The Struggle To Keep Smiling

G'morning!

Here I am typing this entry by the light of the fish aquarium.  I don't want to turn on all the lights as I don't like to wake people up.  Did you know that children were people to?!  They deserve as much courtesy as a stranger in the store.  That's the only way they'll learn it!  When you give to your children patience, they will give patience to each other.  When you are snappy with them, they become snappy with each other.  Etc., etc.

I am a bit ashamed of my most recent behavior, but at least I am more rested today.

God has been blessing us immensely.  He's been giving and giving until our cup has not only been over flowing ~ but is now reaching the spill-over-onto-others stage.

In all this glorying, I fall short and really~ flat on my face.

It's so embarrassing.

Friends, I have everything to smile about, and yet exhaustion seeks to smother my happiness.  I'm still praying.  I'm still following God's Word.  I still believe that all things work together for good.  My faith in God is strong.  I'm just struggling to smile lately.

I'm not angry.  I'm not mad.  But my face has resumed a downward position and it is NOT flattering.

I'm *sigh*-ing more often and while I am still standing on God's promises ... Well, I'm just having a difficult time here!

No one has been majorly wounded by my disposition, rather, I may be just the only one who has noticed the difference.  But it's bothering me.

When you pray to the One True God, please remember me.  I need the joy of the LORD to burst forth from within so the Holy Spirit can shine onto the lives of others through me.  God bless you, as always, and more also this day. 

7:24 AM - Tuesday, June 10, 2008 - comments {1} - post comment

Maybe It's Tuesday.

Good morning!  I meant to bring you updates yesterday.  I should not have said I'd be making an entry ... though I did make an entrance once or twice.  The writing nerves left my fingers each time.

Ah, good day.  I pray you are having a wonderful one!  I pray you're not fighting with your husbands today.  You may fight for your husband, as God expects you to through prayer, but fighting with him is altogether another matter.  Changing your husband is not your battle - that belongs to God.

God says that when you are kind and gentle; respectful and soft-spoken to your husband that he will be won over to God because of your elegant character.

A wife of noble character who can find? ... Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

Proverbs 31:10-12

"Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful.

They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear." 

1 Peter 3:1-6

"... wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything." 

1 Timothy 3:11

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We have been painting all morning!  I enjoy painting.  I can see the progress and at least know where I'm at.  Did you know it can be that way with all things?  I just read that this morning in Proverbs.  Chapter 16, verse 3 states "Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts will be established."  And surely we all remember Chapter 3 which simply says "Acknowledge Him (God) in all your ways and He will direct your paths!"

Any job can be a pleasure if done unto the LORD!  Though ... it is difficult to do some things even unto the LORD when I really despise them!  Like ... the tedious job of scraping paint.  It is then my prayers come out more like a lamenting Psalm than a shout of praise. 

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As some of you know, we have a vegetable garden.  It is quite large, as the LORD has blessed us.  About a month ago, while looking out the back door, I envisioned a beautiful, white picket fence enclosing it.  I mentioned it to the LORD. 

A few weeks ago after dropping off some furniture at our grandfather's, we drove around the corner and there was D and her husband just finished with pulling up their white picket fence and now mowing and trimming trees.  (That was a wonderfully inspiring run-on, don't you think?) 

We, of course, had our trailer with us so we stopped.  D confirmed that yes, they were throwing them out and that her friend said she wanted them but wouldn't show up to get them so PLEASE TAKE THEM!!!

Now my husband has been very busy digging post holes and screwing the fence strips onto the posts.  It's been so exciting!  The progress is a bit slow as we have been doing this after hours (usually when it's dark) or before hours (which is only a small amount of time before we leave for work). 

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Because much of our business keeps us outdoors, we have a schedule we try to follow closely.  We work morning hours and evening hours outdoors, but those hours inbetween when the heat is most intense are indoor hours.

I don't like to complain about the heat we have been enduring.  I know that some of my friends have their spouses away in a land that is much more intense than what it is here. 

A few days ago:  We were out working on the last job for the day when the heat became extremely intense as I was out in a piece of land that was directly in the sun.  I started feeling that weird tingle-all-over feeling and knew my body was warning me. 

But - I was almost done with what I was doing!  So I continued to work, more viciously, on the project at hand.

I've suffered a severe stroke before, which threw off my right-side functions for years, so I am aware of all the symptoms. 

As my vision began to fade and weeriness began to replace my ability to move, I realized how unwise I was to continue on. 

I started out walking toward the shade and for some water when I began staggering horribly.  As the ground seemed to rush up before my face I began to mumble:  "I rebuke you, Satan, in the name of Jesus.  My body belongs to the LORD.  I am healthy.  I am strong.  And I am healed." 

I made it to the water and shade.  I said "What shall I do, LORD?"  The distinct image of me walking to the water spout and soaking my hair sprang into mind.  I wasn't so sure about that - so I mentioned to my husband - "Honey, what shall I do?"  He said, "Go over to that water spout and soak your hair."  (Don't you just love confirmation?)  I poured water all over my head and immediately relief came. 

I have been learning a valuable lesson.  Just because God heals you and delivers you from illness and oppression does not mean that you can abuse your body.  My body is a gift from God.  One day, we'll all answer to God for the way we've treated all those things (body included) He has entrusted into our care.

Smith Wigglesworth didn't sympothize with people who suffered a cold because they didn't wear a coat like they should have.  He said it was bad stewardship.  I tend to agree.

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3:09 PM - Wednesday, June 4, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Everything For His Glory

My friends, We live in a time of self-glory.  Vanity has hit its ultimate high as women and men alike fight for the #1 spot on the Sexy list, the Best list, the Well-to-do list, the Spiritually-enlightened list, the Smartest list.  Our generation wakes up in the morning with goals to accomplish - goals that will somehow gain attention to our Selves. 

Some of us, who claim to be more "Christian"; more "Spiritual", will wake up and say a five-minute prayer followed by reading a passage of Scripture.  We will feel "holy"; "righteous" that we have done our Spiiiiiiritual Duty for the day.

But I'm waking you up this morning with another message.

It doesn't matter how cute you are.  It doesn't matter how smart your parents think you are.  It doesn't matter if your grandma waits around for your every move to snap a picture.  It won't take you anywhere in the end.

God, the Creator; my Father, has a plan for your life.  When you wake up and say your little prayer - the conversation doesn't end there.  Take Him with you to the coffee machine.  Ask Him if He thinks you're drinking too much (;D).  Tell Him to surprise you with a thought today.

Nearly every Sunday I ask my Girls "What conversation did you have with God this morning?"  I then tell them His and mine.  You see, a conversation isn't a one-way talking session.  It's a two-way exchange.  Stop talking AT God and start talking TO Him.  He's your God.  He loves you.  He desires a friendship; a relationship with YOU; yes, YOU.

I know a lot of you are going through some things right now.  Feelings are confusing; emotions run high.  Listen to Jesus.  LISTEN.  He's talking to you right now.  Read your Bible not once today, but all throughout the day.  I challenge you to pick up your Bible at least ONCE EVERY HOUR and read more than one verse.  Read a chapter if you can.  Listen to what God is saying to you.  If you don't own a Bible, visit   Bibleresources Home and pick a Bible to read or click here to read the New International Version> Bibleresources NIV.

Remember that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.  And faith, my friends, is what pleases God!  It is by faith that we please Him and that we glorify Him!

My Father, precious Lord of my life; Ruler of my everything, how wonderful; amazing; glorious You are!  I thank You for my friends today.  I thank You for those that You have brought into my life and for those who read this yet I don't know about.  You know them, Lord, and that is what matters most.  I pray, Lord, for these precious souls reading this humble little journal.  I ask, Father, in Jesus' name that You will minister to their hearts today.  Your Word says that we should prosper in health as our soul prospers.  I am asking that You will send encouragement to them today; that Your Holy Spirit would be with them in all things today and for those who know you - that Your Holy Spirit will be in them and upon them as they go about the day.  Show my friends how to bring You glory and honor by living for You all day long; not just those five minutes in the morning.  I pray especially for my friends whose spouses are away from home; that You would bring that special Comfort into their hearts.  Let me not forget to pray for them, Father, as I go about our day.  Cause me to remember always to pray for my special friends.  Father, I know that You have heard my prayer and I know that You have said YES to my requests.  I thank You for that!  And I thank You that it is Your love in my heart that causes me to yearn for them as You do.  Thank You, Lord, may You receive all the glory, honor, and praise this morning.  In Jesus' most precious, holy name I pray; Amen.

7:55 AM - Thursday, May 29, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

How "Mt. Laundry" Was Conquered

It was a dismal job. Nobody wanted to do it. But the mountain had to be moved.

We sorted.  We washed.  We dried.  We folded. 

As I brought in basket after basket of long-collected clothing, my children began picking and choosing their "Favorites". 

Here was the plan:  Each one of us were assigned a rack with a shelf.  Whatever fit on that rack, we could keep.  Whatever did not fit - had to go.

It was tedious.  It was long.  More than once we dared to rest, but never gave up.  It was only by God's grace.  We were in too deep.  Waist deep.

We called to each other over the mountain, and over the sounds of the washer and the dryer; each plodding along in painful noisome affairs.  The task HAD to be completed!

We encouraged each other.  We yelled at each other.  We prayed together.

For those of you who know us well, you will believe me when I say - IT TOOK DAYSSSS.

But.  The mountain HAD to be moved.

At first the children delighted in all the hum and buzz.  At first, it was exciting.  But then the clothes stopped fitting on the racks.  The careless, effortless task was becoming thought-provoking.

There were choices to make.  Decisions to be made.  The tediousness of it wearied us.  But we dared not give in.  The mountain - Had to be moved.

Bags and boxes filled our porch hourly.  Bags and boxes left our porch daily as they were taken to the church for the upcoming sale.  We plowed along merrily; steadily; thinkingly and mostly - prayingly.

Evidence of the progress occurred and reoccurred in small heaps here ... and there ... as we journeyed along - hanging items; then discarding them to make room for the better items.

WE. DID. NOT. GIVE. UP.

My friends, I am here to tell you:  Mark 11:23 is no lie.  The mountain WILL BE moved!  God is faithful, and despite the weariness of it all, we are almost there to complesion!  I am the last one to get it all out.  But I am not giving up.  The mountain WILL BE MOVED!!!

7:25 PM - Tuesday, April 29, 2008 - comments {1} - post comment