You Are A Hero

It's Five Minute Friday again!  Come join us in the link up party over at Lisa Jo Baker's.  There, you will find all the rules about how to play along with this beautiful community of writers.

Go.

"Mama, do you need super powers to be a superhero?"  My eight year old asked me as he watched a superhero movie.  In that split second, the word yes was on my mind, but I answered with a clear "no."  Why would a hero need to have superpowers?

"All heroes are shadows of Christ."  

John Piper, Don't Waste Your Life

We are all heroes to someone.  Yes, even you, sitting there in your flannel jammies, eating yogurt, catching up on your blogs.  Each one of us is a hero in our own right.  Some of us never know who we inspire to chase dreams or do the impossible.  We may never know the people we cheer on along life's path, just by being ourselves.  

Sometimes, all we need to do is look down to see the little faces that see us as superheroes.  We may not wear a cape or have superpowers, but we are all superheroes in their little eyes.  We can slice up an apple and fill up a juice cup at the speed of light.  In those moments, we can clearly see our hero-ness.  

So, whether you never meet the person you are a hero for, or you see them daily, just go on being the hero that you are.  Go on, be confident in who you are, because you are a hero.  

Stop.

The Good Shepherd

Last night, just as I was drifting off into sleep, the Lord showed me that I was just "getting by".  You know, it's something when God shines a light on your heart and reveals the broken places.    For too long, I've been just getting by when it comes to my relationship with Him and with others.  Just living a life of little faith.  That's not living.  At least, it's not the abundant life Jesus said He would give us.  

Most people think of abundant living as something that involves having lots of things, experiencing lots of exciting things, the big house, and the nice car.  What if abundant living was less about our possessions and status and more about pouring out into others.  What would abundant life really look like if Jesus was standing right here telling us now that He wants to give it to us?  Because, I think that's what He's doing.  

Do we dare take a step of faith and trust Him for Who He says He is?  Do we dare follow Him like He says in John 10:4?  "...the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice."  I'm being challenged in this.  The word I got for the year is to Live.  Not to be, but just to live.  How can I live fully and confidently in Him, if I question the path He's leading me on?  

John 10:3b-11a "The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but theydid not understand what he was saying to them.

7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd." 

I believe abundant life is something we can all walk in if we choose to live fully and intentionally in Him, to take steps of faith and trust He's right in front of us.  To live generously and trust Him more.  To expect answers and to prophesy over the dead and dry things God has placed in us that have been replaced by cobwebs and unbelief.  

The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, but Jesus came to give us abundant life.  What has the thief stolen from you?  Dreams?  Opportunities?  Hope?  Jesus is the good shepherd, He came to bring us to life in Him.  This is the abundant life.  Abundant life has less to do with having it all and more to do with living fully and with purpose right where you are.  

There is nothing more empty than having it all, and living without purpose.  Life feels meaningless and not very abundant.  God is calling us to more abundant living and less aimless living.  What if we determined to take the small steps of faith to follow Him, wholly committed to His plan and purpose for us?  How would that change your life?  My life?  

He calls to me.  He is calling to you.  He calls me by my name because He knows me fully.  I know His voice.  It's distinct, and rich with wisdom and understanding, and deep love for me and you.  Jesus is the Good Shepherd calling each of us by name and leading us out.  He goes before us and we follow Him because we know His voice, and the stranger we'll not follow.

Father, I thank you for calling to me, and drawing me to you.  I thank you that I know your voice and the voice of the stranger, I will not follow.  Help me to hear you clearly as I study your Word and spend time with you in prayer.  I ask that you would touch each person that reads this, that you would reach out and revive old dreams and give new hope.  I ask that you would shine light on their dark places and show them how to live fully in you, right where they are.  Just as you are working in me, I thank you that you are working in each person.  Thank you for giving us abundant life through Jesus, and for bringing us to full life through his death, burial and resurrection.  In Jesus Name, Amen!

A Funny Thing Happened...

At the end of November, I made a choice that December was going to be a no/low blogging month.  I had no idea what was in store for us, but I thought it would be a time of family and reflection.  I had really big goals for my blog for 2014.  I had big plans for my personal writing time, and for where I wanted to take this thing.  

One thing was lacking, I was making goals without consulting with the One who directs my steps.

Then, my father-in-law passed away, my son was dealing with some school issues, my mom got the flu, my sister is getting married and I'm the matron of honor, so writing took a back seat in some old abandoned car parked in an overgrown field.  It just didn't come to mind.  

Since the beginning of the year, I've participated in a couple of link ups, but I have had absolutely no motivation to write like I was so determined to at the end of November.  I was working hard to network and make friends, learning the great benefits of twitter and facebook in regard to drawing readers in.  It was exciting, but then felt really empty for me.

All of those life things have become what God has used to re-prioritize my focus from me, and my goals to Him and His plan.  It's time for me to step aside and let God's plan become my plan and His dream for me become my dream for me.  

In fact, I have had no desire to write and pursue those goals.  I don't think this is a forever thing, just a season that either I need to rest in, or pray through.  I'm not sure which one yet because I'm not exactly in a hurry to get out of this season.  I've been enjoying my kids more, reading more, and getting back into a regular exercise habit.  

I'm also determined to make time with Jesus my number one priority.  I have devoted so little time to Him, to prayer, worship, and the Word that I have nothing to give, nothing to write about.  If I'm not prompted by a link up, I got nothin'.  

So, if you regularly read my blog, hang in there with me, and I'll be back to regular posting when I feel the focus is back on the right thing. -Not promoting me, but promoting Him.  Less of me, more of Him.  

I've heard it said so much over my life, but I really get it now - I must decrease, so He can increase.  I must withdraw from the business of being busy and building something so that I can hear Him more clearly and know the direction He has called me to go.

The Littlest Visitors

So, every Friday, we link up over at Lisa Jo Baker's place.  You can click the link here.  There, you will find a writing community like none other.  Every Friday is a time of encouragement and growth as a writer.  I hope you'll visit her website and link up with us!

Go. 

Most mornings, early before the sun rises, we get a visit from one or both of our boys.  As they crawl in, eyes not even open, they are looking for the safety and comfort of Mom or Dad.

One crawls in so stealth-like that we don't even notice he's there.  I may open my eyes at 4 in the morning and see him there and wonder if he's been there for 2 hours or 2 minutes.  He likes to get in close enough to know we are there, but not too close so he can be comfortable.  

The other is taller and a little more gangly.  He's bigger, so when he comes in around 6, we know who it is.  We make no mistake about it because he instantly digs his feet under one of our legs, grabbing a hand to cover him so he can hold my or Todd's pinky finger and rub it until he's fast asleep.  He's done this since he was 18 months old.  

I miss my sleep some nights, waking up unrefreshed and a little grouchy sometimes.  But, other days, I just lay there and stare at the wonder and beauty that are my children.  They need us, they want us, still.  Even after the yelling and fussing the night before, we are awake with new mercies given by them, and in return by us.  They find safety with us, and comfort from being next to us.  

So, even in my sleepiness, I appreciate the sweetness of my two little boys.  They've found their way back into my bed for another visit.  

All of this reminds me of God's willingness and desire to give us refuge when we need it, new mercies in the morning, safety and comfort.  He awaits our visit with Him today.  If you haven't had a visit with Him yet, will you pause with me to visit with Him?  

Stop.

He Loves You

I missed Five Minute Friday on Friday, so I'm a little late to the game.  So, the word prompt was Encouragement.  To get all the info on what this is all about, go visit Lisa Jo Baker's place and join us!

Go.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8(a) "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; itis not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.  Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never ends."

You are loved.  You are loved with an everlasting love, a love that never ends.  The love that is described in 1 Corinthians 13, your Heavenly Father loves you in that way.  When you feel unlovable, you are still loved.  

Jeremiah 31:3 "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you."

God has a plan for you, even when you feel forgotten.  He has a plan for you.  He promises to use even the not so great stuff in your life for your good, and for His glory!  Romans 8:28.  He sees your yesterdays and knows your tomorrows.  He uses it all, loves through it all and works through it all.

The greatest love of all is that while we were still sinners, Christ died for our sins.  While we still did not love Him in return, He loved us anyway.  Friend, there is nothing, not one thing, that can separate you from His eternal love for you.  

You know what?  This is just as much for me as it is for you, friend.  I am an encourager, that is my nature, my spiritual gift.  But, sometimes the encourager needs to be encouraged.  So, I'm being encouraged by these words of life as I write them to the person reading them now.  Let's be encouraged together so we can be an encouragement together.

I pray that you are encouraged today to seek Him with your whole heart, to lean on Him through times of weakness, and to trust Him through times of darkness.  He loves you, yes, He does.

Stop.

Living Through The Hard Seasons

From the outside looking in, I've got it pretty good.  I have a husband who adores me.  I have two boys who are tenderhearted toward me.  I live in the suburbs, drive a minivan, and I get to be a stay at home mom. 

These are the things I would have given anything for just 15 years ago.  All I wanted was to be married and be a stay at home mom.  I imagined it all.  I dreamed it all.  And now, now it's reality.  And, I struggle.  I struggle with depression and self-worth.  I struggle with comparison and figuring out my place in this crazy world.  I struggle with trusting God completely.    

Here's the thing, friend.  In my moments of struggle, I always know He is working in me, using my mess as a witness.  Even when my vision is clouded over like the morning fog, I know He is there guiding me through it.  In those dark moments when I feel furthest from Him, He is drawing me closer to Him.  

I can almost always attribute the "depression seasons" to times where I have not spent time in worship, in the Word, or in prayer.  All of them are essential in my walk with Him to live more fully.  Though I try to replace those essentials with blogs, books and devotions, they are good and have a place, they can not replace HIM.  They can't take the place of His Word.  

So, here I am two weeks into the new year, and all I can think about is my One Word - LIVE.  I have done anything but that over the past two weeks.  I've found my hiding place, and it's snug and no one else is there.  I can hide away from the rest of the world there.  I have shirked my responsibility in my home.  I've put off doing anything until I can "get myself together".  I'm such a mess.  

The song You Alone Can Rescue by Matt Redman has been on my heart this morning.  I'm hoping in Him, and I'm lifting up my eyes to the giver of life.  I can't LIVE this year without more of Him.  As I sing this praise to Him, I find that life, His life in me, is being restored to me.  Depression leaves as I enter into His presence, and I'm made whole in Him.  

All of my worries and anxieties are put into a bag and laid before His feet.  I will choose to take on His yoke, for it is easy, and light.  In Him, I will find rest for my soul in the midst of unrest, and peace where chaos wants to invade.  

Let me encourage you to do the same.  Do you have areas where you struggle consistently?  Do you find power and release in times of worship, prayer and time in His Word?  Walk with me, friend, and let's dig deep into Him.  Let's find our place in Him together.  If you feel like you are without words to pray, pray this prayer with me.

Thank you, Father, for loving me through my mess, through my brokenness.  Thank you for the wisdom and peace you give to us as we ask you for them.  I ask for wisdom and peace in every area of my life.  I pray that you will continue to guide my steps, and that they are ordered by you.  Father, I thank you that I know your voice, and the voice of a stranger I'll not follow.  To you, alone, belongs the highest praise.  You are the giver of life, and I know that fully, Lord.  Let me find my full life in you alone!  Father, thank you for using each season of my life for your glory.  I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  In Jesus Name, Amen!


I'm linking up with Crystal Stine today over at Behind the Scenes.  Come join us!

Taste and See

It's baaaack!  Well, technically it was back last week, but I missed it completely.  Five Minute Friday time again, and I'm stepping in this week with a little hesitance.  We write for five minutes flat, no editing, no backtracking.  Just write.  You can check all the other bloggers out HERE.  Today's word prompt is SEE.

My first thought when I saw the word "see" was the word prompt was "Taste and see that the Lord is good."  Psalm 34:8  I've memorized scripture since I was 5 years old.  By the time I was a teenager, I could quote scripture better than I could any subject in school.  

I'm at a time in my life where I'm wondering what's next.  What's next, God?  That question is two-fold.  What's next for my life/my story, and what's going to happen next.  My father-in-law passed away a month ago, followed by my Aunt two weeks later.  In between, Christmas happened, and I mean, it just happened.  There really wasn't a celebration for what it was truly about.  It was just "let's get through this, and make sure the kids are happy" on my part.

I'm pushing back against depression, and it's hard to see that the Lord is good when you're eyes are blurry.  Vision gets skewed when you haven't spent time in His word.  I haven't.  It's hard to feel deep down inside that He's really in control, and it's all going to be okay.  It's like being stuck on the spin cycle in the washing machine, out of control.  

The rest of that scripture says "Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him."  So, even if I'm not feeling like I can see what He's doing, where my place is, what's next, I will choose to take refuge in Him.  When I can't see these hard things as the Lord being good, I will put my trust in Him and take refuge in Him.  

This will put me a little over my 5 minutes, but I need it today.  Here is the definition of refuge:  shelter or protection from danger or distress; a place that provides shelter or protection.  When my vision becomes cloudy, I will find protection and shelter in Him.  I choose to run to Him.

Father, thank you for providing protection and shelter for me, even when I can't see you are there.  I thank you that you go deeper still.  Your love reaches deeper than any place I might go, or when I feel to far away to reach.  I will choose to taste and see that you are good, and I will put my trust in you.  In Jesus Name, Amen!