Under Construction!

Many times people have said to me that I must be writing my blogs about them because of things we have discussed. It's so funny to me when I hear that because in all honesty these devotionals are about my own struggles, my own sins, my own doubts and fears. Family and friends have said that I have a way of writing that encourages them when truthfully I am also writing to remind myself to stay encouraged.

You might assume because I have been going to church all of my life and involved in full time ministry over the years that I have all the answers but it really isn't that way at all. I am still struggling, growing and learning myself right along with everyone else. Under construction is the best way to describe me in my walk with the Lord.

I am grateful for family and friends that are in my life that accept me with all my struggles, faults and many mistakes that I continue to make daily. We are all on this journey together, thank God!

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.  2 Corinthians 12:9-10

This picture was taken in my dining room, September 2013 

and the smaller picture was taken of my  nephews 
with my grandbaby Easter 2013.

~Relationships

Watching my children develop relationships with others has certainly taught me so much about the influence of others. In each situation where they have not been careful in choosing who they surround themselves has been detrimental for them personally and to our family. As parents, it is distressing to watch our loved ones being torn apart spiritually and emotionally by others. I find it even more difficult when they allow it to continue.

It is my desire as a mother that my children learn to discern who threatens their relationship with God and their relationship with their family. I remember one of my children saying about one of their friends, " I don't like who I am when I am around them." This person had so much influence in their behavior that they did not have the strength to be true to their own beliefs.

We choose to have people in our own lives that will tear us down emotionally and spiritually just like the people of Israel in Judges 2:3: Therefore I also said, I will not drive them out before you; but they shall be thorns in your side, and their gods shall be a snare to you. They had become complacent and no longer obeying God who had given them so much blessing. He warned them that hanging with the wrong crowd would have negative consequences.

Dear Lord, watch over all my children and grandchildren in their relationships. May they choose those who will encourage them in their life!

I took this picture on my way to work.

Receive from Others

 Galatians 6:2  Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 

During difficult times we usually want to build a wall around ourselves and want to be alone. The scriptures say we need to allow others to reach out to us because we all need that emotional support. Most of all we need the perspective of others when life is hard. Some times others will help us to see the big picture when we can't make sense of what may be going on at that particular moment.

This is one of the reasons that God created the church and so important to be involved with a small group. When crisis comes the support is already in place and they will be there to encourage and help us through those difficult moments. We need to look out for each other. We need God's promises and we need God's people.

This devotional came from http://rickwarren.org/listen - Growing In The Seasons Of Life. Rick Warrens son committed suicide and I have been encouraged by his messages of God's goodness in everything good and bad. Please pass this link on to others who you know are in great need of something spiritually and emotionally that only God can heal.

 We are thankful for nieces and nephews that minister to our hearts with their love for us, taken October 2014.