Some days you just have to take the lid off of it....

So I turned 30 last week...( I know some of you are thinking I wish I could go back to 30 etc.). It wasn't the turning 30 that bothered me, but the fact that I had so many things on "my list" that I wanted to have finished by the time I turned 30. (lose weight, buy a house, get married, a kid or two etc.) Trouble was it was "my list" and not necessarily "His list". Do I think all of those things are a part of His list, yes but it's just not time. I truly believe He'll give you the desires of your heart and He hasn't changed my heart yet. I was reminded several times last week that your who and your do are two separate things. How I wish some days that what is on the inside could shine out, that others could see more of who I am(and not just what I can do/or not do)....sadly that's not how the world works at times. Get comfortable with who you are and not worry about what others do/say, and eventually your feelings(and others) will get in line. That has been the biggest lesson I've learned/am still learning this year. Be happy with who YOU are, who HE made YOU to be, and just live your life period. Not every day is going to go your way, not everything is going go as planned, it's life. Chances are if you look back over the day, there is something you can find that made you smile, something you were proud of, and hopefully something that made Him smile. That's what matters in the day...love others the best you can, but love yourself as well. Don't beat yourself up at someone else's expense. Love for others doesn't mean you lose who you are in the process. God gifts are not forced and will not reap condemnation, but everything falls into place. When it's a God gift, you forget about what you are doing, and you just do.

Speaking of gifts, every Christian has a gift(or gifts) inside of you. You'll never know what the gift is until you take the lid off of it. Then once you take the lid off of it, you have to try it on to see if it fits. When it's Christmas morning, you don't just leave the presents under the tree...when it's time you take the lid off and see what's inside. You don't go shopping and buy new clothes without trying them on at some point(okay yes at some stores I can buy without trying on, but....you know what I mean). Sometimes to find out how your gift fits, you have to the take the lid off and just try it. You'll know when it feels right regardless of how others think it may "look". You may need to work a little before the fit becomes just right and you may need to lose a few things you have become comfortable carrying, but in His time it will fit and the world will see what you saw when you first took the lid off.

When you ask God to give you His eyes to see some things through, be prepared for some tears. Often times when we look at it with His eyes, we get ourselves out of the way and it can break your heart. We all have that innate desire to know that what we do matters, but I've learned this year(well actually had it drilled into my head with repetitive practice), that you have to first know that what you do matters. As long as you believe what you are doing is making a difference, you may hear the splash but you may not always see all of the ripples that come. You may see the seeds being planted, but you may not get to see the bloom. There are no small parts because without the seed you would never have a beautiful rose ;-)

It's Mother's Day today....to all those who have ever loved a child with a Mother's love(be it your own, an angel you have waiting in heaven, or the children God places in your life right now that you help each day)...Happy Mother's Day! If it's not your time yet to be a "mom" in the traditional sense, keep trusting Him, but while you wait....love the kids He places in your path. You never know the difference you may make in their lives.

Until next time!
~Melissa

Weekend wisdom part 2

Sometimes we make things difficult. God called us to simply love. Love ourselves, love others, and love doing what He's called us to do. The enemy is out there and while he can't touch YOU because you are a Christian, he can take your joy, your confidence, your time etc. If you are looking to be happy with anything or anyone other than God, you are sadly going to be let down. Even the best of Christians are still that humans at times. Let them off the hook, like God has let you. I have been reminded lately that those who can truly love YOU for YOU are not always in abudance. Cherish those friendships/relationships, realizing that the most important one is the one with God. I can't explain how He and I have the relationship we do, but it's been a journey that's still in the making. I asked God seven years ago for deeper and He's been faithful to answer that. (Side note: if you ask for a deeper more intimate relationship with Him, be prepared, sometimes to get to that intimate place it has to be just you and Him. That's not always easy). Sometimes that journey gets lonely because you have to get to the point where you realize, He is all you need. On to the gift inside of you, you'll never know what it is if you don't take the lid off and you'll never know if it fits or not until you try it on. (Side note: Just like shopping with a friend, be careful whose opinion you listen to about what looks right and what doesn't). Remember it's your dream and it's your journey. You are accountable for you. Quit caring what others are getting away with(They are sowing thier own "harvest"). Don't intervene until God says too(because then you have His favor and His grace).  Sometimes the encouragmenet you keep asking God for is meant to come from  you(a song you may hear, a verse you read, something God speaks to you), quit looking for it in people. God-encouragement gives you what you need to pick yourself up and keep going. I just want to have Him say one day, well done.  Until then, I'm learning(slowly at times) what this love walk is all about and the ups and downs of this journey. Those "big" moments in life when God shows up and shows out are important reminders and can sometimes be that encouragement we need to pick ourselves up when we are ready to just quit. A new part of our journey now is looking at each day for those moments when He shows up and shows out.   


Until next time
~Melissa

Weekend wisdom

 I'll try to keep this short and sweet ;-) I never know when I start out with one of these if it's just for me, for someone else, or for both. Some days it's a blog or bust (In other words I gotta say it to someone and this is my outlet for now).

• If God gave you a dream, He gave it to you period. In other words, His dreams can't be taken away. His dreams will come to pass when it's time. Now if only He'd give us a time table, but that's not always how things go ;-)?
• Don't switch off the gift(s) God has placed inside of you. Some people may not understand and some may not agree with it, but if God gave it to you(good test if it's God given....can you see a time He has used it in the past???), it's not to be hidden. There are so many treasures inside of you, uncover them, unlock them, and there you will find the keys to walk out some of your prayers. Fear will keep your mouth shut when God said to open it. Fear also has another name and it's called people pleasing ;-).  Speak when He says too, if you stay quiet, you may not be the only one missing out on the blessing.
• God never forgets what you ask for and when it's time He will bring it to pass if it's part of His will. It may just not look like what you specifically asked for ;-) Don't limit God or try to keep Him in a box.
• The same power that raised Lazarus and told demons where to go is inside of you...use it! Too many times we excuse away the very thing God gave us to use to fight.
• God's given you so much, He's just waiting on you to realize what makes you special. Don't let others push down what God has tried to push up ;-)

God knows your weaknesses, and God always provides (think about Moses and Aaron). Moses didn't need Aaron to talk, but it made him feel better and it gave him the confidence to go forward with what God told Him to do. Tell God your but statement, and then when He answers, walk forward and quit making excuses. Enough for now......More to come soon, He's writing just know that ;-)

Where are you at???

Call it reflecting, call it getting close to my birthday, call it whatever you want, but I'm in a thinking mood;-)

So where are you at? Are you moving forward or are you stuck in one spot? Are you frozen or are you focused on what's ahead? Where are you going and where are you at? So many times we look at this journey focused on what's happened in the past and what we have coming up in the future, but what are we doing with this thing called today. Are you letting what others think matter more than what God thinks? Do you have His plan in view or are you doing the day your way? Is love your main focus or is pride leading this? Where are you at? There comes a time when  you need to look at where you are at in your journey and take inventory. Sometimes if you are stuck or find yourself not going anywhere, look around. I bet you can figure out why you are where you are. God didn't call you to walk the journey alone, but He didn't call you to walk with an army of people either. I've said this before, but I'm repeating it again here for good measure. Not everyone you were meant to effect, was meant to affect you. Just because God placed someone in your path to see your light, didn't mean that He wanted theirs to burn you. You are accountable for you period. It's hard to walk straight ahead when you keep looking around at what everyone else is doing. You are responsible for you period. So where are you? What's God doing in your life today? That question was part of the sermon Sunday and it stuck with me. I have several "memory stones" that I can look back and see God's hand, I can see where He carried when I couldn't walk, where He used me to do some AMAZING things, but those are all in the past. They help me stay focused and redirect me when I look away, but lately I can't put a finger on anything "big". At least so I thought......How many times do we keep an account of those "big" things and forget about the "little" things? That time we sent that friend a text just right when they needed it, that listening ear we gave when someone needed to talk, that prayer whispered in the middle of the night because God woke us up, that time you took to believe and invest in someone when no one else would, and most of all those doors that keep opening and the favor that keeps coming that only and I mean ONLY God can give. So many times we look at only those "Big" things God does, and we forget those moments throughout our journey that make us who we are. Have those big things impacted my life, why yes they have? BUT those little things have made me who I am. Hence the title of the blog, moments along the journey. It's those moments along the journey that shape us, mold us, and give us a reason to keep walking. It's those moments that make the diamonds that you share with others. You have a journey that only you can walk. There is a part that only you can play. Don't rush His timing, don't run ahead, and don't open the doors on your own. If you open the door, you have to keep answering it. If He opens the door, He takes care of it all.

If God has given you a dream, let it take root. When it's time it will bloom and everyone will get to see on the outside what has been growing on the inside.

Pretty sure this one is not finished yet, but will have to write more later ;-)
Until next time,
~Melissa

Weekend Words

Okay it's been a LONG time since my last post, but I've been writing things of another nature. My life has been consumed with IEP's for the last couple of months and I am happy to report I have 3 more before the traditional season is over. Then only new ones to write from here( those really aren't too bad). Needless to say God's been writing some things all the while I've been busy with that, but today is not the day to type everything out. So here's a little Weekend words to carry through until I have time for a new blog ;-). I will say this, as crazy and as stressful as this year has been, I have learned so much about myself, things I need to change, things that I need to fix. For that I count the stress worth it;-)

• God didn't make you to have Welcome written on your forehead or to feel like you are a big green metal box(dumpster). Sometimes it gets to a point where Christians have to take a stand in love and not continue to be "walked" all over. I've learned take the stand and then move on. Don't hold a grudge, still show love, and leave it for God to take care of/fix.
• God gives you a dream, but it doesn't always look exactly like you dreamed it would be. So many times we pray for God to give us a mission field or a calling, when He already has. Not everyone is called to do great and mighty things in far off lands or in front of others. Some are called to just love and serve where they are at. That takes time and can be a deep pill to swallow.
• Everyone wants to know that someone else cares what they do and it matters to them. First things first, you have to care about what you are doing and it needs to matter to you. That matters more than what other people think, because God's looking at the heart. He's not looking for a show, He's looking for a solo just for His audience of One.
• Sometimes the mountain is in front of you, not to see if you have the strength to climb, but to see if you have the faith to move it. #gottalistentoHim
• What you sow today, may be what you eat tomorrow. Be careful. The law of sowing/reaping is a Biblical truth. You will reap what you sow, so sow wisely and lovingly. You can't sow manure and expect to grow roses. 
• The greatest critic you face is looking at you in the mirror every day. Know who He says that you are and what He thinks about you, it makes ignoring what the world says so much easier.
• You are responsible for you. As the old saying goes, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. You can dunk his head in the water trough even, but it's still his choice whether or not he drinks.
• Life is meant to be enjoyed and to be balanced. Frustration comes when you get out of balance, recognize it early enough and save yourself some trouble. Some days you just need to buy a new pair of shoes ;-)

There is more still to be written, and it will come soon. If you are local, there is a women's conference at Bethlehem Baptist Church next Saturday. Message me if you want more details. I'm leading two sessions, one for special needs mom's and the other for just parents looking for help for their children with school work etc. Enjoy this day, believe in yourself as much as He does, and let go of what others think. Trust God to give you favor with those you need it and for Him to work it all out. Do your part, and leave the rest to Him. You can change you and you are in charge of you. Other people will have to answer one day for what they did, so don't worry about what you can't change. Just be the best YOU you can be.

Until next time,
~Melissa

Be YOU

God threw away the mold when He made you. He didn't make two molds and He didn't give that mold to anyone else. Stop trying to be the You others expect and just be yourself. Eventually everyone will come around to love you for you and those that don't well, it's okay. Not everyone who is in your life is meant to speak into your life. Be careful who's words you take to heart. Some in your life you are meant to effect, but not vice versa. Affect the world, don't let the world infect and effect you. Be happy with you, I finally am. It only took 29 years and 11 months ;-) I'm happy just taking it one day at a time. If I fall down, I dust myself off and get back up. I'm not perfect, but I'm still moving forward. Those that know me, know my heart. It's not about me, it's about Him. Listen and then DO IT! That's been the key lately. He's got enough just hearing the word, it's time to walk out what we hear and be a doer. I'm on a soapbox I guess tonight. Just tired of some drama that I've let bother me for too long. I'm thankful for those that take the time to know my heart and can see past the times I fall. I love helping others and will continue to do so. Not because of what they can do in return, but because that's what He said too ;-) (It's all about perspective). Do it sweet reader, keep running the race, and when you fall down(and you will), get back up and keep moving forward. It may take you a few minutes before you are strong enough to run again, but you will run again. Keep listening, do what He says and the doors will open. Some days the doors may fly open, some days they may open gradually. Be watching and know when it's God opening the door and when it's you. When God opens the doors, NO ONE can shut them. Those doors match your heart and leave you just in awe of how good He is. Okay I'm done for the night. Just be yourself and love you for you! God didn't make you to fit someone else's mold, He made you to fit YOUR mold. Let's run this race and finish strong!
These two songs have been in my head this week. (Very random too....haven't listened to either in quite some time, but music has a way of getting down deep and being there just when you need it).
Until next time
~Melissa

Tuesday's Truths

Aww.... Tuesday I really didn't expect to write another blog so soon. So much truth nuggets today though that it's too much for a facebook status, so here goes:

• The stronger person is not always the loudest. It takes more strength(not yours by the way) to keep your mouth shut when you really want to speak your mind. It also takes more strength(His not yours) to keep food out of your mouth instead of speaking your mind. Gotta love self control...I'm getting there.
• Do your thing and do it with all of your might because it's not what they think, it matters what He thinks.
• Strength on the inside eventually comes out on the outside and vice versa. You can't lose strength on the outside and not feel the effects on the inside.
• Your mission field may not be Africa. I remember praying all of those years in GA's and Acteens and I wanted to be one of those missionaries. You are a missionary every day. Love each day, you may be the only Jesus some see. Sometimes your mission field is right where He's called you. Realize it and quit fighting. So many times we want God to call us to the mission field, when He wants us to see where He has called us as a mission field.
• Just my two cents: Contrary to what some believe, think, feel...I know more than one may think and I can do more than most realize. Off soapbox.
• God never said the day would be easy, He never said your heart wouldn't feel torn in two. He didn't make us to view injustice, mistreatment and to just turn our heads. It should break our heart when we see those that He loves and cares about not being loved and treated right.  Those things that break His heart should break ours.........Don't apologize for some things bothering you. If you have prayed about it, turned it over to Him, and it still pricks your heart...do what you can to take a stand.  (OUCH that one hit home about something.......oh I can tell He and I will be talking about it later). So many times we brush off things because it's always been that way, because we have tried to do something and we got shot down.....Take a stand for what His heart tells you to.
• Don't miss out on a God time just because it's not a "good time". God moments may not always fit in your schedule, listen and do what HE says regardless of what the calendar says. You'll miss out on a blessing otherwise.
• Get some balance(and some perspective)! It's the only way to keep running the race in this crazy world we live in.
• Revelation of truth doesn't always mean you get to take a break...sometimes it means deep breathe and another round starts.
• Taking one step in front of the other, does not mean you have lost sight of who is holding the flashlight.
• Ever asked Him for something and when He answers, it leaves you speechless! It's humbling to say the least....

God has a plan for your life. If He didn't things would be differently right now. So many times we fight to make our own choices, but God's ways are so much higher. We can't begin to see all the pieces of the puzzle and He's got the box lid. He's not surprised by ANYTHING especially not us. I love this sweet time with Him.........ask Him for what your heart is longing to know, but do me a favor. When He answers, don't be surprised or shocked, after all you asked ;-)

A little different blog, but it's been one of those days. The older I get the more I realize the difference in friend and acquaintance. One last reminder thought..regardless of how loud the world gets(and TRUST me, they can get loud)....You are God's princess. He loves to see you smile, He loves to see you laugh(and some days I think we make Him laugh), and He loves to see you love.

Until next time,
~Melissa