The Ant & The Grasshopper

You lazy fool, look at an ant.  Watch it closely; let it teach you a thing or two.
Proverbs 6:6 (The Message)

Never before did I think I would be studying an ant or a grasshopper! After all, when it comes to insects, I am a girly girl, who cannot stand them! 

But, here I am, studying ants and grasshoppers... 

Now, I don't mean scientifically; but rather, studying what the Bible has to say about them, and how I can learn from them. You see, as Aesop's Fables has also taught us, the ant and the grasshopper are quite opposite creatures. The ant knows how to work hard, obsessively even, toward the goal at hand (storing away food for winter).  The grasshopper is very lazy; dancing away it's summer days without a care in the world.

I began to study this, when preparing for a Bible study.   While getting my lesson plan ready, I came upon Proverbs 6:6 as one of the verses we were going to review.  The lesson was about balancing time between work and rest, and the ant and the grasshopper are great examples of extremes of both!

Now, from what I can tell, Proverbs 6:6 is telling us not to be lazy, and to learn solid work ethic from the ant and it's diligent, obsessive, never-ending toil.  And that is a great thing to strive for, when it is time to work, but what about when it is time to rest?

The grasshopper is actually a good example of how to act when it is time to rest.   He lays around lazily, taking in the sun and his surroundings.  He has not a care in the World. 

Our lives NEED to have a balance between work and rest!  Sometimes the pace of life just doesn't seem to allow any time for rest!  

I recommended to my Bible Study group, that the first step to time of rest is scheduling it in!   That we MUST put it on our planners, as an appointment, so to speak!  I prefer to start with church; church is on my planner very regularly, and it is certainly a place in which I find rest and rejuvenation!  I also find much mental rest while exercising, as long as I listen to upbeat Christian music while working out.   

There are many spiritually revitalizing things, that can also be used as your time of rest, in order to rejuvenate mind, heart, and soul.....  My suggestions would be quiet Bible study, daily devotions, reading Christian Blogs in a peaceful setting, listening to Christian music, attending Christian groups, attending worship, and much more! 

Please feel free to use the image that I created, below, to remind you to BALANCE work and rest, and to work diligently like the ant, but to rest lazily like the grasshopper! 

Blessings to you all! 

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Boast about our weaknesses?  Really?  How many people gladly boast about their Weaknesses?  It seems that many of us are so good at boasting about our talents, possessions, and our strengths.....but boasting about our hardships and difficulties, that is a difficulty in and of itself!

I am here, writing, today, to do just that.  "When I am weak, then I am strong." I can tell you from experience, that statement is completely true!   It took me several trials in life to see that, but now I understand that every difficulty that God puts in our path, is designed to make us stronger! 

Here are some examples from my life.....

When I was severely injured in High School by a drunk driver, I learned to persevere, through physical and mental recovery.  I am still persevering through the pain from injuries sustained, and am delighting in that life trial, by speaking to anyone who will let me, about the consequences of distracted driving! 

When my children were younger, and medical issues for both of them came to light, the years of their many medical appointments, therapies, and health scares, were very difficult to say the least!  There have been many times in motherhood that I have truly contemplated 'giving up'...I mean, it really is the toughest job ever, and the most exhausting too!   But, through those difficulties, I learned the true force behind unconditional love, and I was forced to more fully understand (and trust) God's unconditional love for me!  Just knowing the depth of God's love for all of His children, makes me more secure each day, in who I am as His child! 

I have mentioned on this Blog before, how very important music and singing in the worship band is to me.   There was a time of trial, when someone close to me accused me of being in the worship band for "personal recognition" reasons.  I was hurt so deeply by that comment, but after a few days, it forced me to deeply explore my reasons for devoting so much time to worship band.....  This trial helped me grow infinitely more close to the Lord, and to my church family, as I explored the reasons for my dedication to the band, and as I verified to myself, how honored I am to share my God given gifts, to help others worship our wonderful God!

These trials, and many others, have done nothing but make me a stronger person, with a stronger faith, through each and every trial!

I am certain there are more trials to come, but I look forward to them with anticipation, because I cannot wait to see how I grow from them! 

I can honestly and wholeheartedly agree that weakness does make us stronger, that God's power IS made perfect through weakness, and I can happily boast about my difficulties in this life! God’s power and grace shine brightest when we are made to look more closely at them! 

Love and Peace to you this week! 

And please, if you know someone struggling through a trial right now, remind them that God has placed that trial for a reason, and the glory and grace that come after it, are worth the difficulty! 

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LIKE My Facebook Page "Consequences of Distracted Driving" for stories and details about the impact of distracted driving. 

Also, if you are interested in me speaking to a group about any topic mentioned above, please check out my website, 
www.frommylifetoyourheart.com

Honesty

Honesty... This is sometimes a difficult life goal to achieve.  In this World full of expectations and social pressures, it's hard to be honest all the time.  Life sometimes causes the easiest choice to be,  to lie to fit in or to "fib" to be accepted.  Sometimes when we've done something wrong, we are inclined to lie to cover up our wrongdoing.  I've been in situations where I cannot even decipher which person is being honest, and which is telling a lie....

I recently left a long term commitment, that I thought would be in my life for many more years, due to lack of honesty.  I was wrapped up in a situation where I was being asked to be dishonest.  The feelings that came with me being expected to deceive others, were unacceptable to me.  I was full of worry that I would somehow end up taking the blame for the dishonesty of those around me. 

Last week, I saw this image on Facebook: 

and it became clear to me that some of the people who were asking me to be dishonest, must not have been willing or able to handle the truth. Sometimes there are ways 'around' the truth, or 'around' the honest approach.   People see 'options' that make a lie of lesser importance, in their eyes... 

This must have been what was happening around me....
Others were able to somehow "justify" their dishonesty, to themselves, because of the notion that they were 'doing what was best', or that they 'deserved it'. 

Well, I was unable to continue in that commitment, because of the way this dishonesty affected my heart.   I knew that the approach being taken, was a dishonest approach to the situation.  My heart told me constantly, to question these actions....   And I did, but was still expected to move forward in a dishonest way. 

Eventually, I reached a mental place, where I could no longer accept this dishonesty.  I could no longer be involved in this behavior. 

So, I made a very difficult change in my life, to be true to my morals; to be honest. 

In hindsight, I am very pleased that I chose integrity over status, that I chose honesty over deceit.  

You see....MY heart is only at peace with honesty.   

I've been listening to a wonderful new song, over the past few weeks; and here are some of the lyrics: 

"Truth is harder than a lie." 
"Don't pretend to be something that you're not. Living life afraid of getting caught." 
"Mercy's waiting on the other side, if we're honest"
"There is freedom found, when we lay our secrets down." 


Please listen to this wonderful tune, 
"If We're Honest" by 

Francesca Battistelli

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDcTvtuuVU8

Choose Honesty! It is the best way to feel at peace with life! 

Live courageously! Adventure on!

While recently discussing my options for changing my life path; a friend told me "you have to have the courage to make I needed change!"

When I pondered her statement for a couple of days, I really evaluated my level of "courage" and to me, that came through also, as my level of trust in God's Plan.

A few days later, I received my scheduled shipment of Christian home and hospitality items.....

My thoughts had been focused on building up the courage to make a much needed life change, to better my health, and therefore my attitude; and look toward a better future. So my shipment had this bracelet in it, based on Psalm 16:11.....

www.frommylifetoyourheart.com

And as you see, the bracelet says "Live Courageously, Adventure On."

What a great reminder of the encouragement my friend gave me days before.  And also, the verse noted on the bracelet, reminded me once again that God will show me His plan for my life, and grant me pleasures. 

Wow!   "Have Courage to make a change."  "Live Courageously."  "God shows me the way." "Adventure On."    I guess God's message to me, through this bracelet and through my friend, was clearly, that I needed to be courageous and move forward in my adventure of life! 

The following day, as I was wearing that bracelet, for a constant reminder, I came across this image, and found meaning in the arrow that is on the bracelet too...   

 just focus and keep aiming, just focus and keep aiming....

I am so happy to say, that I listened to God (and my dear friend) and had courage, and I was launched toward something great!  I am starting a new chapter in life, facing this adventure with courage in Christ!  I will stay focused and keep aiming! 

Blessings to your week!   May you find the courage to Adventure On! 

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Do you love that Bracelet? 

I have them available for purchase! 

$38 will cover bracelet and shipping. 

If you'd like one, email me at frommylifetoyourheart@gmail.com. 

I can take Credit cards! 

What Direction am I going?

My life has seemed pulled in a million different directions lately.   I find myself juggling my FT job, my Ministry, my Bible Study groups, my children, a new puppy (totally my fault :) ), Blogging, worship band, my side-business, my household, and more.  AAAHHHH!   I'm sure most of my readers have felt this way at one time or another.  Life does get overwhelming for each of us sometimes! 

Over the past several weeks, I've found myself so focused on what God might be telling me to do in my life, that I have actually lost touch with Him.  If that doesn't seem to make sense, let me try to explain it in another way.....   All of my senses have been so focused on catching prompts or answers from God, that I have missed all moments of Peace in Him.  I've been doing my devotional time on "cruise", and not even letting the words sink in, because I'm too busy waiting for a huge, Divine Intervention...

When I noticed yesterday that I haven't even posted on this Blog for 17 days, my eyes were truly opened...  Blogging is such an outlet for my spiritual feelings and personal revelations.  It is so soothing and heart warming to Blog. 

Unfortunately, in my quest to find answers, It appears that I have pushed many of the parts of my life that feed my Christian soul, away.  I recently took a month off from worship band, which is usually the best part of my week!  I simply LOVE it!  As I said above, I neglected to Blog.  I am 2 full weeks behind in my group Bible Study, because I am not making time for it.  Wow have I been going about this all wrong!   In an attempt to allow time for my thoughts to connect with God's plan, I have actually pushed Him away. 

This makes me very sad...  I am so thankful that I have now realized that my human 'plan' that I thought would help me figure things out, was the exact opposite of what I truly need.  What I need, every day, in every way possible, is the Lord!  I need to allow all of my prior Christian life aspects back into my life, immediately, and maybe I will hear His plan much more clearly! 

I've been thinking about this Blog post throughout my whole day today, and on my drive home tonight, this song came on Christian radio: 

"Backseat Driver" by Toby Mac
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kME_Q5V82Us&list=PL-pXwbOlswQnYO-QHq40gnHCCzaaA7TPN&index=2

"I don't want to navigate..."
"Thought I had it all right, til the road went left" 

Not only is that a wonderfully peppy song to end a work day with, but it is so true!   I DON'T want to navigate my own life; Lord, please take it over! 

Obviously, when I think I have it all right (like taking breaks from things I love, in order to accomplish more mental clarity), the road goes left (making my focus even less than before, as my connection with God lessens, through the general busyness of life). 

I feel truly blessed tonight, and full of a new peace, having realized that I've been trying too hard to hear the voice of God, and to feel His prompts in my life. 

Going forward, I am going to relax my efforts to hear Him, and just let it happen.  I am going to stop being a 'Backseat Driver', and just shut up and let Him do the driving! 

Peace to you all this evening!  

Love & Life

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13

As I was decorating my house for the upcoming holiday of Valentines Day, I decided to find some meaningful words to incorporate.

I have a canvas picture of the scripture verse above, from 
1 Corinthians 13:13.  I hung that, but then decided to look for a great quote to write on my Chalkboard tray, to hang next to it. 

I decided on...

As I wrote on and decorated the tray, I started thinking about both sets of words.  I pondered how love really is the center of life!  Our days and nights revolve around those that we love.  Our prayer and worship life is centered upon a God that we love.  Our healthy habits stem from our love of ourselves and our respect and love for God, who gave us our body.

As for 1 Corinthians 13:13; without love, hope might be lost, and without love, there would not be anything to have faith in; so truly, the greatest of those IS LOVE! 

The love of God, for all of creation, all people, shows, in that he has created everything to coexist, and to thrive through LOVE.

Creation is maintained through love, thrives on love, and is loyal, based on love. 

Without love, life would be unfocused; it would be dull. 

It is true, "Where there is Love, there is Life"  (Gandhi)

May you have a Blessed February, filled with LOVE! 

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If you'd like to get a "Chalkboard tray" to decorate your home, visit my website, www.mymaryandmartha.com/14120, to have one shipped directly to your home! 

Technology for Prayer?!

So often, the pace of modern life doesn't allow us to slow down enough to just feel God's love surrounding us.  We tend to run from one event to another, without even thinking; it just becomes habit.

I have been trying to make a conscious effort to intertwine Scripture, and thoughts about Faith, and prayers, more and more in the repetitive parts of my days. 

I even am voicing this blog post to my phone as I am exercising. :-)  Well, the workout started in a different way, but I'll get back to that in a minute...

We often hear such negative information about how much technology has taken over our lives.  And, in some ways I agree with that, but I want to share these GREAT ways that I have found, to utilize technology to intertwine more of God into my days. 

For about 6 months now, I have been waking up to Scripture, on my phone.  I have been daily using an App. that starts off my day, every day, with devotion & prayer. 

I have been listening to Christian radio, streamed through my laptop, throughout my whole day, and have found that whenever I feel a cranky mood coming on, all I have to do is turn up an uplifting Christian tune, and all is good!

Those 2 have been very soothing, easily accessible, ways to hear and read the Word of God a little bit throughout my whole day. 

Now, back to this workout....   Last week, I joined an email challenge titled "10 Day Prayer Zone Workout Challenge".  I didn't know much about what I was getting into, but I knew that I love and long for Prayer time, and that my body needs more exercise too!  

I began the first day of the challenge, by reading the daily email, while on the elliptical machine.  It didn't take long until I decided that I needed to download the App. that this email was discussing, the "Prayer Zone Workout" app. I did so quickly, and opened the app. to find calming music and thought provoking scripture designed to go hand-in-hand with a workout; right at my fingertips! 

Each day that I read the email and used the app. my workouts were better and better, and my connection to God in prayer, has been stronger than ever! 

Here is what the Day 3 email from Rachel Britton said about the type of Prayer that the app. promotes: 
"Our Father in heaven” is our prayer and exercise warm-up.  Focusing on who God is.

“Give us our daily bread” is our high-intensity prayer and exercise when we talk and ask God to meet our needs.

“Forgive us our debts” is our low-intensity prayer and exercise. We allow God to speak. 

“Lead us not into temptation” is our cool-down prayer and exercise when we ask God for protection as we go out into our day.

I am now on Day 7 of the challenge, and have exercised every day, and prayed at length, multiple times every day!  Amazing huh?  I mean, really....the last time that I exercised every day, was in college! 

I really wanted to share all of this information with my readers, and encourage you all to try using technology in your prayer life!  Definitely give the "Prayer Zone Workout" app. (www.prayerzoneworkout.com/app) a try! I hope you love it as much as I do! I mean, why not strengthen your relationship with God while strengthening your body, right?! 

Technology May have a bad rap for making us extreme multitaskers, but the blessing these apps have given me have shown me a new importance for modern technology!

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If you are intrigued by the workout app. that I discuss above, I encourage you to also check out Rachel Britton's book, "Prayer Zone Workout: Spiritual and Physical Exercise for the Heart"!
For more information, see www.prayerzoneworkout.com

There is only One....

There is only One......  One God that we can trust in everything.  One Lord and Savior that we can rely on.  One Spirit that is present to answer prayer. One being that knows the plan for our days; our lives.

Sometimes it takes me a long time to learn a lesson.....

There were many lessons learned in this past week, and I am so thankful to God that the answers all pointed right to Him.

Reality, gave me some tough reminders this week.  I was harshly reminded not to trust in human kind.

People in our lives will always let us down at one point or another.  I happen to be an exceptionally sensitive soul, that gets very 'rocked' by let-downs.  I allow people to get so close to my heart, so informed of my hopes and dreams, that they know all of me.....  Then, when a person that I have opened up to, disappoints me or hurts me, I end up crushed.  

This has happened to me three times, in just the past year, the most recent of which was this week....

But this time was different....  I spent hours, literally, praying, throughout the night that it happened.  I prayed for clarity, and strength, I prayed for vision.  I prayed for peace in my heart.  I prayed and prayed as I cried and cried....

And the tears and prayers were not just about what happened that night, but about all of the trials that I have faced in the past year.  These tears needed to flow, and these prayers needed to be said, over and over...

The lesson learned by me that night, finally, was that we cannot put all of our trust in another human, we should not hang all of our hopes on another human, we cannot rely fully on another human; for we will always get hurt.  I was reminded, in a very BOLD way though, that there is someone that we can trust and hope in, and rely on, etc.; and that is our wonderful, God! 

Isaiah 41:13 For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

This song sums it all up.....

"Trust In You" by

Lauren Daigle 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_aVFVveJNs
We must "lay it all down at His Feet".  The only place that we leave all of our burdens, and be fully heard, fully received, and return with Peace, is at the Feet of God!

"I need Your rest"  The only way that we can find total rest and comfort, is in the Word of God, and the presence of the Spirit which is received when we open up to him for help or comfort! 

"King of the Fight"  Of Course!  Jesus has lived this whole earthly battle!   He knows what it is like!  He knows the struggles, and the hurt, and the disappoints from those around you!  He is the King of the Fight! Who better to turn to during each and every struggle, then the one who has experienced them all! 

"No matter what I face, You are by my side" 
He is the companion that is with us, all the time, no matter what! 

"You know what tomorrow brings" Disappointments of today, lead to Joy tomorrow.  God knows the plan.  God has reasons for each thing that happens to us!  We just have to trust Him! 
"You are my strength and comfort" 
"You are my steady hand" 
"I will trust, I will trust in You"

Steep Mountains of Life

Challenges of life. Daily Parenting Hardships. Arguments. Exhaustion. 

These are just a few of the many things that are trying to pull me down lately.  Life goes through valleys and mountains; times of needing to climb, and times of even, easy roads. Sometimes the journey is 'hilly', with constant small ups and small downs that need to be navigated. And sometimes, the terrain is so difficult that is doesn't seem like you will make it....

When I'm in one of those roller coaster type seasons of life, I get so tired; so mentally tired!  The constant twists and hikes in the road, unexpected and uneven, really wear on me. 

Luckily, I know in my heart, that all of the trials of this life, will someday be over.  That there is a promised destination, that will be 'smooth sailing'..... :) 

That thought alone, makes me smile!  Envisioning a sailboat on a perfect sea, coasting along in beautiful, perfect sunshine.....  That is certainly one of the ways that I imagine Heaven to be! 

Today, as I was feeling overwhelmed by everything in life, God sent me this wonderful tune, on the radio: 

"Long Way Home", By Steven Curtis Chapman 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1p-QfgkLow

Here are some of the lyrics that I like best: 
"But I had no way of knowing, just how this journey could be" 
"But I know we're gonna make it" 
"And I know sometimes it feels like we're going the wrong way" 
"It's just a long way home" 

"My heart gets so heavy with the weight of the World sometimes" 
" I can hardly wait for the day I get to lay it all down" 

"And when we can't take another step, The Father will pick us up and carry us in his arms" 

It most certainly is a 'Long Way', a long road, to our Heavenly home.  There is so much to be done as we journey there. But the journey should be cherished.  The trials should remind us that God is in charge.  And the best thing to remember, day in and day out, is the "When we can't take another step, the Father will pick us up and carry us in his arms"!

May you have Peace today, knowing that you are never alone in your struggles; and may you be reminded that someday, you will lay all your burdens down forever! 

Blessings! 

Sparkle

I was very fortunate, when writing this post, to be sitting next to a pool, relaxing, and reading a book... :)

As I sat there, taking in each second of peace, and each word read.... I came upon a portion of the book, about "losing your sparkle", and realized that is what had temporarily happened to me....

I had been wondering what happened to my zeal for writing, over the past 3 weeks, and I finally realized today, that it was definitely the devil, the "thief" spoke of in John 10:10, that had put a stop to my progress...

John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

You see, first I watched the numbers of readers of my Blog go down (probably because of Holiday busy-ness, now that I think about it), and I got discouraged.   Then, I watched someone else in my life get published in magazines, multiple times, without ever wanting that in her life, or pursuing publication; and I have been trying for almost a year to get my writing into various magazines....

The devil had put me on a 'pitty party' for a bit....   But thank God that I snapped out of it today!!   Thank you Lord for the peace to reflect on what was happening, and to feel and find my "sparkle" once again!!

Now I am reviewing my promotion of this Blog, and realizing that I had begun to slack in that area.  And, I am feeling foolish for allowing envy to creep in and overshadow the success of a very deserving woman!  I know in my heart that God's timing ALWAYS prevails, so I will be published when HE ok's it!

I am so thankful to be reminded, once again, that Jesus came, and suffered here on Earth, so that we all may have LIFE and have it ABUNDANTLY! 

May you be reminded always, of your Sparkle, and remember all that Jesus Christ endured, so that His people may live abundantly!!