Monday, December 27, 2010

Uplifted

There are times in our lives when we let the weight of the world get to us. During those times we tend to feel helpless, lonely, depressed.....just simply detached from everything. It seems like no matter what you do, nothing seems to come out right. The more you try, the more you fail. The harder you fight, the more you realize you're losing. Then you get to the "WHAT IS THE POINT" feeling. Next, you ask yourself, "why am I even trying?" Then you start thinking about how YOU can fix it. Well, I've gone through this and can say that I am somewhat going through it now. Sometimes as a single parent, we strive so hard to make sure that our children are happy and sometimes that leads to sacrifice in some areas (pride, finances, friends, family, etc). Especially during the holiday season. But I thank God that He reminds me that He is still with me and that He isn't going to leave me. God has taught me that the greatest gift to give is....love. No matter how much money you spend, how much thought you put into something, nothing beats pure love. God gave us that when He allowed Jesus to die for US so that we can spend eternity with Him. Love gave us salvation, hope, peace, joy, and happiness (just to name a few). Think about it.....it's going to be forever. Whenever I think about the love that God has for me, it uplifts me and makes me fight harder. Pushes me to persevere through hard times. Romans 5:3-5 says "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us." So just knowing what God has given me, I will continue to be uplifted during those times when nothing seems to go right.
I don't feel no ways tired. I come TOO FAR from where I started from. Nobody told me that the road would be easy. I don't believe He's brought me this far, to leave me.
Whenever you come to that rough time in your life or that time of despair, remember God's love and what He has given us. Be encouraged!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

That Peace Within

Have you ever seen someone that you think should be hurting, crying, in pain, or depressed and they are sitting in front of you with a smile on their face? Or have you been that person smiling when others question, "how can you smile in times like this?" I know all to well about both! Through this journey of life I have gone through some STUFF, faced difficult times, made difficult decisions, dealt with sin and I am not done. I am still going through the journey and will continue to come upon some thing and moments that will anger me, make me cry, get me all confused and want to say "Lord, I AM DONE with this." But as I have been on this path, God has shown me that He is right there. Sometimes I asked myself, "Kish, how'd did you do it?" Then I quickly remembered that it wasn't me, it was God that brought me through it. That's when I began to understand PEACE (Psalms 29:11 The LORD gives strength to His people; the LORD blesses His people with peace) . As I grow closer in the Lord, my mindset is changing. I no longer look at rough times in my life as the impossible, but as a mechanism or tool for God to use me. Yes, there are times when I throw all of that out the window but then there are people who remind you of that PEACE that you have. I was at the 20Something Monday night small group session and I was reminded of that PEACE. A young lady, which happens to be my cousin, gave her testimony of her situation. When you hear of people fighting illnesses you quickly assume that they should be down and out, depressed, and throwing a pity party. But this young lady is always full of smiles and laughter, she loves like no other, she's out and about enjoying life, and she's continuing to do the work of GOD. As I sat and watched her enjoy the lesson of the evening and fellowship with others, I thought "WOW, that is PEACE" (I am sitting here getting emotional just thinking about it.) To have that type of peace brings about joy. Not just the 'happy happy, joy joy' that some would think of, but pure joy. Just to know what God is doing in others, should make you want to fight that much harder through your own trials and to want to spread His love even more so that everyone you come across can experience the love, joy, and peace that God has to offer.
With all of this being said, my question to you is "do you have that peace" or "do you want that peace?" Seek Him first and soon shall come soon.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Is it really sacrifice?

Part of being a parent is making sure that you spend quality time with your family. That in itself becomes a challenge. When you're a single parent, it's much more challenging. There is something or someone that suffers because of something else. Parents, we use that word "sacrifice" when we give up one thing for another. But how much are we really sacrificing? I think about how much time we, parents, give up for our children but what are we giving up for that closer relationship with God? I had to check myself several times. As I looked back on things that I've done and the things that I am doing, I've realized that I haven't given God the time that He deserves. I was able to adjust my schedule for work, sports, cheer, TV (DVR.....I can watch that at ANY time), rehearsals, friends, family, etc, but I never adjusted my time for one on one time with God. Children rely on their parent's time for their wants and needs. Children also need that assurance in knowing that their parent(s) is there for them at all times. We, Christians, look at God in that same manner. We want Him to be there at all times, especially at our beck and call. With that being said, is it too much to ask to set a time DAILY to spend quality time with the FATHER? Not at all. I think back at times when my children ask me for things. Whenever I walk in the door from wherever, my children's first questions are usually, "Momma, can we have......." or Momma can we go......" or "Momma will you buy/get/take us.......". My usual responses are, "um, can you say hi first? or Would you like to know how my day went?  or Why do you need to ask for something whenever you come to me?" They usually just stand there and stare at me trying to figure out what to do next. That's kind of how we are with God. We're quick to run to Him when we want something ;"Lord I need......", or "Lord please bless me with......."; or "Lord if you will just......". We do things and want God to do what we ask immediately but have we taken the time out to say "Hi" to God? We expect for God to know our hearts just as children expect us to just know that they mean no harm when they do what they do. Relationships require regular communication, time, and effort. God has given that to us and is ready for the relationship to grow. Are you ready to make the sacrifice to give that to Him? Are you willing to give up__________(you fill in the blank) to build that relationship with God? Next time you go to God and ask for something, think about your last conversation with Him. Did you ask Him for something? Did you thank Him for what He has previously done for you? Better yet, when was the last time you talked to Him? Make a real sacrifice for Father, our parent.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

From Girl to Womanhood

This is to all the parents that have daughters. Since giving birth 11 years ago to my daughter I am still trying to understand what my parents went through while raising me. As I watched (still watching) my little girl grow older, I knew that I would soon be coming to the time that she would transition to womanhood. I kept telling myself, maybe it'll come later in life or maybe it won't come at all! Yeah, I know, wishful thinking. Well, once I start noticing my child developing I began to feel so much more protective and scared about that thing coming. YOU KNOW WHAT THAT THING IS! Anyways,  I began to remember how I was at the age of 11. I want to believe that I still played with dolls, jump rope, hopscotch on the playground, but in all reality, that is the time where those things seem childish and other things still seem to mature to do. So my daughter is caught up in crossroads all the while I am praying for something to never come. Well, it came and to much my surprise, I didn't fall out crying!! She also handled it pretty well herself. Initially she was shocked (as expected) but she went through her first week very well. So now that I have overcome that hurdle, I know that I have many more to come. So as much as we don't want our little ones to grow up, we still need to be very prepared for the time of transition and change. Think about your past, childhood, how you would want to be addressed when new things cross your path.

Side note.....raising a boy is SO MUCH EASIER.