The lessons we learn

In life we seem to have those really great days when everything is beautiful,those mountain tops that we sing praise to our God. We also have those days that pop out of nowhere that shake everything in us, those valleys we go through that we're just not sure if they are ever going to end. Where ever we are, on the mountain tops or down in those valleys God is always with us. He never leaves us behind, He never forgets us, He always knows our innermost thoughts, and our deepest secrets.I have learned on those mountains, but I think I learn the most through the storms in life, the valleys that seem never ending. Its those times we feel alone and we call upon Jesus. When we realize He is all we have, He is all we need. My Savior lives, is always there for me, and He's always gonna be. He is my strength when things seem to get so hard and I feel as though I cannot go on. He picks me up with His whispers of love, His touch of forgiveness, and His everlasting love. He never fails me, He never leaves me, He never lies to me, and He never slams the door. He is there to take my hand,and lead me to where He knows is best for me. Sometimes the best place is going through those storms, He sometimes quiets the storm, but other times He quiets us while the storm rages on all around us. The best lessons in life are those hardest learned, those that have a piece of your heart, those that take us to our knees in prayer, and let us realize we cannot do it on our own. I have learned I am a humble sinner trying to live a christian life for my Savior who died for me. I mess up everyday,say things I shouldn't say, do things I shouldn't do, and I don't give as much as I should give. We all have are limits though of what we can take, and Jesus knows those limits and He is there to lift us up, guide us, and send others in our life to help us grow along the way. Each day of my life is a learning experience, I learn something new everyday. I have had long years, long months, and long days when I thought I would just go crazy not knowing what to do, or if God was listening to my prayers. He has brought me through, He has carried me,and walked with me,and I am better for each trial. When those trials come, don't be afraid, face them head on, with Gods strength, His wisdom, and His love will get you through,and teach you much along the way in this journey we call life.

The Deer Stand

I love each time of year when hunting season comes. It is a time for me to spend time with my husband, and a time to spend outdoors with God. I love being in the woods. The smell of the trees, you can hear the birds chirping,and the squirrels are all in the leaves,making you think a deer is coming upon you.You can hear the woodpeckers knocking on the trees close by and the air is cool, your in so many layers of clothes you can hardly move, you have your drink next to you,mine ofcourse is soda, and my husbands is coffee. I love the smell as he pours it, but just do not like the taste. We can sit quietly for hours and just listen to Gods creation, and be in wonder of it all, sometimes we will just sit and talk quietly or laugh at something funny that is only between us.This time with my husband is so special. He has taught me everything I need to know about shooting. The deerstand has been a great place for me and my husband to share and to grow. Just to be together is wonderful. Sometimes I would even take a book back in the woods and read while he cut wood, and just listen to all the sounds, and watch the clouds go by. Seeing nature is seeing God up close. It is witnessing all He created, and it makes me feel so humbled. If God created such beauty, and cares for even the sparrows, oh my, how much more does He love me? I am blessed beyond measure when I walk into the woods with the man I love, to be in awe of the Son who loves me.

Home sick

As I grow older, I feel homesick for home with my mom and dad. Sometimes I can just have a dream or a memory, a smell, or a feeling deep inside. I can look back in time and see our house. See the decorations my mom so delicately created, I can see my dad laying on the couch after a hard days work, waiting on dinner. I am in my room, dancing, or playing teacher with all my stuffed animals as my students. Its funny, with my home and family I am content. I am so very happy. But there is something about home,when you don't feel well, or you just had a bad day, maybe its the holidays and you can picture in your mind how things were when you were a kid like me. I climbed trees, and played outside until dark catching frogs in the cool night air. We used to get a jar and catch fireflies, and see how many we could put in one jar. Its funny, as you get older, it isn't so much the big things you remember, its all the little moments of time you wish you could have back for just a moment. My mom fixing us breakfast, even watching her hang out all the clothes on the line, and me running through them all. Riding my bike so fast, the wind felt slow. Playing on the softball league and riding my bike to the games,and hearing my dad cheer me on. Time goes by so quickly, without my dad, my mom lives alone,in senior apartments. I believe she also misses home as well. Things in life change daily,and we change with them. Many times we don't really have a choice in the matter. Do you ever long for home? I even long for my home in Heaven that I know is waiting. I think we are to look forward to that day when we hear that trumpet, and we all go home. This world is not our home. The sights and sounds that become so familar, are so near to our hearts,but our heavenly home should be close to our hearts, and we should be yearning for that home also. We have our home we grew up in, and have those memories of the past, and we have our heavenly home, with our future,and Father who will guide us with His love into another place and time that we will worship Him for all eternity. Home, it is a word that carries love, for me it does, I was blessed to have a wonderful home, and an amazing home to look forward to.

The Dance with my Dad

I was daddys little girl growing up. I grew to look just like him,with his hair,and eyes that change from blue to green,depending on how I feel. He was an amazing man, who gave me safety, gave his love,and taught me many things,especially in his last days. As a child, we would play, and he would give his time even after a hard days work.My dad worked in a factory,and was a foreman,that he was proud of. When I was young my daddy taught me how to dance to country music. His favorite singer was Loretta Lynn. I remember standing on his toes and him leading me in a dance. He taught me how to fish, he loved spending time on the lake,river,or pond fishing.After he was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, he never kept another fish again. He would catch the biggest fish I have ever seen, and let all of them go. He taught me how to respect my mom, he showed her affection in front of me,and I knew how much he loved her. As I grew into a teenager, I was not the greatest kid. I gave my mom and dad so much trouble,not realizing at the time the consequences on them. My actions not only hurt me, but hurt them very much. As I got older, when my dad was diagnosed, we didn't dance anymore. He changed as a person, and closed up inside in many ways. Sometimes I believe that was to protect me. He felt that if he kept me at a distance, it wouldn't hurt so badly. Oh, how wrong he was. I remember my mother staying at the hospital, never leaving for 3 weeks until his death. She never even left his room. The day she left, was the day my dad died. I was at home, laying in the sun, waiting to go see him, I had to work that afternoon,so I was planning to go to the hospital on my way to work. I had called to check on my dad, and my mom said he was doing great. See, he was to come home the next day,and hospice was going to come in. As I remember, the sun was so beautiful, the heat was very hot in April already. My Uncle Bill pulled up with my nephews, as I saw them, I felt happy, for I knew he was going to take out my parents bed, for the hospital bed coming. As he came to me, I sat up, and he looked into my eyes and told me, my daddy had passed away. It felt as though time stood still, I couldn't even move, and I had to have him repeat it again, and again. He asked me to get ready to go to the hospital. I went inside the house, and didn't even know what to do, I called my boyfriend at the time, and broke down before words could even come out.He knew,just me crying gave it away. He met us at the hospital. It seemed like my uncle drove so slowly, but what was my hurry,what did I expect? I expected to see my daddy, ready to come home. I still could not face the harsh fact that he was gone. My family said it would be best if I went in and spent some time alone with my dad. I thought this to be absurd,but as I opened the door,there was my daddy, so quiet, so peaceful,not in anymore pain, not gasping for breath.He was no longer here. How was a daddys girl to make it in this world without her daddy? I sat by him, told him thank you, I was sorry for all my wrongs, and I would miss him so much. As I left, I winked and gave him a thumbs up, and said good job daddy, you were the best. The days following were so hard. I couldn't cry, I had to be strong for my mom. I was only 19, and without my daddy. My mom was hurting so bad, and I didn't know how to help her. See at this time in my life I was not a christian. I knew there was a God, but didn't have a relationship with Christ. The pain was almost unbarable for me. At times I really didn't think I could or would make it, but I did. As I became a christian I began to get glimpes of my past where Jesus had been. He was there with me the whole time, He carried me through that time in my life.I didn't know Him, but He knew me. Later, I found out that my daddy was saved the day before he died. He accepted Christ as his Savior. Everyone is born to die once on this earth, but I have the comfort in knowing I will again dance with my daddy in Heaven. With both of my fathers. My Heavenly Father, and my earthly father that I was so blessed to have. Some say they would rather not love at all, and not have to go through pain. I wouldn't have missed the dance I had with my daddy for anything, even though it was only for a short time.

Fisherman

Matthew 4:19 says"Then He said to them,Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." What are you fishers of? Are we working towards things for ourselves, to see what we can get? Our we just taking our time,and not really paying attention to anything around us? Maybe we are fishing for others, for popularity, for wealth, for happiness, for great stature with others? These disciples dropped everything and followed Christ? What are you willing to drop? Are we even willing to follow with all our heart, or do we just want to ride the fence? We cannot have it both ways. We either follow Him with everything we have,or we follow ourselves and everything we want. What a great thing to be, fishermen of men. To walk with Jesus, and talk with Him, give all, and reach out to everyone we see. Not just those we like, not just the pretty ones, not just the cool ones, the ones who can get us something,but reach out to all. Can you see how unhappy people are as they are driving in their cars? When they are in Walmart, and they are checking their list, and they have to put things back,because they cannot afford them? We work with people who are mean in every way possible, we meet people on the streets and you can see the pain on their faces. People are searching for something, they are searching for love and something that satisfies their soul. The sad thing is, they are all searching in the wrong places. Jesus is their answer. He is what they need, we are what Jesus needs to bring them to Him. He needs us to be fishers of men. We can fish all day, and all night for the things of this world that do not satisfy,but only for a moment. We need to teach others what to fish for, and we need to dive in now. So what are we waiting for? Can you picture your family, the kids at school, your co-workers, people in their cars, the people that do not know Christ?Are we waiting for someone else to do our job? What happens when it is too late, and we don't have another chance? Lets open our eyes to what fishers of men really are. Are you ready to get your feet wet.

Proverbs 3:5-6

"Trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." So many times we tend to try to figure things out on our own. We think we got it all under control, and just when we think we got it, its gone. We tend to look at life through our eyes, the worlds view, but we should be looking with the Lords eyes, and through His word. We are to hide it in our hearts, walk in His ways, and acknowledge Him. Its just all about Him, not us, not me. If it doesnt have to do with eternity,let it go and let God take care if it. We cannot understand everything, we cannot even trust our own "feelings" feelings change day to day, minute by minute. If we can gain Gods wisdom and understanding in much, we are well on our way. He will show us at different times along this road we travel. We cannot learn all in one day, it takes a lifetime of growing in Christ, to really know Him. We have to be able to open our hearts and let Him in and show us our ways, and teach us His wisdom. Lets not waste time being fools. Lets search Gods word, Proverbs is an awesome place to start, its like a phonebook, a dictionary, an encyclopedia, its our roadmap for life. If you were going to go cross country,wouldnt you take a map? If you were training for a new job, wouldnt you study your manual? If your hooking up your new thousand dollar sound system, I believe you would read the instructions. Thats what Gods word is for us. Don't try to figure it out on your own, go to the master, the king of kings, the all knowing. Let Him show us the way.

Walking in a dark place

In this dark world we live in, do you find it easy to walk and find your way? Sometimes it is so hard. We try and try to do what is right, but sometimes the evil in this world seems to get us down. Have you ever just been standing somewhere and felt the evil? I have, I believe we all have. So how do we live in this dark world? We put the light in it. We cannot let the evils of this world get us down,step on us, and try to crush us. Its not always about fixing it, nor is it about winning,its about being the light upon a hill. We cannot change others, but we can show them the way through our example. The next time you enter a dark room, do not be afraid. You can do it, you can conquer anything with Christ on your side. Let Him live in us, and be the witness to the lost. Put on your armor, and face those giants, your never alone, He is in step with you all the way. So make sure your heart is full of joy, fill your mind with Gods word, and you have everything you need.

Love is sacrifice and giving

I have written of my husband before, and no he isn't like Raymand. He is very special, and I am blessed to have him. He is always giving, and I really don't know if I give him as much attention as he deserves. I always have other things to do, during the day, and at night. My husband is out of work right now. He has been for almost eight months. He is such a hard worker, and really liked his job,although he worked at night. He took care of his family, and took pride in that. He not only is out of work, and will never be able to go back to his job,since the company has merged with another, but he is in much pain with a shoulder injury,and is now suffering from vertigo. It has not been an easy road for him. I feel so very proud of him,to get up everyday and go and search for work,that is very humbling for a man to do. No one knows what that feels like unless you have been there. Our family has gone through so much in the last four to five years, but the amazing thing is,is that God always brings us through,and I know with all my heart He has a plan for us. I pray for my husband all throughout the day. Although he is not working and things are hard, he has not given up. He still keeps going, and is trying to care for his family, that I know he loves so very much. He has sacrificed much, and given much to us. I heard someone say today, they would not want a husband, heard another say, she doesn't need one, she is self-sufficiant. I dont have a husband because I need one. I have a husband because we fell in love eighteen years ago, and we share a life together. I couldn't imagine life without him. He has carried me to the hospital, held my hair back as I threw up, cared for me for weeks with migraines, and after many surgeries. He has held my hand when I have been afraid, and has helped me walk when things were hard. He is my partner. He is my friend, and he is someone I respect and think is just amazing to give so much for your family, and never ask for anything in return. I am blessed to have a husband who helps me with everything, and can do just about anything. Thats why he is my best friend,and my husband. Love changes and grows in many different ways as you get older and grow together.Some think it is their job that defines them, makes them who they are. That just simply isnt true. It's who we are inside, that defines us, how we treat others, how we share our love, how we give. My husband does all those things ,and I would define him as a man after Gods own heart. A man who stubbles daily, who stuggles with life, but in this race he never gives up,because he knows God is on his side. I am so proud of him,and hope I make him proud, as I myself stumble and do not always give as I should. Thank you Lord for my husband, a man who strives to always do his best.

fingerprints

Like snowflakes,and animal prints, our fingerprints are one of a kind. They are unique, they are special, and different in their own way. They are beautiful. They all tell a story. Where have your fingerprints been? Have you made a mark on this earth in a special way, or do you keep your gloves on, wash your hands of things and not really pay that much attention to what is around you? God gave us such beautiful gifts to share, we cannot share those unless we place our fingerprints all over the land, and touch those around us.

The Outcast

Years ago people who had leprosy were outcasts. They had to leave their families,and their towns.They felt all alone,carrying the pain with them,with no one to reach out and help, or take a stand.Praise God we do not have leprosy now,but what is a shame,is that we still have outcasts. They are those who serve God, have loving hearts,stand for the right things, and are just themselves,but the thing is, they don't and refuse to fit into a click. They refuse to conform to others ways just to have them like them.They are those who want to grow with the Lord, want to grow in so many ways,and share their faith and friendship with others,but are not allowed to. Why? Because they choose to be different and not conform. It not popularity they are after, its not the cool crowd, its not even being accepted by everyone. Its just plan having respect for you. Having the love and respect that you yourself would want. How do we treat others? Do we make fun,talk about them behind their backs, and even hurt them right infront of them by doing things that you wouldn't want done to you? Everyone deserves to be respected and showed the same compassion and love that we want and give to our closest friends. How many times do we not speak to someone because they are different, maybe they go to a different school, maybe they dress different,live in a different neighborhod, or maybe just if we were friends with them, it would cramp our style,and we just couldn't have that? Should we have any outcasts as christians? Should we be making fun of others,and calling them names to make ourselves feel better? Why is it that we treat people this way? Do we seriously think we are better? As christians we should be the example, we should be the leaders,we should be lifting people up, not tearing them down. No one knows what others are going through, or just how hard life could be for them at the moment,and when those mean people do something that has no character at all, it hurts, and just brings them down that much more. We tend to think its funny,to give a remark to others, or give our opinion when it is not needed. No one thinks about those words or deeds done to others, until it is done to them one day. We dont need outcasts. We need christians to stand with each other, help each other,and change this world together, one person at a time,but before we can do that, many need to take a good look at themselves and see what they are really doing to others.Would you want to be the outcast? I didn't think so,I woudn't either, and nor would any person, christian or not. People should be treated with dignity,and kindness. Have we forgotten what a christian is? Treat others as you want to be treated. Don't stand by and let anyone be an outcast. Just because someone is different or not in the "in crowd", doesnt mean they are less of a person. If anything they are more mature,and they care a whole lot more. The next time you see someone treated unfairly, stand up for what is right. That is the cool thing to do. Its uncool to make someone an outcast.