Heart Reflections

  • Song: “You Keep Givin Me” by Brian Littrell

    There are so many reasons to be thankful in my life.  I have been blessed with a wonderful husband, two kids, my health, extended family, friends and so much more.  Many times its easy to look at the little stuff that drives us crazy but when we take an honest look around us we really have a lot to be grateful for in our lives.

    So many reasons to be thankful
    So many blessings that I can’t repay
    And I never would’ve made it here without You
    Sending angels to guide me on my way

    You keep givin’ me joy
    You keep givin’ me happiness
    You keep givin’ me hope
    You keep givin’ me everything I wish
    You keep givin’ holding me
    When I’m about to fall
    And if even all of that was not enough
    You keep givin’ me love

    I know that I’m not always easy
    And I know I put You through some trying days
    But in spite of all the worries that I gave You
    You never let my Angels get away

    Have I told You lately
    How Your love has saved me?
    It takes me to place I’ve only dreamed
    I’m so thankful, Lord, for sending me angels

  • Heart Reflections: Living Life in the Fast Line….Going from 0 to 70 in Seconds

    So often I feel like I am living life in the fast lane……zooming through life faster and faster.  I don’t necessary hit the top speed but I am holding steady at a high pace for days and there is always some where to be or something to do.  It is possible to fill up every blank space in your calendar (believe me I have seen it).  There are those days, weeks, or months when I am just waiting for life to slow down a little bit so I can catch a deep breath, but when that glorious day arrives I realize that all the stuff I couldn’t squeeze into the schedule before hand has spilled over into that time that was once reserved for a quiet day.

    Notice in the top right corner of the picture the “service engine soon” light is on.   One of the things I found myself skipping (which is kind of embarrassing to admit) is my quiet time with God.  Much like the “service engine light” on the van I need to be recharged or have a tune up as well.  My relationship with Christ has a significant impact on all my relationships, yet there are days when I choose to neglect the most important relationship of all because life simply just gets too busy.

    When life gets too busy and I get stuck running full speed in the fast lane God has a way of slowing me down and getting my attention.  Earlier this summer my husband was in a car accident.  If you just looked at the vehicle the damage looked devastating, but thankfully God spared his life and he walked away with only minor injuries.  I am truly grateful for God’s protection and goodness in this situation.  Over the past couple months as we’ve been juggling one car, looking for another vehicle, and spending some extra time together I am reminded of His amazing grace and mercy for me.  I love my husband so very much, but God loves me even more and longs to have a personal relationship with me.  Why would I hold back from the most awesome relationship in my life?

    I make time for what is important in my life – God, family, work, ministry, friends or whatever else that may be.  Every person gets 24 hours a day.  How do I spend my day, what are my priorities, am I making a positive impact on the lives around me, or am I just rushing through the “to do” list and jammed packed schedule while trying to catch my breath in between?  How are my relationships being effected by my decisions?

    Sometimes the best thing I can do is stop, take a break, and enjoy extra time focusing on the what’s truly important.  When my heart is in the right place, my relationship with God is open and honest life seems brighter because I don’t have to live life in the fast lane or have to be the one in control because He holds my life and future in his hands.  Being a Wife, Mom, Friend, and everything else can be tough some days, but when you have your priorities in line it really can be quite enjoyable.  We all need to take some time every now and then to slow down, relax, and service the check engine light of our soul.

  • Heart Reflections: 1 Corthinians 13 Heart Assessment

    Beautiful purple flowers with white spots from our last trip to Charleston.  Sometimes I feel like my heart is spotted much like these pretty flowers.

    There are days when I feel like I mess up more than get it right.  I say things that aren’t sweet and nice, over react to the little stuff, or have a bad attitude.  Does anyone else have these types of days?  The people who probably know me the best are those who get the “privilege” of living with me everyday (my husband and kids).  They have seen many of my mistakes, bad days, and over reactions. As Jake and I approach our 12th anniversary I am reminded while the most important relationship I have is with my heavenly Father another one that impacts our entire family is my relationship with my husband.  While I was thinking about our upcoming celebration the passage in scripture that came to mind is the one from 1 Corinthians.

    1 Corinthians 13:4-8

    4. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5. or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6. it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  8. Love never ends. As f or prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

    The verse was brought to my attention again as I was reading Lysa TerKeurst’s book Am I Messing Up My Kids when I got to the section on spouses.  While most days go smoothly (thanks to the large doses of grace Jake extends to me) I could really benefit by working on many of these characteristics.  When my relationship with Christ is open and consistent it ripples across to all other relationships I have, including my spouse and children.  Lysa gave an amazing 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Assessment that I want to share with you.  It was really good and included scripture passages to reference and / or memorize.  Many of these attributes and characteristics can be applied to other relationships as well.  As I read through the list it made me realize how far from perfect I am and how wonderfully gracious the Lord is to me. Yes, some of them I do much better than others but I could improve in many areas as well.   What better place to start implementing some of these characteristics than with your spouse….let’s give it a try!

    Whether you are having a tough time or things are going well at home I think we all can benefit from applying the principles outlined below (insights from Lysa’s book Am I Messing Up My Kids):

    • Am I patient with my spouse  (I am flexible and understanding)?  Ephesians 4:2-3
    • Am I kind to my spouse (I am kind in thought, words, and actions toward my spouse). Ephesians 4:31-32
    • Am I supportive (not envious) with my spouse? (I do not keep score when I feel I do more) James 3:16-18
    • Am I encouraging (not boastful) to my spouse?  (I do not brag about my accomplishments while downplaying my spouse’s)? Hebrews 3:13
    • Am I humble (not proud) with my spouse? (I do not think my agenda is more important than my spouse’s agenda.) 1 Peter 5:6
    • Am I gracious (not rude) to my spouse?  (I build up my spouse with my words spoken in private and public.) Ephesians 4:29
    • Am I selfless (not self-seeking) with my spouse? (I focus on my spouse’s needs and wants and balance them with my own.) Philippians 2:3-4
    • Am I self-controlled (not easily angered) with my spouse? (I do not have a short fuse or quick temper) Proverbs 15:1
    • Am I able to forgive and let go (keeping no record of wrong) with my spouse’s shortcomings? (I do not use my spouse’s past shortcomings as ammunition in today’s disagreements or allow these things to taint our communication today.) Colossians 3:12-14
    • Do I delight in being faithful to God (not delighting in evil)? (I seek to live a pure life and choose not to flirt with sin.) Ephesians 4:1
    • Do I rejoice with the truth? (I actively pursue God’s truth over Satan’s lies.) John 8:31-32
    • Do I seek to protect my spouse? (I fill in the gaps where my spouse feels weak and vulnerable.) I Thessalonians 5:11
    • Do I trust my spouse? (I give my spouse the benefit of the doubt.) – I Peter 3:8
    • Do I keep hope alive in my marriage? (I trust God with “our” future, not “my” future.) – Jeremiah 29:11
    • Do I persevere in my marriage? (I look for solutions to problems rather than look for a way out.) Matthew 5:33
    • Am I committed to the permanence of our marriage? (I believe that divorce is not an option for us.) Malachi 2:16

  • Song: “Here With Me” by MercyMe

    Thankful that we serve a God that longs to have a relationship with us.  Sometimes I find myself thinking why would he want to spend time with me?  It’s during those times I am reminded of His amazing love even when I fail.  I have found that when my heart is focus on things above all of the other things in life tend to fall into place.

    I long for your embrace
    Every single day
    To meet you in this place
    And see you face to face

    Will you show me?
    Reveal yourself to me
    Because of your mercy
    I fall down on my knees

    And I can feel your presence here with me
    Suddenly I’m lost within your beauty
    Caught up in the wonder of your touch
    Here in this moment I surrender to your love

  • Song: “10,000 Reasons” by Matt Redman

    There are so many reasons to sing praises.  I am thankful for a loving God who is “rich in love and slow to anger” because I get life wrong so often.  One of the reasons I love music so much is it can express my thoughts clearly and bring my heart into a state of worship.  Here are some of the lyrics from the song that I enjoy:

    The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning
    It’s time to sing Your song again
    Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
    Let me be singing when the evening comes

    Bless the Lord, O my soul
    O my soul
    Worship His holy name
    Sing like never before
    O my soul
    I’ll worship Your holy name

    You’re rich in love, and You’re slow to anger
    Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
    For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
    Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

  • Song: “This Life” by MercyMe

    This is a great reminder of what our life should look like to others “this life was meant to shine.”  Our life on this earth is not forever so we need to make the most of each day.  May we continually look for ways we can make a positive impact on the lives of others.  Love this phrase –  “Every moment is a chance  to let your light break through”!

    This is not my home
    (this is not my space)
    This is not my style
    (this is not my place)

    Can’t get comfortable
    (cant get settled in)
    Simply don’t belong
    (cant get used to this)

    But I’m here right now
    (I can hear you say)
    Make the most of Me
    (this wont go to waste)
    If I’m out of my mind
    (yeah its all for Christ)
    If I’m making sense
    (then get it right)

    Every moment is a chance
    To let your light break through

    This life (oh oh oh oh)
    This life was meant to shine

  • Book: “No One to Call Me Home” by James Close

    As I was going through a stack a books we had in the house and trying to decide which ones to keep, sale, giveaway, or donate I came across this book.  I cannot remember where it came from and hadn’t read it before but it captivated my attention so I decided to read it.  The book is called No One To Call Me Home by Reverend James J. Close and it is about Reverend Close’s ministry at the Mercy Boys Home in Chicago.  His ministry provides a home, meals, clothing, and a loving environment for homeless teenage boys.  The boys typically range between 14 to 18 years old (sometimes they take in younger siblings).  There is also a Mercy Girls Home but Reverend Close lived and worked at the Boys Home so the majority of the book discussed not only the lives of the kids he impacted but some of their struggles as well as successes.

    Some of the stories he told brought tears to my eyes…..stories of some of the obstacles small children and teenagers had to face such as starvation, stealing, crime, abuse, drugs, alcohol, neglect and so much more.  None of these children asked to grow up in these families.   The Mercy Home has reached out to many of these hurt teenagers and provided them a safe and healthy environment in hopes that they will be able to encourage the kids to heal and become successful adults.

    As a parent this book made me not only appreciate the stable (although not perfect) home environment I was raised in and motivates me to pray for wisdom as I raise my kids as well as find ways to make a positive impact on the lives of other children.  The book is short and a quick read but touches on many areas of the heart.  Although I don’t have all the same religious beliefs as Reverend Close I think he is on the right track with providing a safe, stable environment for these teenagers.  Not every story he has is successful but it is encouraging to know that through their ministry they are making a wonderful impact on many individuals and families.  It really makes you think about the ways you can make a positive impact on the lives of others.

    A few quotes that made an impact on me:

    The Mercy kids are some of the most courageous and extraordinary persons I have ever met.  Many have overcome immense odds to succeed in life.  Others were not so fortunate.  But each of them taught me about life and made me grateful for the simple blessings to be found in each day.

    Our street was as big as the universe to me…..when it started getting dark, the other kids’ moms would lean out the windows and start calling to their kids – it’s time to come home.  I would stay out there and keep playing until I was alone. I was always the last one to come home.  I always had to decide when to go in. There was never anyone to call me in – to call me home.

    Our kids have so few of the simple family experiences that most kids have growing up, it nearly boggles the mind.  I’m not talking about ritzy family vacations and Christmas Eve around the fireplace.  I’m talking about food in the refrigerator and the same bed every night.

    If all you’ve known is disappointment, if all you’ve been told is what a loser you are, if all you’ve seen is poverty and life on the other side of the law – it is hard to believe things can ever change for someone like you.

    I’m a strong believer in the power of prayer combined with effort and love. 

    They are just kids.  They need a place to live and someone to love them unconditionally.

  • Never Alone

    It has been a full week of activities, guests, work, and so much more.  There have been many moments of celebration and joy as well as some moments of  great tears.  During this week we received news from three different families about the loss of one of their children.  After processing the news it can be tough as a friend knowing the right  words to say and finding ways to be an encouragement to the family during such a painful time.  Earlier this week while I was going through my email I came across one from DaySpring that has stuck in my mind and I want to share it with you.  This little piece was such an encouragement to me during unusual week.  It is called “Never Alone”

    Never Alone

    You’re never alone. God is with you.
    He knows your name.
    He numbers the hairs on your head.
    He understands the cares in your heart.
    Every morning, He’s by your side.
    Every night, He watches over you as you sleep.
    There’s never a moment you’re not in His thoughts…
    never a day you’re not in His care.
    You’re never on your own.
    He whispers to your heart, “You’re forever My own.”

    I wasn’t planning on sharing this but after all the events that have unfolded in the past week (including the loss of three young children) I think it is important that we occasionally see some words of encouragement.  I do not know what you are going through today, but whether you are on a hilltop rejoicing or in the valley with tears in your eyes we can take comfort in knowing we are never alone.  Even though life has a way of throwing us curve balls and taking us through trials that are painful we know that each one was placed in our life for a specific purpose.

    Take time to focus on the amazing blessings you have given then spend a few moments thinking of ways you can make a positive impact on the lives around you.  After brainstorming pick one activity and do it for someone else whether it is saying “congratulations” or words of “sympathy” let someone know you care about them.  It can be as simple as an email, phone call, text, meal, flowers, or card and will probably only take you a few moments but it can make a powerful impact in the life of another person.

    I apologize for my absence these last few days.  It has not only been a tough week with all the tears but we had Jake’s sister and her family staying with us who are missionaries to Indonesia which brought much joy and laughter to our week.  I am thankful for the many wonderful times and memories we created together over the past week.  It is my intention to be back on schedule next week, I soooooo appreciate all of you checking in on me and your patience.   You are a tremendous blessing in my life, thank you!

    Photo by Noel Reynolds