Gotta Check This Out

All I can say is this was the Truth!

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUQYJ77qa50&feature=youtube_gdata



-Keep it Blessed!

Getting Some Rest

For the past few months my husband and I have been dealing with some financial issues. Most of us know the drill. Cut back and cut out. Rebudget and readjust. But above all we know the stress and worry that comes with it. My husband and I have had conversations about the anxiety that the issue causes. God tell us not to worry about tomorrow and be anxious for nothing. Sometimes this is easier said than done.
I thank God for His word today and the impression it left on my and especially my husbands heart. Our Pastor's message today came from Hebrews 4 concerning resting in the promises the Lord made to us. There are those of us that find it easier to rest in Him during a trial and those of us that find it hard to break away from the worry and stress. These are the ones who would seek out the comfort of the world. They may become introverted, turn to drugs or alcohol, or take it out on their loved ones with anger and impatience. They continue to work and push to fix the situation themselves until they give out. They misinterperate "faith without works is dead".
The work in faith we must have is in the belief that God's got it. The labor is in trust in Him as our Provider, Healer, and Comforter. Have faith that the promise will come, maybe not when you think it should, but it will come. As children of God, He expects us to smile in the face of adversity because we know Daddy will helpe take care of this. He promised He wouldn't leave me hanging. Jesus' last words to us when He died were "It is done". our rest, our peace, our Sabbath is in knowing that Jesus paid it all and suffered all for us to have rest.
So when we are worried and heavy burdened with issues and trials, we are to continue serving the Lord believing that He will take care of us. I know I do and I Praise God for His message today. And I want my husband to know that I love him for being a strong man of God as well as for all of the crosses he carries for his family.

God Knows My Heart

Over the past few weeks I have been noticing a trend of intentionally good deeds going unrecognized.  I'll give an example. The first to pop in my mind would be a situation at work.  A coworker brought a scheduling issue to my attention.  He opted to work a particular holiday in order to receive another day off in exchange.  He had recently received a new job assignment that changed his regular weekly days off. Since the original day that he chose would now be his regular day off, he needed to figure out what to do now that the holiday was worked.  His options would be to either choose another day or see if he could receive holiday pay.  At this point in the conversation it was told to me that if the new day could be scheduled along with the days off then he would just reschedule the day.  I told him that I would call the payroll liason and have it taken care of for him.  I looked at the original request to verify the day in question and called the liason.  I saw that he was taking the day off for a family obligation and scheduled the new day to coincide with his days off for that week. I felt in my heart that I was doing the right thing by giving some extra time for this family celebration. When I notified him of the change, he took a very smug attitude and advised me that he would like to get the holiday pay.  This was not what he told me originally.  I truly felt as if I was fulfilling his request. After my supervisor getting involved he was told that he would not get paid for the day and would have to choose another. I have yet to receive the new date, nor have I received a thank you.....

Through out my days I find myself doing things, sacrificing things, and keeping my mouth shut about things.  Just when I was starting to get down about it, I remember that no good good deed goes unseen.  God always knows what is on my heart and my intentions to do right for people.  On that particular day at day at work I even caught myself saying it aloud.  It was refreshing and heartwarming.  I know that no matter the thanks or no thanks I receive, God will smile on me either way.

I am thankful that the Lord fills me with His Spirit in these situations.  In another place and time I would have flipped out for my time being wasted or being unappreciated.  But I know now that there is no person on the face of the earth that can validate, appreciate, or lift me up like Jesus does. He knows my heart is in the right place.........because He fills it.

Tears for My Mother

Mother's Day has never been one of my favorite holidays. Since I was young, my mom has been in and out of my life. Now that I'm grown, I can look back and know that the best gift she ever gave me and my brother was to give custody of us to my grandparents. There aren't enough words to describe the beauty of my grandmother's heart. I'll never forget doing 'boy stuff' with my grandfather and the lessons he taught me.

I couldn't fathom as a child all of the obstacles my mom had to face. From the outside in, it almost doesn't make sense... She came from a great family, she's intelligent, pretty and talented. I have seen my mom as an insurance adjuster, sales representative, truck driver, cosmetologist, and a nurse's aide. You name it, she can probably do it. But talent doesn't stand a chance when your controlled by an addiction.

The dynamic of our relationship has changed a little over the years. Now when I talk to her, it's not with pain, it's with hope. She still struggles in her walk, (don't we all sometimes?), but she's come a long way and she's still trying. Now that I'm a mother of 3, I understand the pressure of that responsibility. How one bad decision can turn your life upside down. I want her to understand and believe that I get it and I have forgiven her.

With Mother's Day tomorrow, I've been thinking about what to give her as a present. Maybe write her a poem, or fill up a photo album with pictures of her grandbabies. But the one thing on my heart is forgiveness. True forgiveness. Being able to tell her that I'm okay and I'm not mad. I wish I could help in some way.... So my gift this year will be my extended heart and hand. And maybe that photo album too!!

Happy Mother's Day!!