Thoughts on being a wife a mother and a friend

Remember when I posted that a friend of mine was moving? Well, she and her family have moved back to town!! I'm late in posting this, but, figured since I wrote about her moving I might as well write about her moving back. Yep, I'm super excited! We haven't been able to hang out much yet, but I know as summer soon is here we will have many park days together, and hopefully grow in our friendship and relationships with our Creator.

Well... I did read the Purpose Driven Life a bit longer than I wrote about... but I didn't do such a good job in finishing it. I then moved on to Crazy Love, by Francis Chan. That was a great inspiring book. Books are nice, plenty of people have great and Biblically sound things to say, but I really wanted to dig into God's Word. I was sharing that desire with a good friend and mentor of mine and she suggested this Bible reading Program . It has been so cool!!! You read 10 chapters of the Bible a day. That may sound overwhelming at first, but really it only takes me about 25 min. I think the coolest thing about it is that you are reading 10 different books in the Bible..... which is neat because, a) it's amazing to see all the cross references and similar themes throughout the Bible and b) let's face it, some books just aren't as 'easy to read' as others, but one chapter is totally doable. I have been pretty consistent at reading every morning when Ella goe...

I was off camping on day 7... I had the pleasure of reading out in the beautiful mountains! Day 7 It's all for Him For everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by His power, and everything is for His glory. Romans 11:36 Where in my daily routine can I become more aware of God's glory? I can be more positive about life, where I'm living, the blessings that He has given me. Also in the hard times and trials I can trust that God is in control and I can bring glory to Him by the way I handle the situation. Day 8 I was planned for God's pleasure The Lord takes pleasure in his people Psalm 149:4a What common task could I start doing as if I were doing it directly for Jesus? One reminder I loved from this chapter about worship was, 'Worship isn't for our benefit! We worship for God's benefit. When we worship, our goal is to bring pleasure to God, not ourselves.' (pg. 66) It is so easy to get distracted and forget that worship, whether singing, cleanin...

Day 6 This world is not my home So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen in temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18 How should the fact that life on earth is just a temporary assignment change the way I am living right now? -In order to keep us from becoming too attached to earth, God allows us to feel a significant amount of discontent and dissatisfaction in life-longings that will NEVER be fulfilled on this side of eternity. (pg.50) I love this quote because sometimes I can get caught up in making this life comfortable, but it's not supposed to be. So I think I will want to in a weird way desire being uncomfortable, living for God is not easy, but it is very satisfying. I will accept where I am living and I'll be okay with it. I now seen the bigger purpose!!!

Day 5 Life is a test and a trust Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won't be faithful in large ones. Luke 16:10a What has happened to me recently that I now realize was a test from God? What are the greatest matters God has entrusted to me? Being a 'Pastor's Wife', something that I don't ever call myself, is a test though. I need to hold a higher standard in the things I say and the things I do. Whenever hanging with the girlfriends I am careful to watch what I say. That is such an ongoing test. I believe that some of the greatest things i'm entrusted with is my marriage and my little girl ( and other kiddos when they arrive :) ). How I treat my husband reflects my love for Christ and how present He is in my life. Raising Ella to love Jesus and have good character is such a big deal and a TON of responsibility, that can only be done with the help of Him.

Day 4 There is more to life than just the here and now This world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever. 1 John 2:17 Since I was made to last forever, what is one thing I should stop doing and one thing I should start doing today? Ahhhh... that is such a hard question. Giving up something is always hard... while I think I want to share some other things that stood out to me today. Whenever the topic of eternally being with Jesus if you are a believer, the fact that those that don't believe and trust Jesus as their Savior will spend eternity with out Him, in hell, is talked about, it makes me want to scream it from the roof tops. We can joke about it, make light of it, not want to ruin friendships by sharing too much to make them uncomfortable, but at the same time, I don't want to just do nothing, I totally agree with lifestyle evangelism, but am i saying enough? I have been wanting to hone in better on what my p...

Day 2 I am not an accident I am your creator. You were in my care even before you were born. Isaiah 44:2 I know that God uniquely created me. What areas of my personality, background, and physical appearance am I struggling to accept? As i sit and ponder this question... i am very thankful that this is something that i don't feel is a hangup in my life.(i am not an accident) Obviously there are things that bug me about myself, but nothing that holds me back from trusting God and serving Him, sometimes i may doubt that i am capable or worry about saying something challenging... or not saying enough. I am very confident in who God had made me and just they way He has made me. Day 3 Living on purpose is the path to peace You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you. Isaiah 26:3 What would my family and friends say is the driving force of my life? What do I want to be? I hope they would say a godly wife and mother, who always wants to gr...