That is the question I was asked this past Tuesday as I sat and heard Beth Moore speak live for my first time. I have seen her videos and walk away on fire for God, but wow...hearing her live, my heart almost exploded for Christ! She talked about different types of people that were in the room. There were those that were saved, some coming to their first speaker, some their thousandth, and then there were those whose friend lied to them and told them that they were going to a night club...hehe What she meant by this, was it is not a coincidence you are here...someone (God) has brought you here. Well, I fell into the category of a christian who is saved, but when she asked us that one question, "Are you a spectator?", it hit home. Yes, I am a child of God, and I believe He died on the cross to forgive all our sins, and don't get me wrong....the Lord definitely convicts my heart quite often, but there is just that....a piece that I am missing.
Beth began to talk about how since it is 2013, some people say you can be a "christian" but that doesn't mean going to church is that important. She then said that is a bunch of bull, because as a believer we need to grow our spirits and become closer to God, and when you attend church, and not only just sit there, but GET INVOLVED, you feel the Holy Spirit's presence. So, as a regular attender of church (most of the time), I am going to try and "get involved" and feel God's presence more, just as she spoke of.
Following beth was a speaker from Australia. I cannot remember her name, but she was on fire for Christ! It was absolutely amazing. She talked about how there is a six inch disconnect from our head to our hearts. That we can be knowledgeable about Christ and a believer in our hearts, but if we do not connect that six inch difference, we are not going to experience God out fully. WOW! I LOVED how she put that. Needless to say, when I walked out of that building, I was/am on fire for God. I'm being completely honest in this post, and it is kind of scary, because who doesn't want other people to think "you" have it all together?! I need to quit telling myself I will get involved "tomorrow" or that I will start my quiet time "tomorrow". Because you know what friends, tomorrow means never! I am finding that out very quickly.
I want to end with this song, that we sang at the women's night out and it absolutely moved me! Are YOU a spectator??
This Easter Sunday at church was amazing. It is always overwhelming to listen about the crucifixion of Jesus, and the story of how He died on the cross for us, and to save us of OUR sins. It is so hard to wrap my head around, but yet so amazing to see God's love. I pray that I forever stay humbled and know I only live for Him. Just like Landon told his friend a while back, Jesus is my Savior! Thank you Lord for your Grace and your Mercy that I am so undeserving of. I also had an "ah-ha" moment while listening to Laura talk Sunday. She said God does give us more than we can handle. He doesn't give us more than HE can handle. I have never, ever thought of it that way, and wow, how true is that! If you think about it, He does give us more than we can handle, because it focuses us back on Him. That is my prayer, that the Lord will always remind me if I stray to come back to Him, and that He will give me more than I can handle so that I may look to Him in all things.
Last Tuesday we went to Reese and Grady's 15 month (they were really 16 months) check-up. I used to be that mom who wouldn't put her child down or let them touch a thing at the doctor office, but that has definitely changed since I am now out numbered. In the waiting room they played with the toys and I was cringing the entire time...YUCK! They kept fighting Jacy and I to get down, so what do you do?? Needless to say, Grady is now running fever, and the only place it could be from is there..ugh! We then make our way back to the room and now they are running around in their diapers, sitting on the floor, playing with books, toys, and anything else eye level in the room. Jacy and I kept laughing, because if you would have asked us 5 years ago where we would be, we never would have guessed sitting in a doctor's office, with two little people, running around half naked :o)
We are so thankful and so blessed the Lord has chosen us to parent our three beautiful, healthy little blessings. He has great confidence in us, that we sometimes question, but thank Him everyday for drawing us closer to Him. If I can say one thing, our lives have definitely been crazy, but looking back, we are all closer to our Jesus, because of it, and in the end, that is what I pray, that the Lord will draw us closer to Him and each other.
Well, Reese has finally over taken Grady weight wise. Poor thing, she is shorter, fatter, and has a huge head...LOL! She is 30 inches tall (18%), 21 pounds 10 ounces (49%), and her head is 18 1/2 inches (79%). Grady is 30 3/4 inches tall (19%), 21 pounds 8 ounces (24%), and his head circumference is 18.5 inches (49%).
A prayer I have been praying for my children from the current book I am reading. I know it is long, so sorry for the novel, but think it is so very powerful!
Lord, I pray that You will pour out Your Spirit upon Reese, Landon and Grady, this day and anoint them for all that You've called them to be and do. Lord, You have said, "Let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called" (1 Corinthians 7:24). May it be for these children according to Your Word, that they never stray from what You have called them to be and do, or try to be something they are not. Deliver them from any evil plan of the devil to rob them of their life, to steal away their uniqueness and giftedness, to compromise the path you've called them to walk, or destroy the person you created them to be. May they not be a follower of anyone but You, but may they be a leader of people into Your kingdom. Help them to grow into a complete understanding of their authority in you Jesus, while retaining a submissive and humble spirit. May the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control grow in them each and every day (Galations 5:22). May they find their identity in You, view themselves as Your instrument, and know that they are complete in You! May they be convinced that Your thoughts toward them are thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give them a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). Teach them to look to You as their hope for the future. May they understand it is You "who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our words, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began" (2 Timothy 1:9). May their commitment to being who You created them to be enable them to grow daily in confidence and Holy Spirit boldness! In Your name Father, Amen
I would like to start off by sharing this song I heard on a blog I follow, which I absolutely have fallen in love with. I am so glad Whitney shared it, because I can relate with my own story. I am so thankful the Lord is constant, because the last year of our lives has been everything but that.
It's been a while since we celebrated Reese and Grady's 1st birthday, but looking back, I can't even believe we made it through. Sadly, I must admit I don't know that I could do it again, but thankful to be where I am today.
The babies will be 16 months in a few days, and I am absolutely enjoying them right now. They are both walking amazingly well, Reese pretty much running, and Grady right behind her. The 3 of them are beginning to play together so well, and of course "mommy" likes it because it frees up a little more of her time! Jacy and I both find ourselves laughing or snickering at something one of the three of them do, literally every single day. There is nowhere, and I mean nowhere we go that we don't draw attention to ourselves, but we are beginning to just accept it, smile, and move on.
I have started taking the babies places more that we enjoy together, because it is SO much easier with them both walking now. A few weeks ago, we went to library story time and they loved it. Then a few days ago I took them to chick-fil-A for a lunch date, just the 3 of us. I don't know who enjoyed it more, me or them! Me, because they were so good, and the babies, because they were so distracted watching everyone who came up to talk/play with them, they couldn't even finish their meal.
The last few months, I am pretty sure I can officially say I had several mental breakdowns. I didn't know where to turn. Looking back I can totally hear the Lord whispering in my ear, "Melissa, I am here, all you have to do is seek me first". I was an emotional basket case, frustrated, upset, angry, ungrateful, ticked-off all the time, and woke up with zero patients. My poor mother was the one who got to "get an ear" full of all my tears, but thankfully I have gotten myself together. I am so happy the weather has finally changed around here, because I get to take the kids outside, and we do that every single day. Between the kids not walking, and the whether way too cold, I was definitely standing at the edge of the bridge ready to jump (not literally)! I have also started reading the book, The Power of a Praying Parent, by Stormie Omartian. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book. I cannot say enough wonderful things. I pray for my children daily, but this book has taken it to the next level for me. It gives very specific versus to pray for your children, and I just love it. A few of my favorite versus are (1) "Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord. Lift your hands toward Him for the life of your young children" Lamentations 2:19 (2) "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" James 5:16 (3) "For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone" Psalm 112:7. I could go on and on, but those are a few that really touched my heart.
I want to leave you with this adorable video of the babies. I guess this is what they call "twin" talk!
