Mosaic

So it occurred to me today that I needed to write about the beautiful Masterpiece that God designs in all of His children.

Good, bad and indifferent all of the people we meet, love and encounter in our lives leave a piece of that experience with us. Every choice we make, word we say, all of it contributes to the work of art that is being sculpted and refined in us by the very hand of God.
I have learned that even the horrible things, that are almost void of any trace of God are also, part of the masterpiece. The moutain-top successes are part of it and even the things we miss and just walk on by missing the blessing, they all contribute to who we are.

I have seen it in my own life as well as I am seeing it vividly in the life of my daughter. She has an natural athletic ability that was becoming her identity throughout middle school. When she started High school something began to happen, she started having breathing problems to the point that she could no longer play soccer safely, a true passion and love of hers. It was shattering to her and very painful to watch. However, in all of this I began to see a lions heart emerge. This was not just an athlete's heart but, a heart that would not give up or give in, no matter the cost. It is year two of high school coming to a close and I could not be prouder of her and the way she has taken the bad and used it as fuel. The beautiful masterpiece is visible and I am in awe of what God can take and use to make us His work of art.

So, remember.... all of it, no matter what it may be, is used for good and will be on exhibit everyday in your life's mosaic.

we are unwritten

I learn many things from being a mother. God has used my children to tech me so much about being selfless, unconditional love and letting go. The latter is the hardest and the most inspiring thing that I have had to experience.
My husband and I used to tell my oldest son, when he was in trouble and being disciplined, that we were "packing his suitcase".  That means that we were trying to instill in him the characteristics that we thought he needed to have "packed" for the day he left home and forged a path out on his own.
I admit, we had plans for our son. We had dreams and expectations for him that were birthed the moment we knew he was going to be. Through middle school all was on track but, then something began to happen, his hopes, his dreams and his plans were not the same as ours.
Well, that was a shocker...we had it all planned out, nice clean cut and pain free. I have to chuckle now, cause my life wasn't like that and I don't know anyone who lives their life happily in someone else's plans and dreams. We thought we had it all planned best-cut, dry, no issues.
This wasn't a bad thing, it was not that he wasn't living up to our dreams or that he was disappointing us...it was not God's plan for him. Our hopes and dreams were ours, not his. That was one of the hardest things that I had to accept.  I had learn to let go so he could grow, learn and make his own way.
We did "pack his suitcase" with wonderful traits that are obvious in his life and although he chooses differently than I would (the 2nd time around-hindsight is 20/20), he is growing, and finding his way.
I guess as a parent, that is what I want in all of my children. I still hope, pray and dream for them but, now my dreams are wide open, the possibilities endless and my expectations? My expectations are that they find their passion and use that to change the world. Sounds too big and like failure ready to happen? They can not fail if they live in what they know is truth and stay connected to their Father in heaven. Will their be failure, disappointment, pain and discouragement? Yes, there absolutely will be all of those things, However, without the bad we would not know the good, success, inspiration and peace. The rest of the story... it's their story. I have my story and you have yours, we are all still unwritten, nothing in stone and no limits.

Wherever they go, whatever path they choose may they always know that they are not alone. When I let them down, hurt or disappoint them may they know there is always someone there for them that will never fail them.
Dear Father in heaven protect their eyes, their hearts and their minds from all of the distractions that will steal from their heart, lie to them and confuse them. May they have the truth of who they are in you written on their hearts forever, never to be erased or forgotten.
Use them and use me, help me to foster their passions and God breathed purpose. Help me to be the mother that you created me to be so, they can be all that you created them to be. Thank you for the honor and privilege to have such the enormous blessing of being called Mom.
I am temporary, you are eternal they are yours do in them what is your will.

Encouragement for the day

So, my day was anointed-I guess if you are more purposeful and focused than I, then everyday is anointed. However, for me....I am coming out of a dessert place named LoDubar in my heart and God declared me fair game today.  I am kind of excited because, I know my Father -and if He is anything, He is purposeful.
Part of my desert place relocation has been disobedience and part lost purpose. God really does have a sense of humor. The lengths He will go to to regain our attention are endless but, when He is so obvious and almost going "ha ha told you so...." It's a bit more personal.

I have known for a very long time that I am to share all that God has done to teach, refine,  restore and create in me for His glory. However, I have been cloudy as to what that looks like so, I have not  done  much to  be obedient  to that  purpose.  Really, I know that I am not  the only one he is  doing such works in (I see the inspiring miracles of His touch everyday) but, I do know I am called to "shout from the rooftops what He whispers in my ear". I think, maybe some of what I communicate can  help someone not feel as alone and encourage them to keep seeking.

So, my first very scary step was to make my blog public (I did years ago) but, only to the unknown and the few people that my very sneaky but, always supportive husband leaked the link to. So, just recently I published a link on my FB page. Oh, how anxious I was, so fearful that people would judge me or criticize me. Then I just put it in perspective....it is NOT ABOUT ME! That truth was so freeing!

There is so much truth out  there but, our biggest disease as people is...we believe the lies first. I have wasted so much time believing that I have nothing to say and that I am not worthy to share. God says, I have am worthy and calls me to share not MY story but His story in me. It changes the whole perspective when you take "you" out of it and make it His.

No matter what it is, fear can corrode our passion if we continue to be victims of the lies and waste precious time being stagnate. A dear friend passed on this quote to me "anyone can die, it takes courage to live". I believe that with all my heart, I know that we have instances of the most courageous and harrowing deaths and I can not ignore that it takes some courage to die with grace but, can't we LIVE courageous and harrowing also?

Do not let fear or lies rob you of your passion and your purpose. LIVE the life you deserve and share who you are, what you love and your dreams. We need a world full of passionate people fighting for the good things. Won't you step out and help inspire others to live harrowing and courageous lives too?



  

where the fight is

I used to have paralyzing night terrors from the time I was a small child through my late 20's to early 30's.  I could blame it on the horror movies I watched as a child or any number of thing that we face day to day but, the truth is that our enemy, as children of God, is willing to do anything to cripple us and bind us so that we are less effective in our God breathed purpose.
It took me years to find the answer to calm my fear. The answer came through a book "Victory over the darkness". All I had to learn to do was call on Jesus. First I began to try to just think the name of Jesus and it would help but, my fear would soon return.  I quickly learned where the real power was...saying his name out loud so the enemy knew I was a child of the reigning King of Kings. Now, I had the knowledge that even evil trembles at the mention of His name. So, when fear pierced my heart and took over my thoughts... I learned to utter the name of Jesus out loud. I then was able to pray through it and now I can stand up and proclaim the name of Christ and ask God to expel anything not of him and to protect our homes our minds and our hearts from the enemies attacks. I never understood the reason for the torment.....
Unfortunately today, my children also struggle with night terrors. However, by the grace of God it has been my blessing to not only teach but, to model my faith by sharing my story with them and together we pray, praise and celebrate that when we are faced with fear...we know that we win! Being saved we have the power of Jesus Christ in us and in that....there is no fear.
So my friends, we need to take seriously the fact that we are being attacked. Just because you ignore it or deny it doesn't mean it isn't happening. Oblivion is not going to protect you from attacks on your heart,  your mind, your marriage or you children. Only your faith and knowledge in God will be your weapons but first, you have to acknowledge that you are in a battle then be the warrior that being God's child requires.
....The reason I believe God allowed and still does allow the torment? It's the only way He could teach me and make me truely understand the power that is in me just by uttering the name of Jesus. O, how He is in the intricate details!

Focus and Joy

So, it has come to my attention in daily conversations and in the back of my mind lately, just how many times we miss the joy that is ours there for the taking. I have wasted so much time being "distracted" by things in my past. Through it all I have actually learned and few things so far.  In my years on this earth (and in yours too, I am sure), I have had many trials, losses and painful events take place that nearly destroyed me. For so ling, I held on to my feelings connected to those past events.  Those "feelings" controlled my ability to invest in my life opportunities and experiences.  Those "feelings" became my knowledge and I was making my decisions and planning my days around my feelings. I had days when nothing happened, no drama, no joy, just a day.... I was not capable of joy. I could not devote my complete focus to anything, even the things I was most passionate about. I was not able to follow through on anything because of my distracted and fragmented state of mind.
So, the difference between then and now? The difference is I know my living, loving Savior.  He brought forgiveness and peace to my mind and heart. He healed those wounds and I began to unknowingly have the ability and blessing of investing all of me, on a daily basis. I am began to realized that I was not so burned out, drained and that I could now actively participate and be present in my opportunities and life experiences.
My marriage...it has always been the most stable thing about me and now.... wow, it is even better and stronger.  Is it perfect? No, but absolutely the one thing that I thank God for Daily (in the good and in the tough).
Another thing that changes with freedom from past pain is focus. Now, I am able to start, follow through and complete tasks, goals and projects.  I have found that if I keep my focus on God and my relationship with Him, all else falls into place in the way it should.  Is it all easy, good and without failure? No, but it is all useful and needed to help me be a better person willing and able to pass on anything of value to others.
Before I accepted Christ, my focus was on my present circumstances. After Christ, I can be present in my daily circumstances not focused by them.