Stepping Stones of Life

Brad and I have been married for 25 years. Wow! I can't believe how fast time goes by. I married my best friend, my partner, my soul mate. We have experienced the highs in our marriage, and the valleys. What is so amazing though, is how God brought two people together and had two beautiful children and our marriage just gets better every day. We do so much together that I am so grateful for. We tease, we laugh, and yes we have cried together. Our love is stronger now than ever. I give all that credit to a God that has brought us together, and kept us together. The Lord has taught us so much in his word, "A cord/rope of three strands is not quickly broken." Eccl 4:12. Meaning Brad and I are stronger with God than without Him! Thank you Lord for our marriage! Praise and Glory to YOU!!!

When you think of your favorite gift, what comes to mind? Growing up, I knew exactly what my favorite gift was. It was my pony, I really wanted a horse, but a pony would do. This was something my sister and I begged for when we were young. When we did get our ponies, we were tickled to pieces. I will never forget the feeling of excitement and anticipation when we received such an awesome gift! We asked for it for so long, and we thought maybe it would never come true, but when it did it was fabulous!

While I was growing up, I never thought that I would ever receive another present that would bring me as much joy as my pony did. I did have other great gifts. My first car was awesome; my first horse (not a pony) was the best; getting married was the perfect gift, and having children was one of life’s greatest gifts. Even though I know I can list other great gifts such as, jewelry, my saddle, cowboy boots, clothing, none of these gifts prepared me for the ultimate gift I received 15 yrs ago. The one that would change my life forever.

I received the gift of God’s love and salvation in March of 1999. I received this free gift that didn’t cost any money, I didn’t have to go shopping, or choose which one I liked the best. Here was this ultimate gift that brought me more joy than my pony, more love than the day I got married, and more comfort than anyone could give me. It’s a gift I was completely unprepared for. A present I felt I didn’t deserve, but God gave it to me anyways because He loved me. A gift that changed my life and changed my way of thinking. It’s a gift that taught me the importance of life and what was worth living for. A gift that is sometimes you find it hard to explain but it is one gift that you know you want everyone to receive. Just because you know what this gift has done for your life.

God’s gift of salvation is amazing, wonderful, exciting, emotional, beautiful, unpredictable, yet scary, crazy fun, and it’s just for you and me. That’s why it’s called the ultimate gift. Nothing, you ever receive in your life time from anyone, will top God’s gift of salvation. He died and shed his blood, so we could live with him forever! Have you received this ultimate gift yet? If not what are you waiting for?? This is one gift you want to rip off the wrapping paper just to see what God has in store for you next.

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.” II Corinthians 9:15 (NIV)

I know, it is November, what great reminder to us to reflect on what we are thankful for. Facebook is being lit right up with several of my friends writing from day to day, listing what they are grateful for. There are 30 days in November and I decided to write my thankfulness into a blog. 

Day 1- I am thankful for Jesus for dying on the cross and shedding His blood so that we may have eternal life with Him forever. 

Day 2- I am forever thankful for my husband, and the opportunities that we have had, what we have survived, and conquered the hardships in our marriage. That we are more in love now then we were when we first got married. What a blessing that God did for the both of us. 

Day 3- I am thankful for our wonderful daughter and first born, Alex. We have an amazingly funny beautiful Christian daughter, that we are so very proud of. I love saying that I am her mom. We have a great relationship we laugh and tease each other all the time. I am so very thankful for the time we spend together. 

Day 4- I am thankful for a handsome son and our last born, Austin. He is witty, funny and outgoing. He is a gift also from God as he is a Christian young man too. His love for music is his gift, and a great connection with me also. We are proud to call him our son and very thankful for him and our relationship we have. 

Day 5- I am thankful for my son in law, Joshua. He is handsome, quiet, hard working. And the love of my daughters heart. He is a Christian young man that I am very proud of. I am thankful that my daughter married this special young man. We have a great relationship and communicate very well another thing I am thankful for. 

Day 6- I am so thankful for my salvation. I was saved when I was 29 yrs old. I am so grateful for what God has done in my life. You saved me from myself and from the worlds ways!! Thank you Lord for not giving up on me!! I can't imagine life without you!!!!

Day 7- I am thankful for my family. My mom and my siblings. I know we haven't always been able to see eye to eye, but I love them. They will always be close to my heart. I am thankful for each and every one of them. Thankful for the time we get to spend together. 

Day 8- I am thankful for my extended family, my in laws. They welcomed me not as their daughter in law or sister in law, but as their daughter and sister.  They have loved, guided me and taught me many things since we have been married.  I am so thankful for our relationship because I know that others have a very difficult relationship with their in laws. But that is not the case for me. I am blessed. 

Day 9-I am thankful for Brads grandparents Dalton and Gladys. They are no longer here with us but I will be forever thankful for the time that I was able to spend with them. The unconditional love that they showed me, I will be forever grateful. But most importantly I'm thankful for them showing me about Jesus and praying for me and my family. 

Day 10-  I am thankful for my health!! After I lost my dad of cancer I have a different outlook on my health. I consider myself pretty healthy, and I know that comes from God. I haven't had any life threatening health issues. That to me is a great gift that I treasure and hold dear to my heart. 

Day 11- I am thankful for our youth group. I have an opportunity to work with our youth group at our church and I am so thankful. They are a joy to see weekly, and I love spending time with them and they have captured my heart. Thanking God all the time for putting them in my path of life. 

Day 12- I am thankful for my friends. The Lord has placed a lot of people in my life, and I am forever thankful for the ones that I hold dear to my heart. You have been there for me in some of my hardest times of my life. You know who you are... you are a gift sent from God! 

Day 13- I am thankful for my animals, our two horses, that one was a gift from God (there's a story there ask me sometime) and two mules along with two dogs. A German Shepherd, named Aspen, and a Blue Heeler, named Georgia. We have been blessed with some wonderful animals with some fun personalities. They are special gifts that God has given us that I do not take for granted. 

Day 14- I am thankful for trials in my life. I know that they are not joyful to go through but I do know Gods promise and he says "I will never leave you and I will never abandon you." Hebrews 13:5. Everything that I have ever gone through God has brought something good from it. I am just thankful that I am loved and that I will never be alone. Gods promise!! 

Day 15- I am thanking for Christian music! The artists have a calling and they have blessed thousands of individuals with their ministry of singing great worship songs. I love music, and to me it's just another gift from God that keeps my heart close to him. 

Day 16- I am thankful to have a house to live in. I have always said my HOME is where my family is. It's not the house I live in, or the city, or state. Don't get me wrong I like my house that we live in now, we are really enjoying it. But, it wouldn't be my home if it wasn't filled with love every day. If something happened to this house, well it is a building a structure that can be replaced. That is what God taught me. This is just my temporary home for us to enjoy while we are here on earth. 

Day 17- I am thankful for the sunset. The sunset is a closing of a long day. Maybe a day that I was ready for it to be over. A day I wish I could have done things different. But know it's too late. A day that I will learn from and try not to repeat the same mistakes. A day I will reflect how beautiful the sky looks as the sun sets. A day that gives hope for a better tomorrow. 

Day 18 I am thankful for the sunrise. The sunrise to me is a start of a new day. A day to be refreshed especially if I had a bad day the day before. The sunrise is beautiful and usually a different color everyday. A day to reflect Gods beauty and to remind me it's a new day and to tell me not to dwell on what happened in the past but to move to the future to start again, a new beginning. Thankful for you Lord!!

Day 19- I am thankful for my five senses. I am thankful to hear the different sounds everyday. The sound of my husband telling me he loves me or the sound of his laughter. I am thankful to hear the rain hitting the window. I love the sound of the waves crashing on the shore of a beach. Thankful to hear my kids voice. The sound of leaves under my horse’s hooves as we ride through the woods. What an amazing gift that I would never take for granted. 

Day 20-  I am thankful for my eye sight. Even though I wear glasses. I am so thankful I can see with them, that I get to enjoy color and the wonders that God has created. I have done some traveling and have been able to see the landscape like rock formations, mountains and lakes and I am in awe and so thankful I have the opportunity to see so much of what God has created. 

Day 21- I am thankful to be able to touch. What amazing feeling it is to feel different textures. Such as material and wood to grass and water. I enjoying touching my horse and feeling their hair. I know that seems simple but to me it's another gift. 

Day 22- I am thankful for the ability to taste. It is amazing how our taste buds work. Another simple but joyful gift God gave us to enjoy. I really enjoy tasting and trying new things. 

Day 23- I am thankful for the gift to smell. It is amazing what I enjoy smelling. The fall time of the year is one of my favorite, the leaves, pine trees, the rain. But then there's my favorite cologne that my husband wears. To smell baby powder on a new baby. Thank you Lord for the gift to smell and I  truly enjoy it. 

Day 24- I am thankful for winter. I truly enjoy the beauty that white stuff brings. A fresh snow fall is absolutely beautiful in the morning and riding in the woods on horseback with a fresh blanket of snow brings calmness to your soul. 

Day 25-  I am thankful for my talents you have given me. One is the gift to communicate. I thank you Lord for that. You have given me patience and awareness when someone needs to talk. You have given me wisdom and the right words at the right time. 

Day 26-  I am thankful for living in a little town. It's comforting and I enjoy not living in a rat race that a big city would bring. I am thankful for the smaller community. 

Day 27-  I am thankful to have a job and that my husband has one too. This is something I would not take for granted. We work in a family business and I am thankful we get along and work well together. It truly is a gift if a family can work together. 

Day 28-  I am thankful for our military. Their service to our country so that we may live in freedom. I am thankful for our Christian leaders that want to support our nation that was founded by our God and our founding fathers that supported our nation under God. 

Day 29-  I am thankful to have the Holy Bible. Gods word his road map to life. I am thankful to have the freedom to be able to pronounce my Christianity. To be able to read his word openly and live my life through God. Thank you Lord for giving us your word to guide and direct us in a falling world. 

Day 30- I am thankful to my aunt who lead me the Lord she walked me through the prayer of salvation. I am ever so grateful to her for listening to Gods voice one night. I am also thankful to the people who was there for me and helped me walk this new path of salvation. You know who you are and so does God. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

This is my long November blog. Thirty days of great thanksgiving. One though I felt needed to be written. One that I don't think we reflect on enough. Maybe in November but do we reflect on this much thanksgiving all year through? Sometimes I wonder. Let me ask then what are you thankful for? 

I can tell you what God says, "Always rejoice, constantly pray, in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." Thessalonians 5:16-18

We have two children, a daughter named Alex, who is 24. She has been married for 4 years to a son in law whom I adore. We also have a son named Austin who is in his second year of college. I have great kids. I tell people all the time that one of the greatest things that The Lord blessed me with is giving me an opportunity to be a mother! I loved every aspect of them growing up. The terrible twos that my daughter went through included. She actually was a very fun toddler, she was into everything, she was a climber and she explored everything!  

I couldn't believe how fast life flew, the kids grew up way too fast. I was standing there, watching, wanting the whole process to slow down. The slowest time that I had with the children, I feel was from birth to the year they started begindergarten.  Then... life really started. They went through the learning process of school, finding their academic abilities, and their interaction with other students. I was wondering if they had any talents such as dance, musical, what sports they would be good at, what their imagination was going to be, and what they would grow up to be, whether they were going to be a vet, or a zoo keeper.

It was hard, sometimes, to see your kids struggle, whether it was academically, trying to find the right friends to hang out with, or the emotional turmoil that one has when their dating and things don't work out. It was hard to watch all the different situations they went through. I had to remind myself constantly that I went through some struggles too growing up, and they had to learn from these situations. That the struggles they went through is what is going to shape our children into the person God wants them to be. I know all this, but yet I couldn't help not to worry sometimes. Worry if they were going to pass a test in a class that they were struggling with. Worry that they were going to get in a car accident when the roads are bad. Worry that they’re going to get involved with the wrong group of friends. You want to know the biggie for me is? What if my kids don't have a spiritually relationship with God?? These are just a few of my worries expressed out loud. 

Let's talk about the word worry. It is a crazy word one that has a tendency to drive our minds into a complete frenzy if we don't get a hold of it. Here in God’s word, this is what He says about worry. "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? (Matthew 6:25-27 NIV). I've always thought that scripture was pretty powerful. Not only is God telling us flat out not to worry, but to come to him with all things great and small and He will take care of you and your children. The key here is to come to him. Pray to him about your children. 

A few weeks ago our pastor was giving his message when he reminded us that we are to hand over our children to God. That they are his and that they are a blessing to us. I was taken aback for a moment, because I also knew this information too and I have done that. But I have a tendency of taking them back after I give them to God. I would pray, "Lord, they are your children. Please guide them, protect them, keep them from harm. Use their life so they may be a blessing to someone. Help them with whatever situation they are going through. Please Lord don't let anyone guide my children hearts away from their relationship with you." The prayer goes on. Now that my kids are out on their own, I find it a little harder not to worry. I give them to God and try to tell myself that Brad and I did the best that we could do raising them and now it's their turn to make decisions, mistakes all kind of life choices and we have to sit back and pray and try not to worry. I think some days are easier than others but in the mean time I will take comfort in this scripture. 

"Train a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6

My last entry was months ago. I feel like time completely slipped away from me. My husband and I work with his folks. It’s a seasonal business, so come spring and summer; it is a rat race from day to day. I let what time I did have slip away. I would tell myself all the time, “You need to write a blog…. Take the time to write a blog.” And before I knew it, the blog wasn’t getting done. Oh I had lots of thoughts and ideas. But because I didn’t write them down, they are long gone and forgotten.

I have learned that our time is valuable and we need to take advantage of what time we have in a day.

I knew that the enemy would love nothing more to keep us so busy that we don’t take the necessary time needed to stay focused on Jesus. That has been my lesson as spring turned into summer and summer faded into fall. I have to stay focused and take time to write to reflect on how important my time with God is.

Forgive me Lord for not writing. You know my heart, mind and spirit. You know when I rise and when I sit. Be with me Lord. May whatever I do reflect Jesus, in my words, face and personality.

“O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.” Psalm 139:1-3

Every since I saw the movie “The Bucket List,” starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, I’ve heard more and more people talking about what they want to do before they kick the bucket, so to speak. They really think about what it is they want to accomplish before something happens to them. Their list might look something like this….

                Sky diving
                Bungee jumping
                Swimming with dolphins
                Snorkeling 
                Rock Climbing 
                Traveling to another country
                Go on a cruise 
                Ride through the Grand Canyon

And the list goes on. As I really thought about this, and it’s all fine and dandy that people want to have a bucket list or maybe goals to accomplish before they die. But what about a different list we should consider? What about a bucket list for God? A list of things that brings glory to God and in the end brings us a great happiness too. A Bucket List for God might look something like this…..

                Forgive someone that needs forgiving 
                Feed the homeless
                Give a hug to brighten someone’s day
                Open a children’s center so kids have a place they can call home
                Love other people who feel unloved
                Buy random gifts just to give away
                Give money to people who are in need
                Buy a car and give it away
                Go on a mission’s trip and lead people to have a relationship with God
                Be more sensitive to people’s needs 
                Go into prisons and share the gospel
                Pay for someone’s gas that is behind you in line
                Be a volunteer at your church

 I know that some of these things on this list seem simple and wouldn’t take anything to do, they are easy and you might say well I can do that one. But what happens when it’s something a little more difficult or requires more work on our part. Then what do we do? 

Our goal on earth is to share God’s love as far as the east is to the west. Love people the way God loved us. Forgive so that we may be forgiven. Help the way God helped us. Go above and beyond what we really think we can do.

Do you have a bucket list? Is it a list just for you? Will your list be pleasing to God?

         No eye has seem, no ear has hear, no mind has conceived what 
           God has prepared for those who love him. I Corinthians 2:9

            Surrendering yourself was just the first step one must take to grasp the whole picture of what God has in store for your life. When you have surrendered yourself and your innermost being that is an act of worship unto our Lord. That is just one way that you are showing God the love that you have for him, because you are offering yourself as a living scarifies to God for a better and more rewarding life. That is amazing and you should be excited to look ahead and know that God has a plan for your life. 
            The next step you need to take is giving up the right to change your spouse, your children, your family and friends. You can’t change them for who you think they should become and you don’t have the right to run their lives. Only God can change someone. Once again that is where you will lay those circumstances before the Lord and tell Him that you have no control over their lives and you are surrendering the right to change them and their lives. God knows what’s best and He knows what is best for everyone. 
            Are you one of those people that have to be in control? The fear of letting go of something you don’t have control of is frightening. Don’t be fearful and don’t let pride get in the way of letting go of some type of control that you shouldn’t have. You are not a weak person to surrender yourself or your spouse or even your children. That is a wise move, for you are showing God that he is the God of heaven and earth. Most importantly that he is your heavenly father and as a child of God He knows what is best for his children. Remember, “God created my inmost being you knit me together in my mother’s womb, you know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.” Psalm 139 1-13
            He knows everything about us. He knows what we are going to say before we say it. He knows what we are going to do before we do it. Good or bad and he still loves us. Pray to the Lord on all occasions and all types of request and He will teach you how to surrender so you will become a better spouse, a better parents, a better friend, a better person of God. It is not just yourelf you are surrendering control of. It is everything, spouse, children, situations, illnesses, work, confusions, and problems of all kinds. Surrender them with a willing heart to the Go of miracles. 

           

           Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--
                   This is your spiritual act of worship! Romans 12:1 NIV

            Surrender! What comes to your mind when you hear that word? Losing a game or throwing in the towel, walking away, you can’t possibly do it any longer so you give up. Does that ring a bell to you? Have you ever had to surrender something that was very important to you? Someone is asking you to surrender something this well be forever life changing.
            God is asking you to surrender yourself to him. Meaning your life you’re innermost being and everything that is in it. All of you not just seventy-five percent. Your life, your heart, your soul, your inner most being. How does that make you feel, does it make you feel vulnerable maybe a little frightened? The question is can you do it or do you even know how?
            In the Webster dictionary surrender means; to give up oneself into the power of another. Wow, pretty power isn’t it? Even the dictionary is telling us to give ourselves to another and that other is God. Do you know that God can’t possible do all he wants to do for our lives and us until we surrender ourselves to him? I know that I learned the hard way of leading my own lfie and making my own decision. I have fallen more times and I decided I don’t want to have control of my life. I learned that there is someone out there that wants to guide me and someone that even knows what’s best for me. God says, “That I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 Right here God is telling us I know the future I have for you better than you do, I have a future for you not to harm you buy one with hope and love.  When we take our own life in our hands we are opening the door for devastation, hurt and failure. Do you want that in your life? I know I didn’t. I wanted everything that God could give me and the only way to receive that is surrendering all of myself to him. Before I knew it he was blessing my life beyond measure. Do I still have some difficulties and trails, yes I do but it is a lot easier to get up when God is the one lifting me up.
            Do you want your life to be different? Do you want to put your life in the hands of our creator? The one who can truly change everything that is within you? Let’s pray, “Lord I surrender the right to lead my own life I don’t want to anymore for I know that you know what is best for me. Here I am Lord take me as I am and do as you wish with myself and my life guide me Lord in the direction that you want me to go and may I however blindly follow you.” In Jesus name, Amen!

Thank you Lord for showing me what it is like living my life completely through you, I will continue to give myself, my innermost being unto you.

At our youth group on Wednesday the day before America’s most popular romantic holiday, we had a Valentine’s Day lesson. The youth room was filled with round tables and chairs, red candles of different shapes and sizes filled the center of each table along with message candy hearts. Each place setting had a heart shape sugar cookie on a red dessert plate and one heart chocolate candy. Our youth director asked each of us, if we could receive a very special Valentine from God, what do we think it would say. Each student was given a plain white paper heart and water color paints to decorate their heart. What the students didn’t really know was there was a message on each heart and as they began to decorate their heart that special message was revealed. Some of the messages were: Trust me. I am here for you. I love you. I feel your pain, and so on. She continued on with telling each of the students that God has wrote a very special Valentine to each one of us and it goes like this…

My Child,

You may not know me,
but I know everything about you.
Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.
Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.
Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring.
Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived.
Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation.
Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book.
Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live.
Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born.
Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented
by those who don't know me.
John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love.
1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father.
1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father.
Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you.
Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession.
Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul.
Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me.
Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires.
Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine.
Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you.
Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart.
Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes.
Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being.
Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you.
Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you.
1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love.
Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me.
1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7

I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…
Will you be my child?
John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you.
Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad
Almighty God

 

As you may have seen this whole letter was written from Gods word the Bible. If you have never received a Valentine like this before I want you to know that this one was meant especially for you too!!

Staying Positive!

How can we stay positive when we are encountering a negative situation one after another? It can happen, we can do it, but it takes work and discipline. I think what a lot people don’t realize is, we were not born negative, we were born to be positive individuals. God tells us in scripture Genesis 1:27 (NIV) “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”  We are created to be like God. We know that God is not negative! He is everything that is good! Why then is there so much negativity in our relationships, marriage, friends, work, and schools and even in our homes? It’s because of Sin… it’s that simple and people let it consume them and before they realize what is happening they can’t see anything good if it hit them square in the face!!

I am a very positive person! I’m not saying I don’t have rough days, that it’s hard to find the positive out of that situation and it might take awhile or even days to see anything good come out of it, but there will be something! Some people may think I am one of those people who is too positive and therefore I don’t live in reality. That is not true. I live a very real life with very real emotions. In fact I am a very emotional woman that sometimes it frustrates me. But this is who God created me to be. Someone who has a sensitive heart, because that is one characteristic of God, His sensitivity. He gave me this sensitiveness so I can be aware of what is going on around me. To see and feel someone who is hurting or who is in some type of emotional pain or loneliness. It’s very hard to see that, and to try to help them to think positively and know that God has a plan for their life. His word says in Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

The key to staying positive in a negative situation is realizing that we have an enemy that has everything to do with negativity, and his name is Satan. He would love nothing more to ruin your life and have you think you are not worthy of anything good. He is a deceiver, a destroyer, he manipulates every situation that he can, and with pride and accomplishment he is happy if he can destroy a marriage and a home, destroy a person’s self worth, destroy a friendship. Destruction is his goal and until we realize that our negative situation is from our enemy, we will be at battle for a long time.

So I ask you this, are you tired of fighting this overwhelming feeling of worthlessness? This black cloud you feel like it is always dark and gloomy? Then fight back with God on your side. Realize it’s not your situation that is getting you down, it is Satan trying to break you… realize it and tell yourself and God that you cannot do this yourself that you need His help, guidance, love, forgiveness, goodness, faithfulness. Tell God “Satan is kicking my butt right now,” and that you have had enough. Read scripture that is uplifting, out loud if you have too. Make a list of everything that is good in your life right now. You might say there is nothing, but there is. Maybe you are healthy, have a roof over your head, you have food to eat, you have a bed to sleep in, you have friends that love you and best of all you have God. “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV) Hang in there God is with you and so am I.