catch ups again...

A few catch up posts from my writing over at FredParent. I love writing, and I'm really trying to discern if I should write more formally. I'm always wondering what if... what if... what if...


http://fredericksburgparent.net/blogs/we-re-all-a-little-mad-here/3838-present-moments

http://fredericksburgparent.net/blogs/we-re-all-a-little-mad-here

http://fredericksburgparent.net/blogs/we-re-all-a-little-mad-here/4207-what-s-old-is-new-again

http://fredericksburgparent.net/blogs/we-re-all-a-little-mad-here/4183-bucket-lists

It's not over, and I know the ending❤️🙏🏻🌎

Rainy days and Mondays...

                        

      

In a world where we have so much to be thankful for, there remains depression and hurt and spiritual warfare. And before I get any eye rolls, or "she's a quack" whispers, let me assure you that spiritual warfare is alive and well in this present day and age. I know dear, wonderful, put together people that have recently been dealing with unthinkable things... like suicide, major depression- the kind that you don't shower or get out of bed for weeks kind- and these people are all wonderful, intelligent and put together. Only spiritual warfare could wreak such havoc.

Join me in prayer against the enemy that comes to lie, steal and destroy. Remember who you are fighting. Remember who you are. I declare it over us all:

I am a precious child of God. The enemy can't have me, because I am spoken for by the great I AM❤️

                       

     

rainy days...

Rain, rain, go away! Three days is long enough, thank you!

I know April showers bring May flowers and all that... but, I'm sure the flowers are good, now. We have a good sized creek in our back yard, that shouldn't be there. Also, the moods of all of us at this time are becoming irritable, at best. April showers don't bring good moods after day three.

It goes without saying that it could be worse. I think last April it rained every day. Not kidding, and true story.

So... again... I actually have much to be thankful for in the grand scheme of things.

Good, Good Friday

This time of year, and this part of celebrating Easter is heartbreaking. The Victory, yes, is too awesome and powerful for any kind of speech other than praise, and that doesn't even feel adequate. I think that the spiritual maturity that happens with age, and faith, and all the messy-beautiful stuff of life just makes Good, Good Friday ever so heartbreaking... for this mama, at least. Experiencing Good Friday as a mother makes me love Mary all-the-more, and makes me detest sin and betrayal more acute and sharp. The Crucifixion. The Friday that is called Good because of the Grace and Miracle of three-days-later.

Love

Surprisingly, Lent is coming to a close. I can't believe how fast this time went by! One day, maybe, I'll stop being surprised at how fast the years are going by- we are but a vapor in the wind.

I struggled with this season because I didn't know what to give up, or what to do, or how to help. Fasting is a new spiritual discipline for me, and I'm not so good at it. I need to try harder, and invite Christ in more. That is the key, I know, to let Christ in more. To stop trying to do things on my own. the true beauty of faith in Christ is the surrender.

We are a beautiful mess. Praise God for the Gift of the Holy Spirit, and the Sacrifice of Christ. Surrender to Him. Invite Him in. It's so true that His burden is light, and He is Light, and we just need to rest a bit.

During this upcoming Holy Week, rest in the comfort of His arms, His Spirit, His love. Focus on Him. It's not easy to be in this world alone, and we are not meant to carry our burdens alone. His plans for us are to prosper us. To not harm us. To give us a hope and a future.

Pray on!

March mess

It is a very lovely March day today! It was cold (ugh!) most of the week, so I'm happy to see sun and feel warmth:) 

To be honest, life has not been a bed of roses lately, BUT, even though there is suffering for now, it doesn't compare to the glory I'll experience in Christ Jesus. We suffer to become more like Him. He is making us like Him. It's truly overwhelmingly amazing. In the meantime, we will just be muddling through... With JOY!

                                 

                       

                                   

    

hard stuff

It has been one of those weeks where there is nothing really wrong, per se, but something is off. I've prayed over my house, I fasted last week. I just feel... you know... off. I'm ok, my family is ok, so we are just going to continue to truck on through this phase, and this feeling of unease. 

I'm thinking the political-social climate is part of this angst. I try to remember that Jesus loves all of us, desperately, and passionately. I am confused, though, that some people whom I follow, I don't really know them, but they call themselves Christian in the same sentence that they announce their same sex engagement. I am sad that people call themselves Christian and continue to live a lifestyle, and behave in such a way that is counter to the teachings of what they say they are. I've been taught that God is God (and I am not), and He never changes. His promises are promises kept. His Word is true and alive. His love is never-ending, and His grace is merciful. willful sin means consequences. Not one of us is perfect. Not one of us live without sin; we should be trying to, though. I just continue to pray and check myself, because I know I have to. My cross doesn't look like other peoples' crosses. 

Here's another thing... we have power. We can choose self-control, and love, while still seeking Truth, and trying to live in Truth. The Holy Spirit is our Advocate. God knows I'm trying, and God knows I need every help available. Pray. Love. Forgive. Heal.

so, that's that... I'm working on my work in progress:)