Where do you live...

As I took a long walk today through a nearby neighborhood, I pondered over the idea of living in one of these large homes... big enough to raise a family in for sure... large enough for us to have all the room we would ever need, even have room for all the toys we could want... it occurred to me how very much I want to buy a home and leave our humble, little apartment life. At that moment, though, the Holy Spirit checked me. Who am I trying to please... Him??? He does not care where I live... physically speaking. He does, however, care where I live spiritually.

After numerous talks with my husband, I know that we need to keep saving money until we are financially ready to buy our first home, but there's still a part of me, the selfish part, that wants to go out and buy one of these homes like... NOW! Actually, like yesterday!

I know the Lord is calling me to wait, though - to store up treasures in heaven, not here on Earth. He's also telling me that he cares where I live... in a spiritual relationship with Him.

I am reminded of our sermon last night at church... are we living for this short life here on Earth or eternity with our Lord in heaven? I want to live in preparation for eternity with Him. I pray that He guides me and directs my path.

2 Corinthians 5:1 -- Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.

Mom --- Mother's Day Tribute

Not sure if she will read this, but probably so since she likes to stop by and take a look at my blog occasionally. As you have already guessed, I'm going to tell a little about my Mom. Without sounding too much like a Hallmark card on this Mother's Day, I would like to say what a blessing she is to me, but word it in such a way that she knows it's my heart speaking, and not a cardwriter who cranks out a sappy card every 30 seconds.

My mom is special. I wonder, does every kid think that about their mom? Maybe or maybe not, but in my case, it's true and I don't know of anyone who wouldn't agree with me. Mom was and will always be the one that everyone can and did call mom. She knows exactly what to say, when to say it and where to say it (most of the time.) Mom is the one who gives the right kind of advice - even when it hurts and I know it's right, but I don't want to listen, though I know I should --- she is a woman who loves God with all her heart - he guides her steps and her words daily, and it's obvious in her kind words and smile. She is a lady who deserves respect, but she also returns it--to her children, her husband and everyone else who is lucky enough to come across her path. She gives us (my sister and I) unconditional, agape love that only reminds me of the way Jesus loves each of his children. She's that steady rock that I can count on for always -- what a comforting thought that is. The last few months have been really tough for me, emotionally, and Mom has seen me through it, she's been a therapist of sorts -- that required no payment. And really, the only payment I could give her was my love, and you know what - she's just fine with that. I'm so proud to call her Mom. Jesus truly blessed me when he gave me my mom.

Also, to give some credit where it's due -- my store bought Mother's Day card this year was very funny -- Mom is my friend and my mother, which makes her my "frother!" Love it.

Blogger M.I.A.

It's been over a month since my last post, and I can't believe how fast the time has gone by. The last month has truly been a blur - a speck in the thing we call "time". It feels as though I blinked, I missed it - and now it's gone. But my class is now over, the last one that needed complete before Nursing classes! What a relief that is -- but now what? I'm asking myself - what is going to occupy all that time that was previously being spent studying. Well, I'm not quite sure yet, but I know that it involves some books, some blogging and definitely a lot of quiet time, preparing myself.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

²⁴Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

²⁵Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. ²⁶Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. ²⁷No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Trials...

I am always amazed by the gamut of emotions I go through during tests and trials of life. First, intense sadness or sometimes anger envelops my heart, mind and soul. After this, the confusion sets in. Confusion over why or what has caused tribulation, and then doubt that any good could possibly come from this intense suffering. Confusion and doubt bring about fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of losing someone, fear of obstacles that lay ahead. When that fear overwhelms me, the only next possible solution I have is to trust in God. Complete trust. That, what is being experienced right now is for a specific reason and part of God's awesome plan for my life. Even though it may not seem right or feel right to rejoice, I know that this is what I must do. God encourages and enables me daily to move past the hurts of life and keep seeking His kingdom! I must remember that this life is temporary. The Bible tells us that when his glory is revealed after trial, we will be "glad" with abundant "joy." Oh, how I would love to say that I am experiencing this right now as I go through such troubling times in my life, but I do know that this is all a part of His plan for me, and with that, I rest my life in His hands, and praise him evermore. Bless our mighty Jesus!

1 Peter 4:12-13: "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy."

Jesus, Take the Wheel

I don't know if it's the rain today, but for some reason, I am in a very reflective mood since this is my second post today! A few weeks ago, one of my adorable doggies got a hold of my MP3 player and somehow managed to delete all of the music. Once I re-downloaded the songs, my playlist was quite jumbled from the original version! So, that being said, I've played a little game where I try to figure out what surprise is next... as far as songs go! This morning has been spent pondering over a particular situation in my life about a certain someone. I thought it was interesting when the song "Don't Look Back" by Boston was ringing out in my ears. But when it ended, I said to God, "let this next song speak to me" (yes, it's little things like this where I love to see Him working). Anyway, lo and behold... it was "Jesus, Take the Wheel!" by Carrie Underwood... was it irony? I think not. Thank you, Jesus, for taking my wheel... and guiding me on the path to You!

Clever Strategies.

Last night, this quote from my daily devotional, 'Come Away My Beloved', touched me so deeply that I feel compelled to write :
"Thou needest make no plans nor resort to any clever strategy. Keep yourself in the Love of God. Pray in the Spirit. Rejoice evermore. Set your affections upon Christ."

I love this. "Clever strategy..." It's so easy in the daily hummings of life to try and control my own destiny, and not allow the Holy Spirit to guide me. For most of my life, I've had a plan, and it has been MY plan, certainly no one else's and definitely not God's! Still, even though I've given my heart to God, I find myself trying to plan out my own destiny... but faith will prevail, I know this. My faith in Him will win out over my old selfish ways of wanting to keep the power over my life and live for things of the flesh. I just want to hand it all over to Jesus, and say "Lord, take these plans I have set for myself... I only want your will in my life. I long to serve you Jesus. You humble me. You are perfect in every way and likewise, your will." In fact, right now... I am saying these things to Him, my King of Kings! He is so worthy of our praise. I feel so unworthy of all of His blessings. I am amazed every day at the love He has for me. Unfortunately, that innate human attribute of wanting to control is still hard to fight off, no matter how hard I try. But for now, my clever strategy will be to serve Him, trust in Him, and give Him all of my praise. Let his light shine, I pray, through me.

Mornings...

Why is it that I always have such a tendency to put almost everything before my sweet, quiet time with Jesus? No matter how hard I try to place this much needed time first, something happens… the phone rings, my dogs bark at the back door begging to go outside, someone needs my help with something, and so on. You are probably getting my point, by now. I find myself trying to fit my quiet prayer time in while doing other activities like driving to my job, while out on my daily jog or just putting the dishes away from the dishwasher. But is this fair to Jesus? NO! He deserves all of my attention and praise with every ounce of energy I have, and I should be fully focused on Him during this time. He doesn’t just give us half of His attention… we get all of it… we are His children, and he blesses us in so many ways that it’s sometimes hard for me to wrap my brain around! My Father in Heaven deserves my complete and undivided attention. My true desire now is becoming an attentive daughter to Him… to love and fully devote my attention to Him and His will. He is so worthy of ALL of my praise… surely my morning isn’t complete without time given to Him alone, without distractions. Just me and Jesus.

But I cry to you for help, O Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before you. Psalm 88:13.