"Just the Way You Are"

My heart melted the other day when I saw Bruno Mars perform his hit song "Just the Way You Are".

A few lines from the song:

"When I see your face, there's not a thing that I would change, cause your amazing just the way you are...Oh, you know, you know, you know I'ld never ask you to change, if perfects what your searching for then just stay the same, so don't even bother asking if you look ok, you know I'll say. When I see your face there's not a thing that I would change, cause your amazing, just the way you are, and when you smile the whole world stops and stares for awhile, cause girl your amazing, just the way you are."

I think deep down each and everyone of us wants someone to sing that song to us. I've got good news, someone is singing that song to you everyday.

He thinks you are amazing and there isn't anything He would change about you. NOTHING! He made us just the way we are, special and unique in our own way. "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart" Jeremiah 1:5.

The media, magazines, and people put so much pressure on woman. According to them you have to wear a certain type of clothes, be a specific size, have your hair a definite color and cut, etc all to be beautiful and in fashion.

Well, I have news for them, they are wrong. No two people are alike. It shouldn't be things of this world that make us happy or feel beautiful. Those things might bring some happiness and contentment for a season, but let me caution you, that season will soon come to an end. Then how will you feel? Right back to square one, feeling like you aren't good enough or pretty enough.

God's beauty runs from the inside out. It is never fading. It's not styles or things that make us beautiful, it's who we are in Him. We are a daughter of the King. Did you hear me, A KING! We are royalty. That just in itself makes me feel special. In Him we should radiate love, joy, peace, patients, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. Our character should be trustworthy.

We focus so much on outward appearance that we forget that it's what is on the inside that matters. When we are happy and content with who we are, we are happy with our whole selves. Our beautiful personality and little quirks are what make us special and beautiful.  Don't let anyone tell you or make you think differently.  You are beautiful!

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Proverbs 31:30

"Count Your Blessings Name Them One By One"

Does it really take us a holiday for us to be thankful and talk about all that we are blessed with?

If we would stop for a moment and come to realize it, we are very blessed!  There is so much to truly be thankful for.  How often do we stop and really examine all that we have to be thankful for? Why does it take that holiday or things getting really bad for us to remember?

Hopefully we are always aware of our blessings.  Each day is a gift.  The fact that we are breathing is a miracle.  This life that we have been given is a gift, an opportunity to do what God has called us to do.  Our cup runneth over and our blessings are abounding.

I am so thankful for life...that God sent his son to die for my sins, for our sins.  I am thankful that I am blessed with such amazing parents, who show me love, who brought me up in the ways that are right.  I am thankful for a wonderful husband who swept me off my feet over 10 years ago and the journey just continues to get better.  For his strength, wisdom and love.  I am thankful for two most incredible gifts, our kids.  Yes, they can be a handful at times, but truly bring us so much joy and love.  We as a family have so many blessings the list could go on and on....shelter over our heads, food in the cupboards, running electricity, transportation, family and friends, health (God's hand is working a miracle there), joy, laughter, sight, smell, etc.

Let us take time each and every day to give thanks and give our gratitude to our Heavenly Father to whom all praise and glory is due.

"Enter his gates with Thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name."  Psalm 100:4

"God Is So Good"

Most of you at some point in time or another have heard the song that goes like this...

"God is so good, God is so good, God is so good, He's so good to me.  Or maybe it was "God answers prayer, God answers prayer, God answers prayer, He's so good to me".

This song came to my mind and heart the other day while driving in my car.  For many of you that know me, you know that in the last 6 months our family has gone and is going through some pretty trying times.  Times that might make a person question or even wonder where God is.

Let me tell you He is right here!  I am learning that He is always with us.  "He will never leave us nor forsake us."  We might think he has, but He hasn't.  It's us and our thinking that leads to that feeling.  At the beginning of this trial I could have blamed God, I could have said where are you, why is this happening to me, you don't love me, but I would be oh so wrong.  God didn't do this, He has never left our side, and why shouldn't this happen to us (God never promised that life would be easy, but He did promise to walk with us every step of the way), His love is so great that He gave up His son for us.  "My friends, do not be surprised  at the terrible trouble which now comes to test you.  Do not think that something strange is happening to you.  But be happy that you are sharing in Christ's suffering so that you will be happy and full of joy when Christ comes again in glory."  1 Peter 4:12-13

From the very start of this I have and will continue to place this trial at His feet, and I believe and know that He will continue to help us every step of the way.  There have definitely been times when it has been overwhelming, when fear has tried to creep in, when uncertainty has tried to take root, when we've wondered how in the world can we possible pay the never ending bills, when our spirits and emotions have been at an all time low, but each time I am brought back to Him.  To His faithfulness, to His love, and to His promise that I am a child of God.  "But he said to me, 'My grace is enough for you.  When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you'."  2 Corinthians 12:9


I believe that in every situation good or bad, that their is always a nugget of wisdom to glean from it.  I will also say it is up to us to find it.  In this trial there is definitely a load of negative that I could see, but instead I try to look at every bump that comes along in a positive way.  In no way is this suppose to come across as a pat on the back, because believe me I know it isn't always easy to try to see positive in the middle of a dark abyss.  By doing this I will say that I am learning and growing each and every day, not only as a person, but as a daughter of the King.

Each and everyone of us if facing some sort of difficulty in our lives.  No matter what fire you are walking through at this time (whether it is death, disease, family friction, betrayal, hurt, strayed spouse or child, poor self-esteem, depression, etc.) I challenge you to turn to the one who knows all.  To the one who loves you more then you will ever know.  To the one that sent His son to die so that you may life.  To the one who wipes every tear.  To the one who carries you when you are to weak to even crawl.  To the one who has promised to never leave you.  To the one who is the I Am.   He is our everything.  He is our Rock, our firm foundation.

"We have troubles all around us, but we are not defeated.  We do not know what to do, but we do not give up the hope of living.  We are persecuted, but God does not leave us.  We are hurt sometimes, but we are not destroyed."  2 Corinthians 4:8-9

"Perseverance"

Earlier this year my friend decided she wanted to start running, and also decided to put a goal out there that in 3 months she would run a 5K.  Of course she asked me if I would be interested in running with her and of course I said sure.  Let us remember that I hadn't ran in years.  I've always thought runners were way cool, and I had always thought it would be super duper exciting to just be able to run, run, run.

Needless to say I went to work.  Got out there and started with my walking.  Slowly but surely I progressed to walking/running.  Let me tell you it took some good songs, lots of sweat, and baby steps to get to mostly running mode for me.

One day I was out running nice and steady.  Felt like I had a good pace/rhythm going on, when I looked down only to see that my shoe had come untied.  I had to stop tie my shoe, and try to find that right rhythm again.  No sooner did I find it, only to look down and notice now the other shoe also came untied.  Bent down, tied it, and I was back on my way.  By this time I was super annoyed, not only was it raining and cold, it was the day to run the full 3 miles.  You would guess it, 3 times was the charm.  Yes, 3 times now did I have to stop and fall out of rhythm during this nice run.  At this point I was pretty much ready to triple knot them so it didn't happen again.  I was so frustrated I was just about at the point when the running for that day was going to come to an end, but I pushed on.

This is a lot like our every day life.  We have those road blocks, those things that happen that mess up the rhythm of our routine.

Maybe you were headed out the door late for a meeting and the baby decides to burp up formula down the front of  your outfit.  Maybe it's your day for carpool and wow and behold you have a flat tire.  Maybe you're trying to grocery shop but everyone seems to be whinnying and misbehaving and your new goal is just to try to find the nearest exit.

We experience bumps everyday, every minute it may seem like, but it's how we choose to look at them that determines how we will let them effect us.

I could have gotten so frustrated stopping 3 different times to tie my shoes.  I could have said enough with running for today, but where would that have gotten me.  Not one step closer to my goal of running a 5K.  Instead I chose to keep going.  No matter how many times I got knocked down, I was going to keep going.  I was going to finish the race that was set before me.  I wasn't going to let those road bumps hold me back.  I can proudly say that because I didn't let those road blocks stop me that I not only finished the 5K, but I went on to push myself a little more and also finished an 8K this year.

Whatever road blocks you are facing, don't let them stop you!  Keep your eyes on the prize.

"...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."  Hebrews 12:1

"Refresh"

Have you ever had one of those days when you wish you could just click the "refresh" button for life?

Come on moms you know what I'm talking about.  You were up all night with a fussy little one.  You ended up pushing the snooze button one too many times, and before you know it, you have less then 15 minutes to get everyone fed, dressed, hair combed, teeth brushed, lunches packed, everyone to the car ready to go.  Let alone this doesn't include the dishes left on the table and in the sink, the loads of laundry that look like Mt Everest is now located in your home, the house that is coated in 3 inches of dust, the garbage sack sitting by the front door that hasn't made it out to the can yet.

This is one of those days we hope and pray that no one decides to do a surprise, stop by visit because we would have to close every door in the house, because beds haven't been made, toys are still strung all over the floor, and did I mention I am still in the sweats I had on yesterday, no make that two days old, along with the lovely torn up baseball cap that is covering the the untouched hair.  No...let me take that back I would not be shutting every door; I just wouldn't be answering the door.  I would be trying to cover my kids mouth because they are yelling "mom someones at the door".

It's not even 8:30am and I am already looking for the "refresh" button.

We moms are pulled every which direction, giving, giving, giving, and sometimes we have those moments when there just isn't anything left to give in us. 

We change diapers, comb hair, wipe noses, give baths, dress them, feed them, tie their shoes, pick up toys, help with home-work, you name it we do it, and it's just not a 8-5 job, it's a 24/7 job.
Don't get me wrong we are blessed by them, love them, but sometimes our tank is running on empty.
For me things have changed...I don't get an hour to get around (I barely get to shower in privacy), I can't just spend an evening reading my favorite book, or be able to do things at a drop of a hat...Instead it's a good day if I am able to get around, lucky to finish a sentence of a chapter, and now going out takes planning and finding a sitter.

All this to say we need that 5 minute break.  That break where we can be uplifted and encouraged.  That moment when even though everything and everyone else around us seem to be out of control, we can have a quick moment of peace and serenity.  I encourage you to find that 5 minutes to be uplifted to help start filling that love tank from empty to full.  Our family, friends and even ourselves deserve a full tank rather then running on an empty tank, with the red light that has popped on, stating that we are about ready to run fully out of steam.  If you haven't already taken 5 for today, I encourage you to stop right now and do it.
"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today..."  Hebrews 3:13