Ouch.. God made something painfully obvious to me this weekend.
I do not LOVE my enemies!
I think I'm a pretty easy person to get along with. I don't like confrontation and I often keep my opinions to myself as to not offend or hurt others. I feel as though I can get a long with pretty much any person. I love people and I love having friends!
I didn't think I really had enemies. Don't get me wrong sometimes people hurt my feelings and sometimes I meet someone who just rubs me the wrong way. I even sometimes find myself holding a grudge agaisnt someone every once in awhile. But, I usually have no problem forgiving and getting over it.
BUT.....
What about when you have a real enemy? Someone who has tried to destroy your family, your marriage, or just you in gerneral. Someone no matter how you have tried to handle it only seems to want hurt or frustrate you. What if this person is someone who has seriously injured, killed or maybe even raped a family member. Maybe it's a person that has spread awful rumors about you. Can you really love that person?
I thought I was doing pretty good with "that" person. I thought I had forgave! But, in my mind I was secretly hoping that what they did to me would also happen to them. That they would see how it felt to be hurt so much by someone. I was not letting go and letting God! I certianly was not LOVING them!
So God told me to look up some verses and heres a few I found.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good".Romans 12:17-21
But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6:27-28
Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. 1 John 2:9-10.
Feed your enemy! Cloth your enemy! Pray for your enemy! Love your enemy!
With tears in my eyes I admit I have failed horribly! I am so thankful for God's grace and the fact he never gives up on me!
Monday, August 23, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Share your story!
She stood in her driveway with tears in her eyes. She shared that her husband had left her and her five month old baby two months ago. I had wondered for awhile now if something had happened but thought it wasn't my place to ask.
For a second I stood there wondering. Should I share our story? Would my husband mind?
He stood beside me and suddenly it was like the holy spirit took over and I just started to speak. I shared our story.
She cried more and then said "Wow! I had no idea I would have never guessed. It seems like when I look around everyone's lives seem perfect."
After I heard those words I realized she found hope and encouragement in our story. How God was transforming our lives and our marriage. I invited her to my ladies group which I now refer to as The till death do us part group. I knew there were women there who are faithful followers of God who share their stories and encourage women.
She came, shared, cried, and we prayed!
But it hit me so hard what she had said that day in the driveway.
As christians we shouldn't be hiding behind our pasts. We should be open books so others can see what God has done for us. If not for God, I wouldn't be married anymore and I sure wouldn't have this wonderful peace and hope.
Am I really being transparent or am I just playing the good christian with everything together?
Share your story!
For a second I stood there wondering. Should I share our story? Would my husband mind?
He stood beside me and suddenly it was like the holy spirit took over and I just started to speak. I shared our story.
She cried more and then said "Wow! I had no idea I would have never guessed. It seems like when I look around everyone's lives seem perfect."
After I heard those words I realized she found hope and encouragement in our story. How God was transforming our lives and our marriage. I invited her to my ladies group which I now refer to as The till death do us part group. I knew there were women there who are faithful followers of God who share their stories and encourage women.
She came, shared, cried, and we prayed!
But it hit me so hard what she had said that day in the driveway.
As christians we shouldn't be hiding behind our pasts. We should be open books so others can see what God has done for us. If not for God, I wouldn't be married anymore and I sure wouldn't have this wonderful peace and hope.
Am I really being transparent or am I just playing the good christian with everything together?
Share your story!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
The difference God makes in my choice to stay at home
Since getting preggors I am back to frequenting the pregnancy boards over at the bump.
It seems like everywhere on the internet the hot button topic is Stay at home moms versus working moms.
Here is some of a post I ran across.
"I am totally baffled by how many posters took the stance of "it is so important for me to be home with my child. We will make it work even though my salary pays for important bills." I literally cannot comprehend how someone would think it is OK to quit their job - a job that they admit pays for important bills like car payments, insurance, cell phones, etc - when it clearly isn't financially responsible. How is it responsible to put yourself in a poor financial situation?"
This really stuck out to me because well I'm going to be honest my mind has been spinning with all this fear lately. Financial Fear!
I just have to keep reminding myself, This isn't about finances. It isn't about having a career that makes ME feel fulfilled. This isn't about ME at all. It's about God and for right now this is what God called me to.
Time to suck it up and make some real sacrafices I have been trying to avoid. But, God calls us to give it all to follow him and for me that included my super fulfilling ME career.
The difference in "my decision" is it wasn't really "my decision" at all it is what God called me to do!
It seems like everywhere on the internet the hot button topic is Stay at home moms versus working moms.
Here is some of a post I ran across.
"I am totally baffled by how many posters took the stance of "it is so important for me to be home with my child. We will make it work even though my salary pays for important bills." I literally cannot comprehend how someone would think it is OK to quit their job - a job that they admit pays for important bills like car payments, insurance, cell phones, etc - when it clearly isn't financially responsible. How is it responsible to put yourself in a poor financial situation?"
This really stuck out to me because well I'm going to be honest my mind has been spinning with all this fear lately. Financial Fear!
I just have to keep reminding myself, This isn't about finances. It isn't about having a career that makes ME feel fulfilled. This isn't about ME at all. It's about God and for right now this is what God called me to.
Time to suck it up and make some real sacrafices I have been trying to avoid. But, God calls us to give it all to follow him and for me that included my super fulfilling ME career.
The difference in "my decision" is it wasn't really "my decision" at all it is what God called me to do!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Say it then pray it.....
I don't know why it took my so long to write this post. I guess mostly because this is the one I struggle with the most.
I talked a lot in my last post about the awful things we can say to hurt our husbands to try and "change" their minds. But, what about the things we say that aren't disrespectful but are said over and over again?
Better to live in a desert then with a quarrelsome and ill tempered wife. Proverbs 21:19
"The Nag" a man's worst nightmare. The women who goes on and on about what they need to change. How they paid bills late again this month and won't you ever learn to throw your socks in the hamper?! The wife that thinks she needs to say it a couple hundred times because if he didn't change or stop right away he clearly didn't understand. This means it needs to be stated again and again until he changes. (Wrong!)
Why is it that we think we have a right to always be telling him the areas he is failing in? Making him feel as if he can never measure up or expecting him to change over night.
How many times do us women continue to do the same mistakes over and over again? Yet, if you hubby is like mine he continues to forgive and doesn't nag.
A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day; restraining her is like restraining the wind, or like grasping oil with the hand.
Proverbs 27:15-16
I don't know about you but that sure doesn't sound like the women I want to be. So that is why I came up with this motto. Say it then pray it! I remember my granny saying something a long those lines to me. You can't change a person by persistent nagging. Thats only annoying! But, what if we spoke kindly and respectfully sharing our concern and then we took it to the lord. He is after all the only one who can really change someone!
Say it then pray it! It so much harder then it sounds but im determined to continue to work at it!
I talked a lot in my last post about the awful things we can say to hurt our husbands to try and "change" their minds. But, what about the things we say that aren't disrespectful but are said over and over again?
Better to live in a desert then with a quarrelsome and ill tempered wife. Proverbs 21:19
"The Nag" a man's worst nightmare. The women who goes on and on about what they need to change. How they paid bills late again this month and won't you ever learn to throw your socks in the hamper?! The wife that thinks she needs to say it a couple hundred times because if he didn't change or stop right away he clearly didn't understand. This means it needs to be stated again and again until he changes. (Wrong!)
Why is it that we think we have a right to always be telling him the areas he is failing in? Making him feel as if he can never measure up or expecting him to change over night.
How many times do us women continue to do the same mistakes over and over again? Yet, if you hubby is like mine he continues to forgive and doesn't nag.
A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day; restraining her is like restraining the wind, or like grasping oil with the hand.
Proverbs 27:15-16
I don't know about you but that sure doesn't sound like the women I want to be. So that is why I came up with this motto. Say it then pray it! I remember my granny saying something a long those lines to me. You can't change a person by persistent nagging. Thats only annoying! But, what if we spoke kindly and respectfully sharing our concern and then we took it to the lord. He is after all the only one who can really change someone!
Say it then pray it! It so much harder then it sounds but im determined to continue to work at it!
Monday, June 14, 2010
I've been eating to much bread
I could really write all kinds of excuses today for my life right now.But, really the truth is I have NOT been in the word like I should be lately.
If you want to know how I am doing spiritually just come take a look at my house. It never fails that when I am in the word and fellowshiping with the lord I am a better wife, mommy, and housekeeper. Without the lord I Only eat of the bread of idleness.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Proverbs 31:27
I am Lazy! I need to be in the Lord's word everyday in order to keep me in check. I need to be reminded of my role and I need to remember all the things the lord has done for me. If I do not, I eat way to much bread of idleness.
I am determinded no matter my excuses and that I am sick because of the wonderful little peanut growing in my belly that I will not continue to eat to much bread! I am going to work hard to stay in the word and be sitting at the throne of my father!
The Lord does not want excuses he wants action!
If you want to know how I am doing spiritually just come take a look at my house. It never fails that when I am in the word and fellowshiping with the lord I am a better wife, mommy, and housekeeper. Without the lord I Only eat of the bread of idleness.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Proverbs 31:27
I am Lazy! I need to be in the Lord's word everyday in order to keep me in check. I need to be reminded of my role and I need to remember all the things the lord has done for me. If I do not, I eat way to much bread of idleness.
I am determinded no matter my excuses and that I am sick because of the wonderful little peanut growing in my belly that I will not continue to eat to much bread! I am going to work hard to stay in the word and be sitting at the throne of my father!
The Lord does not want excuses he wants action!
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Exciting News!
I can't wait to get back to my posts on how i almost destroyed my marriage but i've been a little tired, and not feeling the greatest.
and thats because....
We are going to be having another baby!!
At first I was shocked and scared. This wasn't our two year plan! But, now I am so excited!
So I will resume my regular posting tommorrow!
and thats because....
We are going to be having another baby!!
At first I was shocked and scared. This wasn't our two year plan! But, now I am so excited!
So I will resume my regular posting tommorrow!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Raising Homemakers
I'm not going to lie I am pretty excited about raising homemakers and it's not just because miss Sarah Mae is the genuis behind it.
I really wanna raise my daughter to know how to make a home and keep a home!
So this site is going to have such vaulable info for me! So if you are like me and want to hear helpful tips and information about how to raise our daughters up to be home makers make sure you stop by the site! While your there make sure you check out their cool giveaway!
I really wanna raise my daughter to know how to make a home and keep a home!
So this site is going to have such vaulable info for me! So if you are like me and want to hear helpful tips and information about how to raise our daughters up to be home makers make sure you stop by the site! While your there make sure you check out their cool giveaway!
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