Beauty for Ashes

I don't know who this poem is intended for, but I feel led to encourage you.  You may be feeling like you aren't doing enough; like you are a failure in God's eyes.  I need you to know that He sees you.  He sees how hard you are working to keep your light shining bright.  Not only shining for your friends and family, but for the world to see.  I know life can make it difficult sometimes.  Please don't let life's circumstances cause your light to be snuffed out.   There is this light, high up on the hill. There is this light, that never grows still. There is this light, that flickers all night long. There is this light, that will never lead you wrong. There is this light, in the darkest of nights. There is this light, that will always shine bright. There is this light, that may grow dim. There is this light, that won't burn out within. There is this light, that lives in you. There is this light, that will get you through. There is t

As the sun comes up, I am reassured by my God that He is there.  As I open up my eyes, I can already see the yellow and orange colors reflecting in the sky and on the lake; letting me know that it indeed is a new day.  I don't know if anyone else has ever felt this way, but today I felt as if the sunrise was just for me.  This morning, I was just overcome with such a peace by seeing the sun make her appearance.  I felt His presence all around me.  I felt His love and His warmth.  The lake is so calm this morning; just smooth as glass.  No sign of choppy waters.  It made me think about life and hardships.  About how we can be sailing on smooth waters one moment and in an instant, it can all change.  A storm can quickly roll in and churn up the water making it so rough that you are having a hard time trying to stay afloat.  In all times, I'm thankful that I know God.  I'm thankful that He is sailing with me on calm waters and sailing with me on choppy waters.  It's in

Ever have a bad day?  I mean a really, really bad day?  That was me the other day.  I was having one of those days where I felt completely broken on the inside.  To the outside world I appeared fine, but in reality, I was crying on the inside.  I was beating myself up.  I was allowing my thoughts and emotions to get the better of me.  I was throwing a pity party for myself.  Those aren't any fun.  If anything, they are a complete waste of our time.  I should have just turned it over to God, right?  But for some reason, I couldn't.  I was so shaken that I couldn't do what I knew to do-and that's turn it over to God. There happened to be a piece of paper on the counter so I just drew what I felt like instead and pushed it aside; I didn't think about it again.  That was until I saw what my twelve year old wrote below my drawing.  He wrote, 'Remember that God loves you and made you in His own image.  Stay strong.' I busted into tears when I saw what he had wr

I have to say how nice it has been the last two days having the boys back in school.  Not because I want them out of the house, but because I missed our schedule.  If you are like us, we thrive when we have a routine.  I go for my run after dropping them off at school.  This morning was no different.  Sure it was a little warmer than I would like, but the breeze that was coming off of our lake was amazing!  So I grabbed my phone and headed out. About a mile into my run this morning, a song came on that really spoke to my heart.  I couldn't help myself and I just started to worship as I ran along the side of the road.  Sure, people may have been looking at me funny, but I didn't care.  It made me think about people who are sick and hurting.  People that are having medical problems.  People that maybe have lost all hope in their situation.  My heart hurts today not only for the sick, but for their loved ones too.  For the ones who have to watch them go through such a difficult

Our Pastor gave such a great sermon on Sunday.  I know that a lot of people left service that day impacted by his words.  I know I left with parts of it tucked away in my heart.  He spoke about patience.  And in that, he spoke about being patient while you are single.  I have been praying for a couple ladies for a while now, and this topic is on my heart to write about.  To tell a little bit of what I went through during that time. You know, after I was thrown into being a single mom, I didn't really know who I was.  For so long, I was a wife and a mother; that's all I knew.  I lost me somewhere along the way.  I can remember trying to find myself and it being so hard.  I can also remember thinking that I wouldn't ever be fulfilled or truly happy if I wasn't in a relationship.  I felt in order to be truly happy, I had to be married.  I was trying to find my worth and happiness in my relationship status.  At times, I even "overlooked" things that I didn't

Lord, today I pray for all of the single mothers out there.  Especially, the ones who are struggling.  Fill them up with your peace today.  Give them your strength.  Show them a little extra love today.  I lift up these women for you to protect.  For you to guide down this road they are walking.  For you to make yourself known in their lives.  Guard their hearts until your best comes for them.  Protect their coming and going.  Show them that they are not alone in their struggles.  Lord, my heart is heavy for them today.  Especially, for the ones who don't have a personal relationship with you and are trying to do it by themselves.  If there is any single mother that doesn't know you, I pray that she will  give up control and allow you to work in her life.  I pray that she will begin to trust you and have faith in you.  Lord, I pray that she will learn to lean on you in every situation.  Lord, I pray that she will want to have a relationship with you.   I want her to know that s

I know you don't know me, but I know you.  I know every single detail of your life.  Every scraped knee, every tear shed; I know every single strand of hair on your head.  You see, I knew you before you were knit together in your mother's womb.  I know you feel a nudge; you have this longing for something more-something greater.  I know you are struggling.  I know you are about ready to give up.  Don't. Your family loves you, like I love you.  Just like they are my children, you are my child too. You see, I am your Heavenly Father, your creator; I'm your biggest fan.  I have been watching over you and your life.  I've placed people in your path to show you My love for you.  Your family are My hands and My feet.  Because I can't physically be there with you, I've put them in My place to show you My love.  They are praying for you.  They hurt with you.  They don't want you to be lost and struggling on your own anymore.  They want you to find the peace th

This morning as I awoke, I heard God say: "The sun rising is a constant thing.  It is like clockwork everyday.  Just like I should be in your life.  Just like clockwork, I want you to spend time with Me.  Reading my word, praying, just talking to Me.  I want to fill you with My presence in order to give you what you need for the day.  I want to share in your happy times and lift you up in your sad moments.  I want to give you strength for your trials.  I want to reassure you that I am in control.  As the sun comes up each morning, think of it as a good morning kiss from Me; from your Heavenly Father.  That is My way of saying good morning to you."    I know how hard it is to get that much needed quiet time so you can study and read the word.  If you are like me, I try to fit it in multiple times throughout the day.  Some days though, I hate to admit, I don't make time for God like I know I should.  Life being too busy is not an excuse.  All I have to do is carve o

Mommy, please don't be sad.  I know this is tough. Mommy, please don't be sad.  You loved me enough.  Mommy, please don't be sad.  I know you wanted me to grow.    Mommy, please don't be sad.  I know you love me so.    Mommy, please don't be sad.  I know you want me back. Mommy, please don't be sad.  I'm safe where I'm at.   Mommy, please don't be sad.  I know how much you've cried. Mommy, please don't be sad.  I know how much you've tried.  I want you to know how much you mean to me.  I want you to know that you are a blessing. I want you to know that I didn't go far. I want you to know that I'm up in the stars.   I want you to know that when you are missing me. Just look up to the Heavens and you will see.  I want you to know that I miss you so. I want you to know that I had to let go. I want you to know that God gave me the best mommy He knew.   That&#

My Great Aunt Norma told me the other day, "Sometimes when God's answer is no, it's because He has a greater yes waiting for you."  This couldn't have come at a more appropriate time for our family.  There are many struggles that we are facing today.  Thank you Aunt Norma for the words of encouragement.  Thank you for the reminder that our God is great.   I think back over my life and can't help but think, how many times had God said no to me?  I'm sure there are too many times to count.  And honestly, I don't remember the majority of them.  But the no's I'm getting today, are what weigh heaviest on my heart.  For the last year, God has said no more often times than yes.  And that's okay.  I'm not going to get upset just because I am getting no's.  I know that God is working for the greater good for my family.  He knows what is best for us.  Sometimes, our timing is not lined up with God's timing.  This can make the wait lon

It's hard not to be negative sometimes.  You know, those moments when all you can see is the bad.  When your feelings are involved and you have an emotional  reaction to something.  I'd say the older I get, the more emotional I have become.  There's nothing w r ong with this, it is just different than what I am used to.  It doesn't take much these days to make me tear up.  All it takes is seeing a touching commercial; like the Publix ones.  At church, when I see someone praying for another person when they are struggling.  Just seeing the love and genuine concern for another is amazing to witness.  In those moments, I can sense their sorrow and I have to fight back the tears.  For me, being an emotional person allows the negative emotions to easily sneak in.  The world is so full of negativity; and it's easily passed on to us.  I think naturally, I tend to be a little more negative than positive.  This is something that I have been working really hard on for a lo

Owen is 10! How is that even possible?  My baby boy is now in the double digits! Wow, that's extremely hard to believe.  I know it's cliche, but, your children really do grow in the blink of an eye.   Today is about Owen and his ten years he has been part of our lives.  Today is about celebrating this amazing young man!  Today is about laughing and having the best day ever.  Today is about cake and ice cream; or strawberry pie, one of Owen's favorites.   For me, on birthdays, I find myself reminiscing.  As a mom, you are reminded every year about that special day God blessed you with a child.  I don't think of the pain involved; I think of the pure joy I felt in all of the moments.  The moment I held him.  The moment I heard his first cry.  The moment he gazed into my eyes.  The moment I nursed him when he was moments old.  There are so many moments.  So many firsts.  So many years of making memories with this incredibly goofy, kind-hearted boy.  Thank you, Go