The title of this post may have caught your attention a bit =p Last week at our church's wonderful MOPS group we were encouraged to share a bit deeper into our "Story". Those two words are greatly a part of mine - one in which I actually chose Not to share last week - but may in the future. Or maybe after posting it here it won't be necessary -lol.
You see we all have a Story - or rather a "Testimony" as the Good Book likes to call it. We all have things we have overcome or areas in which we struggle a bit to be completely set free from. These aren't meant to be things for others to judge us by or things to 'mark' our lives as being worthy or unworthy - better or less then anyone around us. They aren't things at all but parts and pieces that make up our whole being - our Story. And when we are able to share a bit more deeply some of those pieces with others - maybe in a more intimate group then the World Wide Web =p but in whatever context we feel comfortable or beautifully stretched in doing so - we not only set more of those pieces free - we also help encourage & uplift others ... even if it's just to help them realize they aren't alone.
So back to my two little words that have forever altered my being... I've decided to share in hopes of helping someone know two things - 1. You aren't alone in the anxieties & fears you face & 2. God says YES He loves you That Much....!
Here's my Story.
Years ago -we'll just say it's been more then 10 (I don't want to age myself too much here;) but one night during my last semester in college I had a crazy moment that changed my 'mind' forever. You know when someone asks you when something occurred in your life and you can recall it so well in detail it's like it happened yesterday?! Well this is one of those moments for me when someone asks me 'when did fear take root in your life'? Not that I'm asked that question much thank goodness -lol- but when someone can see through my walls of security that I try so well to put up - and really ask me the harder questions- this is one I now truly have no problem in sharing - thus why I've decided to blog about it- because I've realized in doing so too many people have or continue to deal with such similar things in their own personal way (if that makes sense;)
Like I said it was one night during my last semester - finals week when most of us were up cramming for one exam after another. In the beginning of that week I had asked my roommate if she had a sleeping pill I could take to help me finally get some much needed rest- since I wasn't able to naturally sleep well for several days. So I followed the directions and took one- it didn't seem to help. A few nights later I asked for another - I took 2 - I figured maybe it would work this time. It worked all right - in the form of overdose symptoms. My tongue began to feel twice it's size - my mouth was so dry no amount of water seemed to help - and then things in the room began to appear closer then they actually were. Freaked out is how I felt- totally scared having no idea what was going on with me yet knowing it was obviously from taking one too many sleeping pills. I woke one of my roommates who so sweetly sat with me and called our campus ER so a nurse could tell me what I already knew - that yes my body was just reacting from too much of a certain drug and in about 4 hours it would wear off. Yep 4 hours- so much for that sleep right-lol. Even though my sweet roommie said she'd sit up with me I totally felt silly and definitely didn't want her to lose sleep herself over my negligence in following simple directions- so I did the next best thing I knew to do- I called my Granny- because as some know- my Granny was Always up late =p So she stayed up and chatted the night away with me until my tongue felt normal again and objects in the room appeared in their proper places.
Now to most that story I'm sure doesn't seem crazy or odd or one in which that could alter someone's 'mind' enough to ever even make their Top 10 list of things worth remembering but to me it did. To me that one simple act planted a seed of fear deep within me that I've struggled to be completely set free from. And what I mean by that is that I began 'allowing' my mind to play tricks on me. And I say allowing because I've greatly learned that we play a part - the Largest part - in what thoughts we allow to grow in our minds - thoughts that can manifest themselves into other areas of our lives and even begin to control us if we don't begin to speak back at them- and speaking back with God's Words are the only things that can truly set us free! So for me- back then- those roots began to grow. I allowed my mind to think crazy things - like when I would eat something - something as simple as applesauce - one of my favs- I would think - well what if I have an allergic reaction to that- what if my throat closes us and I can't breathe and even worse... what if I die!?! Yeah crazy - I told ya! Thankfully at that time I spared those around me and I stuffed my thoughts - I'd say a prayer quietly - that I'd live and not die -lol- and try to focus my mind on something else... or worse- at times I'd actually avoid even a poor plate with applesauce on it. But as most of us know- stuffing our problems or just trying to focus on something else- doesn't pull up those roots. So they remained - and they actually grew into other areas- areas like- stress- which grew into physical symptoms where I'd even feel shakey - obviously from my nerves but being in my early 20s I didn't quite realize the control our minds and nerves and stress can truly have on our bodies - so it just caused me to mentally freak out a bit more. During this time I had graduated college - moved back home & was planning my wedding. My parents bless their hearts knew something was wrong and had me go see a Dr for a complete physical and blood work - trying to see if there was truly something 'wrong' with their daughter. Thankfully not- but not thankfully for me being as I wanted someone to tell me that it was 'something' so I could put a name on it and take a pill (in proper dosage) for it and be rid of it- whatever 'it' was. But it grew- in silence my fears and anxious thoughts grew.
Oh on the outside most knew nothing - not even those closest to me. I mean seriously who wants to tell a BFF or your hubby-to-be that you think you might Die if you eat that apple sauce tonight! lol. seriously! So I continued on in spite of myself and my crazy thoughts I would have from time to time. I got married - moved into our first house- and began a new life with the one I loved. But God. Thankfully He knew my thoughts - Thankfully He saw fit to save me from myself! So He Stopped Church... for little ol' me.
My wonderful mother-in-law had been inviting Joe and I to a revival service at her church for days. We attended a different church at the time and kept putting off her invite over the silly excuses we all can make from time to time - 'we had a long day at work, we're tired, maybe tomorrow'. Well thankfully she kept on asking right up until the last night their special speaker was to be preaching. We said yes and this is the best part of my Story.
Their revival speaker was a petite spit-fire lady with a strong Australian accent named Shirley Jones. A lady who's obedience and heart for God I will forever be thankful for! You see as I sat there among the congregation that night only God above knew I had been dealing on and off with those crazy thoughts - thoughts the enemy meant to use ultimately to defeat me. As I was sitting there trying to focus on Ms. Jones powerful God message the thought came to me, "I need prayer- right now. Oh how I wish she'd stop preaching and pray for me"! Then of course my next thought was "Who am I - no one is going to Stop Church for me"! But God- at that exact moment without skipping a beat- little Ms Shirley Jones stopped mid-preach =) excused herself from the congregation by saying - "There's someone here I need to pray for so please excuse me for a moment" - walked directly towards me and asked in her sweet Australian accent if she could pray for me! God Stopped Church.... for me! As that dear Blessed Australian lady prayed quietly over me - she didn't just pray generic prayers- she prayed Life - she prayed and spoke words over me that only God above knew I was dealing with- specific things meant only for me from Him because He knew I needed to hear. And He knew I needed to know that Yes I was worth it & Yes I was important enough for someone to Stop Church.
And it's not just meant for me my friends... He needs Each of you to know that You Are Worth It! Yes we know He died for each of us - a gruesome death on a bloody cross - so we could one day spend eternity with Him- Praise God- but He also died so that you would DAILY know you are important to Him. Every single part of you - every single crazy thought you may have- He cares about it all!
And I needed to remind someone of that tonight.
Through that piece of my Story I've shared with you God's thankfully grown me - because I've allowed Him to. One person at a time - one more in depth conversation over a cup of coffee - each time I've allowed myself to open up and share- He's poured out more Joy and Confirmation and Love over me - and often I'm blessed to see Him do so onto the person listening to my crazy tale =p So He's helping me pull up those roots ... and no longer water them.
I'll forever be indebted to Ms. Shirley Jones. She could have been one of the many who I'm truly thankful for praying over me throughout my lifetime... but instead she's just a bit more. I mean seriously... You've gotta realize that little petite spit-fire of a lady had to have one awesomely close relationship with God in order to be able to Hear His voice and Act in Immediate Obedience to what He was asking her to do- to Stop Church- for little ol' me. That my friends - that is a woman who's become one of my earthly heroes. Because I too now desire to be That Obedient to Him - no matter what others may think- no matter how I may look- because there just might be someone who needs to be reminded that Yes You Are Worth It- Yes God Loves You That Much - Yes.... He Will
Stop Church.
Monday, October 27, 2014
Sunday, October 12, 2014
October.
If you're actually among the few to read this ol' post- you better grab a cup of something and get cozy- it's a long one ;p
October.
I love this time of year! The weather cools off - the leaves start to change - jackets and pretty scarves begin to be pulled out - cute boots get to be worn (but not out of necessity just yet;) -pumpkin patches are found around every corner - apples are ripe for picking - nights around the bonfire begin again - hayrides and corn mazes are penciled in on the To-Do list & the Season of Autumn truly begins to take root. Or at least it use to.
Florida is different. Florida Fall for me is something that I'm realizing I need to work at appreciating. I feel bad even admitting that! It's beautiful here - I truly have NO right to complain. I have just realized that instead of the winter blues that I often felt in MD - due to the fact that my bones just hate the cold (and yes cold to me is anything below 65;) I have the Autumn blues here in FL because I just LOVED this time of year in MD so very much. And frankly it's just weird to me that I shouldn't be looking for warm fluffy or furry Halloween costumes for the kidddos because here they would fall over from heat exhaustion before a sugar crash! So of course this is the time of year when I do find myself home sick a bit- and for those family & friends who read this it isn't the weather alone- it's the fall gatherings that occur during this time as well which means spending time w/ many of you watching our kiddos pick pumpkins together or beg a stranger for candy or sit around a fire -any and everything that involves You- I miss. And that's when the miles and distance are felt the most. But here we are.... =)
Called to Florida as I say 'for such a time as this'. In truth that could mean forever or for just a few years- only God knows. But I do know that He brought us here and I shall not complain (just vent a bit-lol) on my Seasonal Blues. And above all I will continue to Greatly thank the Lord for the new friends He has brought into my life here- some who even seem like they've always been a part =) And that simple reason was one day brought to my attention when a dear friend sat at our bar in 66Beans and told me that friendships like those are rooted in the 'spiritual' so it's natural to seem as if you've always known or will know someone =) I think there's a lot of truth in that. In fact I know there's a lot of truth in that!
When we first moved here last summer I prayed for the friends I knew I needed! After all don't we need to do life with others? So leaving behind so very many wonderful people and coming to a place where no one knew me or knew my family - where I came from- who my husband was - how many kids I had - where I grew up - how many times I've changed my hair color ;p I knew I needed people - ladies who would become good friends- quickly! And for me there's only one place to meet people fast who I'd have common ground with right from the start- church.
If there's been any constant in my life other then family & friends it's been God. Jesus. His Spirit. He's been my anchor in times when the waves of life have wanted to pull me under. He's been my rock when everything around me felt so unstable. He's brought me Joy & Peace that I'd only know through knowing Him. And I only hope you can say the same! Blessed to be raised in a Christian home I can only imagine what it must be like to endure moments of unrest - moments of crazy sadness - burdened and rocked to your core - moments of silly seasonal Blues -without knowing The One who can rescue you from those times and cause your eyes to look up & to See His Love all around. Because it's there for us- daily and it's a Love that's so deep that it can only come from Him. In fact it's a place deep within each of us that He created so that we would at some point get to a place where we realized we were missing Him all along. (i didn't make that up-it's in the bible;) And even for those of us who Believe - those of us who are 'known by our Love' go through times when we allow life to take first place and our eyes begin to shift from Him to everything or everyone else around us. And oh how easily it can occur in our fast paced world - even when we busy ourselves with "His work".
What do I mean & how do I know- I've been there- too many times than I'd like to recall.
Living here in FL now for over a year I've had numerous friends and family from back home tell me "FL looks so good on you" or "You look so happy" -which first makes me question how I was looking before -lol- but truly it's made me evaluate why. For me I know it's more then all the Vitamin D I'm soaking in - and I know it's more then the fact that I get to enjoy more family time - but it's Greatly due to the fact that I've made my relationship with God a priority again. Truth be told if I were in MD living the same lifestyle we have here I would be hearing the same. It's not Location - it's not the new Vocation- it's Determination in keeping first things first again. Back home I allowed the business of 'doing good things for Him' replace my personal time with Him- and the scary thing is I didn't even realize it. But He did. He Knew. And He rescued me from myself. Now that may sound weird or extreme to some -thinking I needed to be rescued- but truly I did. Life began to get so out of balance - and I couldn't blame it on having a business - couldn't blame it on taking on design jobs on the side to help out financially - couldn't blame it on saying yes to this 'good thing' or to that good thing - I could only blame it on allowing all those things to replace Him - to crowd out my time with Him. So the pressure and the stress piled up- as it does for so many of us - and for me it began to manifest itself in ways of a constant rapid heart beat - the kind that wakes you up from a dead sleep with your heart pounding like you ran a marathon. Mental manifesting itself into the physical - later to be revealed that it was rooted in the spiritual. And this realization only truly occurred this past year when God had to literally Move me not just physically but spiritually. And He could only do that because I became so desperate in my crying out to Him (scared something was greatly wrong with my body) that I finally placed Him first again. I didn't squeeze Him in- I squeezed everything else in- and He once again was able to direct my steps. He was able to do what I couldn't do alone - bring me the Peace that I was so desperately in need and search of and once again I was able to Hear His voice! And a few things He has had to say haven't necessarily been easy to swallow- some things I hope to slowly reveal through words on this screen when time allows (but now I have hungry kiddos I'm going to have to attend to and for your sake it'd make this long post even longer).
So I'll wrap it up with this - because truly it's the thing that you too can be Blessed by-
"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you" -Matthew 6:33
Basically if we would just remember to keep God first - first in our every day lives - from the simplest of things to the greatest of things (because after all it's all simple to Him) - everything else will flow with a lot more ease. He'll be able to move in and around us. He'll be able to direct our steps - He'll be able to help us say No to the things we aren't called to do or be a part of when we'd love to say yes and add them to our plate. We'll find Rest for our Souls - and our bodies -because He knows for us mamas especially - a worn down body is Not a good thing ;) We will begin to realize margin is a good thing and filling our schedules to the max isn't what He requires (after all Jesus himself rested while walking here on earth) - He'll reveal to us that at times even the things that we could use our gifts and talents to help others out still aren't meant to be things for us to do at this time. Life comes in Seasons... and this Autumn Season friends I only hope you feel Peace and Joy & I hope you're surrounded by those you love who begin to say... "You look so much Happier"! =)
October.
I love this time of year! The weather cools off - the leaves start to change - jackets and pretty scarves begin to be pulled out - cute boots get to be worn (but not out of necessity just yet;) -pumpkin patches are found around every corner - apples are ripe for picking - nights around the bonfire begin again - hayrides and corn mazes are penciled in on the To-Do list & the Season of Autumn truly begins to take root. Or at least it use to.
Florida is different. Florida Fall for me is something that I'm realizing I need to work at appreciating. I feel bad even admitting that! It's beautiful here - I truly have NO right to complain. I have just realized that instead of the winter blues that I often felt in MD - due to the fact that my bones just hate the cold (and yes cold to me is anything below 65;) I have the Autumn blues here in FL because I just LOVED this time of year in MD so very much. And frankly it's just weird to me that I shouldn't be looking for warm fluffy or furry Halloween costumes for the kidddos because here they would fall over from heat exhaustion before a sugar crash! So of course this is the time of year when I do find myself home sick a bit- and for those family & friends who read this it isn't the weather alone- it's the fall gatherings that occur during this time as well which means spending time w/ many of you watching our kiddos pick pumpkins together or beg a stranger for candy or sit around a fire -any and everything that involves You- I miss. And that's when the miles and distance are felt the most. But here we are.... =)
Called to Florida as I say 'for such a time as this'. In truth that could mean forever or for just a few years- only God knows. But I do know that He brought us here and I shall not complain (just vent a bit-lol) on my Seasonal Blues. And above all I will continue to Greatly thank the Lord for the new friends He has brought into my life here- some who even seem like they've always been a part =) And that simple reason was one day brought to my attention when a dear friend sat at our bar in 66Beans and told me that friendships like those are rooted in the 'spiritual' so it's natural to seem as if you've always known or will know someone =) I think there's a lot of truth in that. In fact I know there's a lot of truth in that!
When we first moved here last summer I prayed for the friends I knew I needed! After all don't we need to do life with others? So leaving behind so very many wonderful people and coming to a place where no one knew me or knew my family - where I came from- who my husband was - how many kids I had - where I grew up - how many times I've changed my hair color ;p I knew I needed people - ladies who would become good friends- quickly! And for me there's only one place to meet people fast who I'd have common ground with right from the start- church.
If there's been any constant in my life other then family & friends it's been God. Jesus. His Spirit. He's been my anchor in times when the waves of life have wanted to pull me under. He's been my rock when everything around me felt so unstable. He's brought me Joy & Peace that I'd only know through knowing Him. And I only hope you can say the same! Blessed to be raised in a Christian home I can only imagine what it must be like to endure moments of unrest - moments of crazy sadness - burdened and rocked to your core - moments of silly seasonal Blues -without knowing The One who can rescue you from those times and cause your eyes to look up & to See His Love all around. Because it's there for us- daily and it's a Love that's so deep that it can only come from Him. In fact it's a place deep within each of us that He created so that we would at some point get to a place where we realized we were missing Him all along. (i didn't make that up-it's in the bible;) And even for those of us who Believe - those of us who are 'known by our Love' go through times when we allow life to take first place and our eyes begin to shift from Him to everything or everyone else around us. And oh how easily it can occur in our fast paced world - even when we busy ourselves with "His work".
What do I mean & how do I know- I've been there- too many times than I'd like to recall.
Living here in FL now for over a year I've had numerous friends and family from back home tell me "FL looks so good on you" or "You look so happy" -which first makes me question how I was looking before -lol- but truly it's made me evaluate why. For me I know it's more then all the Vitamin D I'm soaking in - and I know it's more then the fact that I get to enjoy more family time - but it's Greatly due to the fact that I've made my relationship with God a priority again. Truth be told if I were in MD living the same lifestyle we have here I would be hearing the same. It's not Location - it's not the new Vocation- it's Determination in keeping first things first again. Back home I allowed the business of 'doing good things for Him' replace my personal time with Him- and the scary thing is I didn't even realize it. But He did. He Knew. And He rescued me from myself. Now that may sound weird or extreme to some -thinking I needed to be rescued- but truly I did. Life began to get so out of balance - and I couldn't blame it on having a business - couldn't blame it on taking on design jobs on the side to help out financially - couldn't blame it on saying yes to this 'good thing' or to that good thing - I could only blame it on allowing all those things to replace Him - to crowd out my time with Him. So the pressure and the stress piled up- as it does for so many of us - and for me it began to manifest itself in ways of a constant rapid heart beat - the kind that wakes you up from a dead sleep with your heart pounding like you ran a marathon. Mental manifesting itself into the physical - later to be revealed that it was rooted in the spiritual. And this realization only truly occurred this past year when God had to literally Move me not just physically but spiritually. And He could only do that because I became so desperate in my crying out to Him (scared something was greatly wrong with my body) that I finally placed Him first again. I didn't squeeze Him in- I squeezed everything else in- and He once again was able to direct my steps. He was able to do what I couldn't do alone - bring me the Peace that I was so desperately in need and search of and once again I was able to Hear His voice! And a few things He has had to say haven't necessarily been easy to swallow- some things I hope to slowly reveal through words on this screen when time allows (but now I have hungry kiddos I'm going to have to attend to and for your sake it'd make this long post even longer).
So I'll wrap it up with this - because truly it's the thing that you too can be Blessed by-
"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you" -Matthew 6:33
Basically if we would just remember to keep God first - first in our every day lives - from the simplest of things to the greatest of things (because after all it's all simple to Him) - everything else will flow with a lot more ease. He'll be able to move in and around us. He'll be able to direct our steps - He'll be able to help us say No to the things we aren't called to do or be a part of when we'd love to say yes and add them to our plate. We'll find Rest for our Souls - and our bodies -because He knows for us mamas especially - a worn down body is Not a good thing ;) We will begin to realize margin is a good thing and filling our schedules to the max isn't what He requires (after all Jesus himself rested while walking here on earth) - He'll reveal to us that at times even the things that we could use our gifts and talents to help others out still aren't meant to be things for us to do at this time. Life comes in Seasons... and this Autumn Season friends I only hope you feel Peace and Joy & I hope you're surrounded by those you love who begin to say... "You look so much Happier"! =)
Monday, April 28, 2014
Inspiring One Another
This weekend I snatched up this book & devoured it! It didn't take me long to realize this wasn't just any old Interior Design or Decorating book- it's so much more! It's a book written for anyone desiring to create Home right where they're at! And to quote The Nester herself, "It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful."
The Nesting Place
Several months back I began focussing on all the positives of apartment life during this season in our lives & then after reading The Nesting Place not only was I encouraged to continue doing just that but I became inspired to create our little space into more of the Home of my dreams for the moment. No we may not have our own backyard but we've got a large courtyard full of beautiful green grass for our boys to run and play ball -we've got a playground & two pools to choose from and a gym & community space... All of which I don't have to take care of! Which means more family time for us! My hubby doesn't have to mow the lawn- we don't need to dish out the dollars on pool or insect maintenance and if anything breaks in our space- as quick as a phone call and it's taken care of- at no additional cost to us! Those are the things I choose to focus on when I begin to sing the blues of not yet living in my 'true dream home' yet. And the words of our oldest son Andrew as he shared with grandparents this past New Year's Eve when asked what his favorite thing that happened last year was- he replied, "moving to FL because we have more family time".
So if we must be in this space during this season- Renters now and no longer home owners- I'll take it & create a beautiful Home rt where we're at... Remembering "It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful".
Visit www.thenester.com for inspiration & encouragement yourself :) you'll be glad you stopped by!
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