Refuge for a Single Mom

7 Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!
8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.
9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.  II Corinthians 12:7-10

Last week was very interesting and very busy – to say the least.  Among a lot of other things, I’ve been feeling very discouraged and very alone.

Fortunately, no matter how rough I get to feeling, no matter the reason, I always have one true and loyal friend that is always there, always listening and best of all, loves me unconditionally.  (Thank goodness for that!!!)  *smile*

So, while praying one night last week, I got to thinking about how much God has touched my life, how much He has changed me.  I got to thinking about who and what I was without Him and how far along He has brought me.  

Imagine a puppet, a marionette, if you will, with just a string or two.  Kind of flopping around aimlessly, with little to no direction, no coordination, no charisma, no personality…nothing.  That was me – totally!

Like a lot of people, I too ‘asked Jesus into my heart’ at a very tender age, during some highly emotional altar call at Church Camp, however, for many years, I wandered, I rebelled, I went in every direction but the one God called me to.  Therefore, I don’t consider myself truly saved until 4 ½ years ago when I deeply and honestly repented of my sins and made a total commitment to follow Him and glorify Him in everything I do.

In this very short, but productive 4 ½ years, God has added more ‘strings’ and ‘details’ to this ‘doll’.  By His grace I have become more focused, more convicted, more committed, and overall, more beautiful and coordinated in every way!

For a little while now, I’ve been working on a little side project - something that is extremely dear to my heart and has no monetary value whatsoever.  Just a true ‘vision’ to do the will of God and glorify Him in the best way I know how.  I’m not quite ready to talk about it yet, but it’s been coming along quite well.  I truly believe that this is something that God would have me to do!

On Friday, I suffered a bit of a setback.  Something someone said led me to believe that I had nothing to offer, that I couldn’t be a good example to others because I’m essentially not a finished product.  Well, Hello?  Who is?  Can I not witness to the grace of God and His goodness in my life?  Can I not be a good example because of my accomplishments thus far?

The thing here is this; we MUST be happy and content with WHERE we are in Christ, WHO we are in Christ!  Not that we don’t continue to strive to be more, to be a ‘better’ version, or to be all that we can be through Him on this Earth, but we have to love ourselves and be happy where we are.  We can’t consume ourselves with being someone or something we are not.

This has been one of the hardest lessons for me to learn.  I am typically the type of person to care what other people think and to over analyze everything!  The past, the future - usually a lot of things that I have no control over anyway.  One thing I found that I could control, however, was me.  I could ‘decide’ to be happy and joyful and let things roll.  I can praise God for the lessons I’ve learned, the blessings I’ve received and the victory that He has planned for me!


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.  Philippians 4:10-14

Only when we are satisfied with what He has given us, will He trust us with more.  More blessings, more responsibility, etc.

Obviously, we all have a long way to go.  We all have ‘fine-tuning’ to undergo.  In the meantime, however, most of us have learned a lot and we’ve experience a lot.  Therefore, most of us have some insight to lend to those in a different place, those still struggling to surrender to the will of God.  (They just have to be willing to listen.)

Someday, when God is truly finished, and I am home in Heaven with Him, I will finally get to be a REAL little girl!  In the meantime, I’m just me.  –The ME that God created me to be trusting Him to guide my strings in the right directions!

Labels: Believe, Control, Encouragement, Growth, Learning, Positive Thinking, Praise, Way of Thinking

This week, my 3-year old learned to effectively peddle his bike.  It`s such a joy to watch him get it right and appreciate the new-found luxury of `riding his bike`!  Before, he was just pushing himself along – doing the best he could.

(As I`ve mentioned before, I get my inspiration in some really unique ways!) *wink*

As I was relishing in his achievement, I got to thinking about how `easy` God is and how reliable He is.  I was thinking about how most of us just `push ourselves along` or `do the best we can` when we`re without Him.

People often say things like “once you learn to ride a bike you never forget” or “it`s as easy as learning to ride a bike”.

Once God touches your life, even the slightest bit, you never really forget Him!  You may rebel or even ignore Him, but He`s a part of you.  His love and grace are instilled in your brain,  your heart and most importantly, your soul!  He patiently waits for us to come back to Him of our own will and desire.  He`s ready and waiting for us to repent our sins and get on the right path with Him.

38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”
40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!”  Acts 2:38-40

God really doesn`t make it hard to walk with Him.  It may seem like it at the time.  It may seem like you have to give up `having fun` or give up your `freedom` – you really have so much to gain!

9 But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way.
10 For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints.
11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end,
12 so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.  Hebrews 6:9-12

Looking back over my own life, I have to wonder now what the attraction really was in all of the sin and fleshly desires.  I was constantly struggling and alone.  I was never really happy or joyful!

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.  II Corinthians 7:1

Goodness!  Here I am enjoying the best part of my life so far and all those things are gone!  All those people are gone.  I went through one of the toughest times in my life and none of those `friends` were there for me!  They just found a new drinking buddy, a new ride around town or a new house to party at.

What did I really give up?  Not a darn thing!  I gained so much love from God, so much peace, joy, happiness and contentment.

Don`t get me wrong, there are still struggles and some loneliness, but now I`m not alone – not at all!  I have my Heavenly Father right here beside me!  Unlike the love or friendship or kindness of anyone I`ve ever known here on Earth, my God NEVER leaves me nor forsakes me!

1 “I love You, O LORD, my strength.”
2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies.    Psalm 18:1-3

2According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,
7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.  I Peter 1:2-9

Praise God!


1 And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain—
2 for He says, “AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU.” Behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION”—
3 giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited,
4 but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,
5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger,
6 in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love,
7 in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left,
8 by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true;
9 as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death,
10 as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things.
11 Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide.
12 You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections.
13 Now in a like exchange—I speak as to children—open wide to us also.
14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?
15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?
16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
17 “Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord. “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you.
18 “And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty.  II Corinthians 6:1-18

Labels: Believe, Encouragement, Faith, Positive Thinking, Praise

Do you ever hear people tell those eerie stories about how they`re trying to get somewhere but the kids weren`t listening, things weren`t going well and they were ready to pull their hair out because they were going to be late?  But. . . had they been on time, they`d have been involved in a terrible accident?

Let me tell `ya sister . . . it is totally freaky!  I`m here to tell `ya about it!

There wasn`t anything particularly unique about this Monday morning, the birds were singing and the sun was peaking in . . . pretty usual.  Little did I know, that THIS Monday would evolve to be one of the most blessed and favored days of mine and my children`s lives!

A good man will obtain favor from the LORD,  Proverbs 12:2

The day started by our noticing in the newspaper that friends of ours not only acknowledged a donation my company made to them, but they did so in such a way that would give maximum exposure!  Very cool gesture guys!  Thanks!

So far, the day is off to a great start!

A bit later, as I proceeded to get my kids together to go BACK to the dentist, one got ready while the other totally drug his feet and did everything under the sun to slow us down!  I remember thinking “Man, my day started off well, but it`s taking a turn for the worst!”

Little did I realize that this was God`s way of protecting my day, my children and me!  Not only was He preventing us from having a much worse day, He made it even better still!

After traveling about 15 minutes into our 45 minute drive, we were detoured.  We didn`t really know why or what was going on.  Only that all traffic was being re-routed onto this twisty-turny, narrow, dirt road!

We arrived at the dentist`s office and as I proceeded to beg them to take my son, I found out that the appointment after us had cancelled.  Thus, allowing my son to not only get the rest of his own appointment, but the next 30 minute slot as well!  Praise God!  (When you are talking a 45 minute drive one way, with an onslaught of dentist appointments in your future ~ the more time the better!)

I was also informed that the detour was due to an accident and that it had involved a school bus!  Well, suddenly, all I could think about was that someone`s kids were on that bus!  I proceeded to pray and pray for those kids, families and the bus driver!

It wasn`t until later in the day that it was clarified.  There was not a school bus involved, but rather two coal trucks.  They collided head on, damaged a bridge and spewed coal and ash all over the road.  (Which took over 7 hours to clean up!)  One driver was injured, but not badly.

Had we been on time this morning, we very easily could have been involved in that accident!

The fact still remains Sisters, no matter how bad something seems, no matter how late we are running or how out of hand things seem, God IS in control!  He has a plan and He has a time!

`For I know the plans that I have for you,` declares the LORD, `plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.`  Jeremiah 29:11

He has the power to take something the enemy means for harm and turn it into something wonderful!

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.  Genesis 50:20

Stop rushing!  Stop being compulsive or forceful!  Trust God!  Give problems, situations and circumstances up to Him!  Unlike you and me, He is qualified to carry the weight of the world on His shoulders!

Labels: Praise