On the way to visit with some friends one evening, my husband asked our boys if they saw a bobcat in the field. I casually looked over but did not see any bobcat. As we approached a house down the road, my husband again pointed out a bobcat in the yard. Now, this is a rural area, and bobcats are known to be in the area; however, spotting a bobcat is not a usual occurance. So, at mention of this second bobcat, I will admit to have been looking more intently. I noticed a dog and told my husband he was going to have our boys thinking dogs were bobcats. He replied that "mommy, couldn't see the bobcat for the weeds boys." I just shrugged his comment off and went back to enjoying our ride through the country. Then, one of my boys shouted out, "Look! Another bobcat!" This time I we stretching my neck to see this animal that is rarely seen. When I looked in the direction my son was referring to, all I saw was a dog! That was it! I proceeded to inform my husband that he had our boys thinking they were seeing bobcats when all they were seeing were your run of the mill dogs and cats! His response struck my off guard....he busted out laughing. Laughing so hard I thought he was going to have to pull over. Finally, he enlightened me....the bobcats they were seeing had tracks and a were steered by an operator. Oooohhh, I was looking for the bobcats with four legs!
How many times do we pray asking God for help and guidance, and think that God hasn't answered our prayers because we don't see His answer? Our expectations of how he will answer our prayers might not always match his purpose for us. Perhaps his answer is right in front of us, but we don't see it because we are looking for what we want to see. I was looking for a four-legged animal, not a piece of earth moving equipment. When praying, remember to keep your eyes and heart open to the answers that come your way. The answer may not be what you were expecting! Watch for "bobcats"!
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Rain Is Better than Water
With the drought that we are in, any rain is good. Today my mom got just a little rain but commented about how just a little bit of rain was better than the watering she gave her flowers from the garden hose. They were perkier, for lack of a better word. They looked more alive rather than being beaten down by the heat and sun. I've noticed before how my plants would look more refreshed and renewed after a little rain even after I've religiously watered them from my free flowing, garden hose.
This made me think how we often think first to shower ourselves with materials such as new clothes, new cars, new houses, etc., when we are feeling a spiritual drought or facing a challenge that is drying us up spiritually. While the materials will refresh and rejuvenate us for a time, they will not heal our "roots", or soul, like showering ourselves with the Living Water will. Diving into the Living Water through reading the Word, joining a Bible Study, attending church, or reading a daily devotion, will refresh and renew a heart, mind, body, soul, or relationship in a way no material can.
God's rain (His word and guidance) is better than your garden hose (your temporary fixes by material gain).
Now, don't get me wrong, retail therapy is good for my mind and soul....but it never quenches my thirst like a good dose of the Living Water!
~Isaiah 58:11 says The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
~ John 7:38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.
This made me think how we often think first to shower ourselves with materials such as new clothes, new cars, new houses, etc., when we are feeling a spiritual drought or facing a challenge that is drying us up spiritually. While the materials will refresh and rejuvenate us for a time, they will not heal our "roots", or soul, like showering ourselves with the Living Water will. Diving into the Living Water through reading the Word, joining a Bible Study, attending church, or reading a daily devotion, will refresh and renew a heart, mind, body, soul, or relationship in a way no material can.
God's rain (His word and guidance) is better than your garden hose (your temporary fixes by material gain).
Now, don't get me wrong, retail therapy is good for my mind and soul....but it never quenches my thirst like a good dose of the Living Water!
~Isaiah 58:11 says The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
~ John 7:38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
To the Extreme
Yesterday was a full day of extremes. Dictionary.com says the definition of extreme is: utmost or exceedingly great in degree. So I don't use it lightly.... I sat out and enjoyed watching my boys play their last baseball games of the season in extreme heat. This means there was some exteme sweating going on! One game was in the morning and the other in the evening but both had equally extreme heat. In between the games, I took my state principal test. This test is the type that you can immediately narrow the answer down to two and then totally justify either answer being the correct answer. It's the kind of test that is extremely draining! After coming home from the last ballgame, I decided to go to the extreme and stay up working on homework past midnight. This is an extreme for me because I do not stay up late very well unless I can sleep in late. But today is Sunday! So I was up early to worship and be thankful for some extremes.....extreme love, extreme sacrifice, extreme hope, extreme peace, extreme faith, extreme forgiveness....you get the point without me sounding like Bubba from Forrest Gump. When I think of the extremes I will go to for my family, friends and myself, I'm believe they are greater than the extremes I'm going to for my God. Going to the extreme for Him may be forgiving someone for something that in your human heart is unforgivable, or showing love to someone who has done nothing but show hate for you. Perhaps it's giving an extra $50 dollars to a family in need and having extreme faith that God will provide your needs that that fifty would have paid for. For some it means selling all their possessions and moving to a third world country to be a missionary but that isn't God's plan for everyone. Listen and let Him guide you to the extreme He has planned for you!
Galatians 5:22-23 says, "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." ....imagine fruit to the extreme!
Galatians 5:22-23 says, "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." ....imagine fruit to the extreme!
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Well, it's been a few months since I've posted. When I first started this blog, it was as if I was being called to write and share the journey I'm on and the struggles I encounter to grow in faith and be focused on more than me. I had no idea who would read it, what they would think of it, or how my thoughts would impact their lives. I was just doing what I felt in my heart I was meant to do. If it would inspire one person to keep the faith and keep on keepin' on, then it was worth stepping out and sharing my personal thoughts.
And then it happened....doubt. Doubt that I was writing and sharing for the right reasons, doubt that the blog was being accepted and taken to heart by my friends and acquaintances that were reading, doubt that I was "meant" to be writing at all....so I stopped. Doubt, and fear, caused me to stop my way of sharing the amazing journey God is guiding me on. It was easy to stop because our lives got busier. Spring came along and the outdoor activities began. School ended and the push to clean and organize the house was in full force. Now, summer is in full swing with Little League, volunteer activities, sport camps, swim lessons....but something is missing. I think when you aren't in God's will, that's what happens....you feel like something is missing.
Then, one saying is all it took. "Any belief worth having must survive doubt." I don't know who said it but it was God's 2x4 upside the head for me. I have no doubt that God loves me, is guiding me, and will never forsake me. Having doubt in myself and my blog was the same as having doubt in my faith. Talk about a deep reflection! God wasn't asking me to walk on water. I was just writing...and that's what I was missing. In a nutshell, this is how I've come back to my blog.
Doubt caused me to lose focus on my purpose to be about more than me. My writing....this blog...is about more than me. After acting on faith and experiencing the amazing journey it takes a person on, I want to continue to do that and continuing staying focused. Writing is a way for me to stay focused on what is important.
Has doubt keep you from acting on faith? If so, I'm here to say, PUSH THROUGH! Act on the twinge of compassion that's piercing your heart, act on that thought to call an old friend or estranged family member, act on the call to show love to the least of you....even if you doubt it makes a difference. The acts you do in faith make a difference in you.... that's all that matters.
When in doubt remember these verses:
Proverbs 3:5-8
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
Matthew 21:21
And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.
See y'all soon!!....FBTH (For, By, and Through HIM)
And then it happened....doubt. Doubt that I was writing and sharing for the right reasons, doubt that the blog was being accepted and taken to heart by my friends and acquaintances that were reading, doubt that I was "meant" to be writing at all....so I stopped. Doubt, and fear, caused me to stop my way of sharing the amazing journey God is guiding me on. It was easy to stop because our lives got busier. Spring came along and the outdoor activities began. School ended and the push to clean and organize the house was in full force. Now, summer is in full swing with Little League, volunteer activities, sport camps, swim lessons....but something is missing. I think when you aren't in God's will, that's what happens....you feel like something is missing.
Then, one saying is all it took. "Any belief worth having must survive doubt." I don't know who said it but it was God's 2x4 upside the head for me. I have no doubt that God loves me, is guiding me, and will never forsake me. Having doubt in myself and my blog was the same as having doubt in my faith. Talk about a deep reflection! God wasn't asking me to walk on water. I was just writing...and that's what I was missing. In a nutshell, this is how I've come back to my blog.
Doubt caused me to lose focus on my purpose to be about more than me. My writing....this blog...is about more than me. After acting on faith and experiencing the amazing journey it takes a person on, I want to continue to do that and continuing staying focused. Writing is a way for me to stay focused on what is important.
Has doubt keep you from acting on faith? If so, I'm here to say, PUSH THROUGH! Act on the twinge of compassion that's piercing your heart, act on that thought to call an old friend or estranged family member, act on the call to show love to the least of you....even if you doubt it makes a difference. The acts you do in faith make a difference in you.... that's all that matters.
When in doubt remember these verses:
Proverbs 3:5-8
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
Matthew 21:21
And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.
See y'all soon!!....FBTH (For, By, and Through HIM)
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)