Inner Voices

Last night at Bible study, we were talking about our inner voice. Everyone has one, or at least I think they do lol. Mine can be loud and annoying, and a lot of times, she gives bad advice. 

I am a super positive person who loves to encourage others. Why is it that my inner voice is the polar opposite? She is snarky, belittling, and unforgiving. Someone said the most profound thing last night. She said, "if you wouldn't say it to your friend, why are you saying it to yourself?" Why do I allow that inner voice to be so mean to me? I need to have a reset! If my friends deserve grace, forgiveness, and time to heal, don't I? 

We can be SO hard on ourselves. Expecting so much more than humanly possible. My prayer is that the inner voice will be quiet and leave space for the Holy Spirit! I want to focus so much on God, His Word, His love for me, and His characteristics, that there will not be room for snarky and mean comments. 

More of You, God, and less of me! 

Fill me with Your Spirit and quiet that inner voice! Guide me, encourage me, and strengthen me! Draw me closer to You, Father!

Precious Moments

 When I was a teenager I had a Precious Moments Bible and a figurine or two.

The Bible was very much like this one.

Sometimes I think about that Bible and some of those "Precious Moments." Last night I got to have my very own precious moment! It would make the sweetest figurine. You see I work at my church. I am the Communications Director/Secretary plus I wear many other hats. You know "duties as assigned" lol. 

Last night was Wednesday night and we have Adult Bible Study and Awana's for the kids. I am basically a floater. I go where I am needed most. Occasionally, I get to go with the adults, although I don't get to do that often! Mostly, I go with 4 & 5 year olds or Middle Schoolers. Last night I was going with 4 & 5 year olds. I started with them and realized I forgot to put something in the adults class. I snuck out of a group activity and went to the adult class that starts 15 minutes after the kids. They had not started yet and no one was in the room. I wrote down what I needed to do and turned to leave. Some of my sweet friends walked in before I got to far. These are 3 of the sweetest ladies you will ever meet! Ms. Gail is my newest friend, she just brightens a room when she comes in. Ms. Ann is so much fun and never fails to make me giggle. And then we have sweet Ms. Beverly. That woman brings true meaning to #goals! She has been a warrior for God! She loves deeply and shares God's love everywhere. Really and truly I could say the same thing about all of them. But you see, I feel like I should really point them out about Ms. Bev because she has been struggling with her memory. I'm not sure if it is Alzheimer's or what, but she is struggling. The thing she doesn't struggle with is her sweet and spunky spirit. That is still the same.

I had left chaos of the kids and had just a moment with these 3 ladies. I was teasing Ms. Ann and Ms. Bev wanted to pass out hugs and kisses. She gave all of us ladies a nice and tight hug and at least 2 kisses on the cheek. So sweet! Then she decided that was not enough and we needed a group hug! This was the moment that qualifies as a precious moment. Here I am, a 51-year-old woman being hugged by ladies at least 20 years my senior and I just wanted to weep. It was so very precious! I felt like I could feel their calmness and strength pouring into me. I can't even tell you how. much I needed that brief moment in time! God is good! He uses us where we are, no matter what we are going through! 

My goal is to be as grounded and rooted in God as these 3 precious friends of mine! I want to allow God to use me even when I am struggling or hurting!

Thank You Lord for placing such sweet ladies in my life! And these aren't even all of them. I am truly a BLESSED woman! May I be a blessing to them and also to the other ladies in my life! May I spread Your love and grace like wild fire! Thank You Jesus for walking with me through this crazy world and for helping me find my way. In Jesus's Mighty and Precious Name - Amen

Storm Clouds of Change

This morning I sat on the covered back porch at my house and watched the rain roll in. I was out there with Chris, and of course, Bear was with us. I have not introduced you to Bear. He is our newest family member but we have had him for over a year! He brings a lot of excitement to our lives to be sure! I will go back and tell you about the weekend we lost him later! Anyway, he loves to be outside and we spend a lot of time out there. 

Bear January 2025 (loving the snow!)

As we sat watching and listening to the rain, Chris and I talked about the future and where we would like to be in a few years. We talked about how we want to do something that means something. I mean we do now, but we feel like there is more for us to do. We are praying that God will guide us and help us find His path for our lives. I would love it if you would join us in that prayer! 

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

We are leaning into verses like the ones above us. We know that God has a plan and we are trusting Him to help us find it.

Feel free to leave me some scriptures that you lean into when you need guidance from God!

Grief sucks!

Some days I feel like I am beginning to feel "normal" such as it is and everything will be ok. Other times I feel like a wave has crashed over me and I can't seem to find my breath. I do know that this too shall pass and ultimately I am ok. I also know that grief sucks! It doesn't just magically go away at the 6-month mark or 1-year mark. I have heard grief described as the ocean. Sometimes you are in between the waves and sometimes the waves are crashing over you. I feel like that is the best description of grief that I have seen. 

A few weeks ago I had my birthday. I have always loved my birthday and would celebrate as much of the month as I could, lol. Of course, now I have to share the month with my daughter, but she was the best gift ever! Anyway, this year was the first year that I didn't have my parents or at least one of them call me and sing me "Happy Birthday". I don't know why that hit me so hard but it really did. One of the highlights of my day was always Mom singing off key and Dad singing as loud and proud and goofy as he could. It hit me I will never get that again! Honestly, my birthday was rough! I am blessed with great co-workers, friends, family, and an amazing daughter and husband. They all worked very hard to help me feel special, appreciated, and loved! Don't ever take for granted the love of your parents! Soak in those moments and make memories because you don't know when your last will be. 

I feel like I should add I do have some of the best in-laws too! My Mother-in-law never fails to find the perfect card to make me laugh. She has a way of knowing what I need a lot of the time! My Sister-in-law is the absolute best! She is the sister that I never had and didn't realize I needed! I cherish these relationships! 

When I am under the wave and can't find my way out I try to remember the people that love me, need me, and, want me! I also remind myself of this verse!

I am not walking through this grief alone! My God is walking with me. Sometimes He is in front of me (leading the way), sometimes beside me (holding my hand and encouraging me as I go), and other times behind me (probably shoving me through). I honestly don't know how someone would get through the mountains of emotions we call grief without knowing God! 

I will continue my journey each day with a prayer and trust that God is in control even when things feel out of control! I will look for joy in my journey and always look for the good around me! I will not think of my grief as a problem to solve. I will look at it as a blessing because without great love, I wouldn't have such deep grief!

Leave me an encouraging scripture in the comments or in the form on the side! I love seeing what verses lift others when they are down!