Right There With You, Mamas

 

Do you ever feel discouraged? Kind of let down, and sad?

I know I do from time to time.

Even this week, if I am truthful...

It is one of those times where I looked out, and saw others succeeding at life. Doing seemingly great things with their days.

They have a job with a very clear end result. And can show some sort of accomplishment at the end of their day.

While I struggled to stay afloat through endless toddler tantrums, diaper changes, and that ever present housework.

That housework that NEVER ends.

Where despite spending most of my waking hours attending to it, at the end of the day, it looks EXACTLY like it did before so much effort was spent trying to organize it some.

I could talk on and on, about how important our jobs as mamas and homemakers are.

More than likely, you already know this fact...

It IS one of the most important jobs out there.

And one so full of never ending blessings.

Blessings that we really have to dig and search for at times.

I just want to take a moment to let ALL you mama out there in the trenches, that I see you. And I am right there with you.

I see all the hard physical and mental work you put in day after day.

And how at times it seems as if it was all fruitless.

And if I could, I would send each and everyone of you a huge bouquet of flowers to brighten your day.

Know that I am sending a prayer of encouragement for your heart today, and the strength to tackle the never ending laundry, dishes, and dirt and grime of everyday life.

Oh. And that you receive an extra big, unexpected, wet sloppy kiss from your little one.

Are you feeling discouraged of late? What are some of your favorite scriptures for those time? And how may I pray for you?

Have a wonderfully blessed day! Thanks for stopping by!
Angel

No One Can Serve, As An Empty Vessel

I was able to spend some time in the mountains a little over a week ago. It was my first time ever staying not just one, but two nights away from my little guy.

I have had a few hours sprinkled here and there since he has been born, that while my parents or in-laws have watched him, I have been able go grocery shopping, attend doctors appointments, or spend the day cleaning or resting in my home alone.

But never before an over night stay from him...

I was quite hesitant to begin with. And to be honest, the thought of traveling across the state and being away from him for 2 and half days made me want to cry.

But at the same time, a break sounded AMAZING.

So with my amazing hubby's encouragement, I decided to take the opportunity I was given, and allow myself a few days mental and physical rest.

And despite missing my baby and my hubby HORRIBLY, I enjoyed myself.

I was able to let go mentally of being "mama" for an extended period of time, and just be me.

And the result of that was coming back home eager and ready to give more to my little guy, than I had in awhile.

I have always had a difficult time letting go of being "mama" and just letting myself be "Angel", and not feeling guilty. Even when it is just for a few hours at a time.

But after giving birth to Flynn, and several months of giving, giving, and more giving to my family, and not putting back and replenishing my own stores, I burned out.

I had to learn the hard way, that NO one, not even so called super moms, can constantly give, without becoming drained themselves.

Motherhood is the BEST job I have ever had. But also the most difficult.

In order for me to continue to grow and become a better mama for my little guy, I have to take care of myself.

And sometimes that means taking a step back, breathing in the rest the LORD provides, and letting someone else step in and take over for a bit.

And you know what. That is Biblical. Our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ did it Himself while living on this earth 2,000 years ago.

In Mark 4:35-41, we read about how after teaching the multitudes for days, he said to HIS disciples "Let us pass to the other side of the sea of Galilee."

And while Jesus was in the boat, HE laid down and went to sleep. HE rested. And HE prepared HIMSELF for the next task to be done.

And from time to time, I need to do just that as well. And not feel guilty.

To just take a small step away from job at hand, and REST.

"Rest and self care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel."

~Eleanor Brown

 

How about you?

 

Does rest and letting go come naturally for you? Or do your seem to struggle and feel guilty about "letting go"?

 

Have a wonderfully blessed day everyone! Thanks for stopping by!

Angel

The Marriage, Not the Wedding...

Good day friends and family! I pray that you are all having a blessed day in our LORD! It's a cold one here in my neck of the woods. The temps are only supposed to reach about 45 today. But the sun is shining, and that is a blessing in itself.

Well, it sure has been awhile since I posted a life update on here. To say the least, life has been pretty busy here. There has been school to teach, animals to tend to, cleaning to do, planning the wedding, preparing for the marriage, as well as setting up our house. There really hasn't been much time for much else. :D

Wedding planning is going splendidly. I have decided upon just a simple sort of ceremony and reception at our church. All the decor is planned, the menu is set, music has been planned, and pretty much the only thing left is to start set up the week after Easter.

But I will go ahead and tell you, I don't know that I have quite as much excitement over planning the wedding, as I do when planning the marriage. Planning the wedding has been great fun, and a joy. But planning out our house and new lives, has been a greater joy! I can honestly say, that if the actual wedding doesn't turn out exactly how I planned, as far as little details go, I will be perfectly okay in that.

GOD has shown me over the past few weeks, it's not about the decorations, the music played, or where anyone sits. The wedding should be solely focused on Justin and I joining our lives, before GOD our Savior  in the holy estate of matrimony. None of the other things matter.

Sure they set up a nice atmosphere and make the day a little more special. But what makes the day important and truly special, is that we are stepping into a new chapter of our lives, seeking to honor and glory GOD in that holy union. And I am more looking forward to that life lasting union with the one whom my soul loveth. :D

Well, as much as I hate to get off of here I better. This is the first day in quite awhile where I have not had to go any where or do anything, and there are a couple of projects around here I would love to get caught up on. Until next time...

Have a wonderfully blessed day everyone! Thanks for stopping by!
Angel

Carlos, our cat, trying to figure out exactly what's going on with those silly humans...

Credit for pics goes to my sister...

You Lead, I'll Follow

A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. Proverbs 16:9

How many times I have had this brought to my mind, or better yet, needed it pounded into my stubborn brain. That no matter how many times I "take" my life into my hands, it is always the GOD of the universe that is in control. When times get rough, the only thing I need to do is step back, take the back seat so to speak, and let HIM take complete and total control. The same thing goes for the good times as well. So, lead me LORD, I wanna be yours...



Have a wonderfully blessed day everyone! Thanks for stopping by!
Angel

Commitment Like Ruth

Do you have a favorite book of the Bible? A book that you just love to read over and over? A book that each and every time you go back to it, you gain encouragement, and you just feel the LORD speak to you through its words? I don't know about you but I happen to have 3, and one of those three is the book of Ruth in the Old Testament.

It's a book where you can clearly see the hand of GOD working in the lives of plain ordinary people. It's a book with a heroine of sorts, that women should take note of. It also has a beautiful love story that was clearly written and orchestrated by the hand of GOD.

I recently watched a movie that my mom borrowed from the library on this book, and loved it. Following that I went and reread it as well. So, you can imagine my great delight to find out that our pastor last night started a study of the book! :D

What a huge blessing the message was last night. Our pastor basically started this study by breaking down the first chapter, and pointed out some of the major events in that time frame, and made some great applications. But there was one in particular that the LORD spoke to my heart about.

The part that really stuck out with me was what occurs after Orpah and Ruth's husbands die. Naomi has made the descion to leave the country of Moab that she has been living in, and return to her home country of Judah. Let me share from the scriptures what follows...

7Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.

8And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.

9The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.

10And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.

11And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?

12Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;

13Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.

14And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.

15And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.

Upon Naomi's decision to return to Judah, she tells her two daughters in law, who obviously have a very close bond with her, to return to their people, and even their pagan gods.

But Ruth and Orpah react in quite and emotional way, weeping, and saying no, we will go with you. But Naomi says no. I can give you no husbands out of my womb, return to your people.

Then you see each of their reactions to the response. Orpah kisses her mother in law, and departs. But Ruth cleaves to Naomi. Her bond and love for her mother in law is so strong that she will not depart. In fact we see her stand all the more firm when she makes one of the most beautiful commitments and oaths ever spoken.

16And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

17Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

Ruth had such a commitment to Naomi! She was willing to forsake all that was familiar to her to be with her mother in law. What an awesome example her act was.

How often do we show such commitment in our lives? Whether it be in family circles or marriage? Better yet. What struck me the most about what the pastor said was, what about our commitment to our LORD and Saviour? Ouch. That question hit home pretty hard for me last night.

Too often in our lives, and mine as well, we do as Orpah did and "kiss" GOD out of emotion. But we don't follow it through with commitment.

I'm talking about true commitment. The kind that Ruth gave Naomi. To go wherever HE wants us, and do whatever HE wants of us. Putting behind us all that is dear and familiar to us, putting away our desires, and completely giving them over to our LORD.

How difficult that is to do at times. To really let go of what we want is a HUGE step of faith. But a wonderful feeling it is to know that when we do follow through with a full commitment to GOD in ALL areas of our life, we know that HE will mercifully be there to help us and guide us along the way. :)

I want to be like Ruth. To give my full commitment to my Lord and Saviour, and let HIM lead my life. I want to follow HIM wherever HE leads me, and do as HE wants. It won't be easy. My controlling, stubborn nature wants to do everything my self, and sometimes my own way. ;) But, I know it will all be worth it. :)

Have a wonderful day everyone! Thanks for stopping by!
Angel

Side Note: Here is the link to IMDB's info on the movie I watched. The full title of the movie is called "The Book of Ruth". It is an excellent movie and I highly recommend everyone watching it. :D