oh how he loves us

During Vacation Bible School a young child walked up to a sweet servant of a lady who was leading a craft activity.  "My mommy loves me so much,"  he said.  "Well, that's just wonderful.  And how do you know that?"  she asked, looking forward to his answer.  He simply said, "Because she tells me all the time."   This is actually a true story.  I spoke with this teacher yesterday in the grocery store.  She was moved to tears as she re-lived that precious moment. 


I am so thankful we have a Father who tells us "all the time" how much He loves us in His word.

 "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.  The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him."  1 John 3:1

One of my ALL TIME favorite praise songs is How He Loves Us by David Crowder Band.  I strongly encourage you to listen to the words if you have not heard them.  The lyrics are powerful and moving.  I cry every time I hear it. 

"....and we are His portion and He is our prize

Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes

If His grace is an ocean we're all sinking

And heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss

And my heart turns violently inside of my chest

I don't have time to maintain these regrets

When I think about the way....

He loves us!"



What a beautiful picture. 

Thank  you, Father, for your unconditional love!



crunchy taco shells

A few nights ago I enjoyed a much needed girl's night out!  In my absence, my husband made tacos for dinner.  He did well.  His only complaint was when he opened the box of taco shells, he found that most of them were broken.  Or at least cracked.  Later that evening, I told him that I was sorry the shells were not in one piece.  " It's okay," he said.  "It's not like you can tell from looking at the box."   

This is true.

And isn't this also true with people?  I cannot always tell by looking at someone what is going on with them on the inside.  I am a firm believer that God intended for us to have relationships with others.  One of my churches many motto's is, "Don't do life alone!"   I love that.  I cannot imagine what I would do without the love and support of my family and friends.  In this day in time, I can see how it can be difficult to make REAL friends.  With that in mind, allow me to offer some practical suggestions...

• Get involved in a church:  I do not have the time, (nor the space), to list all of the reasons God intended for us to BELONG to a local church.  One of them, however, is so that we do not have to do life alone.  It is the perfect place to meet people and build relationships.
• Find a hobby:  Get off the couch and find something you like to do!  Whether it's a sport, or a craft, figure out where your talent lies, (because you ARE talented), and tune in to that.  And then, your next step is to find others in your community who share your same interest.
• Start a blog:  Before you snicker at this one, just hear me out!  I began my family blog five years ago when my husband and I were struggling through our adoption process.  At first, it was a nice past time.  A journal of sorts.  Then, one by one, I began meeting people through cyber-space who were traveling through identical trials.  To this day, I keep in touch with many of these families.  I have met several of them in person.  Because of our journeys, we will always share a common bond with one another.   And trust me, you do NOT have to be a gifted writer to begin a blog!  You will however find yourself blessed with the gift of lasting friendship. 
• Get on Facebook:  I know, I know!  This one sounds pretty silly.  You do not have to look very far to find articles on how, as a society, we are too technologically dependant.  There is a small part of me that would agree with that statement, but a larger part of me strongly disagrees.  Like anything else, when in moderation, I am a strong believer in technological relations.  It is the same concept of the blog.  I have connected and reconnected with SO MANY people through Facebook.  It has served as a wonderful tool and outlet for me to express myself.  And gain friendship and support while doing so. 

These are just a few ideas that have helped me stay connected to those around me.  It just so happens that I have an outgoing personality.  Making friends has never really been a challenge for me.  Having said that, I know that for some, this can be very difficult.  In that case, take a deep breath.  Ask God to calm your spirit and guide you.  It is SO important that you step out of your box.

Especially if  you are broken on the inside.

i understand

I was getting my son ready for bed last night.  No matter what I asked him to do, his response was a resounding, "NO!"  I was completely out of energy.  I could have forced him into time out or exercised other forms of discipline.  Honestly, I just didn't feel like it.  It was late and I was tired. 

Instead, I got up and went to sit in the bathroom.  Alone in the quiet.  This reaction was unrecognizable to JP.  It was not long before I heard the little pitter-patter of his feet in the hallway.  "Mommy, are you in here?"  His voice was barely above a whisper.  "Yes son, I am."  I responded equally as quiet.  "Mommy, I am very sorry for not doing what I am supposed to do.  I don't know why I don't listen.  I try, but I end up making bad choices." 

After feeling a little tug from the Holy Spirit, my only response was, "I understand."

^" I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.    And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.    As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.    For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.   For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.  For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.    Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it."  Romans 7:15-24

I guess I am more like my five year old than I realize.

prayers please

What a whirlwind of a day. 

My husband lost his grandmother this morning.  It is appropriate, I suppose, that on Father's Day she was united with her Heavenly Father.

Our family would appreciate your prayer support.  It is always difficult when you lose someone you love...

I wrote a post on my family blog.  You can read it, here.

life is good

I went to Publix after dinner to return a Blockbuster (Black-busturd, as my son calls it) Express movie.  I drove my husband's truck because I cannot listen to the Ipod in my car.  On the way there I cranked up Zac Brown Band's song, "Toes."   I know, I know!  But, I am a fan.  Their music always seems to whisk me away and drop me on a far away beach somewhere. in my mind.


There is a line at the beginning of the song that says, "Life is good today..."  I began to think about that.  Most of us do not have to walk too far before we stumble across negativity.  And at times I, too, am guilty of this charge.


In addition to my precious son, when I returned home from Guatemala I brought back with me a new found appreciation for my country.  Now, when I am tempted to complain about my surroundings or my circumstances, I try to remind myself of a few things:

• I have running water.
• I have a bed to sleep in at night.
• The roof over my head does not leak. ( I HAVE a roof over my head.)
• There is PLENTY food in my pantry and refrigerator.
• I have a car.
• I have heat/air.

You get the picture.


What do I really have to complain about?  And as children of God, we have even MORE to be thankful for!  This life is certainly not perfect.  But if you sit back and think about it,  Life is Good.  Every day.


I need to drive to Publix more often. 

good monday morning

If I have learned anything while walking down this path to becoming a (paid) writer, it's that it is a LONG, tiring, and overwhelming process.  It takes MORE than a lot of patience.  While patience may be a virtue, it is not a characteristic that I wear very well.  I tend to want things to happen overnight.  Immediately.  Unfortunately, becoming a published author does not happen that way.

This post is my sad attempt at explaining to you why I have been "slack" in posting my devotions.  There are several reasons. 

1. God gives me the ideas.  I only put them down on paper for Him.  So, I am on His timetable when it comes to the material.  I have a couple of ideas I feel He's given me, I just haven't been able to sort them out on paper.
2. In addition to the devotions, I am doing my best to keep my family blog up to date.  The JPBeamer blog is the site that advertisers pay me to write for.  And since I actually bring in a little money there, I have to keep it up to date!
3. I thought I was finished with the manuscript for my children's book.  However, I was given an idea from another children's author (who has been published MANY times) on a different way to end my story...it was an amazing idea, so now mom and I are having to re-write some of the book.  And, of course, that takes time as well.
4. While I am writing away, keeping my son entertained on a daily basis (while we're home for the summer) remains my #1 priority! 

I hope it doesn't sound like I'm making excuses.  I'm just PLAIN busy!  And every day I learn just how HUMAN I am.  I fail.  I screw up.  I procrastinate. 


I am painfully imperfect. 


I beg you to continue checking in with me on this site.  I will promise to post my devotions when I write them.  In the meantime, feel free to leave a message in the comment section if there are any topics you would like for me to cover, or if you have questions that I can help you with!


Every one have a SUPER Monday!!

beautiful

Now that I am out of school for the summer, I plan on spending each morning cleaning up around the house a little before my son and I head out to do something fun.  This morning, I was sweeping in JP's room when I came across a pile of cotton balls, and colored pom poms taped together in a big ball.  I quickly picked it up and walked towards the trash can to throw it away.  "Noooo!!!  Mommy, what are you doing?!"  His little voice screamed.  "I found this in your floor and I'm throwing it away." I said.

I have to admit, I was caught off guard when his eyes filled up with tears.  I asked him what was wrong.  "Mommy, that's not trash. I made it.  It's beautiful."   Now I won't sit here and tell you that I understand exactly what he made.  What I can tell you is that he was passionate about it. He was proud of it. And he made it VERY clear that it did NOT belong in the trash can! 


Needless to say, I left it alone.


The Holy Spirit used that moment to remind me that just because I do not find the beauty in something doesn't mean it's not beautiful.  And no matter who you are, what you look like or how you feel about yourself, God made YOU.  He's passionate about you. He is proud of you.  You are His creation.


And you're beautiful.




  

praise God it's summer!

Well, I am finally out of school for the summer!  There are no words to express how excited I am about that.  As I mentioned in one of my earlier posts, I was so busy the last few weeks of school, that I have not written anything at all.


Now that I'm done with my day job, that will change!  I have jotted down a handful of devotional ideas.  I will begin writing them some time today.  So, hang in there with me and thank you for being patient!


EVERYONE HAVE A FABULOUS DAY!