Celebrating our Perfect Father

As we celebrated Poncho's Birthday tonight, I see how much he is loved by our kids. I am thankful that he has been the example he has been throughout their life. I am thankful that Peyton can look at her Daddy and see what kind of man she should marry and how they should treat her. I am thankful that Braden has the example of how to be a good husband and father to his children. 

And though not as much as he would have liked, he hopes to have passed some of these things to Josh along the way. Josh is a wonderful husband and Father and we are thankful that he will be the example he should be for our grand babies.

Unfortunately, not all kids have such a great example or any example at all. No matter how wonderful I think Poncho is, there are times when he like all of us has been led by our sinful nature and has somewhere along the way let us down. This is not a bash Poncho blog....it is a Praise Jesus blog! Praise Jesus that He NEVER lets us down. That those of us who aren't as fortunate to have a great earthly father to look up to, can look even higher to the PERFECT Heavenly Father who has adopted all of us as His very own children! He is the example we all should look at! He sets the standards that we should all strive towards! He shows us what "true love" really is by the example of His love for His church! 

If you have been let down by family or friends and this affects the way you live or your image of self worth, break the cycle by looking to the One who will never break your heart. The only Father, Friend, Savior who is the picture of perfection! The One who knows your worth because He is more than your Father...He is your creator! 

Be still and know that I am God Psalm 46:10

So the school year has started and the craziness of life has once again started taking it's toll on me and everyone else. This summer was blissful and I found myself growing closer to God. I painted the words "Be still and know that I am God" on multiple crosses that I sold this summer. I am realizing the importance of these words as my days get busier and busier. The busier I am, the further I stray from my walk with the Lord, The further  I stray from my walk, the worse my state of mind becomes, the worse my state of mind becomes, the darker my heart becomes, the darker my heart becomes, the darker my actions become. It is a vicious cycle all because I have not done what The Lord has commanded me....Be Still! 

How can we be still when life pulls us in so many different directions? I have a job (or 2 or 3), a family that needs me and opportunities that keep arising which I am so thankful for. How do we balance everything without losing what's important?  

The answer is simple, yet we make it so difficult. Be Still in the Lord's presence. We have to be refreshed by His presence. Once we learn to take the time to do this, our time will seem to stretch because we will be refreshed and more focused. Without a renewed spirit, we are running a rat race and getting nowhere. Trust Him to give you the time you need by giving Him the time He deserves.

Some of the greatest lessons I learn are from a child

The last couple of weeks I have been  trying to mentally and emotionally prepare myself to give my testimony.  I know this is God's plan and have prayed that He would lead me. He showed me something this past week and I wish so much that I would have recorded this moment to share with others. 

Last week, I went to Odenville Middle School to hear Braden give a speech as to why he should be elected as SGA Senator. There were round 35 children from 6th-8th grade who stood up and gave some of the most eloquently written speeches. I sat amazed at how brave these young boys and girls were to stand before their entire student body and speak. 

There was one speech that really stood out to me though. It was from a 6th grader, who was visibly nervous and had forgotten her notes. She stood there and told the audience how nervous she was and how she was the girl who sat in the back of the class and never raised her hand because she was afraid of the attention. Tears started coming from her eyes as she said she woke up and prayed that God would give her the words to say. It may not have been the wittiest or most eloquent speech ever spoken, but what she said and her humble attitude not only caused most of the adults to cry, but also caused a standing ovation from the entire student body. Whether she wins the race she was running for or not....she became a winner in many eyes that day. She taught me an important lesson. She taught me that when you speak from your heart with a humble attitude and ask God to lead you, no matter if you are an expert speaker or not....He will use you. 

My prayer is to be used, not to stand there and make an eloquent presentation, but to give God the glory He deserves with the most humble heart I can possibly have.  I want people to see God, not me. Because if He is not the center....there is no point in me standing there.

Thank you God for using a sweet 6th grader to teach me yet another lesson.