Refuge for a Single Mom

Sometimes, the weight of the world can be very overwhelming.  There seem to be constant struggles and obstacles.  There’s always something to worry about.

Thing is, as we learn to fully rely on the strength and protection of the Lord, as we learn to trust His plan, His timing, His wisdom and His love, we will be better equipped to live happier, healthier, more joyful and peaceful lives.

I have been learning this lesson for a very long time.  I am one of the most impatient, paranoid, speculative people you will meet.  In fact, I remember my mom coming home from 6th grade parent conference.  The teacher told her that although Christina was an excellent student, she worried more than any other 6th grader he had ever met.

Over the years, my heavenly Father has been teaching me to be a bit different.  Although I am still struggling with these things, I’ve learned to catch myself.  When I feel the anxiety hit, I just stop and pray.  I give it up to God and quit with the worry.  I know, deep in my soul, beyond a shadow of a doubt that He will take care of whatever it is.  I know that He cares more about my family and me than I can even grasp.  He will bring to pass the best scenario possible!

When we look to the Word for guidance, we see that there is something called “The Armor of God”.  Obviously, this is spiritual armor, but as you can see, our Almighty Father has all the bases covered.

As time and circumstances allow this week, I’d like to explore each part of the armor.  I think it is so important to fully understand the protection that God has to offer – if we’ll only let Him!

The Armor of God  (Ephesians 6:10-24)

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,

15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;

16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,

20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

21 But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you.

22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts.

23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love.

Labels: Adversity, Anxiety, Armor of God, Diligence, Perseverance, Positive Thinking, Strength, Way of Thinking

What in the world is `that` anyway?  People always say “that`s good enough”!

When I was married, I used to hear the phrase “that`s good enough“ quite a bit.  (At that point in his life, my ex-husband thought and said it ALL the time - he just did what he HAD to in order to get by.)

It used to drive me crazy!  So much so in fact, that after my divorce, I chose to pursue a life exactly the opposite.  I chose to strive for more of everything!  (This really wasn`t hard as I had always been considered an overachiever.)

There is nothing we should tackle in this life that we stop and say “that`s good enough”.  Go all-out!  Reach above and beyond the normal or the expected!  Don`t be average.  This applies to our parenting, our relationships, our education, our business, and especially our relationship with our Heavenly Father!  Always strive to know Him better!

1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. 3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. 4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. 19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. 20 “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.  Romans 12:1-21

Don`t settle for the mundane or the mediocre!  God created us to be excellent, exceptional, successful, profitable, victorious, conquerors!

Go for it!  (Whatever IT is!) *smile*

Labels: Diligence, Encouragement

Sloth (a.k.a. Laziness) What ugly words. Nobody wants to be lazy, nobody wants to admit they`re lazy – but in general we`re a pretty lazy species. Remote controls, power windows, riding lawnmowers, leaf blowers ~ the list of `modern conveniences` goes on and on. Not too many of us could say we`d rather do without them either!

The desire of the sluggard puts him to death, For his hands refuse to work. Proverbs 21:25 Does that make you a little uncomfortable? Me too! What about this: Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. Proverbs 19:15

I just wonder how many people would prefer to sit in front of the TV or computer screen as to mow the lawn or plant a garden. ~ Let`s not even talk about housework! *wink* I saw a button on a message board once that read, “If my house is clean ~ the computer is broken.” Cute? Yeah, I thought so too! (Worst of it, it`s true!)

I rationalize it all because I`m essentially working. Building websites, designing ads, running link exchanges, editing photos, etc. Yes, I AM working, but there is no balance.

Just as I mentioned before, I need to implement a schedule and stick with it. Included in that schedule is housework and chores. Ewh! Can I even put in to words how much I hate doing dishes? Or picking up toys? (They never stay there!) And laundry! Talk about a vicious cycle! *big smile*

Well, the plain and simple truth is, I HAVE to! Who else is going to do it? The bright side to this for us single moms is that there is no one to be upset with us for neglecting the house! The down side is, there`s no one to help!

Not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Romans 12:11 Not lagging. Diligent. Fervent in spirit. Serving the Lord! ~ Gosh! Cleaning my house, showing it attention, being hard-working, this behavior serves the Lord? And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end. Hebrews 6:11 Don`t we all want to glorify God and spend eternity in Heaven?

This world continues to destroy itself. Society continues to be more corrupt. There are no morals or values. People aren`t afraid of eternal damnation, let alone the legal system. Violence wasn`t enough on its own, now it has become more and more atrocious and unbelievable. I don`t know about you, but the hope of eternal salvation sounds better and better. I think that is good motivation to step away from the computer and do some housework! *smile*

Labels: Diligence, Laziness, Sloth