NEW SEASONS

I hope everyone is enjoying the new summer season.  School days are ending, and the days of vacations, softball, new births, and weddings usher in joy.

Summer often embarks on new beginnings, such as weddings, the birth of a new baby, or the commencement of adulthood with high school graduations.   A familiar door may be closing, as a new, unfamiliar door is opening. This can bring feelings of excitement accompanied by feelings of being overwhelmed.

Going into the unknown often brings a lack of self-confidence.  A fear of being incorrect or completely failing. It is human to feel this way. The familiar will always bring us comfort. But unfamiliarity brings growth. Even if we live to be 100, we will not stop growing in attaining new goals. Many times, these goals may not be familiar to us. God has a plan for each of us, and that may involve leaving our comfort zone of what we know to enter into a territory of what we don't know. Each day we emerge into the plan He has for us.  It will not always be easy, but keeping love and faith in the middle of every unfamiliar task will guide us on this new pathway.

Keeping faith in God, we can trust that we will be guided fully. As we embark on new positions in life, know that He will give you the knowledge, strength, and wisdom needed. Keep love as your center of every thought, deed, and word. This simple verb, love, will carry you through the easy and the most difficult situations.

During this new season, remember two words:

1.      Faith, keeping your trust and focus completely on your Heavenly Father.

2.      Love, using this action in all you do.

Remember, “Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” 1 Corinthians 13:7 NLT

If this season is the same familiar adventures, or you have a new adventure as a wife, mother, or legal adult, I hope this summer will bring you and your haven joy. 

Share this with someone to lift their day. As iron sharpens iron, let’s sharpen one another. Women helping women.

DO YOU IDENTIFY AS I’M BLESSED OR I’M CURSED?

Do I identify as blessed? Or do I identify as cursed? Recently, I attended a Bible study at my church, which challenged me to look at my true identity—not my titles of nurse, mom, or grandmom, but who God created me to be. My identity, my purpose here on earth, given to me by God when He created me.

Sometimes in my life, situations are not what I would like. It seems like every day brings a new problem. Hurdles I can't seem to overcome. I start down the road of all that is wrong and all that could go wrong. Like many, I begin to think I'm cursed, not blessed. Is this true? Did God create me to be cursed, is He punishing me or did He create me to be blessed? Let's dive into His word. 

 When life isn't what you've envisioned, that doesn't mean you are cursed or that God has forgotten about you or He is even punishing you. I know this because His word, our road map in life, the Bible, says, " I will never leave you or forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:8. Knowing God is with me in every circumstance, whether good or bad, allows me to know I am blessed, because He is with me.  It has nothing to do with my circumstances. In every high and every low, He is there. The blessing isn't things, lifestyle, a nice house, or good health. The blessing doesn’t mean everything is perfect in my life. The blessing is God being with me. Yes, a nice lifestyle or good health is a blessing, don't get me wrong. But even if finances become burdensome or illness happens, there is still a blessing in those situations. God's word says, "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them." NLT Romans 8:28   Do you love God? If the answer to this question is yes, then this verse lets me know God is at work every day for me. 

 “He will never slumber nor sleep; He is the Guardian-God for His people, Israel. YAHWEH Himself will watch over you; He’s always at your side to shelter you safely in His presence.” TPT Psalm 121. This assures me He is at my side watching and guiding me safely day and night,

 He is our protector and healer. He is our God who can bless even when we see no way out, He can part the sea to give us dry land to have a way out. When every doctor has told you there is nothing I can do for your issue, He will heal completely.  He’s done it before with the lady having an issue with bleeding. And that same God you read about in your Bible doing miracles for so many people years ago is the same God today. So, even in our difficult times, we are blessed because we have Him in our corner. Sometimes we may need to lean on Him to walk.  There are times when life throws so many daggers that He will need to carry you. But rest assured, He is strong and will carry you as long as it takes to be renewed. “If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” NLT Romans 8:31

 When everything is going great in our lives, no one rejoices more than our Heavenly Father. Have you thought about that? When you get a job promotion, ace a test, get married, or have a baby. God is rejoicing with you! Remember, He is with us day and night. He never leaves us, even when life is good. He is there, “The Lord your God in your midst. The Mighty One will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah NKJ 3:17

 We have a Father who is with us day or night, during celebrations or during trials. He will guide and fight for us, continuing to stand by our side even when we leave this earth for our eternal life with Him.  Why? Because your identity is His precious child.

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from GOD’S LOVE. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fear for today nor our worries about tomorrow not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below, indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Roman 8:38-39

 If you are a child of the Most High God, you are blessed.  During good times, He is celebrating with you. During the messy times, He is guiding you back to the right path. We can say with assurance that we identify with being blessed.  Every day is a blessed day cause God is with us.

 Enjoy your May springtime and find someone who might need reminding that they are blessed. We are all called to help each other as iron sharpens iron.

 Be blessed, my friends.

FOLLOW ME AND…FISH

“Follow Me,” Jesus told them, “and I will make you fish for people.” Mark 1:17

Mark 1:17 tells me my mission for Jesus is to fish for people. As I ponder this verse, I wonder, “How do I fish for people? Will anyone want to listen to me when I do get their attention?”  This may seem like an effortless mission, but it isn’t. There are so many insecurities that arise with the thought of fishing for people.

God, I want to be obedient to You, but how? Let’s examine this verse to see how we can accomplish this task. First, Jesus tells us to follow. How do I follow Him? I feel going to His word would be the first step. His word tells me when I cry out to Him, He will answer me from His mountain. ( Psalms 3:4) The Lord declares I am His witness and His servant whom He has chosen. (Isaiah 43:10) If I lack wisdom or knowledge, His word tells me to ask, and He will give me wisdom, generously and ungrudgingly. ( James 1:5-8)

Step one: “Father God, give me the wisdom to know who I need to be a witness to today. Give me the wisdom to know how I can witness to Your people.  Give me the words and the knowledge to bring Your light and joy to every person you put in my path today.”

“ And I will make you fish for people.” My husband and I like to fish. ( Well, me “likes”, husband “loves.”) My husband has taught me the importance of putting the right bait out for the type of fish I’m trying to catch. There is no book on bait for people like the books you can find for fish. How do I find how to help each person and bring them to the love of Christ? We must be intentional daily to look for people who need a Perfect Friend. The Friend who is there 24/7, who is always ready to listen, help, and guide. When I see that person in need, what bait do I use? His word tells me Kindness, tenderness, and forgiveness. (Ephesians 4:32) Above all else, love them like you love yourself. ( Matthew 22:39) Do for them what you would want done for you. ( Luke 6:31)

Each day as we should intentionally look for people to love and to show God’s love and joy. Let’s remember that it doesn’t have to be anything grand. It can be a simple smile, or quickly asking how their day is. Asking people if they need prayer and offering to pray. We never know what is going on in others lives. Praying for people as you pass their home, when you see an accident, as your sitting in traffic, waiting for an appointment or anytime you are out an about; may and will change someone’s life. Prayer changes situations. As we start to enjoy the warmth of spring let us be intentional to daily fish(search) for ways to bring God’s joy and love to our neck of the woods.

Have a blessed April and may God’s love shine on your spring days.

God is always with us.

God is always with us.

When we are working, He's there.

If you're in the hospital, He's there.

In all walks of life, He is there.

Enjoy every day at your job, at home, even in hard times.

No matter how big. Nothing is too hard or big for God. If you think there is no way to turn things around, then you don't know my God. He is a God who parted a sea all the way to dry ground. He stopped hungry lions from opening their mouth. He brought a dead girl back to life. Is any job too big for our God? Is your problem bigger than parting a sea, shutting mouths of wild animals, or raising the dead?

Now, is your problem too small to bother the all-powerful almighty God? Absolutely not! He cares about everything that bothers us. How do I make this bread? How do I help my child with this new math? How do I do my job better? How do I strengthen my marriage? God wants to be part of every inch of our lives. He cares, and He loves to mentor. He is our Father and takes joy teaching and growing His children.

Trust Him today. When problems arise, stop, ask your friend, your Father, for help. Watch and see what happens.

Challenge: This month, with every problem, big or small, stop, ask the Father for help. Now record how He helped, guided, and cared. On March 31st, read how He was with you and celebrate doing life with Him.

Be blessed this month.

Love…What if???

As inauguration day came and went, and Valentine’s Day just ahead, I pondered one question. “What can I do?” The elected president made promises to make life better in our country. Yes, I want the president to make life better, lowering gas and grocery prices would lighten the stress we all feel. But, is God only expecting the president to make my life better, or is He expecting me to do my part? I found my answer in Nehemiah 3. Nehemiah had a big job to do, rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem to make the city safe again. It took every person to do his part to build the wall. There was no job too big or too small. All jobs needed to be completed to rebuild the wall. So, back to the one question that kept gnawing at me, "What can I do?" I can't control the president, but I can control me. The missions God asked me to do no matter how big or minute, am I doing them? Or I'm I too busy with me to be His hands and feet of the world around me?

What if I started every day looking for ways to make people's lives better? Looking for the missions God is asking me to do?

 What if I carried a ten-dollar bill earmarked to bless someone that week? Paying $5.00 for the car behind me in the drive-thru or the person behind me in the market. What if I left my quarter in the Aldi cart for the next person? What if I gave my extra BOGO product to the food pantry or a large family I know? What if I offered that mom with three little ones 2 hours of free babysitting so she could rest or catch up? What if I baked something and took it to someone to brighten their day? What if I took time to call the older person, the person in the nursing home, the person in the hospital? What if I offered to help someone study to get their citizenship? What if I give my Facebook marketplace items away for free to someone who needs them? What if I let that car over who cut me off without getting mad? What if I let that person have that parking space near the door? What if I greeted people with a smile? What if I ended every encounter with "have a blessed day"? What if I took time to pray over other people's needs? What if I took time to make a list of how I could make people's lives around me better?

I don't think the president alone can make America great again, just as Nehemiah couldn’t rebuild the wall himself. He is not God, only a man. That said, I believe if we all get on board with him to make America great, then we will see change. If everyone started to seek out people in their circle making their lives better, you would see a great country filled with love and joy. You would see a country that has never been seen in history.

Commit to make your neck of the woods in America great. Daily make it your mission to bring joy to all you encounter. As minute as a smile or big as paying the bill of the car behind you. Each act will make someone's day great. And great days turn into great years.

May February bless you all and have a very Happy Valentine’s Day. 

ReplyForward

Add reaction

Paying Your Debt in 2025

This past Christmas, I was shopping with my granddaughter, and we went to the Bath and Body store. She had a gift card and picked out a few items for herself. When she went to buy them, the saleslady told her they did not accept gift cards at this particular store. Her face fell as she looked down, knowing she had no other money.   

 Now, I was standing off to the side, seeing what was happening. I stepped up, handing the saleslady my credit card. The saleslady took the credit card, bagged her items, and gave them to her. This completed the sale. 

 This is a perfect picture of what Jesus has done for us. When we come to the end of our lives, there is no gift card or amount of work that is accepted as payment for eternity with God. We stand there looking down because we know we have nothing to offer to pay for our eternity. But then Jesus steps up, offering His payment, His gift of eternal life. He alone pays our bill in full, at that moment, our eternity with God is completed.  

 John 14:6: "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

 As you begin this new year, make sure you acknowledge who your savior is. It is as simple as saying, " Jesus come into my life, I accept You as my Lord and Savior, forgive me of my sins. "

Have a blessed 2025

Review, Reveal, Reset

As fall enters, I feel the need to review, reveal, and reset my home and myself. I always think fall and spring are good times to evaluate my household chore schedule and myself. As I prayed over evaluating my home; I realized I had let some of my schedule slip. It is so easy to do when we get caught up in life. I needed to review my schedule for my home. In doing this I found a new schedule system called Clean Mama that had a few tips I replaced in my current schedule. I had recently been feeling overwhelmed and frustrated at times. God revealed to me things in my schedule that were making me feel overwhelmed unnecessarily. I incorporated some new ideas in my schedule which areproving to make things easier and creating more peace in my day-to-day life.

“God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” 1st Corinthians 14:33 When I see confusion I know this is not God. My life has shown me God’s ways are simple and clear. Feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and confused is never God’s best for us.

I also looked at myself, my weaknesses, my strengths, and what I’d like to change. I looked at my spiritual life. I was ending one Bible study searching for where God needed me to grow next. I took this time to attend a Bible conference by Priscilla Shirer’s ministries. This was an amazing conference I would highly recommend. The conference allowed me a few days to reflect, spend quiet time with God, and reveal where I had grown this year and where I still need growth. I decided to study the book of Galatians this fall.  My pastor has been doing a “red letters” series. I further realized I didn't spend enough time reading the “red letters” in the bible. God has so much to teach us. The words he spoke while he was on earth are full of insight and wisdom. I am trying daily to read a “red letter “verse along with my verse in Psalms or Proverbs then my daily Bible study. I'm amazed that each day it all somehow connects.  I would recommend daily:

1. Read a “red letter” verse

2. Read a verse from Psalms or Proverbs

3. A daily bible study (preferably with a video to deep dive your bible study. This video can be a sermon series in your church.)

If summer has left, you feeling overwhelmed or like your home is in a state of chaos, then I hope this was an encouragement to you. Take time to step back, review, reveal and reset. Below there are links to the two cleaning systems that have helped me organize. I also have the link to Priscilla Shirer Going Beyond conference.

Check out the Women to Women page where I give details on my home cleaning schedule to maintain a peaceful haven.  

May you all have a blessed fall season.

 Getting Started | FlyLady.net

Home - Clean Mama

Events | Going Beyond Ministries

Making Great Memories

How do we make great memories daily?

We have a chance every morning to find one good aspect of each day, to hang on to and expand on. So, the next day, we now have one good memory to share with the world. Dwelling on the negative past will never change that past. Looking at the past that is negative only causes us to miss the one good aspect of each day.

God gave us a template in which to know what we are to look for, what we are to hold on to, and what we are to think about each day.

Philippians 4:8

“Brothers and sisters, continue to think about what is good and worthy of praise. Think about what is true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respectful.”

The above is an excerpt from the book “His Faithful Love Endures Forever.”

This always reminds me the way to make good memories is to embrace the blessings God is giving you today. Remembering throughout the day to praise God for all the good around you.  A beautiful sunrise, an unexpected butterfly.  A parking space right in front of the store. Air conditioning on a hot day and heat on a cold, dreary day. Every day and every hour there are numerous reasons to praise our Heavenly Father.

Each day will come with problems that are a part of life here on this earth. We can’t stop life. Our job is to pray to Him and lay it at His feet. Then trust and believe in Him and Him alone.  Th

en we continue to praise Him for every good thing in our life. His words, in Romans 8:28, tell us He works for the good of those who love Him. Giving the bad that we can’t change but knowing He can change and that He is working diligently for us. Focusing on all His blessings will help us see each day as good.

Thinking and focusing on all the good today will always make happy memories for tomorrow.

To read more from the book “His Faithful Love Endures Forever.” Click the link below.

“As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”

https://amzn.to/3MwRSVD

What are you handing down to the next generation????

“These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing to the Jordan to possess, so that your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all of his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life.” Deuteronomy 6:1 NIV

God commands us to teach the next generation His way of life. This is very important, so the way of the Lord continues from generation to generation. Each of us by what we say, and what we do should be an example to the people around us. Our lifestyle should mirror the example God has given us. God’s word has stories, commands, and history lessons that give us a clear picture of how to live our lives.  We often think we are doing good because we aren’t killing, or we aren’t stealing. We often look to others to see if we are living the way God wants us to. We feel good that we are setting a good example for the next generation, after all, we are not doing what most of society is doing.  But God calls us not to compare ourselves to the world but to Him. Our children and grandchildren should see a mentor who is speaking, showing, and living God’s ways.

Now none of us our perfect, that is why God sent His son. But we should strive to mirror the lifestyle of our Father. Deuteronomy 6:7 tells us to talk about God’s ways at home, when we are out running errands, taking kids to activities before we go to bed, and when we wake up. These ways should be so intertwined in our lives that our kids see this lifestyle from the morning to the evening, from their birth until our death.  

Hearing, seeing, and living this lifestyle will ensure that this is passed on to the next generation.  By living this lifestyle we along with our future generations will enjoy a long life. Not live a depressed, anxious, muddled, confused long life; but a life that we enjoy. That’s what I want and that’s what I want for my future generations.

Have a blessed week everyone. Check out Women to Women to read more on creating a Godly family.

God’s Diet For a Healthy Mind and Spirit

This week, we're diving into the power of feeding on God's word and how it keeps us strong against daily challenges.

Remember, each day brings trials. With these, the enemy tries to feed our minds junk. Telling us we are not strong enough; we are not good enough to overcome this trial. He will try to give us spiritual junk food. We need nourishment to face these trials head-on. God's word is our fuel, our strength. By ingesting His word daily, we become formidable against the enemy's attacks.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

This my friends is the best way to equip ourselves. Begin every morning reading God’s word and spend time with Him in prayer.

 Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

God’s word is alive and ready to fight our battles. It is alive and ready to guide us. It will guide our thoughts helping us to keep the right attitude throughout the day.

Ephesians 6 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

His word is the sword that will fight our battles.

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

When we feel darkness is all around us His word will be our light to guide us down the right road.

 Psalm 1:1-2 Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his Law Lay and night.

We should not only feed on His word but meditate on the word of God day and night. Let every morning begin and every evening end on the word of God. During the day when decisions need to be made or problems arise, think of God’s word before acting.

Matthew 4:4  But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

So, just as we eat 3 meals and snacks daily let us daily feed our spirit and mind a steady diet of God’s word.

I hope this has uplifted you this week. Check out the Women to Women post where we dive into feeding our physical body healthy food.

Be blessed until next week, my friends.

.

STORMS ON THE SEAS

Not every day on the water is a good day. Not every day in our lives is a good day. Matthew 8:23 - 27 relays a story of the disciples being on the water when a storm arises. The disciples did what many of us do. Panic, fear, afraid of what the future will bring. Everything in our DNA tells us we are in a storm, a fight for our lives. Will our future be as we want; will it be as God wants?

Some say the phrase, “Do Not Fear” is used 366 times in the bible one for every day of the year including a day for leap year.  So, when did God first use the phrase “Do Not Fear?”  It didn’t happen with Adam and Eve or Noah, which is shocking because all of them had reason to fear. It is first used with Abram, who later was renamed Abraham, by God. Genesis 15:1,” Don’t be afraid. I am your shield. Your reward will be great.”

What was Abram afraid of? Well, he had just conquered Chedorlaomer, the great king. It seems as if all should be calm now. Abram’s stormy seas so to speak happened during the battle with King Chedorlaomer. God had allowed Abram to be victorious in this battle. Shouldn’t Abram be singing praises to God? After all this storm of the battle was over, and he had won! The Bible tells us it was sometime after this battle that Abram’s emotions were causing him to be afraid. It was this fear that God was responding to. In Genesis 15:2 Abram told the Lord all His blessings would be no good if he didn’t have an heir. It is during this conversation that God states, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!” I found it interesting God told him not to fear before Abram said anything to God. God knew his heart, God knew his emotions, God knew his fear.  He knows us. He knows when we are focused on the negative and when we are focused on His blessings.

As I looked for a reference of phrases for fear being used 366 times; I was not able to confirm this. It seems that references to fear, being afraid or worry is more than 366 times.  I believe God gave us this command so many times because every day there will be a challenge. There may be more than one challenge a day. Things will cause us to fear even after we have seen God’s mighty power. Just as the disciples became afraid after seeing Jesus perform many miracles and Abram had emotional fear after winning a major battle; we also forget how God has made the impossible possible in our lives.  Each day we need to stand on His Word to “NOT BE AFRAID.”  We must feed ourselves God’s promises we find in the Bible and the many blessings He has done for us in our lives. Just as we eat food 3 times a day and snacks 2-3 times a day, or more. We need to repeat His Word; and remind ourselves of His past blessings several times during the day.  In Genesis 15:1 He tells us “Don’t be afraid. “Because 1. “I am your shield.”  He is shielding us from storms daily. Call on Him as the disciples did on the boat. He spoke to the water and calmed the wind and the waves. 2. “Your reward will be great.” He gives us a reward when we have faith in Him. He has good for us. Trust His way. Psalm 56:3 “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” Getting an heir was not coming as quickly as Abram wanted but it came in God’s time and what He promised happened. How do I know this? I’m here, you are here.  There are times when we go through storms, we want things to change now or not to have the storm happen at all. The disciples did not want a storm but when they called on Jesus, He knew how to calm the storm. Abram told God his fear. God had a plan, and his son was born.  Every morning this week let us begin our day with “I will not be afraid for God is my shield and my reward; It will be a great day.”

Be blessed and encouraged this week. He is for you!

THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU

“Many are the plans in the mind of man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” Proverbs 19:21

We all have plans and dreams for our lives. What we hope to attain and what we hope to become. As humans, we plan, we dream of how our lives will be in the future. But there are times when God has another plan for us. In the book of Job he says,” But He is unchangeable and who can turn Him back? What He desires that He does” Job23:13 This may be hard at times. We have plans that we want to come to fruition. Our plans may not be what God's plans are. We may have to put our plans down and pick up the plans God has for our lives. God may say a firm “No” or He may say “Wait.” He does what He desires.

We as humans have our desires, our wants, and our timing. When we pray and those prayers aren't being answered in our way or in our time we can become discouraged. We can even become depressed and at times angry. My friend when this happens let's go to another promise God has given us. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you; declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Yes, Job says “what He desires that He does.”  Jeremiah 29:11 shows us the desires He has for our lives.

His ”NO” His “Wait” is to: 1. Prosper us 2. Not harm us 3. Give us hope 4. Give us a future.  That is His plan for us. Wow! This is all good. His “No” and “Wait” work for good in our lives.  So, when things aren’t happening immediately or not the way you want; remember He has something better. He has a better time. He is saying I have planned to give you, very My best.

Friends I pray that with each dream, each hope, and each plan you have. You will pray and ask God for His plan for you. Ask him to give you your dreams, your hopes, and your plans. Then allow Him to give you the very best He has for you. It may be what you want, or it may be the plans He has made for you long before you set foot on this earth. Just know, that the plans He has for you are to prosper you, not to harm you. plans to give you a hope, and a future. His plan is to give you His very best.

May God bless you this week and all you do.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY

Happy Memorial Day. Thank you to all our service members for protecting our country. My heart goes out to all of the families whose loved ones lost their lives while protecting our country.

“No one has greater love (nor stronger commitment) than to lay down his own life for his friends. “John 15:13 AMP

Remember it is a great privilege to live in a country where we are free. We have that privilege because men and women have stood the watch. May each of you have a blessed holiday.

STOP PRAY TRUST

Last week, we looked at keeping joy in everything we do. That is easy to do when everything is working out perfectly. But in this world, everything does not work out perfectly. Because there is another player on the field. I heard someone use this analogy once. I could score touchdowns all day long, except there is another player on the field trying to stop me. This player doesn't want to see you succeed and doesn't want to see joy. This is the enemy and the enemy of our Lord.

How do I counter that? Look to God. Every time there is a problem, a mishap, anything that is trying to stop your mission. Stop and quietly pray for His help. Then believe He will use this for your good. Maybe it's to protect you from a pitfall, maybe it's to grow a character trait in you. Just trust and know He will use it for good and to glorify His Kingdom.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them." Romans 8:28

In the story of Joseph and his brothers, we see his brothers turning against him and selling him into slavery. People turning against us is hard but our own family turning against us is heart-wrenching. It is hard to handle opposition in our lives. When we are trying to do our best, every task and sometimes every person is coming against us. This can make us feel discouraged. It is in these times when we must stay focused on God. We must trust that positivity will come out even when we don’t see how there could ever be a positive.  

Joseph came to understand the positive in his situation. He said to his brothers, "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. " Genesis 50:20 Joseph being sold into slavery allowed him to provide food for his brothers, father, and many in his family. What looked to be the worst situation of his life. Turns out it was the best situation for everyone. Trust that God has a positive. Maybe not immediately, maybe it is best for others, and maybe you will never understand why God allowed a situation. Know that God is for you and He works for good.

This week, I want to give us another challenge. When things become topsy-turvy, and when problems come. And yes, they will come.

1. Stop quietly pray for God's help

2. Repeat, " I don't understand but Lord, I know You are either teaching me something or protecting me from something but I know You are working for good, and I choose to trust You.

3. When He helps you remember to say thank you, Lord.

May each of you have a blessed and joyful week.

Remember to:

 STOP

PRAY

TRUST 

REJOICE EVERYDAY

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

Every day we wake up, we are to rejoice. Sometimes, when I do menial tasks around the house, I don't feel like rejoicing. But no job is redundant, and no job is menial in God's eyes. God gives each of us missions every day. Each mission is important no matter how big or how small, we need to do it with joy because it is important to our Heavenly Father.

I was reminded of this when my ring finger started to get stuck and created pain. Time went by and it didn’t seem to get better, so I went to the doctor. They found the ligament to my ring finger was inflamed.  Because of this, it couldn’t get through the space to bend or straighten without getting stuck. This caused pain and it became hard to do many things I don’t usually think about. Such as picking up my coffee cup. Now getting coffee to my mouth is a very big deal to me. I learned this small ligament could either prevent me from doing tasks or allow me to do them. I saw that just like this small ligament every job we do is important to the body of Christ. Just as my daily coffee is important to me, every job I do for His kingdom is important to Him.

 " Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” Colossians 3:23–24

I often must remind myself to do every job I'm given with joy even if it seems insignificant to me it is not to the Kingdom of Christ.

I challenge myself and you this week to keep our joy in everything we do.

I pray you are blessed this week in all you do.

Order My Steps Lord

Often my days can feel overwhelming, chaotic, and frustrating. Those are the days when I didn't ask God that morning to order my steps. Psalms 37:5 states “Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him and He will help you.”

This is good advice. Advice I far too often forget to use. I have a helper but try to complete my daily tasks on my own. Unaided tasks lead to frustration. When I use this advice, I find help. This help provides me with 3 important tools for that day.

1.       Guidance

2.       Order

3.       Clarity

I no longer feel like I am going through life in a dense fog. I no longer feel overwhelmed and frustrated, like things are spinning out of control. Though many things are still going on around me I have peace. I can clearly see what I need to do and when I need to do it. I no longer feel weak but feel enabled. As his word says “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  Philippians 4:13. He will always give me the strength that I need.

God is an overcomer! There is nothing on earth or beyond that is too great for him. So, when you start your day ask Him to order your steps. You have full assurance He will lead you in the right direction. He will give you clarity. He will restore order to your daily tasks.

My friends, God is for us. He loves us and He loves helping us.  Ask Him to order your steps every morning. Overwhelming, chaotic, and frustrating feelings will melt away.  Listen for His guidance. See the order and clarity revealed in every task. Feel the peace that surpasses all understanding surrounding you.

May God bless each of you this week.

DON’T STRESS JUST DO YOUR BEST

Women are under a lot of pressure to be everything to everyone and to do everything perfectly.

 We often go to Proverbs 31 to see what as women we should be doing. After reading this many become discouraged. Feeling like I can’t do this, I’m failing at womanhood. Right? Wrong!

Proverbs 31 is our template, our guide. This is the perfect woman, but we are not perfect. Only one ever walked the earth perfectly and that was Jesus.

Here at Keepers of Our Haven women help women become the best that they can be. Through the encouragement of one another. For we all are on a journey in life. Each road will have mountain highs and pitfalls. As women, we should strive to celebrate the mountain highs and lend a hand to help during the pitfalls.  “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17

Be encouraged friends God does not expect us to be perfect. He wants us to do our best. If more is needed trust, He will guide and give you the strength to complete every assignment He has for you.    “I look up to the mountains, does my help come from the Lord? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth!” Psalms 121:1-2 Surely the God who made heaven and earth can help you with any mountains you may face today.  He is ready and willing. By the way, this is one of my favorite chapters so if you have time this week read Psalms 121 and be encouraged, He’s got you.

I hope you will enjoy this website and will be encouraged this week as you complete your assignments. Each assignment is important. Some are assigned to motherhood, some are working in restaurants and businesses of every kind, still, others are new wives, some hoping to be a wife and a mom, and some are VPs to companies. God gives each of us different assignments at different seasons in our lives. Whatever season you are in and whatever assignment you’ve been given know He doesn’t expect you to be perfect or do it alone. He is there to help and cheer you along. (He is your biggest cheerleader. He’s for you.)  Come along as we journey together to develop a peaceful haven.

Each week you will find a weekly encouragement post every Wednesday. I hope you will find this uplifting. Please check out our five support groups where I post monthly on different topics. Also, check us out on social media.

Until next week I pray blessing of each of you.

A God who sees, A God who hears, and A God who provides

Many days I feel that maybe God doesn't see me. My days feel like I'm running around pulled in so many directions.  There are days when life simply is not going my way. I pray and I wonder if I'm heard. We all have times in our lives when things aren't going our way and we wonder if God is listening, does He hear my prayers? Often the answers don't come as quickly as we'd like but I'm here to tell you my friend we serve a God who sees, a God who hears and a God who provides answers.

Genesis 16:13 tells of a woman named, Hagar, who was having some bad times. Life became so bad she decided she'd run away. I am sure as she ran away, she too thought God doesn't see me, God doesn’t hear me.  Beside a spring crying the angel of the Lord came. Who directed the angel to Hagar?  The angel of the Lord was able to provide the answers that Hagar sought and the direction she needed. Hagar knew that the angel came from God. The angel had the answers and the comfort she longed for.  So, Hagar called God, El Roi the God who sees Me, because she saw God did see her.

The angel of the Lord told her she was to name her unborn child Ishmael which means God hears. God does hear us. God knows our thoughts and our feelings. He heard her cries and He saw every teardrop, and He cared.

In John 6: 35 Jesus reminds us He is the bread of life and anyone who comes to Him will be provided for. God provided for Hagar by sending the angel of the Lord to comfort her and let her know He is for her. The angel of the Lord came not only to comfort but with an answer. You see God provides answers. He is Jehovah-Jireh, The Lord will provide. These answers may not be what we want but He is working for our good. The angel of the Lord told Hagar to “Return to your mistress and submit to her authority.” Then he added, “I will give you more descendants than you can count.”  I am sure this was not the answer Hagar was looking for. Often God will give us an answer we may not want but we have to trust in the One who sees all.

Now we may not understand the why, how, or the fairness of a situation. But in every situation, put God in the center because He loves us, He is for us, and has our best interests at heart. 1 John 4:16 says,” God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.” We know wherever He is there His love is also. He sees, He hears, and He provides the best way. We only need to trust that One who loves is for us.

PEACE

One of the goals of Keepers of Our Haven is to help women develop a peaceful home. But what is peace? We all want it but what does having peace in our lives truly mean?

Can we only have peace when our homes are perfectly clean? Maybe when our finances are perfect? Oh, I know once we reach our perfect weight. What can give us peace?

If the above things could give peace, then all those who are rich and famous would have perfect peace. They would tell how they have no problems, how their life is complete peace and happiness. I’ve not seen anyone who says total peace has arrived with the perfect home, finances, beauty, or any earthly act.

True peace and true joy only come from God. When we begin each day with and focused on God; and end each day with God, peace will and does come.  It comes from the inside. What is happening in the world around us may not be perfect or peaceful but our inner peace from God will remain. 

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

Below are some devotionals I’ve found that help me begin and end each day focusing on the peace of God. If you have a favorite devotional that promotes peace please comment below. We all need to sharpen and uplift one another.  Be blessed ladies and stay in peace.

Devotional list:

Jesus is Calling by Sarah Young

Our Daily Bread by our Daily Bread Ministries

Proverbs Scripture Journal by Crossway

The Chosen book one 40 days with Jesus by Amanda Jenkins, Kristen Hendricks, and Dallas Jenkins

This YouTube channel begins my day with a peaceful prayer

 https://youtu.be/RtPDHNwZAyE?si=06-v1twJeY2HC2ex

“AS IRON SHARPENS IRON”

This blog was created as a focus for women to help women and a place to learn new skills. There will be a weekly uplifting message, here on the home page, to encourage women to develop a haven of peace. Support groups on this site where women can go for help with concerns. Here women help each other learn new information

The support groups are:

1. Breastfeeding

2. Women to Women

3. Mother to Mother

In addition, you will find a page for prayer. Here you can ask your sisters in Christ to pray for you. As you view the prayer page ask God who He needs you to pray for. Then add that person to your prayer list and let them know you are praying for them.

There is a page for praise. God is always blessing His children. Please share the blessings you have received. This page is to tell others how wonderful our God is. So go tell it on the mountain. This will help to encourage us all.

Come along with us as we grow together and help each other become the best that God created us to be.

Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.