Refuge for a Single Mom

Ten Lepers Cleansed  [Luke 17:11-19]

11 While He was on the way to Jerusalem, He was passing between Samaria and Galilee.

12 As He entered a village, ten leprous men who stood at a distance met Him;

13 and they raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

14 When He saw them, He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they were going, they were cleansed.

15 Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice,

16 and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan.

17 Then Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine—where are they?

18 “Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?”

19 And He said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.”

A few days ago, I made some observations, one of which was this:

”Be thankful for each and every single blessing in your life and recognize that without God, you wouldn’t have squat!”

First of all, I must confess that I used to be a very impatient, controlling, over-analytical, pessimistic, stressed out, worried, MISERABLE person.  If I couldn’t explain it, I couldn’t enjoy it!

At some point in your life, you need to realize that you are NOT in control, not by any means!  No matter how much you plan, prepare, arrange, stress, fret or worry, you are here on this Earth to simply fulfill a plan that GOD has designed for your life!

You need to realize that God is in absolute control.  Any idea, inspiration or motivation in your heart, mind, body and spirit are from Him.  (Obviously, there are sinful, fleshly influences of the world, but in order to make my point, I will concentrate on the ‘good things’!)

With this in mind, it is vitally important that you realize that any blessings, any favor, in your life are only yours by His grace!  (You really didn’t have much to do with it at all!)  That beautiful, healthy baby you love every day, the roof over your head, the food on your table, the car you drive, your profitable business or well-paying job, good friends, loving family, health, safety – ALL GOD!  (Clearly, those who work harder, smarter and longer, will have more to show for it, but still, only in conjunction with God’s grace and favor in your life!)

Now, once you’ve realized that your blessings are from Him, THANK HIM!  Stop taking the good Lord for granted and give Him praise, glory and most importantly, be thankful – every minute of every day!

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.  Colossians 4:2

16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  I Thessalonians 5:16-18

So many people out there don’t understand their blessings.  They ‘deserve’ good things, they’re ‘owed’ the best … When they do receive God’s goodness, they fail to acknowledge His awesomeness.  Instead of giving praises and glory, they simply move on to their next ‘request’!

We aren’t naïve, silly, little teenagers, whose parents are obligated to pave the way!  We are Christians cleansed by and covered in the Blood of the Lamb!  It is ALL because of Him!  His love, His goodness, His favor, His mercy, His power – His grace!

Honestly, this drives me crazy!  (Even my own behavior at times!)  There is so much suffering, stress, worry and sadness in this world!  Isn’t it completely obvious that the goodness we receive can only come from our Father?

There is a saying “If it sounds/seems too good to be true, it probably is.” (Unfortunately, the information available on the internet, regarding this quote, is limited and I cannot tell you the exact quote or who said it!  LOL)

Why?  Why can’t we receive blessings beyond belief and comprehension?  Personally, I believe in a God that surpasses all understanding!  Therefore, I say, “If it sounds too good to be true, thank your God!”

Labels: Blessings, Thankfulness, Way of Thinking

A huge THANK YOU to Susan over at 5 minutes for mom for giving me “5 Minutes” of fame!!!



Be sure to check out a new site that Susan and her sister Janice have put together: Caboose Trailer Bike

Labels: Blessings

But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.  I Timothy 6:6

As a new Christian, I’ve learned a lot of very important lessons.  One of them has been to be happy with myself, to be content with who I am and where I am and to enjoy spending time with “me”!

I know so many people that can’t stand to be alone - they aren’t alone without being lonely.  They constantly crave the company and attention of other people or being in public places.

Not me!  No way!  When I finally get a few moments to myself, I immerse myself in the tranquility and serenity of being ALONE!  This is something that God has taught me and it has been an invaluable lesson to learn.

I can remember when my husband and I first separated. My son would go on visitation with him and it drove me crazy to sit here alone.  I was needy and dependant on other people for everything.  I had to get on the phone, get out with friends – anything!  The only thing that mattered was that I was NOT alone!

So many people are like this.  I see guys and gals who would spend their time on people and relationships that are obviously going nowhere or are even lethal.  They impose themselves on others and all around are just lost and lonely.  I want so badly to tell them to find God and find themselves!  It’s the best thing you can do for yourself.  I have so much newfound contentment in who I am in Christ.  I truly enjoy spending time in the Word and cultivating the new me.  It has been the most significant makeover I will ever experience!

As single moms, I think it weighs heavy on us as to whether or not we will find someone else to share our lives with.  A lot of us may even obsess over it.  –I used to.

21 Many plans are in a man’s heart, But the counsel of the LORD will stand.
23 The fear of the LORD leads to life, So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.   Proverbs 19:21 & 23

Once I found my way back to the Lord and spent my time and efforts on growing closer to Him and learning more about who He wanted me to be, who He expected me to be, I realized that I could relax and trust Him with the details.  I enjoy myself, my life, my kids and all of the other blessings that God has so graciously bestowed upon me.  Now, I am more independent and I am better able to truly trust God with the fate of my “love life”!

10 “He opens their ear to instruction, and commands that they return from evil.  
11 “If they hear and serve Him, they will end their days in prosperity and their years in pleasures.  
12 “But if they do not hear, they shall perish by the sword and they will die without knowledge.  Job 36:10-12

I often joke that if it is God’s will for me to meet someone or even to remarry, that He will drop this man from the heavens right into my lap.  Gone is the day that I am in search of this person or longing for his arrival.  I now know, deep in my heart that God can handle this.  He has a perfect plan for my life and it is up to me to trust Him with it.  That may even mean that I spend the rest of my life alone.  That is okay too!  Life on this Earth is very short it is also very corrupt and distracting.  We have to focus ourselves on the bigger picture and live our lives accordingly.  Live as the Word of God instructs us to.  Live for what you have and be appreciative of your blessings.  Don’t spend your life aching, needing, searching and longing for the things and people that you don’t have!

Labels: Blessings, Choices, Lonliness, Trust, Way of Thinking

Over the weekend, I had the incredible pleasure of being a part of “Walk America”.  It was a wonderful experience that my children and I shared with many other people, some of which, I`d like to think we can now call friends.

When we got involved with “Jenna`s Team” almost two months ago, I had all intentions of printing the shirts and hats, rounding up a few sponsors and that would be that.  As I got to know John and Jennifer better, I suddenly wanted to do everything I could to make their first experience with “Walk America” a huge success.  I couldn`t bring their daughter back or ease their grief in any way, but I could help them support the March of Dimes!

All I can say is WOW!  It was such a glorious day.  God delivered us amazing weather!  It was warm and sunny and not one cloud in the sky! Amidst all the tragedy, fear and sadness of the week before, I was so relieved and encouraged to see so many people pull together for the health and survival of babies!

So, here I was setting out to bless “Jenna`s Team” and immediately, God blessed me by showing me some human behavior that I was beginning to lose hope in!  He showed me that there are still people that wish for nothing more than to spread kindness, love, selflessness, and He blessed me with some wonderful, new friends!

The moral of the story, here is this, do everything you do with your whole heart, for the glory of God.  He will reward you abundantly!

Sow with a view to righteousness, Reap in accordance with kindness; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORD Until He comes to rain righteousness on you.  Hosea 10:12

Do not however, attempt to please or impress `people` with your efforts.  You will always, always, be disheartened.  It is simply impossible to please everyone all of the time.  But, the good news is this, when we are doing everything with and through God and for His glory, He is always pleased and He will reward us richly!

6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.
II Corinthians 9:6-8

Praise God!

Labels: Blessings, Choices, Generosity, Godliness, Way of Thinking

Have you ever heard people say something like this?  “I`d rather have a few flowers now, while I`m alive, than dozens when I`m dead and can`t appreciate them”?

I`ve heard it a few times, and it makes a whole lot of sense if you think about it!

We all get so absorbed and bogged down with our own lives and problems that we often don`t take the time necessary to nurture our relationships – before it`s too late.

It`s really easy to fault-find, nag and get frustrated with each other.  We get SO upset when our kids don`t clean their rooms or they leave their dirty clothes on the bathroom floor.  And it drives us totally bonkers when our good friends at church go on and on about the same things time and time again.

But the fact of the matter is - love is of God.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.  I John 4:7

We spend SO much time complaining, griping and being offended - really it all boils down to being judgmental and intolerant of others – being `UN`loving!

Personally, I`ve been working very hard to stop judging people.  To stop pointing out their shortcomings and love EVERYONE as a brother or sister in Christ – just as I wish to be loved.  (Yes, this is very difficult!  Sometimes it is done with little or no appreciation – in the natural anyway.)

This is why we look to God for strength and encouragement.  This is one of those things we can only do through Him – FOR Him!

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.  Philippians 4:13

Last week, there was a lot of fear, tragedy and death – all over the country!  For most of us, it triggers an intense sense of loss and sadness, whether we knew the individuals or not.  We mourn the loss and grieve for the families.

Amidst all of this, I got to thinking about how futile life seems sometimes, how mundane and routine our lives become.

I`ve often heard pastors preach on the importance of acknowledging your love for family and friends and doing it often.  (There must be something to this!)

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.  James 1:17

Let them know you love them, let them know you care and appreciate them.  Tell your kids that you`re proud of their accomplishments and love the people they`re becoming.  Give them a hug before school – even if they`re not too thrilled about it!  Say a prayer over them as they go, ask God for His protection and guidance for them – always thank Him for your beautiful blessings!

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  Philippians 4:6

We never know how long we have together or when we`ll leave this Earth.  It`s important to make life matter – make everything you do matter!  -Do it from your heart!

Take a moment today to show those most important to you how much you care.  Show everyone you care!  Give out a few extra smiles, say an extra `thank you` or `excuse me` at the grocery store or shopping mall today.

Give out some flowers!

19 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus,
20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh,
21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;
24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,
25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:19-25

Labels: Blessings, Encouragement, Friendship, Generosity, Godliness, Kindness, Way of Thinking

In today`s world, there is so much heartache, sadness and tragedy.  Words cannot describe the horror at Virginia Tech this week!  So much senseless death!  So much madness!  I cannot even imagine what those parents, husbands, wives, sisters, brothers, friends and classmates must be feeling!  (I pray that I am spared such heartache!)

Honestly, it seems like the more that we reach out and connect with people, the more knowledge we gain, (via media, internet, word of mouth) - the more we are exposed to.

17 And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
18 For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.  Ecclesiastes 1:17-18

I`ve found lately, that I`ve been bombarded with prayer requests!  Somehow, people know that my family and I will be lifting them and their loved ones up in prayer.

Recently, a very sad and grievous prayer request was announced on one of my favorite forums.

One of the owners, Heather, has been diagnosed with a brain tumor.  I`ve only been getting to know Heather since February and she has totally touched my life!  She is such an inspiring young woman!  I immediately felt a connection with her.  I could tell right away that she was sensitive, warm, loving, kind, honest, loyal and most of all, she loves her Father with her whole heart!

She is married to Mark and they have three precious children.  When I read Heather`s blog, I identify with her and her concerns.  She isn`t afraid to `die` so much (I mean who wouldn`t want to escape this crazy world and go home to be with our Savior?)  She IS however, afraid to leave her children behind!  What mother in her right mind wouldn`t be?  (Especially a single mom!  Do you know where your children would be placed?)

Now, Heather needs me - she needs us!

Wednesday, April 18th has been cited as “Love on Heather” day.  On Wednesday, April 25th, she and Mark will be seeking a second opinion and medical treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota - the number one neurosurgery hospital in the country.

Funds are being raised in order to ease the financial burdens that Heather and Mark are faced with so that they may better be able to concentrate on the issue at hand, Heather`s healing!

I encourage you to read more from those who know Heather best or read more about Heather`s story from her.

More about “Love on Heather”

Read Heather`s blog and follow her journey.

Most importantly, I encourage you to donate.  We all get a little nervous when it comes to giving money on-line, but wouldn`t you want the support if you needed it?  

And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.  II Peter 1:7

The money is collected securely via Pay Pal and goes straight to Heather and Mark.  No one will know if you give or how much, but God will.  Sow a seed of charity in Heather`s direction!

Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.  I Timothy 1:5

char•i•ty

• generous actions or donations to aid the poor, ill, or helpless
• something given to a person or persons in need
• a charitable act or work
• a charitable fund, foundation, or institution
• benevolent feeling, esp. toward those in need or in disfavor
• leniency in judging others; forbearance
• Christian love

Search your heart!  If you truly cannot give, the Lord knows that and He knows your heart!  If you can, remember that the smallest amounts will add up if we all respond to the call!

Most precious of all, lift Heather, her family, her friends and her co-workers in your prayers!  


Dear Father in Heaven,

We know by Your Word and Your promises that You are a healing God, that anything is possible, that even in today`s crazy world, You perform miracles!  You have the power that leaves doctors standing in amazement at unexplained recoveries!

Lord, we stand in agreement here for Your immediate control over this situation, for Heather`s healing, for her family`s peace of mind and reassurance that You are bigger than anything they face!

Sweet Father, we just ask that You put Your loving arms around our precious Heather and her family right now so that they would feel Your love, hold steadfast to You and that they would have the strength, determination and courage to conquer this situation!

We pray that You would use Heather`s victory to show the world Your supernatural power and healing, that her testimony will bring many of our brothers and sisters back into the fold!

In Jesus` Precious Name, Amen!


And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.  Acts 3:16


More participating blogs and sites to check out!

I Should be Folding Laundry

5 Minutes for Mom

Labels: Blessings, Charities, Encouragement, Friendship, Kindness, Prayer

Do your kids say this a lot?  Mine do!

Do you say it?  I do!  Not so much any more, but I still think it sometimes!

It can be very frustrating when you do and do for everyone else and you seem to get nothing in return.  Not even gratitude.  Not even a `Thank You`!

Moms especially have it rough.  We do for our kids, our parents, (I still help my ex-husband from time to time), our jobs, our co-workers, our friends, our neighbors, our church, the kids` school, the elderly, the sick, the hungry . . .

"Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.   “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. “But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.  Matthew 6:1-4

Sometimes; we, as human beings, as women, can get very weary and even disheartened.  The enemy uses this.  He will try to attack us and convince us that we aren`t appreciated.  (Sometimes he does a really good job too!)  *wink*  The enemy would have us cheated out of the blessings that God promises us!  And he did not delight in blessing, so it was far from him.  Psalm 109:17  `He did not delight in blessing` ~ He didn`t bless others.  `So it was far from him` ~ He did not receive blessings in return.  In fact it says `it was far from him` ~ FAR!

What we have to remember here is that this is an excellent way to be!  This is the way Christ would have us be.  Doers.  Givers. Blessings to Others!  To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.  I Peter 3:8-9

The Lord promises to bless us for generosity and kindness.  Be a blessing Sisters!  Step out in your faith and your love of God and bless others!  The generous man will be prosperous, And he who waters will himself be watered.  Proverbs 11:25

Let the love of God shine through you like a light unto men.  There are so many lost and hurting souls in this world.  They don`t know God`s love.  We have a duty to show them ~ to be a vessel.  If we as Christians don`t show God`s love and kindness to others, not only will they not see God`s love ~ they may wander further away!  “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.  Matthew 5:14-16

Labels: Blessings, Kindness