Refuge for a Single Mom

For truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, `Move from here to there,` and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.  Matthew 17:20

Around my house, the last couple of weeks have been a bit more trying than usual.  It seems as though we are simply muddling through and `just getting by`.  (Anyone else feel that way?)

Before I explain the details I would like to take a moment and thank God for His many blessings.  Especially pointing out, that I am sincerely grateful to Him for the health and safety of my children, my Mom, myself and the rest of my family and friends.  I realize that things could surely be much worse!

So, I`ve been sizing up this next post and debating what material to use as a `jumping off` point.  This is tough, because I don`t want to gripe or complain!  *wink*

Maybe I`ll start by telling you that I got a bit of a raw deal with my new vehicle.  (Luckily it is only cosmetic.)  There is some body damage that was `hidden` and I didn`t find it until my first thorough washing/waxing attempt.  This could easily be a very costly job and obviously one that I cannot justify the funds for right now.  Can you say `GRRR`?

What`s more, while the nation was reeling in death and suffering, some idiot(s) had the audacity to enter onto our property (through a gated fence) and steal both of my sons peddle bikes.  (Both of which he saved his own money to buy!)  I realize that this is what the `world` has been reduced to, but I still find it hard to understand.  We left something outside, on our patio, propped up against our home, next to our back door, (in plain view) and this justifies someone TAKING what is OURS?  The police really can`t do much.  They did promise to increase their presence in our area, but  I haven`t seen them yet.  Alas, this is how THIS summer has begun with my neighbors.  A girlfriend asked me if I really thought they were involved.  Most definitely!  The effects of the `world` on my neighborhood have been unbelievable.  UNBELIEVABLE!  We just can`t get moved fast enough!

Simply put, there are a lot of `little` things that are building up.  Every once in a while I get a little overwhelmed by it all.  To mention everything individually would probably wander into the realm of complaining and I am doing my very best to stay out of there!  (Even though that little purple bracelet isn`t here yet!)  *wink*

Overall I am just feeling very alone and sad.  Not depressed or anything major like that.  Just that annoying `alone` feeling when you ache for someone to `make it all better`!  You want for those strong arms wrapped around you to soften all the blows.  Perhaps a loving whisper of encouragement in your ear.

Although in the natural we seem to be incredibly alone, we need to refocus, step out of the box, so to speak!  Each one of us has a friend and comforter like no other!  Certainly like no one on this Earth!

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.
6 But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer;
7 and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.  II Corinthians 1:2-7

God is always working to `make it all better`!  His arms are the strongest and He`s always willing to wrap them around you!  He never stops whispering uplifting, encouraging, loving words in your ear – just be willing to listen!

We`re never alone!  Have faith!  Even that of a mustard seed!  (Which by the way, is not quite as big as the top of a pin!)

1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
2 For by it the men of old gained approval.
3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.
4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.
5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.  Hebrews 11:1-6

Labels: Choices, Encouragement, Faith, Frustration, Growth, Learning, Patience, Tests, Trials, 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

Do you lose your temper?  I do.  This is one of those things that the Lord has me dealing with.  I constantly tell myself that I can be calm all the time.  I even `coach` myself!  *wink*  But, it remains to be a huge stumbling block for me.

On Monday, my 3-year old and I went to the market.  Well this is a treat for him for several reasons.  He loves getting out, he loves `meeting` all the other little kids and he loves all the `new` food in the house.  In fact, he feels the need to eat and drink everything that night!

Oh my goodness!  Can you say frustrating?  Every time I turn my head, he raids the refrigerator and steals another juice box.  These are `supposed` to last all week!  The worst part is, he has one out, but it has gotten warm.  Well, he can`t drink that!  (Duh Mom!)  He has to have a cold one.  Growl!

Well, perhaps, everyone loses their temper at one point or another and for one reason or another.  It really is not the best thing!

One translation of  Proverbs 29:11 reads:  A fool always loses his temper, But a wise man holds it back.  Another reads like this:  A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.  Boy, doesn`t that sum it all up?

In other words, losing your temper is like putting your whole mind right out there!  All over the place.  Essentially, losing it!  Losing your mind.

Also, He who is slow to anger has great understanding, But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.  Proverbs 14:29

According to Dictionary.com

fol•ly

Labels: Anger, Frustration, Temper