Immeasurably More

Good morning! It’s Sunday morning and I’m just finishing up my devotional time. I think I’ve been studying and worshipping for about an hour. It’s been amazing! God is pulling forward different areas of my life to start working on. I’m nervous, but excited to grow in new ways.  Like I said, I’ve been sitting here for about an hour studying, praying and singing. I know what you’re probably thinking. I’m not bragging, I promise. It’s very unusual for me to get that much time alone with God in the mornings. Usually when I get up in the morning, I workout, make coffee and get about 15-20 minutes of Bible study time. Sometimes it’s even less. My kids are early risers, and lately my son has been waking up as early as 5:30am! I have just barely finished my workout by then!  A couple days ago I had just started my devotions and one of my kids stumbled out of our bedroom into the living room where I was sitting. I was writing out my prayer and I wrote, “God, I’m sorry today...

Remember the valley? When you couldn’t get yourself to stop running after the wrong things? I remember many nights falling face down on the floor, begging God to take away the pain and insecurities. I begged Him to find another way to test me. An easier, less painful way. But He didn’t. Instead, He led me right through the middle of it, never forsaking me. It was a slow process, but it happened!    During my devotions this morning, a verse popped up that struck a chord on my heart. I’m so thankful for where I am today. I’ve felt God work moment by moment on my heart.   I could have easily given up and walked away from God and my relationship with Him. He has done a great work in my life AND He’s not finished! Please don’t give up.   Remember how far He has brought you! Be faithful in your pursuit of Him! He can and WILL do it again!

A few years back I read the book “Boundaries” by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend and i t revolutionized the way I thought about relationships with people. I learned you are the ONLY person responsible for your time and finances. WHAT!? Seems like a pretty simple concept, but you don’t realize how much other people influence your choices about how you spend your time and resources. It’s not bad stuff, in fact a lot of what people are asking or suggesting are things I’d enjoy. There are a lot of community, church, and school events going on these days and I just can’t say yes to all of it. People sometimes don’t realize how much everyone else has going on. I always assume everyone is at least as busy as I am. I will usually say yes to something if I can take my kids with me and think it’s something they will enjoy, or if it's something I am really enthusiastic about and childcare is easily available. Just in this last week, I was asked to go to three...

I found the above scripture quote on Pinterest tonight. It very accurately sums up how I feel right now. Even through failure, I will rise and seek God. Even when I sit in darkness and can see no way out, the Lord will be my light. No matter what may come my way, God is there and ready to comfort, strengthen and lead me. The song below is called “It Is Well”. There is a phrase that says “Through it all, through it all, my eyes are on You. Through it all, through it all it is well, it is well with me.”  No matter what, I know God is God. As long as I focus on Him and stay in line with His will for me, all is well and I can continue on.  Rise! The Lord will be your light! Praise Him!                       

I want to write an article that’s been on my heart for a few weeks. I’ve been divorced for almost two years from my first husband and have been remarried for a bit over a year now. Currently my husband and I are separated and not living together. We want to work on our marriage, but we’ve had a few bumps in the road along the way. Navigating blended family relationships has been overwhelming at times and old habits/secrets from the past have brought in a lot of pain as well. I’m hopeful still that God will mend and restore. I’m going through counseling on my own and doing my best to focus on my relationship with God and my kids. I can’t force someone to change if they don’t want to. Right now is a waiting period and sometimes it feels like we are just standing still with no progress. Like I said, I’m hopeful, but trying my best to guard my kids hearts as well as my own heart, and stand firm on boundaries for us all. It’s hard and at times frustrating but very needed!  I...

This morning God’s word spoke to me saying  “Accept your circumstances. Humble yourself.  Don’t be resentful. Rejoice in what God is doing in YOUR life. Let Him handle everything else.” “Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭37:5 “I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭57:2‬ ‭NLT‬‬ If ever I didn’t have the answers, it’s in this very moment. This moment of hurt. All I know is who I am in Christ. I know my babies need me to stand up for them and protect their hearts.  This won’t make sense to some and but to others, you’ll know exactly what I mean. There comes a point where a choice has to be made when a boundary is crossed. It doesn’t mean you love someone any less. It shows your character and that you will stand up for what you know is right and say no to what is wrong.  Tonight I cling to the truth that God can still use me. Even in the hurt. E...

Today I’m home sick with a sick son and sick stepdaughter as well. We were all up quite a bit during the night for various reasons and I’m plumb tuckered out. As I’m holding hair back for one child and rubbing the back of the other, I received a rather scathing text from my ex in regards to my daughters appearance at her concert the other day. You have no idea how much I had to fight the urge to respond negatively. I typed out and deleted several replies before deciding to ignore it all together.  My dad said some encouraging things to me. He encouraged me to guard my heart from that garbage and to think about all God has done in my life over the last few years to get me to this point. Someone else told me “Dang. Aren’t you glad that’s not you?”  I am.  I’m thankful I find my identity in Christ, not what the world thinks of me. Regardless of my past, the bottom line is I’m forgiven and free. I’m not bound by what people say I am.  This song “Worth ...