Mother of 5 beautiful children, friend of books, avid reader, bubble baths are life! I enjoy long walks and hiking, I seek adventure. Writing makes me a better person, I love to share my thoughts.
I usually start by writing them down, and then I pray about them. I also try and think about how long it should take to accomplish each one. After I set a timeframe that I would want to be done with the goal, I try and look at that particular list often. Sometimes I can admit I do not get them accomplished in the timeframe that I originally set. However, I love journaling and going back and look at those goals and marking them off, it’s very satisfying. I am a firm believer that we plan our way as the Bible says but that God establishes our steps!
Write about a random act of kindness you’ve done for someone.
It was around Christmas time and I had bought several Starbucks gift cards to give out to family. After finishing up my shopping, wrapping and the busyness of the holidays. I really felt like I wanted to do something for someone. I am a firm believer that acts of kindness shouldn’t be done in a showy manner. I don’t want to put someone on the spot. I prefer to bless them quietly.
This particular day, I was at the library with my children and I decided that I would find someone to give the gift card. I wrote a little note on a sticky note and attached it to the tiny, coffee cup shaped gift card. “May the Lord bless you and keep you and make his face shine upon you.” I knew I wanted the element of surprise. I love a special find! Have you ever found money on the ground and no one was around? In that moment you get a bit of excitement because you realize you can keep it!
I walked around the children’s section looking for the perfect place to put the card. I thought to myself, it’s really small so it needs to be in a place it won’t get overlooked. The sticky note was bright colored so I decided to put it on the book cart. The car that the staff uses to put away books. After I left it there we had to get home and finish our day.
Although I do not know who found my little blessing I pray that it made them smile. I sort of hoped it would stumble upon a person that needed a bit of encouragement. Many times in my days of discouragement, I often long for something like this to happen to me. A gentle reminder that I am seen by a GREAT, unseen God and he knows my heart! That we matter to him, even though we may feel insignificant in the chaos’s of this world.
I can remember a day I was feeling really low, I was upset and crying. I had just had an argument with my husband and he said some really hurtful things. I decided to jump in the car and get away to think. I knew I needed gas so I headed to the gas station. When I got to the pump there was a guy there finishing up. I literally had just been praying for something good, for a sign. That sign was about to show up quicker than I expected. God isn’t in my timeline and most of my prayers do not manifest for quite some time.
Suddenly, the guy at the pump comes up to my car, he looks oddly familiar. I cautiously roll down the window, and see what he wants. He tells me that he has a big discount on gas and that I can use it. Kroger gas stations give 10-70 cents off for their customers. He asks if I can just give him the cash for my gas and that way I can just keep pumping on his current transaction. I tell him that I don’t have cash. He then says that it’s fine, he will still let me use it. So ultimately the guy pays for my gas. I also realize that I do recognize him, he was a pest control guy and he had just been to my house a short time ago!
Consequently, I said all this to say we never know how much someone needs those acts of kindness. The world is dark and the light can be hard to see, be the light! Show the kindness that you need! Blessings to you all, thanks for reading!
“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” Matthew 6:27 ESV
These pesky enemies worry and fear have stolen precious’s moments from my life. I often worry about the future, unresolved conflicts, family, and finances. However, I know that it’s unhealthy to spend so much time worrying about things that I often cannot control. Lord knows I need the Serenity Prayer tattooed on my body! “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,the courage to change the things I can,and the wisdom to know the difference.” The issue with worry and fear is that they show up when we are most vulnerable. I heard a sermon that said something like: never get too tired, too hungry or too busy, because in those moments we are walking into a recipe for anxiety.
However, our culture wears burnout and exhaustion as a badge of honor. If our schedules aren’t full we feel as if we are unproductive. Friends, we all need to prioritize rest and reflection because that’s how we guard ourselves from worry. When we give space for quiet and restful moments with God we get a greater sense of security. I can wholeheartedly say that 80% of my worrying could have been avoided by the simple practice of Sabbath. Six days to work and one day of rest, this sounds impossible at times, I have five children!
The Bible has many scriptures that beckon us to come away with Jesus and rest. Even good things can lead to burnout and it’s okay to step away and get it together. “And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.” (Mark 6:31 NKJV) Can we all agree to work on prioritizing more rest into our lives? We cannot rewind time, only God can redeem lost time, that’s why we need him so badly! If God himself rested from his work, we definitely should too.
As you read this, take a breath and maybe even touch your chest and feel your heart: you are alive and have purpose. Have a great week friends!
“All of our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” -Walt Disney
“If I give you everything you have ever wanted will you still serve me?” -GOD
I woke up to this question several years ago, and I thought well how do I answer that? In my heart, I wanted to say of course Lord, I will serve you always but in my mind I knew how often I stray. I admit it! I am the one sheep out of the ninety-nine that Jesus has to come and rescue! The deep realization that we are material-minded and tangible based people, we want to see it and touch it. We desire many things, and if we are honest life can become all about obtaining the next “thing.”
However, don’t get me wrong, God LOVES to bless his children with their needs and wants! “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Ps 37:4 ESV) If God wants us to have these things how can they be bad? The question he asks us all is, will we still love him? The Bible clearly reminds us that where our treasures are that’s where our heart will be. (Luke 12:34) Our priorities often change with our circumstances, whether good or bad.
The question we must ask, if I get that most desirable thing, will I change on those that I love? How many times have we heard that everything was different after someone reached a certain pinnacle in their life? I won’t play like I haven’t been guilty of praying less when life is at the mountaintop moments. As I am writing this, I am on vacation at Disney World, with my husband and our five children, this trip has been a lifelong dream. I wanted this so much and now it’s here and I can’t help but to thank God. He knows the things I desire and he has granted me the ability to have more than I deserve, please Lord don’t take your hand away from me!
As Lady Whistledown says, dearest gentle reader, please consider my words, keep your heart soft and don’t allow status to define you. Remember how far you have come, relish your blessings and keep your priorities right. Jesus has arms open wide, he gives that we may give and he desires a close relationship with us. The blessings will always be there but nothing compares to the great love of God. Share his love, pray often and give more. A dream is not worth chasing if we do not have anyone to share it with. This trip is a dream come true, but I still wish my mom and sister were here with me. Perhaps one day, we can be together again, that is another prayer. Yet and still, I have come so far but I will never forget what it felt like to get to this moment. Thankful is an understatement.
What are the most important things needed to live a good life?
1. A sense of humor! I have often had to laugh through the journey. Life can be overwhelming at times and a good laugh always does me good.
2. A congratulatory spirit! Always be willing to admit that you are not the best at something and give credit where it is due! We shouldn’t be jealous of another’s wealth, good looks, job, or anything for that matter! It takes work to keep envy in check but, one thing I found is to be a person that compliments others and be happy to see others win. Your win will come faster. As with any of my posts, God is my sustainer and even the Bible says to be this way! “Rejoice with those that’s rejoice.”
3. Be a giver! We should all invest our time, talent and treasure into others and the well being of our community! We all have purpose and when we share with others our knowledge, experiences and time we make a better place to live. I have never lacked anything from generosity, in fact I have only found myself in a dry place when my fists were clenched!
If I asked you to look in the mirror and tell me what you see, you would probably describe your physical attributes. Perhaps the color of your eyes, the dimple or mole that make you uniquely you. We all are very outward appearance focused but what if we could show others our true selves.
How beautiful it would be to truly understand a person, and what things that make them who they are today. We are a combination of the things that have happened to us and through us. The most insignificant moments have shaped who we have become. Many times people will want you to separate yourself from the things that have happened to you as some sort of defense mechanism. The impression that we will heal if we don’t allow those things to take root.
However, I think it’s important to embrace the things that have shaped our worldview. Yes, trauma and suffering are not comfortable topics to share or remember but they happened and affected us regardless. The best thing we can learn is to use them to empathize, empower and help others. The phrase we often hear: “I don’t look like what I have been through” What if you did? What if our scars we hide were more visible on the outside? How would that change the way we are treated? More importantly how would that satisfy the need to hide our pain?
Look in the mirror, tell me who you really are because I cannot see the real you. Don’t hide and feel shame for our weaknesses. The savior Jesus, died for those very things! Strength comes from enduring through those hard places. Jesus went to the cross and when he arose he willingly showed his scars to the disciples. He wanted them to see the pain inflicted upon him, not for them to feel sorry! He wanted them to understand the kind of love that is willing to take pain for a greater good!
In John chapter 12, Jesus proves that he indeed is the risen Christ, not by doing magic tricks but by showing that he has the victory over what was meant to destroy him! His glory in his suffering is a reflection, that God left the scars. He rose with all power and yet the scars remain! My friend you may have scars, the smile you wear may not be how you really feel but don’t be ashamed! Your scars are a what you have overcome and walked through.
Let them talk, let them stare, my scars a reminder of all that my God has brought me through!
The scars tell a story, but the smile hides the pain
This spring, we decided to clean out our flower bed and get rid of the dead shrubs, and trees that had been there since we moved here. Neither my husband or myself have grown anything before it was fun, but a daunting task. We bought five rose bushes and were given four other plants. We planted them and then mulched the garden bed. The task was fairly simple but as with anything there is a learning curve.
The first couple of weeks were so hard to wait patiently for the first sign of new life in our rose bushes. We watered, fertilized and check on the daily, and yet no sign of anything. It took at least four weeks before we saw anything happening. I was nervous that we had not planted them deep enough or that somehow they were bad plants. Life can be filled with waiting seasons! We are always try to accomplish the next big thing.
Finally, the roses began to grow leaves and then eventually blooms started to appear. I realized why people love gardening so much! It felt amazing to see the results of our work! Do not give up on the seeds that you have planted in your own life! We must keep tending to them, and waiting for our harvest. The work God started he will finish! We cannot always see the new growth, sometimes it’s happening deep beneath the soil of our hearts!
Again I was reminded of Adam, alone in the garden of Eden and God had given him dominion over the Earth. “And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” Genesis 2:15 KJV God’s beautiful creation was given over to our hands to care for and enjoy. This small flower garden, has taught me new skills, a hands on approach to caring for these plants. I felt closer to God working with my hands in the dirt. I felt my God-given purpose being shown in this simple, everyday tasks. My favorite flowers, grown by my own hands has been a wonderful experience.
Friends, can I be real with you? I lack patience, I want things now! I get anxious waiting at the supermarket in line, I tap my foot and shift from one foot to the other. I pray for patience but when the opportunities arise to show myself patient it can be hard. I imagine that many of you struggle as well. As with my garden, I am seeing the blessings of sticking it out. The greatest blessing of your life may be around the next obstacle. Don’t give up!
Although I will be the first to admit those prickles sure hurt when I am pruning my roses. I tell myself that this time I won’t touch a thorn but somehow the smallest thorn gets me. Life is full of thorns, a prick here and a prick there. Some pain only grazes the surface while some cut much deeper. Do not let the thorns keep you for growing! These beautiful roses must have these prickles to keep their hard work safe.
As with pain, it can be a protection mechanism to help us to learn. The rose’s prickles are what keeps humans and animals from easily destroying the beautiful blooms. With time, we can learn to live and thrive amongst those less than ideal situations. “For the beauty of the rose, we also water the thorns.” The pain we carry reminds us that life is both beautiful and yet painful. I will again prick my finger and yet my vase is full!
“Dreaming of perfection, awakening to reality.” -ShilohRose77
What sacrifices have you made in life?
I have often sacrificed what is best for what is temporary. I may have been seeking a tangible need, but I was unwilling to wait patiently. I often wanted it now and would skip ahead and end up messing things up. For instance, I despised being single so much that I rushed to get married; without truly weighing the consequences of skipping steps. “You can’t gain anything without losing something first.” (Fullmetal Alchemist vol 18) I can now see, that I was not fully ready to commit myself fully. As Jesus said, “When I became a man I put away childish things”. (1 Corin. 13:11) I held on to ideals and lusts from my former years.
Furthermore, my husband and I were together for 3 1/2 years before we got married, but I was telling him very early in that I wanted to get married. I had fallen into the guilt of premarital sex, because being a Christian I felt great conviction. However, neither of us were ready for all that marriage entails and the consequences have been detrimental. Now that we have been married for 4 years next month, we are starting to see the reasons we should have waited. Marriage is a beautiful thing when both parties are healed, whole and ready. We both had not let go of our pasts but we clung to each other for answers.
Additionally, I advise you to take covenant relationships very seriously. We are created for relationship but they must be in the confines that God ordained. I urge you to walk in the ways of God and not jump into situations to please our unruly desires. Although my marriage has seen both good and bad seasons as with all marriages, I know God’s way is best. God’s grace has held my husband and I all of these years, because we were foolish. I am so thankful for his grace and mercy that are new each day!
Lastly, I said all of this to say that the things that we are seeking, striving and waiting for are all milestones we will reach at the right time for our lives. Do not rush the season that you are in by looking for something “better” or the next step. We should wholly enjoy the journey and the growth that comes from each destination.
Shiloh Rose Archive 