Be Careful What You Pray For...

“Be careful what you wish for ‘cause you just might get it all, you just might get it all – and then some you don’t want…” ~ Daughtry

I was listening to a song entitled “Home” by the group, Daughtry. A certain section of lyrics in the song particularly stood out…

“Be careful what you wish for ‘cause you just might get it all, you just might get it all – and then some you don’t want…”

Have you ever wanted something so badly – you know the kind of “want” where you squeeze your eyes shut as hard as you possibly can and earnestly begin to beseech God for it?

You know, the “Oh please God, please God,please God – Puuuuuuhleaaaase God!” kind of prayer? And as you go about your life waiting for an answer, you hear silence. So you pray it again. “Come on Lord, please! I’m waiting! Oh I want this soooooo bad. Please make it happen!”

And still all you hear is silence… You scratch your head wondering when your answer will come through. And as you wait, you find yourself really thinking about what it was that you were praying for… 

That’s when the “maybes” start to filter in… “Well maybe there is more to this than what I can see…” 

You start to think. Then you start to doubt if you should even want what it was you were requesting in the first place. Then, if you have a wild imagination (like I do) – you start picturing just what it would be like if God did answered your prayer… And maybe that prayer request begins to not look so appealing anymore…

The truth is, the Bible tells that we only see in part… In fact 1 Corinthians 13:12 says:

 “For now we see only a reflection, as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall now fully even as I am fully known.”

In other words, we don’t see the “whole” picture. We see – in part. Only part of it; Not the full story, not the total outcome. Just a tiny piece of it…

Hmmmm… That has got me thinking, how about you? I am a mom. Part of my mommish job is to hear the hundreds of requests my kids have each day. My mother use to tease us when I was little and say she made up the parent song. Which goes:

“Gimme, gimme, can I have, will you loan me, can I borrow?” 

These requests range anywhere from buying something from the store, going to a friend’s house, doing an event, etc.” There are some that I say yes to, and some that I say no. God, being our Father, does the same thing… And here's the thing - the last part of that verse is "then I shall now fully even as I am fully known." God FULLY knows you!  He's got your best interest at heart. He KNOWS you.  He sees the WHOLE picture.  We only see a tiny little piece.  Maybe seeing the whole thing would be more than we could handle? Maybe it is God's grace which allows us to only see a little part?  I know that there are parts of my life that if God would have shown me - I would have turned tail and ran and said, "uh uh - not ME Father!!!"

I have found myself thinking during those times that I’ve been waiting on the answer of a prayer request, “What would it be like, if God said yes to this request?” Sometimes the different outcomes that I visualize, doesn't seem as appealing as how it started out...

“Father God? Ummmmm… This is me… Yeah, remember that request? You know the one, the one I’ve been bugging you about? Well, could you please just forget about it? I’ve changed my mind… I don’t want it anymore… And Father? Thank You…”

The “part” that you didn’t see was the Holy Spirit watching you, nodding His head and smiling a “mission accomplished” kind of smile…

A Letter From God to You

A LETTER FROM GOD TO YOU

 

This letter is many Bible Promises from God to you. Read the Bible as if was written to you because it was.

Taken from Seek God Ministries (www.seekGod.org)

 

To My precious child:

Because I knew even before I created the earth that you would accept My love for you, and that you would seek to know Me thus…

In the beginning I created the heavens and the earth. Then at the right time and in the right place I created you. I created your inner most being, I created every part of you, I knit you together in your mother's womb. You were carefully and wonderfully made; my works are wonderful, and you My precious child are my work. My eyes saw your unformed body. All the days planned for you were written in my book before one of them came to be. How precious are my thoughts for you, How great is the number of them! If you were to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.

 

Listen to me, My precious child; I created you and have cared for you since before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime, until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you. I will carry you in my arms, holding you close to my heart. For I know the plans that I have for you plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

 

My precious child there are some times of suffering in your life. But the temporary suffering of this life does not compare to the glory that shall be revealed in you. Know this that I am with you and I will help you. Your help comes from me, I am the God who created the heavens and the earth, and the one who created you. I will never leave you, I will never reject you. When your parents fail you I will pick you up, hold you close, and adopt you. Nothing can ever separate you from my love for you. When you are in trouble and distress my love is with you. When you are persecuted my love is with you. When you are hungry and cold and naked my love is with you, I am always with you. When you are in danger and threatened with death my love is with you, I will be with you forever.

 

My precious child know that nothing can separate you from my love, no matter how high you go, no matter how deep you sink, nothing in life and not even death can separate you from Me, and My love for you. No demon or any other power in hell can separate you from my love. My love for you is revealed through Christ Jesus your Lord. In all things and every situation you will have victory, you will conquer, because the victory of Christ Jesus is your victory.
 

But now, My precious child, I the LORD, who created you and formed you, says: Do not be afraid, for I have purchased you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, they will not over flow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. I command you to be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid; do not be dismayed, for I, the LORD your God will be with you everywhere you go.

 

My precious child, know that everything will work together for your good, because you love me. You have been called according to my purpose. For I knew you before you were born and I predestined you to be conformed to the likeness of my Son, Jesus Christ. This is your destiny, and this is your purpose, that you become one with my Son Jesus, and thus one with me. I created you in my image so that you and I can express love to each other. The most intimate relationship you can have is with me because you and I are becoming one. You and your brothers and sisters that believe in me are becoming one with Jesus, and thus one with me. You in me, and me in you, together, unified by my love for you. You were designed for this purpose, nothing else will ever satisfy your deepest needs, your deepest desires, only I can. Because you seek to know me I satisfy your heart with love, joy, and peace that only I can give you.
 

My precious child if you should forget me, and enter into sin, and not turn back to Me on your own then I will punish you. Because your sin will separate you from feeling My presence, and My influence, and I want you to return to your first love, the One who loves you. I the Lord discipline those I love, and I punish everyone who I accept as my child. Just as a good Father disciplines His children to turn them away from a dangerous path, so I shall discipline you for your good, that you may share in My holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
 

My precious child, When you confess your sins, I am faithful and just and will forgive you of your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. In repentance and resting in Me is your salvation, in quietness and trusting Me is your strength. I will create in you a clean heart and renew a right spirit within you. I will not send you away from My presence, and I will not take My Holy Spirit from you. I will restore again the joy of your salvation, and make you willing to obey Me. Then you will teach My ways to sinners, and they will return to Me also. Humble yourself, therefore, under My mighty hand, that I may lift you up at the right time.

 

My precious child do not forget all my benefits, I forgive all your sins and heal all your diseases, I rescue your life from the pit of destruction and crown you with love and compassion. I satisfy your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles. I The LORD work righteousness and justice for all the oppressed; I The LORD am compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. I will not always accuse, nor will I harbor my anger forever; I do not treat you as your sins deserve or repay you according to your iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is My love for you because you fear Me; as far as the east is from the west, so far have I removed your transgressions from you.

 

My precious child, call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. Always pray to Me about your every concern, pray from your mouth and pray from your heart, I hear every thought that you think. Everything that you care about, I care about also because it concerns you. Cast all your cares and anxiety on Me because I love you. Trust in Me, the LORD YOUR GOD, with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding; In everything acknowledge Me, And I will direct your paths. Do not worry about anything, but in everything big or small, by prayer, with thanksgiving, present your requests to Me, the Most High God. And I will give you My peace in your heart, peace that is beyond all human understanding, and it will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus. Always be joyful. Keep on praying always. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is My will for you because you belong to Me.

 

My precious child, Study My Book of law and truth, the Holy Bible, do not let My words depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. My words are Spirit and they are Life. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you will, and it will be given you. For the word of God is living and powerful. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. The most important thing you will ever own is your Bible because it gives you knowledge of Me, The Most High God. It makes the poor rich, it gives hope to the hopeless, faith to the fearful, food to the hungry, water to the thirsty, love to the despised, comfort to the lonely, freedom to the prisoner, health to the sick, light in the darkness, and life to the dying.
 

My precious child I have set up circumstances and situations in your life to cause you to seek Me and find Me. I desire that you know Me. I am The Lord your God, full of compassion, and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But My precious child glory in this, That you understand and know Me, That I am the LORD, exercising compassion, lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight and take pleasure.
 

All things are created for My pleasure and My pleasure is to show forth loving compassion. I have compassion on the poor and needy, and I am a Father to the fatherless, I help them, and I defend them. Far below Me are the heavens and the earth, I stoop to look down, and I lift the poor from the dirt and the needy from the garbage dump and I set them among princes. My precious child I want you to do these things also, have compassion on the poor and needy and help them, this is what it means to know Me. For I am Love, and when you live in love, you live in Me, and I live in you. Loving compassion is good, and this is what I require from you, to do what is right, to love compassion, and to walk humbly with your God.

 

As a father has compassion on his children, so I your LORD have compassion on you because you fear Me; for I know how you were formed, I remember that you are dust. Forever and ever My love is with you because you fear Me, and My righteousness with your children's children; with those who keep My covenant and remember to obey My laws. My law is to love. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments all of My laws are based. When you walk in love you are obeying all My laws. When you walk in Love you are walking in My Holy Spirit for I AM LOVE!

 

My precious child come and live in My shelter, in the protection of the Most High God, you will find rest in the presence of the Almighty. You will say, "This I declare of the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him." My precious child I will rescue you from every trap and protect you from the fatal plague. I will shield you with My wings. I will shelter you with My feathers. My faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor fear the dangers of the day, nor dread the plague that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. But you will see it with your eyes; you will see how the wicked are punished.

 

Because you My precious child make the LORD your refuge, because you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your dwelling. For I order My angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone. You will trample down lions and poisonous snakes; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

 

My precious child, My servant, and My friend, whom I have chosen, I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will hold you up with my righteous right hand. All who come against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, for I myself will help you declares the LORD, your Redeemer. You will rejoice in the LORD and glory in the Holy One of Israel.

 

My precious child, when you asked Me to forgive your sins and come into your heart I sent My Holy Spirit into you to comfort you, to give you power, and as proof to you that I have adopted you as My child. The Holy Spirit shall lead you into all truth because He shall testify of Jesus, and He will give you power to testify of Jesus. I will speak to you through My Holy Spirit that is in you, He will tell you what is right and wrong, what is love and hate. My Holy Spirit is a gentle whisper inside your heart telling you the path to walk in. If you walk in My Spirit you will walk in love, you will not sin. And you will see great and mighty things happen before you, they will not be accomplished by strength, nor by outside force, but by My Spirit says the LORD ALMIGHTY. Through My Holy Spirit I shall give you supernatural gifts that you may be blessed, and that you shall bless others through demonstrating My love for them. My Holy Spirit will be with you through out your whole life, and after I will receive you into My glory.

 

I your LORD say to you I will rescue you because you love me. I will protect you because you trust in my name. When you call on me, I will answer; I will be with you in trouble. I will rescue you and honor you. I will satisfy you with a long life and give you my salvation. Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me. It is your destiny.

Soul Hunger



Are You Fully Prepared to Battle Those Things That Keep You from Experiencing God's Best in Your Life?

I woke up this morning - the "worries" were waiting for me to open my eyes to harrass me, but I refused to listen and began to silently pray.  God has felt so far away from me - but as I sat there trying to collect my thoughts, I realized it is not God who is far from me - but ME who has been far from God... Part of the process of moving forward down the pathway home from a prodigal moment.  I thought I was experiencing the spirit of fear - but as I woke up and began to go about my day, I realized that actually what I am feeling - is a deep hunger for God.  Do you know the kind I'm talking about?  It is kind of like that feeling when you are famished.  Your belly aches because you are hungry.  My spirit aches.  I am hungry for God.  The problem is I am having a hard time cutting all the weeds of distraction out of the way so that I can just quietly get before Him.

Do you remember the scene in Disney's "Sleeping Beauty" when the spell goes into affect and the Princess and all who are in the castle are sound asleep, and thorns and briars begin to surround the castle?  The scene where the Prince while riding through the forest is taking his sword and slashing the thorns and branches out of his way so he can get to his goal - the princess?  I've been thinking that at times we need to be steadfast in slashing those distractions and things keeping us from "God's best" out of the way, but we need to do it using our "Sword of the Spirit."  Ephesians Chapter 6 talks about our spiritual armor.  How many times in our rush to get out the door and get our day started have we forgotten to put our armor on?  We remember to get washed up and dressed in clothes every day (who of us walks out the door naked???) but we need to also remember to put on our spiritual armor.  It is as follows:

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, the breast plate of righteous in place and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes with the gospel of peace. In addition to all this take up the sheild of faith, which with you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit which is the word of God and pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people." (Ephesians 6:13-6:18)

I realize in writing this how many times I have walked out the door spiritually naked.  This makes us vulnerable to the attacks of the evil one.  How ridiculous I feel writing this, as I would never walk out the door physically naked to start my day.  Our spiritual armor protects our most vulnerable parts - one of which is our heart.  In attacking all those distractions, worries, thoughts that would distract us from starting our day off on the right foot and feeling close to God, experiencing that peace that passes all understaind - we need to be fully clothed in our spiritual armor.  Prodigals already feel vulnerable.  Raw, anxious, on edge as we make that trek back home to the Father.  We especially need to put on our armor.

I realized that the ache I am feeling is not coming from my "belly" but from my Spirit.  I can fully understand why I am crying out like David:

"Why my soul are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God." (Psalms 43:5).

There is a part of us - the center of us that was made to fellowship with God. It is a hunger that we often drown out with the busyness of life or we mistake that longing for something else... We think if we fill it with food or with drugs or with alcohol or with another person - that it will subside.  But the truth IS we were made to worship and love God.  There is a part of us - our soul that cries out for Him.  For His purpose, for His love for fellowship with HIM.  There is nothing that can feed that soul hunger except to be in union with Him.  When we are not - we become famished.  Are you famished?  I am famished for my Father.  I am tired of distractions, worries, insecurities getting in the way of what He has for me.  It is time to utilize that spiritual armor.  But in doing so - keep in mind that not only must we be fully clothed in that armor - but the most important part - is to PRAY.  Prodigals need to PRAY.  Sometimes that is the hardest thing to do because your "rawiness" or awareness of your prodigal situations (past or present) get in the way and the enemy whispers in your ear that you "aren't worthy to go before the Father."  Especially if you are struggling with something trying to hold you back as you journey back home to the Father.  There may be something trying to keep you from going forward.  For me - it has been a soul tie.  Yes those are real.  But this is where the Word of God (which is the Sword of the Spirit) comes in hand... This is where you use that sword and quote your promises outloud.  Jesus said:

"Come now let us settle the matter, though your sins are scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, though they are as red as crimson, they shall become like wool." (Isaiah 1:18) 

There are certain ties and binds that we do not have the strength on our own to break or fight.  This is where we need the Lord.  I love the fact that scripture in particular starts off with "Come now, let us settle the matter" - because it shows communication and discussion.  Jesus cares and He is listening.  Often a prodigal doesn't feel as though ANYONE cares or ANYONE understands.  But Jesus does.  There is such peace in that...  As I write this post I can feel God's peace starting to fill my soul.  This is why it is important to have your spiritual armor on, to pray and to get into God's presence.

The end result is that it may not be "Prince Charming" who stands over your bed - but it will be "The Prince of Peace" that stands over your life and takes your hand in His and guides you down the pathway of life - promising to never leave nor forsake you... Now I don't know about you - but that certainly sounds like a better ending than any I've seen in any Disney movie... Doesn't it?

Although you may not realize it.  You were created for a purpose...  You were.

The Creator knit you together in your mother's womb. (Psalms 139:13).

You may not even have realized it.  There is a purpose for your life.

There is a part of you that was made for one purpose.  ONE. And probably for most of your life you have been trying to fill it with things it wasn't meant to be filled with...  Deep within the very essence that is YOU - there exists a need a desire that can only be filled with one thing.  You will *never* be whole without it.  Until you recognize what it is.

That need is for God.  Your God.  Your Creator. Your Father.

What have you been trying to fill it with?  Because you and I both know it hasn't worked.  You can fool yourself for a period of time and *pretend* that it did, but you will always come back to point A because that precious spot deep inside of you was made with one purpose in mind.  To LOVE God.  To Worship God.  To NEED God. To Want God.  And it is not until you allow Him to flood the very center of your being that you will know that that is what you were lacking ALL ALONG.  When you allow Him to come into your life.  When you invite Him into your heart - not because someone TELLS you to.  Not because it is a "family tradition" to. But because you recognize  you NEED Him.  Be honest.  Not because you have to admit it to anyone else.  But to yourself.  You will never know true contentment.  True peace, true love - never be able to fill up that void deep inside of you that was made for ONE purpose only - until you admit to yourself that YOU NEED GOD.  You need Him.  That's the truth.  No matter what you try to fill that special God Given space within the very essence of you.  You will NEVER feel completely whole until you do.  And when you reach that point.  When you, like a dog having spent many hours chasing his tail - get tired of trying to fill that space with ALL OTHER STUFF.  When you reach a point where you can truly say "God I NEED YOU."  Then when He floods that spot with His Holy Spirit - and you feel such joy.  Such Peace, Such love - like nothing you can compare.  You will know that that one part of You - the very essence of you. Was reserved for Him and only Him. With God the only thing you will want more of - is Him...

Close your eyes and talk to God. Pray "Father, I need you." Even if you don't know what difference this prayer will make in your life. Pray it - and then sit back and see...

YOU are reserved for HIM.  It's time you knew it... And once you have experienced Him, you will wonder what took you so long in the first place.  He is and always has been your first love - you JUST didn't know it...

Humpty Dumpty Moments



Pride Before a Fall (Proverbs 16:18)

Humpty Dumpty moments... Have you had one? Come on, be honest with yourself… I know I have…

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)

We have all heard the story of Humpty Dumpty, haven't we? 
Ask yourself this - How close are you to falling off the edge of the wall of your own life? And are you even aware of the fact that you are sitting on the very edge?

In one shocking moment, you’re free falling…

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the King's horses,
All the King's men couldn't put Humpty together again.

There you lay waaaaaaaay down on the ground looking up at the distance of how far you’ve fallen. You are absolutely incredulous.

"How did this happen? Why did this happen? What happened?"

Your thoughts are as shattered as your being.

“This can’t be happening to me… Things like this don’t happen to me, they happen to someone else. I must be dreaming.  That’s it – this isn’t real. I’m dreaming…”

You lay there with no idea of how much time has passed, willing yourself to wake up from this dreadful dream so that you can just shake it off and laugh over it by sharing the “dream” with a friend. Yet the dream doesn’t go away and you don’t wake up. It’s not a dream, it’s real and you don’t know what to do.

Soon you can hear the rumbling of the ground, even from as far below as you are, the sound of hoofs hitting the pavement above.  Before long the King's men peer out at you from over the top of the wall.

“Help me!!!!” You cry out, relieved that help has finally arrived.

They look long and hard at you from waaaaaaay above.

“Help you?” The leader responds.

“Yes! Help me!” You cry out somewhat exasperated wanting to stamp your foot if only it wasn’t over there… Somewhere...

“Well if I help you – who will help ME?” The leader questions eyeballing the distance from the wall to the ground, “What if I fall because YOU fell?” He adds, backing up. And in following his lead the others back up as well.

“Well if you don’t help me, who will?” You cry out in despair.

"Clearly you brought this all on yourself.” One of the King’s men calls down.  “This is your fault.  You did it; you fell and now look at you.” He waves his hand in disgust at your scattered pieces.  “What an absolute mess!”

“It serves you right!” Yells down another, “Why should I lower myself down to your level and risk my own life to help you out? No thank you! I have my own life to consider!”

“Maybe you were pushed!” Another King’s men suggests. “What did you do to make someone push you off that wall?”

“You must have done something to deserve this.” Calls down another, “If I were you, I would sit there and look back on my life and see what I did to find myself in such a predicament. You must be being punished for something you’ve done.”

Oh how the taunts and jabs continue, on and on they went looking down their pompous noses at your scattered pieces, not trying to help, not caring that you could hear every single word they said.

One by one the King's men turned their horses around and go about their merry way. And although you can no longer see them from your lowly position of below the wall, you can imagine the slander, gossip and stories that will be told throughout the town of the state they found you in.

If not for the noisiness of your own thoughts, all would be quiet...

"Maybe it is my fault… Perhaps I was over confident in my life. Perhaps I became too cocky and prideful and maybe even judgmental and so sure of myself. Never in a million years did I ever think this is where I would be… No one can help me now, it’s hopeless, I don’t see a way out. I suppose I shall lie here and die.”

“You will not die. The number of your days shall be fulfilled." (Exodus 23:26)  "I can help you.”

“Great, I’m really losing it now.” You say out loud. “I’m losing my mind on top of everything else…”

“Are you ready to listen to me? Or will you drown me out as you’ve done in the past by covering my voice up with excuses or with the noisiness of your life? If you had listened to me up there on the wall, you would not be in the physically broken state you are in.”


“Go ahead! Taunt me as the King’s men have! Kick me when I’m down! There is nothing you can say that is any different from what I’ve already heard!” You cry out wishing you had arms to fling out in frustration but they are located way over there somewhere...

“How about, I love you? How about, though your sins are scarlet I shall make them white as snow.”(Isaiah 1:18)

The words are healing. They begin to soothe you, like a mother soothes a fussy child. You’re fully listening.

“I came so that you could have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10), yet you thought you knew better than I what that abundance in your life should be. So against my better judgment, I let you. I wanted you trust in me with all your heart and not to lean on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6), I wanted you to acknowledge me in all your ways. Yet you never made time for me. The more I tried to show my love for you, the more you allowed the noise of your life to drown me out. There have been many times in your life where I have had to sit back and watch you – fall.  I’ve been waiting for you to call upon my name. Yet you didn’t.  And the louder your life has gotten the quieter my voice has become.”

It’s true, you think. And so obvious, there is no denying it.  “Okay.” You say. “What choice do I have?”

“You have always had a choice.  You just haven’t chosen the wisest ones.”

“I’m listening…”

The Holy Spirit continues to speak words of love and healing and direction over you and as you lay there intently listening, receiving and nodding in agreement with the words He says, your pieces start to fly together from where they are strewn and hold fast until all of you is as you once were, whole. As God had originally created you to be, yet there is something that is now a part of you that wasn’t before…

His peace.
His wonderful, beautiful peace – that passes ALL worldly understanding and comes only from Him.

You rise up a new creation.

“Remember all I have said to you,” The Lord says.  “The truth is Humpty, you were broken on the inside before you even fell off that wall.  You just didn’t know it. Sometimes I have to allow situations in your life to happen, because it is the only way I can get your undivided attention; bring you to a point where you can truly see that the only answer is ME.  For without Me, whether you admit it or not – you are broken.  You are lost and there is NO ONE who can put you back together again.  Not yourself, not anyone else – only ME.  To try to find another way is useless.  For I am the way, the truth and the life; No one comes to the Father, except by Me.” (John 14:6). It takes some people their whole life to realize the truth of My words – if at all.  There has always been a plan for your life and all you have ever needed to do – is acknowledge me and heed it.”

Psalms 18:33-36 fills your head as you walk back up to where you had fallen off that wall and peer down at the distance you had fallen.

“He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me; your help has made me great. You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way.”

And you rejoice and thank God for His forgiveness, His grace, His mercy, His patience and most of all His love and that the best, safest place to be – is in His presence in His good and perfect will.  With that realization you also realize that life is a journey and during those times when you feel “broken” all you need to do is call on His name and He will restore you.

 “I will restore to you the years that the Locust has eaten.” (Joel 2:25)

He calls you "His Beloved" because He loves you, and whether or not you are aware of it - you belong to Him.

The Worries

The worries woke me up this morning... They are the ugly black creatures that wait until the wee hours of morning to harass you and wake you up from your sleep whispering in your ear... "How are you going to resolve this problem or this one.... or this one... or this one..."  They steal your peace and fill you with fear and well - worry.  The more of an ear you give them, the louder and more aggressive they become.  Their biggest trick is to taunt you, often times repeating the same thing over and over again..."You have to take care of A,B,C - but you can't... Because all you have is this... How are you going to do it? You can't.. There will be ramifications... You are in trouble..."  They get louder and louder because they are "faith drowners."  If you listen to the worries, the voice of your faith becomes a whisper until it blows out like a fire that becomes nothing more than an ember and if you're not careful they can totally blow the fire of your faith out until all that is left is smoke.

Worries  can only become as big as you allow them to get.  If you give them your undivided attention they grow, bigger and bigger and bigger!  They make your heart palpitate and ruin any enjoyment you might get from a day.  They drown out everything around you until you are consumed with them. Like a tornado they can destroy everything good in your life.  Wiping out family moments, or enjoying the small things in life because all you can see is the darkness of the worries and the more you give them room - pretty soon they are all you can focus on. All you can see is their blackness, they choke out anything good around you and rob you of the simple things in life. Their job is to steal from you - peace, joy, love, contentment, happiness.  They fill you with stress, heart palpitations, health issues and sometimes turn you into a person full of bitterness instead of one of faith.

How do you combat the worries when they come flooding into your mind? Sometimes having someone to share them with helps to make them shrink down into the little itty bitty things they really are. Two heads are better than one, sharing your worries helps sometimes helps put them in perspective. 

The most powerful slayer of worries, is the Word of God.  The best way to combat the worries is to quote scriptures out loud.  Sometimes the louder you quote your promises, the bigger your faith becomes and the worries shrink.  Lift EACH worry up to the light of your Heavenly Father in prayer, because He is BIGGER than ANY worry that can harass you.  How to handle worries are even addressed in the bible:

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more than food? And the body more than clothes? (Matthew 6:25)

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?" (Luke 12:26)

"I sought the Lord and He heard me, and delivered me from ALL my fears." (Psalms 34:4)

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones." (Proverbs 3:5-8)

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19) 

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13)


We choose how we live life.  We can allow "the worries" to overwhelm us and take over and live our lives in worry and fear - or we can choose to recognize those worries, sort out the things we can change and pray about those things we have no control over.  The choice is ours. Worries are thieves that try to enter our mind and rob us of all the good things in life.  John 10:10 tells us that "God came so that we could have life and have it MORE abundantly."  Who do you choose to listen to? The Author and Creator of life? Or the worries that are nothing more than annoyances that try to deplete us of the enjoyment of life that God has so abundantly given us? 

L'Chaim - To life!  Choose life!  When the worries flood your mind - combat them by "changing your mind."  Watch them dissipate as you concentrate your mind on your blessings instead of on your lack.  Darkness cannot abide with light.  As you begin to think of all the many ways that you are blessed those little dark "worries" will run in fear, for they cannot stand when you replace them with recognizing ALL the blessings you have in your life.  They will flee. Try it and see and watch God as He blesses you with an increase of faith, mercy, grace and appreciation for ALL the good that is in your life. 

"Worries - be gone! I've no room in my mind for you today as I concentrate on all that is good and right in my life. I give you no more power over my mind. You may not steal any more moments of my life or take away my peace of mind! Be ye gone! I cover you with the blood of Jesus. In Jesus name! AMEN!"

Are You in the Middle of a Jonah Moment?

What does God have to do to "capture" your undivided attention?

 

I wonder what Jonah thought as he sat in the belly of that whale.  I imagine him sitting with his back against a side of the belly wall resting his head in his hands wondering how he had gotten into this “fine kettle of fish.”  Did he sit there berating himself for all his past mistakes that led up to where he was? I’m sure he must have felt hopeless as he sat there, incredulous that he was actually in the belly of a whale.  No human answer to appease the situation.

Although I have never found myself in the “belly of a whale” I have found myself in situations that no matter what angle I looked at it – seemed “hopeless” and like there was no way out.   Ironically, most of those “deep belly” situations are situations that we have allowed ourselves to walk straight into.  I often wonder if God watches us like we watch a movie… Like the scenes in a movie where the person is about to face danger or make an unwise decision, do you think God watches us and says, “No! No! Don’t take that left!  Don’t go in there!”  But stupidly blind we do just that, and then we wonder how we got where we were in the first place…

I’m quite sure that all Jonah could do while he sat in the belly of that whale, was pray.  He couldn’t run from God anymore – there was no place to run!  He was at a point where all he could do was reflect on what had gotten him there and pray that God would deliver him.   Can you imagine what it was like? No doubt it was wet, cold and dark and probably very lonely.  I imagine he could feel the body of the whale moving as the creature moved throughout the depths of the sea.  I’m sure Jonah was incredulous that he was still alive.  I imagine the only thing he could do to keep his sanity was to pray – to talk to God. And God obviously wanted Jonah's undivided attention to use one of the earth's biggest creatures to capture him so that he would finally be still and listen!  What does it take for God to capture your attention?  What does He have to do to bring you to a point where the distractions and noise are at a minimum and you are finally willing to listen to what it is He has to say?  Sometimes we are surrounded with so much noise from our lives that we are missing what it is God has to say to us because we don't know how to "be still and know He is God."

There have been times in my life when I have “run from God.” Either because I’m being wayward and like a spoiled disobedient child who “just wants her way” or because I have wandered off the pathway and gotten lost – like a dumb sheep.  So lost that not unlike what it must have been like for Jonah – all I can do once I’ve gotten tired of going around in circles, is to sit down, get quiet and talk to God.  The talking to Him is sometimes as difficult as the wandering.  Sometimes I haven’t known where to start in the conversation…

“Lord?  It’s me… Ummm… I’m kind of lost… With my words and in my walk… I’m really glad you know my thoughts before I even think them because – I’m not sure I  even understand them myself at this point… I need your help Father. I don’t know who else to turn to… Please help me.  Please forgive me.  Please guide me…”

I believe God honors prayers that come from the heart.  No matter the situation or how we got to that point. I believe that God allows us to be “dumb sheep” and go through a situation because it will humble us and make us even more aware that we need Him.   Perhaps He just wants to hear it from us. 

I have no doubt that even as Jonah sat contemplating his fate, not knowing what was going to happen, speaking most likely from his heart to God and finally ready to listen, that unbeknown to Jonah that whale was already on route towards land, where God would have Jonah vomited up upon the earth – with finally a clearer understanding of what God wanted, and the right mindset to go forth with the calling God had chosen him to do.

God has a calling on each of our individual lives.  We can either “go with the tide” or fight it every step of the way to still come back to the point where we realize that true satisfaction, peace and well being comes with obeying what God has given us to do with our lives.  Even in  writing those words, I see it so clearly – there is a plan for your life, as there was with Jonah’s and it is one that God has given you gifts to achieve.   He is a patient, loving Father who wants the best for you and being your Creator, knows what that “best” is.  Isn’t it time you stopped running from God?  It may not be the actual  “belly of a whale” you find yourself currently in – but discouraged, depressed and with a lack of peace.  Probably all of which Jonah felt himself (and more!). It only takes a conversation with your Heavenly Father to turn a situation around, just as God turned the whale around.  Who knows? He could be turning your situation around even as you read these words.  Trust Him.  He knows what He’s doing and He loves you.

Pure Madness I Tell You!

Does this picture from the Mad Tea Party from Alice in Wonderland make you think of your own life?

Okay, I get it now… I’ve reached an age and a point in my life where I fully understand the mad tea party conversation that took place in “Alice in Wonderland.” I suppose that statement is one I should not admit to or at the very least be “scared” to write.  Perhaps I should hit my back button and delete that admission. I won’t because at the moment, life feels very similar to that “mad tea party.”  Although, instead of being surrounded by the March Hare, the Mad Hatter and The Dormouse; they are instead random thoughts within my own head. Am I coming or going? Who am I? What do I want? Do I really want that? Am I right or am I wrong?  Am I up or down?

Have you ever questioned your own actions? Did they make sense to you once, but all of a sudden like someone who has lost their own line of thought midsentence; do you wonder what you were thinking in the first place?  Do you feel as though you’ve gone round and round the mulberry bush only to end up where you started off?  What happened to that confident feeling that you had it all together? That you knew what you wanted in life and you had it figured out – and why didn’t others get it? What was wrong with “them” because it was ooooh soooo simple. 

Perhaps it would be better if I started out this blog entry with “Once upon a time, there was a girl who was sure of life.  Sure of what she wanted. Sure of what she knew.  She was just plain ‘all around sure.’ Then unfamiliar, unexpected, unplanned, un un un things happened in her life.  And the ‘Uns’ took over, blind sighted her, spun her around and around until she got that same “Pin-the- Tail-on-the-Donkey” sensation and had no idea just what direction she was headed.  In fact, she felt as though ‘the Uns’ had won.”

Have the “Uns” won in your life?  Are you taking off that “unexpected” blindfold and wondering how on earth you got from a solid point of certainty to an unrecognizable "where-the-heck-am-I" and "how-the-heck-did-I get-here?" point.  Your internal GPS goofed big time and now you don’t even know how to get back to where you need to be.

Unfortunately we don’t have an “undo” or a “rewind” in life.  But we do have a God who is merciful and graceful and who allows us the chance to admit we got it wrong.  We have a God who is forgiving and patient and who is willing to whisper in our errant ear, “Come child, take my hand. Let me lead you to where you need to be.”  We only need to admit to this. To take His hand and realize that there are certain things we cannot do ourselves. Sometimes we make our own set of circumstances worse by our pride. Maybe our first step in unraveling the knot of confusion and frustration we’ve made of our lives is admittance and realizing that its okay to pray for help.

“Lord, somewhere along the way I’ve lost my sense of direction. I’ve not only lost my way, I’ve lost who I am. This is something I can’t fix myself.  I need you. You are my Creator. You are the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). You knew me when I was created within my mother’s womb (Psalms 139:13). You made me.  You know me even better than I know myself.  You created me for a reason and even if I don’t know what that reason is, I know you do. I know confusion is not of you (1 Corinthians 14:33), so I ask you please to take my hand and direct my steps. While I may not be able to be certain of myself – I can be certain of You. Help me Father, here is my hand. I am placing it in Yours. Thank You for Your mercy, Your Grace, Your patience, Your forgiveness and most of all Your love.  In Jesus precious name I pray.” Amen

Hmmmm… Is it just me or did the tea in this cup suddenly become steeped with more flavor?  Are those “Uns” making a mad dash right out of your mind? The sea of confusion will slowly dissipate and calm and in its place will be peace and love and understanding.  All in due time, or better yet - all in His time.

The Gift of You - Dedicated to my Auntie Barb

My Auntie Barb - One of God's Most Precious Gifts in My Life

When I was little, we use to sing together the words of a song that went like this:

"I see the moon, the moon sees me, the moon sees the one that I want to see.  God bless the moon, God bless me, God bless the one that I want to see.  I sometimes think, that God up above created you for me to love.  He picked you out of all the rest because he knew I'd love you the best.  If you get to Heaven and I'm not there, just write my name on the golden stair.  Write it so all the angels can see that I love you and you love me."

What a precious gift you are.  Throughout your life you have reached out to children through your career, socially - with such grace and love and with a natural quality to make each child that has come into your life feel individually special.  God gave you a natural quality of drawing children to you.  A gentleness, a way of understanding, a way of identifying with them.  Meeting them where they have been at - no matter what their life experience had been.  You were chosen to be one of God's "Pied Pipers." So many of us have been individually touched by the Gift of You.

You are one of the most unselfish giving people I know.  Life has often not been kind to you - yet still your gentleness prevails.  What a firecracker you are.  We never know what is going to come out of your mouth next and yet you look so surprised at people's reactions to your raw honesty and definite opinions.  Yet this is all just a part of The Gift of You.

Your life has always written beautiful pages upon mine, even as an adult. You make such a difference in the lives of those who know you.  Your compassion, your wit, your gentleness, your kindness, your openness, your laughter - to know you is to love you and we do.  These are all interwoven qualities that make the specialness of you. 

God knew what he was doing when he wove you together.  He knew that the world needed someone who would make such a difference in others lives.  Lovingly and thoughtfully he weaved you together - like fine silk, like precious gold, fully knowing that you with such grace and humility would touch the lives of children who would then grow into adults and pass on the things that you had taught them to another generation.  Thus making The Gift of You one that will continue on from generation to generation - the gift that keeps on giving. That, my precious Auntie Barb is The Gift of You.

You've never been overly sentimental, always waving off people's thankful reaction to all you do. You've never expected much back - you give without any expectations of receiving.

But it's time you do.  It's time you receive the fruit of your life.  It's time you see how much God continues to use you in the lives of so many.  It's time you see how much you matter.  You always have mattered, it is just that because you have always been a giver you've not had much of a chance to concentrate on receiving.  Your concern has always been more about other people - than for yourself.  Now is the time for you to know, you have not been forsaken.  You have not been forgotten.

Allow yourself to bask in the love of those around you.  Let that be your happy place.  Look upon the faces of all those who come and visit you and share stories of The Gift of You. Look at all the people you continue to touch.  They come in all ages. Over there are the regal "Red Hatters" who more than likely have partook in your wry sense of humor.  I can only imagine the the things you women have sat and laughed and joked about together.  Over there - is the boy who has adopted you as his grandmother - look at how fine he is growing up?  Some of that confidence he has instilled within him has are seeds that have sprouted up from his moments with you.  Over there?  Your older sister.  You are so close in age, does anyone know you better?  Sisterhood and the experiences you've shared - secrets, experiences and history between two women who only have to look at each other to understand.  Over there - is your younger sister. The two of you live so far a part - but always stay so closely in touch. Sisters and best friends, your relationship is entwined, no matter where life has taken you both - you've only been a phone call away - making the miles disappear.  Over there - is your baby brother, although full grown, you've always felt protective of him and although you both have exasperated each other at times, I have heard you speak of him with such concern, love, pride and affection (as well as sisterly tolerance and patience).  Close to your side is the woman who has become a non-blood sister to you.  A better friend one could not ask for.  You have had each others backs for many years - kindred spirits - what many of us would do to have a friend like that.  And lastly, the son who stole your heart. The child you always wanted but was unable to have.  The journey you two have had together has been full of hills and valleys - but look at him now... A father, patient, caring and a son, who loves his mother beyond reason.  These are ALL the results of the Gift of You.  So you see?  We do reap what we sow.  It is your turn to reap a tremendous amount of love.  Let that be your Happy place. Allow all of us to support you, love you, care for you and give back to you.  Receiving is not a sign of weakness - it is a sign of love.

Are YOU playing "Peek-A-Boo"? Who Are You REALLY Fooling?



Forgiveness is Not Just About Forgiving Others - How 'About Forgiving Yourself? Hmmmm... It Might Be One Of the Most Difficult Things You Ever Do...

You may have noticed a change in my blog title - notice the "Ex" in front of Prodigal's Daughter. Yes, it was purposely done.  You see the whole story about the prodigal is the fact that he didn't stay a prodigal all his life. It was just part of his journey.  Just a "chapter" of his life. He MOVED ON - from being a "prodigal" back into his father's fold.

You see - that is what prodigals are suppose to do. They are suppose to grow. They are suppose to learn, they are suppose to move forward... Not stay stagnant. Not wallow in their prodigal situation.  What have I learned from my prodigal experience? I have learned much of what I already deep inside knew... 

1. You cannot hide from God.  Nothing surprises Him. You at your worst does not shock Him. Does not make him love you less. The Bible tells us in Psalm 139:1-4 "He knows your thoughts before you even think them." - Guess what? Hard as you might try - you cannot shock God. (Good try though! ;) )
2. We serve a God who will use our mistakes, our sins, our weakness to glorify Himself to others. I'll bet you thought God couldn't/wouldn't use you... WRONG.  You see, God looks at your heart. When you gave your life to Him - You gave it! There are no "takesy-backseys." The best teacher is sometimes experience.  It may not be the route that God wanted for you. Not the easiest route to take - BUT I personally think that sometimes experience is the best teacher. Maybe God allows us to go through prodigal moments in our lives because we will be able to serve Him better with what we've learned... And the deepest lesson I have learned over the last five years is that - it is NOTHING but His grace, His love, His mercy, His forgiveness that has saved ME. There truly is no degree of sin. Sin is Sin. We all sin, we all fall short the glory of God. It is only through the shed blood of His Son Jesus Christ that has cleared a pathway and made us able to come boldly before the Father's thrown and ask for help, for forgiveness, for guidance.
3. Throughout the Bible God has used "imperfect people." People that most of the time you wouldn't guess that He would use.  Why? Because God shares His glory with NO man.  Perhaps also He decided, knowing that the Bible was written for YOU and for ME that He needed to put some seriously "faulted" people in the telling of it, so that we could realize that He could ALSO use US. How could we possibly relate to people in the Bible who have not encountered all the questions, all the short comings, all the problems that we - in our present time have come up against?  The Bible tells us that there is NOTHING new under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

Those are just three examples of what I have learned. I have also learned that when God forgives you - He FORGIVES YOU and that we need to learn to walk in that forgiveness AND to forgive OURSELVES.  Stop beating yourself up! Perhaps you chose the worst of paths to go down - but did you learn from it? Has it made you a better (or more humble) person? Are you able to use what you have learned from your prodigal journey to help someone else who may be in the same situation? God USES people!  Hopefully whatever you are experiencing (or have experienced) has made you a more compassionate person.  I know it has me. I have a better understanding of human nature. I know that "there go I BUT for the grace of God."  You see? What realization have YOU come to? (Or are you still the middle of your lesson - and that is okay too - because you won't be "stuck" there forever). You cannot hide from God. You cannot surprise God.  But you CAN surprise yourself.

Life is a series of lessons. I believe they last until you take your last breath. God is always teaching us, allowing us to grow - revealing things to us that give us a better understanding of ourselves. The only thing we have to be - is open to receive them!  I am still discovering ME. I am still learning about ME. And that is okay. Why? Because I'm honest about it. 

Adam and Eve in the book of Genesis sinned and tried to hide from God.  I never understood how they could do that? Think that they could hide what they did before God. A God who is all seeing, all knowing? But here is the thing - that is something that we still TRY to do today.  Hide from God.  It is pointless because we simply can't.  He is omnipotent. All seeing, all knowing.  It is similar to that game we use to play with our toddler children. Peek-a-boo.  When we would hide our face with our hands, then part our fingers and say "peek-a-boo!" Now I don't know about your children, but my children would laugh and giggle in delight.  Where was mommy's face? Where did it go? Ohhhhh there it is! Oh how they loved that game.  But here is the thing, mommy was NEVER really hid!  And in the case of our Heavenly Father - neither are WE.

Be honest with God about where you are spiritually. Talk to Him openly. Share what you are going through, what you are feeling.  You are in a personal relationship with Him. So be open, because He knows ANYWAY - but He wants to hear it from YOU.

Moving forward from having a prodigal moment is one that takes time. Some experience being a prodigal longer than others. But the lessons you learn are life changing.  And here is what I can say most of all - RESTORATION.  There is nothing like it.  When the prodigal in the Bible went rushing into the welcoming arms of his father, I'll bet it was the best hug he ever received.  I'll bet the appreciation for his father was like nothing he'd ever known. I'll bet from that moment on, because of his prodigal journey he listened more attentively to what his father said. He didn't take one moment of "togetherness" time for granted. Maybe he came back with a clearer understanding of the important things in life. And realized that it was not in worldly goods - and that his father had not "deprived" him of worldly experiences, like he thought he had had. Maybe he came back to his father realizing that everything wanted - he had already had. He just hadn't realized it.

Coming back is a slow journey. Each step is hard. The enemy fights you ALL the way with taunts that almost make you want to turn around - but you realize you can't. You HAVE to go forward. It is a slow and painful process full of realizations and self-discovery.

What have I gained back? Something I cannot put a price on. Something I will not ever take for granted and something that cannot come or be substituted in any other way. And that is "The peace that passes all understanding." Peace. Knowledge that God LOVES me.  (And here is the thing - He never stopped!)

"This is *Not* Tombstone Nor is This a Corral,O.K.?"

Each one of us has our own “Achilles Heel” and sometimes circumstances in life can feel as though we are constantly hitting the same “sore spot” over and over and over again, until we just want to sit down on the floor rubbing that “sore foot” with our hands and cry. Maybe, if we took time to examine our “vulnerable spot” (and pray about it) we could see what it is that needs “healing” (Yes, the pun was intended).

What are those things in your life about yourself that you try to avoid? You know - the things that you try to push into the far corners of your mind so that you won’t have to think about them? Perhaps because they cause you too much pain to examine? We all have them. There is no perfect person – not one, and you can bet that at times we are up against people or situations that bring those things up front and personal until you realize that you’ve been backed into a corner and have no choice – but to face it/them. Like the famous Tombstone “OK Corral” gunfight, I have found myself facing circumstances where I have felt challenged, as if I were reluctantly being forced into a duel I didn’t start or want to participate in. Have you ever felt that way?

Like a school bully pushing you and pushing you and pushing you until you have no choice but to say, “Okay! Enough!” and push back, or you realize that the only way things are going to change is if you address whatever it is (situation, weakness, problem, person) and deal with it head on.

I think that sometimes this may be God’s way of telling us, “Kelly, before you can move forward you need to face this. You need to deal with it. You need to make changes so that this wound won’t become infected…” Or perhaps it has already become infected, and in order to stop the pain and allow healing we need to consider what caused it and what needs to be changed.

The consideration can be painful. Most of us try to avoid pain, but sometimes the hurt has to occur before it can get better. Sometimes we need to work through the hurt before we can move forward. When we examine the hurt we can ask ourselves what we need to do to make it go away. Maybe part of the healing is in knowing what to do when those “red flags” come up. What are your red flags? They are symptoms like a fever is to an illness. They are not the problem – but they are signs that there is a problem occurring. We treat a fever with medicine and then we go to a doctor to try to have them figure out what’s wrong. What’s wrong? What is bothering you? What can you do to “fix it?” The Bible tells us in Matthew 22:39

“Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”

But do you love yourself? Loving yourself means you take the time to examine when you are feeling hurt, depressed or angry – whatever it is that has caused you to feel that way. It takes caring and patience and perseverance and love to work through certain things. If you would do it for someone else you “love” why wouldn’t you do it for yourself?

I’ve been thinking about this a lot with my own life. Ironically the more I’ve tried to avoid it, the more it has come “front and center” till it is unavoidable. Till I can't get around it.  Kind of like a giant elephant is in the room.  Have you ever been in such a bad mood that you don’t even want to be around your own self? What’s bugging you? What needs fixing? What battle is raging inside your head? Maybe it’s time to face it head on. So that after the dust settles after the battle (you are having within your own self I might add…) is over, you can get back on that horse called life and mosey on off into the sunset. Tipping your hat as you go, feeling happy that whatever battle you just came through has ended. It’s worth a shot…