God Loves Me A Latte

I'm currently enjoying a break from all the crazy wonderfulness (is that even a word?) of Christmas time. And I'm enjoying it on my tiny porch, sitting in our new chairs, sipping a cup of coffee from my favorite local coffee shop. Which was the inspiration for this post! Yay Coffee! I used my gift card I got in a game of Dirty Santa at our Sunday school's Christmas party. I was so excited! I will thoroughly enjoy it. My sweet hubby let me steal it even though there was an Academy's gift card up for grabs. He is a huge sports player/fan/enthusiast. He's a sweetie!

Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
If this verse was modernized to today's lingo I think it would say something like, "A word fitly spoken is like two shots of espresso in your favorite cup of coffee." I know my fellow coffee lovers could give me an amen. All the rest of you, just hang in there. You're still going to get something out of this. ;)
This is the reason for my little paraphrase; some days we are just dragging. Spiritually and or physically. Then someone can say something that just turns our whole day around. Our attitude does a complete 180. I know I've been the beneficiary of this so many times. Just like that cup of coffee (or hot chocolate) gives you that shot of energy, God's word spoken or fleshed out through someone can give us a spiritual pick me up. It can be a simple act that says, "I'm thinking of you." It can be a text, a verse shared, a smile from a stranger, an unexpected kindness, some one going out of their way, a song on the radio. There are so many different ways God's love can be shown.
I call these my love letters from God. They are little love letters, reminders, that He is pursuing me always and He loves me deeply. Oh my goodness, they are everywhere! I probably miss way too many. But when we pay attention, let me just tell you, you will be so overwhelmed by His love!

Any-who! I say all that to encourage all of us to be on the lookout for these opportunities. It has become one of my prayers that The Father would open doors, but also give me eyes to see those open doors. We have chances to be His hands and feet as well as His voice to those around us. What an amazing thing that is! To be used by the Creator of the universe. By the One who is Love Itself. So take a minute and think about the times someone has said or done something that ministered to you, (probably without their even knowing it) and let that motivate you to do the same for someone else. One of my spiritual gifts is encouragement so I find this extremely fun! I think you'll find it's addicting.

So smile at that stranger in the grocery store. Talk to the cashier. Text that friend The Lord has laid on your heart. Let someone pull into your lane of traffic. Write your grandmother a letter. Hold your husband's hand. Reach something on the top shelf for that man in the wheelchair. Pray for that girl who looks like she's on the verge of tears. Pay for the next person's lunch. Get creative! I'm sure you have some great ideas yourself. If not, just pray. God has plenty of them.

God bless!

Aggravation...or opportunity?

It happened again. He did something that aggravated you. And on top of it all you're aggravated because what he did to aggravate you shouldn't aggravate you so much, but it does and now you're aggravated at yourself as much as you are him. Sound like a headache? That's because it is.

Come on, I can't be the only one that feels this way when another human being ticks you off over something little. You can't just "get over it" because you're not even sure if you should be upset in the first place. This is what the conversations between me, myself and I sounds like under said situation, "It really isn't a big deal. I don't know why this is upsetting me so. It's not like they committed a crime or something. Geez, why do I get put out so easily?!" Sound familiar? For some of you it does.

Now, side note here. Disclaimer, if you will. Some of you have a personality similar to my sister's. She knows exactly why she's upset. She's upset! She's been wronged and as soon as things are set right she'll be on her merry way! Problem solved. But, my prayer is even if this is more of your bent you'll still be encouraged or more able to understand your spouse/sibling/friend/ect. by this post.

Back to the subject. Before I can talk to my husband about what it is that annoyed me I have to actually admit to myself that I am annoyed. I have to admit that yes, he might have done wrong. Or he might not have. Sometimes we just get annoyed and we’re not really sure why. Right ladies? But this, above everything else is what I have to remember; whatever he did he did not do with the intention of hurting me. I know this if him. I can put faith in that fact because he has told me and he puts action behind those words in our marriage. A lot of times I like to stop there. I’ll think I can move on from that point. Just give grace and act like it never happened. But that doesn’t work. I’ve tried it. Don’t. Just take my word for it when I tell you it doesn’t work and you do it the right way. I have to go to him in humility and saying a prayer before always helps. It puts the right goal in mind; to bring back the intimacy I don’t feel while there’s something between us or I‘m trying to “just get over“ something. Just talking things out with him helps me so much! And you know what, every time without fail we have grown closer in our relationship. So that’s also a great thing to keep in mind. Especially for this little chick who dislikes confrontation. And dislike is an understatement. But like I’ve learned and what I’m sharing with you, communication is so important. Between every relationship, not just marital, it is so important. And every situation, though it isn’t pleasant in the moment, provides opportunity for intimacy. Intimacy in your relationships with others and with our heavenly Father. Till next time! God bless!

And Here We Go!

Alrighty, here we go! My first blog ever!

I love to write! Somehow it always helps me get my thoughts in line. Whether it's about something I've read from my bible that day, a prayer, or just something the Father laid on my heart.
It is always so sweet when He gives me a chance to use any of that to encourage someone else! I get so excited! Because the bible is exciting! What the Spirit has to tell us, show us and teach us is exciting! Why in the world would keep that to myself?! And this is one of the best parts, "When one teaches, two learn" -Robert Heinlein. I constantly learn something new when I talk with someone about what God is teaching me. That's how the Spirit works. That's fellowship. That's the Spirit teaching through the Spirit. And it is the coolest thing!
If you haven't guessed by now I'll let you in on something; I LOVE encouraging people! It is seriously one of my favorite things to do! It is one of my gifts. It's a huge reason for this blog.
So there you have it. One of the reasons behind starting this blog, one of my favorite things to do, and something I hope to be doing a lot more of!

I hope you've enjoyed this short little blog! Please check back again soon! I hope to be writing a post every week or two. Blessings!