I haven’t blogged for awhile. Warning, this might be a long post!😊

I was sharing my story with someone today and it was a great reminder of my journey. The reason I started blogging was to help those that might be going through the same thing. I believe hearing, “I’ve been there” is the most comforting phrase.

I began this blog in July of 2018. At that time, I was broken and deeply wounded from an unhealthy relationship.

There were good things through the years, but the negativity truly took it’s toll on me. It affected me in ways that I didn’t even realize until I started healing from it. I believe we all struggle from insecurities, but when negative things are hammered in to your head, day after day, you begin to believe those things about yourself.

The truth is, we are children of a King. We were created in His image, fearfully and wonderfully made!

I’ll never forget hearing a sermon about changing our perspective and seeing ourselves through God’s eyes. That began my journey of little- by- -little, piece-by piece, day-by-day allowing God to change my perspective and fix all the broken pieces.

I often turned worship songs into my prayers and just thinking back to the different ones, God has really given me a new song to sing!

The song I first began praying over and over was, “When the hurt and the healer collide.”

There were days I would just cry out to God to take the pain away and collide with the hurt. I wondered if it’d ever end. Some days I felt like it’d never go away. God sure works in His timing, but He was there through it all!!

It was a time that God was growing my faith, strengthening me and making me who He meant for me to be.

The next song then became my prayer. I knew that I couldn’t always change my circumstances, but I believed that God could change how I handled them and change my perspective to see things more like Him. My heart’s cry became for God to change me (and fix the brokenness) and that He would be shown through me in all of it!

I’m not who I was then. God gave me complete healing, a joy and a peace and a new song to sing and pray!

We sang this in church today and it was another great reminder that through it all God has been my go to. He hears our heart’s cry. It makes me want to share it, pray it, sing it and give Him all the glory and all the praise!!

We all have storms that we’ll continue to go through! In them, we just need to sing in the middle of the storm and sing louder and louder!! In the end, we will be able to Raise a Hallelujah for all God has done!!

Thank you for letting me share!😊 Love and prayers to all of you!

I hope everyone is looking forward to the holidays! I sure am! I don’t have my Christmas tree up yet, but I do have quite a few presents bought and waiting to be wrapped. That’s a first for me! I’m usually a Christmas Eve shopper.

I’m in such a good place right now and so excited for the bright days ahead!

But, I know the holidays are hard for some of you! Even last year because of what I was going through at the time, I didn’t even put a Christmas tree up or wrap a present. Gift cards and gift bags came in handy! 😜 I usually put up 5 trees and decorate the halls and walls and every where else I can find a spot!

I’m only sharing this to say, what a difference a year makes!!! We have so much hope in our Lord and Savior and if we give our hurts over to Him, He can and will completely heal us of all of the them and bring a joy that is indescribable!

I look back on my journey and though it was awful at times, He never left me and was there every step of the way! I became who I am because of what I went through and learned to trust and love God more and more every day.

It was one step at a time and one day at a time. I’m so thankful that His mercies are new every day. He gave me the strength to keep fighting to face those days and take those steps even when I didn’t feel like it! He can do it for you too!

I recently talked with a friend who is experiencing hurt and it reminded me of the grueling process of how I got through painful times and how far He’s brought me.

One of the things that helped me was reaching out to those that I knew would listen and keep me in their thoughts and prayers! Early on it was hard for me to muster the words to pray for myself! But, we are to be the body of Christ. I’m so thankful for those that were His hands, feet and listening ears for me!

Songs also helped! I’d play them over and over and turn them into prayers, crying out for my situation. When you let your hurt and the true healer collide, He will bring you comfort and one day heal all the pain. His plans are to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future! (Jeremiah 29:11) What hope we have in Him!

If you’re hurting today, listen to the words of this song! They helped me!

God is so good and He’s right there waiting with His arms wide open to heal our hurts. Love, prayers and Happy Thanksgiving!!

Thank you for letting me share! 🙂

I can’t even tell you how important it is to know God’s word. It truly is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Learning and knowing His voice also makes all the difference in knowing that we’re walking the right path.

Things are going well. I know God’s in control and He’s really changed me over the last few years. But, I felt like I was at a stand still, not knowing what’s next, life changes as my kid’s are getting older etc.

But, something as silly as putting a shirt on backwards gave me fresh hope and a new perspective. When the shirt was uncomfortable, I said to myself, “oh, that’s the back not the front .” Immediately this scripture came to mind, “The Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you will move upward and not downward, if you hear and carefully follow the commandments of the Lord your God, which I am giving to you today.” (Duet. 28:13, Berean Study Bible). It was His voice telling me to keep following Him and He’ll continue moving me in the right direction- forward and upward.

Life is such a journey of uncomfortable situations sometimes and such a process. I visualize it like a GPS. Go 3 miles, turn right at this exit. We’ll hit pot holes, road construction, closed roads, stand still traffic and detours, but there’s no better feeling than arriving at your destination.

Going through a painful divorce and healing from of an unhealthy relationship has been a long road. I hit a lot of the above. Over time, I was cruising right along and dealing with things as they came. But, this time last year, I hit a bump having to relive some of the most hurtful times.

I recognized it as having to go through it all again to deal with the unhealed wounds to arrive at complete healing. Wounds I didn’t even know existed.

Growing up at church, we sang a song called “Lean on Me.” The lyrics, I’ll feel His arms around me and I’ll hear Him gently say “Lean on me when you have no strength to stand, when you feel you’re going under, hold tighter to my hand. Lean on me…….you’ll find I’m all you need.”

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qXU0lzPvDXs&list=RDqXU0lzPvDXs&start_radio=1

Not only am I so thankful that we can lean on Him through our struggles, but you’ll always hear me say how thankful I am for the people that God puts in our paths. Believe me, I didn’t want to revisit those hurtful times. I was good, I’d went far enough and I wanted to stop right where I was. I wouldn’t have kept going had it not been for the faithful friends that pushed me to keep going to arrive at all that God has for me.

Pushing through in that final stretch, the wounds were completely healed. The brick on my chest and the weight on my shoulders is gone. The cloud that hung over me from my past is gone and I realized it doesn’t define my future!

My word for this year is surrender. I’ve really learned to take my hands off and trust God!! That’s what faith is right?!? 😊When I find myself beginning to worry, I remind myself- Nope! I’m trusting God. I know the scriptures I’ve prayed that won’t return void. I’ll hold my hands open as I pray and say, “it’s in your hands, not mine!!”

My hope is that God would be glorified through our life and we can use for good the things that we’ve walked through to be a help and encouragement to others.

I hope to give hope to someone that’s been through what I have or that can be encouraged to keep going, if you’re on a bumpy road. God is right there with us through it all- the bumpy roads and when we’re cruising!! He will lead us to our destinations.

For my kids- I’ve heard from several parents of the friends of one of my kiddos how they’ve used for good the things they’ve experienced to be an encouragement to their friends. It makes me a proud momma for sure, but most of all, I’m thankful that God hears our prayers! I really appreciate those parents reaching out to me. They have no idea what’s in my prayer time every single day. It just gives me confirmation and reassurance that God’s been there through it all!

I’ve noticed another kiddo maturing and taking an interest in learning things that’ll make life better. I’m thankful for the circle of people God has in their path that’ve been there to teach things that I can’t. Why do they always listen to other people better than us?!? 😜 Regardless, I’m grateful!!

We’re all a work in progress and He’s still working on me. But, He’s been so good and so faithful and I have faith in where He’s leading me!!

Thank you for letting me share!!!

Sometimes I wonder if anyone reads this😜. But, I’ve been encouraged by my faithful readers to post❤️.

I’ve often shared how both of my churches are right on point with what I’m walking through or what’s stirring in my own heart. Both pastor’s talked about waiting well on the Lord and how God strengthens those who wait on Him.

I’ve done a lot of reflecting of the past years, thanks to facebook memories 🙂 and some other things as well. I wanted to share my own story of the hope and renewed strength that God can give you. Not just to trudge through the difficulties, but to soar on wings like eagles.

Three years ago, I was in a very dark place. After hearing Danny’s message about changing our lens and seeing things through Gods eyes and having a conversation with a God sent friend, I gave it all to the Lord. He didn’t change my circumstances or things that life brings about. But, He changed me in knowing how to handle the situations better.

I began to pour into and pray the scriptures and apply messages and songs that I’d heard into my own situation. Deuteronomy 30:3~God your God will restore everything you lost; He’ll have compassion on you; He’ll come back and pick up the pieces from all the places where you scattered. He did that very thing for me. One day at a time, one thing at a time, little by little piece by piece, He’s put every broken piece back together.

I prayed for years for God to restore my marriage that ended in divorce. Divorce is so painful and brings such worry for your kids that now have to live in a broken home. I’ve learned though that we don’t have to worry but fully trust in Him. His ways are better than our ways and His plan is perfect!

Not only was divorce painful but being in a toxic, unhealthy relationship affected me in ways that I didn’t even realize. There were days I only got up to do what I had to. It was easy to smile on the outside, but on the inside I was broken. Since I’ve given it to God, He’s healed every broken piece and given me a renewed strength, hope and an unexplainable joy!!!

I share this not to condemn anyone, but I know there are others that have been or are in the same place. I know this because we’ve shared our stories with one another, shared scriptures, songs, tears and celebrated victories 🎉. Just know that you are not alone and He can and will bring you through it.

Don’t believe the negativity that’s poured into your head! When I began to see things through God’s eyes and the truth through His word, He changed me! We are daughter’s of a King who are fearfully and wonderfully made. We are who He says we are and He has a plan and purpose for all of us. His plan is to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future!

This memory popped up from about a year ago and still true today.

I’ve been traveling with my son for baseball and was in the same location as a year ago! But, God’s done so much for me, I’m definitely in a much better place in my life! Woo hoo!

I also started blogging a year ago after this post and I had no idea what God would do through it. I hope it’s been a blessing to you all as much as it’s been to me.

It’s such a journey, we have good days and bad. But, when every day is just another struggle, another choice is an act of war, gotta pray and press on the prize worth fighting for!

Like then, I have no idea what tomorrow holds. But, I have more trust and faith in the one who holds my future!

I pray that God will give all of us a hope and renewed strength to soar on wings like eagles!!

Thanks for letting me share 🙂

I’ve been thinking all week about the beauty and meaning of Easter! Oh how I love Him. But oh how much more He loves us. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). ” An abundantly full life!

Salvation is just the beginning of the abundantly full life we can have through Christ.

As I’ve reflected on my own life. I was saved at a young age and been a believer for a long time and always prayed about the little things.

But, it wasn’t until I committed to knowing Him, being in His word , praying those words into my situations and being in a relationship with Him that I’ve experienced life abundantly.

We all have struggles, but it’s through those times that we can look back and see how God carried us through, how it builds our faith and gives us more of what we need to face the next struggle, only to become stronger and gain more faith.

I’ve really learned lately how to truly “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) How easy is it to let our own thoughts or worries consume us even when we’ve prayed for God to help us.

But, when we take our hands off and truly leave it in His, it changes everything!!! It’s changed my perspective, it’s taken the weight off my shoulders and given me a peace that is indescribable.

If you’re a new believer or been a believer for a long time. I encourage you to get to know Him better and truly trust Him to direct your paths. He is able to do exceeding abundantly more than we ever hope or imagine.

This song has been in my spirit all week. My Savior loves, my savior lives, my Savior is always there for me! So true!

Thanks for letting me share😊

There’s two scriptures that have really been stirring in my heart.

1. The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly!

2.. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God. to them who are the called according to His purpose!

I’ve shared my story very openly and there has been a lot of hurt, a lot of healing and recovering. But, God didn’t just bring me through it. He grew me through it. With every situation I’ve faced, I’m still standing! I stand stronger with a brighter smile and a greater hope and Joy that only God can give. I have a stronger faith than I ever would have, had I not gone through tough things, I have a stronger ear to hear His voice as He leads me through life, He has given me an abundantly blessed life!!!

I’m so thankful for all the good that’s came out of every bad situation. Im thankful for the God given relationships that I have because of it! God knows exactly what and who we need to shape us in every stage of life. Through my marriage, I had great pastors that poured in and taught me well how to be an overcomer, how to be a praying momma, spiritual moms that poured into me. One, I sat with for a couple of hours just the other night, who still pours into me and friendships that can pick up right where we left off. Those that push us to be who God’s meant us to be, even when we don’t feel like it! Those are priceless things and I truly am abundantly blessed!

If you know me, my passionate purpose is to be a praying mom. When you go through a rocky marriage and divorce, you hope those choices won’t have a negative effect over your kids.

When they were little, even though I’d pray for them, it still was almost a hopeless feeling, like, there’s nothing I can do to fix this for them! But, over time, it changed from there’s nothing I can do to fix it, to I can only do my best and TRUST that God has them in the palm of His hands! Even in the last couple of days, I’ve had such a peace because of the trust I have in Our Good, Good Heavenly Father and know that He’s in control!!

As if there’s no doubt, no fear, no question, whatever life may throw at us tomorrow or next week or next month, I wouldn’t handle it any differently than I have in the past because of the good things that have came in the final outcome!

My brother accuses me of bragging on my kids 😜 but it’s more of having a very grateful and blessed heart!

They’ve all experienced so much that they never should’ve had to and that I have no control over. Yet, they’ve all rose above the circumstances and excelled in their lives. I’m so thankful for God’s hand over them and for each person He’s put in their lives that have been exactly what and who they needed! They’ve been abundantly blessed with the best teachers, coaches, parents of their friends that I could ever hope for and who truly love them!!!

It’s really made me think about the Body of Christ and how we all need each other!

I have a friend from when our now 20 year old girls were in fourth grade.

That was a rough season of life that I literally isolated myself from the world and only did what I had to do to get through. So, I’m not sure how we became friends, but now all these years later, when I write or post on Facebook, she is always the first to respond with a kind or encouraging word, that I’m an inspiration to her. But, really it’s the other way around! It’s those little things that mean so much and God knew then, who and what I needed.

Last week, a friend I grew up with in church text asking what I liked from Starbucks. A little later, her son and his girlfriend came in with Starbucks in hand. That kindness touched my heart. Mainly, because there’s nothing like those special friends from childhood that become lifelong/lifeline friends! God knew what and who I needed. I’m grateful, thankful and blessed!

So, thank you to every single person that’s been the hands and feet of Jesus in mine and my kids life! May we all carry each other’s burden’s and celebrate in one another’s victories!! Love you all dearly!!!!

I haven’t written for awhile, but to hear from others that reading my story made a difference, it’s encouraging to keep writing!

I don’t know who needs to hear this. But, I was in a toxic relationship for a long time. I suffered silently for so long because you don’t want anyone to know and just hope and pray that it’ll change. We can’t change people. But, if we allow Him to, God can put every broken piece back together in us.

I am so thankful for those those that God purposefully put in my own life to help and encourage and be a life line that I desperately.

The day that I chose to fully give it God. He began to change me and I started too see myself through God’s eyes instead of the negativity that was poured into my head. Pray the scriptures over your life and believe you’re who God says you are. I would even pray the words to songs over my situation.

There are days you think you’re all healed and then salt gets poured in a wound, you didn’t even know was still there. TRUST that God uses all things to work together for our good! Let it work for good, use it to let Him heal you and lead you to the next step that’ll take you further than you’ve ever been before !! One day at a time, one step at a time if that what it takes.

Being torn down for most everything I did, I feared breathing wrong. Don’t be afraid, it’s ok to make mistakes, we all do! to All yourself grace and forgiveness. We’re all just broken, works in progress.

Life’s a journey. But, I am certain that The God who began the good work in you, will continue His work until it is finally finished.” Trust Him and never give up!!!

The holidays are such a joyful time, but also a hard time of year for a lot of people!

As my kids are getting older. they’re off doing their own thing as soon as Thanksgiving dinner is over. I don’t have little ones anymore to dress up in ruffles and bows and I can’t talk them into wearing matching pajamas 😜.

But, that’s not what the holidays are meant for anyway. I’ve had to remind myself of all the many things I have to be thankful for and the the true meaning of Christmas in the birth of our Savior! I’m so thankful for all He’s done for me and to know Him and have a relationship with Him!

A couple of weeks ago, I stood up for myself and my kids for the first time in my life. As great as it was, it was so tough! Not only was I closing that chapter in my life, I was also taking a step into a new chapter. One I know nothing about. BUT GOD knows and that’s enough for me. I’ve shared this song before, but because He lives, we can face tomorrow and all fear is gone. He holds our future and that makes life worth it!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oPW9xYEyijQ

I’ve shared this illustration before also, but it is so fitting now.

Our lives are like a billboard that we drive right past, not something to stop and stare at or dwell on. The reason the rear view mirror is so small. These things that we go through are just tiny stepping stones to making us who God wants us to be and discovering what He wants us to do. We drive forward with a much bigger window and if we allow God to lead us and guide us, what’s ahead is far greater than what’s behind us.

Satan will put things in our lives to stop us in our tracks. But, I’ve also realized though that God also allows us to go through things so we can become better for the best outcomes in our lives. If we walk closely with Him and listen for His voice, He will lead us exactly where we are to go. His word truly is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our paths!

May we all leave the past in the rear view mirrors and look forward to our brighter tomorrow’s.

Thanks for letting me share!😊

Life is such a journey!!! I’ve been on a roller coaster ride the last six months that I’ve wished I did not have to be on!

God’s done amazing things through it, but it’s been as equally painful to have to go back and face the past! Unfortunately, something we have to do to move forward.

It took a toll on me for a minute, but I’ve had to allow myself some grace as I’ve questioned God’s plan a million times over. But, one thing I know for sure, is there is a purpose for the pain that we go through. We may not know it today, but something that we can learn and grow from that will make our tomorrow’s brighter.

Our stories are not for us, but to share and help others that need to hear!

This scripture has stood out to me over the last couple weeks. It’s so very true!

His mercies are new every single day and His love never ceases. That gives me great hope!!

I’m a fighter and my kids are fighters! We claimed this scripture as our families life verse.

Romans 5:3-5

When we feel like we don’t have the fight left in us, is when we fight harder!! Trials bring perseverance, perseverance, character and character, hope. My favorite part of that scripture is, that the hope we have through salvation will not lead to disappointment!

This time last year as everyone was choosing one word for the new year, I chose the phrase, He’s far from finished as my mission statement for 2018. There’s been no truer statement as I’ve walked through this year and for years to come.

This year, my one word, is surrender. All to Jesus, I surrender, all to Him I freely give. It’s takes trusting Him in the good, bad and ugly, the unknown, the new chapters. But, there’s no one else I’d rather trust more through it all. His love never ceases and will never fail us!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SW8EA7DEQ2M

Thanks for letting me share!

I am beyond blessed by the amazing friends and family in my life.

As I’ve walked through this journey of life and written out my story, the one thing that’s stood out the most is the love from those that God purposely puts in my path. Ones who’ve been through what I have or just been there to laugh with me until we cry or cry with me until we can laugh.

I find myself being thankful for my family. My church family, my work family, my sports family. No matter the circle, they all seem like family and I couldn’t have made it through this crazy without them!

God’s done some amazing things in me this year and knowing His love is the greatest of all!!

It seems like so many are going through so much right now and my heart and prayers go out to everyone who’s lost a loved one at the holidays, fighting through cancer, dealing with health issues, unplanned pregnancy, divorce, whatever the hurt is….

Thankfully, He is our joy, our peace, our comforter, our strength, our healer, our defender. He is our All in All!!!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zC617kE1maU

May we all look back on these trying times as just a season, where we knew His love more personally, experienced His love through others and gained a greater faith and strength because of it!

Thanks for letting me share!😊