Refuge for a Single Mom

In light of recent events, just within my son`s school district, I wanted to reflect a bit about fear and what the Word says about it.

Just this week, there have been at least 2 bomb threats and 1 shooting threat - within a 25 mile radius!  As I write this, my son is at school under `lock down`.  I only know this because my ex-husband was kind enough to call and inform me!  The school however, does not tell us what in the world is going on!  Rumors and assumptions fly all over the place!  What is a parent to do?

Well, for now, I`m not even going to vent or complain about my views on this for a few reasons!  1) I`m currently attempting to overcome the complaining `addiction` (see previous post) and 2) After several situations, like this, this year, I`m learning to `let go & let God`!  (Both are equally as challenging!)

`Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.`  Isaiah 41:10

It is times like these that I have to rest securely in my faith - in my God!  He is bigger and more powerful than anything that comes against my son or anyone in my family!  I have to believe that whatever the outcome, whether it be intended for good or evil, my God will use it for His glory!

11 But let all who take refuge in You be glad, Let them ever sing for joy; And may You shelter them, That those who love Your name may exult in You.
12 For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD, You surround him with favor as with a shield.  Psalm 5:11-12

I mean, I would just crumble if anything happened to one of my kids!  But I have found myself worrying to the point of physical illness!  Enough already!

God promises to protect us!  He promises to have our best interest at heart!  Granted, evil rules this world and it is made more and more obvious to us with each and every terrorist attack and school massacre!

Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.  Psalm 140:4

But, for those of us who choose to believe in God`s Word, in His promises – we can have hope and faith in better things!

1 Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
2 Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:
3 Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:
4 That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
5 They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?
6 They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.
7 But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.
8 So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.
9 And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.
10 The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.  Psalm 64:1-10

Labels: Adversity, Believe, Choices, Decisions, Determination, Perseverance, Way of Thinking

Well, speaking of learning things, something has really been weighing on my heart and it fits so perfectly with talking of forgiveness, judgment (or not judging), tolerance, etc.

In our church, there are some women, a `click` if you will.  For a long time, I felt so alienated and unappreciated!  I worked very hard last year with our youth program, dedicating time and money I really didn`t have.  But I chose to do it because I felt that God led me to and I knew that no one else was volunteering.

Despite the love and appreciation from the pastor and his wife, I was absolutely struggling and by the end of this experience, I was ready to quit the church.  Even some really good friends encouraged me to start `church shopping` again!

I just couldn`t do it.  I felt a bond with this little church and I felt that if I didn`t overcome my anger, disheartenment, bitterness and hurt feelings – who was ever going to help them?  Help me?  Maybe they needed a good example?  Maybe I needed to learn something?

They`d spent so much time feuding and bickering amongst themselves!  What if I could overcome my obstacles, by the grace of God, and show them ALL love and kindness.  What if I was excited about my place there!  And hey, if it didn`t work, I spent my time glorifying the King instead of being a part of the problem – right?

12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you;
16 however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.  Philippians 3:12-16

Well, I have seen some incredible changes!  (In all of us!)

I find that these ladies are hugging me and confiding in me, coveting my prayers and not only inviting me to women`s meetings and Bible studies, but nominating me for offices!

Now, don`t get me wrong, I know that the only way I can do any good here is by the power and strength of God!

Without Him, I am totally incapable of most things, especially something like this!  Normally, I am a very sensitive, defensive type of person and my feelings get hurt easily!  -God is truly working on this!

Around Christmas I just decided to dig my heels in.  My kids love this church; their Sunday School teachers and the pastor embrace them both with a love and kindness truly inspired by God!  I knew that I would be hard pressed to find that for them anywhere else!  I knew they would get the most here and grow closer to God!

So, what about me?  I had to choose between going to church and being miserable and neglected, or change myself and be part of the solution!  -It has been an amazing transformation!

Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.  I Timothy 4:16

Something I`m learning about these people, myself and life in general is this . . . before you cast judgment or form an opinion about someone, walk that mile in their shoes!

You will find that some of these people have suffered incredible losses, they`ve lost children, husbands, they`ve experienced bitter divorces, they have children that constantly battle the legal system and neglect their families, they have children and grandchildren suffering the effects of divorce and drug/alcohol abuse, they`ve been raped and abused, neglected by their parents, abused by their husbands . . . whatever their reasons and whether they be justified, they simply may need what you can give!  (What our Almighty Lord and Savior wishes to deliver to them, through you!)  Your listening ear, your prayers, your sensitivity, your encouraging words, a hug, or perhaps something as simple as a smile!

I encourage you Sisters, stop being selfish (as I was), stop trying to do it alone, seek the guidance of our Heavenly Father and be a part of the solution!  NOT part of the problem!

32 But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings,
33 partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated.
34 For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one.
35 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.
36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.  Hebrews 10:32-36

Labels: Determination, Forgiveness, Judgment, Kindness, Tolerance, Way of Thinking

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Galatians 6:9

I read this verse for the very first time this week when it was part of a daily, inspirational e-mail I receive.  Very appropriate for me at this time!  (Isn`t God`s timing wonderful?)

The last few weeks have been very busy and tiring.

Jenna`s Team has become a mission that is very dear to my heart.  (Yes!  I am still talking about this and may do so for a very long time!)  Besides my public plea to the masses, I have been approaching businesses for sponsorship.  I have also been working with Jenna`s daddy to create t-shirts and hats for the team to wear at Walk America.  (We were so blessed as to be able to purchase the equipment and supplies in order to make the team matching hats!  Praise God!)

Also, I have been more involved in church and besides getting ready for the Easter Celebration; it is almost time for our annual Youth Group outreach.  I am going into it this year with the intent to pace myself!  (I am typically one of those types of people that shoots out of the gate at 150% and fizzles out near the end!)

Overall, it has been a very busy time and this can really cause the flesh to become weary.  Sometimes we even get frustrated or disheartened and want to give up!

In a conversation with my pastor, something very interesting came to light.  If we interact with people and only see them through eyes of flesh, we are bound to be disappointed!  People are people!  WE are people!  In our own capacity we will fail and so does everyone else!  However, if we see, hear, speak, love and DO everything by the grace of God, we will NOT fail!  We will succeed by the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit!

That is better than any diet supplement, vitamin pill or workout regime!  It is promised to us by God, it is guaranteed!  (For more than 30 days!) *wink*

11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.   Philippians 4:11-13

We are meant to do good, minister, reach out and glorify God!  Through Him it is possible and it comes naturally!  It rejuvenates us and most importantly it makes us fruitful!  Praise God!

Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.  Titus 3:14

Labels: Determination, Discouraged, Frustration, Perseverance, Weary

Some days I get a little writer`s block and really don`t know what to blog about.  It`s pretty weird actually, because just when I think I may need to skip a day . . . the good Lord drops something into my lap and instantly my brain clicks and I think “That`s IT!”  *smile*

So this morning, I was taking my oldest to school and making the wonderful trip to drop off garbage (ours isn`t picked up) and it is just a beautiful day here ~ although it is absolutely freezing.  (Considering yesterday I shoveled snow with no hat and no gloves and barely needed a coat.)  Today is a completely different story.  It is very cold, you need gloves, and a hat wouldn`t hurt!  Regardless, the sun is shining and life is good!

My mom is off from work today, so my little guy got to stay home and play.  (Grocery store and play dough!)  I was driving up the road alone.  (A rare but wonderful time for a Mom!)  As I was listening to some great Christian music on a local radio station, singing along, I got to thinking about my absolutely favorite Bible verse:

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.  Philippians 4:13

You know, this verse says ALL things!  It doesn`t say that things won`t come.  It doesn`t say that when they do they will be easy.  But it does say (promise) that ALL things are possible through Him!  He strengthens me!

Praise God!

I get very overwhelmed, very stressed out over a LOT of things and often!  I`ve always been this way.  I got to thinking about times when I really should have enjoyed my life, my children, where we were or what we were doing ~ all I can remember is getting stressed out or upset about something.

Many different songs played on the radio while I was in the car this morning.  One of them was about living your life like you might if you knew you were dying or if you had a second chance!

Well, basically, we never know when our last day might be.  Every single day is a blessed gift from God!  Our children are very precious gifts!  God hand selected each of us to be the mother`s of the children we have!  They may not be perfect, they may have some really bad habits – but they are ours!  God would never have given them to us if He didn`t trust us to raise them!  (Remember, He loves them even more than we do!)

Our circumstances?  Well, we all have different issues to deal with.  There are different people in our lives that we struggle to be kind to!  But the nuts and bolts of the whole thing is . . .  we can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us!

ALL . . . ALL . . . ALL!!!

A few definitions of `all`:

• the greatest possible
• every
• the whole quantity or amount
• everything
• wholly; entirely; completely

Our God is good!  He is greater than any problem, issue or person that we face!  We just have to trust Him, believe in Him and give it all up to Him.

For me, this is still a conscious decision I have to make.  Sometimes it is a lot easier than others.  But once you do it, the relief and peace you feel is amazing!  I guess you might even compare it to taking out the trash.  *wink*  When I get all that `junk` bagged up and hauled off, I feel a sense of relief and cleanliness.  `Bagging` up the weight of this world and handing it off to God is a relief that is almost indescribable!

For the weekend, I`m going to leave you with the remainder of Philippians.  Enjoy!

May God bless you in ALL that you do!

Philippians

Think of Excellence

1 Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved. 2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. 3 Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.   Philippians 4:1~9

God`s Provisions

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. 15 You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; 16 for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. 17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. 18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well~pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar`s household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.  Philippians 4:10~23

Labels: Determination, Faith, Perseverance