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Light, Love, Hope

Light in the Darkness Surrounded by Love with Hope for those in need.

Shirley

About Shirley

https://lightlovehope.com

Shirley is the proud mother of two beautiful young ladies. She enjoys spending time with them on their ranch in the deep South with their three paint horses. Always looking for an adventure, she looks forward to hikes in the mountains chasing waterfalls, or scouring the coast for beautiful lighthouses! Shirley writes to encourage others and often times shares things that motivate and inspire her. She believes in living life to the fullest because no one is promised the gift of another day. Join her as we honor our bodies, minds, hearts, souls, and our Almighty Creator, God above!

Posts by Shirley :

Tragedy Struck

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While we were away this weekend on a mini horseback riding adventure, my daughter called with such urgency in her voice.

Tragedy struck once again.

First, she informed us of Christina Grimmie’s murder after the concert in Orlando, Florida.

My daughter learned of Christina first from being You Tube famous, then appearing on The Voice.  My family and I used to gather around the television on Monday nights to watch the women and men compete.  This is such a sad and tragic loss.

The very next day, my daughter called again fed up, frustrated, and scared asking, “What is this world coming to?”

More tragedy struck in Orlando, Florida at a gay club leaving 50 dead and 53 wounded.

A hate crime.

Oh, dear God!

Tonight I shared something on Facebook that said, “If your religion requires you to hate people, then you need another religion!”  Immediately two people liked it within seconds of it being shared.  It is the TRUTH, though!

I have heard the argument and have seen my share of Christians that have zero tolerance for homosexuals.  They take the bible and all but beat people with it, as if THEY, themselves, are without sin.  Why condemn people just because they sin differently?  Here’s a news flash for you – there is not a single person among us that is without sin.  NO ONE can sit on their high horse and honestly say that they don’t have some form of sin in their lives.  Whether they lie, cheat, steal, are gay/lesbian, overeat, drink too much, do illegal drugs or abuse prescription drugs, hide in darkness with pornography, gossip, allow jealousy to consume them – the list of sins goes on and on.  We just sin differently!  Therefore, who are WE to cast stones at others around us?

As Christians, we are to hate the sin but LOVE the sinner.  There is far too much hate in this world and too many hate crimes as a result of it!  This madness needs to STOP!

Would you turn your back on your son or daughter if they came in one day and announced that they were gay?  I would hope that you wouldn’t.  This child is STILL YOUR CHILD no matter what they reveal to you.  You loved them from the moment you first found out you were pregnant with them, so why would you dare turn your back on them just because they announced they had a different sexual preference than you?  You are still called to LOVE them!  They are your flesh and blood – they were moments before revealing this to you and they STILL ARE afterwards, too!

Just a few short years ago, my daughter “tested” me on this very subject.  She came into the room and said she needed to talk to me.  I stopped what I was doing, sat down across from her at the table, and gave her my full attention.  She hesitated before going on but proceeded to informed me that she was a lesbian.  I looked her straight in the face and replied, “Okay … and?  What did you have to tell me?”  She looked puzzled, paused and then halfway questioned, “Mom?”  I never took my eyes off of her as she asked, “That’s it?  You aren’t going to say anything about what I just told you?  You’re not mad?  You don’t hate me?”  I took it all in, but I did not hesitate one second before I responded, “I love you no matter what – my love for you is unconditional.  Period!”    She stared back at me from across the table in disbelief.  Then she said she was only trying to see what my reaction would be – she WASN’T a lesbian after all – she just wanted to see if I would react like her friend’s parents had reacted when they found out about their daughter.  From what my daughter said, the parents threatened to disown their daughter.  What a truly sad situation!  Apparently, though, I passed my daughter’s little “test” with flying colors and left her almost speechless in the process.  She came back to this subject matter a little while later, still in disbelief of my response, so I took that opportunity once again to tell her that there is not anything in the world that she can ever do that will cause me to turn away from her or make me love her any less.  I am her mother.  I may not like some of her choices in life, but regardless, I love her unconditionally.  I always have, and I always will.

I had several friends that “came out” to reveal that they are lesbians just a few years ago.  They weren’t kidding around or testing the waters, though.  One was a massage therapist that I used to go to for quite a few years, actually.  She changed locations, and I was trying to save money so I stopped going as frequently as I once had for massages.  She feared that I had learned the “truth” about her and that caused me to run in the opposite direction, which couldn’t have been further from the real reason why I hadn’t been in for a massage.  She called me one day to ask if anyone had said anything about her to me, but they hadn’t.  She took that time to reveal that she was a lesbian and was afraid I stopped coming in for massages for that reason.  Honestly, it didn’t surprise me, but it didn’t stop me from going in later for a massage either.  As long as she didn’t try anything with me, I was fine with it.  It is her life and her choice.  It does not affect me whatsoever.

Shortly after this, I had another friend reveal to me that they, too, were a lesbian.  They chose to tell me in an email.  I read it, and then responded back to them like I normally would have.  This did not cause me to treat them any differently.  Their sexual preference is just that – their own.  As long as they are not hitting on me and as long as they respect ME, I do not have a problem with them.

You see, in all of the above situations where people “revealed” things to me, I did not get all homophobic and start condemning people.  It isn’t my place.  While their preferences aren’t that of my own, I can still respect them as individuals.  We were friends before, and we are still friends after!  They trusted me enough to come to me and share with me.  What type of person would I be if I started acting hateful toward them and shunning them?  I can hate the sin but still love the sinner, and that is exactly what I have displayed for my daughter, her friends, and my own friends that came out about their sexual preferences.

I realize that everyone is different and no two people will have the same exact reaction.  What I don’t get is people purposely setting out to HURT other people just because they are different!

While we’re not sure of a motive in Christina Grimmie’s case, it is quite clear why the shooter went into that gay nightclub.  He hated homosexuals, and he wanted to do away with them.  There they were having a night out on the town laughing, dancing, and just enjoying life.  In walks the gunman and starts claiming lives left and right.  Shots were fired, people were held hostage from what I’m hearing on the news, and people texted their loved ones that they were going to die.  I just read this a few minutes ago, and it hurts my heart so much.   I remember seeing a mother on the news, crying … almost begging for her son to come forth as she hadn’t heard from him.  He was her only child, I remember her saying through her tears.

Why?

WHY must these types of things continue to happen?

Why are innocent lives being taken?

I do not understand why human lives are NOT valued in this day and age!

This young man deserved to LIVE just like all the others in the nightclub!  No matter what their sexual preferences are – THEY DESERVED TO LIVE!

We need to get down on our knees and pray for this nation as a whole.  Black – White – Hispanic – Straight – Gay/Lesbian – Transgender – Baptist – Methodist – Catholic – Non-Denominational – You get the idea!  It doesn’t matter WHAT or WHO you are – EVERY SINGLE LIFE is important and should be valued!

We are all different – YES – but we all deserve to LIVE!

When will it end?  The senseless shootings?  The lives that are lost?

Each person on this planet has worth and value.  They deserve to live!  They need love, compassion, and kindness!

Each and every one!

 

Heart’s Desire

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This little prayer sits in my kitchen window propped up against a stained glass lighthouse.  Immediately to the right of the lighthouse are a few small plants that fit perfectly in that space.  I purposely positioned them there to bring joy when I wash my hands at the kitchen sink.  They are also there to greet me as I gaze out that window at the hummingbirds visiting my feeder.  Tucked inside one of the green plants is a small mauve, white, and green hummingbird just in case I don’t see one fluttering around outside.  While these things lining my window seal aren’t much, they bring a smile to my face and lighten my mood every time I see them.

Dear God

While I didn’t write this prayer, it spoke to my heart when I first read it.  I’m actually not sure where it originated from, but for some reason I seem to recall it possibly being tucked in the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital envelope.  We try to donate to them every year.  They are so kind to send little surprises such as address labels, note pads, and it just seems like it would “fit” that this little prayer was included.  They also send personal stories of children that have been receiving treatment.  Their stories break my heart as I recall a time when a sixth grade girl in my daughter’s class was diagnosed with cancer.  My daughter was so overcome with sadness when she heard the news, and it was her heart’s desire to help her friend.  We set out, along with Greg Johnson who handles all things behind the scenes with Light Love Hope, to do just that.  Our efforts were successful and helped provide for her mother while she took off time from work to care for her child.  Her story has a happy ending, as she just graduated from high school last weekend.  Her treatment set her back a year on her school work, so she graduated a year behind my daughter.  She has been in remission for several years now.  This young lady is a walking miracle and a prime example of God’s healing power!

Ah, but back to where this prayer possibly originated from.

Perhaps it was included in literature that our neighbor, Ms. Betty, passed along to us.  She likes to recycle things that she receives in the mail.  Her heart is in the right place as she shares Journey magazines, calendars, and sometimes even books.  The latest little booklets she placed in a yellow envelope inside my mailbox were about how to get to know Jesus.  One book in particular asks on the cover, “Do You Know Jesus?”  Yes!  We do!

No matter where this little prayer came from, it echoes my heart’s desire.

How often do we stop to thank God for our many blessings?  Oh, how wonderful it would be if we only stop for a moment, in between the muttering and complaining that we get in a habit of doing, and consider all that He has done for us.  He has provided for our every need, and He will not fail.  No matter what, God is an ever present force in our lives longing for a relationship with us.  He cares for the tiniest sparrow.  His love and care for us is even greater.

What if we were to strive daily to have a positive outlook?  No one will want what we have if we’re negative and down in the dumps all the time.  We want people to see the Jesus in us so that they will long for what we have and begin to ask questions.  Then it will open up the conversation for us to share about our Lord and Savior!  I think of the lady’s video that went viral recently — the mom wearing the Chewbacca mask and how she just laughed and laughed over how she looked in the mirror.  She was so joyful that everyone was watching and sharing her video all around the globe.  When asked about her joyfulness, she took that opportunity to share in her “15 minutes of fame” that her joy comes from the Lord.  Oh, what a wonderful opportunity to share about our Jesus, and she did just that!  That is what I’m talking about – to be so filled that people ask what is the source of your joy … and our reply should be, “Jesus Christ!”

Let every single thing that we say and do bring honor, praise, and glory to Jesus.

Indeed.

May this be your heart’s desire as well.

 

Followed

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My daughter was followed tonight on her way home from work. It was late, and she was scared.

This has always been a fear of mine since she was a tiny baby; someone would try to harm her in some way, threaten her, or attempt to kidnap her.  Although I know I should not live in fear, every time the phone rings when she is not in my line of vision, my entire body tightens up.  I can feel the stress in every muscle as anxiety takes over until I hear in her voice that she is okay.  Then and only then do I sigh a huge sigh of relief.

Earlier tonight she texted as she usually does before pulling away from her place of employment.  She had to work late and help close. I texted back for her to be careful, as it was raining, and that I love her.

A few minutes later, my phone rang.  I knew immediately something was wrong.

“Mama, I think I’m being followed?”

“Are you sure?”

“No, but I think so because every move I make, the person is right there on my tail.  I speed up, they speed up.  They won’t stop following me!”

“Do NOT come home.  Drive around until I get where you are.  I’m coming …” I grabbed my purse and headed out the door with my husband and youngest daughter in tow.

Within seconds, she calls back but to my husband’s phone.  My husband answers this time reassuring her that we are on the way.  She tells him of what she is experiencing with the driver, and I know without a doubt as this information is related that she is, indeed, being followed by someone that is up to no good.

“Call the police!”  I say to my husband.

He continues talking to her.

I grab my phone and shove it in his general direction as I look forward, both hands on the wheel trying not to exceed the speed limit, but anxious to get to my daughter.

“CALL 9-1-1 NOW!”

He hesitated again, always wanting to see the best in people, uncertain at this point if she is really and truly being followed.  My gut instinct tells me that she is not paranoid.  This person IS really following her!  It’s late at night, and I can ONLY imagine that this person has ill intentions toward my daughter!

Within minutes, I reach the area where she is, and I can see it with my own two eyes!  YES, she is, indeed, being followed! I witnessed the car tailgating her and going every where she went. She had previously turned off at a gas station, drove through it and then went back on the main road. Then she turned around on the highway and went back the opposite direction. They, apparently, thought she was going back to the same gas station, so they went straight to it – she turned off when the road split, though. I was right there on their tail at this point and got what looked like 185 3GA as their license plate number. It was dark and raining, and when I pulled in behind them, they sped off. It was a black car with tinted windows, although I could not tell the make, but it was small like a Camry or something similar.

Finally, I hear my husband dialing 9-1-1 and speaking to the dispatcher as we proceeded to follow the car.  My daughter managed to escape from the stalker and was now safe in another location.

The car went at a high rate of speed when they realized we were now following them giving them a taste of their own medicine. They finally drove out of sight as I refused to exceed the speed limit.  It was RAINING, and I was afraid to drive too fast for conditions.  Before the black car went out of sight, I witnessed them swerve in the road.  I did not want to get into an accident and endanger our lives chasing some one that was up to no good in the first place.  Thankfully, God helped me maintain my composure and the ability to think clearly.  We notified our county police who then notified two other counties around us. That was about all we could do at this point.  We saw a cop car waiting on the side of the road a few miles after the black car went out of sight.  We anticipated they would be going in that direction not realizing there was a side road they could take.  Apparently, when they sped out of sight, they went that direction down the side road instead of straight where this cop would have gotten them.  We stopped to tell the police, and they went en route again looking for the black car.

It was all out of our hands.  We notified the authorities, and all we can do is hope the police department ran the license plate and will speak to the registered owner of the vehicle if they were not able to locate or stop this vehicle tonight.

We returned home where my daughter had just arrived as well.  I immediately went to her and hugged her, thanking God for her safety and for His protection.

She attempted to eat, but she was feeling nauseated at this point so she went to lay down in her room instead.  Within minutes, she comes back into the living room where I am sitting and says that a guy she met on an online forum messaged her when he hasn’t talked to her in weeks.  She said he asked what was going on and she told him she was followed tonight.  He responded by saying, “Yea, it was me.”  Whether this guy was joking or not, neither of us were sure, but this is NOT something to make light of.   I told her to call him to see if this truly was him tonight.  She didn’t have his number in her phone any longer, but I did from when she went off with him once before.  I immediately started dialing his number.  He answered but did not say a word.  I called his name, and finally he said, “Yes …” I informed him of who I was and what happened earlier tonight.  I asked if it really was him that followed her, and he stuttered as he said, “No … ma’am … I was … only … joking.”  I took that opportunity to inform him of how scared my daughter was and that this was NOT a time for jokes.  I told him that IF it was him, the police now have a description of his car AND the license plate number because *I* followed the vehicle and made sure to get this information to turn in to the police.  He stumbled over his words once more as he apologized and said he never should have joked with her about it as he did not realize how upset she truly was.  After we hung up, my daughter and I just stood there looking at each other.

She informed me of two individuals that came into her place of employment tonight when she was working.  One asked to date her, but she declined.  The other kept staring her down, which made her feel uncomfortable.

We’ve wracked our brains trying to figure out WHO this could be that followed her.  Was it the person that jokingly said it was him … was it the individual that asked to date her … was it the suspicious guy looking her up and down … or was it someone that picked her out of a crowd and decided tonight was a good night to scare her?!

We’ve had trouble with immature people in the past harassing my daughter at work, asking her co-workers for her work schedule so they could be sure to come up there to bother her, no doubt.   Honestly, we thought we were done with all of that drama since we cut an individual out of our lives that will no longer be allowed to return.  We gave this individual an undeserved second chance.  Why do I say undeserved?  Because we realized after he showed his true colors again that nothing had changed about this individual.  When they came back begging forgiveness, saying how they changed and would work hard to prove it, instead, all we saw was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.  This individual attempted to pull the wool over our eyes.  He came back proclaiming to be something he was NOT; therefore, this individual has no place in our lives any longer.  Now we sit and wonder if this person – or his friends – might be behind this just as they were the last time people were bothering my daughter a few short months ago.

Yes, everyone is a suspect at this point, and everything seems suspicious.  We aren’t paranoid.  We’re very much concerned for my daughter’s safety, and trust me — you would be, TOO, if this happened to YOUR child!

As sleep has closed everyone’s eyes in this house, except for mine, I sit still shaken by what took place tonight.  While she and I do not know who is behind this, GOD KNOWS!  Rest assured, HE will have the final say, and the person or persons with ill intent will NOT get away with it. God will see to it! Evil will NOT prevail!

My husband regrets that he wasn’t the one behind the wheel tonight.  While I would not go at a high rate of speed and chance endangering my husband’s life or the life of our youngest child, he said he would have gone just as fast as them to make sure they didn’t get out of his sight.  I knew that was not a smart move, especially on wet roads with as much rain as we have gotten AND with us being on back country roads with deer known to be in the area.  He said he wishes he had a chance to go up to their vehicle to confront them at the gas station before they sped off, but I told him that in this day and age we are living in, we have no way of knowing if someone would pull a gun on him when he approached.  My daughter actually said she was fearful when the vehicle pulled up right beside her on the highway flashing their lights.  She said she leaned way back in her seat so if they did shoot, she wouldn’t be in the line of fire.

Oh, dear GOD!  What a world we are living in when my daughter has to be afraid she’s going to get SHOT at!!

People, this is serious when you have someone following a 19 year old late at night flashing lights, getting up beside her car, etc. They followed her doing this for 30 minutes or more. There was NO doubt what was going on when I saw it happening with my own two eyes. This also happened to me when I was around her age, and I called the police as well. I instructed her that if she wouldn’t have been able to get me on the phone tonight that she was to call 9-1-1 if it happened again and go straight to the police station requesting an officer meet her out front.

She did the right thing by NOT taking these people to her house and NOT stopping to see what they wanted. I will be AT her place of employment when she gets off work when I am in town from now on, and I will escort her home. If I’m not in town, I’ll have someone there to make sure she is SAFE!

People have said before that I’m too involved in her life. TOO INVOLVED????  (Note:  The main ones saying this are the ones that were attempting to harass, stalk, and bully her a few months ago and some so-called-friends that have agreed with them after the fact.)  Well, FYI … She is MY CHILD, and it is MY JOB to PROTECT HER if I can. While there is still breath in my body, REST ASSURED, I WILL DO ALL I CAN FOR HER!

I contacted a friend tonight that works with the highway patrol to ask their opinion and to see if we can do anything further to pursue this with the license plate number.

As I close, here is a little bit of advice. Hold your children close – no matter their age and no matter WHO tries to get in your business and tell you that you’re “too involved.” At least my daughter knows she is LOVED and I will ALWAYS have her back!  As long as God allows me to be on this earth with her, she can ALWAYS depend on ME!

Parents, talk to your children and let them know what to do if THEY feel they are being followed.  You can not be too safe here when your children are involved.  It’s a sad world we’re living in when this type of conversation is needed with our children, but PLEASE … talk to them.  Instruct them on what to do to ensure they are safe!  It is a conversation you need to have in this day and age.

Never miss an opportunity to tell your children how much they mean to you, how much you love them, and ALWAYS hold them close to your heart no matter how old they get.  They will always be your children, and they always need your love.

And finally, pray … without ceasing … PRAY for your children!!

God is with them.  God is for them.  God is in them.

Oh, Father God, protect our children.  Each and every one!

 

Casting Stones

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There sure has been a lot of casting stones this weekend over the situation with the four year old little boy and the gorilla.  I’ll admit when I first saw the video footage from the media, it did appear that the gorilla was being gentle with the little boy.  That is until I saw what the news media edited out on their video!  It wasn’t until another news station out of the UK posted footage of the gorilla dragging the little boy through the water that changed all of that.

I know everyone is up in arms about the mother being at the zoo with other children and taking her eyes off of this little one.  We all know what resulted after the boy made his way into the enclosure, fell into the moat, as bystanders watched in horror of what was unfolding right before their eyes.

What angers me is that the news media only posts what they want you to see.  They aren’t giving you the full story, and yet they expect you to base your opinions on what they report.  Having not seen the extended video until much later, I was outraged that they would kill this “protective” gorilla.  When I saw the gorilla in the unedited video yanking the child like a rag doll, my opinion quickly changed.

I am an animal lover through and through.  It pains me to think that we just celebrated this gorilla’s 17th birthday a few days before this happened, and now, he is dead as a result of this tragic event.

The mother was heard in the video saying, “Mommy’s here.”  “Stay calm.”  “Mommy loves you.”

I honestly believe she was frightened for her little boy’s safety, yet she was trying to keep him calm so he did not agitate the gorilla.

The question a lot of people are asking is where was “Mommy” minutes before the little boy made his way through the enclosure?  In their minds, she was negligent by not watching the boy who just expressed an interest in going to play in the moat.  I’m sure she never in her widest dreams would have imagined him gaining access to the enclosure to do just that.  Yet, he did.

Then the next question others are asking is WHY wasn’t the enclosure secure enough to prevent ANY one from getting inside in the first place?

I imagine the mother feels just awful about this, and I’m certain the zoo feels awful about it as well.

Why aren’t we extending grace to BOTH instead of being outraged and casting stones?

It is a very sad and unfortunate situation that ended in the tragic loss of a 17 year old gorilla.  I loved seeing pictures of this beautiful Silverback, yet I realize his size and strength!  The four year old boy was no match for this gorilla, and I’m just thankful that the little boy’s life was spared.

There is argument as to WHY they didn’t use a tranquilizer gun on the gorilla.  Why was it necessary to KILL the gorilla?  I once questioned this myself until I realized that no one knows what effect the tranquilizer would have had on the gorilla. Furthermore, the tranquilizer would not have worked immediately on a gorilla that size!  I think of the times we’ve had our donkey and horses sedated for procedures that were being done on them.  When the donkey was castrated last year, none of us knew what this donkey was going to do.  Everyone stood way back as the vet and his technicians administered the sedation.  Even then, they made sure to stay clear of him until they could see how it was going to affect the donkey.  The same was done when the vet and the techs sedated our horses so they could float their teeth at the beginning of the year.  You just never know how an animal will react, and it is best to stay out of their way until you do!  Further, just as I saw with the donkey and horses, these animals weigh over a thousand pounds, so it is going to take longer for the sedation to work.  It did not happen instantaneously with the donkey and horses, and it would NOT have been instant with the gorilla either.

I feel the zoo officials did what they had to do in order to spare the little boy’s life.

There is argument now that the mother should be charged due to the death of the gorilla.  We hold animals in captivity for our viewing pleasure.  We pay good money to go into zoos around the nation to look at these wild and often times extinct animals.  If the mother is going to be charged and have to pay for the death of this gorilla, what about the suicidal man that jumped into the lion exhibit a few weeks ago?

I know for me, I try to keep an eye on my children at all times, especially when we are out in public!  For whatever reason, this mother took her eyes off of her adventurous child, or maybe he scrambled from her sight so fast that she was unable to grab him before he went through the enclosure and fell into the moat.

It is beyond frustrating that people seemingly act irresponsible and innocent people, or animals in this case, are hurt or even killed!  The gorilla was going about his day being on display as others around took pictures, talked to him, etc., and then a foreign object falls near him.   I’m sure the gorilla was curious, yet also wishing to protect his habitat. The next we saw unfold in the edited and unedited versions of the video.  I’m certain the little boy was in danger or else the zoo officials would not have taken the action that they did.  Yet, we’re still left frustrated over it!  However, if this was your child, I am certain you would want the zoo officials to do just what they did in this case to spare your child’s life.  I wish both of their lives would have been spared, but sadly, this was not possible.

Should the mother have been watching her child?  YES!  Should the enclosure have been where no human could have gained access?  YES!  There is fault on BOTH sides, but pointing fingers will NOT bring this 17 year old gorilla back to life nor will it erase the injuries the boy sustained from the fall and being dragged through the water by the gorilla.  Hopefully, it will teach the mother to keep a better watch over her children.  I can only hope that this will leave a lasting impression on the CHILD also so that he will obey in the future!  And lastly, I hope that zoos every where will look at ALL of their enclosures to ensure that no one can gain access after these two incidents within weeks of each other where humans were able to get inside with the wild animals.

At a time like this, let’s stop casting stones.  Instead, mourn the loss of a gorilla that entertained so many people in the 17 years he was alive, AND whisper thanks to God for sparing the life of this four year old little boy who has so much living left to do.

Three Cheers

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She came home from school one day filled with excitement and nervous energy all rolled into one.

“Mama, I’ve signed up for the Lip Sync Battle at school!” my 11 year old daughter exclaimed.

I congratulated her and made a point to really encourage her on this.  I know she gets a little anxiety about putting herself out there like that, but I am so proud of her not letting this hold her back from something she really wants to participate in!

My daughter and two of her very best friends picked a song that they wanted to do; Hoedown Throw Down by Hannah Montana.  My daughter asked for my help with the choreograph for the song even though the video had some movements that they could have just copied.  I really liked how my daughter wanted to make her own movements, and I thought it added so much more to their performance.

She and her friends practiced at school as much as they could, and I caught glimpses of my daughter practicing at home, in the car, and even at the grocery store.  She was so into this and wanted to do a good job.  She would get embarrassed when she realized I was watching, and she would stop.  I wondered how this would go on the actual day of the Lip Sync Battle. I told her that she was doing a great job and just needed to give it all she’s got.  Dance like no one was watching.  Just get into it because she had this!  She practiced so much that she knew every word to the song and every movement flowed!

I asked her one evening what she and the other girls were going to wear for their performance.  She just sat there as if in deep thought, so I suggested that they wear plaid shirts like we wear when we go horseback riding from time to time.  Her eyes brightened and grew wider as she almost jumped from her chair as she said, “And we can get cowboy hats, too!”  Oh yes, she was all into it now!  Having just purchased a cheap cowboy hat for my husband from Party City for a New Year’s Eve party, we knew where to go to get two more for the other girls!  Her friends were so excited when she told them the next day at school!  The girls didn’t all have plaid shirts, though, so they worried over that until I told them that they could just use my shirts.  I had plenty!  They literally jumped up and down with excitement when my daughter told them that we had the costumes covered.  All they had to do was supply the boots.  They said they could handle that part, so their costumes were now complete!  That was one less thing for them to worry over.

After much anticipation, the day of the Lip Sync Battle arrived.  I walked into the school with my daughter that Monday morning with shirts and hats in hand.  My daughter sat nervously at her desk in the classroom as she waited for her friends to arrive.  The clock ticked slowly with the hands hardly moving it seemed.  I told her it was going to be just fine.  Her friends would be there!   And sure enough, a few minutes before the bell sounded, her friends walked into the classroom.  My daughter melted at her seat for a second before she jumped up and hugged her friends exclaiming, “Thank GOD you’re HERE!”

I began slipping the plaid shirts over what they were wearing, fixing their boots so they could be seen, and placed the black cowboy hats on their heads. They were all set!

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Before they went on, I told the girls that no matter what happens KEEP GOING!  If you mess up, don’t make it noticeable at all.  Just keep the movements flowing and moving right along.  Keep dancing!

AND … they did!

Little did we realize that, as they kicked off the Lip Sync Battle, the music would fail on the sound system!  Oh no!  The girls were absolutely amazing, though, as they did exactly what I said and THEY KEPT GOING!  With barely any sound coming out of the speakers, they danced right along and sang the words enough to get them through the performance.  The audience realized what happened with the sound, and although a few laughed at first, they were amazed when the girls just kept going and doing their thing!  I was BEAMING with pride as I watched those girls on stage!  They worked hard, and this moment in time was not going to be ruined by speakers that failed to work.

As they exited the stage at the end of their performance, everyone began cheering for them.  Some even commented that they couldn’t believe they kept going!  I was sitting in the very front watching it all unfold, and I believe I may have been one of the loudest when I cheered for them!

My pride and joy strutted her stuff on stage with her friends!

The show went on, and the sound was fixed for the next song.  The girls were all worried that they embarrassed themselves, but I assured them that they actually did the opposite!  They amazed the audience when they did not give up or stop midway through the performance due to the lack of sound!

After a few songs played and the other students got a chance to perform, one of the teachers came over to us.  He apologized for the issue with the sound but said the girls would get a chance to do it again now that the sound was fixed.  Woo Hoo!!  The three girls held hands and were smiling all over themselves for this opportunity!  And sure enough, an announcement was made for the judges to disregard the opening act with the sound issues as they were closing out the Lip Sync Battle with their performance once again!

These three little girls were amazing to watch on stage!

The crowd cheered, and there I was once again beaming with pride!

Decision time was among us, and the judges gathered to tally their votes.  Then the elimination started on stage.  It came down to my daughter’s team and another team.  They huddled together, fingers crossed, and their lips mouthing, “Please … please … please” as they waited in great anticipation for the results.  The winner was announced, and by ONE POINT the other team won!  Ugh!!   Disappointment washed over my daughter and her friends, but I immediately joined them when they returned to their seats.  I made a special point to let them all know how hard they worked, how it showed, and how incredibly proud I was of all three of them!  They were in second place!  That’s not too shabby considering there were at least 10 to 12 acts performing that day!

After they returned to their classroom, I went to get them a little something for their hard work.  Coming back into the school with gift bags, their faces lit up once more.  They were disappointed for a moment but quickly got over that when they focused on how good they did!  It helped when others complimented them as well.

My heart still swells with pride every time I watch the video, and I’d like to share it with you now.  Click here for the video I posted on Facebook.

Three cheers for these incredible girls!

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Marriage Survey

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Let’s face it.  Marriage is hard work.  Honestly, the struggle is real in a LOT of marriages these days.  But, take heart.  There is hope!

Focus On The Family has been helping families and marriages for many, many years.  Now is no different as they have a marriage survey for you to take where it will reveal the strong points in your marriage first.  Then, it will reveal the items it feels you are weaker in resulting from your answers to their questions.  They go a step further, though, and provide information on how to improve in those areas.  There are books recommended as a resource to get you headed in the right direction.  The ultimate book is God’s Word, though!

I took the survey just a little bit ago, and I was pleased with the strong points in my marriage such as having a commitment to each other, spending quality time together, and intimacy between us.  Where we struggle is, honestly, in the spiritual department and with not surrounding ourselves with couples in our community for a source of support.  We lean heavily on each other, and to me, that isn’t a bad thing at all.  But, the survey did suggest that we needed more outside support within our community.  We did try this a few years ago with a small group at our church.  When we were having some issues two years ago, though, it seemed to do more harm than good when we reached out to those around us.  The more people that got involved, the worse it was!  Opinions from others were flying back and forth on both sides with a great number suggesting that we go against what our hearts wanted: each other!  We believed in our marriage even when those on the outside did not, and we did NOT give up on our marriage nor each other!

Spiritually, we have a ways to go.  The husband is the head of the house and the leader, and I believe my husband desires to do good in this area.  He wasn’t really raised being involved in the church or having a relationship with Christ like we’ve both realized we needed all of this time.  He gave his life to the Lord a few years into our marriage, praise the Lord for that!  However, I think he feels he isn’t equipped to lead us spiritually.  I strongly disagree.  While I have heard the saying about being a baby in your spiritual walk still drinking milk, as he grows in his faith he will become more comfortable in that leading role.  Once he grows and matures as a Christian, he will walk confidentially as the head of our house and the spiritual leader for our family.

The survey did not really reveal anything earth shattering that we didn’t already know we needed to work on, but it was interesting to participate in the survey.  I enjoyed reading the results and seeing the recommendations as far as reading material to help bridge the gap of where we are and where we’d like to be spiritually.  I really did appreciate the resources listed and plan to check them out.

If you have five minutes, would you consider taking the survey, answering the questions honestly and then taking action on the areas you may be weak on in your marriage?  If so, please click here to take you to the Focus On The Family Marriage Survey.

I’d like to see everyone’s marriages improve so that you’re close in all areas: emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and physically.  It can happen!

Marriage isn’t just 50/50 as a lot of people like to say.  It takes both of you going above and beyond to make your marriage soar to new heights.  You CAN keep the fire burning in your marriage.

Even if there have been issues in your marriage previously where you felt like a wedge was driven between you and your spouse, God can heal your marriage if you turn to Him.  We are living proof of it as we are closer now than we have ever been in our entire marriage!  Two years ago, honestly, we were not sure that would be possible.  We give God all the praise, honor, and glory for this because HE turned the problems we had into stepping stones to a love beyond our wildest dreams.  We know for a fact that HE is able, if you trust in Him and turn your lives and marriage over to Him.

So what are you waiting for?  Take the marriage survey, discuss the results, and join together to utilize the resources they recommend to improve your marriage.  No, I am not receiving any commission or any blogger perks for recommending Focus On The Family, their survey, or the resources offered.  I simply love what Focus On The Family is all about and wanted to share with others who may be interested.

Here’s to living, loving, and enjoying life together with your spouse!

Marriage Survey

What Are You Expecting?

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Try as we may, we all go into different situations with expectations.  It is hard as human beings NOT to sit in anticipation of what will happen.  Whether we’re expecting a miracle in a situation only God can control such as someone’s health issues, or we’re expecting a raise for all of our hard work, if we’re honest, we’re all sitting in anticipation of something.

For the vast majority of Seniors, they are expecting to walk down the aisle at their graduation ceremony in just a few, short days.  They have no idea that all the years they complained about school will actually be the best days of their lives when they look back on things.  When all you really have to do is go to school, study, and make good grades all while hanging out with your friends, oh yes, these are the best days of your life.  You just haven’t realized it yet.  When you get out into the real world, you will, though.  Whether you go to college to further your education or you go out into the work force, you will soon realize that the world does not revolve around you and your friends.  It can be, and often is, a cruel world out there.  I bet of all the things you’re expecting your adulthood to be, you won’t be expecting the harsh reality of those that occupy the planet with you caring very little about your well being and your success.  Don’t let people, their actions, or their lack of care and concern make you lose sight of your goals in life.  Be the best YOU can be.

There was once a guidance counselor at my husband’s school that discouraged him from going to college.  The guidance counselor said such damaging things like, “You clearly are not college material.”  That stuck with my husband, and honestly, it discouraged him a great deal.  It was, indeed, damaging to hear the guidance counselor, of all people, say this to him when he was looking for … well … guidance … for his future plans. My husband certainly didn’t go into the office that day expecting THAT.  Thankfully, though, he has a spirit of determination, and those words were actually the words he needed to hear.  He didn’t give up like ones would do under those circumstances being told such things.  Instead, he forged ahead, and he went to two technical colleges, and THEN he entered the big university where he graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering!

Don’t EVER discourage someone when they come to you seeking advice.  Especially if you’re in a position such as this guidance counselor!  Instead, be a great encouragement to them.  My husband went in there expecting encouragement from the guidance counselor, but instead that was not what he received.  Yet, in the long run, he proved the guidance counselor wrong!  He not only went to two technical colleges where he obtained an Associates Degree, he went on to the big university where he obtained his Bachelor Degree!  Although he’s never gone back to that guidance counselor to show them just how wrong they were about him, I wonder if the thought has ever crossed his mind.

What are you expecting?  Where are you in life and what are you looking forward to, anticipating, or expecting? Are you expecting to go on to bigger and better things?  Who is stopping you then?  Go for it and live your dream!  If there is a way possible for you to embark on the path that will lead you to your destiny, do it!

Live your dream.  Reach for the stars!  You CAN do it!

 

Family Devotional Bible

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I remember it all very well.  Looking back on my childhood years, I recall this big shelf of books.  Lots and lots of books!  And there I sat looking through them all to find the one that would keep my attention.  What captivated me was this rather large, beige book that felt like it had a leather cover.  There was a picture of Jesus on the front, and my little eyes marveled at the man before me.  At that age, knee high to a grasshopper, I thought that was truly a picture of Jesus right there on the cover.  I remember staring into His beautiful eyes before running my fingers along the corner of the cover and opening the Good Book.  Page after page was filled with scriptures, of course, but my, oh my, the pictures within this book that almost told the story all by themselves.  I was mesmerized by each and every story with pictures to go along with it!

Fast forward all of these years later, and I am almost reliving the moment. This time, it is through my youngest daughter.

When the mail lady pulled up in our driveway honking the horn, I knew she had a package for us.  The only one I was expecting at that point was the one containing the ESV Family Devotional Bible by Crossway.  I thanked the mail lady, and we had a brief conversation before she pulled away to continue her route.  My daughter sat on the burgundy wrought iron bench in the front of our house looking out over our flowerbed.  We have bird feeders and a bird bath out here, and that is one of our absolute favorite spots in the entire yard!  As I walked toward her, she couldn’t help but see the package in my arms.  Curiosity killed the cat as she asked, “What’s that?!”   We typically always have to play the Close-Your-Eyes-And-Hold-Out-Your-Hand-For-A-Big-Surprise-Game.  As I placed the bible in her hands, she opened her eyes, immediately widened them as she said, “Wow!”  I smiled as she began to thumb through the first few pages.

That was all it took.  She was hooked!  Just like I was as a little girl when I discovered our family bible with illustrations!

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I wondered if she would just look through the bible that day and put it aside, but much to my delight, she didn’t!  When we went on a trip the next week, she carried this bible with her!  As we drove along, she would read the stories out of the bible, look at the pictures, and then quiz us on the story line.  Some of the stories from the bibles we could remember well while others would take some brushing up on our end to recall all that happened.  She was so happy to take the opportunity to  refresh our memory as she read aloud parts of the stories to us.

This Family Devotional Bible has become a favorite in our household with our little girl.  If you have little ones yourself, we encourage you to enter our giveaway below!

Special thanks to FlyBy Productions/Propeller for allowing us to participate in this giveaway.  I did receive a free sample of this product, but the opinions expressed are mine and were not influenced by this opportunity to review the bible.

The Winds of Change

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As Winter slowly fades and flowers emerge indicating Spring has arrived, the winds of change blow in our lives in other ways as well.

Sometimes things happen that we do not understand.  Maybe we’re not meant to understand each and every thing but are to, instead, trust that God has a plan for our lives.  Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us of this!

There are times when we’re left with our head spinning questioning motives behind individuals that seemed to have made a sudden change in their lives.  They say or do things seemingly out of characteristic for them, but then we ask ourselves if we ever really knew the true person that they were on the inside.  People are so good at faking it to get what they want, and often times, they take advantage of innocent souls that just want to love and be loved in this life.

Have you encountered a wolf in sheep’s clothing that has come into your life?  I think if we’re honest, we all have at one point or another, and this encounter has left us shaking our heads.  How can a person proclaim to be one way, yet their actions scream that they are the complete opposite?  It is true that actions speak louder than words.

Some may say that we’re the fool for allowing this person back into our lives, but who wouldn’t want a second chance if they screwed up royally the first time?  God forgives us, so shouldn’t we also extend that forgiveness to others?  What is tricky here is trying to determine who is genuine and true, and who is trying to pull the wool over your eyes.  We don’t always know the answer to this until the truth is revealed later down the road.  Yet, we still aren’t the fools because of our forgiving nature.  They are because they continue on in their foolish ways.  One day it will all catch up with them.  God doesn’t like ugly, and evil will not EVER win!  God will make sure of it!

Ah, but we live and learn.  We aren’t sorry for the chances that we gave, we just feel sorry for the individuals who blow it time and time again not realizing what they are losing in the process.  Not only are they missing out on an awesome individual that would have done anything in the world for them, but they are letting the entire world know with their actions alone that they are not trustworthy, lack morals, values, and aren’t a person of integrity or good character.  Honestly, in the end, we feel sorry for them.  After all, you are only as good as your word.  We remember when, in the good ole days, your word was your bond.  Now, it seems to be all lip service, and they could care less who they use or step on along the way.

Rise up, Children of God, and put on your armor; the armor of God.  In the world we’re living in today, we truly need it!  When lives are not valued any longer and individuals seem to sink to lower levels, we scratch our heads and wonder what will happen with this generation that feels they are “entitled” and no one can touch them.  They say and do things yet aren’t accountable for their actions.  The parents that should be disciplining them are the ones teaching them by their bad example.  The children grow up seeing parents lie and cheat on each other, often time being their alibi or covering for their parent’s indiscretions.  Is it truly any wonder that they turn out the way they do then?   Or what about the teens drinking, doing drugs, “vaping,” having sex in the backseat of their cars on the side of the road?  Parents don’t seem to think their kids can do any wrong, and if you point it out to them, oh they’ll just cover for the little brats anyway.  Right is right and WRONG is wrong!

It’s a sad world we’re living in.  And I ask that you join me in prayer for this entire nation!  We need God – not just on Sunday mornings when one occasionally wishes to step foot into a church or when they are in trouble and only then think to pray to God.  We need God in our daily lives and heart.  We need Him in the homes with Godly parents teaching and raising up Godly children who will be our leaders one day.  We need people with high morals and values leading the way.  Not what we have today with moral decay.  It is scary to think of the graduating class this May with some so called “adults” that lack morals, values, integrity and have the character of a lowly snake in the grass.

We need God in the schools – in the classrooms – and we need God in the White House running this Nation!!  What happened to “One Nation Under God?!”

God has been taken out of so many things, and yet we wonder why the world is in the shape that it’s in today.  Plain and simple, we need more of God and less of the worldly influence.

Rise up, Parents, and raise children that will lead us all straight to the foot of the cross; to Jesus!

He is the only one that can truly save us all.

 

Mental Health Month

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The entire month of May is Mental Health Month.  This is a great opportunity to remind everyone that it is okay not to be okay!

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As I thought about this topic, I did a little research as to when it first originated.  Much to my surprise, I discovered that May has been observed as National Mental Health Awareness Month since 1949.  I had NO idea!  Did you?

During this month, advocates and activists seek to draw attention and awareness to the mental health issues that touch people’s lives all across this nation.

Did you realize that as many as one in five Americans are affected by mental illness?  Neither did I!

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I’d say it’s time for us to wake up and realize that people are hurting.  Some hide it so well behind the many masks that they wear, but deep down inside, they are in great turmoil!  The vast majority are suffering in silence, afraid to speak out for fear of the stigma attached to those with mental illnesses.

When a mental illness is left untreated, the person soon begins to have suicidal thoughts.  They are consumed with feelings of hopelessness.  This is when we need to be screaming from the roof tops that HELP IS AVAILABLE!!

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Sadly, there is a large number that do not seek treatment.  The harsh realization is that more people die by suicide than automobile accidents!  Does that not shock you and shake you to your very core?  It’s time to CHANGE that!

It breaks my heart to think of those suffering in silence, plagued with darkness, feeling as if the only way out is to take their own lives.  They’re so afraid of the shame and humiliation they will feel or their family members will feel if they seek help.  Yet, asking for help is the bravest thing they could possibly do!!

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Will you join me in breaking the silence?  Will you join in support for tearing down all the negatives that society has some how placed on those with a mental illness?

No one asks to be mentally ill.  NO ONE!

Here at Light Love Hope, we have such compassion for each and every person that has ever struggled with mental health issues.

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Please, if you or someone you know is struggling, reach out for help.  We need you to know that help is available, and there are proven methods in dealing with mental illness.  You do not have to fear being judged any longer.  Help is available, and we encourage you to find a mental healthcare professional in your area to discuss options that are available for you.

If you, a loved one, or a valued friend are feeling suicidal, please reach out for support.  You can start here, if you feel you cannot ask for help from those around you.  Please go the American Foundation For Suicide Prevention where help is available now!

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Your life matters!

A Series of Unfortunate Events

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Once a movie, now the theme of our lives since January 1, 2016:  A Series of Unfortunate Events.  Honestly, that is the first thing that popped into my mind to describe the past four months.

There was a series of unfortunate events that spiraled out of control for a bit.  It left such heartache and pain in its path, and after the mass destruction, it was hard to pick up the pieces of my daughter’s shattered heart.  I’ll never forget her running into the living room crying hysterically as she fell into my arms sobbing deep, uncontrollable sobs.  Her heart shattered right there on the floor all around us.  I’ve never felt more helpless in all of my life.  My daughter was hurting, and I couldn’t fix it.  In the past, I could always kiss it and make it better when she scraped her knee or fell off of her bike.  This time was way different, and I knew all I could do was hold her and pray for God to help us in this situation.

For months, we prayed.  We knew that this was bigger than all of us, and only God could change hardened hearts.  While we wished, prayed, and hoped for an answer in January, it just simply does not happen in our timing.  When God seems silent, just know that He is working in the background.  We just may not ever know it at the time, but if you’re patient and continue to have faith, God will reveal all in HIS timing.

And … He has.

Friday, my daughter called once more in tears. I could barely understand a word she was saying through her sobs.  As she cried, I started crying, too.  Finally, I grasped what my daughter was trying to say.  An apology had been extended to her, out of the blue!  We were both taken back by this, and she asked what she should do.  Knowing she was about to be late going into work at that point, I told her to just breathe … and set the message aside until after work.  She and I would pray about it and decide how to respond.

God … You truly WERE listening when we prayed, and You WERE at work the entire time!

That evening, she responded to the message through tears and nervousness.  Hoping, waiting, wanting … And then a message popped up addressed to me.  A very humble, respectful apology that I believe was heart felt.  We hugged and cried together for God surely answered our prayers.

My daughter cried once more, but this time it was different.  Her tears fell out of pure happiness over an opportunity for redemption.  For a love she thought she’d lost forever has now returned asking forgiveness and vowing to prove that he is a changed man.

While others may not understand why anyone should receive a second chance after the series of unfortunate events, we know that God has forgiven us ALL for things we’ve done in our lives that were unpleasing to Him.  If God forgives us, so shouldn’t we also extend our forgiveness to those that are humble and sincere?  I believe we shall take this chance and allow this young man to prove himself.  If we didn’t offer another chance, we would always wonder what could have been.  And so we go, with God on our side, seeking His guidance and asking for His protection over their hearts and lives.

We know things won’t be roses and rainbows all the time.  We also know that there is a lot of work that has to be done here for him to pick up the shattered pieces of my daughter’s heart and put them back together again to make her whole.  I believe he is capable, if he invites God into his relationship.

No outside interference from non-supporting friends or family will be tolerated either.  If people cannot genuinely support these two, then they need to keep their negative thoughts to themselves.

I believe that people can change if they truly want to.  When their heart has been heavy and hurting for so long, they have to make a decision to continue living the way they have been OR to make a lasting change for the better.

I believe out of the ashes and the pain, a beautiful love will emerge stronger than ever.

 

God Is For Us, In Us, With Us

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As you’re going about your day, do you feel as if negative energy is trying to pull you down?  Maybe you’re feeling some kind of way, but you can’t quite put your finger on it.  Your thoughts are invaded with things from the past which still seem to haunt you in the present.

Or, maybe you’ve battled with an addiction previously, conquered it with the help of God, and yet here comes temptation flaunting itself in your face once more.  Recently we had a friend pull out a can of snuff.  In conversation, he reached in his pocket, then offered the can to my husband and I.  He stopped what he was talking about long enough to say that his mama always told him it was rude to partake of something in front of others without asking if they’d like some first so he was offering his chewing tobacco to us.   He laughed as he extended it in my direction knowing that I surely would not ever take it.   That’s when I laughed, declined the offer, but politely told him that not too long ago this innocent offer would have been troublesome for us.  He stared back at me as I finished by saying that thankfully my husband kicked the habit a few years ago and no longer chews tobacco.  This guy’s face dropped, and he let his arm, which was previously extended out in front of him with the can firmly in his grasp, drop with it.  He stumbled over his words for a second before saying, “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know …”  We were smiling when we told him that it was no big deal now, but he insisted that it was.  He said he did not want to be the temptation of his brothern and that he did not want to do anything that might cause my husband to be weak.  My husband spoke up then and said it was a hard demon to slay back then, but he did it.  He went on to say that he’s at a place now where the sight, smell, nor seeing someone dip no longer bothers him.

Maybe it isn’t something as simple as a can of chewing tobacco that someone offers to you.  Perhaps you were once an alcoholic who tried to drown your sorrows in the bottle of whiskey, and yet when you’re out with friends now, they order drinks from the bar.  Would you have enough willpower not to order one, too, knowing the affects alcohol has had on you and your life previously?

Temptation is all around, even in the form of what we place before our eyes.  Whether it’s in magazines, on television, in movies, or even on our smart phones in the search engines or social media.  Temptation abounds.   You have to constantly guard your heart, mind, and soul in all areas.

 I’d like to encourage you with a few scriptures today, one which speaks of taking a stand against the devil’s schemes.  We have to be aware at all times that he lurks trying to destroy our lives.  I had someone just today talking about how when they are happy and are enjoying an outing with their family, it seems like something is going to happen that will cause them to lose their temper or get anxious.  They questioned why this seems to always happen when they’re all out there just trying to have fun.  Why?  My theory is that the devil cannot stand to see you happy.  He prefers that you are miserable, and he will do everything to ensure that you live a miserable existence.  When we’re living for God, the devil gets angry and attacks us.  Notice how when you’re living in sin, it doesn’t seem like you’re bothered.  That’s because the devil has you right where he wants you, in a world full of sinful ways.  But, the moment that you try to redeem yourself and get back on the straight and narrow with God’s help, the devil begins to launch his attacks against you.  Just know this.  GOD is stronger than any temptation that the devil tries to put in front of you.  GOD will not allow the devil to win.  Evil will NOT prevail.  God has the final say, and I want you to know that God Is For Us, In Us, With Us – and isn’t that a reassuring truth?!  You do not ever have to feel like you’re in this alone.  God is ALWAYS there.  He is our biggest fan!  And if you ask Him into your heart, there He will stay!  AND, what’s more is that God is with us no matter where we may go or what we may face.  He’s there fighting with us and often times FOR us.

Be encouraged today and allow God to help you replace those negative thoughts with good, wholesome thoughts.  If you’re replaying a difficult situation over in your mind with the shoulda-coulda-woulda thought process – STOP!   Literally, say STOP out loud if you have to in order to redirect your thoughts.  Or, try this.  Wear a rubber band around your wrist, and every time you start going down that same ole destructive path with those thoughts, POP the rubber band on your wrist.  OUCH!  This is a reminder because it HURTS … physically, yes it does.  Not only that, though, it HURTS us when we start hearing the beep … beep … beep of backing up and going in the past over a situation that is already over with!  There is no going back.  There is no changing what happened or the outcome.  What’s done is done.  Stop going back over the situation in your mind rehearsing it 14 different ways.  STOP the madness.  Just like the physical pain you feel when you snap that rubber band, you’re causing yourself mental anguish by allowing the thoughts to continue!

Try this.

For every negative that comes into your head, replace it with a positive thought.  Praise God for things that you are grateful for.  If you have gratitude in your heart and mind, your thoughts will follow.  If the devil tries to get on your shoulder and whisper negatives in your ear, stop him in his tracks and start thinking GOOD thoughts.  Think of how beautiful your children are when they are just standing on a white sandy beach looking out at the rolling waves as they crash against the rocks.  Let your mind be consumed by the laughter that fills the air when your child runs toward you as the waves lick the shore.  Shift your mind and shift your focus!  You must take control of those thoughts that try to run free.  You wouldn’t let your horse buck, kick, and bolt off if you were on it, now would you?  NO!  So don’t let such a thing happen in your mind!  Just as you would attempt to regain control over your horse, regain control over your thoughts.  Ask God to help you, and I assure you that HE WILL!!

The verses I mentioned earlier are as follows.  Think on these things and go forth to enjoy this beautiful day that the Lord has given us!

Ephesians 6:11,

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

John 10:10,

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:

I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

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