#Blessed

A very wise friend told me a long time ago that if we get caught trying too hard to fix our own problem we should give-up and remember how God carried us through before.

Funny, so many times I fall into the trap of wanting to solve my own problems. I do not like asking for help, period. I find joy helping others and consistently remind everyone that I'm only a phone call away...yet, why is it so hard for me to simply stop and realize this works the other way too?

I've been a part of an AMAZING Online Bible Study sponsored by Proverbs 31 ministries (check out the blog for more info - www.melissataylor.com). The current study is on week 10. Each week there are various readings and fun assignments allowing opportunities to connect with other women and readers. Each week we are invited to post an answer to one of the weekly questions. Each week I see this assignment called, "#Blessed" and I go..."Well yea, I know I'm blessed...I'll choose another topic" and off I go.

well, this has been a hard week for me for so many reasons...reasons so not worth going into on here. BUT let me ask you...have you ever had one of those weeks where you stay SO focused on fixing your problem that you tend to block everything else out? I've been trying to pack up the house. Trying to spend time with the boys. Trying to focus on where God may be leading me for the next ministry opportunity. trying to stay paced and focused....yea, sometimes that just doesn't always happen. Sometimes I feel like I'm trying SO hard I forget God is even there.

I don't think I'm alone...just saying'

So, this week, I choose to simply stop, in the mist of my chaos and simply admit how stinking BLESSED I am through the amazing gifts God has given me...

- I have a great husband who loves me
- I have three AMAZING boys that love me too...and enjoy taking pictures!
- I have a house...and even though we are moving out, we found a buyer AND we do have a temporary place to live :)
- I'm still cancer-free (once you've been down that road, you realize how just bold and faith-filled that statement becomes)
- I fully realize and am encouraged about my passion for ministry. I know how God has wired me and can't wait to see what's next!
- God has brought some VERY amazing, close friends into my life that I can boldly say I never knew I needed. FUnny how God has you in the right place at the right time.
- We have 2 working vehicles...enough said.
- We still have money in the bank...God truly provides!
- Matthew gets hearing-aids next week...I'm SO excited!!!
- We have so much "stuff" to pack, we need to sell some of it...I found this a blessing in disguise)


I really could go on here but time is keeping it short. I'm learning why they came up with this #blessed list. It really helps me focus on what is important and...well...like I always say friends...

God ain't done yet!

Stay focused this week...

Guilty Laughter

I sat here and couldn't wait to write. This moment would have made the perfect Facebook status update...but I felt odd throwing it up there.

My status would have read, "they got it in the first time! I've been stabbed for IVs countless times over the past few years...and today they got it in the FIRST time!!"

And now you see why I didn't attempt at throwing that up on Facebook...but if you are a follower of my blog...yes, you...I bet you are sitting there smiling. Right on!

Ok...before you start asking questions, here is the entire story and the reason I have a few uninterrupted minutes to even compose this post.

After Matthew was born (literally less than 24 hours after he arrived safely) I was being called about scheduling a rescan...something the doctors had been eagerly wanting done. Funny thing is...either insurance, me not feeling well, something with the other 2 kids or even wrong medical info prevented the rescans to be completed both during the safe part of my pregnancy and after Matthew's birth. Now, I did have 2 scans completed while pregnant with Matthew. The first identified a potential object that was either a new tumor, swelling or a bad scan itself. The follow-up revealed that it was swelling in the same areas that the previous tumors were present. Ok...swelling. I can deal with that....

I started a new medication about a month or so ago to see if it reduced these spots. The medication came with the all too familiar list of side-effects...yours truly managed once again to get every single stupid side effect! But in the big reality of things, if the medication does its job, then I can deal with the occasional migraine, the loss of appetite, light-headed ness, occasional upset stomach, fluctuating energy level...seriously, I've adapted quite well. If anything, I can literally plan my day knowing in advance how I am feeling when. Most of the time, I just roll with it. Reality is...I'm having a great time with my kids...walking, playing, wrestling on the floor, packing...our family really feels like a family again! That's what matters most to me.

So today, the ducks in a row finally aligned that my scan was going to occur. The doctors all signed-off correctly. Insurance agreed to actually cover it the first time (this in itself is a miracle). The kids are all well (hoping that doesn't jinx things) and well...here I sit.

I was supposed to have my rescan at 10. It's now 11:30 and I've just been told I have 10 minutes left on IV fluids. When I got here, late...I was taken back to do the lab work. Immediately I was told that I was dehydrated...but my blood pressure wasn't too low or too high...which is a rarity for me! So, I was sent for fluids and was told to return after I was done to get the scan done (partially because if the scan is postponed, it restarts the entire process over again...doctors have to sign, insurance has to agree, etc).

So as I sat frustrated here in my seat preparing to get pricked...AGAIN...this young guy came out of nowhere...didn't even say a word...grabbed my right arm, found a spot, did the insertion, connected the IV, got fluids going and smiled before walking away! At first I just sat here in utter disbelief. Never had I been pricked without the person at least saying "Hello." I mean, who does this guy think he is? But then I sat here...thinking about all of the times where this stupid IV has caused so much pain, blood, bruising, frustration for me, frustration for them...my mind even remembered them taping the IV to my arm overnight and sent me home so that they wouldn't need to re-insert it the next day! Here this guy grabs my right arm (nobody tries my right arm first!) and just takes care of business. I wonder if he was the new guy they assigned to me? Ha!

And sitting here it happened. Out of nowhere I just start laughing...not the little chuckle-to-yourself laugh mind you...but an entire body-shaking, tear-jerking, snort-shooting laugh session...one which the entire silent room of patients were no doubt invited. I tried to stop...but it just kept coming! Even now writing this, I can't help but smile! It's almost like God knew I needed to laugh and just let er rip!

Yea...I thought you would enjoy that too :)

So, what's going on with our family you ask? Well, I'm glad you asked!

A few weeks ago, Steve and I reached a point where we realized that we were both not getting the types of jobs we needed to get in this area. As two parents, homeowners and loan-borrowers we had to determine what was preventing us from looking outside of our comfort zone. Well, our house was the biggest hurdle we could think of. Even if God showed me an amazing ministry opportunity elsewhere we couldn't go because we had this house. Our house was something Steve and I prayed for. A year ago when we moved in, I remember settling in by my birthday...all of us on the back porch...as I silently thanked God for giving us a home! Finally we could un-pack and live!

...a few days ago we agreed to accept a cash offer on our house...our home...that would allow us to follow Gods leading when a destination is made known.

Yep...it hit us about as hard as it might have just hit you. I still remember our realtor urging us to "list it high because you won't get anything close." Steve and I did the math...we knew what we needed to get our down payment back and in this economy, you don't sell your home in a year and get your down payment back...that literally means that the value of your house goes up like crazy allowing your house to be appraised higher...assuming you put money into the house too. We did a little painting and planted a few flowers...ok, ok...STEVE did all that! But the point is...our house is older and we didn't think it would get any good offers.

The cash offer resulted in no need for an appraisal meaning the house was sold "as-is" with just a basic inspection. We move out July 1 to destination unknown...and as long as numbers work out correctly, we get back what we put into the house.

Yes folks...God still moves mountains...

I'll admit it...these last 13 weeks have been very difficult. I went from being pregnant, working full-time, owning a home, feeling completely comfortable, knew where our family was going....

To...

Being unemployed, mom of 3 kids, confused why God wasn't opening the door for Steve to get a job here...or at least back into nursing school, lost our home, struggling to see where we fit at church (it's harder than you think going from leading to...well...being...I want to be involved but can't not knowing where God is sending us), letting others help, seeing God work in ways we wouldn't have seen before, getting Matthew the services he needs....

I remember returning home with Matthew on a Saturday after he was born. That first Sunday I sat in the living room with Steve, Matthew in my arms...and I felt so completely lost. Not only was I trying to get used to a new baby and two older, attention-starved boys...but hello...I've not been home on a Sunday morning! What was going on?!

Since then God has been teaching me a few things...

Bethany, you are not in control.
Bethany, you are not defined by your calling.
Bethany, you are My child.
Bethany, your dreams are so little compared to My plans...don't worry, I got this.
Bethany, I still move mountains.
Bethany, I will meet all of your needs...sometimes in ways you may never expect!
Bethany, I put compassion in others to help you - let them!
Bethany, you do not need a church to still do ministry.
Bethany, your second love is your husband (first is Me).
Bethany, your third love is your kids...see, I made you a great mom!
Bethany, I love you way too much to make life easy.
Bethany, this world is not meant to be comfortable! Remember, you are just passing through!
Bethany, you can find peace and rest in Me. Quit looking elsewhere!
Bethany, too much Mountain Dew is bad for you. Seriously...
Bethany, it's ok to play with your kids...just remember I gave this time to you!
Bethany, some friendships are meant to remain memories. Some relationships will continue past trials.
Bethany, I remain true through all trials you face.
Bethany, I love you.
Bethany, look how far WE have come!
Bethany, you have a testimony I've given you to share!
Bethany, the best way to share that testimony isn't always by sharing it, but by living it out.
Bethany, I don't make mistakes!
Bethany, I'm always here.


...and that's the short list. Shew...I didn't even touch on the Ale-8!

Matthew gets hearing-aids in a few weeks! I'm really excited!

I know this post has been everywhere, much like me! I've been writing, then stopped to talk or remove IV...now waiting to head back for the rescan.

So, I'll end by saying a Truth God (and an encourager) seem to remind me constantly...and it's there for you too...

Hold on tight cause God ain't done yet!

(Don't just enjoy the ride...bring others along with you!)


JOSHUA 1:9

Drawing A Line In The Sand

Drawing A Line In The Sand

ONLINE BIBLE STUDY BLOG HOP TOPIC:
2. Power Surge. We’ve all experienced a power surge, one that brings our appliances into overload, popping circuit breakers, and blowing fuses. Well experiencing God’s presence is a whole other kind of power surge! Share a time when you have felt God’s presence in a profound way, or hear His voice speak directly to your heart.

SEE WWW.MELISSATAYLOR.ORG for Bible Study info

"You are going to have to show-up in a big way to make me trust You..."

I was a trembling high school student uttering those words while looking at the moon's reflection over a lake during a Spring Break trip. The air was warm, yet still. The energy felt at that campground was high. God was working in the lives of students in our group. Tears were being shed. Decisions were being made.

And there I stood. Once again, I felt like the round puzzle piece trying to fit into a square frame. I didn't feel anything calling me to really respond to. If anything, I was angry. Angry not at others
immediately...no, I was angry at God.

Those of you that know me realize I've had my share of overcoming obstacles. One of the biggest struggles I encountered was finding my place while not quite looking like everyone else. I was born with my right arm considerably smaller than my left. I was missing an ear canal in my left ear, limited vision in my left eye and due to a punctured ear-drum I needed a hearing-aid in my right ear. No matter how hard I tried, I just didn't feel like I quite met others standards.

Standing there this particular night, I had enough. I always pondered a thought deep within me but never had I actually mustered the courage to ask God my question...the one question that kept me from trusting Him with my life.

"How could You...this loving God, create someone like me with all of these differences? Why did You not take the time to complete me like everyone else?"

I was brave that night and finally drew the line in the sand. I really talked to God, opened my heart and just poured out years worth of anger and frustration. "Why don't You love me? Where are You? Why do I have to go through everything alone? Is this it or is there really something more?"

With tears running down my face, I remember looking at the moon, questioning if He was even listening...if He truly cared.

It was at that moment that I felt God speak to me for the first time. In the stillness of that Spring night, the word I heard loud and clear was..."Finally."

The first time I heard it, I quickly looked behind me to see absolutely nobody. I went to turn my hearing-aid up and realized I had previously turned it off (I did this from time to time if the battery was running low and I couldn't replace it on hand). I heard a gentle whisper...with my hearing-aid off I can't hear whispers, let alone a conversation at the normal level.

I felt a chill go down my spine.

What had I done? " Finally"? Finally what?

"Finally, you can see me."

I can? Where? When? How?

At that moment I felt a wind come across me like nothing I have ever felt before. It brought peace, comfort, rest. I remember smiling.

The wind, I've always pictured, was like Gods hands gently pushing me on...as to say "Im here...keep on going!" Yet, I felt completely out of place sharing this with anyone else...but longed to experience His touch again.

After this experience, I dared not to say anything...I seriously started doubting that this had occurred...and to me? Yet, this fire in my heart kept looking for God to show-up again.

And He did.

Of course I have other amazing encounters with God...but I still feel that subtle wind during parts of my life that I know God is saying, "See, Im here. Keep going! Keep searching for Me! Im here!"

During my freshman year of college as I walked back to the dorm, smacked in the middle of a close group of my friends...I felt the wind..."See, I am here." I had amazing friendships I never thought were possible.

After my baptism headed out with friends to celebrate I felt Him...He was there. I felt a new beginning...a relationship with Him that I never thought I deserved.

Right before my (now husband) boyfriend held my hand for the first time...He was there. I met a guy who really loved me for who I was...a trust I never even saw coming.

The night I did my first baptism...He greeted me in celebration. God was using me to lead others to him...oh yes, all things were possible with Him!

Heading into those dreaded double doors at the Cancer Center...He pushed me through (on more than one occasion). He reminded me constantly that He would never leave my side...my trust grew.

That day I received the news that the tumors were missing and I had a clear scan...I knew He was there, but He made sure I felt Him as well.

...I know if I was reading this from your view I would be going "Okay Bethany...you are crazy!" I've pondered that...but the feeling I have when this wind occurs...the feeling of peace, power, acceptance, joy...all in the matter of seconds...well, that's why I haven't exactly blogged about this before.

There have been other experiences non-wind related (this blog for example) that God has worked in my life, but I thought I would share something I have treasured in my heart. I drew the line in the sand and even though He was always there, He chose to make Himself known at times I might have overlooked His presence.

Drawing the line in the sand was where my journey with Him really started.

Funny...that place was Lake Aurora Christian Camp, located just a short drive from where we live right now...and yes, I've been back there several times.

What is keeping you from being real with God? Draw the line, but keep your heart open so you can be prepared for Him to speak to you.

Peace

I wanted to do a post for this week's "Blog Hop" for my online Bible Study group. For more information about the current study, please visit Melissa's Blog

Here was the topic I picked for this week:

Rest. In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength. ~Isaiah 30:15b (NIV)

Haven’t taken the “verse mapping” plunge? Dig into this verse for three days and share with us how your heart responds to His message to you?.

I have to admit...this verse caught me off guard. Why? Perhaps the terms "rest" and "quiet" don't exactly fit into my immediate world right now. Last night I finally climbed into bed at 2AM after putting our three kids down...TWICE each! Matthew was in a great, wide-awake mood, Josh just really wanted mommy time and Caden wanted rocked...a lot! By the time my head hit the pillow, I heard Matthew let out his typical high pitched "shreek." It was 6 AM...already? Rest. Quiet. Really?

In repentance - I stopped here. Notice it says IN repentance...as in DOING the action. Not after, not before...but DOING repentance. I'm not sure about you, but there always seems to be something on my heart that requires my humble approach to His Throne. Yet, the hustle and bustle of the day doesn't actually allow time for this to be done...in the right manner.

...and rest is your salvation - As we are bringing our stones of guilt, shame, pride, arrogance...in other words SIN, to His Hand, the moment we hold our breath and actively, willingly give these pressures to Him, what follows? REST. Why? Because suddenly WE aren't trying to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders anymore! Funny thing too...we were never meant to carry this weight to begin with.

Matthew 11:30 Jesus says, "For MY yoke is easy and MY BURDEN IS LIGHT." - When we truly accept His forgiveness (and yes, this takes trust and time) we start this authentic relationship that results in REST for us and TRUST that He does what He says He will do.

If you believe "Jesus can take the wheel"...then let go and move to the passenger side (and while you are at it, quit checking the rear view mirror too!).

In quietness - I don't think this means necessarily the silence from outside (or in my case...inside) noise. Though being in a quiet environment really helps me connect with God, I believe we can quiet our minds and our hearts in any circumstance. Why? Because we just gave our burdens to Him and His salvation is real to us. We have REST knowing that God can handle our little mess. Now we can truly quiet our minds from trying to figure everything out on our own and our hearts beat for His embrace and His presence.

...and trust is your strength. - Oh trust. How many times have you handed your burdens over to God only to somehow forget and revert back to your "self-help" methods? I've done it. God seems to nudge in, eventually when I let Him, and gently reminds me that He can take it all, He has already paid the price and truly there is more to life than trying to solve these issues on my own. To trust God fully is to go above just believing His promises, but its to actively LIVE OUT His promises on a daily, hour by hour basis. Trust is remembering how BIG He is and how little we are...but how He chooses to use us, as we are, to fit into His master plan. But in order to be used, we need to trust Him fully, that truly is our strength.

Isaiah 40:31 promises us:
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Truly trusting in God to simply do what He says He will do, in the midst of our chaos, will give us rest and and reward us with His strength.

Last night, my son Matthew showed me an illustration of this verse. My little 7 week-old is well over 12 pounds now and his lungs (we believe) were over developed! He has a scream that would make Abraham Lincoln jump out of his grave! Last night, I sat in the nursery, rocking him back and forth. His eyes were open wide and he just could not settle down, regardless of my position. I did all the mommy duties - he had been changed, fed, burped, fed again and changed again! As I sat there, my arms tightly wrapped around his quivering body, I whispered, "Matthew, mommy is here. Matthew, mommy is here." Its as if he was focusing on a moving shadow that caused him great distress. He was so "in" to that moment, he could not focus on who was holding him.

Finally, I reached down and kissed my son on the cheek. Suddenly, the crying stopped. His eyes met mine. His body fell into my hands, relaxed, calm and at peace. Suddenly, the weird shadow meant nothing. Why? Because he knew where he was (and that mommy was frankly, the safest place he has ever been...and ever will be on this earth!).

I don't know about you, but I find myself wrapped-up in lifes circumstances to the point I tend to somewhat throw a slight temper tantrum. You know...it sounds a bit like...
Why are these things happening to me?
Why now?
I don't deserve this?
My family doesn't deserve this!
They don't care about what's going on with us or they would...
God, where are you?

I've been there, so many times! I remember one morning, waking up to Josh curled up next to me in bed. I breathed deep, never really wanting to move or leave that moment. Then I realized, it was chemo day. My mind went from restful to distraught in a matter of seconds. I asked these questions. I was frustrated, sick, tired and I wanted to just stay home! I was tempted to pick-up the phone and reschedule the appointment.

But God spoke.

When I picked-up my phone to cancel, I received a text from a friend. It was 2 pictures of the sunrise that morning and she said, "Look, God is here!" At that moment, I felt like Matthew did last night. My crying stopped. My mind was focused. I remembered where I was...lying safely in His hands.

That day I went on to make a new friend and lead her to Christ. If I would have cancelled, God would not have had the opportunity to use my story to touch another's life.

So I ask you...are you rested? Are you at peace? Do you remember Whos hands you are in?

An Update

Just a quick update until I have more time...

We visited the audiology department at Arnold Palmer for our second ABR test for Matthew last Thursday. She interpreted the test to mean that Matthew has auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (for now, I'll let you do research on your own). Though we can see why she came to that conclusion, she refused to give me the test (the auditory wave forms) showing why the ANSD conclusion was reached. She was unable to diagnose because she has her masters degree, not a doctorate. We plan to get Matthew tested again at a different facility, possibly one further away due to the fact we need someone who understands ANSD to run the test and diagnose.

That's all I can add for now! we will update later...I promise!! THese boys keep me busy!!!

When Your Mess Is Revealed

For the last week or so my mind has been tangled around this idea of messes in our lives. I guess during 3 am feedings my mind is focused on deeper thoughts than during the day (go figure!).

Question - Have you ever had your secret mess revealed in a way that forced you to take action?

Can you imagine? The one struggle you just can't seem to shake away that you just continually sweep under the carpet...the very thing you tell yourself is "no big deal" but keeps you awake at night...that mess being publicly revealed to those you keep it from?! To most, that would be a nightmare. Yet, to one woman it became a reality in a big way and I wanted to share her story. I'm going to write this coming from first-person...

This is her story...

I know we all have struggles. Mine was just different. Let me explain.

I am a wife to a good man. Our marriage was pre-arranged, but we made it work. He was a good man to me, but I wanted more. I knew my heart was wondering, but I didn't know what to do. How do you tell your husband that you wish he was like someone else? It's just not a conversation I knew how to start.

One day I met him. The absolute man of my dreams and he completely swept me off my feet! Now he knew I was married, but we were just blinded by the mystery and excitement of the moment.

One night while I was with him, our church leaders caught our relationship and of course deemed it as inappropriate. The next morning I was led by the leadership right in front of the service. Suddenly, the man of my dreams was nowhere to be found, yet my husband was front and center. The service stopped. The teaching fell silent. I remember shutting my eyes as my knees buckled and I fell to the ground.

The leaders announced my adultery. It was officially out in the open and I felt the eyes staring in judgement. I had nowhere to go. I couldn't really move anyway.

My mess was out there for everyone to see, judge, critique...I was the scarlet letter of my day.

Yet, Jesus met me, where I was and forced me to do something with my mess. He told me it was forgiven and to sin no more. Just like that, I was supposed to leave all of the emotional baggage, the pain I had done to my husband, my pride...I was supposed to just move on?

Jesus told me I was forgiven and my mess soon became a huge message.

Perhaps you've read my story?

But early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. "Teacher," they said to Jesus, "this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?" They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, "All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!" Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, "Where are your accusers? Didn't even one of them condemn you?" "No, Lord," she said. And Jesus said, "Neither do I. Go and sin no more." (John 8:2-11 NLT)


Can you imagine being this woman? Not only was she faced with death, put in the center of a religious debate, judged by her entire town...but she had her mess right in the face of Jesus! I wonder what occurred days after this encounter. Her life was changed permanently, but did others gain hope from this event? Did others understand that their mess could be given to the Great Physician for not only cleaning but eternal healing? Did she live out the difference or did she go back to her old ways?

Nevertheless - remember this friends, regardless the size of your mess that you are holding on to tonight, you can give it entirely to Christ for forgiveness and the freedom to "Go and sin no more."

The first step to cleaning is finding the mess. The second is determining how to remove it. Don't try to do it yourself...it usually adds to more piles to hand over to Him.


That should give everyone enough to chew on for a bit! More late night thoughts coming soon! Until then, you have my permission to start your cleaning and these messes are not meant to be recycled...handle with care!

The Message In The Mess

"Clean-up this mess!" It's a sentence, demand, decree, dreadful wish and it times a yell to the vast air at my house because nobody is listening. Being a mom with mom friends who talk about mom things...the topic of cleaning (or possibly lack of cleaning) comes up a lot. Just a few weeks ago a mommy friend asked her Facebook friends how to keep her house clean. Is it possible for a mom with kids to keep her house really clean?

The jury is still out on that one.

I've learned a few tricks like...
- Finding one room of the house to call my "haven" and keep it clean my way every night before bed. That way when I get up in the morning (or 2 and 4am) there is a clean, refreshing room waiting for me.
- I don't need my house spotless. It is lived-in and there are memories in the little messes around the corner. Is it filthy, no. Are there handprints on the mirrors...with my boys, that's almost a given.

My biggest lesson thus far:
My kids can clean-up their own mess...period. My boys are learning if THEY make the mess, THEY are responsible to clean it up...not mommy, not daddy, not the Tooth Fairy! I even resorted to grabbing the trash bag and threatening to get rid of the little cars all over my living room floor! Ask Josh and he will tell you - if it belongs to him and mommy trips over it, he runs to grab it before I do!

Funny how these little lessons are dropped when we grow-up.

Somewhere along the line, we start assuming that our little messes will be cleaned-up by someone other than us. I'm not talking about leaving your leftover sandwich out after lunch...I'm talking about the messes we make with relationships, messes with bad choices, messes with how we deal with our kids, messes of mixed-up priorities...the list could go on.

The mess in my life right now has been stress. The stress of an added third child and adjusting to meeting the needs of everyone (though never at the same time). The stress of job searching...filling out an online application only to receive an email to complete a 2-hour assessment and then complete a paper application! The stress of Matthews hearing challenges and upcoming tests. Stresses of my upcoming appointments.

My current online Bible Study Group is reading "Stressed-Less Living:Finding Gods Peace In Your Chaotic World." Gods timing seriously is humorous in my little Boring world! (If you want to learn more about these free online Bible studies, check out www.melissataylor.org)

We just read through chapter one and two points hit me right between the eyes:
- I'm responsible for my stress
- Stressful lives continue through the same cycle, unintentionally until a different INTENTIONAL plan is achieved(in other words, quit doing the same thing and wonder why you are stressed!)

Oh I have valid reasons for my stress...(as do you, I know! I know!). Yet, we have control over our thoughts, emotions, actions and...stress! Some of us have so many un-dealt with piles of stress lying around it may even stink up our daily lives and relationships with others. It's time to pick up our mess before it completely takes over our lives.

Our verse for this week is the picture on this post. I've made it my background image on my phone (another mess to clean-up...phone addiction!). I've found it so relaxing this week before I text, check email, update my notes, check on jobs, make that call, plan that appointment (wow...I really do need to work on that phone addiction!) - I see this reality that God will STRENGTHEN me, He will HELP me and He HOLDS me. This Truth forces me to let go of trying to control the things I can't and seek Gods guidance in the areas He has given me the choices to make.

I'm planning to post a follow-up to this topic later...when I have the time! I wanted to share a story of a woman that had her mess aired in public and was forced to do some power cleaning in an amazing way...I really enjoyed her story and will share it soon!

Get cleaning...