My Life Resolution; Not New Years

I've been contemplating for quite some time now what it is that I want to blog about.  I've gone back and forth between resolutions and time for change.  Then I thought, well they both really can go hand in hand.

Resolutions are always made, most of the time always broken.  I have been guilty of always making a New Year's resolution every year and for the first month or so doing very well at it.  Stop spending money on coffee, go to the gym, read more watch less, keeping the house clean, eating dinner at the table every night, making dinner every night.  Getting up earlier to have my time to read my Bible, or do my study, write a letter to someone I haven't seen in a decade.

Every year they are all met with great expectations and the determination to actually follow through with all these "things" I want to change about myself and my life.  Of course they are all for the better...right?.  

This year was no different, I hummed and hawed about what is was that I really wanted to change about my life, what was it that really needed to be different?  I've been going to the gym, making coffee at home, making dinner, having friends over, doing my study, reading my Bible, eating at the dinner table.

Then I decided that I am not going to make a New Year's resolution, but I am going to make a life change.  I am going to change my attitude.  For those of you that know me, I am sure that you are so relieved to hear this.  I am going to change my attitude and be content as to where God puts me, who He puts in my life, and what He gives (or takes away) from me.  I know, HUGE "resolution" if you will.

It's not really a resolution, because it's in the Bible that we are to be content in all we do anyway.   Here are a few places it tells of this. Taken from the book "The Resolution for Women". Although it really is from The Book.

• "True godliness with contentment is itself great wealth." 1Timothy 6:6 NLT
• "If we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content." 1Timothy 6:8 AMP
• " Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

Now, writing that is much different than reading it for some odd reason.  The Bible does not say if you have a 10 course meal for every meal, and Puma sneakers you will be content; it says with food and clothing.  That could be a cup of rice and a loin cloth.  How many of us get so concerned that we don't have the right clothes for a wedding or the right food to serve our guests?  Does it really matter?  Not according to Him.  As long as you are clothed and fed, you should be content.  It also means that if you have the big meals and expensive sneakers that you might not necessarily be content; even though you have all the material pocessions you think you need.

It also doesn't say that you have to be poor in order to be content.  He says keep your character free from the love OF money.  Never having enough money.  That is discontentment.

My favorite though is true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth! Contentment is great wealth!

You mean if I can be content through all of the external circumstances than I am considered wealthy?!  What an awesome thing!!!  The apostle Paul is one of great contentment.  "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am". Philippians 4:11  Also taken from "The Resolution for Women".

Paul had been beaten, stoned, he was in prison facing death, but yet, he chose to be content.  Amazing!!

I have a hard time being content staying at home, wanting to constantly redecorate the house, or wanting the newest car and hottest fashion.  Could I ever be like Paul and be content while in prison waiting to see if I would live or die?  Could I really ever be content where I am working or not working, content with the amount of money I make?  Content with the shoes that need to be repaired?  Hmmm, I'm not sure that this is a change or resolution that I can actually follow through on.

However, God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.   2 Corinthians 9:8

HE IS ABLE TO GIVE US EVERYTHING WE MAY EVER NEED!

Not just food, not just shelter, but EVERYTHING!!! How absolutely amazing is that?!!

So, as I start this journey of contentment, I am excited as well as a little nervous as to what God is going to change or keep in my life.  But, whatever the change, I'm sure with Him I will be able to be content in my life resolution.

Because of Him,
Michelle

Black Friday Shoppers Are Crazy!

He he! I love this title because I am one of them!  Every year for the past 5 years, I would have to say that I have gone out black Friday shopping.  It all started with my mother and sisters-in-laws.  I'm not sure I had many to buy for then besides Adam, and the few gifts I bought for my parents, but it was a good time had by all followed by lunch at Applebee's.

For the past 2 years I have gone with a dear friend who has a list of what to get and where to go first.  I have to admit that last year was so much fun, I was oh so eager to go this year and add another fabulous friend to the chaos.  When we arrived at Old Navy, the line was not so bad, but as we got in, the line snaked through the store as people waited to pay for their best deals.

Why are we all so eager to save a few bucks? To stand out in the freezing cold?  What is it about Black Friday that gets everyone's adrenaline pumping and hearts racing?

What if we could be so eager and enthuziastic about GOD?  Isn't He reason why we are shopping at midnight;  beginning to prepare for the celebration of His birth?  Why can't we be like the people at sports games that paint their faces and their stomachs for that matter, routing for the team that they want to win?  Aren't we supposed to be routing for our Father?  Aren't we supposed to be putting ourselves out there, sometime looking like a fool to others?  Aren't our hearts and minds supposed to be pumping the love of our God through ourselves to others around us?

Why is it so difficult to be so into God like it is to be so into the Patriots or the Red Sox (or the "other" teams if you must).  Why do we spend so much on tickets to games, team hats and jerseys but when it comes time to buy a new Bible or study, we think twice about the price?

Why is it not o.k. to say Merry Christmas now?  Why must people say Happy Holidays?  No, I do not celebrate the holidays, I celebrate Christmas, and if you don't, let's have a conversation.  Let me show you how crazy I am about my God, and how He changed my life, and better yet, how He can change yours.  Why is that so difficult for us?

Is it because we are looked at as being crazy?  Who really cares?  It can't be any worse then the beer gut that is painted with Yankee colors. (Had to get in my jab).

So, my challenge for all of us this Christmas is to be so energetic, crazy, and totally into our God that some people may think we are crazy.  After all, we may just be that.

Because of Him,
Michelle

Standing Strong

As I sat down to write this evening, I was sure that I was going to have a great message to talk about.  Instead, I have ended up with a blank brain.  So, instead of writing about how awful my week was, and how everything went oh so wrong, I'm going to sit here and explain how my week went, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Everything started on Saturday when Adam came home from work and woke me telling me that our van had been vandalized sometime between 6:00 Friday night and 8:00 Saturday morning.  Yes, our van was one of the 12 that had it's windows smashed in.

Monday night, someone decided to run a red light and ended up colliding into my new car that we just purchased in April.  Our niece Allie has been staying with us while she goes to school in Augusta, and her and Molly ventured out to Target, and ended up in an accident.  And, the weird part about this whole thing is that not one ounce of me is upset that some one else's lack of patience totaled our new car.  Yes, our new car has been declared a total loss.  No one was hurt though, that is the amazing part of this whole story.

Wednesday Shylah was supposed to have a follow up appointment with her doctor because she has been dealing with an ear infection and pneumonia.  Well, they scheduled us with the wrong doctor, so that got postponed until Monday.

Last night I left Willow's electric heater running all night, with her door shut and a blanket sleeper on her. Needless to say, she woke up very early this morning sweaty and thirsty.

Today, I worked 1/2 a day and then had the van window replaced.

That was my week at a glance.  How, after all that going on, can I still be o.k. with everything? I'm exhausted, yes, but it makes no sense to sit here and grumble when there is absolutely nothing I can do about it all.  Can't take the baseball bat out the person's hands, I can't make it so the light was still green, or that the nurse had scheduled Shylah with the correct doctor.  And I certainly couldn't change the weather so that it hadn't rained until after the window was replaced in the van.

So, with tired eyes, one less car, and a wet behind, I have figured out that prayer actually DOES work.  I am not one to pray for patience and anyone that knows me knows I believe that the odds of God not giving you the opportunity to be patient is slim to none, and I'm not willing to take that chance. But, when I go to Him just open and fully aware that I need His guidance, understanding, grace, and wisdom, it comes with such abundance that it's over flowing.  I am not saying that I have not raised my voice to my children, because I certainly have tonight, but I am saying that with everything going on, I'm still at peace with it all.

And that is not from my own doing.  I am not one to sit back and let things happen without a good fight, but, I guess I have finally waived the white flag.

I am not strong enough to do this on my own.  When we finally lay it all on our Father, things don't seem as big.  Sure, we are a car short and penny-less, but, we weren't promised perfection in THIS life. And sometimes we can sit and dwell on things while we hang out on our pity pots, or we can go to Him and rejoice that we can actually get off our pity pots and flush.

I am so thankful that I have a great family,  great in-laws, a great group of friends, and most of all, an all knowing, all powerful Father!  He knows how I feel, He knows that I am so at awe about what has happened lately that I look up at Him and ask "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" But, I have to remember that through the struggles, there is a lesson, there is a story, there is a testimony, there is a reason.

So, as big as my struggles feel, there is a God standing right beside me climbing that mountain with me.  Telling me that everything is going to work out, not to worry, He's got my back.  He'll carry me through the nasty swamps and mucky waters.  He'll be my shield in the battle of life.  That through all this, there is bound to be something much greater on the other end.  That no matter what the week looked like, it is just a milli-second of time compared to what I have to look forward to with Him.

I hope you will join me in standing strong with Him during our crazy, undesirable life moments.

Because of Him,
Michelle

Life Got In The Way, Or Did It?!

The above title could mean lots of things.  It could mean that someone has stumbled in life, in addiction, in their job, in their walk with God, in their marriage, with their finances, with their health.  There are so many possibilities that the words "life got in the way" could reference.  In the case I am making tonight, it means just as it reads life got in the way.

Why does it always seem as though life interrupts everything?  School, work, time with loved ones, personal time for yourself, time with friends? Why is the reason for failing to follow through with a commitment that you have contracted with yourself or someone else always "well, you know life got in the way?"  I use that expression as though it lived in the same house as me.  As though it sits down with my family at the dining room table for dinner. Well, you know I couldn't make it to the gym because life got in the way; I'm sorry I didn't call you back when I said I would, life got in the way and I forgot;  I know I was supposed to have a girls' day with you but, life got in the way.  This may sound harsh, but WHAT THE HECK DOES THAT MEAN???

As I pondered this just this very minute, it came to me that it is in fact an excuse I use when I've screwed up.  When I don't want to own up to the decisions I have made.  In fact, the reason I haven't been to the gym in 2 weeks, isn't because life got in the way, it's because I've been to lazy to go.  There, I said it.  It stung just a little bit, not nearly as much as I thought it would.  I didn't call you back because when I said I was, I didn't make a mental note that if I didn't call you it might hurt your feelings. I haven't gone on a girls' day because I fill my calendar up way to full, and didn't realize how much you need time away.  I didn't read my Bible, or get on my knees to pray in the past month because I didn't make it a priority.  I put my selfishness in front of all the things that really matter.

Judge Judy doesn't care if I watch her or not, her feelings aren't going to get hurt if I forget to call her.  However, my dear friend's feeling may get hurt if they are looking forward to our conversation.  The person who is struggling may so desperately need a girls' night, or even just a cup of coffee and a shoulder to lean on just to get through another day.

I am so guilty of my excuse life just got in the way, that I've been leaning on that as my way to ignore or surpass the things that really matter.

My life gets so much better when I go to the Lord in prayer, open my Bible and study His word and what He is trying to say to me.  My life gets so much fuller when I can reach out to those in need, especially if they don't know Him, or are coming back to Him, or are trying to get to know Him. My life is so much better when I chase my kids around the house instead of plopping down on the couch when I get home from work.  My life is so much better when I don't let myself get in the way.

My you not get in His way for your life here!

Because of Him,
Michelle

I'll Be Out On The Front Steps!

I've done it again! I have 9, yes you read that right NINE children at my house tonight all ages 11 and under.  With 1 adult to supervise the whole meeting.  That one adult would be me!  What was I thinking?  I'm not sure that I was.  But on a serious note, I love each and everyone of these children that I have in my home.  They are all friends, and they all have their own idiosyncrasies that make each of them unique and for some reason they all work.

Now, when Shylah & Molly found out that we were going to have company tonight, and that they were going to have other people to play with besides each other, something happens to them.  They get all excited, they can't contain their emotions and they each have a smile from ear to ear.  Why is that?

Why is it that kids get all excited to have some one to play with, talk to, spend time with, and share secrets with?  Is it because they know what joy really is? Is it because they love sharing their time with people that understand them? Is it because they have a special connection that makes it so exciting to be together?

What about adult girlfriends, or ladies Bible studies, or a girls' night out.  What makes us so happy about getting together with our girl friends that we are absolutely gitty and so unbelievably disappointed if the plans fall through?  Is it because we miss that bonding time, is it because we miss the deep, genuine talks?  Is it because we can tell our friends exactly how we feel about something, and feelings aren't hurt, because we know that it is said out of love for the other person?  I love it when me and a couple of my friends get together and we can just sit and talk to each other from the heart.

I am sure God put our friends in our lives for this purpose, for our friends to fill our hearts and speak to us truthfully about life.   What if we ran to God with the excitement that we have when we are getting together with our friends, if we ran to God with open arms, so excited to talk to him that we couldn't stop smiling.  That we told God how we were really feeling, but knowing that His feelings weren't getting hurt because we were speaking to Him in love.  Or, if it was the other way around, if we heard what God was saying to us, and even if we didn't like it, we knew that it was all out of His love for us.

Don't you think that God wants us to be so excited to see Him, and talk to Him, and pour out our hearts to Him that we can hardly contain ourselves?

Maybe we need to be more like the 9 children that are tearing my house apart right now.  Maybe we need to be so excited to spend time with our Father that we can't wait another minute.  Can you imagine how close we would become to our greatest friend?  Can you imagine how full our hearts would be?  How big our smiles would be?

So, as I finish this, I'm hearing the team work, and the giggles, and the excitement of friends being together.  Even if I'm out numbered.  Even if I will be deaf in the morning, or out of sugary snacks.

The bond that these kids are forming are hopefully going to be for a lifetime.  Just like our bond with our Heavenly Father will be for an eternal lifetime!

So, while these kids are turning my house upside down, I will be out on the front steps, taking it all in.

Because of Him,
Michelle

Taking A Moment

Today I'm exhausted! Work stresses me out, and sends my blood pressure through the roof.  I always said that I would never be a stay at home mom, but it's got to be easier than working AND being a mom...Right? I know right now, there is no feasible way for me to stay home and be with my kids, maybe that will happen when they are all in school.  Oh that would almost be heaven.

A whole day without children.  Oh what would I do with my time?  Maybe my laundry would always be done, and the sink empty.  Maybe the laundry that was done would actually be put away in the drawers they belonged in.  Maybe my shower would be white, and not beige with a hint of brown.  Maybe you could walk on my floors with out your feet turning black.  Maybe supper would always be on time, and the fridge would never be empty.  Oh what a wonderful world that would be.

But, is God using me to witness to those I work with, whether my job stresses me out or not?  I'm sure He is.  Actually, I KNOW He is. My attitude during the day and how I handle those who rub me the wrong way, and talk nonsense about me is a reflection on how close my walk with God really is.  If I cuss them out and talk bad about them behind their backs, and whisper and gossip, that is not only a horrible reflection on me, but of my Father.   He has taught me better than that, and I need to remember that always; no matter where I am.

Even though I came home tonight wishing that I had called in sick, I had to change modes and enter the Mommy mode.  The mode where needy, and some unhappy patients turned into whining and fussing children.  Where mouths full of cavities turned into a bloody nose.  Where insurance frustrations turned into obeying problems.

As tired as I am, eyes burning, longing for the moment that I can put on my pajamas and put my head on my pillow, We, as a family sat down to eat dinner at the table, went outside to play stuck in the mud in the pitch black, and read my girls stories before they went to bed.  Just because my day was a total disaster, doesn't mean that I can't take that moment to let my kids know how very much they are loved.  And just to hear them squealing and laughing running around the backyard, makes my heart so giddy, that my worries from work earlier today don't seem to quite matter as much.  And, it doesn't really matter if my feet turn black inside the house, my kids didn't seem to care.

Take a moment to clear your head from work, the nasty cashier at the check out line, or the car that totally cut you off on the interstate.  Take a moment to remember that our day couldn't have been worse than the pain that our Father went through to give us this life that we are supposed to be living for Him.

Take a moment to remember that we are our children's role models, that we shape who they will become.  Just think, if they see us taking a moment to go to God and ask for help throughout the day, or they see us getting frustrated, but taking a moment to make good out of bad, they will model what they are shown.  Who cares if the dishes are done, or the laundry put away, or if you work at a job, or work at home? No matter what we do, we need to take a moment and remember that we're supposed to do it all for Him!

Because of Him,
Michelle

When the Time is Right

Well all, it's been a few weeks since I've last written.  Okay, maybe a month or so.  Either way, it's been too long.  Since we last chatted, we have gone on vacation, Shylah has turned 6, Adam has worked too many hours, my 5K is done and over with (with a time of 54 min, but I finished), we have had some renovations done to the house, thanks to some great friends, and my girls have run me ragged.

I am not one that asks for help much, and Adam is even more stubborn that I am in that regards.  However, I am an open book and I often spill too much of my life story than anyone really wants to know.  I can do many things well, but often take on way to much for me to handle.  I overwhelm myself with trying to be in 5 places at once, have a to-do list a few miles long, and am so rundown, that I would just love to stay in bed for a day to re-coup.

But, anyway, back to asking for help.  We often struggle with asking our friends, family, co-workers, bosses, fellow church members for help.  WHY?!  Didn't God put them in our path so we could be a blessing to them, and vise versa? And, on that note didn't God say to come to Him in prayer with all of our needs and they would be heard? Didn't God say that He would take care of us, in all aspects of our life?

Doesn't God want us to rely on Him for our everyday troubles? Our everyday hurts? Our everyday needs? And in return all He asks for is the glory?

Well friends, I am guilty of not asking for help, for not having a conversation with my biggest fan, for not pouring my entire heart out to Him. I am guilty of only giving Him the pieces that I WANT help with.  Not necessarily what I NEED help with.

Remember, I am not giving advise, and am in no way saying I'm an expert. I am simply writing my thoughts and tribulations down on paper (maybe not paper to be exact) in hopes that maybe one of my readers is going through the very same thing.  That my life may be an insight to what is happening with your life as well.

So, I am challenging all of us, to put down our walls, lower our pride, and ask for help.  Not just for things we want, but even things we know will be a struggle to obtain.  Will you walk along with me in this venture?  So when the time is right, we can help others who may ask for it, or who may not know they need help.

Because of Him,
Michelle