Category: Soul Relationships

His Word, Kids/Parenting, Soul Relationships

There is Power in the Name

Michelle

Fear…there are a lot of feelings that this one word can elicit in someone when they hear it.

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For those of you who have the Proverbs 31 Ministry First 5 app, you know that today, Lysa TerKeurst writes about Matthew 1:20 and fear. The fear Joseph had when he found out Mary was pregnant – and it wasn’t his child. Fear of the shame that would be heaped upon him by the towns people. Fear of the anger toward Mary for ‘stepping out’ of their marriage. Fear of the confusion he felt about the circumstances.

These are all tactics that the enemy uses to try to incapacitate God’s children. To keep believers from accepting their God-given assignment. To prevent us from fully walking out in our purpose.

Lysa further goes on to say that, just as in Joseph’s day, the enemy wants us to be afraid today. And it’s not the good, healthy kind of fear that keeps us from dare-devil stunts and protects us. No…not this fear. He wants to keep us tangled in his lies, stifled in the discomfort of living without purpose, and suffocating in the fear of the darkness he covers us with.

While we are otherwise occupied by focusing on fear, he is stealing our joy. The gospel of John tells us in chapter ten that, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” The thief John is referring to is the devil. These are the words of Jesus, so He is who we will find a full life in.

He is stealing our purpose, he is killing our present moments, he is destroying our dreams.

It’s a total God thing that I read this today. See, just yesterday I was dealt a devastating blow. I mean, this was one of those below-the-belt sucker punches that not only knocks the wind out of you, but completely buckles your legs until you are on your knees on the ground. I mean when I first got the news, I felt every emotion on the spectrum. My first thought was, ‘Who the hell do they think they are?’ (yes, good church-going, Bible-reading, praying-momma, me had that thought). My next thought was, ‘Is any ounce of what they are claiming true?’ Even though I knew, deep down, it wasn’t.

While I’m ashamed these were my first two thoughts, I can say that I didn’t linger here very long before reminding myself that The Lord has this. He has this entire situation in the palm of His hand. He already knows the outcome. And, nothing, no NOTHING will come to me without first going through Him to me.

While knowing all of these facts, there is a part of me, however small, that is still living in FEAR about the situation. There is the perpetual ‘what if’ that keeps running through my mind. Because this is where the enemy wants me to unpack and camp out. He wants me to live in fear…so that I can forget about the purpose God has for me…so that I can focus on the ‘what if’ rather than the mission that God has given me, the calling He has on my life…so that I can NOT focus on the life-giving love around me daily.

The other thing that I need to remind myself of daily is that I’ve been here before. Well, maybe not in this EXACT place, but I’ve been in a very similar place. Where I was fearful of the outcome. And guess what? God delivered me from that. He kept me in the palm of His hand. When I was fretting about how the resolution would come, God already had it worked out.

So, leaning on the words found in Philippians 4:6-7, I will not be anxious about anything, but I will present my requests to God, and then the peace that surpasses all understanding, will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

The final comment that Lysa makes, and the nifty image that illustrates today’s lesson is this: ‘Proclaiming the name of Jesus brings power, protection, and a perspective that crushes fear.’

When the enemy tempts me to be fearful, when he allures me into worrying, when he seduces me into thinking nothing is going to turn out, I am just going to say, ‘Jesus help me,’ and I will feel the tension leave my body. I will feel the peace come to rest on my shoulders. And I will remember there is power in the name of Jesus.

Soul Relationships

How I Will Know

Michelle

my dear, i’ve wondered for some time how i will know when i meet ‘the one.’

i’ve asked the question of others. i’ve pondered answers to my own inquiring mind. many have said that i would just know.

for a long time, i felt that was their cookie-cutter response to someone who just didn’t know a thing about true love…

someone who has yet to see a healthy relationship in action…

someone who has divorce and infidelity running through the roots of her family tree…

someone whose heart has been broken more times than can be counted…

someone who has become jaded and cynical and questions what love truly looks like…

someone who desperately wants to believe in the fairy tale, but really can’t afford to waste hopes and dreams on such foolishness…

well, my love, i’ve learned a thing or two in the past few months

i’ll know i’ve found the one when he provides a listening ear – and offers well-thought out advice…advice he himself would follow

i’ll know i’ve found the one when he mows my yard for me – and not just once…because he knows that my time with my kids is limited and precious..and because he wants to do something nice for me

i’ll know i’ve found the one when the texts which read, ‘good morning beautiful’ and ‘good night’ come without fail. every. single. day.

i’ll know i’ve found the one when doors are opened for me – and my daughter…and not because we are incapable, but because he wants to show respect and admiration and manners and chivalry. and it is so important for my daughter to see this side of a man. {sidenote, for all of the cynics out there, i truly thought chivalry was dead. turns out i was wrong.}

i’ll know i’ve found the one when nearly every song on the radio has a deeper meaning and prompts a memory – whether it’s a shared experience or a shared dream

i’ll know i’ve found the one when we have more inside jokes than not {and this drives other people CRAZY}

i’ll know i’ve found the one when he leaves me unexpected cards or notes around the house. just because.

i’ll know i’ve found the one when there is an appreciation for all you do for them – and it doesn’t feel like you do anything significant

i’ll know i’ve found the one when there is a strong hand holding mine telling me daily that he’s there – he’s not going anywhere – and he will fight for me. for those are words that have never before left lips and fallen on these ears. and ladies, trust me when i say that these are the sweetest words that you will ever hear uttered from a man’s lips.

you see, my love, these are just a few of the ways that i’ll know i’ve found the one in whom my heart trusts completely. and with that trust comes a lifetime of respect, devotion, and love.

and i know i’ve found the one

His Word, Kids/Parenting, Soul Relationships

Time

Michelle

You know the old saying, “The days are long, but the years are short?” Yeah, it’s totally true.

Time…there have been books and blog posts written about it, movies made about it, podcasts recorded about it, cards dedicated to it…and yet here we are, talking about it again today.

I’m not sure that I have any aspects that give me qualifications to write about time, other than I’ve seen the passage of it.

Time Passing

This morning, my daughter and I were able to get some time just the two of us. We decided to curl up on the couch and do some reading. We are both avid readers and love the manner in which we can be reading together, but absorbed in our own books.

She is on her third reading of Ruby Holler. I’m told it’s a great book. I can’t seem to get away from my own books to delve into things my kids like to read. I’m in the middle of Flash by Rachel Anne Ridge. It’s a memoir about a donkey named Flash who appeared out of nowhere and turned their lives upside down. It’s quite remarkable.

What took me by complete surprise this morning was my reaction to her chapter on Beau, their lovable Yellow Lab. He was aging and she was discovering that there were many Last Times that were occurring right under her nose.

This got me thinking about the precious soul next to mine. See, she’s nine, soon to be 10. In two short months, she will be in double digits and only eight short years away from 18 and being an ‘adult’ in the eyes of the world. Soon, she will begin middle school. That time of life in which friends become more important than family and my opinion in her life will diminish.

She’s growing up so fast – physically and emotionally. We measured her height the other day as we were leaving CVS. Weirdest thing…as you leave CVS, there is a ruler of sorts, taped between the doors. Hmm… Anyway, she stood next to it and she’s like 5′ tall! Say what?!?!?

Of course her physical changes are nothing compared to the emotional changes taking place within her. She is beginning to understand the world around her in a way I can no longer protect her from. She’s formulating her own opinions and thoughts about how the world operates.

All of this is happening right under my nose and my head is spinning.

See, I had these grandiose plans for parenting. For being the best mom I could be. The mom who has fresh baked cookies for her kids when they get home from school. The mom who NEVER loses her cool about anything. The mom who always wants to play with her kids. The mom who always has all of the laundry done and always puts a nutritious, home-cooked meal on the table every night. The mom who taxis and shuttles her kids from one activity to the other, while singing worship music on the way.

In reality, it looks more like this: they grab a pre-packaged, processed snack from the cabinet when they get home from school…I lose my cool about HOW UNBELIEVABLY SLOW THEY ARE IN THE MORNINGS…sometimes I just don’t want to engage with my kids – yep, there I said it – there are times I would rather zone out on Pinterest, pretending to be the Mom of the Year than engage in activity with my kids…I have loads of laundry sitting around – some that need folded and put away, some that need washed…oh, and about that nutritious, home-cooked meal? Um, last night, Emma and I ate grilled cheese sandwiches and chips – yep, sure did…and do I shuttle and taxi my kids to their activities? Of course I do, but more often than not, I’m trying to find some semblance of peace to maintain my sanity. Sometimes that is in worship music, sometimes, it’s wishing I could play some Metallica without scarring their ears and brains.

This is happening folks…this is real, day-to-day life happening all around us. All the while, I’m scratching my head, whist it is spinning, wondering, when do I have time to do the REAL parenting? You know, teaching them all they need to know to hack it in the real world.

But you see, those lessons ARE being taught. My kids know that I love them by the way I care for them. The way I cook for them, and do their laundry, and help them pick up their rooms, and take them to activities they are interested in. I’m showing them that love equals care. When you love someone, you care for them.

I’m showing them how to roll up your sleeves and dig in and get it done, even when you don’t want to. All of those loads of laundry? Yep, they help too…even though they don’t want to, they know it needs done. Even better, they know when we pitch in and do it as a TEAM, it gets done that much quicker. And then there’s more time for FUN!

The worship music? Yep, it comes when the kids know I’m about to lose my shit over socks that are inside out. THAT’S when I begin singing my praises to Jesus for giving me these two blessings, without which, I wouldn’t have a full laundry basket or a full heart. It’s offering your gratitude, even when you don’t FEEL like it…because you know, you just KNOW deep down, that He is good.

So, this post started out about time…and how time is simply passing us by. We have to grab hold of that minute hand by living in the moment…capturing the scene in our mind.

Recently, I caught someone studying me while I was going about a simple, mundane, everyday task. When I turned to ask what they were doing, their reply was, “making a memory.”

Which leads me to my new favorite song…History in the Making by Darius Rucker. You should check out the YouTube video here. While it is about a couple, I think you could certainly apply the meaning to many situations in life.

Random, Soul Relationships

Dreaming…

Michelle

The smell of coffee brewed by you even though you don’t drink it…just for me.

The cool, crisp, evening autumn air we enjoy on your patio.

The sounds of our silly girls laughing.

Your hand to hold late at night.

Watching you help him on the many 4-H projects to come.

The cookouts in your backyard.

The early morning sunrises enjoyed together.

Lounging on the couch together…reading or watching the latest DIY shows.

The country concerts in the dead of summer.

Sledding and snow men with all of the kids.

Shared meals around a table.

Late night pillow talks.

Early morning pillow talks.

Dreaming, laughing, loving…together.

His Word, Kids/Parenting, Series, Soul Relationships

dream

Michelle

I wonder if many people give weight to their dreams anymore.

Or if we are too jaded and cynical because of the world around us to even dare to dream. And then furthermore, to actually pursue those dreams.

I can say that my dreams have changed over the years. Where I once dreamt of things like wealth and living comfortably and having a nice car, nowadays, I dream more about what kind of legacy I’m leaving for my children.

Am I giving them the encouragement to chase their dreams?

Am I providing them the right environment to dream?

Do they have a good foundation to fall back on when their dreams don’t come true? And then to dream new dreams?

Dream

As many of you know, I’m a single momma to two amazing kids. While this road has been challenging and rewarding, I also dream about becoming a wife. Not just any wife, either.

No, I want to aspire to be the woman/wife/mother that Proverbs 31 describes. Yes, I know it’s a long shot, but hey, a girl can dream, right?

I dream of being the wife that makes her husband glad to come home.

I dream of being the mother that her kids know is their safe haven.

I dream of being the woman that inspires other women to never give up.

But mostly, I dream of being the daughter of the King that He would have me to be.

I dream of living a life that gives Him the glory and the praise.

Even if it means re-evaluating my dreams.

Until next time…dream on, dreamer.

 

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