Dear God

Dear God,

I pray today that you would enable me to be an example of Christ here on Earth. Fill me with humility, grace and love so that others may come to know you. 

Amen

I car(e) about you!

Each week I like to feature an idea of how to show the love of Jesus through an act of kindness. This week involves a pen, paper, a few kind words and a car.

 

This weeks challenge is to leave a note of encouragement on a random car. I chose the parking lot of my local grocery store. I said a quick prayer asking God to lead me to the correct car, placed my note and left. The rest is up to Him!

 

Below is the note that I left. You may certainly write the same thing or come up with your own. Just follow the lead of your heart.

 

 

-Remember to liveHislove,

Missy

Fear is a 4-letter word

 

We all have fear. Some level of fear is healthy, otherwise we would walk out in front of moving cars or drive straight through a red light. Thinking that each time I go outside a swarm of bees will attack me is not a healthy fear (and quite honestly the theme of a scary movie!).

 

How many times does the bible tell us “Do not fear”? The truth is, a lot. The number itself was pretty difficult to determine based on my googling skills however. The bottom line – it is in the bible enough to be significant. Enough that obviously God wants us to know that it is an important theme.

 

I have come to the conclusion that fear tends to creep into our lives when we try to handle everything on our own. I have a child with special needs in the classroom and it is that time of year again for teacher selection for the following year. A new school year invokes fear in me, and him. How will he adjust to the new teacher? To new students in his class? Will he be nervous for the loud lunch room? Will he have friends in his classroom? How will he do on standardized tests? The devil is really good at helping us to be fearful and giving us the false sense that we can solve all of these questions on our own. This year I will vow to let God handle it. He knows what is best for my child. Sure, I may have to intercede in some situations, but He will prompt me to know when that time is.

 

What fear will you turn over to Him?

 

 

-Remember to liveHislove,

Missy

 

 

 

 

 

Why aren’t you going to church today?

Check out this video. You won’t be sorry….

I’m seeing red!

When I saw this photo online, I was slightly jealous that I didn’t think of this myself. What a great idea!

Blessings can be big or small. Choose to make a difference in someone’s life today!

-Remember to liveHislove,

Missy

Ready, set, run!!!!!!!

This past weekend I completed by 7th 1/2 marathon and it may be my last. It was cold, rainy and miserable. By the end of the race there was literally not a dry spot on my body. I was just …

Friday Feature: Never stop praying

I want you to meet my new friend, Donna. I want you to meet her because her story is both ordinary and extraordinary. Ordinary in the fact that she’s just like you and me-she prays, she has hope for her future and she is an imperfect child of God. She is also extraordinary and here is why…..

Donna and Scott dated for 2 years before getting married. Donna was raised in a household that regularly attended church and her family was full of preachers and believers. Scott, on the other hand, belonged to a church denomination that believed in Jesus solely as a “good person” from the bible and not at the Lamb of God. Regardless of their religious differences, Scott attended church with Donna through their courtship and well into their married years.

Early on in their marriage, Donna began to pray that her husband’s heart would be opened to the word of God and for him to be baptized. The years passed. They made several moves due to Scott’s job and they had a daughter.

And she prayed for her husband

Donna was diagnosed with cancer. Scott mentioned that he couldn’t believe how well she dealt with the diagnosis. She told him that her faith made it possible. He stopped going to church.

And she prayed for her husband

Tragically, their daughter, who had endured many surgeries and health problems, passed away. Donna felt more alone than ever  and longed for the comforting arms of her husband. He wasn’t there for her. As if losing a child wasn’t enough, Donna discovered that Scott was having an emotional affair with another woman.

And she prayed for her husband

At the breaking point and unable to take anymore emotional pain, Donna filed for divorce. One afternoon while Scott was filling out the divorce papers that he had been served, the dialogue started to open up. They decided to give it one last shot and go to marriage counseling. Scott also returned to church.

And she prayed for her husband

The counseling continued and they finally began to understand each other emotionally and trust began to rebuild in their relationship.

And she prayed for her husband

It was Easter Sunday. Donna and Scott headed to church just like any other Sunday. But it wasn’t any ordinary Sunday. At the end of the service, the pastor made an open invitation for anyone wanting to be baptized to come forward. Scott leaned over to Donna, kissed her cheek, said “I love you” and walked to the front of the church to the baptismal pool. According to Donna, that was the most joyous day in her whole life. Scott is a changed man. Before he leaves for work, he kisses her and tells her that he loves her. He even sends her “I love you” texts. That never happened before.

Donna never gave up praying for her husband; even in the hopeless moments she grasped at her faith and to a loving God. Several times during our conversation Donna mentioned the book “Jesus Calling” and paraphrased a passage from the book: “He uses our situations, both good and bad, as an opportunity to draw us closer to Him” For that, she is thankful.

Dear friends, if you are feeling discouraged in your marriage, know that God walks with you no matter your circumstance. He’s with you during your tears, fears and failures. He’s with us always. Thank you God for Donna and her willingness to share her sorrows and triumphs in order to encourage others to find the strength to keep praying. There is power in prayer my friends.

A gracious battle of the lid

Seriously, if I sit down on a pee pee covered toilet seat one more time, I’m gonna lose it!

That was the thought that ran through my head this morning as I got my children ready for school. Several minutes before, my 9 year old son had used the same toilet and obviously I had fallen victim to his inability to LIFT THE LID!!!!! I don’t know how many times I have uttered those words “lift the lid before you pee, please. I do not enjoy sitting down to use the restroom and sitting in your pee”. I know there are millions of mothers across the world who have uttered these same words to millions of little boys who continue to leave the lid down when they pee.

Frustrated,  I finished my bathroom business and started to wash my hands whenI had this thought: Is this how God feels about us? Does he shake his head in irritation when we make the same mistake over and over and over again?

I think not. We can sin every minutes of every day and God still extends grace and forgiveness. Sure, he wants us to learn from our sin and sin no more, but he always forgives. God loves us unconditionally-toilet seat up or down.

-Remember to liveHislove,

Missy

liveHislove

What one thing can you do today to make your spouse’s day better?

Who needs a good, clean laugh?!