365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 194

My daughter is home safe and sound from camp and this year there was no homesickness stuff going on. She had lots of fun and I think lived on the zip-line. She even tried a new food! She now likes pickles. That is a big thing considering how picky she is about food. I felt so darn excited to see her. I teared up the day before looking at her picture up in my cubicle at work. I was really missing her. I imagine that God is excited as we take those baby steps closer to accepting his son, Jesus into our heart and finally being able to relate spirit to spirit as it should be. I can imagine God with a huge smile with his arms wide open waiting for his child to room into his arms. That’s how I felt yesterday as my daughter rushed over to us and into our arms. Joyful.

Habakkuk 3:18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 80

I had a lot of trouble sleeping last night thanks to the cup of tea I had but that cup of tea brought not only my sleepless night but joy and peace. The joy part came when all of a sudden my daughter took off running for the bathroom. She got in there and I hear this big “ahhhhhhhhh” and just smiled really big and looked up towards God and thought you gave me a mini-me, I don’t know if I should be scared or joyful about this but I will take the joy. The peace came in the middle of the night as I tossed and turned and got up to go to the bathroom 3-4 times. I got back in bed and just laid there wanting my mind to relax and shut off and I heard the train whistle blowing. At that moment I thought of how you come to get use to the sounds like a train whistle during the night to the point you don’t even notice them anymore. God is speaking to us all of the time but have the sounds and sights of our life drowned out the voice of God? Quiet time with God is an essential aspect to the Christian life. Without this time and being still to hear his voice, we will be led by the things of this world into darker territory. You often hear of the excuses a mother will say like there is just too much stuff to do, I can’t get a moment alone and I am sure I used that excuse myself thinking this is just a season I am in and I will get back to having my time with God. It’s time to let go of any of those excuses you have had that are keeping you from having some quiet time with God. I am a morning person so naturally it is the best part of the day for me. My mind is fresh and ready for the day but it may be best for you in the evening or afternoon time with a cup of tea. I have enjoyed my quiet time although it is often interrupted with my daughter waking up and coming downstairs but the point is to do it.  Lord, thank you for the peace you gave me last night when I heard that train whistle and thought of you. Help me to take the time to just stop everything and be with you with my mind, body and soul. Amen.

Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 58

I actually love when I come to a word in the bible that I don’t know the meaning of. I get on Google and find all kinds of word bible studies, commentaries and definitions. I read this verse from James this morning and the word ‘firstfruit’ caught my eye because of the challenge to ripen the fruits of the Holy Spirit within me and because I wasn’t sure about its meaning. The firstfruits were the best of the crops that God had produced for the Isrealites and they gave those back to God to show they understood that all the crops are from God’s labor. This makes me think that in working on ripening the fruits of the Holy Spirit that I have to be mindful that these fruits are created in me by God. I cannot let the sin of pride take hold of me when a fruit has shown itself outwardly from within me. These fruits are all God! Being loving to my husband, patient with my child or joyful with my co-workers is all from God. It is never a “me” thing. That is why it is important to take the time each day to thank God for the fruits that were demonstrated within you and let him know that these firstfruits within us are all because of him.

James 1:18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 45

I am slowly but surely learning to be joyful through everything. My team lead came into the office yesterday handing out to us all paperwork regarding a non-compete clause which basically said we can’t go out and get a job with any competitor. Our team lead proceeds to tell us that the company that handles our pay checks, etc said it isn’t legal and wouldn’t hold up in court so just go ahead and sign it. Instead of being frustrated with another thing that our boss/owner is doing that is so controlling in nature, I laughed at it. I took joy from it because it really was funny. I also got news that I am to be trained on a couple of other things because the permitting process is going to become once a month. I really had to laugh about that one because I really don’t think my boss knows what he is doing but I was told right off the bat not to worry about it, that our office manager would be handling all the details so worry is not going to be something I will do. I am going to try, try, try to be joyful in this place of work that is down-right frustrating, depressing and all around a not-so-great-place to work. God is telling me that I need to face this all with joy in my heart that shines out to others. So, if I am to be here for who knows how much longer, I am going to do it with joy because God has asked me to.

1Thessalonians 5:16 Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 15

Today marks the birth of my son 15 years ago! So, as we celebrate the season and the greatest gift given to us in Jesus, I also celebrate the blessing that God has given me in my son, Tristan. My prayer life really began because I wanted to talk with God about my children and pray for their safety, health and especially that they will grow in relationship with the Lord. God has answered those prayers and it's wonderful to see my kids relationship with the Lord. My praying for them will never cease for as most of us are already aware, the devil is out there waiting for every opportunity to prey upon us and our children.

We just recently went to a conference at our church called Sticky Faith which is about helping create a faith that will stick with your kids especially when they go out on their own into college and beyond. The time will be here oh so quickly when my son leaves our home and so I pray that what we have done has been enough and that he will look to God for his guidance on all things.
1Thessalonians 5:16-17 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.