Vacation

I thought I posted this last week...oops. :)


Vacation....such a sweet word!!  It ranks up there with "chocolate", "cake", "pie", wait, those are all foods. LOL

Our family just returned from our yearly trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  And it was wonderful!

The kids played for hours in the ocean and sand, we were all kissed by the sun and ocean breeze, and we ate lots of food. Sat around and laughed together, put together a 1000 piece puzzle, stayed up late and watched fireworks.  Sweet times.

I share this to say, love the ones God has trusted you with.  Not just live with them, but LOVE them.  They are so precious, and though they may be just a tad annoying at times, one day they won't be little. One day they won't ask you to help tie their shoes.  One day they won't ask you to unclog the toilet. ;)  One day they won't ask you to make them a waffle, or get their splinter out.  One day they won't need you that way.

Oh, and take a vacation!! Even a small one. You deserve it :)


With a thankful heart,
Christa <3

A happy heart makes the face cheerful

What makes a happy heart?

A nice car?  A full checking account?  Well behaved kids?  Well, these things are nice. And they would relieve a bit of stress, sure. :)  But a "happy" heart goes much deeper than this.

Lately I have been dealing with my "feelings."  Everybody has them, and many of us blame others for them.  But they are "our" feelings, no one elses.

Sometimes things happen and people will hurt our feelings. Not intentionally, not on purpose, not meaning to, whatever.  But it happens.  And we are left with our feelings.  We are responsible to deal with them.  I have heard it said, "A spirit filled man cannot be offended."  Why?  Because we are full of Him, and if we are full of Him, we have to be full of love, forgiveness, grace, etc.  Ahhhh, but what about my feelings?  What about when I am hurt?  Don't my feelings matter at all?

God cares about every little thing.  Every tear, every bumped elbow and scraped knee.  But we have the choice of letting go the things that hold us, such as unforgiveness and hurt feelings.  Sometimes that means going to a person and letting them know how you feel.  Sometimes you just have to hit your knees.  It feels so good just to let it go.

The miracle is joy in Him in a day that goes all wrong. The miracle is standing in awe of abundance as I chop carrots and bathe children and fold laundry. The miracle is a Son sent to die for the very likes of me and His ever-pursuing love for me still. ♥

Keeping our hearts clean is a tough thing, but absolutely necessary.  It's the only way we can hear God, of this I am convinced.  And I believe it's the only way to have a happy heart.

Love,
Christa <3

Peace

We are enveloped in peace when we know that nothing the enemy does can abort the plan of God for our lives.- TD Jakes

Been meditating this morning on peace.  Have read and heard many things about peace, keeping our peace, not allowing anything to take our peace.  I am realizing that for me, what really gives peace is resting in where we are, and blooming where we've been planted.  Obeying the One who I follow and serve, and being me.  


God has great plans for each of us, and we are so easily sidetracked by hurts, disappointments, bumps in the road, etc.  If only we could just remember that there is a bigger picture, and though things will come and people will let us down, hurt our feelings, and not approve of our ways, (efforts of the enemy and weakness of our flesh to take our peace) He has our best interest at heart.  All things work together for our good, if we love Him and are working in our purpose with a pure heart.  


And when we fall short, we can simply ask for grace and forgiveness, and He will pick us up, dust us off and set us back on the path He's chosen for us.  Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus. <3  


Love,
Christa