Sing Praise

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over your with loud singing....Zephaniah 3:17

God's Song in Me.....scientists have learned how to take a person's DNA structure and make music out of it...I love knowing the my DNA, which is like no other DNA in the whole wide world, is also a song like no one else's.  God not only created me. He wrote a song in me and I believe He sings that song to me every day of my life.  Peel back the layers, listen for God's voice singing your song into your life, and rediscover the original, marvelous you He created you to be......Joy for the Journey Devotional

Today is a choice to be grateful in the time of distress.  As I opened my daily devotional today I felt overwhelmed and thoughts of the why me.  And then, like always, God puts the words in front of me that I needed to hear. 

God's plan is in action in our lives every day.  The good, the bad, and the ugly.  He is in control.  In times of distress, I tend to turn my back on the very ones that I need the most.  Isolation is my coping device.  However, recently, I have learned that isolation is not the healthy place to be.  We must surround ourselves with support and love.  For some, this may be one person.  To some, it may be many.  For me, I have different people for different support.  Weight loss support, diabetes support, bipolar support.....all of these look different to me.  While I have a few core people in my life that help me across the board, I choose to surround myself with others that can relate to that part of the journey. 

In this journey we call life, we must remember to not turn our back on the Lord.  I have had a lot of ups and downs in  my lives.  Like clock work I can relate many of these to my struggles with my faith.  As most of you know, as a family, we changed churches about 2 years ago to a large church.  We did so as we were seeking a larger youth opportunity for the kids.  I really struggled with this decision as I felt I had made many connections at my current church.  But, as my counselor said, sometimes we have to step back and let others grow in their journey with God.  2 years later, I am still feeling separated and am lacking connections.  This loss has caused me to not go to church.

My faith is a huge part of my journey.  This week, my husband and I have discussed the need to attend church on a regular basis and will begin to make our way back to church.  We will remain at Westside as the kids love the program there.  While I may not feel "connected" with people, I have come to realize that it is my journey with Christ, not my journey to a social life.  I think as I continue to reconnect, people or small group will be put back into my life in God's time.

So in closing, whatever path you may be on or fork you may be at, be confident that God is with you, he's got your back.  As always, take care and God Bless

Anxiety & Worry

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus......Philippians 4:6-7

Recently, I have began another aspect on my journey to a healthier me.  As many of you know, my spirituality is very important to me.  Lately, I have let myself drain of this.  Inside I have felt empty and somewhat uncaring. 

Anxiety and worry is something that often creeps it's ugly head and fills my head with what my counselor calls stinkin thinkin.  :-)  Living life through the what if's destroys your todays.

Lately, I have been regrouping and doing my daily devotionals.  Yes that is plural.  When on track, I do one for my marriage, one for myself, and one for general Christianity.  Right now I am doing The Love Dare Day by Day based on the movie Fireproof.  It's a Wonderful Imperfect Life, and Joy for the Journey. 

The Bible verse above was part of my daily reading today.  My counselor last week said to me that sometimes we have to sit back and watch the show instead of running the show.  That it's usually not our show to run.  This smacked me in the face.  I like to be in control.  But, she is right. 

Lately, we have been taking our daughter to counseling for various things.  Just like in many houses, there are many moments of tension between siblings and child vs parent.  We all push for our pecking order.  So, as a mom, I think I can handle it.  Sit back and watch me work my magic.  Well, my "magic" seems to not always work darn it. 

So this verse hit home for me.  Do not be anxious, pray and turn your control over to Him.  By doing so, he will protect us. 

So as I close today......Let Go and Let God.  Let's slow down our pace and enjoy the todays.  Let's face it, kids grow up, parents grow older, and days pass to quickly.  Take a bite out of today and don't let it go.

Take care and God Bless