Thursday, September 24, 2015

The Best Days Are Ahead


What do you think of when you hear the word "balance"? Some of you may think of a scale. While others may think of an acrobat on a high wire. For me life in general comes to mind. When you're a parent, especially a single one, there are so many hats to wear. I am a cook, a therapist, a nurse, a playmate, the tooth fairy...the list can go on and on. I'm not going to lie, I really don't miss my childless days. However, I am looking forward to an empty nest. I bet you're thinking I'm just saying that because I'm tired of having to do it alone. You may feel that way yourself. Let me reassure that couldn't be further from the truth. Having Sienna  causes me to keep building a relationship with God and mature in many ways. This helps me to live a balanced life. As a result I am a much better parent.

Why am so I'm enthused about the future? I am excited because I can't wait to see what Sienna is going to grow to be. She was baptized a few Sundays ago. It was her choice and she completely understands the meaning. Sienna is so loving, creative, and talented. Her plans are to be a teacher, get married and have 4 children. I'm pretty sure all of that will change a thousand times before she turns 18. I am also aware that they are her plans and The Lord may say otherwise. We really have no idea what the future holds but it's nice to dream. I actually pray for her husband regularly. I hope he's a man of God who will lead and protect her.

Being that Sienna is only nine, I know we  have a long way to go. It's just that time passes so fast. It really does feel like yesterday that I could fit all 6lbs 8oz of her on my chest. I look at her baby pictures sometimes just as a reminder of how far we've come. It's been a hard, fun, scary, and amazing journey. Each day we press on trying to make the next day better than the previous one even if it's something small.

Are you dreading your child growing up? Are you agonizing over the day they move out or start dating?  Please don't. As parents we should encourage them to grow. Allow them to take healthy risks. Let them make mistakes. They need to learn to trust their own judgement. We won't be around forever and we can't stop Father Time. Besides why would you want to? So get excited. Start making some plans and set them before The Lord and see what He has in store. (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

WPOV-Is Chilvary Dead?

All too often I hear women say, "Chilvary is dead and men aren't what they used to be." Well the ladies and I explored the topic and it would bring me great joy if you listened to it.


Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Are You Choosing Your Own Adventure

          How many times have you said the following: "I shoulda_____, I coulda____I woulda____." I used to say this a lot. Often times we realize a number of options we could have or should have taken instead of the action that we actually took. As I was going over some recent events in my mind James 1:2-4 interrupted my thoughts. It says to be thankful for the trials you go through because the testing of your faith develops perseverance and in order for you to be mature and complete and not lacking in anything because perseverance is needed to get you to that point. I must admit I thought, Who in their right mind would be thankful for a problem? But as I pondered the rest of the verse I realized that every trial I have been through has been worth it in the end. I have always come out of the situation better than I went in and I would not change it for the world!

           When things get uncomfortable in life especially due to decisions we have made we spend so much time playing back the tape in our minds trying to predict a different outcome. We wish life was one of those Choose Your Own Adventure books. For those of you who do not know what those are let me hip you to something good. A Choose Your Own Adventure book was my absolute favorite when I was in the 5th grade. It  was like having three books in one because you are able choose the way the story unfolds from middle to end. For instance if it's an action adventure book and the main character gets captured by his nemesis you could A) have him escape B) have him imprisoned or C) have him rescued. The story then continued based upon the option you chose. Ha! I knew you would like it. Unfortunately life is not a choose your own adventure book. We can make choices but we don't  always know what the outcome will be and there are definitely no alternate endings once the decision has been made.

          "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you..." (See Jeremiah 1:5). When I read this verse I am reminded of how well my Father knows me. He knows what I am going to do and what my reactions will be in every situation I face. How grateful we should be that God knows us so well. When we are stumbling along this life choosing our own adventures instead of allowing him to guide us; He makes provisions for us to grow from our mistakes. How awesome is that?

        So it is with sincerity I ask that you turn off your minds to your past mistakes and poor decisions. We should forget what is behind and press toward the future (See Philippians 3:13). I once heard someone say that today is a gift...that's why it is called the "present". Be blessed.