Scars Make Us Beautiful

Scars make us beautiful!

It has taken me 17 yrs. to understand and truly  believe that...

For many years, I hated the external scars on my face and chin from a very bad car accident. I styled my hair in a way to hide the scars on my forehead; I tried every "scar reducer" and "concealer" that exists.

Also, as a mother, I have "scars" (stretch marks) on my stomach, from carrying babies, and for several years after child bearing, I tried every stretch mark cream available for purchase; finding none that worked well. For a while, I had told myself that I would never again wear a swimsuit that showed any of those "scars".

And then there's internal scars... the ones from simply living.  The scars from a broken heart or shattered dreams. The scars from lost friendships and lost loved ones.

Recently I've found a deep new appreciation for all of my scars, both external and internal, as I've realized and admitted to myself that they are what have formed me into who I am today!

The physical scars from my car accident once reminded me each and every morning as I looked in the mirror, of pain, shattered glass, and emotional brokenness. But now, each time I see them, I am reminded how strong I have become, how much my faith has grown as God brought me through that, and of my passion to share my story of faith and perseverance with others!

The scars from carrying babies, now are proud reminders of my greatest blessings!  God has blessed me with 2 wonderful children, and some people never get the chance to experience child birth or motherhood.  I am thankful every day, that I was given the opportunity to bring my children into this world, and to watch a growing belly in anticipation.  

Watching children grow and form into who they are going to be as adults; watching their personality's bloom and their beliefs form, is such an incredible blessing.

The internal scars, of hurt and heartache, of disappointment and lost dreams; these are our scars that no one knows about, unless we share the story. These are the scars that, I believe, form us the most!  

Those internal scars have brought me closer to God, each and every time. They have shaped me into the strong woman that I am today. The internal scars, the trials, teach us things that cannot be taught without living through the traumatic event.  

Today, I can honestly say "I am proud of my Scars!" I am proud of all that I have been through, and of who I have become. And I hope and pray that you too can be very proud of the scars that you have earned! 

Thank you Lord, for the way that you pre-destined our lives and for all the blessings that you have given us, even blessings through trials.  Amen. 

May you all learn to view your scars as blessings too, and value all that you have learned through them!

Here is a beautiful song, that prompted me to write this post: 

"That's What Scars are For" by Mandisa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Gvt__r9EU0

Enjoy!  Blessings to you today and always! 

To my child who fears...

To my child who fears:

I wanted you to know that there is no use fearing things you cannot control. 

We can only control our trust in God. God loves us and will protect us!

Last night after sitting next to you, seeing you cry to sleep, full of doubt about safety, and fears of the unknown, I decided to do some scripture searching, and a whole lot of praying.  I searched for scripture verses about trusting God, and I prayed and prayed that He would hold you in His safe arms, and remind you, day after day, that you are His child too, and He will protect you..... 

And, my dear, He WILL protect you, and hold you, even more than I can and do!

The first Christian book that I looked to, in which I indexed "Trusting God", led me to all of Psalm 121, "The Lord My Guardian": 

     I raise my eyes toward the mountains. 

            From whence shall come my help? 

     My help come from the Lord,

            the maker of heaven and earth. 

     He will not allow my foot to slip; 

            or my guardian to sleep.

     Behold, the guardian of Israel

            never slumbers nor sleeps.

     The Lord is your guardian;

            the Lord is your shade

            at your right hand.

     By day the sun will not strike you,

            nor the moon by night.

     The Lord will guard you from all evil;

            He will guard your soul.

     The Lord will guard your coming and going

            both now and forever.

Then the second book I looked to, sited Psalm 121:2-3: 

(a bit different version than above)

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. 

I am so deeply touched that God sent me both of these, same portions from the Bible; both from Psalm 121, to help me pray for you tonight, dear child! 

Remember that we must trust the One who writes our futures.  We must constantly turn to God in our times of fear.  Dear child, take the above verses to heart, as if they were written directly for you!  You are a beloved and protected child of God, and He does not rest from watching over you! 

Psalm 121 discusses some possible dangers of this world, but every one is offset by the guarding over us, by God. 

For instance, the last several days of heavy, dreary rain that God has sent to our area, will help prevent unwanted fires.

The technology that God has graced us with, smart phones, television, computers, home alarms; will all serve to help protect us from natural disaster and storms. 

Think about all of the ways that God uses creation, and His power, to protect us every day....

Remember sweet child, that Good triumphs over Evil, and God triumphs over all! Have faith and trust the Lord; He will protect His children! 

All my Love, 

      Mom

I really could...

A few weeks ago, as the worship band that I sing in was rehearsing prior to worship, we began singing "I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever" by Hillsong. 

Here's the tune link, in case you'd like to listen to it: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeCwwaciAA8

That certainly is a beautiful song, but I must admit that we have been singing this for so many years, and the chorus part is so repetitious, that I was singing, annoyed, at the familiarity of the tune.....

But as soon as I felt that feeling, I chose to close my eyes, and force myself to 'feel' the music, and internalize the words as I sang them....  By the end of the tune, I had goosebumps, and was swaying involuntarily. 

I was overcome by the amazing love of God! 

As the song says, over all the Earth, His love runs!  It spills out of ever bit of His creation, constantly overflowing.   Overflowing, so much that we should never feel less than completely and entirely covered in His love!  Sometimes though, in the 'repetition' of life, that fact gets lost....

If you really think about it, each one of us has some place to go or something to do, that makes us feel the most connected to God....   For me, that is through music.  Whether listening or singing, Christian music opens up a direct line from my heart, to God's, every time!

I perform worship music at multiple church services, on most weekends, and I can honestly say, I really Will Sing of HIS Love Forever!

So, today, find your personal way of obtaining your deepest connection with God; and then continue it forever!  There nothing greater than feeling the deep love of God and connecting deeply with Him!

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