I Draw Stick People

A while back, I began following certain people and online stores on Instagram and saw post after post of bible journaling.

I FELL IN LOVE.

The designs and colors were beautiful.  I absolutely loved the thought of doodling and coloring God's Word.

There's one thing though.

I don't consider myself very artistic when it comes to drawing and sketching.  Seriously, I draw stick people.  You should have seen my life cycle of a frog and butterfly diagrams when I taught fourth grade science.  They were quite comical to say the least.

Well, I'm one of those girls that sees something awesome and beautiful and want a piece of it.  So, for months, I considered buying a journaling bible.  I even carried one around LifeWay and then put it back. While in the checkout line, I sent my 13 year old son back to get it, but he brought back the wrong one. I decided against it. I was hesitant because I'm not very good at drawing.  I saw those beautiful pictures on Instagram and then on Pinterest and convinced myself I would never be able to make something so beautiful.

I talked to my coworker Jane about the journaling bibles (she's a former art teacher turned media specialist). She was in love too, and we encouraged each other to get one.  But still, I had this fear that I would mess it up.  I love my bibles. All of them. I highlight and circle and write and underline and draw clouds around certain verses.  I didn't want to risk ruining a bible with crayons and markers and stickers.

My mother-in-law got me a journaling bible for Christmas. I loved it and was terrified at the same time.  I let it sit. And sit. And sit some more.

Until one day.....

I decided it was time and created my first journal entry.

I admit that I was quite pleased even though it wasn't exactly like what I'd seen on social media. I didn't ruin it on the first try and that was a very good thing! And I realized.....

It's not supposed to look like the other examples on social media.

This is MY journaling bible.

This is MY artistic ability (or lack of).

This is MY time with God.

And that, my friend, is what is important.

I'm spending time in God's Word. I'm reading and listening. I'm creating from being inspired by Him. And I'm in love with it because I am in love with Christ.

How many times do we let our fears stand in our way?  We doubt our abilities and give up without trying.  We fear judgement from others and ourselves.  We don't believe we are good enough.  But we are good enough.  God says we are, even if we draw stick people or dance like a duck or sing off key.

Colossians 3:23 says, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." 

Sometimes we forget that.  We judge ourselves before even getting started because we fear others.  But my bible time, that's for me and God. I don't have to post pictures of what I create during this time.  I shouldn't care if you like it or not.  I should care that my time was pleasing to the Lord.

Are you holding back from something?  Are you wanting to do something for God, but you're gripped by fear?  God will break those chains.  He loves you, and He doesn't care if you are like me and draw stick people.  Do what God calls you to do.  He will bless you when you are obedient.

Just as the Lord Commanded

I once got the big idea to read the entire Bible.  After all, I was new Christian and I knew how important knowing God's Word would be.  So I started.....In the beginning....

I loved the story of creation and got caught up in scripture until I started reading about specific measurements, the numbers of this and that, you know....anything that didn't have drama or a moral.

Now, I admit that I just didn't get it.  I didn't understand why it was important that the curtains on the west end of the courtyard of the tabernacle were 75 feet long or why Eliab presented an offering of a silver platter weighing 3 1/4 pounds along with a bunch of other stuff.  All of that information was just too technical for me.  I needed the elements of drama with the characters and plot and climax and resolution and theme, not numerical figures.

So, I struggled through it.  I half heartedly read and finally just skimmed for the "important stuff" and moved on.

Even now, some 11 years later, I still admit that isn't my favorite part of scripture, but I found something very interesting the other day.

As I was reading in my chronological Bible, I read about the Israelites again and the things they were called to do.  This time was different.  I noticed the words just as the Lord commanded. I continued to read on, and there it was again just as the Lord commanded. 

Hmmmm. There must be something to this.

I grabbed my pen and underlined each time I read those words on that page.

Seven times on that page.

Just as the Lord commanded.

And so then, I thought,  "What if we all did what the Lord commanded?"

Whether it be the offering we bring, the gift we use, the path we follow, the Lord commands something of us.  Far too often we are not obedient.  For whatever reason, we choose not to obey His commands.

But what if?

What if we did what the Lord commanded?

We'd give our hearts to Jesus the first time we hear His call.

We'd be faithful in service to Him.

We'd be faithful in sharing the Good News.

We'd love.

We'd give.

We'd be the ones God has called us to be.

What if I continued to read God's Word with fresh eyes and an open heart?

I love Him, and I will obey what He has commanded.

I am thankful that God's Word is relevant and living. I am thankful that each time I read it, I find something that I didn't see before.

As a side note, if you are interested in a journey through the Bible, I encourage you to take that journey.  I have many types of Bibles that I love.  If you get a One Year Bible, don't start reading it on the specific day you got it. For example, don't start on September 6. Start at the beginning (January 1). It can get very confusing.  If you'd rather just read the Bible and you've never journeyed through it before, I'd suggest starting in the New Testament. My first time trying to read the entire Bible was an epic fail.  I was a new Christian and struggled with the Old Testament.  I gave up the first time, but later started in the book of Matthew.  I was able to read through the New Testament more easily.  I worked my way up to The One Year Bible for Women.  After completing it, I purchased The One Year Chronological Bible.  You can also find Bible reading plans online.  Regardless of where your start, you'll never regret spending time in God's Word.

This is the day that the Lord has made. Now, what are you going to do about it?

My friend Lori challenged me to post a new Bible verse each day for seven days on Facebook.  I gladly accepted the challenge.

For day 1, I posted my favorite verse:

This is the day that the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it. 

Psalm 118:24

Each day that God allows us to spend here on earth should be considered a blessing, a true gift.  How we spend that day is up to us.  The thing about God is this.....He doesn't force himself on us.  We have the choice to receive His gifts or not. So, how I spend the day that God has given me is up to no one but me.

I noticed recently during some snow days that I spent quite a bit of time fussing at my kids for not picking up after themselves. A lot of time actually.  It wasn't much fun for me or for them.  I remember thinking, "I've wasted this day yelling at my kids."  I can very easily place the blame on my children. After all, they were being disobedient.  However, I chose to react to their disobedience with anger instead of responding with love.  Yes, my choice.

Tonight, I sit at the kitchen table checking my weather app and Facebook and the local TV station website watching the weather. Our second major winter storm is upon us.  How am I going to react? Am I going to gripe and complain that my flooded yard is about to be covered in ice and snow?  Am I going to be angry because more than likely we are about to add two more days to the end of  the school year and try to teach children in June?  Sure, I can cringe at the thought, but what good does it do me if I choose to become angry or bitter over something that is beyond my control? I could get angry at the Snow Fairy, but it isn't her fault either.

Regardless of what is happening.....a winter storm, a failed Pinterest attempt, low bank account, disobedient children, or my husband not getting me a sausage biscuit when he went to McDonald's this morning....I have the choice on how to react or respond.

A winter storm......be in awe of God's power and enjoy the at home time spent with family. See it as a time to slow down, get caught up on some sleep, and finish that book.

A failed Pinterest attempt......laugh it off. Things could be worse! Do you know how many times I have dropped cakes on the floor???

Low bank account......see it as a blessing that you aren't out spending money on things you don't really need.  Try budgeting.

Disobedient children.....check yourself....are you explaining yourself for them to understand you, is there more going on with your child than what you see on the outside, or are your expectations realistic?  Use this time to practice gentleness and patience.  Show your children what Christian love looks like during times of conflict.

Hubby didn't come through for you with that sausage biscuit.....you didn't need it anyway.  Be thankful because there was more room for that chocolate cake.

These may be silly examples, but if we look closely at some of our behaviors, they are quite childish and silly too. So what about the more serious things in life?

Probably the hardest thing I have ever gone through is my miscarriage.  Carter's 5th birthday is next week, and Carson's 9th is next month.  In between those special days should be Baby's first birthday.  Yes, I should be planning my baby's first birthday party, but I'm not. That's hard people.  But I have a choice....Do I become bitter and angry at God for taking this baby from me?  Do I yell at Him for not allowing me the chance to hold this precious child in my arms and experience life with this child?  Or do I choose to be thankful for the 3 healthy children I get to spend my life with?  Do I choose to praise Him for providing me with a husband and a mother and friends who took care of me on the worst day of my life?

I choose to rejoice.

God never promised us that life would be easy.  However, He did promise not to forsake us.  On my darkest days God has been with me.  On the happiest of days, He has been with me.

I choose to rejoice.

Life is a choice.  Do you choose to live it or waste it?

I choose to live it.

Not a lot of Talk

Last week, I completed week 2 of Survival Sisters through Wives of Faith.  One of the discussion questions asked, "If God's grace brings salvation, instruction in godliness, and hope in Christ's return should it reflect how we live?"

My answer was, "Yes, most definitely."  

You see, when we enter into a relationship with Christ, we usually say that we gave our hearts to him or that we asked him into our heart.  That means that Christ lives within us.  If he does indeed live within us, then we change.  

We allow him to take control of our lives.  Thus, our lives should reflect that.  When people look at me, especially those that knew me before I knew Christ, they should see that I am a different person.  Even those that know me and see me day in and day out should be able to see Jesus in all that I do.  I should reflect his love and compassion.  I should try to be teaching others about him.  I should reflect Christ in all that I do.

It is one thing to say that I am a Christ Follower, but it is another thing to live it.  1 Corinthians 4:20 says, "For the kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God's power."  

There is truth in that.  

So many times, I have said these things:
I want God's will to be done in my life.
If God brings me to it, He will bring me through it.
God is in control. I trust him.
I know that God will never leave me.

The list goes on.  Have you said these things too?  

Like me, you may have found that living those statements is more difficult than saying them.  Living them shows whether or not we have true faith.  It shows if we are walking the walk instead of talking the talk.  

It is easy to live for the Kingdom when we are on that mountaintop.  But what about when we are in the valleys?  Deployment? Loss of spouse? Loss of child?  Loss of job?  Cancer?  Depression? Loneliness?  What about those times?

It is in those times that we find out if we really believe in the power of God.  God asks us, "Do you really believe?"  And we want to say yes, but how can we be sure?  

Surround yourself with Him.  Read His Word. Talk to Him through prayer. Fellowship with other Christ Followers.  Worship and praise Him through song.  The more time you spend with God, the stronger your relationship is.  

Think about it.  If you never water your flowers, you never tend to them and protect them, then they will wilt and die.  Likewise, if you never tend to your relationship with the Lord, it will wilt and never be what you want it to be.  

The best thing I can say to you today is this....

God loves you. He wants to spend time with you. He wants to strengthen you. He wants to give you hope.

Sounds simple doesn't it?  Here's the kicker....you have to pursue Him.  Put down that iPhone. Get off Facebook.  Stop pinning on Pintrest. Turn off the TV.  Take time away from those activities and.....

Open your Bible.  Fall to your knees in prayer. Meet God right where you are.  You will never regret the time you spend with the Lord.  

Life will not always be perfect. God never promised us that.  He will, however, give us the strength to get through those difficult days, to find the blessings in our messes.  Spending time will change you in so many wonderful ways.  Just you wait. 

I was that girl in high school that got angry with a friend for praying for me.  I felt like there was nothing wrong with me.  But there was.  Now I am that girl praying for others and asking people to remember me in prayer.  No longer am I that smarty pants potty mouth gossip.  I try to encourage and build each others up. I'm not perfect. God convicts me when I am wrong.  I thank Him for doing so.  

So Friends, it is Monday. Time for a new start.  I encourage you this week to seek God. Live by His power.  When you do, you will forever be changed and others will notice.  They will want what you have. They will want Christ.  And isn't that what we are called to do, to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ?  What better way than to live a life that demonstrates the Power of the Holy One!  

For the Brokenhearted

Yesterday in Sunday school, we talked a lot about how some things just aren't fair and how sometimes God just seems so far away from us. We were led into a conversation about choices and how those choices pull us away from God. 

It is hard to admit sometimes that we make choices that get us into a pit. We wonder how we got there and wonder why God allowed it to happen. 

If there is one thing I have learned, it is that God does not force himself on us.  He has blessed us with having a choice. 

However, recent events remind me that not everything that happens occurs because of something we did.  It is a matter of God and his timing and purpose.

We will never fully understand God's ways. We aren't meant to. There comes a time in our lives when we will be the brokenhearted.  For me, one of those times was losing my fourth child due to miscarriage.

I don't know why I (or any woman for that matter) was "allowed" to go through a miscarriage. As much as it still hurts, I believe, I must believe, that there was a purpose.  God uses everything for a higher purpose. 

Was it to teach me to pray more and follow God's plan before deciding on my own it was time to expand my family, to wait for Him for those big decisions?  Was it to teach me the frailty of life?  Was it to get me to slow down and grow closer to Him?  Was it to be able to be there for other women who go through the same thing, or open the hearts of those that have experienced it in the past so they may be willing to share their experience?

I simply don't know.

I do know that months later, it still hurts.  It sneaks up on you.  You see your pregnant friends walking, more like waddling around, awaiting the joy of the birth of their first child.  It dawns on you that you won't be having that moment.  You are driving in the car with your three boys and the instant replay of moment you truly lost that child fills your mind, and you fight back tears.  It is the sickening feeling you get when you pray, "God, what am I supposed to do? Do I try for another child or is my family complete the way it is?"  Sometimes I don't want to know the answer. It hurts too bad to think that my body will never nurture a new life, that my arms will never hold that newborn.  It hurts to think that my youngest son will never know the joy of seeing his baby brother or sister for the first times after months of wondering why mommy is getting so fat. 

That is one of my brokenhearted trials. 

But I know that there is good news in this hurt. 

God loves me and is there for me. 

That is enough.

Regardless of how badly I missed my husband and prayed for his safe return home from a war zone, God was enough.

Regardless of how scared I was as my middle child lay lethargic in my arms countless nights because he couldn't breath, God was enough.

Regardless of how I feared the word Cancer when I had my first mammogram, God was enough.

Regardless of how the unknown pains that could be caused by leukemia in my child, God was enough.

Regardless....God is enough.

Psalm 34:18 says that The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.   In whatever dark moment I was in, I felt God near me.  I felt Him calm me as I held a sick child. I felt His peace when I knew my husband's compound was under attack at that moment. I felt His love and comfort as my weakened body lost a baby.   God got me through those moments. He provided everything I needed.

He did that for me.  He can do that for you. 

I know there are so many people that are broken in so many ways. I have friends that are going through their own personal hell. I lift them in prayer, so they will know that God is enough. 

If my words sound simple or easy, that knowing God is enough comes easily, let me be clear on one thing: It isn't easy.  I have spent a lot of time with the Lord.  I have spend time with Him through praise and worship at church and in the privacy of my home, car, or classroom. I have spent time in Christian fellowship with those who have lifted me in prayer. I have spent time in prayer, not only letting Him know my requests, but also in prayers of thanksgiving and listening to Him.  I have spent time in His Word.  I have asked for His guidance while reading and worked hard to understand scripture.  I am not claiming to be perfect in all of these things, but I am saying that the time I have spent with Him when things are blue skies and sunshine, have paved the way for Him to reveal himself to me in times of heartache and sorrow. 

Time spent with the Lord is not time wasted.  All to often we say we don't have time to pray, we don't have time to study scripture.  But we do.  We turn off the TV. We put down the cell phones. We turn away from the Internet. We spend that time on and with the Lord.  Those few moments that we dedicate to Him each day will have an eternal impact on our lives and the lives of others.

We will all experience a broken heart. Spending time with God now will help us through the difficult times that await us.

Jeremiah 29:11 Wives of Faith Military Spouse Appreciation Link Up

Today, I am taking part in the Wives of Faith Military Spouse Appreciation Week link up. 

Today, they want to know

 Which scripture has been a life verse for you on your journey as a military spouse, or what scripture has God used to comfort you on this journey in military life?

The verse that stands out the most to me is Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

For me, that is averse that dwells deep within my soul.  It isn't easy to trust God, especially when he takes you out of your comfort zone.  However, knowing that he is in control and wants the best for me is such an amazing promise.  I am reminded during those difficult times to look back and see how The Lord provided when I stepped out in faith.

What about you? Is there scripture that has comforted you on this journey?  Join us at Wives of Faith to get in on the conversation.