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Between The Rock and a hard place

Penned on March 16, 2012

I’ve been consumed lately by things that disturb me. I’ve been shaken–awakened–on many levels. I’ve been feeling out of sorts and wondering what in the world is going on.

I’m desperate for change. Longing for God to step in and open a door for my family that would change things for the better.

Then I had the thought this afternoon….I feel like I’m between a rock and a hard place.

two huge rocks © by burge5k

I’m between The Rock and a hard place.

God is the Rock of my salvation. Even though I don’t like this hard place I’m in right now, I know without a doubt I am standing on Christ, the solid Rock.

He is my strength. He is my hope. He is my salvation.

No matter what storm I must face or how rocky the road may be, I know as long as I stay on the straight and narrow, He will light the path before me.

Are you in a hard place right now?

Do you feel your faith is shaken by something that has happened? Are you struggling with believing God’s eyes are upon you? Have you allowed fear to grip your heart and consume your mind?

If you are in a hard place, plant your feet firmly on The Rock.

Because when you’re stuck between The Rock and a hard place, no matter how tight that squeeze becomes, He will never let you down. He is a sure and steady Rock.

Filed Under: Spirit, Walking by faith
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Celebrating Sisterhood

Penned on February 1, 2012

I am so honored to share a new resource for you, my friends. Denise has officially launched a new community site for Christian women, called Sisters in Bloom. This new site has 33 contributors (to date) and is going to feature guest bloggers as well.

From the blog:

You can expect to read about:

  • Friendship and Sisterhood
  • Creating Community
  • Inspiring Testimonies
  • Faith Lifting Stories
  • Motherhood & Raising Godly Kids
  • Bible Study  Tips & Guides
  • Freedom In Christ
  • Book Reviews
  • Loss, Grief & Depression
  • Marriage & Divorce
  • Special Needs & Living with Illness
  • Motherhood & Balance
  • Working at Home & Outside the Home
  • Blogging Tips and Features
  • Miscarriage & Infertility
  • Healthy Living & Weight Loss
  • Simple Living
  • Godly Beauty and Fashion Tips
  • Intentional Living
  • Living Out Missions (One Verse, Compassion International, World Vision)

I’m so excited about this blog and I believe you will enjoy it, too.

Denise shares her welcome message to kick off the official website launch today. There is also an ebook for you to download, as a free gift to celebrate the site launch.

Sisters In Bloom

Filed Under: Family, Home, Life, Spirit
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This is me

Penned on October 17, 2011

I’ve started several posts…hit delete…tried again. I dislike feeling like I am bound and can’t say what is on my heart. But I have learned a valuable lesson in my 35 years, and that is to season my words. So that is what I will attempt to do this morning.

I had a not-so-good childhood. There were some good times, but they are difficult to remember, and I have to think a long time sometimes to remember them.

I could tell you stories of how it feels to be afraid to go to sleep at night, because I was sure my mother would come into my bedroom and kill me.

I could tell you more stories of how my child-nerves were a frazzled mess for years because of all the screaming and fighting and throat-choking that went on in our house.

I could tell you even more stories of how I learned to lie and make excuses and attempt to cover up the ugliness going on at home, and how those lies and cover-ups and deceit ate at my soul every single day.

But here is what I want to share with you today, even more than all the ugliness…

hope

Me, playing my Granny's piano

I had fun, stress-free, carefree summers at my Granny’s. Summers when I’d ride the tractor with my Daddy-o (grandfather) and play outside with my cousins until dark, and sit around a table to eat home cooked meals after Daddy-o said grace.

My two sisters and I with our cousins and Daddy-o

I had really good friends who were there for me, even though they never knew the half of what terror I lived with at home.

My Granny and me

But the most important point I want to make today is one that millions of dollars could never have bought for me.

The deficiencies of my childhood shaped me into the woman I am today, by teaching me all the “what not to do’s” of life. And for that, I am eternally grateful.

This is me today:

  • God-fearing, God-loving woman
  • Devoted wife and mother
  • Eager disciple, who loves to work at church

I’ve learned that nothing in life comes easy, and I’m thankful for that, because easy come, easy go. God is my constant. He has never and will never fail me.

This is me. Hopeful. Prayerful. At peace with my past and confident that God remains in control, no matter what comes my way.

This is me. Expectant. Watching. Knowing that my trust remains in Him alone.

This is me. Thankful. Blessed. Living the life He planned for me.

Filed Under: Life, Spirit
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Ten ways to show you care

Penned on September 6, 2011

After a couple of intense posts, I thought today would be a great day to put a positive spin on this topic. Because the truth is, there are many out there hurting. I know it, and so do you.

I’m making the choice every day to become more sensitive and aware to the needs of others around me. We really need to understand that we are Jesus’s hands and feet. We are His body. The time to work is now.

hugs
{Photo credit}

10 ways to show someone you care

1. Be present. When you’re with someone, really be with them.

2. Turn off all distractions. This includes electronics, such as smart phones, beepers, hand-held gaming systems, etc.

3. Smile. Sometimes all it takes is a kind smile to turn someone’s day around. Besides, smiling will make you feel better, too. Smile

4. Pat them on the back. There are hundreds of thousands of people who wake up and go to work and do the same things every single day of their life. Did you know most of them are longing for some kind of recognition?

5. Speak a word of encouragement. You may never know how much good a kind word does for a person. Offering a simple line like, “Your tenacity inspires me!” can make a huge difference.

6. Send them a cheer card anonymously. Find a cheerful greeting card (or make one!) and handwrite a special note on the inside. Mail (or have it secretly delivered) it without your signature.

7. Be a help. Very few people who need help will ask for it. Rather than asking if, or how, you can help, step up and do what you see needs to be done. If you know someone needs groceries, drop by with a couple extra bags on your way home. If a widow’s lawn is overgrown, drive over and mow the lawn for her.

8. Listen. There’s an awful lot of input these days. How often do you stop and listen? When you spend time with someone, a great way to show them they are important to you is to follow steps #1 and #2, then just listen. Don’t speak. Listen.

9. Give free hugs. Physical contact has been proven to be good for the health. The next time you see someone who looks like they’re having a rough time, walk over and give them a gentle hug. (Note: Not all people are huggers, so be certain it’s okay before you offer a hug.)

10. Pray. Much of the time, prayer is the best thing to do for others. Pray for them in your prayer closet, but also ask if you can pray for them on the spot. Pray God’s blessings on their life. Pray for a specific need, if they share it with you. Above all, and with all, pray.

Top Ten {Tuesday}

Filed Under: Life
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You Are Not Alone

Penned on July 4, 2011

If you don’t remember anything else you hear or see today, I want you to remember this one thing.

You are not alone.

Standing AlonePhoto credit

It doesn’t matter what you’ve done. Spoken. Heard.

It doesn’t matter where you’ve been. How low. Rotten. Dirty.

Those hidden sins nobody knows about but you and God? They can be forgiven. Washed clean. White as snow.

That sorrow you’ve buried in your bones? Not wanting anyone to know about? It can be freed. Peace unleashed. Joy fulfilled.

But Hope…you don’t know what I’ve done. You don’t know where I’ve been. You. Don’t. Know.

You’re right. I don’t know.

God knows. He loves you still.

Let me share this: I’ve been in my own pits. Made countless mistakes. Been a terrible person.

And then I’d beat myself up. Refuse to believe there was anything good enough in me for God to love. But there was. He does.

It does not matter how horrible you think you are. Jesus loves you so much that He died on the cross for you. For those sins.

You are not alone.

Filed Under: Spirit
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A step towards hope

Penned on May 8, 2011

This past winter, I joined a new challenge: Maximize Your Mornings. I needed to connect with other like-minded women. I wanted to start my day in a more productive manner.

Kat, at Inspired to Action, has a wonderful heart and encouraging spirit. I love that she has brought together so many of us women, who are all searching for a closer walk with God. The Maximize Your Mornings challenge is based on Kat’s (free!) ebook, Maximize Your Mornings.

The Winter 2011 Session of MYM (also known as #hellomornings on Twitter) was an awesome experience for me. I met and made friends with some amazing women. Best of all, I’m learning to maximize my mornings. Starting each day with focus and perspective helps me to have more productive and peaceful days.

If you’re interested, I highly recommend joining this challenge. The Summer 2011 Session includes a Twitter Challenge and a Facebook Challenge. So if you use one more than the other, you have options. Summer Sessions begins May 15th.

Filed Under: Life, Spirit
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Truth, be told

Penned on May 5, 2011

This post is a difficult one to write. As I begin, my palms are sweaty; heart races. And yet I know it must be done. Because I promised myself from the beginning that I would write from the heart and be totally transparent, in the hopes of helping you see you’re not alone in your struggles.

I’ve failed you. And myself. And God.

Instead of being honest, I went silent. I told myself I was waiting for the “right” thing to say.

I don’t want to waste space. Time. Thoughts.

It’s all too precious, this God-given life.

So I ducked for cover. Hiding through the pain.

Don’t we all do that sometimes? Hide from the pain…

I’ve refrained from writing because I don’t want to cause pain with my words. I don’t want to stir up bad memories. I don’t want to do anything that would create a negative reaction. So I hid.

I was awakened this week, though. I see that by hiding, I’m doing exactly the opposite of what I’ve been called to do. So, here it is now. Pure. Simple. Raw. Ugly.

About-to-bloom by lacybekah, on Pix-O-Sphere

Truth, be told.

The truth is, I fight every day to think positive thoughts. Negative thoughts are battled with Word and prayer. I’m haunted by words and deeds that can never be undone. Words and deeds that have been forgiven, yet remain woven through the fragments of this flawed flesh.

The truth is, I desperately long to fix some things that have been wrong for a long time. Unfortunately, I’ve learned that some things can’t be fixed. Some things are just meant to be the way they are. So I must accept them. This is hard.

The truth is, there are fragmented relationships in my life. There are strands that have been frayed and broken. Sometimes I wonder if they’ll ever be repaired. Then I remind myself that with God, all things are possible.

The truth is, there are (too many) moments when I question myself. Am I living fully to God’s purpose? Am I pleasing Him? Does God’s love shine through me? Am I hiding my light? Will my family be able to say good things about me when I’m gone from this world?

The truth is, my thoughts are heavy at times. I get flustered and stutter. I long to be more and do more.

Truth be told…I’m human.

When I started Mending Hope, the idea was to encourage you; to mend your hope. The truth is, I’m still in need of mending, too.

Would you join me? Let’s walk hand-in-hand on this journey to hope and healing; peace and joy.

Let the truth be told.

I’m human. God is good. I’m forgiven. God is gracious.

We have hope in Him.

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Filed Under: Life, Spirit
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