It's time to purge!

What is in your life that is holding you back from going forward? Where is your treasure? Because that's where your heart really is.

What do you need to pass on or give up? Even if you really, really want it.

I feel the need to clear house. Not just of material things but of my emotional and spiritual inventory too. 

What negative thoughts am I holding on to? What spiritual beliefs am I harbouring that aren't in line with God's word? 

Let the purging begin!

Whenever I am afraid,
I will trust in You.
4 In God (I will praise His word),
In God I have put my trust;
I will not fear.
What can flesh do to me?
Psalm 56:3-4

In God (I will praise His word),
In the Lord (I will praise His word),
11 In God I have put my trust;
I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
Psalm 56: 10-11

For You have delivered my soul from death.
Have You not kept my feet from falling,
That I may walk before God
In the light of the living?
Psalm 56: 13

What's the meaning...?

I am having one of those days.

You know...the one where everything goes wrong and you realize just how much saving you really need.

Oh, and my microwave just died.

Just now.

Sigh.

If I'm really honest, the crux of it is that I'm sitting here looking at everyone else around me (a.k.a. moms worldwide) and seeing all that they are doing, and wondering 'what in the world am I doing here?'.

I hate that feeling.

Why do I always feel like I have to have some big meaning for my life? Why do I feel like I'm not measuring up?

I battle this one too often.

So I'm praying, and asking.

I reach for my "Jesus Calling" devotional, opening myself up.

And, of course, God speaks...I did ask Him to just moments ago...

"The fact that I am with you makes every moment of your life meaningful". 

Right. Okay.

Deep breath.

You are SO loved by God!

I have to admit that I've never really had a handle on God's love for me. I try to...really try to get it. But I can't really grasp it. If I did, I'd be living a different life. A free, full of love life. An authentic self life. Man, that sounds good!

So I've been praying...asking that God will help me get it. Help me see it. And mostly, help me really understand it in my soul. Right down to my toes.

This morning I had a glimpse of it...and it actually made sense to me.

I was driving and listening to music like I usually do. A song came on called "Back in His arms again", and as I listened to the song, I was trying to understand it.

"Back in His arms again"?

When did we leave His arms?

Suddenly my mind flashed an image of God holding this tiny little baby in His arms and I realized that baby was me! The love on His face as He looked down at me...

THE LOVE!

I was a crying hot mess in minutes because I could feel the love. Oh. My. Goodness. Folks. He loves us SO much.

In that moment I understood His pain of releasing me into the world, of His hoping that I could stay close to Him. That I would remember the important things like how much He loves me, that He wants so much for me, that I am redeemed. Forgiven. Forever.

It made me think of my own kids and how I feel when I release them for the day to school or some activity. Will they remember their manners? Will they be safe? Will they remember how much Mommy and Daddy loves them, and especially how much their Heavenly Father loves them more?

I've never really imagined God feeling like that for me.

But in that moment, in that one image, I realized that He loves me so much, and He has plans for me. And that He cares about all my moments; the big ones and the little ones too. He cares SO much more than I realized.

So you, You Beautiful Child of God, know that you are deeply and desperately loved by an all powerful Father.

Know it to the tips of your toes and never forget it. Never let anything get in the way of that truth.

You are SO loved just as you are!

Will you choose to be an olive tree?

"But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever."
                                                       Psalm 52:8 (NKJV)

This was the verse I received today. At first I didn't get it. But as I reread it again and again it started to work its magic over me.

I decided to take a little time and find out what was so special about an olive tree, that God would use that tree as a comparison for a life.

The strengths of an Olive Tree:
- can live up to 500 years
- can survive harsh climates
- has a sturdy root system that protects the tree from drought, fire, etc.
- has the ability to regenerate even after the tree trunk is destroyed
- "Full of vitality and with prospects of many productive years"

Okay, I want to be an olive tree.

I want to be that person that remains strong through it all. That, even though my leaves and branches, and even my trunk, take a beating, I stand strong. I am productive. I endure.

I started to wonder what can destroy an olive tree. What am I up against?

The weaknesses of an Olive Tree:
- it is not invincible
- use of infected tools and bad watering practices can kill it over time

The destruction of this tree would probably be subtle and slow. So slow that it wouldn't see it coming. Like a frog boiled slowly, so slowly, to death.

And that made me think about myself; my mind and body. If I view myself as an olive tree, what are my watering practices? What tools do I use to prune myself? Are my tools infected? Where does the water come from? What am I allowing to filter into my mind and soul? Do I get my resources from the world or from God?

What is my root system like? Does it run deep and wide? Will it help me withstand the battles of this world?

If I am an olive tree, how do I stay healthy? How do I endure?

Hmm.

I reread the verse again. Personalized it for me.

"But Krista is like a green olive tree in the house of God; Krista trusts in the mercy of God forever and ever."

And then I saw it.

The answer. The subtle (or maybe not so subtle?) hint.

I will endure BECAUSE I trust in His mercy forever.

Forever.

No pause. No break. Forever.

So, in the midst of your circumstances today, whatever is happening; the grief, the stress, the heartbreak, the loneliness...whatever it is, choose to be an olive tree through it all.

Cry out to Him in your pain. Call out to Him; "Help me!" and He will come.

You can be an olive tree too.

Will He save me again...?

I have taken up the dare. The counting of 1000 gifts. It is time.

Time to set aside the pains of this life and take up the grace. Time to spin my thoughts and see the good in everything...even the pain.

And I can do this.

And I want to do this.

And yet, in the very next breath, I feel overwhelmed by a wave of nauseous grief mixed with fear.

And I have to ask Him; "How do I live the thanks in the day to day of my life as I am now?"

How do I see past what stands in front of me every second of every moment that I live, breath, move, think, act.

How do I push past this desperation for change when I can't even see it coming? Can't even feel it getting close? When it hits me with every move I make?

And I struggle with believing that even this...this listing of 1000 gifts of thanksgiving, this small act can change anything. Change me?

I know He is here...in these moments where it hurts so much I can barely breath. Where I feel desperate for release. And He comes to my aid over and over again. Every time I ask it, even in my anger, He comes. He moves. He saves.

And yet my heart asks; "Will You save me from myself again?"

In the quiet, He answers; "I will always save you."

And so I count that too. My God will save me.

I keep on. I urge myself forward. Counting again.

Counting.

Counting.

"Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure." Psalm 16:5

Day One: Beginning Again

I'm starting off this year honestly in telling you that I did not want to get out of bed this morning.

I did not want to start a whole new year....again.

The whole idea of it felt...well, daunting really.

I've never really been a big New Years person and I don't usually make new years resolutions. 

Last year I did conquer a few mountains that needed to be conquered and I'm proud of that. But starting all over again...oy!

In six days the kids will go back to school and I will have to get back to real life again. And that scares me a little. We've had a lovely Christmas holiday so far. The kids have been fabulous (and sleeping in...this is a Christmas miracle!) but I'm beginning to realize that I have the makings of a recluse. I fight the desire to just stay in my house and hide away every day. Don't get me wrong, I am a social person. I actually love people and have a great time with friends and family. But sometimes, most times, I'm just plain tired. I don't want to plaster a smile on my face and go out there and brave the world. I want to stay in where it's safe, and quiet, and...safe.

At the same time, I keep feeling like I should be more involved with different things (like church, friends, outreach, etc.) but when I pray about each of them I feel like God is saying "wait".

Wait for what? 

So last night, as I laid in bed trying to fall asleep, I "got real" with God and asked Him what it is that I'm supposed to be doing. And I suddenly remembered the "Jesus Calling" app I had downloaded on my phone, so I opened it. I started on December 27 suitably entitled "I Am Preparing You" (God has a great sense of timing...and humor).  It read;

"I am preparing you for what is on the road ahead, just around the bend. Take time to be still in my presence so that I can strengthen you."

I read on to; "How much better it is to walk close to Me, depending on My strength and trusting Me in every situation. If you live in this way, you will do less but accomplish far more."

Okay, so I get it.

"Wait."

I can do that.

Our Joy Jar of 2012

P.S.  In the summer, while waiting in a doctor's office, I read about starting a "Joy Jar". It sounded great so I came home and announced that we were starting one. I explained that whenever anything good happened to us, as a family or individually, or if we are thankful for something, we write it down on a piece of paper with our name and put it in the Joy Jar. On New Years Eve, we'll take turns reading them out.

Maggie reading the first entry in our Joy Jar

We read ours today after breakfast, and after the traditional breaking of our gingerbread village. And I have to say, it was wonderful! We all enjoyed it and look forward to filling our joy jar even more in 2013.

Isaiah's turn to read

Highly recommend the Joy Jar!

Fiona's Joy Jar Entry: KAYAK (she tried kayaking for the first time this summer and loved it)

P.S.S.  My kids woke up this morning and cleaned their rooms without being asked. 

And I would have to say...that's a pretty nice way to start 2013.

God bless you as your start this new year in Him.

Within the chaos...

Today I feel scattered.

Definitely a bit overwhelmed. 

Thoughts are running amuck in my brain. Too much going on in this moment for me. 

And all I really want is for the peace of God to come and fill me.

Breathe, Girl, breathe.

And remember that God is in the midst of all of it. All the things going on around you. The pains of life. The worries of tomorrow. Every part of your today, He is there with you.

"You will hear your Teacher’s voice behind you. You will hear it whether you turn to the right or the left. It will say, “Here is the path I want you to take. So walk on it.” Isaiah 30:2

I must keep close and hold fast to Him. And keep giving it all back to Him. Every moment of the day. 

I can do this.

"He will not allow your foot to be moved. He who keeps you will not slumber."
Psalm 121:3