• Heart Reflections: Riches of the Heart

    In one our traveling excursions I came across this sign “Riches of the heart cannot be stolen”.  I immediately liked the sign (simple but to the point) and was thankful for the reminder in my life.  What is my focus and where do my thoughts tend to wonder?

    Joy, blessings, contentment, laughter, love, thankfulness, and many amazing riches that come from my heart are ones that cannot be taken away from me.  May the riches of your heart and mine be abundantly overflowing so we can be content, generous, positive, and kind to those around us.

  • Heart Reflections: You Can Do Nothing

    I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5

    I am in the process of reading several books right now and I came across this verse twice last week (probably a subtle hint or gentle reminder for me, hmmm…).  It is one that I have read many times throughout the years but the part that really struck me this time around was “apart from me you can do nothing”.   So all the time I spend trying to accomplish tasks in my own strength is worth nothing?  I really don’t want to waste my time, do you?

    How often do I try to do everything in my own strength or at least I want to feel like have some sort of control over what’s going on in my life?   More often then I want to admit!  What I really need to focus on is staying connected to the vine and drawing my strength, nourishment, support, and guidance from the one who really is in control of my life.

    Our family has grown many gardens so I am aware of the plant growing process.  When a piece of the branch or plant gets separated from the vine it dries up and ceases to produce any more fruit.  The vine is what brings the nutrients from the roots to the branches without it there would be no fruit. I don’t want to shrivel up, but rather I want to grow, flourish, and thrive producing a lot of fruit.  The main question to myself is – am I taking the steps to have that good fruit in my life by drawing my nutrition from the vine or am I starting to shrivel?

    I am praying that this verse will be a reminder to all of us of how important it is that we get our daily strength from the vine.  No matter what your circumstance is today you can be encouraged that God is in control and he will give you the nourishment you need for today.  Eventually you will be begin to God working through your heart and life to produce an abundance of beautiful fruit.  Take little steps today and start drawing nourishment from the vine.  Spend some time  praying, listening to a sermon, reading the scriptures, or singing praise and worship songs to help replenish your heart and keep you connected to the vine.

  • Heart Reflections: The Powerful Impact of Words

    Let no corrupt communication come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. –  Ephesians 4:29

    Ouch!  This is a hard one at times…  I read this verse a few days ago and I have continued to think about it as I plunge into another busy week.  Sometimes we forget how powerful of an impact our words have on others.  Are we encouraging our family and friends with kind words or we doing damage?

    It is hard to be positive and encouraging all the time.  Often I find myself regretting the words I spoke immediately after they were said.  Speaking poorly about another person does no good and in reality it only makes me look bad.  Complaining about the little inconveniences in my life only shows my discontent heart.  How I am suppose to be a shining light in a dark world, if my words are just as hurtful or hateful as the next persons?

    We are all human.  We make mistakes.  Things will happen that offend and upset us.  It feels natural to get defensive or to lash out against those who hurt us.  I find it very difficult to control my words especially when it comes to children (any kids, not just my own).  I think part of that is the mothering instinct, however, it is wise to consider our words prior to opening our mouths.  At times it may be best to wait to discuss something big after you’ve had time to pray about it and when it is more convenient for all parties involved.

    Will you pray with me asking God to give us the words to speak that may be good for building up and give grace to those who hear?  Let’s try with God’s help to be positive, encouraging, and speak kindly.  We don’t know what is going on in the hearts and lives of those around us but if we can control our tongue we may have more opportunities to be a blessing and make a positive impact on the life of someone else.

  • Heart Reflections: How do they do it?

    How do kids wear their clothes on backwards and not even notice it?  As an adult I would be so uncomfortable…..if I accidentally put my shirt on backwards it drives me nuts until was fixed.  When the girls were younger they would go an entire day at school with their shirt or pants on backwards and it didn’t bother them (even after several requests from me to correct the clothing). They didn’t have the extra motivation to switch it around because they really didn’t mind it being backwards.  It was rather hilarious seeing slipper slide marks and grass stains when they were going through the wash since they had worn them backwards all day.

    Recently I re-read a book that I had read many years ago.  When I read it years ago I loved the book.  I still enjoyed the book but there were pieces that stood out to me much more this time around, not necessarily because I missed it the first time around but because of the journey my life has taken the emotions the people in the book feel more real.

    I noticed those one or two sentences in the book where someone expressed sadness because they could not have children.  Read my  Loosening My Grip: Why Can’t I Get Pregnant series if you want to learn about our story.  I was disappointed and even sad when the characters in the book faced other hardships similar to those trials that I have gone through.  Many years ago when I first read this book it didn’t bother me because I didn’t have such a personal connection to what the people were going through.

    Now after all these years and many trials later it is more emotional to read the story.  Much like the girls when they were younger wearing their clothes inside out, it really didn’t bother them too much because they really didn’t know what it was suppose to feel like.  Over time they learned that wearing clothes backwards was uncomfortable much like those trials we go through that much us uncomfortable.

    Maybe….just….maybe God has us go through certain situations that make us uncomfortable so later when we encounter another person going through a similar trial we can be an encouragement to them.  We can cheer them on, share our story, and be a blessing to them during a hard time.  Isn’t that what life’s about anyway?  Using our gifts, talents, and what we have learned to make a positive impact on the lives of people around us.  Is there someone in your life that you can be an encouragement to today?

  • Heart Reflections: Finding Contentment

    Linda Dillow in her book Calm My Anxious Heart speaks of a missionary woman that lives in a mud hut in Africa.  When she asked the missionary how she was so content this is what she said:

    • Never allow yourself to complain about anything (not even the weather).
    • Never picture yourself in a different circumstance or someplace else.
    • Never compare your lot with the lot of another.
    • Never allow yourself to wish this or that had been otherwise.
    • Never dwell on tomorrow.  Remember it is God’s and not ours.

    A few months ago I had the opportunity to travel to India.  It was an amazing trip and I had a great time exploring several different areas.  I saw things while traveling that just broke my heart…people living on the street or under tarps, children who didn’t have their basic needs met, poverty, and much more.  On the flip side while in India I experienced the wonderful hospitality and generosity from the people we encountered (many who didn’t have a lot yet graciously shared).

    Traveling to India revealed a lot of things in my heart – one of them being how selfish and discontent I am even though I have been abundantly blessed.  I have food, family, clothes, shelter and even more yet some days I still complain.   I plan to use this list as a reminder to focus on the many blessings in my life so my heart will rejoice  and break the shackles of discontent that sometimes holds my heart captive.

    At times it can be difficult to be thankful for the many blessings we have in life.  Life doesn’t always go the way we expect.  I have a tendency to not only be discontent but to worry about the future or things out of my control.

    I could fill my house and heart with all kinds of stuff, worry, fear, or anything else yet by doing this it only grabs hold of my heart and hampers my effectiveness in ministering to the people around me.  Besides life here on earth is temporary and I cannot take stuff with me when its my time to go.  Let’s take some time today to think, pray, and count our blessings in our lives and find contentment in what really matters.

  • One Thing Remains by Kristian Stanfill

    Higher than the mountains that I face
    Stronger than the power of the grave
    Constant through the trial and the change
    One thing remains
    One thing remains

    Your love never fails it never gives up it never runs out on me
    On and one and on and on it goes
    It overwhelms and satisfies my soul
    And I never ever have to be afraid
    One thing remains

  • Heart Reflections: His Will or Ours?

    I shared this quote awhile back with some friends and thought it may be something that would encourage you as well.

    God doesn’t reveal His will for our consideration. He reveals it for our participation. – Andy Stanley

    Often I find myself praying or asking God for what I “think” would be the best for my life instead of letting Him reveal it to me and being joyful in what He wants for me. Or worse when He reveals His will and I don’t like some of the stipulations because I want the ability to negotiate the terms instead of just doing what He asks of me.

    I am grateful when He does make His will clear for us even if that means it will not always be smooth sailing. Thankfully we serve a merciful, gracious, forgiving, and loving God because I feel like I stumble and make mistakes more often then I should.

    Hope everyone is having a great week. Praying for you, I know it is difficult doing everything that is set out before us each day. Before long the kids will be grown.  I pray that we will be able to look back on these days rejoicing in the time we spent investing in their hearts and lives.

  • Let Mercy Hold You by Jason Crabb

    When the road is winding through the darkness,
    And the load is heavy as your heart is now,
    And you’re full of doubt,

    Every night is holding back a sunrise,
    Every storm, shadowing a blue sky,
    I know it’s hard,
    When there’s nothing else you can do,
    So let mercy hold you,

    So let the valley teach you how to sing,
    And still believe, grace is everything you need,
    It’s only here you’ll see,

    Joy is coming with the morning,
    You just gotta wait for the dawn to break,
    Joy is coming with the morning,
    Don’t lose hope…