Happy Flowers

Much to my, non-greenthumb, surprise I found sunflowers growing in the backyard yesterday! I love sunflowers. They look hmm, well, like happy flowers! They are happy faces.

I went out a little bit ago to check on those cuties. Do you know what I saw? There were green vines growing up around my happys. It was kind of pretty but I thought about the fate of the sunflowers if I were to not cut out the vines. So, I got my yellow, leather gloves and the scissors and I was ready for battle. I was ready to destroy the vine that was sure to choke the beautiful yellow flower. The flower needed help to remove the enemy!

It was in that moment, God moved me. My life is not much different from that Happy Flower! I relate well to illustrations and God knows that :) I am like the sunflower, going about life and growing. All of a sudden, something attractive catches my eye and soon, it has my full attention. Isn't sin that way? It looks enticing at first. Then, after we have "given in," we realize it will choke us if we don't give it up. Sometimes, like the sunflower,we cannot let go of the vine by ourselves. We need someone to help us out. Do you have that someone to help you out?

I have been blessed to have Julie in my life. She helps keep that vine cut down! I am so thankful for her. Happy, sad, joyful, depressed, I can go to Julie with about any emotion and she will suggest,"stay intentional and focused on Him." Isn't that what it's all about? Christ and the redemption we have from the sacrifice on the cross.

Another lesson I learned from the sunflower is that, someday, I will pass away. My physical body will come to a point where it may whither away, but my soul will be in Heaven. What will be left? Will I have left a legacy for my children? Will there be some kind of indication that I was here, mattered, and made a difference? When you have time read Psalm 103.

The following from that passage answers my questions (beginning with verse 15...): As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children- with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.

I love my Happy Flowers and I love that God can speak to me through the beauty of something so simple!

Purity is Priceless

Friday and Saturday have come and gone in a flash. Kind of like the toddler and adolescent years of Elizabeth. It seems like yesterday I was expecting my first baby, a girl! I have always loved the name Elizabeth and Carolyn was after my mama.
What was so big about this weekend? It was a milestone weekend. Elizabeth and I attended My Best for You. It is a seminar on God's Design for sexuality. Perfect for her age group, 5th and 6th graders. Two ladies from our church wrote the curriculum and fits their personalities great! It was awesome to see so many moms and dads there with their kids. We were all there for the same purpose. We want our precious children to save themselves for their spouses. In our culture that is becoming such a rarity. I was brought to tears a couple of times thinking about the opportunities and privileges Elizabeth has that I never did. I am so thankful and honored to be raising my young lady in a God worthy manner. For her to know, she is WORTH saving herself for marriage. She is a gift from God and has been given a gift that is for only one person. That fact was solidified for her this weekend. At the end of the seminar, the young girls and guys had the opportunity to sign a purity covenant. Elizabeth signed and dated hers as I was watching over her shoulder, praying God will give her strength in the coming years to keep that covenant! They also were to write names of others who will help them keep their covenant. It was precious to see the names of friends and family she wrote on there, mommy, dad, grandpa, grandma, teachers, friends,and friends' parents. It was at that moment I was reminded of how the church is supposed to be. We are to love one another and help each other. To hold each other accountable, even if it hurts to do so.
Two of Elizabeth's BFF's were there, Morgan and Amelia. Both of these young ladies have been an answer to prayer. I have prayed since Elizabeth was in the womb God would give her Godly best friends from strong Christian families. Anyone who knows these families, knows God has indeed answered my prayers. These 3 Musketeers will be together all the way through high school. It is my prayer that they will ALWAYS be friends through thick and thin and help each other keep their Purity Promise. At the end of the seminar all the kids got to take a "gift" off the table. It is not to be opened until their wedding nights and it is for their spouses. How cool is it that Elizabeth already has TWO wedding gifts for her future husband!?
Grandpa and Grandma kept all the boys so we could have a day with Elizabeth. We took her to Indianapolis to see a movie and out to dinner. The highlight, (for mommy anyway!)was when Elizabeth chose her purity ring. She chose the one that reads, "true love waits." She is so proud of her ring. I am proud of Elizabeth for making a choice today that will effect her for the rest of her life.

Joyous New Year

So far, in this new year, I have had bronchitis, our van was victim to a hit and run, and the starter went out. Happy? Not necessarily... content? Maybe... Joyous? Yes... "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." Psalm 51:12
In my salvation is my joy, not happiness. Happiness is fleeting. Joy can be permanent, especially if we are believers.
I don't make resolutions. However, I do like to set goals for the new year. This year I am dubbing a year of prayer. I have been putting my relationship with Christ on the back burner for too long, now. I need to put Him on the front burner to ignite the flame that has been a mere ember for some time! Things have been stale and it's time for a fresh perspective! My spiritual goals for this year are simple. To be in constant prayer and to be in a Bible study. It has been 2 years since I have been part of a study. Mostly, due to schedule and time...this year it becomes a priority once again. I am also thankful He never forsakes or rejects me. He ALWAYS loves me.
Psalm 66:20: Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!