My Heart to Yours

When something is broke you fix it, right? When you are sick you go to the doctor? If your heart isn’t working properly you may have to have surgery. We all have had broken hearts from time to time and we all have had and continue to recieve wounds. But what do we do with these wounds? What is restoration and why is it so hard to restore relationships? Is it because Satan doesn’t want relationships intact? Is it because the enemy is waiting to kill, steal and destroy? Is it because he wants us to believe we are against each other?

We know that is not true. The Bible clearly tells us that the battle is not with flesh and blood but against the rulers, the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Eph. 6:12) So often we want to fight with each other. We want to point the finger when we have four more pointing back at us. This is exactly what the enemy wants us to believe. He is trying to steal our freedom, kill our hearts and destroy our lives.

Do you have a relationship that needs to be restored? Are you having a hard time loving someone? Are you stubborn and don’t want to make the first move? Pray…. God will lead you to how and when and what to do but first you must get yourself out of His way so He can work.

Trust me! It is so much better to live in harmony and love than with contempt and ill regard. Thank you God for Restoration!

If the truth be told, we today are who we are- if we are anybody- because some woman, somewhere, stooped down long enough that we might climb on her back and ride piggyback into the future.

–Renita Weems, Just a Sister Away

My precious, almost two year old is definately at the “little Miss Independent” stage. In fact she has been there for about six months now. Today, we were headed out the door and I was trying to get her coat on her. She matter of factly told me, “I do it ALL BY MYSELF” and took the coat out of my hands. She worked and worked and tried and tried and got more frustrated as the time went by. She could not do it! I asked her many times, “Olivia, can mommy help you?” “Livy, mommy see’s an easier way.”, “Olivia, don’t cry and get frustrated let me help you, let me at least talk you through it.”

She eventually just gave up and began to cry,so frustrated that she could not make it work ALL BY HERSELF! It was actually an AH HAH moment for me…..

I wonder how often I have forced things to work without God’s help and perhaps found out later that it wasn’t God’s will for me at all. I wonder how many times I have been so independent that I didn’t think I needed His help? I wonder how many times God has said to me, “Child, listen to me, let me help you, I see a better way?”

Open the eyes of my heart Lord, Open the eyes of my heart, I want to see you!!!!

If I were you I would think twice about shopping and supporting Abercrombie and Fitch. Read this article http://www.bpnews.net/bpcolumn.asp?ID=1131

Job 10:20 says, “Are not my few days almost over? Turn away from me so I can have a moment’s joy.”

What brings me joy?

Finding a bargain on clothes. Parking spots close to the store, especially when I have both kids. Hitting all the green lights on the way to church, especially if my husband has made us late. Both kids sleeping in. Making cookies with the kids. Writing a good article. Cooking a delicious dinner.

Dreaming Big! Following my heart and passion. Rocking Olivia to sleep. Dylan’s never ending questions. Olivia’s expnding vocabulary. Pictures that turn out perfect. Finding the kitchen as clean in the morning as I left it the night before. Praying together with my husband. Books that speak my language and touch my heart. Speaking to a group about God and the life we have now!

Long quiet time opportunities. Great conversation with a friend. “You’ve got mail!” A few hours to run errands all by myself. Grand parents and Great-Grandparents who love my children beyond comprehension. The pretty smell of a candle. Songs that remind me of something wonderful, like a friend, God, love or mothering. A quiet car ride even when the kids are with me. Date nights with my husband.

There are so many things that bring me joy. I could go on and on! God is good!

Are you having “one of those days?” Stop whatever you are doing, find a pen and a piece of paper and write down every little thing in your life that brings you joy. Write for five minutes and then read over the list. Maybe this can put a smile back on your face.

“You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand” (Psalm16:11)

My father in law passed away this morning! It definately was not your average Thanksgiving this year. My heart is aching for my husband, his sisters and my mother in law! I am sure this is only the beginning of the grieving process, so much more to come! But, praise God for the celebration they had in heaven today! Praise God that he did not have a long drawn out time of suffering! I praise God for Robert because he was a partner in creating my husband! It has been a very sad day!

Whether it is a loss of a job, friends, home, status, a loved one or a pet, all of us experience loss in one way or another, to one degree or another. Loss can make us bitter or better. Unfortunately, no one likes to talk about it very much. We seem to have an unspoken agreement with others not to talk about our losses. At times, we are not even aware of some of our losses because the effect of the loss is very minor. Other losses, however are felt very deeply and effect us for a lifetime. How we respond to a loss and how we allow those losses to affect us can make a difference for the rest of our lives.

Psalm 23 tells of God comforting those who walk through the “valley of the shadow of death.” During the darkest hours of mourning, God never abandons His people. Isaiah 53 describes the suffering of our Savior. He experienced loss and grief so that He could understand our humanity and die in our place. He was despised and rejected, “a Man of sorrows and aquainted with grief”… He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah. 53:3,5)

In our times of sorrow, we can let Jesus hold us in His compassionate arms, knowing that He understands!

Isaiah 61:3 “To provide for those who grieve in Zion- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garmet of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”

Back home and trying to get back into the swing of things. It has been a long 6 days. Thanksgiving will always be a special time to remember Robert Kuester. We got a card in the mail today and someone wrote to my husband, “He must have been a fine gentleman to have raised a son such as you!”

How true! How true!