Day 3 - Guest Blog "Friendship-Story of My Heart"

Thanks for joining me for Day 3 of "Friendship Week"!
I feel confident that you will be very blessed by this post from Guest Blogger, Tara Blake @ storyofmyheart.org

FRIENDSHIP

“In friendship…we think we have chosen our peers. In reality a few years’ difference in the dates of our births, a few more miles between certain houses, the choice of one university instead of another…the accident of a topic being raised or not raised at a first meeting–any of these chances might have kept us apart. But, for a Christian, there are, strictly speaking no chances. A secret master of ceremonies has been at work. Christ, who said to the disciples, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you,” can truly say to every group of Christian friends, “Ye have not chosen one another but I have chosen you for one another.” The friendship is not a reward for our discriminating and good taste in finding one another out. It is the instrument by which God reveals to each of us the beauties of others.”

CS Lewis  

I am not good at making friends – never have been.  And I don’t have a lot of friends.

But, before anyone starts to feel sorry for me  I am totally okay with that!

Really!!

I am SUCH an introvert and I function perfectly well in public and speaking in front of people is no problem for me, but sometimes I find small talk to be absolutely exhausting!  

I NEED quiet time and I don’t get much of it these days, surrounded by high school-ers all day and little boys at night.

I can count on one hand my really close friends, and two of those are my sisters.  

So, for me, making a new friend, especially as an adult, is a HUGE deal.

I now count Melissa as one of those friends on one hand.  My first new friend in over 20 years.  And one of only 3 friends who isn’t related to me.  

So I know that the friendship that I have found with Melissa is from God. From the day I gave my heart to Christ, God was at work developing and strengthening the bonds between the two of us.

The day I gave my heart to Christ was a Wednesday.  I hadn’t been to church in close to 20 years. My sister had been attending church for a little over a year and that evening I went with her.  Melissa was leading a women’s Bible study and I don’t remember much other than at the end of the evening Melissa asked each of us to write down things in our life that we wanted her to pray over.  As leader, she was going to take these anonymous slips of paper and pray over each of our requests.  That evening I remember that I wrote down two things:

1 – that I would continue to grow as a Christian and grow closer to Christ

2 – and I asked for prayer over my marriage 

From the moment I met Melissa she began praying for me.  Since then we have prayed for one another many, many times.  It is hard for the two of us to get together without husbands, kids, and animals, but when we have had the opportunity to meet we have important, heart-felt, Christ centered conversations.

And Melissa offers good advice.  It would be easy for the two of to get together and gripe and complain about our husbands, our kids, our lives, but she always offers an alternative to just complaining. She always brings the focus back to Christ and what He can do.

 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

Proverbs 27:17

I believe that one of the clearest ways we can feel and know God’s love is through the people He places in our lives.

He works through us to love and support one another.

If you have a God given friend, and I hope you do, maybe take a moment today to thank God for her and the ways in which He loves you through her.

And tell her – how much she means to you and how thankful you are to have her in your life.

Allow God to use you to share His love.

(This Blog post was originally published on May 26, 2015, at storyofmyheart.org/general/friendship.)

Wonderfully done Tara! I am so happy to feature these wonderful ladies' Blogs this week! 

My favorite line in the above post is "He works through us to love and support one another"!   What a wonderful way to look at God given friendships!  To think that God has strategically placed our births, and every encounter since, to put us in the midst of the people that we need, and the people that need us, is a shear marvel!

Please pray with me: 
Good and Gracious God,  
Thank you so much, for Your plans for our lives! As our eyes are opened about how You have placed wonderful people in our paths, to help us, and to need us both; we feel so very blessed by each and every person You place in our lives!   Thank you for Your plan! 
                                                                            Amen.

**REMEMBER, there will be a GIVEAWAY on Saturday!  Anytime throughout this week (Monday-Friday) you can sign up for my GIVEAWAY of TWO custom magnets, made for the Ministry of FromMyLifeToYourHeart Public Speaking, ONE FOR YOU and ONE FOR A FRIEND!!! All you have to do to register to win, is (1) subscribe to follow my Blog (frommylifetoyourheart.blogspot.com), and (2) post anywhere on Social media, using the hashtag #friendshipweek. 

Blessed Friendship week (self-proclaimed) to you all! :) 

Day 2 - Guest Blog "Nothing Except a Jar and Borrowed Vessels"

Day 2 of "Friendship Week" is sure to please with this post from Guest Blogger, Stephanie Adams @ www.stephaniekadams.com.

Nothing Except a Jar and Borrowed Vessels

Published on May 4, 2015 by Stephanie K. Adams

Years ago, when I was a mother of two small kids, lucky if I found enough time to brush my teeth and wash my face, it seemed like every woman I knew was busy having coffee dates, attending Bible study, and enjoying hobbies.

Oh how badly I wanted to be able to do those things that other women were doing. I wanted to be included in their overnight trips, prayer times and coffee dates. As much as I needed friendship and time away from my duties at home, I needed Jesus even more.

When I first met D. she had two small girls and I was a new mom. Our husbands were both military and were gone 4-5 days a week. She and I would spend days together at her house (because it was easier to care for the older girls in their own environment) and we would spend hours and hours studying the Bible and praying.

Truthfully, she taught me everything I knew at the time about studying and prayer. Mostly that you can pray with your eyes open while cooking, cleaning, changing diapers and feeding toddlers.

As her girls got older and began attending school, D. began spending time outside the home. And now with another baby myself, I was jealous.

I’ll never forget her words after I told her how envious I was she had a lunch date with her husband, she said, “Your day will come. It will happen. When your kids are in school and you have more time during the day, you can do those things, too”.

She was right. That day did come. And it came too soon. The kids grew too fast and now before the end of this year hubby and I will be empty-nesters.

But before this season there was that season; where the kids needed constant mothering and the housework was never done. (Ok, the housework still isn’t done. And, truth is, it won’t ever be done)

But more than kids and housework, there was a deep need. I needed God to provide for me the ability to find peace of mind in the midst of the chaos of motherhood.

In 2 Kings 4:1-7, the widow woman needed a miracle, too. And she knew she had no way to provide what she needed to continue to be a good mother for her sons.

Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord, but the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.” And Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me; what have you in the house?” And she said, “Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.” Then he said, “Go outside, borrow vessels from all your neighbors, empty vessels and not too few. Then go in and shut the door behind yourself and your sons and pour into all these vessels.

When she asked Elisha for help he asked her what she possessed. Her reply? “Nothing except a jar of oil”. Elisha instructed her to gather borrowed vessels from her neighbors and go home and begin to pour out and God would provide.

Nothing except a jar and borrowed vessels

The widow didn’t see value in what she had, but God wanted to use the one thing she possessed and combine it with borrowed vessels from her neighbors to bring the provision she needed.

The lesson I learned all those years ago is the same lesson the widow learned: We need each other.

We may not feel we have anything significant to offer someone, but God can take what one thing we have, combine it with the one thing the other person has and bless us with a miracle. We just have to be willing to share.

When you see that other mama struggling to keep two kids inside a grocery cart and prevent a fight from breaking out, all while chasing down sales so she doesn’t go over her budget, encourage her. Offer your words of understanding and support. You may be the blessing God has for her today.

When you see that young girl looking at herself with a critical eye in the dressing room mirror, complement her. You could be the vessel she needs to hear God’s voice that finally erases all the negative talk she’s replayed in her head.

Even if your own children are grown and out of the house, spend some time with a young mother. Help her clean her house, fold the laundry, rock the baby, cook a meal, or better yet let her borrow some of your free time so she can pursue God.

D. and I learned to combine our time, share our home & food, help with housework, and be willing to mother each other’s children while the other continued in prayer.

We formed a friendship that wasn’t perfect and weathered some storms, but God used it through many different seasons of motherhood and marriage.

As I type, I just hung up the phone from encouraging D. the day before her first daughter’s wedding. God is still pouring out through these two borrowed vessels.

Lord, help us to be willing to share the little we have with other women so we can combine our faith and receive blessings from You.  Thank you that You continue to use our friendships through many seasons of our lives.  Help us to see other mothers in need and reach out to them with encouragement. 

• What is the one thing you can give to a friend in need?
• What is the one thing you need?
• How has God used your friendships to pour out blessings throughout your life?
• Is there a young mother that you can reach out to and give her some much needed play and prayer time?

(to view the above post, on it's original, publishing site, click HERE: http://www.stephaniekadams.com/nothing-except-a-jar-and-borrowed-vessels/)


Wow! Stephanie sure wrote truth there!  Us mothers/women, NEED each other!  We need to remember that we all have something different to contribute, and if we share our God given talents, and work together, we will be much more successful as a whole!

I remember the days when my boys were very little, and there were a few mamas that helped me through it!   Thank God for the Blessing of them!!

May you feel moved to use your strengths to help another today!

**Lastly, but certainly not least important....there will be a GIVEAWAY on Saturday!  Anytime throughout this week (Monday-Friday) you can sign up for my GIVEAWAY of TWO custom magnets, made for the Ministry of FromMyLifeToYourHeart Public Speaking, ONE FOR YOU and ONE FOR A FRIEND!!! All you have to do to register to win, is (1) subscribe to follow my Blog (frommylifetoyourheart.blogspot.com), and (2) post anywhere on Social media, using the hashtag #friendshipweek. 

Blessed Friendship week (self-proclaimed) to you all! :) 

Day1 of "Friendship" Week

Today marks the 1 Year Anniversary of this Blog!! 

To celebrate, I have decided to do a special, FOCUS week, and the topic is..... FRIENDSHIP! 

I have 4 WONDERFUL POSTS from Guest Blogger's sites!  The week will end with a GIVEAWAY!  And inspiring graphics will be posting all over social media each day this week! 

Throughout the week, Guest Bloggers and I will touch on many topics, to include: 

The unmistakable importance of Christian friends

Getting hurt in friendships

Loneliness and lack of friendships

Wonder Women! in our lives

Seasons of friendships; and more!

Just a few scriptures that will be discussed throughout the week: 

"As Iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." 

Proverbs 27:17

"A Friend is always loyal, and is born to help in time of need" Proverbs 17:17

To me, friendship, true friendship is a gift that surpasses many others!  The comfort of knowing that you have a dear friend to rely on when you need her, to open up to, to share the burdens of life with, to pray with, to laugh with, to trust, and so much more; is unmatched by other relationships!  Girlfriends are the spark that keeps us going and the voice of reason, at times.  Girlfriends are pray warriors and tear catchers.  They are loving and beautiful gifts from God! 

This week, as we look into different aspects of friendships, and think about our beloved friends of the past and present, be sure to pray for them, and drop them a note, letting them know just how much you appreciate and love them! 

**Lastly, but certainly not least important....there will be a GIVEAWAY on Saturday!  Anytime throughout this week (Monday-Friday) you can sign up for my GIVEAWAY of TWO custom magnets, made for the Ministry of FromMyLifeToYourHeart Public Speaking, ONE FOR YOU and ONE FOR A FRIEND!!! All you have to do to register to win, is (1) subscribe to follow this Blog, at www.frommylifetoyourheart.blogspot.com, and (2) post anywhere on Social media, using the tag #friendshipweek. 

Blessed Friendship week (self-proclaimed) to you all! :) 

Your Body is a Temple

I have to admit, that I have been in a long "phase" of neglecting my body!  It has been 8 yrs. since I had my youngest child, and during that pregnancy, was the last time that I took great care of myself. 

Now, I certainly don't promote self-neglect; but, I do feel like there are probably a lot of other mothers (and others) out there that fall into the 'routine' of taking care of everyone, to the best of their abilities, but not themselves.

I have continued to find every excuse possible, to put myself last; behind everything involved in the HUSTLE of life and motherhood.  Yes, there have been times that I have had 3 very healthy months, working on me, here and there.....but, it has not become a habit or ritual for a very long time...

Well, this neglect of my physical self was really brought to the surface, in April, when I ended up in the ER.  The pain was unbearable.   I will spare you the details, but I can say, it was very bad! 

After much testing, and worry about more major possibilities, I was told that I have a herniated disk in my lower back, and that was causing the pain, and major slow-down to my routine.....   That same "routine" that I had fell into, taking care of everyone else, was now interrupted by my inability to move or walk.  Now, because of my neglect of myself and my ignoring of the symptoms, for way to long, I was all of a sudden, unable to carry out the daily tasks to take care of my loved ones. 

When I was told that the best option for me was physical therapy, and multiple other natural avenues of treatment, I'll admit, I was reluctant to put in the TIME needed to do these things....

Seriously?  What was I thinking?  If I did not take the TIME to care for myself and get better, I wouldn't be able to do any of my motherly duties either!

So, I prayed through the pain and the many, many doctor appointments, and continued on, what felt like a long, road to being myself once again....

But, somewhere during the process of getting back to 'myself', I realized that I wanted to be BETTER than the way I was before.  I wanted to take better care of myself, and optimize my years and the life in my years!   

About this same time, I began working very hard to build my public speaking ministry, and it only made sense for me to turn to the Bible and prayer for answers regarding my physical well-being too.

So, I came across this Scripture:

No.....I did not know that I was God's temple......   I had only thought of myself as a mother, wife, employee, etc....

Once I made the choice to see my body as a temple to carry out God's will, I also made the choice to take the very best care of it possible. Because, in reality, I can only carry out the ministry given to me, i.e. motherhood, my day job, my worship band participation, being a wife, being a daughter, speaking about my faith, etc...if my physical "temple" could support me in all of those busy, busy avenues of this life!

Looking back, I cannot believe that it took me SO LONG into life to realize the IMPORTANCE of caring for the 'temple' that God gave to me, to carry out my ministries from; but thankfully, now, I am fully aware and agreeable to the fact that my body is a Holy temple for God to work through; for ministry to others, especially my loved ones; and that it is my DUTY to take care of and preserve that temple!

I have shared my heart in this message, hoping that it can help you too realize the importance of self care!   May your eyes be opened to the importance of taking care of the 'temple' which God has given you!    Click to Tweet

Many Blessings to you all!

Trust

Some of the many meanings in the Dictionary for the word Trust are:
(n) reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, of a person or thing; 
confidence;
(v) to have trust or confidence in; rely or depend on.

Yep!  That sounds exactly like the type of "trust" that we are to have in God! But, let's be honest, it is sometimes difficult to maintain that level of trust in someone.    With the ever-changing life that we all lead, in his drearily changing World, it is often difficult to feel comfortable trusting anything! 

Truth be told, I have had the above graphic as a slide in one of my Christian presentations for 2 years now......But, it wasn't until the last few weeks, that I figured out that I related the wisdom of the above saying, to only 2 major life events of my own.  Until very recently, I had not yet figured out for myself, that God has a different, and specific plan for every detail of our lives! Everything.....from the job that we work at a given time, to the people that we spend time with, to the opportunities that are put before us, and every moment in between; is strategically placed by God. 

As I was recently listening to a Christian speaker, I heard her saying over and over, that 'God wouldn't listen to her "suggestions" for her life, but HIS ideas, always seemed to work out better than her's anyway!'

I also read something on Facebook yesterday, to the effect of....'God might do the complete opposite of what you pray for, but you will soon find out that He has it all under control!'

So, as I look back on the last few days, and then the last few months, and years; I cannot help but notice all of the wonderfully amazing things that came our of God doing/allowing the opposite of what I had prayed for! 

How amazing are his works! 

Psalm 40:5
Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.

Today, may you have the wisdom to trust God's plan fully, and feel comfort in His Divine direction for each moment of our lives! 

Lord I'm Ready Now

Recently, on the 3rd and last day of a Christian Public Speaking conference, I woke up with this praise tune in my head "Lord, I'm Ready Now" by Plumb.

Listen here: https://youtu.be/zBUQqLp6N24

Wow!  That is such a powerful song!  It was also very powerful to wake up singing (it was stuck in my head all through getting ready)....

"Lord I'm ready now, all my walls are down".....I may have went to the conference with preconceived notions of what was going to come from it.  I think I felt some amount of personal drive, for professional reasons, to attend (and it should have been God given reasons, not professional reasons).  Of course, I did also expect spiritual growth there, but I entered somewhat blinded by my expectations.  By the last morning, all of those expectations had disappeared, and I had been successfully reminded to just follow wherever the Lord led me throughout the conference...and in all the days following.

"Time is running out, and I wanna make this count".... As I said, it was the last day of the conference, so, "time was running out"...  I had already learned so much, but there was more to be learned!  Once I decided to "make it count " wholeheartedly, I opened up my heart.   I began to receive information and direction toward writing.  You see, I had went to the conference with ONLY the focus of public speaking.   I only had a desire to better myself in speaking tactics and promotions, but I soon learned that the Lord has another idea, and wants me to write...

"I don't want to let you down".....  So, I finally was obedient to the Lord, and listened for His voice and His direction, on that last day of the conference.  That, then, was the day that I learned the most, that information sank in better, and that I allowed my emotions to open up as well.   I cried, tears of joy, during worship, and I made the best connections with other ladies and even a publisher, on that last day.

Listen for the Lord's voice!   Let go, Be exposed, because that is the only way that you will be opened, in mind and soul, to hear and feel the directions of the Lord!

As it says below, the feeling is SO beautiful, to KNOW who you are in Christ, and feel Him leading you in the direction that He wishes for your life!

May you know and feel the joy of discovering who You are in Christ! 

Take in every Moment of Today

Last week, my children and I went camping all week.  Just the 3 of us.   It was a much needed time of reconnecting and fun!

 While we were there, I took the above 2 pictures of being silly at the park, and having a Nerf war.  Later on that same day, we had to run into town to get some groceries.  While we were at the store, I felt irritated, and wanted to hurry and get back to the relaxing atmosphere of the great outdoors!

About half way through the store, my younger son (8) asked me "Mom, will you take a picture of me 'High-Fiving' the Kool-Aid guy?"  I sighed in frustration, and turned to him to say no, but when I looked at the glow on his face, my mind was changed to YES.  So, I said yes, and that is where the 3rd pic above came from.

Now, that doesn't seem like much of a big moment, but for me, it actually was.  As I finished grocery shopping I couldn't stop thinking "We are on vacation.  I have no place to be today.  Why was I going to say No to something that brings my child a moment of joy?"

As Americans, our lives are so rushed, day in and day out, that I believe we are conditioned to always rush.   I was unable to come up with a good answer to myself, of why I almost said no to this request of my child.  It only took 30 seconds out of my day, to make my child smile, and that is worth the World!

Noticing this constant rush, that has crept into my life without me even knowing it, has really made me think twice about each and every moment of every day!   I find myself enjoying every special moment with my children, no matter the length, impact, or result of that moment.

My wish for you is that you too can learn to enjoy every moment of every day, and be thankful for each and every experience, because life is a gift!!

Blessings & Special moments to you all!

Take your time....

I just came across this picture today, and laughed out loud!  It shows exactly how I have been feeling today....anxious.

My current interpretation of this cartoon is from Noah's viewpoint...  I feel as though I have received my instructions from God, I know what I am supposed to do, and where I am headed, I just have a few things slowing me down.... (Those darn snails!)

I have been public speaking periodically for about 4 years now. I have learned that I have a deep passion for sharing my stories of Trials and Living Responsibly, and Faith!!  I have been soliciting my own bookings for about two years, with not a lot of luck  (I'm not speaking as often as I'd like). I finally made the decision last winter, to register for a speaking conference.  Ever sense I registered for this all female speaking conference, I can't get my wishes/dreams/drive to speak out of my head. I have been waiting and praying and hoping for this conference to come, and waiting impatiently for whatever wonderful Divine Direction it takes me in!

So, with the conference approaching in 9 days, I find myself in the position of Noah... The Waters of excitement are rising around me, I can see the "light at the end of the tunnel", so to speak. But I have to WAIT, for God's plan to play out, and all he has in store for me...

Do you have 'snails' in your life, holding you back from moving forward as quickly as you'd like?

Here's a verse that helps:

Isaiah 40:31

but they who wait for the Lord, shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
    they shall walk and not faint.

Business of Busyness

I have been noticing lately, that Business and Busyness certainly go hand in hand in my life!  As I am struggling day-to-day, to maintain order in my Businesses (I have two home-based businesses, my public speaking/Christian Blogging endeavors, and I am the co-owner of a thriving construction company). I have been forced to question the significance/importance of this Busyness in my life....

It certainly is a blessing for me to be forced to contemplate the sources of all of the Busyness in my life, because I need to reevaluate and prioritize!

As I looked to scripture for answers.  The following verses were put before me moments into my search (it never ceases to amaze me, how that happens; just what you need to hear, right when you need it!!), and all apply......

Ps. 143:7&8
Answer me quickly, O LORD! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit. Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. 

Ephesians 5:15-17 

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Psalm 81:1-10
To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith Of Asaph.
Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to the God of Jacob!  Raise a song; sound the tambourine, the sweet lyre with the harp.  Blow the trumpet at the new moon, at the full moon, on our feast day.........There shall be no strange god among you, you shall not bow down to a foreign god.  I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.  Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.

The 1st verse above, from Psalms, touched me because it was a reminder that I must ask the Lord for help in discerning what is the appropriate use of my time, and what my God-given talents and abilities are best used for. 

The verse from Ephesians, above, is exactly how I have been feeling..... Like there are too many different things competing for my time......that I need to NARROW MY FOCUS......  I will listen to and understand what the will of the Lord is! 

And the third verse above, from Psalms, WOW, what a "Direct Hit" straight to me!  HOME RUN for God! :)  Well... I am the lead soprano in a worship band, and we rehearse every-other week, and sing for 4 hours (all morning) every-other Sunday (which is a big commitment, and taxing on mind and body).  In my day-job, I am an Assistant in a High School Music department (which brings me much stress, but at the end of each day, it's worth it, because of the student's whose lives I am helping to touch through MUSIC).

At the end of this soul searching and listening for God's direction in all of this, I have come to conclude that the 2 home based businesses are what I need to scale back on.  I mean, they are not a part of my true passions, which include music, my children, and faith!  It is now clear to me (I started this post 3.5 weeks ago) that the things that the Lord wants me to spend time on, are my God given talents and strong-points, which will include the worship band, working in the music dept., Speaking about Faith, Blogging, and all other things that fall into the categories of my passions. 

Thank you Lord for this discernment and lightening of my load!!

P.S.  If you are a customer of mine, reading this, I will continue to be a representative of the same products that I have been, but will just scale back on my personal promoting and seeking of new customers.:) 

Ouch! That's beautiful...

Well.....I was back on the same hiking trail at which this Blog was started, 11 months ago...  I was admiring the vast beauty of this huge lake, the rolling hills, and the grasslands...when, all of a sudden, my leg felt multiple stings and felt very itchy...   I looked down to find small thorns stuck in my leg in several places. 

I then looked behind me, for the culprit of this pain and itching, and saw the multiple leaves of a prairie thistle. Urgh, that darn plant!

What was it doing in my way, and interrupting MY beautiful hike!!  Then, I looked upward a bit farther, and saw the whole plant, with a very lovely large purple bloom.  And then, I noticed the amazing backdrop for this little plant:

You see, once I knelt by that plant, I noticed the extreme beauty of the WHOLE view!

It is only when brought to our knees, that we can see the meaning of the trial...

Isn't that similar to many things that we go through in our lives?  We first feel the thorns, the hurt, the pain; only later to see the beauty that comes out of it!   Each negative experience that we have in our lives; as long as we get on our knees and work through it with God at our side; has a beautiful, positive "whole picture" behind it.

I mean, wow!, this was a profound little thorny plant....to be reminding me that all that I go through each and every day, is leading to the "whole picture" of just where God wants me to be, and right where I should be! 

So there I sat, next to that prairie thistle, thanking God for this reminder that, we must run into thistles, in order to enjoy the beauty that is on the other side of them.