Boxes

The Christian world in 2015 is screaming that they want more relationship with Jesus versus their grandmothers religion.

I don't see that.. .. maybe to an extent they do..
But only if it fits in a neat organized box.

It still has to look the way they expected it to look.
It Has to talk the way they expected  it to talk.
It has to do the things they expected it to do.

It can't cuss. It can't drink.
It  can't speak up to quickly.
It  must never miss church.
It can't have a bad attitude or bad day.
It must never be out of control.

Is this the criteria for being a Christian? Is that the criteria for entering heaven?
To never say a bad word? To not drink? To not smoke?

All these little boxes we put things in.
Nice neat tidy little boxes.

The real issue here is judgment. I don't know where you came from or where you've been. I don't know what the future holds for you  or  what areas you struggle with in life.

But I do know this, God does not put things in little boxes.
He judges your heart. (1 Samuel 16:76)

I know this isn't going to go over well with some people. This is not your typical "good Christian girl's" blog on The five steps to take to be more Christlike. 

Don't  misunderstand what I am saying.. God's word is the same yesterday, today, and forever. God wants us to deal with the sin in our life. But, you don't clean a fish before you catch it. 

 The world doesn't need another good Christian girls blog...

The World needs real.
It needs authentic.
It needs truth.

You want to do something for the kingdom? 

Love like Jesus loved.

If God can use a donkey as a messenger he can use a broken, messed up sinner. (news flash... We ALL fall short Romans 3:23)

What this world needs is more christians loving and encouraging each other. We don't one more religious holy roller tearing down others in judgment due to  their own ideas and comfort zones.

Put the boxes away and love your neighbor.

Father God, I ask that you give us your eyes. Lord give us your heart for this broken lost world. Remind us, especially as Christians where we came from. Let us never lose humility. We know pride comes before the fall. Remind us that nobody is perfect and we are not here on this earth to judge our neighbor. I continue to pray for all religious spiritual ties to be dropped off of us, Break these chains. Help us to love like you love. In Jesus Name I pray.
Amen

Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another. By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you love one another if you  keep on showing love among yourselves. 
John 13:34-35

Winning

Yesterday morning on my way out of the house Baylor handed me some cash from her backpack that I had sent to her school for a fundraiser. I asked her why she brought it home? She told me  I didn't send the little piece of paper with it I was suppose to so it didn't count towards her goal.
What? wait...what??

I spent time registering her online for that stinking fundraiser. I filled out all the paper work. I text the whole family for support and posted it on Facebook to get the word out for her... So, when that cash came back home over a "tiny piece of paper" I forgot I was so annoyed!!
I started in on a epic mom spazz out totally aggravated with myself.
You know the one..  "I can't win, I can't keep up."
"I'm  exhausted with all the day to day to do's.."
"No matter how hard I try I fail."
I continued spouting off as I packed lunches,  "I try so hard but so many times just can't seem to get all the elements needed for the girls in the same place at the same time."
I put the lunches in the girls backpacks and start herding them out the door feeling like a dirt bag mom when Baylor passes by me to walk out the front door and in a very matter of fact way throws her stuff over her shoulder and simply says....

"You don't fail me."

Oh
My
Gosh.

Never  have such simple words meant so much. This made my day. Thank you Baylor for reminding me that raising you is SOOO much more than having it all together.
I had to share this for the moms who are exhausting yourselves and feeling like you still come  up short.
You may fail some day to day battles.. But, you're winning the war.
Thank you father for this small nugget of  "keep it up" today. Continue to change me as I raise my girls.  I pray over all the moms out there who feel they can't get it all together. I lift them up to you and ask you to  provide  extra encouragement to each one of them in the coming days.  Help us  guide our children's hearts  more towards you everyday.  Remind us this whole thing is so much more complex than our daily check list.  We love you Lord. In Jesus name I pray.. Amen.

My flesh and my heart may fail but, God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
-Psalm 73:27

Guide me Lord as I disciple my children and prepare them for the battles they face everywhere, including their own heart. -Ephesians 3:14-19

"There will be so many times when you feel like you have failed but, in the eyes, heart and mind of your child you are super mom." -Stephanie Precourt

Hey Tired Mom, this ones for you.

In the last few days  I've had  at least four text messages from fellow moms who are  drained, exhausted, and overwhelmed.

They were weary and just needed a quick pick me up. I understand this completely as you know, I am also in the middle of the mommy years insanity.
You're Not Alone.
Today I got to work early and stayed late. Called and booked  a few of the fams numerous appointments on the  drive home. Brought the trash cans back in the garage, made dinner for tonight and tomorrow night.
And I did not forget the brownies for dessert. Just sayin'
I then Did 2 loads of laundry, all the dishes, cleaned the bathrooms.  Holy smokes. We won't even get into that.

I Talked to my girls real quick about their day before I was back off to the salon to get my own hair done.
Which does not happen enough for Pete's sake.
Got in the car to pull out of the driveway .... five minutes late, of coarse.
On my way I still needed to pick up a prescription, fill my car up with gas, and pick up a sweet tea  as requested for my  hairdresser.

Tip-  do not upset your hairdresser.

I put the keys in the car and it wouldn't start because guess what???
It didn't have gas.

Seriously.

 I found that ironic.
I mean even my car knows when to stop.
Sometimes it feels like as a mom we don't get the  option to run out of gas even when we know we are empty.

When I get to this place I remind myself what a blessing my girls are. I remind myself to keep going. I remind myself that I do not have to be a perfect mother. I remember the scripture that tells me today's troubles are enough for today...  I remind myself  that I only get one shot to do this...And that I'm going to blink my eyes and my house will be empty, quiet, and feel lonely.

No more practices to run them to. No more games to watch them play. No more checking folders or endless homework. No more school dances are Christmas parties.

We Will miss it when it's over.
Snuggle those babies God gave you alittle longer tonight even though you're exhausted. Read them one extra book even though your tank is on E.


Dear Lord,  tonight I lift up all the tired mommas. Give  us an abundance of  energy for the days ahead. Help us to cast our cares upon you.  Remind us we do not have to be perfect.. Remind us we are enough. I pray you help us to find time to rest, time to seek your face. Lord we know you are our source of strength. We love you. I pray we honor you with the children you blessed us with. I Jesus name I pray. Amen.

YOU MOM are far more precious than rubies. Proverbs 31:10

YOUR children will rise and call  YOU blessed. Proverbs  31:28

"Behind every great Kid is a mother who is pretty sure she is screwing it up"