Answer to Prayer

Yesterday I received an answer to one of my prayers.  I have been sewing at our kitchen island and using a bar stool.  It was working out ok, but not the best situation given the amount of sewing I do for my business.  A few months ago it was brought up that I might receive my grandma's sewing table.  But as it turned out, my parents didn't have room in their SUV with all of the other things they were bringing back from CA that were hers.  So I continued to offer this up in prayer. 

One of my mom's club friends offered an old desk for free and I jumped when I received the email.  It took some fixing, but my husband is very handy.  He had to attach brackets so that it would not collapse on me.  And he even cut out a space in the back so I can reach the outlet easily.  How thoughtful!

I love my new work space and am looking forward to spending lots of hours sewing.  I am now able to teach my oldest to sew and hopefully will be able to add teaching to my business.

So thankful!

Taming Our Tongue

Confession:  I really messed up this weekend.  It is not an easy thing to admit.  But when I consider that I have walked away from God and His plans for me, I really have no choice.  The peace I was living in was removed.  I no longer felt His guidance (He didn't leave, He is always with us).  I just had made a very wrong choice and was suffering the consequences of my sin. 

What happened?   I had not really been living in peace like I thought.  I had been holding onto negative thoughts and feelings.  When they could not be contained any more, they were let loose.  And my husband was right there in the line of fire.  He was gentle and loving, as he should be, as understanding as possible.  But he was also there to quickly point out that I had sinned and was no longer walking in a right relationship with him or God. 

So, I of course felt bad and quickly confessed what I had done as sin.  But the consequences of my mistake still came.  That night, by no coincidence,  I developed symptoms of strep throat.  Sinning in my words had opened a doorway for Satan to enter and inflict his pain into my life.  In this case, as a direct result of words not used correctly, I was given a sickness in my throat. 

Today, three days later, I have received medical attention, am on medicine, and am feeling better.  But more importantly the peace has been restored.  I am back in a right relationship with my husband and with God.  Hopefully this lesson will be the last time I go around this mountain.  

I you feel like things are not quite right, check all areas.  Are you holding onto bitterness, resentment, anger, or jealously?  Better get rid of them fast!  They only grow and will develop bad attitudes, words, and will most likely lead you into sin.  BUT, He is always faithful.  He provided me a way out, I just didn't take it.  In fact, He provided two ways out, which I choose to ignore both times.  Trust in God to always lead and guide your thoughts and words.  Give Him your thoughts that are not pleasing to Him.  We have His power to not think on things that are not "lovely, honorable, just, right, and good".  Pray for a watch to be placed over your mind and mouth.  It really is necessary to having a right relationship with Him. 

Hearts and Home: A Reminder Of How Fast They Grow

Hearts and Home: A Reminder Of How Fast They Grow

Today's Challenge

I am going through 31 Days to Clean; Having a Martha House the Mary Way by Sarah Mae.  The challenges are easy to keep up with and really do have lasting results.  Not only will the reader have a "company-ready" house, but Sarah also encourages us as women and home-makers to re-evaluate our position in our homes to create a home filled with life and love. 

Today's challenge suggests we make a list of priorities to keep our homes, and lives in order.  At the top of my list is my time with God.  If I am not making this number one, I really feel the effects.  I rely on His strength and guidance throughout my day.  By beginning my mornings reading His Word and in prayer, I am connecting to my source of strength and wisdom. 

My number two priority is my husband.  I have been trying to create a home of peace for him and that is not an easy task.  It is important that our home is a safe place for our family to rest and relax.  If there is constant bickering with the children, or if the house is messy, there is tension all around.  However, by keeping peace with our boys, training them to handle their problems under God's direction, and by maintaining a clean house, there is a sense of calmness and order.

This leads me to my number three priority.  My children.  I am trying to follow God's Word to "train my children in the way of the Lord, and when they are old they will not depart from it".  So many bad habits have already formed, so I have a lot of untraining to do as well.  But I am confident that through much prayer for them (I am also going through Warrior Prayers - Praying the Word for Boys) and leading by example, they will learn to follow Jesus. 

My number four priority is my home.  For me this includes house cleaning and grocery shopping.  These are my two main jobs and I try my best to do them well.  I have adopted the Bible verse to work for the Lord instead of man as my motto.  When I worked outside of the home, I wasn't happy with my employers.  But I discovered this verse and it made my work experience much better.  I focused on working for Jesus instead of my earthly bosses.  Not that my "job" now is horrible, I actually love it.  But I am keeping my focus on Him so that when I am discouraged by the daily dishes, laundry, or bathrooms to clean ... again, I remain in a positive frame of mind.  The Bible says to not complain about anything, so I do not complain about the work that I have been given.  It is actually a joy to take care of my family in every way that I can.

And lastly number five is myself.  I have (again) started a workout schedule that I am hoping will stick.  My goal is to be "beach ready by 2012".  Not that we have a trip planned, but that is my goal.  I am by no means overweight.  The opposite in fact.  But I am not the most healthy eater.  So I am starting to eat better, cutting down on caffeine, adding fresh fruits and veggies, adding oats (Steel Cut Oatmeal is really good), and exercise a little every day.  So far this week has been a success.  Little changes at a time and I am able to stick with my commitments.

I look forward to updating my progress weekly.  I hope you will come back to see how we are doing with our life changes. 
May God Bless you in all you do,

Kerry