You say you don't have time!!!

Okay... so, you say you don't have time!  You don't have "extra" time...for anything!  Not even God!!
We've all been there at some point.  Feeling like there aren't enough hours in the day... enough minutes in the hour... where did the day go?  Well, I've come to a conclusion over the past several days... we don't have the time NOT to spend with God.

A couple weeks ago I was part of our Women's Beach Retreat  (#AVbeachretreat14 #AVheart2knowme)... At the end of our Saturday morning session we were given the opportunity to just be silent and still and spend time LISTENING to what God had to say to us.  So we sat (or kneeled, or layed) STILL for 10 minutes or so - just waiting --- just listening.  There was a soft worship song playing (like the one at the bottom of this post).  And we sat... And we waited... And we listened. It was such a powerful time!  Just a time-out from life - from distractions - from stress!

As we sat there, I couldn't help but wonder what a difference it would make in our lives if we actually made the time to do that daily.  Time to just sit and listen! How would that change our attitude and our outlook on life?  How would it affect the way we treat others? What kind of impact could it have?  There's a reason God wants to spend time with us. He desperately wants to speak directly to us and in turn through us.  If we would just make the time.

So, today I did just that!  I sat...I listened!  And you know what?!!! He spoke!
I don't always MAKE the time to intentionally spend in His presence but when I do He is always there. He is always ready to listen and He is always ready to Speak! And what's better is that He WANTS to!!! He's just waiting on us to MAKE the time to spend with Him.

So, today I encourage you to MAKE the time...it doesn't have to be an hour or even 30 minutes.  You can do what I did...I put on my favorite soft worship song (it was 8 minutes long) and I just sat and was quiet and I listened.  But, here's the thing.. once you do it for those 5 or 6 or 8 minutes, you'll want more and you never know, it may just turn into 30 minutes or an hour.

Let it Go!

Well, just like every other family in the US (and across the World) with adolescent members our family has been bitten by the "Frozen" bug, including the purchase of the movie soundtrack which has played dozens of times in the family car on recent trips.  Yep!  It's official...we're addicted! We love it and we know the words to all the songs and sing them loudly and proudly driving down the road. (I might even be guilty of it playing even when the kids are NOT in the car...maybe!)  Although all the songs are fun, the theme song, "Let It Go" has become a cultural phenomenon. It's the basis of parodies, contests, kids events...you name it, it's probably been tied to "Let it Go" ...and now my blog!
I have to tell you that when I first heard the song, one of my initial thoughts was "what a cool"concept for a song. Not just because of the movie but just the concept of actually letting go of the thing that is holding you back. In the movie, the princess, Elsa, feels free because she if finally able to be herself and LET GO of a secret that had literally held her captive her entire life.  And for the first time in her life she could be who she is and not worry about what anyone thought of her.

Some of the lyrics are (just in case you don't have them memorized like we do):
Don't let them in, Don't let them see, Be the good girl you always have to be
Conceal, don't feel, don't let them know, but now they know...
 It's funny how some distance makes everything seem small
And the fears that once controlled me, Can't get to me at all
Let it Go, Let it Go... Can't hold it back anymore
I don't care what they're going to say

  So many times in our lives we could move forward so much sooner if we would learn to just LET GO of what is holding us back.  It can be something in your past, your present or something your hoping for in the future.  They all can have a hold on you that is actually preventing you from moving forward and living the destiny you are meant to live.  I know there have been times in my life where I held on to fear and anxiety that I was experiencing in the present ABOUT the future that was crippling and it prevented me from enjoying life now or planning for things to come.  There have also been times that I have been so ashamed of things in my past (afraid of people knowing the real me) that I put up walls to prevent anyone from getting close and sat back -- not doing the things God called me to -- because if people really knew who I was they would never want to listen to anything I might have to say (or sing).  That's the reason it has become so important to me to speak to women (and men) about the necessity of getting PAST their PAST and moving forward in freedom that only comes from LETTING GO!  There is no way to go forward when you are continuously walking backwards. We have to let go of guilt, shame, fear, anxiety, embarrassment, feelings of inadequacy, insecurities...all those negative feelings the enemy loves to keep in the forefront of our minds.  We truly have to LET IT GO ... let them all go!  We have to focus on things that are true and good report as Philippians reminds us to do.
So, today it's time for YOU to LET GO of everything that is holding you back and not care what others say. It's time to step into your future and believe what your Creator says about you and walk into His plan and future for your life!

God is our ARK!

I'm thinking today of a couple of songs...
One is a worship song that came out a few years ago that says, "Let it Rain, Let it Rain...Open the flood gates of Heaven." The other is a song I have sang for the past 15 years or so (and has been recorded by several Southern gospel groups) titled "Just Another Rainy Day." I guess it's the dreary rainy day that is outside that brought those songs (and I'm sure I could think of several more) to my mind. But, it got me thinking about the reasons for rain...not the physical rain that helps water the crops and plants outside but the spiritual rain and "rainy days" in our lives.

The first rain ever recorded that occurred on the Earth was noted during the story of Noah in the Bible.  Before that time the world had never seen rain and that's why people thought Noah was crazy for building a boat for something they didn't even have a comprehension of.  Unfortunately, the first rain ever was used by God to cleanse the Earth completely because it had become so evil. He spared the one man He could find righteous in His eyes and allowed him and his family to live.   God used the PHYSICAL rain for a spiritual cleansing but afterward made a promise that it will never happen again.

In my life there are days that I feel the rain pouring down on me.  There are days I wish I had an ark I could close myself into to protect me from the storms that rage around me but sometimes it's not possible (in the physical sense).  It is however, possible in the spiritual sense.  Those are the days I have to look to God to be the ark that surrounds me and protects me.  Although Noah and his family were protected by the ark around them, they still had to go through the 40 days and nights of the rain that surrounded them.  The ark didn't keep them out of the rain...it PROTECTED them FROM the rain.  Our lives are the same way.  When all around us all we see are the storms of life pounding down on us, we can go to our ARK and know that although we may still have to face the storm, God will protect us from it and will bring us through to the other side. Sometimes it's necessary to face the rain in order to get to the PROMISE that God has for us.

You may be facing a storm in your life that seems to be destroying all that is around you and you feel like you are drowning.  Now is a good time to go to the ARK and seek shelter!  It doesn't mean the storm isn't still there but He does provide HOPE and comfort to know you are protected from the rain and that on the other side God has promised a future with HIM and He has a promise to never leave or forsake you...especially in the middle of a raging storm!!!

It's been a while

Wow!  I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted.  So much has happened over the past several weeks that it would take days for me to be able to write about it all.  I just wanted to write a quick reminder for us all...Trust God with your whole heart.  Even when things seem difficult, confusing or when you don't understand, JUST TRUST HIM!
At the beginning of the year I specifically knew God spoke to me that this year was going to be a year of CHANGE. I didn't know exactly what that change would be but I began to make my plans for the year and began implementing the "changes"that I figured He was speaking to me about.  Funny thing is (as I've learned many times over the past several years), most of the time God's ideas aren't exactly OUR ideas and just when we think we can lean "on our own understanding," He surprises us and gives us something we never expected.  That's kinda how the past 6 weeks have been for me (and our family).  I am looking to the future with ideas, plans and outcomes that I never expected but am trusting  God's plans of change in our lives.  I am standing on the promise that HIS promises are true.  I will post more later about the things God is speaking to me and the dreams and plans I know he is bringing to life and rebirthing but for TODAY just know...God knows, He understands and HIS promises are true!  No matter what doubts you may be struggling with He is always faithful and sometimes it takes our lives going in a direction we never imagined for His promises to be fulfilled.

A lesson in listening and obeying

There are times that God speaks so clearly it can be deafening. There are also times you just know it's Him speaking in a quiet nudge within your Spirit. Whatever the circumstance,  I know we can still have difficulty listening and obeying (no matter how loudly He speaks)-- especially if the noise around us -- or inside us -- is too loud to allow us even to hear Him in those strategic moments.
I can identify a few times in my life that I knew without a doubt God was speaking directly TO me and telling me to do something specific.  Yesterday was one of those times and I'm so thankful I allowed myself to truly listen to Him, because in return He once again gently reminded me of His faithfulness when we do listen. You see, I'm very analytical and maybe even sometimes cynical.  Even when God is yelling at me, I'll rationalize that it's just "me" or that I'm not truly "hearing" Him say what I think He is.  I honestly probably miss the mark of being obedient due to my inner self-talk more times than I'd like to admit. I quite frankly just basically talk myself out of it.  But, there are those instances when I've allowed myself to listen and He always uses those times to remind me why He is God (and I'm not) and to reassure me of how He cares for even the smallest things.
Here's what happened (just so you can see how He works - not for my glory at all.) It's a little long but worth it for the point:
There is a couple that I attend church with who are currently in the process of adoption.  They have been walking this path for several months and have been blessed to be a part of several fundraisers to help them raise the money needed for their adoption (Follow their journey Okey and Hannah's Adoption Journey).  Well, I am also in the process of raising funds for a missions trip to Guatemala I will be a part of in July.  I have been baking cakes for the past few weeks to raise money ... they have been selling their own custom tshirts as one of their ongoing fundraisers.  So, last week I told them I wanted to purchase a tshirt and would get it from them at church yesterday(they're only $10 and you can contact them via the blog link to get yours) .  In the meantime, I had a cake order that had come in and I was getting paid for that cake at church yesterday also.  When I arrived at church, the only money I had was a $20 bill (remember the shirt was only $10) and I didn't have any way to get change.  I felt like God spoke to me and told me just to go ahead and give them the $20,  I was a little hesitant just because I once again thought it was just me talking to myself (no, I don't need medication lol). I even tried to figure out a way to get change without asking them for change back when I paid for my tshirt but the longer I sat there trying to figure out how to get change, the louder I felt Him speaking to me.  So, as soon as service was over I gave the $20 bill to them and said I didn't need any money back and walked away.  At that point I saw the lady who had ordered the cake from me and walked to where she was.  She handed me the money for her purchased cake and I said "thank you" and that was it.   Well, if that was the end of the story I wouldn't be blogging about this right now... so, as Paul Heil used to say "and now the REST of the story..."   After I picked my kids up and walked to the van I pulled the money out to put in my wallet (that I had just received for my cake) and when I counted it, it was $20 MORE than what the cake cost.  $20.00!!! Wow!  Do you think that's as cool as I do?  I think it's pretty darn neat.
I know it's just a small thing and maybe you don't see the big deal but to ME it was a big deal.  Because once again despite my attempt to sabotage a blessing God wanted to give me (and my friends adopting), I tried to completely ignore what He was speaking to me and brush it off as just something I had talked myself into.  He didn't have to prove to me that it was truly HIS voice I heard but I think it's pretty cool that He chose to.  I think there are so many times we question His voice because we don't take the time to work to recognize it. So, when He does speak to us - either quietly or a big shout - we don't know it's Him because we have avoided listening for so long.
I pray that God continues to speak to me and that I continue to learn to listen.  I always want to be able to hear what He has to say and follow what He tells me to do even when it's just a little thing (like buying a tshirt).  Because unless I can be obedient in those little things, how will He ever know He can speak to me and trust me with the bigger things.
Today, let's try to take a little time to "Be still" and let Him be God and speak to our heart.  It always pays off even if it's not in immediately...

Creating a place of solace...

Did you know that the scripture talks about "the home" over 600 times? I didn't. Well, not until I was Googling ways to help create a more peaceful home.  In my mind, the only significant scripture about being a HomeMAKER was that seemingly unattainable Proverbs 31 woman that I don't even want to start comparing myself to...
I don't know about you but I've come to realize that the state of my home (bedroom, kitchen, even my van) is often a direct correlation to how I am feeling internally. The more at peace and centered I feel, the more motivated I feel to create a stress-free place of relaxation and solace at home. When I am feeling stressed, overwhelmed or even depressed I tend to avoid the mundane every day chores and the more chaos around me the more chaotic I feel inside.  I know it's a vicious cycle and you would think that the direct correlation of the two would cause me to work constantly to create a peaceful habitat but if I'm being honest I don't always succeed.   A couple of my downfalls are: (1) I don't particularly like to clean.  I can keep things basically "picked'up" but hate the deep cleaning (2) I'm a procrastinator --- even if I have a good intention of doing a cleaning project, I will find other things "to-do" and never get to the original project (3) I'm an organized STACKER...yep, you read that right...a STACKER.  That means I keep organized stacks of paper, mail, coupons, and other things that only I know what/where they are.  It's not a good method and is a habit I am adding to my list of things I want to change. I really want to work on creating a peaceful, relaxing and happy space that my family can feel comfortable in.
All this reflection was brought about by my ONE accomplished task yesterday (nope, once again it was not working toward my weight goals lol)...I cleaned mine and my husband's bedroom.  I mean I actually picked up all the stacks of stuff - the pile of clean clothes, the duffle bag I keep at instant access in case I need it (or at least that sounds like a good excuse), a couple cookbooks, choir music and cds from our Christmas production and various other papers I might need for something -- I finally moved it out of our room or found a place for them. Now don't get me wrong, some of the items are probably not in the proper place. Some just got moved to our home office and out of the bedroom BUT at least the bedroom is now a more peaceful place.  I lit a couple candles and looked around thinking "wow, it really is peaceful."
So, now comes my additional project for 2014.  I want to create an environment in my home that is a place of refuge and peace for my family...not one of disorganization or chaos.  I'm not having grandeur dreams that I will have the perfectly clean home - that will probably never happen - but I will make a new attempt to change the energy of my home through a more direct and conscious effort of doing away with the STACKS and finding a place for everything.
I would love to hear YOUR ideas of how you maintain order and peace in your home. What tricks do you use and what has made a difference in organization?  And if you, like me, would like to make changes for a peacefully and more orderly habitat...how are you going to start?  For me, I'm cleaning out the medicine closet and kids bathroom today...that's my plan so let's see how it goes...


Here are a few links to tips on creating a peaceful home I found in my research:
Creating a Peaceful Home
Tips on creating a Peaceful Home
4 Steps to a Peaceful Home

Accountability? ummmm...okay

So, as you know when I began writing this blog the beginning of January, I stated that I was doing it [partly] as an accountability. Well, the definition of "accountability" (according to Bing dictionary) is being "responsible to someone or for something" and what I've come to realize is that is for the GOOD and the BAD.  It would be very easy to write a blog every day showing all the good things that are going on and positive changes that are happening, but without the honesty of the not-so-perfect moments it's not really being accountable.
I had a friend tell me this morning that when she reads my blog it helps her to feel normal (basically that she's not alone in the situations she faces or feelings she has).  That was one of my goals of doing this.  I wanted to show other women that they are not alone in their not perfect life. We all feel like failures at times or don't follow through with goals but we can move past that...So, here's ME being accountable.
I have not accomplished my health goals for this past week.  I don't mean I haven't done everything I set out to do...I mean I've done NOTHING!  Nada! Not one single thing to move toward a healthier lifestyle (except download an App counting down to the 5K I verbally agreed to do April 5th).  The only step I have taken is getting on the scale a week ago to see how bad it was (and one would think the number I saw on the scale would've catapulted me straight into the gym, Weight Watchers, Curves or any other possible weight management facility, BUT Nope NOT ME).  I've not even so much as increased my water intake.  Now to my credit (or to make a really really good excuse), over the past week I have been really focused on baking cakes for a fundraiser for my upcoming missions trip to Costa Rica. And baking 20+ cakes takes a lot of time.  I can do a great job of justifying why I haven't done anything due to that but the truth is - it takes those cakes 1-1/2 hours to bake and I could've done a lot of squats or power walking during that time, but like I said I DIDN'T!
Now here's the thing...does me not taking any steps toward my health goals mean I wasn't really serious when I set those goals?  No, I don't think so. Does it mean that my goals are a lost cause and I should just give up?  Once again...No, I don't think so.  I know what I need to do.  In my head I know it's what needs to happen and I still plan to take the steps needed.  But, I'm forgiving myself for not accomplishing EVERYTHING I set out to accomplish this past 10 days.  I'm choosing to look at what I did right and the things I did accomplish For example: I raised ALL the money needed to pay for my missions trip...and believe me that's a miracle in itself.  I also made sure my family had a hot dinner every night, that they had clean clothes every day (ok, so that one still needs a little work), I told my husband and kids I love them every day and I successfully blogged most days since beginning.  My week didn't end up perfect -- my house isn't spotless -- and if I get back on the scale today I'm sure it hasn't moved.  But, I have TODAY and what I don't accomplish today I can do TOMORROW.  I will continue to be accountable because it will move me in the direction I'm choosing to go. I will continue to succeed and I will continue to fail but I WILL continue to MOVE FORWARD!
I encourage you to seek your own accountability --- let someone know your goals and plans so you can go the direction YOU choose to go too...