Wow... The world sure is changing. We, as parents, have to open our eyes, and pay attention to this fact, and make sure we aren't being naive, or even worse, in denial.
The big story in the news... A 13 year old boy, arrested for selling cocaine, marijuana, and ground up pills, to students at his middle school! This had apparently been going on for quite some time, before he got caught. A local radio station had middle school students call in to the radio station yesterday, not give their names, or the school they went to, but tell us what they see going on in their middle schools. The info from these students was shocking. They spoke very matter of factly, all of them saying that yes, there are drug dealers, who are students at their school, yes, they knew who they were, yes, it was easy to get just about any kind of drug that you want, AT SCHOOL, and yes, a lot of their friends did drugs - at school! They were asked if they knew where the students get these drugs, they said "from larger drug dealers", but also said that a lot of people they know, got them from their parents, and some do drugs WITH their parents, and have friends over who participate with them! They said it is common to see someone at school doing drugs, and that the peer pressure is very high to participate. These were not answers from ONE student, who just goes to a bad school, this was call after call, of about 20 students, from different schools in the area, all saying basically the same things.
We HAVE to keep ourselves informed on what is going on these days, and what our children are being exposed to, at such an early age. If we are not aware, and informed, how can we educate our children? It is our responsibility, as parents, to know what our children are doing, what is going on at school and in their lives, and to educate them on how to handle these things, when faced with it. One of the other subjects I've heard addressed lately, is sex in school bathrooms, sexual acts on the school bus, and children having sex at age 11! We can't pretend that these things aren't going on. We have to have open conversations with our children, even if it's an uncomfortable subject. Once the lines of communication are open, they will feel more comfortable coming to you with things that they may have not felt comfortable discussing before. We are responsible for teaching, guiding, and molding our children. It's no one else's responsibility but ours. We can't let the things of the "world" mold them, we have to take whatever steps necessary to not just protect them from these things, but inform them. We can't keep them in a little bubble forever... They have to know what's out there, and what to do when faced with it. We have to inform them BEFORE they come in contact with these things, tell them how to handle these situations, and explain WHY they should be handled that way. Our children need to have a plan of attack, BEFORE they are faced with these things, so that when they are, they will know what to do. We need to stay in constant communication with our children, and be involved their lives. Don't assume, "that won't happen to my child". The "that won't happen to me" mentality, is pure denial!
We have a huge responsibility as parents, we have precious lives in our hands. Maybe if parents start stepping up, there will be less stories like this. And just a side note... Pray, pray, pray, for your children... Everyday! There is nothing like the prayers of a parent, for their child. XOXO!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Don't Sweat The Small Stuff!
We have to stop sweating the small stuff... We let so many things effect our day, our lives, and our happiness. We need to get in the habit of starting our day in faith, that we are going to have a happy, great day!
We lose our peace so quickly, over such minor things... Someone cuts you off while driving, someone isn't so nice to you, you're running late, and your car won't start, your child spilled their juice on the carpet... things just aren't going your way... Don't lose your peace over minor things, inconveniences, or other people. When you let yourself allow those things to effect you, and steal your peace, it takes your mind off of God... Off of the will of God for your life. You start to become "out of tune" with God.
Something I heard recently... Categorize your problems. Is this a 5 minute, 5 hour, or 5 year problem? If you think it through, and categorize your problems, you'll find that most of them are small, 5 minute, or 5 hour problems, that won't matter tomorrow.
Problems, frustrations, and inconveniences WILL happen! Pray that God will give you strength to handle them, and peace that only He can give, even through your troubles. "The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him." Exodus 15:2. "It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect." 2 Samuel 22:33.
There WILL be challenges, heartache, and situations, that we cannot control. When we look at the big picture, and keep our eyes on the big picture - the will of God for our lives - we will not worry about situations, and blow them out of proportion. God orders all of our steps. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2. So things aren't working out your way... Big deal! Categorize the problem, realize that in the long term, this really doesn't matter. Move past it, focus on God, and walking in the path He has for your life. Don't let minor inconveniences distract you from your main goal - to press forward, on the path God has for you... to the plan He has for your life. Give it over to God, and feel the release, freedom, and peace, that only He can give.
No matter what comes your way, if you put it in God's very capable hands, and do not dwell on it, you will have the peace, and clear mind, to focus on the big picture - fulfilling the will of God for your life. That's what it's all about, isn't it? Our purpose for being here? Don't let minor things - or even the big things, for that matter, distract you from your goal, and your purpose in life! XOXO!
We lose our peace so quickly, over such minor things... Someone cuts you off while driving, someone isn't so nice to you, you're running late, and your car won't start, your child spilled their juice on the carpet... things just aren't going your way... Don't lose your peace over minor things, inconveniences, or other people. When you let yourself allow those things to effect you, and steal your peace, it takes your mind off of God... Off of the will of God for your life. You start to become "out of tune" with God.
Something I heard recently... Categorize your problems. Is this a 5 minute, 5 hour, or 5 year problem? If you think it through, and categorize your problems, you'll find that most of them are small, 5 minute, or 5 hour problems, that won't matter tomorrow.
Problems, frustrations, and inconveniences WILL happen! Pray that God will give you strength to handle them, and peace that only He can give, even through your troubles. "The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him." Exodus 15:2. "It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect." 2 Samuel 22:33.
There WILL be challenges, heartache, and situations, that we cannot control. When we look at the big picture, and keep our eyes on the big picture - the will of God for our lives - we will not worry about situations, and blow them out of proportion. God orders all of our steps. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2. So things aren't working out your way... Big deal! Categorize the problem, realize that in the long term, this really doesn't matter. Move past it, focus on God, and walking in the path He has for your life. Don't let minor inconveniences distract you from your main goal - to press forward, on the path God has for you... to the plan He has for your life. Give it over to God, and feel the release, freedom, and peace, that only He can give.
No matter what comes your way, if you put it in God's very capable hands, and do not dwell on it, you will have the peace, and clear mind, to focus on the big picture - fulfilling the will of God for your life. That's what it's all about, isn't it? Our purpose for being here? Don't let minor things - or even the big things, for that matter, distract you from your goal, and your purpose in life! XOXO!
From Housewife... To Divorce... To Successful!
This might not be the most interesting post, but necessary, to know a little bit about where I have been, to make sense of the posts that will follow! :)
I got married to my now ex-husband, in 1998, when I was 18. We had our first child pretty quickly... A little boy. We decided 6 months later, that it was time for the next baby! So when our little one was 15 months old, I gave birth to our second son. Soon to follow, in the next 2 1/2 years, were our third, and forth son! Yup! Four little boys! And all planned! People like to assume that we were irresponsible with birth control, or that we "kept going" to try for a girl... Nope! We planned all four, and are so blessed to have them.
I was a stay at home mom, from the time my first child was born. I was SO blessed to be able to be at home with them. My husband worked very hard, to allow me to do that. That time is so important, for them to be able to stay home with their mother. I loved every minute of it. I was as close I could get, to the "perfect housewife"... Making homemade baby food, cooking, keeping the house clean (or as clean as I could, with children!), "homeschooling" them as soon as they could speak, and caring for my husband and children. I LOVED it! It was everything I had ever dreamed of for my life.
My husband and I were very happy, and we had a wonderful marriage. A wonderful family. Through a series of events (which I will explain at some point, when I'm comfortable), things started to fall apart about 8 years into our marriage. We got divorced just short of our 10 year anniversary. (The events surrounding the divorce are, again, something I will explain when comfortable doing so.)
So skip to post divorce... I now find myself alone, and needing a job, which was quite scary after being a housewife my whole adult life! What made the most sense, and was the quickest option, was going back to Publix, where I worked before I was married. Through a total miracle, I got hired very quickly by Publix, and FULL TIME... Which is nearly impossible, to walk in off the street and get. I stayed with my parents for 6 months or so, while I worked, and saved, to be able to get on my feet, and be able to support myself and the boys. And I did it! God provided me with a beautiful apartment, and even things to fill it with! What a great feeling of accomplishment that was!
Currently, on the subject of career... I am still at Publix. I have gone to school to become a Certified Nursing Assistant, and have passed the written exam, and will be taking the clinical exam soon! I want to work at a nursing home. I think, well I KNOW, that there is such a need in that area. I think I could really make a difference in the lives of the people there, and it's something that's always been on my heart to do. So I'm excited about this next chapter in my life.
So, single mama... Working hard to provide for my family, my precious boys and I. Starting another chapter in my life. I have goals in place, things I want to accomplish, and WILL! I am a strong, independent, confident woman. I stay in a close relationship with God, and He guides me through my days, and along the path He has for my life. Without Him, I couldn't have accomplished the things I have, and I wouldn't have the peace and confidence to know that I WILL accomplish all that I have yet to accomplish! All in all... Life is good. Looking ahead to the future now... XOXO!
I got married to my now ex-husband, in 1998, when I was 18. We had our first child pretty quickly... A little boy. We decided 6 months later, that it was time for the next baby! So when our little one was 15 months old, I gave birth to our second son. Soon to follow, in the next 2 1/2 years, were our third, and forth son! Yup! Four little boys! And all planned! People like to assume that we were irresponsible with birth control, or that we "kept going" to try for a girl... Nope! We planned all four, and are so blessed to have them.
I was a stay at home mom, from the time my first child was born. I was SO blessed to be able to be at home with them. My husband worked very hard, to allow me to do that. That time is so important, for them to be able to stay home with their mother. I loved every minute of it. I was as close I could get, to the "perfect housewife"... Making homemade baby food, cooking, keeping the house clean (or as clean as I could, with children!), "homeschooling" them as soon as they could speak, and caring for my husband and children. I LOVED it! It was everything I had ever dreamed of for my life.
My husband and I were very happy, and we had a wonderful marriage. A wonderful family. Through a series of events (which I will explain at some point, when I'm comfortable), things started to fall apart about 8 years into our marriage. We got divorced just short of our 10 year anniversary. (The events surrounding the divorce are, again, something I will explain when comfortable doing so.)
So skip to post divorce... I now find myself alone, and needing a job, which was quite scary after being a housewife my whole adult life! What made the most sense, and was the quickest option, was going back to Publix, where I worked before I was married. Through a total miracle, I got hired very quickly by Publix, and FULL TIME... Which is nearly impossible, to walk in off the street and get. I stayed with my parents for 6 months or so, while I worked, and saved, to be able to get on my feet, and be able to support myself and the boys. And I did it! God provided me with a beautiful apartment, and even things to fill it with! What a great feeling of accomplishment that was!
Currently, on the subject of career... I am still at Publix. I have gone to school to become a Certified Nursing Assistant, and have passed the written exam, and will be taking the clinical exam soon! I want to work at a nursing home. I think, well I KNOW, that there is such a need in that area. I think I could really make a difference in the lives of the people there, and it's something that's always been on my heart to do. So I'm excited about this next chapter in my life.
So, single mama... Working hard to provide for my family, my precious boys and I. Starting another chapter in my life. I have goals in place, things I want to accomplish, and WILL! I am a strong, independent, confident woman. I stay in a close relationship with God, and He guides me through my days, and along the path He has for my life. Without Him, I couldn't have accomplished the things I have, and I wouldn't have the peace and confidence to know that I WILL accomplish all that I have yet to accomplish! All in all... Life is good. Looking ahead to the future now... XOXO!
Mistakes... How to make them worth something!
I guess the way I'll end up doing this, is to post about my journey, currently going on in my life, and words of wisdom, that God has revealed to me through the years. And sprinkled throughout, will be posts that are a look into my past, my journey through that, and finally coming out the other side...
Mistakes... We ALL make them! Some worse than others... Unfortunately, it seems that for me to learn a lesson, God has to drop a brick on my head most of the time! Although, with all the mistakes I have made in the past, I am pretty quick to recognize when I have made a mistake now, and correct it quickly. Or sometimes, thank God, I can catch myself now, before I make a mistake.
Mistakes are never good, happy, or something we would choose to do, if we had a flash forward into the future! But they do happen, and sometimes we mess up bad. I know that I have. Some things I can say about that are, first of all, God is so good. He forgives, He redeems, and He restores. Second, it's what you do with the knowledge you have learned from your mistakes that makes all the difference. The only way to make your mistakes worth something, is to LEARN from them. If you don't, you will keep repeating the same mistakes, until you finally do learn! Take your mistakes, and turn them into learning and growing experiences. Experiences that will help you to learn lessons that will make you grow as a person, and make you stronger, within yourself and your relationship with God, and just wiser, in general. This will turn something that was meant for bad, into something good. Turn what was going to be a stumbling block, into a stepping stone, taking you into the place in your life that you are meant to be in, and help you to become the person you are meant to be.
Use your mistakes for good also, by sharing them. Share with people going through the same thing, who might feel stuck, like they are never going to be able to pull themselves out of the pit they are in. Share your mistakes, your journey, and your testimony of being able to make it through. And not just make it through, but come out strong, confident, and a better person than you were before. No one can help someone going through a situation, like someone who's been there!
There are so many lessons I have learned through my journey, which I will continue to share more of, in time. But the most important thing I can say on the subject of mistakes, is learn from them, use them to make you the person you are meant to be. To take you to the destiny that God has for you, His will for your life, and DON'T repeat them! That makes even the worst mistakes, mean something! "And we know that in all things, God works for the good, for those who love him." Romans 8:28 XOXO!
Mistakes... We ALL make them! Some worse than others... Unfortunately, it seems that for me to learn a lesson, God has to drop a brick on my head most of the time! Although, with all the mistakes I have made in the past, I am pretty quick to recognize when I have made a mistake now, and correct it quickly. Or sometimes, thank God, I can catch myself now, before I make a mistake.
Mistakes are never good, happy, or something we would choose to do, if we had a flash forward into the future! But they do happen, and sometimes we mess up bad. I know that I have. Some things I can say about that are, first of all, God is so good. He forgives, He redeems, and He restores. Second, it's what you do with the knowledge you have learned from your mistakes that makes all the difference. The only way to make your mistakes worth something, is to LEARN from them. If you don't, you will keep repeating the same mistakes, until you finally do learn! Take your mistakes, and turn them into learning and growing experiences. Experiences that will help you to learn lessons that will make you grow as a person, and make you stronger, within yourself and your relationship with God, and just wiser, in general. This will turn something that was meant for bad, into something good. Turn what was going to be a stumbling block, into a stepping stone, taking you into the place in your life that you are meant to be in, and help you to become the person you are meant to be.
Use your mistakes for good also, by sharing them. Share with people going through the same thing, who might feel stuck, like they are never going to be able to pull themselves out of the pit they are in. Share your mistakes, your journey, and your testimony of being able to make it through. And not just make it through, but come out strong, confident, and a better person than you were before. No one can help someone going through a situation, like someone who's been there!
There are so many lessons I have learned through my journey, which I will continue to share more of, in time. But the most important thing I can say on the subject of mistakes, is learn from them, use them to make you the person you are meant to be. To take you to the destiny that God has for you, His will for your life, and DON'T repeat them! That makes even the worst mistakes, mean something! "And we know that in all things, God works for the good, for those who love him." Romans 8:28 XOXO!
Is it possible to have peace, in bad circumstances?
Is it possible to have complete peace, when you are facing bad circumstances?
People look for peace in all kinds of places... money, other people, relationships, sex, etc. People look for peace in their circumstances. "If I get this job, I'll have more money, that will bring me peace..." "As long as I have this relationship, I'll have peace..." And the list goes on, and on. Circumstances, are not where you will find peace, it's where you will lose it. As long as you rely on your circumstances to bring you peace, you are never going to find it, or it won't be a lasting peace.
The answer to a true, and lasting peace, is through Jesus. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me." John 14:1 "The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace." Psalm 29:11.
There is a difference in peace in God, and peace with God. If you want to have peace in God, you must first make peace with God. Sin separates us from God. "Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear." Isaiah 59:1-2. The conditions of being separated from God are that you are not under his covering, you are separated from Him. If you are going to have continuing peace in God, you first have to make peace with God.
What is it, in your life, that is keeping you from being "one with God"? If you don't have peace, than there is SOMETHING in your life that is separating you from God, keeping that peace away. Being "one with God" = Walking in agreement with the will of God for your life, and the word of the Lord.
Once you have made peace with God, removed sin from your life, and are a forgiven child of God, you are under His covering. Where you can experience an everlasting peace that the world can't give.
Peace with God is a one time decision... Peace in God, is a continued decision. One that you choose daily, to either let your circumstances take your peace, or to have trust and faith in God that He has got those circumstances in His hands. You can't control your circumstances... You can control whether or not you receive the peace of God. "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God." Romans 5:1-2
Without God, how are you going to find a continuous peace? Try to control your circumstances? You have no control over circumstances. When you give your life, and your circumstances, over to God, He gives you perfect peace.
God doesn't promise that things will always go our way. He does promise that because He is in you, no matter what happens, or how bad things look, that He will give you a peace, and strength to handle it. He will remind you that whatever is going on, that it will turn out for good, and that He will bring you through it. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28. Trust in Him, to do what He says He will do. Get your focus on the source of peace, not the source of your frustration, sadness, or worries.
Our responsibilities... To get right with God. To make a daily decision to walk in the truth of His word, yield to Him, and remain on the path He has for our lives. Get our focus right... On God - He is your peace. Claim what is yours.
It may not be easy... But it is simple... :)
People look for peace in all kinds of places... money, other people, relationships, sex, etc. People look for peace in their circumstances. "If I get this job, I'll have more money, that will bring me peace..." "As long as I have this relationship, I'll have peace..." And the list goes on, and on. Circumstances, are not where you will find peace, it's where you will lose it. As long as you rely on your circumstances to bring you peace, you are never going to find it, or it won't be a lasting peace.
The answer to a true, and lasting peace, is through Jesus. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me." John 14:1 "The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace." Psalm 29:11.
There is a difference in peace in God, and peace with God. If you want to have peace in God, you must first make peace with God. Sin separates us from God. "Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear." Isaiah 59:1-2. The conditions of being separated from God are that you are not under his covering, you are separated from Him. If you are going to have continuing peace in God, you first have to make peace with God.
What is it, in your life, that is keeping you from being "one with God"? If you don't have peace, than there is SOMETHING in your life that is separating you from God, keeping that peace away. Being "one with God" = Walking in agreement with the will of God for your life, and the word of the Lord.
Once you have made peace with God, removed sin from your life, and are a forgiven child of God, you are under His covering. Where you can experience an everlasting peace that the world can't give.
Peace with God is a one time decision... Peace in God, is a continued decision. One that you choose daily, to either let your circumstances take your peace, or to have trust and faith in God that He has got those circumstances in His hands. You can't control your circumstances... You can control whether or not you receive the peace of God. "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God." Romans 5:1-2
Without God, how are you going to find a continuous peace? Try to control your circumstances? You have no control over circumstances. When you give your life, and your circumstances, over to God, He gives you perfect peace.
God doesn't promise that things will always go our way. He does promise that because He is in you, no matter what happens, or how bad things look, that He will give you a peace, and strength to handle it. He will remind you that whatever is going on, that it will turn out for good, and that He will bring you through it. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28. Trust in Him, to do what He says He will do. Get your focus on the source of peace, not the source of your frustration, sadness, or worries.
Our responsibilities... To get right with God. To make a daily decision to walk in the truth of His word, yield to Him, and remain on the path He has for our lives. Get our focus right... On God - He is your peace. Claim what is yours.
It may not be easy... But it is simple... :)
Friday, April 16, 2010
Why??
Why start a blog? My mother always told me, "Don't write ANYTHING down, that you don't want the world to read!" I guess this goes completely against that great advice! Although, I do follow mostly all of her advice...! What I have learned though, is that there are many purposes to sharing my life... To be able to free myself, not allowing thoughts, fears, and experiences to become bottled up inside, and to share these things, with the hope that someone who has, or is, going through some of the same things, will read, and be encouraged. We all think that we are the only one going through, what we're going through... It is encouraging to know that you're not alone. So many people go through so much, some make it through - and some do not. I have been through so much, and through God's forgiveness and grace, have come out the other side, a stronger woman, a better mommy, and confidnt woman of God. There's so many things that I have to share... mistakes I have made, lessons I have learned, the journey I am on now, and words of wisdom that God has revealed to me... Life... Through My Eyes, I guess...
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