God's Hand on My Life

I soo love when I can feel God's hand on me and when I hear Him talking to me.  It can be when I am in prayer, through His Word, through a song on the radio, in a devotional, or even the words of a friend at what is that "perfect timing."  Have you ever been able to see how God orchestrated something to bring you to receiving the message He wanted you to get or even watched how He moved circumstances in a loved one's life? 

Well here is just a couple of examples of what I have been seing God do in my life just in the last few weeks.  A few weeks ago my son Brandon had come to me and asked if we could start  reading the Bible together.  We had done this in the past and so I was very receptive to this and we started  right away and I had him start in the book of 1 Samuel talking about Hannah's story and the prayer that she prayed etc.  I thought this would be a story he would find interesting and so we began.  It was around that time that I also found out that for the youth class he is in they would all be reading the book "The Master Is Calling" by Lynne Hammond.  I was excited about this because I just happen to have my own copy and decided that I would read it with our boys.  Their first assignment was to read Chapters 1 and 2.  (I had already read chapter 1).  We sat down, the three of us, and began to read (out loud) through chapter 1 and when we got to the end of the long chapter we stopped and they said they would read the other by themselves and answer the questions before class. 

In the meantime, I have been struggling with this whole issue of my weight and trying to figure out what to do to get back on track and start working out and become healthier etc.  God has been speaking to me through many different scriptures and devotionals and music etc. and getting me in position to, with His guidance, give this issue to Him so that I am not so overwhelmed and paralyzed by it that I just don't do ANYTHING. 

Today, I decided to read chapter 2 of "The Master Is Calling" and went on break.  In chapter 2 it just happens to talk about the story of Hannah and Samuel and her heartfelt prayer.  I was blown away that Brandon and I had just been reading that and had discussed some of the same points from the scriptures.  Then I read on and it started to talk about getting rid of the clutter in our hearts and giving it to God which is exactly what I need to do with all the emotions and the struggle of my weight.  God happened to have both of these topics in the same chapter of the book that I was reading.   This is just one short example of what God continues to do in my life on a daily basis. These may seem like small things to some but when it is happening on a regular basis and you know how you have been seeking Him......it doesn't matter what anyone thinks :)  He has been wooing me........

These things cause me to what to SHOUT at the top of my lungs that God is real and He is trying to reach each and every person and speak to them and show them what their purpose is for being on this earth.  He wants to tell you that He understands all that you might be going through and knows even the deep dark secrets you think you have hidden in your heart.  He already knows and still loves you.......no matter what!  He will never leave us or forsake us.  He is the ONLY ONE we can truly trust.  When all seems to have fallen apart in your life......you will always have Him! 

Do you feel that longing for something more......that feeling of something missing no matter what you try to do to make yourself happy?  Are you trying to fill that hole in your heart with other things such as food, alcohol, TV, sex, or any other thing that makes you feel good?  The ONLY ONE that can fill that hole.....is God!  He is the one that satisfies that desire deep within your heart!  He is waiting for you to call out to Him.  He has been there the whole time......waiting.  He wants to heal your heart........your pain and hurt.  He wants to listen to you whenever you want to talk.......He is NEVER too busy.......you don't need an appointment with Him!  You don't have to look or act a certain way to be "good enough" for Him.  Come to Him as you are and let Him help you to become the person you were made to BE!

The only way to accomplish what you were born for is to be in Christ, to trust in and rely on Him completely, to ask Him to forgive you for any and every sin you have committed and to ask Him into your heart, to seek Him first before anything or anyone else and to fellowship with Him....spend time with Him getting to really know Him.  Its not just about having a relationship with Him....we have relationships with all kinds of people that we don't really know.  We need to really know Him and know what He has promised in His Word!  He will change your life......I know.....He changed mine! 

My Boy Becomes a Teen.......

My son Brandon just turned 13 the other day...well back in December.  It was with mixed feelings that I wished him a Happy Birthday.  It seems like yesterday that I found out I was pregnant for crying out loud and these years have just blown by. 

Bran and I were sitting on the couch that afternoon and I asked him if he would like to hear the story of when he was born.  He did not think about the question nor hesitate for one second and said "no."  (and then smiled).  I explained to him that it is something that I think about every year and I love to share it.  He doesn't seem to find the same joy in hearing it.  Without his permission....I did express a few memories that were just aching to be shared.

Here are just a few of the happy memories that I think about when his birthday comes around or even when I am just sitting down and look at him or think back:

* It was a surprise when we found out that we were pregnant with Brandon.  We always knew that we wanted at least two kids but hadn't planned out the timing on it.  God knew the perfect timing!!  I wouldn't change it for anything!

* As soon as we found out we were having a boy.....he was affectionately called "Baby Brandon" from that day forward.

* The day (actually early in the wee hours) he was born my son Jared, who was 19 months, decided he wanted to get up at 1:00 am.  Little did we know that when we brought him in bed with us that my water would break as soon as we layed down.  Labor was quick (and painful) and he was born at 4:34 am.

* When I saw Brandon for the very first time...what stood out was the fact that when he cried he stuck his lip out like he was pouting.  It was the cutest thing ever!

* For the record....neither one of my kids looked like lizards when they were born.....just to be straight (for James' amusement).

* As Brandon grew up we had a few different nicknames for him.  Lets see.....Booga and when he had his own band (some day) they could be known as booga and the shoes (he loved to play with shoes) and for a while we called him Gooner.

Well....to be honest maybe I just needed my Mommy share time.....you know......that time that you get to share when your kids are really little and everyone wants to hear.  Even though my kids are older I still love to share about them but I don't want to wear out my welcome :)

So, in summary, I am the proud mother of a 13 year old that has brought such joy to my life over the years and what blessing God given me to be able to be the one that gets to be his mother.  I love you Bran!!