Annoyances

A very unexpected and annoying thing happened this morning. Our phone number was spoofed and used to make robocalls all around the country. Many of those people called, tried to call us back. Since there is nothing the phone company can do, we decided to stop answering the calls. We created a new voice mail message:

"Some gooberhead decided to use our number to spoof and make robocalls. Our apologies if you were called by our number. Have a wonderful day!"

While the message is a little funny and sarcastic, I felt prompted to use a better choice of words. A few moments after praying about it, I knew there was a better choice of words...HIS. 

This is our new voicemail message:

"Our number was spoofed and used to make robocalls today. Our sincerest apologies; however, please know you are being prayed for, specifically, Ephesians 3:16-21. Have a wonderful day!"

And while it's still annoying to have the phone constantly ringing today, at least now it's a new reminder to pray. If you're reading this, I've prayed these verses over you, too. Let's all find a way to make the little annoyances of life less annoying by turning the focus onto Him. 

Make today for His Glory.

A Letter to my Son as He Graduates

Dear Son, 

You graduate next week. It's such an incredible milestone that is one of many you'll experience in your lifetime. Your Dad and I are so proud of all you've accomplished!

Son, it simply amazes me that we've reached this day in your life, as I could almost swear it was only yesterday we grew our family to four with the addition of you. Dad and I were absolutely thrilled to introduce you to your brother and the rest of our clan. As we experience this moment with you, we can scarcely believe the rapid pace that brought us here!

We've had such high expectations for you. You've risen and far exceeded all of them with great success. We love hearing about your goals and plans for your life; and even more so, we love watching you achieve them. Your passion for life and zest for adventure are some of your greatest assets. Hang on to those as you speed forward into your future. 

As you set new goals, you will find some will take more steps than others; and some will need you to stop and look before moving forward again. Each move will provide you with valuable lessons. Though you probably feel you already have life firmly figured out right now, I want to give you a few tips before you embark on your next journey. 

Go to class. Even though we know there will be days you'd rather be mountain biking & spending time outdoors, go to class. We've invested in you and your future. You're preparing for your future. Going to class will assure you are ready when your future becomes your present. 

Your Dad has worked hard to give you a stable home and encouraging environment. He is such a good example of what a Dad should be, and he's the only other person I know who loves you as much as I love you. Be sure to tell him, "I love you, Dad!" every once in awhile.

Our relationship is going to change. You're entering a new and exciting era of your life, even though you'll be living at home. As you learn to fly, I'll learn to let you go. Some days are going to be a challenge for both of us, as you spread your wings, and I adjust to your new come-and-go schedule. We'll probably make a few mistakes along the way. Just remember, I always have the best intentions. PS...my advice is pretty spot-on most of the time! :)

Continue to grow, stand firm in your faith, and read your Bible. Your great-Grandma told you Bible stands for 
Basic Information Before Leaving Earth. She was right. It is and will always be your Life-Line. As you leave a comfortable group of friends, who pretty much believe the same things you do, you are going to find those beliefs challenged. As you find your place in the world, remember who you are, and Whose you are. You are a child of the Most High God; a living, breathing miracle created in His image for His Glory. When life is going in a direction you didn't plan, cling to this.

When life seems hard, remember, you're not meant to go backwards. Put one foot in front of the other, and keep looking ahead. Life is a journey that only goes in a forward-moving direction. 

We are here when you need us. We want this next year to be the best ever for you. As you figure out what career you want and which path to take, we hope you remember you can discuss anything with us. Even though you'll be living at home, don't forget to hug your Momma's neck every once in a while!

Son, we cannot wait to see where God takes you on your journey! And no matter what...

We will always love you. 

1st Day of School

Last Day of School

Hoping to Gain by Defining Beauty

I began a new bible study this week; and in an effort to help me process what I read, I want to write down my thoughts after each chapter. If you're interested in learning more about the study, click this link

or watch some videos at this link.

I was excited to start this study, hoping to gain some biblical insight and understand what His Word says about the body...then I read the first chapter's discussion questions. My mind swirled and my heart sank. I was going to have to dig deep, truly soul search, if I wanted to gain and glean. The hardest part of growing is the pruning; the clipping back of our beliefs & experiences, so we flourish in Truth and into the beautiful creation He intended.

The most difficult questions for me are the last two of chapter one:

How would you define beauty?

What do you hope to gain through this study?

Define Beauty 

Hmm...do I give the Christianese answer, or the world's viewpoint answer? I turned to my daughter and her friend, and asked them. They are fourteen, and regularly inundated with the obsession of chasing beauty. Their responses were a little surprising, and encouraging:  

Confident

Truthful

Helpful

I have so much to learn! They are looking beyond the surface, and deep into the hearts of the people they admire. 

Hoping to Gain

Not until I prayed about this question, did I realize I still had body image issues. I honestly thought for the most part I had dealt with the history of living life in this flesh He fashioned specifically for me. As I shared with my group what I hoped to gain from this study, tears from deep down bubbled up to the surface...and I'm not a crier by nature. 

My hope is to once-and-for-all truly believe in the depths of my soul that I am who the I AM says I am. I want to KNOW - without any doubt - that all those verses I quote to my children and sisters and friends are intended for me, too. 

Psalm 139:14

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
    Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

Job 10:10-12

You guided my conception
    and formed me in the womb.
11 You clothed me with skin and flesh,
    and you knit my bones and sinews together.
12 You gave me life and showed me your unfailing love.
    My life was preserved by your care.

Genesis 1:26-27

Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” 

So God created human beings in his own image.
    In the image of God he created them;
    male and female he created them.

So today, I begin earnest prayer. As I seek the Truth of beauty, I seek His transformation of my perceptions on this subject and a willing heart prepared to accept what He shows me in this journey. May my desires for the perfect body, instead match His desires for me to glorify Him with the body I've been given. It's time to move and grow. 

How do you define beauty?

Does the way you view your body

inhibit your walk with God?

The Journey to Steady

Click image to link up to FMF "Steady"

To participate in Five Minute Friday, all you have to do is write for five minutes on the word of the week, post your words on your own blog, and link up the post here.  This is meant to be a free write, which means: no editing, no over-thinking, no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation. Just write.

Today's prompt:  STEADY

People often ask me how I manage the life I've been given. There is so much I don't share on this blog. You, reader, only get to see the glimmer I allow you to view. Today, I'll share just a little bit more personal than I usually do. I know I won't be able to go in depth because of time allowances, but here is a glimpse...

BEGIN...

Almost a decade ago, my dearest declined in health which forced a retirement from his career twenty-five years before he planned. It shifted the axis of our world, throwing our entire family off-kilter while we figured out our new life. 

We were a self-reliant couple. One of the qualities that first drew me to him was his quiet, inner strength. He worked hard, played hard, and I just knew he was the one God intended for me to spend with my days on this earth. 

I'm just as independent as my best friend, my love, my husband. We typically didn't turn to others when something went awry. We figured it out and went about fixing or doing what needed done. 

When life as we knew it came to a halt, we were thrown into a stunning new scenario. Life's dreams were ceased. Career pursuits halted, and honestly, we had no idea where we were going or what we were to be doing. 

And that has become the biggest blessing in our lives. 

Because these self-reliant, independent creatures we were suddenly had nowhere to turn ...except to our God. We learned to truly rely on Him. He is where we could draw strength. He is our might. He is the Source.

When the storms of life toss us, instead of flailing our arms helplessly about, we choose to lift them up, knowing He will be there to grab hold. He is our STEADY.

...STOP

We are forever grateful for the journey He's given us. 

We praise Him for showing us how to rely on Him.

The Need for Approval

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? 
Or am I trying to please man?
If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Galatians 1:10

Let me just start out by saying, 'This is not a soapbox rant.' ツ 

I've been feeling this pull for a few days now. A pull to unplug from the quick-connect of social media for a while. While I dearly love Twitter (and now Instagram!), there's this need deep inside my heart to step away from all the tweets, retweets, likes, and hearts. 

After reading Galatians 1 this week, verse 10 leapt off the page. Now, I know I'm taking the verse a bit out of context to apply it to my situation (Paul is talking about his preaching the Gospel); however, hear me out. 

I like all the likes and hearts. I enjoy seeing how many people my posts reach. I truly love to encourage others by sharing my thoughts on His Word. But lately, I've had to stop and ask myself...

Am I doing this my glory or for His?

And that's where the need to step away and post less frequently applies to me. The change came about when I acquired one of those 'smart' phones. Social media was within reach whenever I wanted to look...and I've been looking too much. My nose has been glued to that little screen at times...and I don't like that. I like to experience life as it happens. I want to experience life as it happens. 

So, I deliberately removed all those fun little apps, and turned my phone back into its intended purpose...to connect with my teens and family and friends via text or (gasp!) a voice call. 

It's only been a few days, but I already feel so much better. My heart doesn't feel the need to see who liked what. I am more focused in my Quiet Time. Instead of reading and subconsciously thinking, "Now, which part of that verse/quote should I share?" I am intentionally centralizing my thoughts to, "Father, what are you speaking to me?"

While I'm not giving up on social media all together, I plan on you seeing me less frequently. I'm looking forward to going down this path He has set...though I won't be sharing much about it. ツ Relying on Him to show me the way. 

How does social media
affect your day-to-day life?

We Are Still Standing

My patriot heart squeezes tight today as I remember.

Men & women became instant heroes before my eyes on the screen of my tiny television...watching in a back room so my babies could not view terror unfolding. I know I will shed a few tears today as we honor the souls of 9/11.

I didn't want to send my kids to school today. There have been local threats posted on social media. Officials say the threats are innocuous. I know I have no control over their days on this earth; however, my Momma-heart stirs. Little palpitations of worry. I refuse to live in fear. That would make the terrorists the winners, wouldn't it? I sent them on their way, giving them an extra hug & kiss today. 

I believe in God's plan for us. I believe He uses all things...even the bad experiences...for the good of His glory. I don't understand it, but I faithfully cling to this truth. I rise up against the evil one, who would love nothing more than for me shrink back and give in to the frightening whispers of terror. 

I choose to stand firm, armed with Truth, as I remember that day with my family, my friends, my nation.

Fourteen years may have passed, but WE WILL NEVER FORGET.

Our flags may be lowered, but they are still waving.

(¯`·..· WE ARE STILL STANDING ·..·´¯)

When Someone You Trust Fails You

Taking 10 minutes to type out these thoughts, so I can continue with my day & breathe. I am not editing, and it will probably seem a bit disconnected; but I just need to get it out of my head & move on.

I am in the middle of a life storm.

One of my daughter's teachers was arrested for criminal sexual misconduct of a minor, 2nd degree.

This is a teacher whom my daughter admires. She talks of her almost every day. She has told me she loves her and her class. I am completely sickened and saddened...and I don't know how to tell my kid.

My knee-jerk reaction was to pull her from school.  Middle school is tough enough. My daughter has been exposed to so much of the world this year...more than I ever knew at her tender age. I don't understand the world & why it allows our children to have their innocence shattered so young. It makes me physically ill to dwell upon it, but I must for the sake of my child.

I continue to pray for the right words, because I know my daughter will hurt when I tell her. I know she will have questions for which I have no answers. And while I know I cannot protect her from the mean and vile of the world, I can use this as a teachable moment.

Good people we admire make mistakes, sometimes awful choices, which can scar and affect us for a lifetime. This is extremely disappointing, but it shows us where (and Who) we should place our admiration.

Love the person, hate the sin. This teacher has taken a big fall in her life. She doesn't seem to deserve any grace, but isn't that what God offers us daily?

Watch what you say, and don't feed the rumor mill at school. NOTHING will be gained from talking about what you know or think you know about this awful situation.

Remember the victim. And the student is a victim. She has to go through the rest of her life with possible trust issues, because someone who was supposed to be looking out for her actually put her in a threatening and compromising position. 

Predators don't always come in mean packages. Your beautiful teacher bears an ugly heart which was intent on feeding a base need. The boogey-man doesn't always appear scary. He or she can be quite attractive to entice you into their mean world.

Listen to your inner-voice. God gave it to you to help protect you. If an adult, or anyone for that matter, does something that makes you uncomfortable, shout, 'No!' and run from them. If you can't run, and they say not to tell your Mom & Dad, that's when you truly should tell us No matter what that person says or does, we won't be mad at you. Even if they say they will harm or hurt us, tell us anyway. That is a sign they are doing something they know is wrong. Our job is to protect you. You won't be in trouble. 

If all else fails and you can't get away, sweet girl, stick your finger down your throat and throw-up on them. That should buy you enough time to run away...because who wants puke all over them? Nasty! This is the one time it's okay to do that. 

I am in earnest prayer about homeschooling next year. I waffle back and forth about it. The world can be an awful place, full of nothing I want my children to see. What do I do? Do I shelter her a bit longer? Do I remind her she is to be a light in the darkness? It's a constant, nagging worry. I'm doing my best to give it to God, but it ain't easy. 

This world wants my children, and it's my time to shout, 'No!' I can only stand in the gap, prayer a hedge of protection of them, and put my trust in Him and His plan. Their days are already numbered, as are mine. I can either shrink and crumble, staying in my little bubble of life, or I can rely on Him to see us through this storm. Sigh.