Everyday MattersThere's a reason for everyday.
Despite the bad and the good, everyday matters. |
2/14/2020
You are BeautifulFriday Matters- February 14, 2020
Everyday Looks “Oh absolutely, you can post photos of me on Facebook but I can always ask you to delete them.” My friend posted photos from a gathering and after viewing I wrote; “Ah…Can you please delete.” I appreciated that she took them down and didn’t judge me because of it. I KNOW I’m my worst critic and I KNOW that beauty comes from the inside but I also know that it’s okay to care about what we’re communicating with how we look on the outside. Like everything and anything it’s about balance. Our value and worth is not in our outward appearance. Our worth and value is who God says we are and the person that He uniquely created. We are not a mistake and He doesn’t make junk. It’s hard because all of us tend to first judge others by looking at their outsides but what holds our attention is the beauty that’s on the inside. So remember Proverbs 31:30; Charm is deceptive, and beauty doesn’t last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised…everyday. 2/13/2020
God’s BeautyThursday Matters- February 13, 2020
Everyday Detailed Beauty When I read all the verses in Exodus describing the different colors, stones, metals, woods, etc. that were to be used to build the tabernacle I thought, "Why take so much space in the Bible for that? Why not devote more time to guidelines in dating or parenting, something a little more helpful?" But by these chapters God showed me how much He cares about detail and beauty especially when it’s something that will honor His name. And I realized He cares even more about the detail and beauty of the people He created to honor His name! God’s perfectly happy with us enjoying beauty by the way we dress and decorate our homes and gardens. Of course, there needs to be balance but how freeing to know God made us unique so He certainly doesn't want to take that away from us. In accepting Christ as Savior we have the hope from Revelation 21 where every tear will be removed and we’ll belong in a place more beautiful than we can imagine…everyday. 2/12/2020
Boundaries with Loved OnesWednesday Matters- February 12, 2020
Everyday Detachment Loving someone who has an addiction problem can be very challenging. I remember hearing the story of a woman who was married to an alcoholic and every night her husband would come home drunk, collapse on the floor and fall asleep. And every night this woman would somehow get him up and put him to bed. She became worn out and frazzled from rescuing her husband. A friend suggested she attend Al Anon and there she learned about “Detachment.” The next night when her husband came home drunk and fell asleep on the floor she simply put a blanket over him and left him there. She loved him by covering him but by not picking him up she was detaching. She did not rescue him. She created a loving boundary and let go. Sometimes love calls us to let go completely. It can be a scary and uncertain time but God will guide you always (Isaiah 55:11). And He’ll often send others to help who’ve been through a similar trial. Reach out. You are not alone...everyday. 2/11/2020
Holy Spirit FillingTuesday Matters- February 11, 2020
Everyday Drunk What does being righteous mean? Well, it means we are in right standing with God and that means we know who we are in Him….loved, redeemed, not a mistake. Greater self-effort and determination will never liberate you. Shifting your focus will. This means letting God lead you and not your flesh. Again in the Bible, Ephesians 5, tells us not to be drunk with wine but instead to be drunk with the Holy Spirit. When a person is drunk on alcohol, they feel, think and act differently. I’ve been there, done that. But the exact same is true when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we feel think and act differently. The Christian life is not the result of trying to act like a Christian; that’s only frustrating. The secret is developing our relationship with God empowered by the Holy Spirit. As God's Spirit fills us, we better understand who God really is. Our lives are changed from the inside out and good behavior is the end product…everyday. 2/10/2020
God is SpeakingMonday Matters-February 10, 2020
Everyday Gossip I saw a cartoon once where three women were round a table praying and the caption said, “It’s not gossip if you’re eyes are closed.” I laughed but it also made me think about how I use my mouth. It’s important that what we share in prayer is either done with permission or an understanding that if the person we’re praying for was sitting next to us we’d still feel comfortable. But sometimes we may have concerns that we share about someone because we need advice and prayer. Nevertheless it’s important that what we share is done in a general sort of way with no specific details. Regrettably, there have been times where I’ve talked too much. Go to God and sometimes we need to go to the person we’ve gossiped about. Ask forgiveness and be willing to let the Holy Spirit guide from Psalm 141; “Set a guard, O Lord, before my mouth.” Cover others in love with your words; words which build up and not tear down…everyday. 2/7/2020
Relationship FreedomFriday Matters- February 7, 2020
Everyday Barrier My husband was explaining to our sons what forgiveness really is and I loved his explanation. When we forgive someone who’s sinned against us the barrier in the relationship is removed. We can again see the person as God sees them rather than looking at the hurt of the sin every time we picture or see them. God doesn’t ask us to forgive others to earn any favor with Him. There’s nothing we can do to earn His love. He loves us as we are. And when we realize it’s an act of our will and a choice to forgive rather than something we let our feelings decide it can make the process a whole lot easier. I know from experience that it’s my anger and hurt that makes me FEEL like I can’t forgive or I’ll never see justice. Only by the power of the Holy Spirit can we let go and trust God to work in us to truly forgive and avenge us as He says He will….everyday. 2/6/2020
HopeThursday Matters- February 6, 2020
Everyday Always Hope Without hope we’re toast. Hope is simply the belief that things will get better. Despair is the opposite of hope where we believe it will only get worse and that’s a dark place to be. Remember the one who has the most hope has the best solutions. When you live with the hope that this life is not your final destination but you have the hope of a perfect life eternally in heaven, you live differently on earth. You are alive for this season right now! Where you are attacked is where you are called. Where there is fear there is opportunity! There is always an enemy in the land you are called to possess. Dream the dream God gave you so you can experience and live freely in it by His grace. Listen to Psalm 147:11, “The Lord takes pleasure in those who hope in His steadfast love. He made you in His image and likeness and offers the hope that there’s something wonderful and better awaiting…everyday. 2/5/2020
IdentityWednesday Matters- February 5, 2020
Everyday Identity Theft Our identity is grounded in who and what we choose to identify with. If we identify with people and what they say about us, we will end up in trouble, but if we identify with Jesus and His opinion of us, we will not have an identity crisis. Jesus addressed the religious leaders in John 8:14; “I know where I came from and where I am going.” Knowing who you are in Christ is so vital to your confidence and the freedom to be you. I was in a disagreement with someone who chose to personally attack me and rather than argue back I simply said; “I don’t identity with that. That’s not who God says I am.” There are some religious organizations who spend a lot of time telling people what they need to do and not enough time telling them who they are in Christ. Trust who God says you are because you’ve accepted what He’s done for you…everyday. 2/4/2020
ParentingTuesday Matters- February 4, 2020
Everyday I am the Mom Ah, children. I have four. All boys. I love them, but oh there was the season when someone would remind me to “Enjoy your kids while they’re young … they grow up so fast.” My thought was always, “Good, I can’t wait.” But NOW, I remind other moms with, “The days are long but the years are short.” The funny thing is my dream was to be a Broadway star. I always thought I’d get married so I could have a husband to support me as I auditioned for shows, but I never really dreamed of having babies. Of course, now I have four, and I now see how God knew me better than I knew me. My adult children continue to teach me more about love, sacrifice, simplicity, battles, tears we’ve gone through and the joy of loving someone so fiercely you’d give your life for them. And now I do get to travel, perform on stage, and sharing stories and all of it was part of God’s plan for me…everyday. 2/3/2020
Alzheimer'sMonday Matters-February 3, 2020
Everyday Memory Five years ago Susan’s mom was in a car accident that resulted in her losing all of her long-term memory. When Susan was little, her mom and she used to quote from ‘Winnie the Pooh’ where one of them would ask, “Have you ever seen a dragon fly?” And the other would reply, “I have, I have seen a dragon fly!” The other evening the daughter was sitting with her mom while they were watching TV and the daughter randomly asked, “Have you ever seen a dragon fly?” And her mom responded, “I have, I have seen a dragon fly!” They stared at each other, and then Mom jumped up and shouted, “Oh my goodness, I remember!” We go back to our own mom memories and sometimes we want to be the little child sitting on our mom’s lap but that season is gone so we grieve and then try and be the child our mom needs now. You wanna scream; “I’m not ready,” and I get it. But let’s ask God to help us see and remember what’s good right now in this season…everyday. |
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