Looking for the Right Answer

Isaiah 30:18 Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.

When the news of the Boston Marathon bombings hit, I wish I could say that I had the naive thought that it have been some sort of horrible accident....my jaded heart was wise to what had just happened.

 

We all have different reactions in times of crisis. Some immediately drop to their knees and pray for those afflicted, some simply go numb and wait for the shock to wear off. I become filled with anger. The Bible tells us there are 2 types of anger. One is a selfish anger, where we expect to be treated in certain ways and become angry from selfish reasons. The other is righteous anger, where our soul rips to shreds at the thought, site or sound on injustice. There are times when the shreds of my soul feel as though they may never find their way back...

 

I am a very passionate person. It makes me think I could be Italian, but that's not the point :) I am either going 120 MPH or at a stand still (more than most likely a stand off). I have had to learn to bite my tongue on many occasions and often fail to do so. When something needs to be done, I tend tomp into the "doing" before having thought out how I could even offer more time, money or skills. My schedule reflects my tendencies for sure: I always find myself over booked and overwhelmed. Perhaps this keeps my running hot too.

 

Injustice ignites an even brighter fire in my already blazing furnace. My skin will get red when I hear of parents selling their children for cigarettes and booze. I start tosweat when I see images of total devastation in a time that should be joyful. Yes, I root for the good guy in movies, but I root for him to utterly kill and destroy the bad guy. I often joke that if they made an assassination ministry I would be the first to sign up. My soul doesn't weep bitterly over injustice, it burns in all consuming flames. The problem is that if I do not watch my reactions, I can burn myself and those around me in pursuit of what is not rightfully mine.

 

God is a God of justice. He is not unaware of the epic sins and utter indignities that plague the Earth in these days. Heaven was not consumed with fear when the bombs went off and angels did not flee in terror of a terrorist. God stood. He saw. And for those who say He did nothing, watch the people who flooded the scene to help. He sent His best comforters to help those who had lost everything. He sent warriors to fight off the anxiety and worry that a foolish person thought could so easily be inflicted. Where do we turn when all goes dark? Turn your heads to the Light that can break through any darkness. Friends, the world is a wicked place. It always has been. The biggest part of the problem is that we turn to the Light ONLY when darkness has already taken full root upon our land...

 

Justice. We all deserve it right? There is none over another here and we all suffer from deeply ingrained thoughts, sins and actions that should lead us strait to an eternity separated from God. But we have been offered a gift: the blood of a Son, a sacrifice for our own wicked deeds. We accept this gift and more are opened to us. We have hope, a future, mercy, love, grace, forgiveness...and I believe we are also allotted understanding. I cannot explain the entirety of the foul thoughts that play in a persons mind when they seek to kill others...but I do know that it is not my job to fix it. I am not the justice giver. I must realize that as much as I long to make the appointment for others to have their judgement, I must wait in faith with the understanding that God is not simply doing nothing. Justice will fall. It will fall swiftly in His time, not mine.

 

I invite you to offer a prayer today. Father, I pray Your comfort over those who have lost so much. I pray that You will turn this nation to You. Lord, lead others to hope. May we all rest in the knowing that You are the same God who moves mountains, parts waters, wakes the dead and causes the blind to see! You are not a God of inaction and You are not pleased with the state of this world. Draw Your children closer to You today. Grant us boldness that we would rise up against the powers that try to hold us down. Awaken Your warriors Lord. May we set aside our concerns of comfort and move forward into the face of those who defy Your name. Our God is alive, He is angered, and He will judge righteously. In Jesus Name, Amen

Silence is Deadly....

There is a question that I receive quite a bit when on speaking engagements or leading Bible studies:
"How do I know my calling?"

Why do I get asked this so much? Possibly because I am very open about my calling. If you get nothing else from this post, get this: You will only know your calling for sure if you are in God's Word daily. No excuses, no shortcuts.

So, what is a calling? Well, to me it is the undying passion for justice and equality that God has placed in my heart. I fight for the human rights of women and children. I shed light on extremely dark subjects and I seek the Lord's justice in these places of darkness. I have been called to serve in the field of human trafficking, exploitation and modern day slavery.

My calling does not come with a pretty title, nor does it garner a lot of sympathetic looks. Why? It's uncomfortable to say the least. When I begin to bring the subject up, walls go up quicker than your window at the end of the drive through line! We simply don't want to talk about it.... That, friends is a shame, and a sin.

We are called to be a light unto this world. If our salt loses it's saltiness, what on earth are we good for? My Bible says nothing (Matthew 5:13). What would that feel like to make it to Heaven only to be told by God Himself that you didn't fulfill your calling? I shudder to think, and that is why I am bold when I speak.

You see, there was a time in the United States when the senseless killing of unborn babies was abhorring. Christians became silent when talks of passing a bill to legalize abortion began to circulate. You see, the topic was off colored and not comfortable...and where did that get us? To date, there are 3562 abortions per DAY. Why? Because the topic was a little too uncomfortable for us...

You see, many Christians prefer to toe the line of uncomfortable topics sticking to things such as telling lies, stealing, your preferred workout regimen, smoking, drinking, pre-marital sex, unwed parents and the ever so occasional talk about gluttony if it applies. These are straight judgements handed down from the original Law. It's odd when I read and hear these all the time because I think of another group who judged based on the law....the same group that called for the death of Jesus because He made them uncomfortable.

Current day slavery is alive and well and is a multi-billion dollar business. Currently, over 27 million people worldwide are enslaved. Americans who know their history better believe that Abraham Lincoln would roll over in his grace. This far exceeds the number of slaves during his time in office. Of these 27 million, approximately 80% are women. What we must realize is that human trafficking and enslavement has changed. It is no longer something that only happens overseas....it's in your back yard! 17,500 people are trafficked to the United States annually. The cashier at your local dollar store, the fore lorn looking girl sweeping the local bar....statistically these could be slaves.

The human trafficking industry makes over 32 BILLION dollars per year. It works as an underground industry and yields more profit than Google. Why is it underground? Because we are unwilling to get our hands dirty and dig it up.

In the country of Moldova, more than 100,000 people are victims of human trafficking. Young children are sold to their neighbors for beer and cigarettes and over 30,000 women have gone missing without a trace. In Ethiopia there exists a road of 1 mile that is lines with young women and girls as young at 8 years old who are forced to sell their bodies for as little as 50 cents! HIV, Aids, STDs, and many diseases run rampant in these areas. Why? Because human life has no value! It has no value to traffickers and if we simply turn a blind eye and keep quiet it has no value to us either. And that is something we will have to answer for...

With all of this information, what can one do? YOU can change the world! Be a voice in the dark places. I'm not asking you to pack up and move to another country (though if that is your calling, I suggest you not put it off ANY longer). Share the story of these who have no way of crying for help. Let the world know that we will NOT remain silent! I could care less if you run, fight or do yoga for fitness people! I am more interested in where your heart lies. Open your eyes to what is truly plaguing this nation, this culture and our world. Shed light into the darkest places and raise your voice for those who have no voice to raise.

We have all been called. The question is, are you willing to accept your call?

Michelle

The Storms WILL Come.....

NOTE: This post has been taken from a previous online Bible Study I wrote, but felt called to share :)

 

Psalm 37

New Life Version (NLV)

A Safe Place for Those Who Trust in the Lord

37 Do not trouble yourself because of sinful men. Do not want to be like those who do wrong. ² For they will soon dry up like the grass. Like the green plant they will soon die. ³ Trust in the Lord, and do good. So you will live in the land and will be fed. ⁴ Be happy in the Lord. And He will give you the desires of your heart. ⁵ Give your way over to the Lord. Trust in Him also. And He will do it. ⁶ He will make your being right and good show as the light, and your wise actions as the noon day.

⁷ Rest in the Lord and be willing to wait for Him. Do not trouble yourself when all goes well with the one who carries out his sinful plans. ⁸ Stop being angry. Turn away from fighting. Do not trouble yourself. It leads only to wrong-doing. ⁹ For those who do wrong will be cut off. But those who wait for the Lord will be given the earth. ¹⁰ A little while, and the sinful man will be no more. You will look for his place, and he will not be there. ¹¹ But those who have no pride will be given the earth. And they will be happy and have much more than they need.
¹² The sinful man plans against him who is right with God. And he grinds his teeth at him. ¹³ The Lord laughs at him because He sees his day is coming. ¹⁴ The sinful have taken up their sword and their bow, to bring down the poor and those in need, and to kill those whose ways are right. ¹⁵ Their sword will cut into their own heart, and their bows will be broken.
¹⁶ The few things that the man right with God has is better than the riches of many sinful men. ¹⁷ For the arms of the sinful will be broken. But the Lord holds up those who are right with Him. ¹⁸ The Lord knows the days of those who are without blame. And what is theirs will last forever. ¹⁹ They will not be ashamed in the time of trouble. And in days when there is no food they will have enough. ²⁰ But the sinful will be lost forever. Those who hate the Lord will be like the beauty of the fields. They will be gone. Like smoke they will be gone. ²¹ The sinful ask for something, but do not return it. But those who are right with God are kind and give. ²² For those who are made happy by Him will be given the land. But those who are being punished by Him will be cut off.
²³ The steps of a good man are led by the Lord. And He is happy in his way. ²⁴ When he falls, he will not be thrown down, because the Lord holds his hand. ²⁵ I have been young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the man who is right with God left alone, or his children begging for bread. ²⁶ All day long he is kind and lets others use what he has. And his children make him happy.
²⁷ Turn from sin, and do good, so you will live forever. ²⁸ For the Lord loves what is fair and right. He does not leave the people alone who belong to Him. They are kept forever. But the children of the sinful will be cut off. ²⁹ Those who are right with God will be given the land, and live on it forever. ³⁰ The mouth of the man who is right with God speaks wisdom. And his tongue speaks what is fair and right. ³¹ The Law of his God is in his heart. His steps do not leave it. ³² The sinful lie in wait for the man who is right with God, and want to kill him. ³³ The Lord will not leave him in his power. He will not let him be found guilty when he is judged. ³⁴ Wait for the Lord. Keep His way. And He will give you a high place to receive the land. When the sinful are cut off, you will see it.
³⁵ I have seen a very sinful man spreading himself like a green tree in its home land. ³⁶ Then he passed away and was no more. I looked for him. But he could not be found. ³⁷ Look at the man without blame. And watch the man who is right and good. For the man of peace will have much family to follow him. ³⁸ But all the sinners will be destroyed. The family of the sinful will be cut off. ³⁹ But the saving of those who are right with God is from the Lord. He is their strength in time of trouble. ⁴⁰ The Lord helps them and takes them out of trouble. He takes them away from the sinful, and saves them, because they go to Him for a safe place.

When I say the words “Life can be hard” what is your reaction? Are you on a storm right now? Have you just been delivered from the storm? Can you see one on the horizon? Those are the observations we make in this life. It seems that the storms of life are always somewhere around us.

 

My family is on the verge of a storm right now friends, and it’s one of the biggest life hurricanes I have ever witnessed. I am approaching this storm a bit different than I have the storms of my past. I keep saying “I will not give in to worry, for worry is a foothold for Satan. Besides, do I have anything better to offer this situation other than my faith?”

 

I would be foolish to think that there are not major storms brewing within this Bible study and perhaps within your very own heart as you read these words. I will reiterate the solid fact that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. OK, so I’m about to get all super nerdy on you, so bear with me J. I am a Harry Potter fan, seriously. Anyways….in one of the movies, one of Harry’s school friends says to him “If I were you-know-who I’d want you to feel cut off from every else, because if it’s just you alone, you are not as much of a threat”. Ever since I first heard that line, it resonated with me how this really does reflect what Satan does to our minds. No worries, I won’t be doing a biblical study correlating to Harry Potter next!

 

So, if we are made to feel all alone we do become less active in our faith right? If you think that you are the only one in this fight or the only one going through this storm, it will render you ineffective in life. My friend, you were not created to be ineffective. You have been created as an intricate piece of God’s great plan. These storms of life are not meant to bring you to the ground, but falling to your knees and praying to the One who saves is a great place to be in any situation.

 

The question is, are we willing to wait on God? Read the passage above again. In a day and age of NOW, are we willing to accept God’s timing? With His timing comes His grace, and I think THAT is what we all need.

 

I employ you to pray for those going through this study with you. Even if you don’t know them personally, God knows. We all need to be lifted up from time to time. If you are walking on sunshine right now, then dance in God’s grace and glory! And if you find yourself beaten to your knees, know that you are not there alone for the Father will hold your head up high to fight the good fight.

In God's gracious love,
Michelle
 

Being Comfortable with the Uncomfortable

There are times when this life seems hardly fair.

There are moments we hope will be passed by or forgotten.

We, as humans, seek to avoid pain and suffering. We don't enjoy uncomfortable things and often we can find ourselves in a rut of trying to make ourselves comfortable amidst uncomfortable situations. We avoid certain people, places and topics entirely. We don't heed the advice that we should and we try to ignore the signs that our life is not really in our hands at all. This can make us extremely self-centered and self-focused. Living in a closed shell of our own life is hardly living at all....

 Luke 6:30Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.

What if you have been called into the uncomfortable? What if your ministry isn't designed to give others that fluffy feeling? I have know MANY who have been called to ministry. There have been beautifully spoken ladies called to lead powerful Bible studies. I have been blessed to meet ladies who have been called to bring a lightness to other women's lives. Some are called to comfort the body of Christ, some are called to rock sweet babies while their weary parents get a rest, and some are called to bring God's Holy Word to the masses.

Me? Oh, I have been called :) I am called to love on those whose dignity and pride and have been stripped from them. I am called to bring awareness to the large monster that plagues every single continent: slavery. I am called to be bold in my message, to push through that which tries to silence the cry of those who lay naked in their shame and to love, yes love, those who are caught in the wicked web of sexual exploitation and slavery. My calling is not pretty, it is often not received well, and no, it is certainly NOT comfortable.

Think about the last time you attended a conference or even just a Sunday service at church. Was your heart expectant? Was it expectant for God to show up....no matter what He had to say? Or was it expectant for a little Heavenly fairy dust to be sprinkled over your life? When we enter into God's presence, do we expect to be changed...or do we simply want to be fixed?

The honest thing is that we crave human comfort, not God's comfort. Look at your news feed and Pinterest pages. How many pictures of cute animals, pretty babies, desserts and home decor do you find? Now, how many pictures are you drawn to that depict a broken human soul? Do you have a board for that? Not likely so....

2 Corinthians 9:6-8Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.

In order to live a bountiful life, we must embrace the uncomfortable. We must be OK with the trials we face. Will it make them easier? No. But if we seek human comfort alone and try to avoid that which hurts, who do we turn to in times of need? When our comfort becomes paramount to doing the Lord's work, we have lost our way completely.

Please don't misunderstand me. I am not saying your life is a bowl of cherries or that you don't have problems because you seem concerned with comfort. I am also not saying that your problems disappear if you turn your focus off of your own issues. What I can promise is that if our focus turns to God, embracing the uncomfortable things that happen in life, we are better equipped for what life brings. I have suffered many losses: my mother, grandparents, my child, dogs, cats, fish and even finances. God is always faithful to bring me back to where He needs me to be.

Friends, it's not about God blessing you each day...it's about cultivating a heart that beats to the tune of gratefulness for ALL He has already done.

In Jesus' Love,
Michelle

Weeding the Garden

Hello Friends!

During this long Easter weekend, I decided to tackle the task of weeding my front garden. Now, if you know me then you know that I have two black thumbs and can kill pretty much ANY plant. My husband is actually more of the gardener in this house :)

I put on my big girl pants, grabbed my kids and a large trash can, and  headed out front. Upon surveying the scene I realized something dreadful....this was an ugly sight. The grass had grown up into what once was the garden and 4 dead fruit bushes simply sat there, lifeless. Weeds were running rampant and out of control on both sides of the walk and in between the pavers. Now, let me remind you this was my FRONT garden. Not only is it what people see, but I should be looking at it every time I pull into the drive. The problem was that I had stopped looking at it sometime ago...

I joke that I would rather run a marathon than do yard or housework. It's a joke that is quite true though, and I'm not even a runner! There are some things in life that are quite necessary, no matter how much we abhor them. Weeding is my nemesis.

Here is the funny thing though. My children and I set out with a plan. We each worked in our own corner and strove to work inward toward each other. We even pulled the dead fruit bushes up and sprayed the tiniest of weeds that just couldn't be grabbed with our now grubby fingers. All of this work took a grand total of 1 hour. That's it. At the end of an hour we stepped back and surveyed our labor. It looked much cleaner and ready for a new beginning. Now, I have not yet begun on the beginning, but the part I hate is over for now :)

This experience, like so many others, made me think about my own Christian life. I pray for God to weed the garden of my life, but the process isn't pleasant. It is painful at times and takes work on my end as well as His. In order for Him to rid my life of those things that are in the way, I have to LOOK at my life, long and hard, in order to see how messy I have allowed it to get.

In my own personal life I have over committed to things that should have been passed on long ago. This causes the grass of the worldly commitments (though they themselves are not bad things) to grow into my garden, taking up space that should be allocated to growing ministry. I have to look at hobbies that have begun to take up too much of my time, creeping in like weeds to choke out the service that brings my Father, and in return me, true joy. I can also see the things in life that I simply do out of sheer, comfortable habit. These are the things that take my attention, energy, focus and passion away from where God expects me to put it...in His will. My garden of life is quite messy, and it is right where others can see it...

So, what does one do with a messy garden? Well, first I ask God to give me eyes that I may see where things can be trimmed or pulled up altogether. Be careful what you ask for. There are some things that are good on their own, but my Father has better planned for me and I cannot grab it until I let go of something else. If my calendar is filled with "good" things, I might miss out on the great things God has planned in my life...simply because I got too busy to notice when my garden began getting over crowded.

Second, when God shows me what is taking up too much of my time, energy and passion...I have to devise a plan to let go. Yes, I said plan! I am terrible about letting go then running like a mad fool to try and grab it again. Perhaps I suffer from thinking I am the only one who can handle this task. You know, I am reminded of another who thought himself high enough to do God's job, or higher perhaps...his name is Lucifer and he was cast out of Heaven and into eternal damnation. I have to admit there are times when I am guilty of the same sins...

Thinking that we can handle things on our own is a sin. God made us for community and we are a body in Christ. The hand and foot must work together with the eye! Most times the hand is just slapping everybody else around and shooing them away because we think we can do it all! I am terrible at asking for help. By the way, by the time I do ask for help, I'm in deep. That is a sin of pride, no matter how "humble" I claim it to be. So the third part is to ask for help! My kids helped me that day and we got a big job done in 1 hour...because we all did our part.

So, what will change? Well, my priorities have changed and I am making the plans to weed the necessary things in life. Boot camps and classes are being passed on to other individuals whose time is now :). I am selective about clients and trying to rest in God's promise to provide for the work He has called me to do. AND...I am asking for help.

I cannot do this large task alone. I am but a foot (or eye, hand, mouth, etc) and need other parts of the Body to come along beside me and help. My current projects in this new garden God is tilling are a trip to Ethiopia this Summer. I will be traveling there to minister to and train the staff member of safe houses. I will also be taking a trip or two to the red light district. This is a mile long strip of road where women and girls are sold for sex for as little as 10 cents. Some of these girls are as young as 8 years old...3 years younger than my daughter. My son will be making this trip with me. What can you do? If the plight of Ethiopia and these girls pulls at your heart, you can go to HopeChest Ministries and find ways to give to their efforts. I always welcome donations to the trips I have been called to make. I am eternally grateful to those who allow God to use them in order to enable people like me to share the skill set we have received from Him to change the world. If you wish to donate directly to my trip, here are steps to making an anonymous donation:

• Log on to Hopechest.org
• Click on the GIVE tab
• Click on TRIP PAYMENT
• Copy and paste trip code ET130702T in the reference section
• Enter MICHELLE CARLSON in the notes

The site is very easy to navigate and donations are 100% tax deductible if you go through HopeChest to donate. THANK YOU for your willingness to serve :)

Now, I do have an ongoing project that is in need of some big funds :) I have teamed up with Hopechest and Beginning of Life to help raise $50,000 to build a small fitness center to add to their holistic approach to rehabilitation and restoration for victims of sex trafficking. This is a large undertaking BUT it will help the ministry in many ways. This fitness center will help the girls victimized to have a better understanding of their bodies and how God made us and intended us to care for our bodies. It will also open up new jobs that have never been available (I will be spending an ample amount of time training in different fitness modalities and specializations) and it will help ease the stress of the workers who tirelessly give to these young ladies. To be a part of a world change, all you have to do is click HERE.

It is easy to think that we are not big enough OR that somebody else will step up to the plate and do the work. If not you, who? If not now, when? There is a change that must happen and we can ALL take part in being that change. Allow a little discomfort to seep into your life. You will not be stagnant and passionless IF you seek out change! Live a little louder and desire to do what is different. Be the change, do the work, help each other.

Remember His mercy and blessings!
Michelle

Thankful Thursday

Each day of the week is getting some kind of meaning here lately right? I can't say I don't dig it, as it does keep me on track with my days of the week :)

Today, I am focusing on what I am most thankful for and it just so happens I have a great one.

 

 

MY DAD!

 

 

Sappy, I know, but hang in there with me. Today, my dad will retire from his long time job at a local refinery. I realized last night that I do not think I have ever taken the time to really thank my dad for his hard work. No worries, I remedied that :)

 

My dad is of a different breed. He works and has worked his whole life. He didn't go out trying to find his hearts calling and he certainly didn't take time off from work to "find himself". He worked to provide. He took all the overtime they gave and I NEVER remember him complaining of having to wake up at 4 a.m. to get to work. He did the work necessary to provide a life for his family.

 

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

 -Colossians 3:23-24

 

The Bible offer a LOT of wisdom on work. We are warned of keeping company with lazy fools in Proverbs and we are warned more so of being said lazy fool. Colossians reminds us that no matter WHERE we work, we are to do our work as though doing it for the Lord Himself. Friends, at the end of the day THIS is what you do! My dad has managed to set a lovely example of just this. He never boasts of his job, nor did he hate it (at least not out loud!). He simply did the work necessary, not for his immediate employers, but for God.

 

We live in an age where we are encouraged to always look out for #1. The problem with this is that our #1 isn't aligned with scripture. In our age, #1 refers to ourselves. We are told to make ourselves happy in order to make others happy. I'm pretty certain Mother Teresa did not feel that way! We are cautioned to only accept the best for us, go after our dreams and find what works best for us. WRONG. We are to align God's will as our #1. Does that mean life will be easy and we'll always have what we want? No. It means we will be cared for and have what we need. Understand this: life will NEVER and should NEVER be EASY here on Earth. As a matter of fact, I think far too many Christians are more content with finding an easy life than living the one God has called them to.

 

Am I grateful? YES. God saw fit to give me an earthly father who would set the example my Heavenly Father needed me to see. In the few (ahem, 35!) years that I have known my dad, these are just a few things I have learned:

 

1. DON'T be lazy...just don't.
2. Be willing to work for what you believe in.
3. Be willing to stand for your beliefs; don't be wishy-washy.
4. Give of yourself, as much as and a little more than you have.
5. Have the guts to put your back into the work.
6. Be thankful for where you are in life NOW.
7. Be willing to always learn.
8. Make yourself a student.
9. Embrace constructive criticism.
10. But be willing to stand up for yourself :)

 

These are just a handful of the things that were passed on to me through example. He never really spoke of them, he simply was all of them.

 

I encourage you to think about what you are thankful for today and shout it out. If God blessed you with a dad that has worked to provide for you (even if you're grown now) tell him thank you!

 

With that I will close by telling my dad thanks. Thank you for all the early mornings and the late nights. Thank you for all the turn-a-rounds and shut-downs. Thank you for giving me peace and comfort. We may not have been the richest kids, but I never worried about having food to eat, clothes to wear or the basics of life. Thank you for being there. Thank you for being the man God called you to be and leading by example.

 

Choose today to be a grateful day.

 

Michelle

Faith and Fitness: Verses to Lift By

My body is a temple,
and
God is my spotter

 

 

So, if you hung out with me you would probably notice a few things:

1. I would rather run a marathon than do a marathon house cleaning session.
2. I prefer solo workouts in my home gym as opposed to buddies.
3. I really like coffee.
4. It is my firm belief God Himself made Reese's Peanut Butter Cups....and that is what I will eat in Heaven. :)

 

Just a few interesting facts right? The one thing that I really hope people see in my is my own hope. The thing is, I do find myself downcast at times. I feel ill-prepared and over-stressed most days. I am often guilty of simply putting on a smile and pretending all is well for the sake of my clients. There are times I want to quit is all...

 

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ 

It is on the days that I most want to quit that God is gracious enough to send something or someone to inspire me to move forward. Perhaps it is an unexpected text from a good friend who is "just checking on me". Those make my day. Maybe it's a phone call from my husband who has been out of town for what seems like forever. Some days I happen to stumble upon a blog or tweet that keeps me going.

In the hustle and bustle known as life, I can overlook these seemingly small things as simple coincidences. At the end of the day as I read through my night time devotional, it is as though a fresh breath washes over me to remind me of all that was done for me in that one day.

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us

Here are some examples of His unfailing love for me in just the past few days:

1. That moment when I lost all strength and was ready to give in and call it quits.....I received 5 messages in a row thanking me for the posts I make on Facebook :)
2. The time I was about to pull out of the competition due to the fact that I felt overwhelmed with prep and honestly like I was NEVER going to be good enough....He sent me to a site of a sweet mother who also happens to be a strong Christian and a figure competitor :)
3. The moment my kids schedules got to be too much to handle and I thought I might die from sheer exhaustion....He sent an unexpected night off to recover :)
4. The moment(s) of thinking I was doing too much for too many for too little...He had someone post a great note of thanks for all to see.
5. The moment I thought I was too weak to carry on and that I could never do the things He has called me to do.....He sent me His very Word to strengthen my Spirit

1 Peter 2:9-11 9 But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you - 10 from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. 11 Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul.

I encourage you today to stop and take note of the seemingly small things He has done to keep you on course. Each morning, pray that He will guide your steps and guard your tongue. He never changes and is exceedingly faithful to strengthen those who call upon His name. Remember the price paid for you this week.....and honor the One Who paid it all.