It starts with our mouths!

This was emailed to me and just have to share it. Confess it today, cuz what speak over ourselves and our situations matters!

A STANDER'S AFFIRMATION!

I AM STANDING FOR THE HEALING OF MY MARRIAGE!... I will not give up, give in, give out or give over 'til that healing takes place. I made a vow, I said the words, I gave the pledge, I gave a ring, I took a ring, I gave myself, I trusted GOD, and said the words, and meant the words... in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in good times and in bad...so I am standing NOW, and will not sit down, let down, slow down, calm down, fall down, look down or be down 'til the breakdown is torn down!

I refuse to put my eyes on outward circumstances, or listen to prophets of doom, or buy into what is trendy, worldly, popular, convenient, easy, quick, thrifty, or advantageous... nor will I settle for a cheap imitation of God's real thing, nor will I seek to lower God's standard, twist God's will, rewrite God's word, violate God's covenant, or accept what God hates, namely divorce!

In a world of filth, I will stay pure; surrounded by lies I will speak the truth; where hopelessness abounds, I will hope in God: where revenge is easier, I will bless instead of curse; and where the odds are stacked against me, I will trust in God's faithfulness.

I am a STANDER, and I will not acquiesce, compromise, quarrel or quit.. I have made the choice, set my face, entered the race, believed the Word, and trusted God for all the outcome.

I will allow neither the reaction of my spouse, nor the urging of my friends, nor the advice of my loved ones, nor economic hardship, nor the prompting of the devil to make me let up, slow up, blow up, or give up 'til my marriage is healed.

- Author Unknown

Ahhhhh... the Hope of God...

As my dear friend would say.. OMG! I cannot believe we are back to school already! This summer has been a difficult one that only by the supernatural, grace of God have I, we, made it through! I have been tested to continue to trust God when things are completely out of control and spiraling downward fast. I felt like I have been to hell and back (excuse my frankness). I have felt such sorrow and such dispair that at times, I have to admit, I questioned where in the world God was in all this. Like a rag doll flung around by the storms of life, I often wondered what in the world could possibly happen next and when was it going to stop?! I had to learn to really focus on what I have and not the negative fearful thoughts that wanted to take over my mind. I learned to thank God for each day, for every itsy bitsy step of progress with the situations surrounding me. I found peace in true friendships that committed to storming heaven with prayer and were present with comfort and words of hope. Against all odds I had no option but to hope in Lord and learned that's the only option you want anyway! As this summer comes to a end, a new school year beginning, I thank God for His Faithfulness and His Strength because truly when I wondered where He was I realized He was sustaining me, carrying me, reminding me that my family will walk through this and come out strong- and we ARE!

This morning, as I watched my daughters drive off to school with their daddy, I could not help to get teary-eyed reminded of my blessings. It was almost as if I heard God whisper "there is nothing I cannot restore in abundance." Ahhhh, the hope of God. Feels like a weight lifted off! Whatever your life needs restored today, let God show you that he will not only restore but give it back to you in ABUNDANCE.

Milestones

My 7 month old has been pretty busy lately. Shortly after learning to sit unsupported, I just happened to realize she already had two bottom teeth! The other day, responding to an interesting whine, I found her kneeling in her crib holding on to the crib rails with the "help, I'm stuck" look. Guess which milestone is right around the corner? STANDING! Amazing. Absolutely amazing!

Milestones in development help us gauge how children are growing and moving along developmentally. The word comes from the Latin 'milliarium' and in years past milestones were markers placed along a road at intervals of one mile or at parts of a mile. These milestones provided reference points along the road served to reassure travellers that the proper path was being followed. Today they are still used on roads to indicate either distance travelled or the remaining distance to a destination. Hmmmm.... very interesting.

As children approach a developmental milestone they apply prior motor and sensory experiences and skills acquired in order to master the next one. Adults are no different! The milestones in my life, at times like bumps in the road, teach me and reassure me that I'm moving forward and headed somewhere! I can learn from the past in order to achieve my present goals and excel in the future! The last milestone may have been a big, bumpy one but it's over. I passed it! Like my 7 month old, I will continue to change, ever learning, ever growing, developing into the woman God created me to be.

The Myth of Perfection

Before I got married I used to have theories about marriage and children. Then I got married and now I have no theories and four children! LOL ☺

Marriage and parenting, as with all relationships, have no simple formula. To be successful it's about lifestyle. You go into marriage and/or parenthood with a bag full of great, untried ideas, convinced you'll be the best parent or spouse even if it "kills" you.

Well I quickly, (and I mean quickly) realized that after the wedding comes the marriage, and then came me with the baby carriage! Today, a number of years and children later one truth in my bag of advice and ideas has stood the test of time.

2Corinthians 12:9 But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness.

This verse encourages me so much! I am weak. I can nag about the weeds in the yard. I yell when I shouldn't. I cry when I should run to Jesus for strength. I don't make cookies or finger paint with my kids every week! Oh, and my kids did not read by the time they was 18 months, like the "my baby can read" child!

I can so easily identify each of my shortcomings. But Jesus whispers to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

YAY! You know what makes you an amazing mom (or dad), wife (or husband)? It's that you recognize your dire need for Jesus. I LOVE that! I am encouraged in that understanding! You don't have to know it all, do it all, or be all! Delight in that Jesus can be your strength, if you let Him. Trust me it's soooooooo much easier than striving to do it all in your own (weak) strength! ☺

"Enjoy them!"

Today someone unknowingly gave me a word of advice about my kids..."enjoy them." Those words resounded in my heart for minutes after they were uttered nonchalantly. I began to think of each of my daughters and I felt blessed. Motherhood has been the most challenging chapter of my life but hands down the most rewarding. Even when I doubt myself or cry tears of complete frustration, the truth is that I am blessed and with four daughters I have MUCH to enjoy! I cannot imagine my life without my any one of my children. For all the mom's who can often daily deal with guilt or (often) self-imposed pressure, don't waste your time! There is no such thing as a part-time mom! Enjoy your children because honestly, they enjoy YOU! Only you can love them and make them giggle in that special way. Whether I just walked up to the school grounds to pick up my school-aged daughters or tip-toe up to my baby's crib, the response is always the same- a heart-felt, love-filled, warm and fuzzy filled smile. Mom (or dad) don't be so hard on yourself. You're amazing! You have your children to prove it! Enjoy them!

eyes to see...

I recently found out someone I know had lost his 18 month old son. In utter disbelief I felt completely heartbroken for him and his wife. Thinking of my own children, I just could not get a grip, thinking of how I could even begin to cope with such an experience.

That got me thinking of how so often I am guilty of living life, going from one thing to another, day after day, week after week, not noticing the needs of those around me.

My prayer today is "God, give me eyes to see what you see." Let's purpose to be someone's blessing, someone's peace today!

ELEVATOR!!!!

My daughter was 4 years old when we were on our way to grandma's apartment one summer day. I had quite a number of few things to carry up and so I asked Nadia to run ahead and call the elevator. Walking towards the elevator with bags in each arm, I could hear her yelling "eleeeeevaaaatoooor, eleeeevaaatooorrrr!" "Nadia, baby, what are you doing?" I asked. With an innocent and yet puzzled look she said, "I'm calling the elevator. You told me to call the elevator."

Oh, to be as literal as a child when it comes to obedience- taking God's word at face value. If He should say "call the elevator," would we begin to call out "ELEVAAATOOORRR" too?