God's Preparations

Several weeks ago I was waiting to go into the church service and as I passed by the library a book caught my attention. It was sitting on the display shelf with several others. I went to it, only that one and grabbed it as if I had already planned on looking for it. I read the title, looked over the back cover, smiled thinking it sounded interesting and checked it out and went on my way. The book is called Love & Respect (The Love she most desires and The Respect he desperately needs) by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs .I started reading it right after church that afternoon. I was hooked after the first paragraph. I heard a whisper say to me that this will be the perfect book and the right time on my journey to read.
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A few days later we were driving out to Cameron for Navajo Tacos and so the boys could ride their dirt bikes. On the way there I had been reading the book. I looked up from it and asked my husband if he thought I respected him. He looked puzzled and then said that he couldn't answer that he didn't know. I asked him to think about it for a while and then I'd ask him again.
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I met a friend for coffee and she asked me if I was reading a book right now and if so what was it. So I told her what it was and she knew immediately about it. She had read it a long time ago. She said that she would get her copy of it out and refresh herself with it so that if I had any questions or comments we could talk about it. I liked the idea. Ironically our conversation that morning went around love and respect. About how my actions and words could lead to a more loving response from him. His actions would start coming across better, in a more loving way that I would respond with respect.
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Apparently I hadn't been listening very well to what the Lord was trying to whisper to me about so I could start applying and practicing some of the things that I had read and discussed with my friend already. He placed a day in my path that I wish had gone a little differently. It was a rough day between my husband and I. You know the type of day, ugly words exchanged, harsh actions and hurtful glances. (note: from that bad day to a week I had set the book aside and refused to look at it, touch or read it)

A few days after that ugly day we met with one of the pastors from our church. A few minutes into the conversation as I listened to what he had to ask and say to my husband a smile appeared on my face with a sideways glance up above my head. I said to myself to God "ok ok I hear you now"
The angle the pastor took was on the subject of Love and Respect.

God had placed that book in my hands. He had set up the coffee conversation that morning. He nudged me to speak up and ask my husband the question. He was in control on the bad day when I was out of control. He gave the pastor the words that went into my ears so I could think about them as they settled in my mind.

God prepares us for his lessons that he places in our hearts as he works on us. God prepares our hearts for Him.

I have continued to read the book, I'm almost finished with it. I will take in the words and assignment from the pastor to heart and work through them and apply them so that my relationship with my husband will continue to grow with Christ in the center. With friends that were placed in my path to offer support and encouragement I will explore Love & Respect and get back with you all as I learn this life lesson.

Always Hope

The last several days have not been all that wonderful. Sure the normal little things of life have been there with the kids, things needing to get done around the house but there have been other things going on lately that had sort of dimmed the light at the end of the tunnel.

Have you ever had a situation that starts with one thing and then harsh words are exchanged and then before you know it what started out with one thing ends up to really be about several other things and by this point things are at their ugliest? I think it would be safe for all of us to answer yes. Situations like that seem to happen so easily and quickly when we are in our selfish mode, don't stop to listen, don't pay attention to the little red flags of warning popping up to tell us to walk away and chill out for a bit then go back and talk it out later.

Life is full of moments that are ugly and I know that those are the moments I need to pay attention to and really look at to learn and grow from despite how many tears I shed out of sadness, brokenness, frustrations and remorse.

These last few days I have learned more about being patient and still, to listen with my heart, to look at myself to redirect back to the center where the true counselor in my life is, and to be humble and ask for forgiveness from the ones that was in my path of ugliness.

During the most desperate feeling of being alone in that dark tunnel it didn't take long to stop and take another look down that tunnel and see that there was a light. A light of shining hope.

I believe that there is always a light of shining hope at the end of the tunnel......always

John 14: 15-17a
"If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. He is the Spirit of truth.

John 14: 25-26
"I have spoken these things to you while I remain wit you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit the Father will send Him in My name-will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you."

John 14: 27
"Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.

Always have peace knowing that THERE IS A SHINING LIGHT OF HOPE at the end of the tunnel.

Heavenly Father, You are all-knowing and all-powerful. You know every decision I need to make and every challenge I face. Please forgive me for the times that I try to figure this life out on my own. I need You. I need Your Holy Spirit to give me strength, wisdom, and direction, specifically concerning ______________. (you know what is in my heart as others have things in their hearts)

In Jesus' Name I pray,
Amen.

My Family

My Family. I'm so blessed to have a wonderful husband that provides for us and loves us. I'm blessed with 4 children that keeps me running around with lots to do, never boring. I enjoy the smiles, laughter, hugs, kisses, frowns and tears. I Love you Lord and I'm so thankful that you are right there watching over each of my loved ones. I love my family so much. Thank you Lord for blessing us with each other.

Only a concert?

Music to a mother’s heart

My ears ring with good noise flowing in and out…
My heart aches with happiness and hope....

The words that came from my daughters mouth that were expressed with deep emotion were her truth. Her truth came from the inside out. My face smiled but my heart leapt with joy as I watched my daughter and listened to her. If I wasn’t so happy I probably would of cried happy tears.

Sometimes I feel like I repeat myself often and that no one hears. I wonder if some of the “seed” I’ve planted has taken root yet. I’m realizing now that God has been there nurturing the “seeds” in my daughter’s heart.

Different things can trigger growth in someone. It could be a memory, a word spoken, an action expressed, a soothing scent, a glance around or a song. A song sung out loudly with so many people crammed into a room with bright lights.

A concert…

The whole atmosphere can be powerful and through it all God can be there beside you holding your hand, working inside you as you enjoy the music. My daughter may have attended a concert and enjoyed the music and fellowship with her friends but she walked away with a new thought in her head and a new message written on her heart.