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Light, Love, Hope

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

Honoring Mothers Every Where

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Yesterday was Mother’s Day.  It was a day honoring mothers every where.   That includes YOU, dear mother that is reading this that often times feels like everyone else gets honored on “that” day but you.

I have been there.

There was once a time when I felt like I was lost in the shuffle on Mother’s Day.  The festivities fell on my shoulders … to make sure my mom felt special, to make sure my grandmother felt special, too, and let’s not forget that I also had to make sure that my mother-in-law felt special as well.  I was the one that people looked to and expected something to be done to “celebrate” the mothers in the family.  Yet, I was and am a mother myself, so who was supposed to celebrate … ME?

At one time, I felt selfish for these thoughts.  Not any more.

I AM a mother, and I DO deserve to be treated special.  Not just on one day a year, though.  Yes, mothers get special recognition on that day for all that they do.  But, I hope you’re showing your mother or the mother of your children DAILY how special they are and how much you appreciate and love them.  They work long hours with little recognition for all that they DO.  As the saying goes, “A mother’s work is never done.”  It seems like that, doesn’t it with the endless pile of laundry that seems to breed and multiply in the laundry room and clothes hampers!

But, yes, at one point I felt selfish for wondering who was to celebrate me and how long did I have to “mother” to qualify for someone celebrating me.

I finally decided that my husband was perfectly capable of celebrating the woman that brought him into this world and raised him.  I no longer needed to carry the weight of this on my shoulders to do things “just right” to celebrate her.  She wasn’t my mother.  Oh that is not going to come off nice to some of my readers, but I inherited her when I married him.  Whether he celebrated her in years past and how, he did without me then … so if he wishes to celebrate her now, he can still do that without my help.   No, I don’t harbor any ill feelings toward his mother at all.  Please don’t read that into this.  But, she was one of the ones that didn’t really celebrate me.  Finally, she did start mailing me a card, which I appreciate.  It took YEARS for me to “qualify” to be a recipient of a card from her, although I am the mother of her 10 year old granddaughter in addition to her 18 year old step granddaughter.  Yes, I think I more than qualify for someone to celebrate me instead of me always being the one to celebrate everyone else and make sure they feel special on Mother’s Day.

Although my late grandmother would come to Mother’s Day dinner at my house along with my parents, my grandma didn’t celebrate me either.  I always had her a present when she came, and I made sure to recognize her.  I just did not “qualify” to receive recognition from her, I suppose, although I’ve been a mother for the past 18 years.

My parents, though, they ALWAYS celebrated me.  I was recognized by my dad, especially, and I am so thankful for all that he has done in years past and this year included, to recognize me on this day where mothers every where are honored and recognized.

I was always so “busy” getting the Mother’s Day gifts in order as well as preparing the Mother’s Day meal … it wasn’t a day off for me AT ALL … instead, it seemed to be a day that I worked even harder, without any recognition at all for ME being a mother, too.  I worked, I did, I bought, I cooked, I made, I recognized, I honored.  Everyone let me do it, too.  My mother, my grandmother, my mother-in-law, my husband, etc.

Finally I had a melt down one year.  I said WHO is going to celebrate ME?

Well, I did NOT have that complaint this year AT ALL …

As to the answer to the question “Who is going to celebrate ME?”  My daughter … my 18 year old daughter that is graduating at the end of the month … took HER graduation money that she has received from people thus far and went shopping for me.  I did not know this at the time, but it was revealed to me this past weekend.  My darling daughter took her money that was given to her and used it to purchase presents to honor and celebrate me.  She could have (and really should have) taken that money to use on something for herself … and yet, she sacrificed so that I would be honored and celebrated on Mother’s Day.

It all started Friday when my girls announced that they would do whatever I wanted the entire weekend since it was Mother’s Day weekend.  YEA!!!!

We took off to Charleston on Friday to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens.  Oh my goodness!  If you have never been … it is a must see if you are ever in South Carolina!

Magnolia

From the historic house, to the beautiful grounds, there is so much history within the old rice fields alongside of this plantation.  We strolled through the gardens, visited the petting zoo, and enjoyed looking at the miniature horses and donkey as well.  Then, we went up to the house and played on a tree that my now 18 year old daughter played on when we visited this site many years ago.   We took pictures with the beautiful white bridge that is in a lot of people’s wedding photographs from the low country.  We were one with nature as we saw alligators in the ponds and swamps, and that was plenty close enough for me!

Magnolia Bridge

We had a wonderful day together, and then we went to the mall.  🙂  Doesn’t everyone after they’ve taken a walk back into time?

Saturday my daughter went out for a bit and returned with flowers … a dozen of the most beautiful white roses I’ve ever seen before!  I can imagine these once tiny white buds slowly opening up into these fist sized roses to share all of their beauty with us.  I placed them in a vase and then gave them a home right in the very center of our dinning room table to enjoy as we had our dinner together as a family.

Mother's Day Roses

We spent Saturday with me transferring 12k pictures from my computer onto an external hard drive for safe keeping, and then we were off to dinner at a local restaurant with my parents. Tomatoes and rice were calling my name!    If you’re Southern, you’ll understand.  If not, don’t ask.

Sunday morning I awoke to beautiful gifts from my darling daughter.  As I mentioned earlier in this post, she took her graduation money and purchase gifts for me.  She has a heart as big as Texas!    Not wishing for her sister or step dad to feel bad for not having any gifts to give me themselves, my daughter shared the presents that she purchased for me with them so that everyone would have something to give me that morning on Mother’s Day.  That was so incredibly sweet of her, and it truly touched my heart.  Later, she and I had a conversation together where she shared that although it was from her and she had this overwhelming feeling to tell me that morning, she didn’t because she didn’t want to take away from her sister and step dad presenting me with the gifts.  I told her that although she never said a word at that time, she didn’t have to because I KNEW … I knew who celebrated me.  I knew who those gifts were from.  Deep in my heart, I knew that my 18 year old daughter was the one that took it upon herself to recognize, celebrate and honor me on Mother’s Day.  Yes, my day had come … someone recognized me due to their kind and thoughtful heart without me saying a word.  No prodding, no comments, no subtle hints even.  She did this all on her own.  And my heart was overflowing with joy.

Mother's Day Gifts

After that, I reminded my daughters that they said they would do anything I wanted for Mother’s Day weekend.  Can you guess what I chose to do?  TRAIL RIDING!!!

My 10 year old daughter goes trail riding with us every chance she gets.  She loves it so much and enjoys being with her horse.  My oldest daughter, however, isn’t as thrilled to get on the back of a horse these days.  She will if I beg … but this day, Mother’s Day, all I had to do was smile sweetly as we loaded the horse trailer, packed a lunch, snacks, and drinks, and headed out on the trail.  All four of us got to go together trail riding, which thrilled my heart completely!  That was the greatest gift that money could never buy, the gift of having my family together – all of us – including our fur babies.

Mother's Day Ride

Mother's Day

After a few hours of trail riding, we returned home where shortly thereafter my parents arrived to have dinner with us.  We grilled out and had an enjoyable evening laughing, talking, and just enjoying each other’s company.

My mom was funny, though, as when she entered my house, she was talking.  I was listening to her with the biggest smile on my face as she had walked right past the dinning room table where a bouquet of flowers sat on the table.  Flowers we purchased for her on Mother’s Day.  We also had a little crystal whatnot (or as she calls them, dust collectors) sitting right beside it that said, “Love You Forever.”   I had to point at the flowers before she looked in that direction, and even then she had no idea that they were for HER … I had to tell her, and then she melted right there on the spot.

Ah, sweet moments like this will be engraved in my memory forever!

All in all, it was a perfect weekend spent with my family.  I celebrated my mom, of course.  But, my daughter celebrated ME!

My husband did take me shopping Friday at the mall, and I picked up some blouses … so that was his Mother’s Day gift to me, which I greatly appreciate.  But, knowing that my daughter used her money that was given to her as a graduation gift to purchase my Mother’s Day … there is a twinge of guilt there, but I know that she sacrificed for me.  My darling daughter thought of me … honored me … and celebrated ME.

That was a great feeling!

Just as I wrote on a Facebook status this weekend … Life is good … God is GREAT … I am blessed and so grateful to God above!

There will never be enough words to adequately express my heartfelt appreciation for what my daughter did for me this past weekend.  She’s really special.  I have known that for quite some time, but this … a completely selfless act, sacrificing for her mother … there are no words to tell you how that feels deep down in my soul.

If you are reading this and might have bombed this Mother’s Day on not recognizing the mother of your children or your own mother, take heart.  There is always next year OR the next “special occasion.”  BUT, why wait?  You can create your very own special occasion … just pick a day that you’d like to do something for them out of the blue.  You know what?  It might mean MORE to them if you do something on a day that it isn’t “expected.”  Whether you buy a gift, make one, take them out to dinner, or just sit and spent quality time with them …  you will light up their entire world with your efforts.

Take time to show the people in your life that they matter.

 

Win a copy of Soothe

Jim Brickman: Soothe Your World

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We all feel stress. Many of us experience it on a daily basis. We know stress is bad. But do we really do anything about it or do we just live with? Jim Brickman, world renowned solo piano artist who has lived many years with a hectic stressful schedule, has compiled a wonderful collection of ideas and exercises to help everyone relieve the stress of daily life in an aptly named book: Soothe – How to Find Calm Amid Everyday Chaos.

Brickman brings together experts in various fields that share their insights into how each of us can soothe the stress in our lives. In a delightful narration, Brickman intertwines these ideas and exercises with his own personal experiences as he had worked to soothe the stress in his own life. The narrative is lively and entertaining with sections set aside throughout the book showcasing brief detailed descriptions of techniques and exercises we can use every day from his collection of experts.

As I read through the book, I could relate to so many of the things he touched upon which gave the book a more personal touch for me. I can relate to being a worrier. I can relate to getting stressed when I am late. I can relate to having my mind constantly working thinking about one thing or another; even to the point that it can affect my sleep. Some days it seems like all I am is a big ball of stress. Most of which I cause all by myself.

To accompany his book, Soothe – How to Find Calm Amid Everyday Chaos, Brickman has released a companion CD, Soothe – Music to quiet your mind & soothe your world, of beautiful stress relieving songs that incorporate the classic Brickman style arranged with peaceful sounds of nature. I have found the CD so captivating with the relaxing moods that emanate from each song that I have begun to use it during my daily meditation as well as playing it at my desk at work.

I highly recommend this book and CD for those of you that would like to try to soothe some of the stress and anxiety in your life. Brickman brings together an excellent variety of thought and examples that are easily integrated into your own schedule. Going through the book you might feel a bit overwhelmed at all the information. Don’t be. Start out slow and pick what you think will be easy for you to work into your day. You don’t have to do everything suggested in the book to see results.

Several of the techniques Brickman mentions in Soothe I have known about for some time. A couple of them I have already included in my daily schedule. Over the next several days, I would like to expand a bit on those things he writes about in Soothe – How to Find Calm Amid Everyday Chaos and give you some of my own experiences with trying to live a less stressful and more enjoyable life.

Start yourself on a new path in life with Soothe.
For more information on Jim Brickman and how to Soothe your life visit:
jimbrickman.com/SootheOverview.
#SootheYourWorld

National Day of Prayer

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Today is the National Day of Prayer. I come to you not with some big, long, extravagant post but a short and simple request.

Would you please join me around the nation today to pray?

The world we are living in is so completely troubled, and we need God more than ever! Sadly, He is being taken out of a lot of things in life when we need Him the most.

Will you please join me in prayer?

Matthew 18:19-20
19″Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask,

it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.

20″For where two or three have gathered together in My name,

I am there in their midst.”

He’s in our mists!  He hears every prayer.  Whether you speak it out loud from your lips or whether you silently speak it from your heart to His, HE HEARS US ALL.

Pray for the nation. Pray for the leaders.  Pray for those who will decide the future of our country.

Pray for your neighbors, coworkers, family, and friends.

Pray over your health and that of your family.

Pray about anything and everything that is on your heart.

Pray as hard as you can.

Even pray for your enemies, as hard as that might be.  That one is still very important.  Pray for those who curse you.

God hears us … every single one!

Exhale

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I came to know the singer Plumb a few short years ago.  This particular song would play on the radio, and I was immediately entranced in the lyrics. There was talk of baby blue eyes and curly cues that, of course, made me think of my darling daughter who was only three years old at the time.

This song came at the right time, too, and was used as a tribute to my oldest daughter’s friend, Sydney, who was fighting a rare form of cancer in 6th grade.  I’ll never forget my daughter being new to this school and rightly self conscious as she entered the classroom to take her seat amongst the new faces that would be her classmates that school year.  No one spoke to my darling daughter as she made her way to a nearby seat.

Finally this blonde haired, blue eyed girl spoke up, “Hi, I’m Sydney.  Would you like to sit with me?” 

Oh thank God for Sydney!

My daughter did take her seat beside her new friend not knowing at that point in time that later in the school year my daughter would feel such a burning in her heart to help her newly diagnosed friend.  We contacted our pastor and began working on fundraisers for Sydney, with Plumbs’ song on the video as beautiful pictures of a healthier Sydney were displayed on the overhead screen for the entire church congregation to see.

Yes, this is how I first came to know of Plumb.  The perfectly written song that made me think of my youngest daughter with the eyes and the hair, while also thinking of my desire to protect my daughters from the raging storms in life.  The very same song Sydney’s mother chose as a tribute to her daughter.  So touching, so moving as the words of Safe In My Arms played as picture after picture was displayed of Sydney through the years.

Now Plumb, also known as Tiffany Arbuckle Lee, has returned with another powerful and moving album entitled Exhale. 

I was taken with this album right away as I placed it into my computer to listen at work on Monday morning.  Glancing down, I noticed the message on the front cover and knew before hearing a single word that she sang that this album would touch hearts and bring you to your knees before the throne of God.

We do not exist for us but to share the grace and love given to us ALL.  We breathe it in, it changes us and then we breathe it out, we share it.  I have now breathed in deeply and it has changed me completely.  It has healed my heart, restored my home and made me new.  Because of that grace, there is ALWAYS hope!  It’s oxygen.  Breathe it in … and then, EXHALE.

Do you see the potential of such a powerful impact that this one little album could have?

And then … I clicked play on my desktop, and the words flowed straight to my ears and down into my heart.

The song Exhale reassures you that no matter what you have done, everyone is welcome in His arms!

Oh friend, don’t you see the impact that this could have if more people heard those words and soaked them into their hearts and souls?  What a message of hope and redemption!

Come, child … It’s not too late.   It doesn’t matter what you’ve done, who you are, all that matters is that you surrender now.  Confess your sins and ask for forgiveness … it is yours.  The Father WILL forgive you … come just as you are and breathe in deeply … feel the sin and shame leave your body as God forgives you, washes you white as snow, and makes you new!    These are my words and what it makes me think of as the words on Plumbs’ album are slowly lifting themselves through the speaker and tucking themselves into my soul.  I can’t keep it to myself.  I have to share it with the world … and so I sit here typing as fast as my little fingers will fly … to share the message of Hope with YOU!

There are 12 songs on this album, and they are all just as good as the first.  They speak truth and life.   I highly encourage you to pick up the new album, or, in lieu of a giveaway with different things you have to do to enter, just email me if you’d like a copy.  I’ll select a random winner.

~*~*~*~*~

 

Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Thoughts, Emotions, Decisions, Life

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Last week I ran across a quote that I’d like to share with you:

Thoughts affect emotions.

Emotions affect decisions.

Decisions affect your life.

Take a moment to let that sink in.  In short: Thoughts, emotions, decisions, life.

Have you ever sat stewing on something that was bothering you?  Deep in thought, you are physically in the same room or even vehicle with someone, yet you are a million miles away.  You are so deep in thought, so into what you are ranting and raving about in your head, that you do not notice the faces that you are making that are a dead giveaway of the not-so-nice-thoughts that are swirling around in your head.

Before you know it, you are so wrapped up in your thoughts and rehashing things from when someone did you wrong in the past, how you would have reacted differently if you had more time to think before processing the bad news you received, or what you would have said if you weren’t so shocked and dumbstruck at the time.  Then you get all fired up mad about the situation all over again.

Remember this!  God gave you the grace to get through that moment in time.

He gave you HIS grace so you would have the shock absorber that was HIM holding you at that moment in time when you were going through this.  If you keep backing up, though, you might be on your own.

I also saw a picture on Facebook of what a guardian angel might look like with someone that just continues to make bad choices.  The guardian angel sits slumped over holding her head in her hands.  Imagine now, if you would, that God is doing the exact same thing each and every time you back up.   Oh how I wish there was one of those loud beeping things that commercial trucks have on their vehicles so that everyone knows when the vehicle is backing up so they can get out of the way.  Because believe me, when you get stuck in your head and your thoughts begin to affect your emotions, people would be very appreciative if they had a warning.  You know what comes next … those ill thoughts become ill feelings, and before you know it, you are acting out in a manner that, if you were thinking rationally and not reacting emotionally,  you wouldn’t normally do!

Yes … thoughts … emotions … decisions … life.

The decisions that you make when you are feeling emotional due to the faulty thoughts you had in your head DO affect your life.  Not only that, but they affect those who share their lives with you … your children … your spouse … your parents … your brother or sister … your coworkers … your friends.  See how this all comes together?  It isn’t just YOU stuck in your head.  The moment you act out based on your thoughts and emotions, it is a decision that you alone made and it affects your life and the lives of others around you.

Please … get out of your head.  If something is bothering you, take it to the person that can do something about it.  GOD!  Pray about it before you speak it to another person.  Take it to God FIRST.  Then, if you can calmly speak to the individual that your thoughts are swirling around about, take it to that person.  I must caution you not to be accusatory, though.  Calmly approach the person because chances are that your mind was running away with you and half the stuff you dreamed up in your head isn’t even true in the first place.  Check with the source as soon as you can proceed calmly and with tact.  It will save you from having days and weeks wasted holding a grudge or a big chip on your shoulder.

Think before you act.  What you do today will affect your future tomorrow!

Thoughts, emotions, decisions, life.  Indeed!

 

 

My Strength Comes From The Lord

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Philippians 4:13  (NKJV)

13 I can do all things through Christ[a] who strengthens me.

There are times when we can all use that reminder.  When you feel battered and bruised, tossed to and fro in the raging storms of life, doesn’t this provide great comfort in knowing that you can draw upon the strength of the Lord?

You don’t have to fight this battle alone.  Whatever it is you’re going through, it matters.  It all matters.  YOU matter.  And it is important to wade through each and every emotion that comes flooding in.  Just don’t get stuck there.  Don’t let it bog you down to where you feel like you’re in quick sand.  Reach up and grab the hand of the Lord.  Allow Him to fill you with all the strength that you need to get you through whatever it is you are facing.

No, God will not give us more than we can bear.  There are times we may feel like it, and I’m sure there have been times you’ve said that God sure does trust me to give me all of this to handle.

Friend, all you have to do is call upon the name of the Lord.  Call upon the name of Jesus, and feel your weak, frail body start to feel whole again full of strength and courage even to face what lies ahead.

Say it out loud if you have to in order to draw strength and to feel the comfort of His Great and Mighty Arms around you.  Say it loud and proud, with authority and conviction, with great determination!

My strength comes from the Lord! 

While it will not make the storms of life immediately grow calm, God will calm YOU, His child.

Rest in His presence and allow Him to fill your cup until it runneth over, sweet child of God!

Yes, indeed.  Your strength comes from the Lord.

Allow those comforting words to embrace your entire being: body, mind, and soul.  Feel the strength rushing in now as God provides all that you need.

Do Not Be Anxious

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Do not be anxious.  That sounds easy enough when you’re reading it, but it is so hard to do when we’re going through difficulties in our lives.  Can I get an Amen?

There once was a point in my life where I was eat up with anxiety so much that I was on anti-anxiety medicine.  After my sister took her life in 2001, I fought to find my sense of normal again.  I lost my sister but a huge part of who I was in the process.  As I tried to recover from a completely unrecoverable act with my sister ending her life, I did not know who I was any more.  She was my only sibling, and I lost the ability to identify with any one about our childhood.  Not only that, but in our adult lives, I lost my very best friend; my sister.  We were always together, and there I was thrown into a pit of nothingness, it seemed, when she was gone.  We always knew that we could count on each other, and then one day, she was taken from me.  I felt completely like a fish out of water without  my sister.  She was my big sissy, and if we were not on the phone talking, we were together cutting up and acting silly.  Our lunches were together during the work week, and we were together on weekends as well.  That all changed on that hot July day in 2001, though.  And my world would never be the same again.

Anxiety filled my body.  Ordinary things that wouldn’t have bothered me before started grating on my nerves.  I wanted to isolate myself for fear that people were whispering about my family and what happened with my sister.  Others would just out right ask you about that tragic day wanting every little detail.    Please … if you find yourself curious, be gentle with the person.  If you just can’t help yourself and have to ask, be gentle.  This is a very difficult situation to talk about any way, but it makes it especially traumatic every time the person is asked to re-live that horrible day.

Add in the fact that I had issues with my ex husband and his new wife, oh yes, the anxiety was mounting.

Things in my marriage weren’t right, yet I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.  Yes, the trauma took affect in every aspect of my life, but that wasn’t what caused the issues in my marriage.  Much later I would learn of my husband’s pornography addiction that he kept hidden for years.  Yet, knowing things weren’t right added to my anxiety.

Then the office I worked in –  full of women – seemed to turn more toxic than usual.  Maybe it was because I was able to escape their harsh criticism and tactics as they focused on other victims, but when they eventually got around to me, they were unmerciful in their attempts to bring me down.  The harsh reality is that very few care what you’ve been through.  These “ladies” knew of my sister’s suicide, and it was almost as if they used it to push me closer and closer to the edge.  Maybe they were hoping I’d do it, too.  But, I did not.  Instead, I turned it around when it felt as if they were egging me on and pushing me further into that pit as they attempted to ostracized me.  I enjoyed not being part of “their” group.  There were days I came into the office and went straight to my office not to come out until lunch time to leave, then returning where I’d practically lock myself in my office and not stick my head out again until quitting time.  My office was my place of refuge.  I did not need nor want to associate with them.  They snubbed me, talked about me, and treated me poorly anyway.  I was better off staying to myself doing my work.  What could they possibly have to say about me if my work was done, and I was producing a high volume of quality work?  Even still, they picked me apart and used every opportunity to barge into my office to ridicule me.  Finally, I decided that if I could not accept the situation (and who should accept this ill treatment from adult “mean girls” in the work place?!) nor change the situation (I did eventually speak up to the executive director who did absolutely nothing because his family was friends with my boss and her family), it was time for me to leave.  At that point, I knew for my sanity and for my health, I had to bid them all farewell … and you know what?  Almost immediately I could feel the anxiety leave my body!

It has now been 13 years since my sister’s suicide.  Thankfully the problems with my ex husband and his new wife died down for a few years, too!  Praises to God, as it has been almost three years since I left that toxic work environment.  And one that I will forever be grateful for, God has helped us in my current marriage as it has been one year since my husband sought help for his pornography addiction.  We are closer than we have ever been, and I continue to see the change in my husband on a daily basis.  How refreshing to feel loved, treasured, and cherished now!  Oh thank you, God!  And you know what else?  It has been years … YEARS … since I have been off of that anxiety medicine.  Praises to God above!!!  The anxiety medicine is no longer needed.  God calms His child.

Today, I am HAPPY!  Yes, I can honestly say that today I am the happiest I have been in a very long time.  I thank GOD for removing all of the anxiety in my life.  He raised His hand in the mist of the storms in my life and calmed the raging seas that threatened to consume me.  While I did have to eventually leave the job that I once loved, God gave me the wisdom to see that it was best.  I trusted Him and took that leap of faith … and I am ever so grateful today that I did!  He has provided for and met my every need, and I am eternally grateful.

The bible tells us:

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

6 Do not be anxious about anything,

but in every situation, by prayer and petition,

with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

7 And the peace of God,

which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 

I’m here today to tell you that this is so true.  If I had referred to God’s word more during my times of trouble and had been obedient to what this verse says to do … think of how sooner peace would have filled my soul.  I thank God for the peace that is mine through Him today!

You can have that peace, too.  Do not be anxious, friend.  Instead, turn it all over to Jesus.

 

Christy-Nockels-250

Let It Be Jesus

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Growing up in the church, I always enjoyed the music before the pastor presented his message.  Whether it was from the church choir presenting a piece that they rehearsed for several weeks before perfecting it to present to the church or a special singer ushering us into the presence of God through song, it has been something that I have looked forward to each time I have come into the house of the Lord.  There is just something about raising your voice in song that invites the Holy Spirit into our mist.

Recently, I had the opportunity to review the CD entitled Let It Be Jesus by Christy Nockels.  From the moment it first began playing, it had my full attention.  Not only does Christy have a powerful voice, but the music invites you to tap your toes along with it or put your hands together to clap.  Better yet, as you move from the first song into the next and right on down the album, you find yourself lifting your hands in praise of our Heavenly Father.  He is worthy to be praised, and there is something so freeing about lifting up your arms, raising them high to the Heavens to praise His Holy Name!

Oh Father, you are so good to us.

The powerful words rang from my speakers not only to my ears but straight to my heart.  How beautiful this CD really and truly is.

I sat in the living room just soaking in all of the words – marveling in His Holy Presence.

Friends, if you’re going through a trial right now and feel battered by the storms all around you, put on some praise and worship music and allow yourself to just praise Him.  Yes, it is a sacrificial praise when you are so troubled and yet you lift up your voice in song to Him … sing along with Christy … or any praise and worship song … and feel your spirits being lifted.  Feel the stress and anxiety leaving your body as God renews you and strengthens you.  Yes, praise Him, even in the mist of the storms.  That is when we need to praise Him the most.  The bible tell us to praise Him in ALL things … that means the good, the bad, and the ugly.  Is it easy to do when you’re going through something horrible?  No … but if you will just surrender and allow God to fill you, oh what a difference it will make.  I promise that if you just stop what you’re doing, stop focusing and worrying over things that are beyond your control and just surrender to God at that moment and offer your praises to Him, you will receive a touch from Heaven, from Our Father.

Christy did an excellent job in reaching us and revealing God to us through the words in her songs.  You see, Christy was a worship leader for many years, so encouraging you to worship is not new to her.  She truly knows how to usher you into God’s presence through her songs.

I loved getting to know more about Christy and learning that she was a pastor’s child, and she grew up singing in church.  She definitely has a passion for music that comes through in her songs.

I have a great appreciation for music.  It was one of my favorite things about church growing up and in my adult life.  I joined a choir where I would sing my heart out every opportunity I got and boy, did it ever bless my soul.  After singing with the worship choir, I branched out and fought the case of the nerves as I began singing solo at church.  These are, indeed, the type of songs that I would go in search of to present to the church on Sunday mornings.  How truly beautiful are the words, and I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to review this CD.

Whether you have heard of Christy Nockels before or if this is your very first time hearing of her, we’d like to send you a CD, courtesy of Propeller Consulting, LLC.  Please enter our giveaway below!

Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

 

 

Live Laugh Love

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Those three words – Live Laugh Love – have so much meaning behind them.

Live – each day to the fullest.  Be present with those that you love.  Savor every precious moment you get to have with them.  Every breath they take is a gift.  Every breath YOU take is a gift as well.  Thank God for life and for the life that you’re living!  Thank Him for your loved ones that surround you!

Laugh – at yourself, at silly jokes, at complete foolishness … just because it’s so much fun.  Enjoy the life you’ve been given.  Take every opportunity possible to laugh because life is just too serious at times.  There are troubles and heartaches all around at times, it seems.  So laugh.  Until your stomach hurts.  Laugh until you lose your breath.  Laughter is truly good for your soul.

Love – God, who gave you life.  Love your spouse who you get to share this wonderful life with walking hand in hand and heart to heart.  Love your children that God has richly blessed you with.  These little walking, talking angels are truly God’s gift to you.  He sent His darling angels and has allowed you to love and care for them as you raise them into the beautiful little men and women that He would have them to be.  Love thy neighbor – even those that curse you.  Is it always easy?  No way, but it is commanded from God above.  So try … a little harder each and every day if you must, but pray for those that may come up against you.  Show love.  It is always possible.

Yes, I still have this hand towel hanging up in my kitchen.  It has the little designs on them as if to say I haven’t yet put away all of the Christmas decor, but since I love what it says so much … they remain.  It’s not that I’m lazy and just didn’t put them away.  It is that I love the great reminder.  The daily reminders.  The every moment I’m in my kitchen reminders.

Ah yes …

Live.

Laugh.

Love.

Indeed!

Light Love Hope

Gratitude Journal

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Do you remember how I mentioned my gratitude journal at the beginning of the new year? I wanted to try something new, something to capture the special moments that were happening as this year got underway. The initial idea was to take a slip of paper and write something positive, something you’d like to look back on later. Then, slip this piece of paper into a gratitude jar, and on New Year’s Eve, get that jar out and pull out all of these slips of paper to reminisce.

I soon realized that since I love to write, one slip of paper just wouldn’t do. So, I started a gratitude journal. Here, I can write and write and write some more until my little heart is content.

Well, I noticed that my husband was peeking into my gratitude journal. But, you know what? I didn’t mind. Why? Because I was writing about happy moments. Loved filled moments. Throw your head back laughing moments. With him … with my children … us, together as a family.

And you know what else?

He was inspired! Yes, you read that right. He was so inspired, in fact, that he has picked up that same gratitude journal and written words straight from his heart about the events of the day or the weekend!

Do you know how much this thrills my heart? To read HIS words? I was over the moon happy!

If you haven’t started a gratitude journal, now is the perfect time to consider doing so. It doesn’t have to be a fancy journal with lace or even one with flowers on the front. You can take an ordinary, everyday notebook and began savoring every single moment that you get to live again as you’re writing them down. And then, you get to live them once more when you and your loved ones read back over these memory making moments.

Ah, yes. Savor the moments. Be present when you’re living them with your loved ones, but write them down, too! To be shared. Remembered. Leave your legacy behind in words written straight from your heart and moments that your loved ones will think back on fondly and smile.

Light Love Hope1

Do Not Take Sides

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Oh boy!  This is a hard one.

I work in a small office, and there are three of us ladies here.  I love love LOVE my job!  I truly do.  At times, though, the female personalities can go at it here.  This is not new as this has happened at every single job I have ever held since I was old enough to work.  It’s sad, really.  But for some reason, women just cannot work together in peace, love, and harmony.  I wish that wasn’t so, though.  Why this has to be part of the “norm” in any type of environment when you have women together is beyond me.

How do you handle something like this?  VERY CAREFULLY!

One lady told me about a situation that happened three weeks ago right when it was happening.  The other lady took it upon herself today to tell me “her side” of the story from the same incident that occurred three weeks prior.  What did I do throughout these entire three weeks when there was tension between them?  I stayed out of it!  I came into work, said a blanket “Good Morning” for whoever heard and wanted to acknowledge me … and I had tunnel vision all day as I sat at my desk working.  I would speak when spoken to or if it was work related, but other than that, I kept my nose out of it.  It did not concern me at all, so I lived the past three weeks in that mindset.  In my mind, I kept repeating this, “It does not concern you, stay out of it, do not take sides, and keep yourself in check so they won’t have anything to say about you!”

Is this easy?  No!  Especially when you know an injustice has been served.  Am I getting the entire truth from both parties, though?  Probably not.  I’m sure I’m hearing what both of them want me to hear and not the whole truth.  Certainly not the hand on the bible swearing to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth like they do in a court session before a witness takes the stand.

So this post is to any one out there that is reading it today.  If you are a woman … please, I beg you, let’s work together to build each other up, not tear each other down!  Life is hard.  We all go through struggles.  We do not know and have no way of knowing what someone else is going through.  Be kinder than you normally would be because everyone is fighting some kind of battle.  Whether it is a physical ailment, something emotional where they are grieving over the loss of someone or just hurting deep within their being, or whether they are struggling with some type of mental illness, anxiety, or depression … be kind.  Extend grace.  Show compassion.  Give love.  Is that so hard?  No … it really and truly is not.

Please … let’s work together to build each other up.  In the workplace, in schools, in churches, in different situations no matter what building you are in … if there are other women, work together to build each other up!

Love thy neighbor as thy self.

Would you pick yourself apart like you’re picking apart this woman?

Would you say those things about yourself like you’re saying about this woman?

Would you roll your eyes in the mirror or laugh at yourself like you’re about to where this woman is concerned?

Would you set out to be vindictive and do something harmful to yourself?  Then why do it to other women around you?

Why complicate things with passive aggressive behavior or just out right aggression?  Why can’t we all just get along???  That is the question of a lifetime, isn’t it?

Love.  It covers all.  Even various situations where women work, play, and live closely together.

Love.  It conquers all the disputes in the world.

Love.

Period.

 

Wish

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I know it has been asked before, but if you had just one wish … what would you wish for in life?

That is a tough one.  Just ONE wish?

Would you wish for riches in the form of money or material possessions?  I would hope not.  Instead, I would hope that you’d dig deeper into your soul for something that truly matters more.

What about the people that are suffering in this life?  The ones that hide their true feelings behind their plastered on or fake smile.  The ones that laugh the loudest although their hearts are broken completely.  Wouldn’t that one wish be better suited going for something like this to heal their hurting hearts?  I’m sure they struggle on a day to day basis.  They distance themselves, isolate themselves even, in an attempt to hide from this cruel world.  So much pain has been inflicted upon them, and they hurt deep to their very core.  The things that have happened to them make them question why they had to endure such abuse, heartache, and pain … why does bad things seem to always happen to good people and the bad ones get off free as they appear to skip merrily along in life?  It doesn’t make sense at all.  Yet, there are so many good people suffering in the world today at the hands of dark, evil people that have used and abused them.  Some have had the unspeakable done to them, and yet they force a smile and try to figure out how to heal and move forward.  Wouldn’t your wish be better spent on protection over the helpless, innocent little children that are mistreated, bullied, and abused that turn into shattered adults attempting to pick up the broken pieces of their hearts from their childhood days?

Would you wish for world peace so that there would never be any more wars taking place?  World peace.  That would certainly be refreshing.  No need for guns,  weapons of mass destruction, or the military to leave their families behind to go fight for our freedom any longer because the world would be living in peace and harmony.

While we cannot change this dark world all by ourselves, we can make a difference in the lives of the ones that we share our world with.  We can be the change that we want to see in the world.  It can start with us.  It has to!  We can take our wishes and apply them to our family and friends. We can extend this grace to our coworkers and any one else that we encounter during the day.  We can lend a helping hand or give a pat on the back so that the person that might think inside that they are worthless and that no one cares will truly know that this negative self talk just is not true. If someone is questioning their worth and value, one act of kindness can begin to turn things around for them.  You could be the person that makes this very real difference in their lives.

Let’s all re-evaluate our lives and actions to see what areas we can improve upon so that we can extend more grace, love, and compassion.  We can work together right where we live to make a difference.  What a wonderful world it would be if we all came together in one accord to share love – our love and God’s love!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Karen’s prompt word of “Wish” got me to thinking and resulted in the above post.

Join us for Tuesday At Ten!

 

 

 

 

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