Hearts

  It's amazing to me how hearts can be so excited, proud, and breaking all at the same time.
  I've tried over the years to raise my children to be young adults that would honor God and bring glory to Him. I have done ok with God's constant help and much prayer. We still can be dysfunctional, but we do Love God and He's still working with us to grow and mature us in many ways.
   This weekend I watched as my  middle daughter, grew closer to her young man and I had to step out to the edge of her life. I really thought that I had prepared myself for this. I knew it would come one day. It is what I have trained them for, to be wives and mothers. Or in my son's case, a husband and father. I thought that I would be able to handle these feelings with grace. I'm afraid that I'm not doing so well at this.
    Don't get me wrong. I love this young man already and see many wonderful character traits in him that I really like. They look so cute together and I love the way that he watches over her and guards/protects her. I love that he is such a Godly young man and is concerned about her character and reputation also. When he left after this weekend visit, I cried for her. It gets harder and harder for her to say bye after each visit. I watch his face, and see in his eyes that it is harder for him too. I watch him as he sees her come into the room. His face lights up and his smile shows me so much. He might be talking to me but I know that it's just respect for me as her Mom at that point. His mind is on talking with her and spending time with her from that moment on. And while I might like the lively conversation, it gets hopeless after awhile.
    I guess that I'm just having a hard time giving up my friend. I spent  years being her Mom and then she finally got old enough that she and I were sharing things and becoming best friends. Now that dynamic is changing. I'll always be her friend, but she is possibly developing a friendship that will last another lifetime. One that Mom will always be on the outside of. I know this because I did the same thing to my Mom. When I started falling in love with my husband, time with Mom just wasn't a priority any more. I still loved her and still do very much. But, next to Jesus, my husband will always be my best friend and confidant. Yes, that's the way it should be, but it still hurts a little. I'm so excited for my girl and there is much joy that God has placed such a sweet and loving young man into her life.
     I'm thankful that He has placed Nick in our lives and turned our world around. Like a snow globe that has been shaken I suspect that it will be awhile before things settle. But, that is good too. I've always asked God to keep our hearts and minds active for Him, that we would have teachable spirits. That we would not become complacent and stop growing for Him. Well, God answers prayers. Sometimes He answers them by putting a Nick into your life. Thank you Lord for all that you do for us. Thank you for the blessing of this young man, who loves you.
    Blessings to all ~S~

My sweet Kelly and Nick

   

Rattle, rattle, Shake, shake

   Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.Col. 4:6 


But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1Peter 3:15-16
 
    There are times when I wish that God would just rewind time and let me have a do over. The last couple of weekends have been that way for me. I've either not been able to get my thoughts organized well enough to express myself coherently, or I've just opened my mouth and let out words that I didn't even know that I was thinking. My brains are just rattling around and shaking in my head.
    The verses above have been going through my mind this morning.
    I've been accused of over analyzing things on more than one occasion and this may be one of those times. But...
    Let me rewind.
    The weekend started off well enough. It actually started on Thursday for me. I cleaned a house, with the help of one daughter. School went well.  Then another treated me to my first ever pedicure and a manicure. Friday was dance for Aimee, and shopping at Hobby Lobby for me. I only bought quilt batting for a project that I'm working on, but I love to shop in that store! On the way home from dance I picked up some begonias to plant in the flower bed, then on home.
     Saturday morning I got things moving in our home, Aimee was cleaning the kitchen, Jessica doing laundry, and I was headed to the door when the door bell rang. Jehovah Witnesses. Most days I take the time to pray when I see them coming to the door. This time I was caught off guard and I let myself get rattled. I gave some fair answers but not ones that I should have given. There was a little girl with them and in my mind I kept thinking that they were so misleading her. I was gentle and loving to them but felt flustered and my mannerisms I'm sure, were less than hospitable. I often ask them if I can pray with them in the name of Jesus, but didn't even think to do this. All I really wanted to do was get in my flower beds, dig in the dirt, plant my flowers, and talk with God. I didn't have time for all these interruptions! Then a phone call came in and after I got off of the phone with this person, I started thinking about the missed opportunities. So many things that were said that I should have been able to refute or confirm with scripture.
     Fast forward to Sunday. In church I shared how they came to the door and I was so not prepared with answers to their comments. After church I felt like I really hadn't expressed my thoughts in a coherent way at all. All I could think was, "What an idiot I sounded like!" Like I was a new baby Christian or something. I know God's word, it is in my heart and in my head. Although I do forget where the verses are at more often than I care to admit. (shame on me) I do know it is in there because I have read it many times over. For all of the reading that I've done, I know that I need to study even more. There is so much more that I need to learn and so much more growing that I need to do.
      So here it is, Monday and we are off to the dentist. Before going out the door this morning, my daughters and  I will pray that God will give us wisdom and that He will put the words in our heart and head that He wants us to say. I will pray for strength and guidance from Him, that His word will be active and we will use it with grace and gentleness. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 
 I pray that His Holy Spirit will fill us and shine through so that all we do and say will glorify Him.
      I will take this weekend as a reminder that everyday must be hemmed in prayer, so  that it doesn't ravel away.
     Praying that you have a blessed week and that with each day God draws you closer to His heart.
  In His Grace ~ S ~
     

Changing vs. Training?

    I'm sitting here early this morning thinking, as I drink my 2nd cup of coffee.
    Yes, I know that it can sometimes be dangerous when I think.
     But my thoughts are good thoughts this morning. I'm thinking about my family, my life so far and about things I wish that I could change. Since I can't change the past I will not dwell on it, but ask that God will use my past to teach me. I pray that my heart will always be soft to His touch. That He will find it open to His will, always.
      So, as I said in the past and will say again, God is so very awesome!
      I say that  because, I am amazed always at the things that my sweet children say and do that are profound and wise. I guess I shouldn't be amazed, because God is so faithful! I have prayed over  my children their whole lives. I know that God's promises are true. Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is grown he will not depart from it. Pro. 22:6  If you look up the word "train" in the concordance, it also means - to dedicate. I heard a teaching on this verse once, and was told that the word is used here in a unique way, that means to create an environment for life. The NLT says, "Direct".
   I'm not the perfect parent, but God is. So when we ask Him for something for our children or for ourselves, if it is in His will, we will receive it in His time. "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7   I've prayed for wisdom and discernment for my husband and myself as well as our children. I continue to pray for them still. 
    God will often show me that He has and  is answering my prayers. Yesterday, Kelly and I were talking about a conversation that she had with the woman who was giving her a manicure. The woman had commented that you have to train the man in your life. This made Kelly upset. She said "You don't train men like they were dogs, you adjust to each other as husband and wife and adjust in order to accommodate each other. One spouse is not training the other, or even really changing the other. Rather, if you are a Christian, God will mold you to fit each other, so that your family will ultimately glorify Him. Such wisdom coming from a young woman of twenty one. 
    I know of so many women that have dated someone and said, "He's not very romantic", or "He's such a lazy man", but that's ok, I'll change him. If he isn't a romantic now you will not make him romantic later. If his Mom tells you he doesn't pick up his dirty clothes off the bathroom floor and it stresses you out now, run the other way. He won't necessarily change. But the one that drives me really crazy... "It's ok that he isn't a Christian." I will marry him and change him to my way of thinking. Sweetie, if he isn't a Christian now you won't force him to be one later. Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 2 Cor.6:14   If you are a Christian and he is not, get out now! Step back pray for him and let God do His work. But, be willing to wait. God's timing is not ours. And God may have someone else for you that you haven't met yet. 
    My husband and I were not Christians when we got married. I became a Christian after we had been married for four years. God changed me/my heart first. God changes us, we don't really change each other. I help him to see things the way I see them and he helps me to see things the way that he sees them. We both have made it a habit to try to use gentle words and not blow up at each other. (If you are wondering, no, it doesn't always work. Sometimes we just react.) A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Prov. 15:1 In case you haven't noticed God wired men and women totally different. And that's a good thing. I saw my husband through different eyes.   My husband is not the most romantic person in the world, but he does surprise me every now and then with his thoughtfulness. I knew this going into our marriage, and while I love romance I also love the fact that he's down to earth and stable. Qualities that I needed in my life. He's a good provider and hard working man. He makes me feel secure, and I know that if everything that we had was gone tomorrow, we would stand by each other and rebuild our life together. I would rather have security than romance everyday.  I thank God for this wonderfully sweet man that He has put into my life. I pray that each of my children will be blessed in the same way. I told a friend yesterday that I had the best husband in the world. She said, "No, You have the best husband for you." She's absolutely right! I love him and I thank God for him and the blessing that he is in my life. I also thank God for the wisdom that He has given my children and how He teaches me through them also. 

   Blessings to All, in His Grace ~S~

Resurrection Weekend

 Christ the Lord is risen today! This weekend was Resurrection Sunday, or you may call it Easter Sunday. We Love this time of the year because without it we would have no relationship with our Creator.  I hope that everyone had an awesome weekend.
   It was also a good weekend because we got to know Nick a little better and he got to know us a little better.  It's funny how he seems to fit into the family already after just a few short visits. As usual Ronald is reserved and watching.  And that's ok. He takes his roll as Dad quite seriously. I love that about him, he is such a solid part of my life. I, on the other hand, am out there with all my heart and emotion. Quick to trust and to love. Much like my daughters I wear my heart on my sleeve, although I see some of their Dad's reserve in them too.
   Today Nick left to go back home, and Kelly went to work. Jessica and Aimee were off in the other room and our home was so quiet. I love the laughter and the lively discussions that happen when he is around. Not that we don't have laughter when Nick isn't around, it's just different. We have some really great discussions about Biblical things too. Such as: predestination, the rapture of the church, God's sovereign will, and morality. I learned some things this weekend about myself and realized that I still have a lot of growing and learning to do as a Christian. This is a really good thing. I still have questions as I read and ask God always for wisdom as I read His word. I am glad that God has placed Nick in our lives, here to allow me to throw out questions and give me feed back as I read. Thanks Nick. ^.^ He also loaned us some cd's to help us in our Bible study. Such a sweet guy!
    Oh, as promised in my last post a picture of Nick and Kelly.

    I almost forgot to tell about dance class. So, Aimee takes ballroom dancing once a week and I found out about a dance/cardio class in Hoover that is at the same time each week as Aimee's class. So I thought that I'd check it out and give it a try.  I was so nervous the first time. Kelly and Jessica went with me (they didn't participate) to make sure that I didn't chicken out. Well, I decided that I liked it. Although I thought that the instructor was trying to make me loose all of the weight I wanted to loose in that first hour. So I've been back twice more, well every time that the class has been held. I'm actually learning and it's so FUN!
     Blessings to All ~ S~