling of sympathy, but it is a feeling that turns into an action.  You go beyond the way you feel, and you find something to do about it!  God saw the condition of my willful and disobedient heart, and it moved Him to send His Son to take my punishment.  That is an amazing example of compassion!  

As I have gone through the day today, I have been asking God to give me more compassion for people - to not only let me feel "sorry" for them, but to find a way to take action and help them...even if it may only be through a firm commitment to pray for them daily.   I don't know what people or situations God may be placing in your life right now, but I do know that if we Christians are not compassionate, the world will never see the light of our Jesus!  I pray God will burden my heart and show me how I can grow in compassion for those that around me.

But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. ~Psalm 86:15

But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? ~I John 3:17

 Wishing you a day full of blessings,

Christy

In Whatsoever State I Am...Even in the State of Chaos and Disorder!

I usually link upon Fridays to The Homeschool Journal, but because we had so much extra going on this week, and I have not been feeling the greatest, we took this week off.  We were supposed to take next week off anyway, and so we just switched the weeks.  We will begin our last 12 weeks of school next week!  I am enjoying homeschooling all year 'round so far.  I think it keeps us in a routine, and it gives me a little more wiggle room in the middle of the year because we really don't attend any more school days, we just spread it out.  

Our family has been busy spreading the news that we are expecting our sixth baby!  We're all very excited, but Mom is VERRRRYYYY tired.  :(  It has made for a couple of long, long weeks.  My first four pregnancies were normal feel the blah pregnancies, but with Gavin and now with this one, I am so indescribably exhausted, and I'm not doing much...believe me, check out my house!  I had several tests run with Gavin, and the only diagnosis that came back was, "You have four kids that you never take a break from because you've decided to teach them at home, and you are over 30.  What miracles do you expect from us?"  Seriously!  It is definitely a time when I have to remind myself this won't last forever, and I need to choose joyfulness even in the middle of all the mess.  To be honest, I haven't done that very well at all lately.  

To help inspire me, I began reading something by Sally Clarkson, and as I read, the Holy Spirit convicted me!  Here is just one of the many things I underlined as I read Sally's section on contentment.  

"What keeps me from being content is not what God is or isn't supplying; the real problem is that I refuse to adjust my expectations - I want more than can I have, ask for more than I need, strive for more than I can do, and expect more than God has promised!"  

W O W!!!  Did anyone else feel that smack between the eyes?  Right now, the only thing I really want is a pristinely clean house.  Unfortunately, it appears as though I am going to have to adjust my expectations somewhat.  Not that we're going to live like pigs - hopefully - but we're definitely not going to hit the pristine level anytime soon!  I need to readjust my expectations knowing that God has better things for me than a clean house!  

That has been my lesson for the week - one that I am still working on!  I hope this makes sense.  I am writing somewhat in a hurry, but I wanted to post this great quote today!  I pray that you are able to find deep contentment at whatever place you are right now in life.  Let's remember Paul's example in Philippians 4:11.  "I have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content."  (Even if it happens to be a state of chaos and disorder!)

Wishing you a day full of blessings,

Christy

Nothing but God's Grace

In our homeschooling, we have been studying the life and poems of Robert Louis Stevenson.  I love his poetry!  In my own personal life, I have been doing a great amount of thinking and studying on God's grace.  Just today, I came across a quote by Robert Louis Stevenson about God's grace.  Isn't God just good that way?  :)  

There is nothing but God's grace.  We walk upon it; we breathe it; we live and die by it; it makes the nails and axles of the universe. ~Robert Louis Stevenson

How very true!  I am becoming more and more aware of God's grace every day!  It is an amazing thing!

Wishing you a day full of blessings,

Christy