I’m The One

This was one of the first songs I learned to sing as a child. And today I wanted to share it with you to remind us all of the sacrifice that was made for us.

As we go about our Easter weekend, I hope we will remember that Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world. I pray as we focus on that thought this weekend that we will remember that we are the ones for whom Jesus gave His life.

There lays the crown that fell from his head, oh the blood is dried on the thorns And there lie the sandals they took from his feet, oh see how they’re dusty and worn. There stands a mother in tears for she’s just lost her son. He died on the cross for someone he didn’t know And I just realized I’m the one.

I’m the one he shed His life’s blood to save And I’m the reason he rose from the grave. And I’m the reason for those worn out sandals you see And He walked every mile, just for you and for me.

When I remember all the times I refused all the love that He offered me, I just couldn’t see how the sinner I was could be changed by His agony. Oh but now it’s so clear, I’m pardoned by God’s Holy Son. He died on the cross for someone He didn’t know. And I just realized I’m the one.
~unsure who wrote this song~

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Enjoy the Journey

I want to share with you where my journey is taking me. My prayer is that it will bless your heart and encourage you as you walk along your own personal path each day.

My dad, ever the sweet loving joker, says that since birth I have been giggly and loud and have always had something to say.

When I was a little girl, we would go to stay with my grandparents. As we would lie there at night, talking about all kinds of stuff, my grandma would softly pat me and say, ” We have to quit talking and get some sleep.”

Even as an adult, I get teased about always talking and having something to say.

When I was younger, I didn’t quite know how to take all the jokes. While I knew it was done lovingly, it often left me wondering if there was something wrong with me. Maybe God had made a mistake.

As I have gotten older I realize that God did not make a mistake. He gives us gifts, and in His time, He will reveal His plan for them.

I guess you could say I have the gift of gab. I have always enjoyed communicating with people. I find talking is a way for me to clear my head, to get it all out there so I can sort through it.

I also enjoy writing. As a young girl, I always kept with me something in which I could jot down my thoughts. As a teenager, I discovered my love for poetry. Little did I know that God was preparing me to minister for Him.

One day, we walked in to church, and found laying on our pew a beautiful little, flower-covered journal. It had silver tipped pages and a scripture on the front which read, “Delight yourself in the Lord.” Psalm 37:4. A friend of mine had left it for me; and later she told me that she saw it and thought about me.

I took that journal home and sat it on the table. As it sat there day after day, I would pass by it and think, ” I need to write in that.”

One day, I decided to make it my prayer journal. I picked it up and jotted my prayer list in it, and said my prayers.

The next day I decided to jot my thoughts down in it, and that is when I heard God speak to me. In my heart, I heard Him say, “Write for me.” “Share your thoughts with those around you.” At the time, I did not quite know what that meant, but my daddy always taught us to listen when God speaks.

I took what I had just written and I shared it with those around me. I was amazed at the response it got. It was at that moment that I knew what God wanted me to do.

I have prayed, from that day forward, that God would take my words and bless them, that He would use me as a tool to bless those around me. And I feel that He is doing that every day.

I don’t know where your journey is leading you, but there are a few things I want you to remember along the way.

God doesn’t make mistakes. It says in Genesis 1:27 that God made man in His own image.

Whatever your gift is, God wants to use it for His glory. (Romans 12:6a)

When God calls, answer! Even if you don’t understand at the time, be available. (Isaiah 6:8)

And last, but not least, enjoy the journey. God has blessed us with this wonderful thing called life and He wants to bless it. ( Jeremiah 29:11)

I pray today that we will let God lead us. I know there are amazing things ahead if we will only trust in His plan.

A Day in the Life of Us.

Joshua 24:15 KJV

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord , choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord .

Want to know what a day in our house is like? Well, I can tell you this much, it is never boring. Between the five of us, there  is always something going on. School, homework, work, church, and family is  what our days are all about. With God’s grace we always seem to get it all in.

Our days start early around here, well for my husband and I anyway. My mornings are filled with my quiet time and coffee first. I like to take this time to have my devotion and prayers, and to see what God lays on my heart to write. After that, things really get going! Once the kids are up, it is nonstop for the rest of the day. 

School keeps us busy most of the day, but we really enjoy getting to learn together. I think I have learned as much teaching as I did when I went through it myself. I feel so blessed to get to be a part of my children’s education. A lot of memories are made in one school day.

Our evenings back at home are one of my favorite times. After homework is done and supper is cooked, we all enjoy getting to spend time together catching up on the day. There is always a story to tell, an accomplishment to share, and sometimes yes, there is a conflict to solve. But all in all it is a peaceful time.

Bedtime can be a production to say the least. The actual sleeping part is pretty peaceful, but getting there is where the fun part comes in. For some reason, unknown to parents, miraculous things happen at bedtime. Bellies that were full, all of the sudden are hungry and thirsty; Potty brakes triple; and somehow, that one thing that was left unsaid just has to come out. Finally, when we feel all hope is lost, everyone is tucked in, multiple hugs have been handed out and the kids are headed off to dream the many dreams of children.

If my husband and I are lucky, we get to have a couple of minutes to talk about our day and anything that may need to be discussed before sleep overtakes us.

Life in our house can be crazy from time to time, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything in this world! We have been blessed beyond measure. We are sure to thank God for that every day.

As I look back over the years, there were times I couldn’t see past the next bottle or the next dirty diaper. Now, I can look and see God’s hand so clearly. I feel very blessed to have the family we have and I can not wait to see what other things God has in store for us.

Monsters In The Dark

When I was a little girl, I was scared of the dark. I did not like sleeping in my own bed alone and certainly not in the dark. I was so sure that as soon as I was tucked in, the light
was out, and I was alone, that from somewhere in the darkness, something was waiting to get me.

Now looking back, I realize that was silly. I finally realized, though it took me a while, that there was nothing there in the dark that wasn’t there in the light.

Today, I find myself in a similar situation. While I’m not in my bed scared of the dark, I am still facing an uncertain time in my life. You see, I feel God has opened a door for me, a way to minister for Him.But, as sometime is the case, I can’t see all that lies ahead of me. I feel like God has shown a light to guide me this far, but there are still things I am waiting for God to reveal to me.

I find myself with a decisions to make. Will I “hide my head under the cover?” Or will I boldly take that step of faith and walk through God’s door of opportunity?

We all face this situation in our own lives. God stands at the door of your heart and knocks, or He opens a door of opportunity for you, and you have to decide what to do.

Satan wants to stand behind you and whisper doubt into your ear. He will tell you that you’re going to fail, that you’re not good enough, or that you just can’t do it. You see, in John 8:44 Jesus describes Satan as ” the father of all lies.” Satan knows that if he can get you to doubt yourself that he can defeat you.

Jesus says, in John 8:12, ” I am the light of the world, whosoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” God has great plans for your life and He wants to guide you in those plans. He may not lay it all out at once for you to see.

The first steps of faith are yours to take. The door is open; the way is lit. Will you walk by faith and let God reveal all He has for you today?

Or, will you listen to the “father of lies?” Letting doubt and fear steal your joy and all the wonderful things God has for you.

I pray today, as I step out in faith, that you will do the same thing in your own life. Wherever you are, and wherever you are going, God is already there, holding the light, waiting for you to move.

Life Has Many States: What Will You Do With Them?

Philippians 4:11 KJV

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

I understand that this verse is not talking about physical states, but as I read it, I can’t help but think of our years as a missionary family.

Growing us as a missionary kid I often found myself in many different state, meeting many different people. We met a lot of new people and we also made a lot of great friend.

We were blessed to be a part of many great experiences of which I have many fond memories. We were able to go deep sea fishing in New Jersey. We got to go to Six Flags over Georgia, and even got to spend some time in the Carolinas. Those are memories that I will hold onto forever.

We also found ourselves in states that were not so enjoyable. These states were not physical states, however they were emotional and mental states. Many times we found ourselves in a state of loneliness as we had to leave loved ones behind in order to do God’s work. At times we found ourselves in a state of exhaustion from the many miles we would travel raising support for our ministry. And finally we found ourselves in a state of helplessness as our family faced a tragedy that we had no idea how to overcome.

I can relate to Paul as he speaks about the different “states” in which he found himself. But, I am also very encouraged by the words that he has for us in Philippians 4:11 as he says, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Looking back over the years, I see how God brought us through each state. Whether physical or mental, God had a plan for each one. He knew just what He was doing as he guided us each step of the way.

I hope as you read this, that you will find some encouragement in this story. I pray that as God takes you through each state of your life, that you will allow Him to speak to you, use you, and speak through you.

My prayer is this: As we share in God’s word together, I want us to make a point to be content wherever God takes us.