Way Outta The Box

I will be moving to Florida really soon and this seems to take some people by surprise. Not many seem to believe it's really going to happen, which I find very hard to understand. I guess I just expect people to know that once I've made up my mind about something, it's a done deal. But I now realize that for most people, seeing is believing. Trust me...I was the last person to believe that I would ever move away from Johnson City and I never even had the desire to do so in the past. So I know that this is a desire that God has placed within me. It would be so much easier to stay in my familiar territory but I know that my personal growth is coming close to a halt. I need to be challenged in order to continue growing and I honestly believe that I have grown as much as I possibly can in Johnson City, TN. Although I pray for my transition to go smoothly, I am on guard for a bumpy road. It's not easy to relocate to another state (especially with children) but I'm embracing it wholeheartedly. I know I'm relying on nothing but my faith in God and I'll definitely be strengthened in the process. I'm mostly excited to see what's in store but the difficulty of the situation sometimes makes me nervous. I'll NEVER stop needing prayers so please remember me in yours!

We All Need It!

It's hard to forgive and maybe even impossible to forget...but it must be done. In order for us to receive mercy, we must be merciful. And while we're at it, we might as well be gracious too because none of us are worthy enough for grace.

Grace gives to us the things which we DO NOT deserve...Mercy keeps us from what we actually DO deserve.

Yes...It's True

I have found myself once again single but never have I been this happy after a break-up. I guess that's what happens when you're truly happy before starting the relationship. What can I say...it just wasn't meant to be. There are a number of valid reasons why I ended the relationship but it all comes down to one thing...I felt like I was settling. My heart was not content. I often ask myself, "Am I expecting too much...perfection maybe?" But I don't think so. I just know what I want and I won't settle for less! To do so would put limitations on God. I need someone who challenges me to be my absolute best, and I definitely do NOT want to lead a man (I have enough children). He should be leading me...AND in the right direction. The guy I was dating was not a terrible guy...just not for me. And there are no bad feelings between us.

I will admit that my standards are a little high for a single mother of three, but hey...I now know my value. There's something to be learned from everyone that God allows to come into your life. So I will take what I have learned and use it to make improvements on myself.

~Nothing Like a Broken Heart~

Have you heard the saying, "Never waste a good crisis?" I think the same should be said of a broken heart. Whether it be the loss of a loved one, betrayal from a significant other, the end of a friendship, grief is the worst and the best thing that could happen to us. The pain is like no other and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. But the pain will bring us to our knees and sometimes that's exactly where we need to be. God can do so much work on us if we go to Him when we're brokenhearted and I firmly believe that sorrow makes the heart good. I pray that everyone experiencing a broken heart right now will not become overcome with grief...but will overcome the grief!

All of God's children gotta crown...

Aren't you glad that once God gives us a crown, NOBODY can take it away?!? Over the years, I've seen a few women in these pageants either lose their crown, or have it almost taken away (which is happening to Miss CA now). She got her crown...some unpleasant things surfaced from her past...her crown is now in jeopardy. I'm so glad I serve a forgiving God who washes my sins away. Once I'm forgiven, I don't have to worry about anything in my past coming to the surface. Gods know me inside and out! We've all done things in our past that we're not proud of and may even be shameful about. And you better believe that the enemy will use those things to bring us down and make us feel like we're unforgivable. But the enemy is a lie!!! Though he may try, he can't take away the crown that God has given us. You can give it to him if you want to, but he can't take it. Jesus died for ours sins! We can't let that sacrifice be in vain by believing we're beyond forgiveness. We must confess, repent, and turn away from the things that are holding us back from God. The Lord will then see right past our faults and provide every one of our needs. So I don't know about you, but I'm gonna rock my crown...and with confidence!!! Knowing that in spite of all my shortcomings and indiscretions, no one can take away what God has given me!

He's NEVER running late!

I don't think anyone would disagree that life is difficult sometimes. If you're doing wrong...it's hard! If you're doing right...it's even harder because the enemy is always trying to bring you down. Life is a constant struggle which must be fought until our last breath is taken. Some battles we will win and some battles will be lost. Some battles aren't ours to be fought but we cause ourselves unnecessary pain by fighting them anyway. And hopefully we can find the courage and strength to fight the battles that are inevitable. Regardless of the number of battles we encounter or how many wounds we may accrue, I find peace in the fact that the war has already been won! So really the only thing we must do is persevere. Just keep fighting! To give up is an automatic loss and who wants to lose by default?! I know I don't, so I pray frequently for the motivation to keep going. God will never put more on us than we can bear, but honestly, I think He cuts it pretty close sometimes. I have no problem whatsoever with giving my burdens to the Lord! I have a problem with leaving them there and letting go. At times I will try to take my burdens back and handle them myself until I remember...I can't handle ANYTHING without God. He knows what I need and exactly when I need it! And what's even better than that is...He's always on time! Thank You Jesus!

It NEVER ends!

I try my best not to get sucked into the vicious cycle of technology because I know once you've upgraded, it's very difficult to go back down. I also find it overwhelming (not to mention expensive) to keep up with what's new. As soon as you get the hot new item, a newer and hotter item hits the market. It's crazy! No, ridiculous really! I have a HDTV and I wonder how I ever watched the old glaring glass sets. I also have a Blackberry and I don't think I could function properly with just a regular cell phone anymore. Can you believe that we used to exist without cell phones period?!? I think the navigation system is one of the best inventions and when traveling out of town, I find it necessary to use a GPS. I'm really amazed that we ever got along without them anyway. Who has time to read a map, right? Although there has been some pretty amazing creations over the decades, the fax machine is the only one that really astounds me personally. Don't ask me why I find it more incredible than the rest! I've used Joseph's Ipod a few times but have yet to get one of my own. I know I'm on the late show but I'm trying to hold out as long as I can. After experiencing the convenience of an Ipod, I know that it's only a matter of time before the CD will become as extinct as the 8 track.

We humans are so impatient and it seems that we think "the faster, the better." We shouldn't be surprised that the years just fly by and lives seem to be shorter and shorter. I try my best to appreciate technology and all the advantages it brings to us. But I believe it brings to us a lot of pressure as well. You either have to keep up, or you get left behind. No one wants to be left behind but not everyone is in a position to keep up. And now that we are in a recession there are retired people who are finding it necessary to go back to work. The ones who did not keep up with technology are the ones having a difficult time finding good employment. It doesn't seem fair but that's just how it is. So although I'm reluctant and I hold out as long as I can on acquiring what's new, I realize how important it is to stay with the current. God has given us some brilliant minds but my hope is that our hearts are even more brilliant. The truth is, there should not be one starving child in this country. In my opinion, any country that can figure out how to put a man on the moon can surely figure out a way to make sure every mouth is fed.