Praise You In This Storm

Summer comes and we can't wait to get outside in the sun to have some fun! Swimming, BBQ's, family vacations, no school. Life just slows down and we enjoy it just a little bit more. Day after day, we play and indulge. Day after day, we are gluttons for the sun and fun. One afternoon we slow down because a storm has moved in. But we don't complain because it has been months since it has rained and it will be so refreshing. Even if it has some hail and wind and lightening, we don't mind because our land is so dry. 

The rain brings with it cooler temperatures. Just what we needed! We've been so hot all summer and going out into that sun has lost its appeal. Fall has arrived and we can't wait for football and milder temps. Our meals get a little heavier and so do our fannies but that's ok because swim suit season is over! Can I get an Amen?!? Thank you Sweet Baby Jesus that we don't have THAT pressure hanging over us anymore! Could life get any better? 

We wake up one morning and a cold front has moved in. Thank goodness. Nobody wants to wear shorts on Christmas morning...a very real thing in Texas! We want to see some snow on the ground, make snowmen and snow ice cream if we're lucky, sing Christmas songs and do some baking! Our trees go up and it feels like a party every day.  We watch parades on television, exchange a mountain of gifts and bring out our ugly sweaters to hide all that baking we've been doing😳

One more day we are slugging through the mud and the ice and the muck to get to our cars to go to work and we see something bright green trying to peek through the crusty ground. Before we know it, tiny flowers are poking up all around us and our yards look like the grass fairy has made a sweep! It's so pretty and it smells so good! We look at ourselves in the mirror and wonder where the heck that 20 pounds came from. We decide it's time to do something about it! What better time than when everything is starting over? It's a new year and a new me! We work hard, drop a few pounds and start to feel really good. We look up and guess what? Sweet Summertime is here! And so the cycle continues. 

Do you notice what just happened here? Seasons changed. We embraced each one of them with very little thought to the actual change. We just went with them. We accommodate and make the best of the current situation. We find the joy to be had in each one of them. We can't control the weather or the climate so we adapt.

But what happens when the seasons change in our personal lives? You know, the ones that we say God is in control of but only when we want Him to be?.........

All of our lives we dream of finding a soul mate, a spouse, a person that we can grow old with. That special person is perfect, until they are not. You wake up one morning and realize your special person has a drinking problem. You can't fix it, you can't control it. It wrecks your marriage and you wonder what you did wrong. 

You carry your child for 9 months. You dream of heart shaped lips, 10 fingers and 10 toes and pretty pink skin. You can't wait to chase this little person around the house and hear their laugh. Your baby is placed in your arms and you immediately know something isn't right. Your baby is born with special needs and you wonder what you did wrong. 

You thank God every day for that special friend that He put in your life. The one that you can tell all of your darkest secrets to, the one that will always make you smile and knows just what you need, day or night. The one that calls you and tells you that they were diagnosed with cancer.....and you wonder what you did wrong. 

You spend every day talking to your parent. You think they will always be there for you, even when no one else is. You rely on them for everything. Until they are relying on you and they are in a nursing home and they can't remember who you are and you wonder what you did wrong. 

The seasons in our lives change just like the weather. But we don't handle the transitions as well. The bible says:

3 There is a time for everything,

    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2     a time to be born and a time to die,

    a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3     a time to kill and a time to heal,

    a time to tear down and a time to build,

4     a time to weep and a time to laugh,

    a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

6     a time to search and a time to give up,

    a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7     a time to tear and a time to mend,

    a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8     a time to love and a time to hate,

    a time for war and a time for peace.

God is going to allow the seasons in our lives to change. Every change will bring with it an opportunity to turn to Him, to rely on Him and to praise Him. 

God, I know that change is inevitable. You allow the seasons to change outside and you've always prepared me for it. I know that the seasons in my heart are going to change too and I know that if I keep my focus on You, that You will prepare me for those changes as well. I can't promise that I won't stumble but I can promise that I will praise You in this storm.

It's Not About Me

Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.
Psalm 50:15

Problems Have a Purpose
God will use whatever he wants to display his glory. Heavens and stars. History and nations. People and problems. Death of a loved one or even a loved one who is suffering and is praying for death to take them. I remember my Grandaddy. He died around the age of 92. He was crippled, he was almost blind and he was in excruciating pain day in and day out as he laid in a bed in the nursing home. I would go to see him and he would cry to me and ask why God wouldn't just take him. But before I would walk into his room each time, before he knew that I was there, he would be praying to God to take care of my little brothers. He did this every day, all day long. He loved those boys with a heart like no other. I realized that maybe God needed my Grandaddy to stay on this earth, suffering and crying to go to his Heavenly home, because he was such a prayer warrior. Maybe my brothers needed his prayers because they couldn't pray for themselves and no one else was. I have no idea. What I do know is that my Grandaddy was the best example of a Christian that I have ever known! I miss him to this day and I am so grateful to have spent as many years with him as I did. Floyd Donica, you are missed and loved to this day❤️

A season of suffering is a small assignment when compared to the reward.
Rather than begrudge your problem, explore it. Ponder it. And most of all, use it. Use it to the glory of God…
Your pain has a purpose. Your problems, struggles, heartaches, and hassles cooperate toward one end—the glory of God.
—It’s Not About Me

Heavenly Father, when problems and pain come my way, help me to remember that nothing comes into my life without your approval. Rather than complain and cry about the challenges I face, help me consider them as opportunities to bring glory to you. Give me the strength and patience to bear my burdens in a way that will honor you. I will lift my eyes off the trials and keep them fixed firmly on you, amen.

Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us.
Daniel 3:17
Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.
Joshua 21:45
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
Psalm 34:19

Listen With Your Eyes

 Psalm 116:2

I remember when Trey Casey was a little boy and he was telling me a story. I wish I could remember now what it was about because it was really important to him at that time. Being the young, first time Mom that I was, I was listening with half an ear while multitasking about 5 other things. He asked me more than once to listen and I assured him that I was. He then got my attention by getting in my line of vision and saying, Momma, listen to me with your eyes.........Light bulb moment! It never dawned on me that I was only giving him half my attention, half my time, half my heart when he wanted it all! I vowed that day that what he had to say from then on was more important than any unfinished business I had going! 

But I have to ask myself, do I give God the same undivided attention? The scripture says He bends down to listen to me. He gets in my line of vision and says, "I want to listen to you with my eyes, with my ears, with my heart". What I have to say to Him is the most important thing He will hear all day. Why is it so hard for me to spend time talking to Him? 

God, I am sorry that I always seem to leave you with what is left over instead of giving you what is my best! Please don't give up on me. I'm a work in progress but I promise to try harder to listen to you with my eyes. Amen.

Fear And My Father's Pockets

When I was a little girl, I had an awful fear of heights. It was ridiculous of course because all the best things in life happened above ground! Climbing trees, flying, jumping on a trampoline, roller coasters, my best friends second story balcony.....all of these things happened ABOVE my comfort zone. But the worst one was, my Dad's favorite fishing hole. I'm sure you are wondering how anything involving water could be up. Well, the only way to access his favorite fishing hole was to walk across this large metal water pipe that crossed over the water to a cement platform that stood in the middle of this little reservoir. He and my little brother would take off across this thing like it was a sidewalk and never miss a step. Me on the other hand, I would get to the edge and would freeze. I could not make myself put one foot on that thing for fear of falling off. I would tear up, my dad would coax, I would beg and he would coax and finally, I would cry and he would help. He hooked my hands onto his back pockets and told me not to look down and not to stop. He went before me and never broke contact until we were safely to the platform. This is one of my best memories with my Dad. He could have gotten mad, he could have yelled at me to stop being a baby, he could have left me there crying...but he walked before me and led the way because he wanted me to experience what was on the other side of that fear. 

Today, I'm a real live grown up. I'm no longer afraid to walk across the top of water......or am I? I think as adults our fears from childhood evolve into more grown up words like worry, stress, anxiety. I have worried if I would be smart enough to be a nurse. I have worried if I would be a good mother. I have had anxiety about how I would pay my bills. I have stressed about how to put my kids through college. The list goes on and on and on. My Daddy isn't here to put my hands in his back pockets and walk me across the water. But my Heavenly Father is. Deuteronomy 31:8 says, "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."  Just like my Dad here on earth, Jesus puts my hands in his back pockets and says don't look down and don't stop walking. He wants me to experience what is on the other side of that fear. 

Lord, even as an adult, I admit that there are still things that scare me. Thank you for reminding me that you will always be there to lead me through them. Amen

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand

The Damage Is Done

I'm usually all about the Brags but yesterday I witnessed something that simultaneously made my blood boil and broke my heart.

On a rare Last minute decision to take the day off, I decided to make a quick trip to San Angelo so eat lunch with my kiddos. Yes, it's over an hour to get there and an hour to get back for a 3 hour visit but it is totally worth it...Every. Single. Time! You see, I wanted these two children. I planned for and prayed for these two children. I thank God for blessing me with the responsibility of raising these two children even to this day.

Before leaving San Angelo, I ran into the mall there for a quick pedicure. As I was sitting in my chair, there was a young mother sitting in the seat next to me. She had a young child sitting in a stroller in front of her. She didn't speak words yet, just babbled. She had two cute little pig tails and a sticky face due to the sucker she had been given. Now, if you have ever been in a nail salon, you will understand that this would not be a fun place for a toddler that is strapped into a stroller. Especially when her mother, who was extremely rude to the nail tech, never bothered to look up from her phone to acknowledge this child...until this child demanded her attention with a few squeals. The next thing I know, this young woman's mouth opened up and Satan flew out of it in the form of a hateful, bitter ....bitch for lack of a better definition. She screamed at this beautiful child to Shut Up, not once, not twice, not even three times. She did this a total of 4 times in the 45 minutes we were in there. At one point she handed her her cell phone to try to keep her entertained but got mad and yanked it back out of her little hands and screamed at her again for getting it sticky with the sucker she had given her to keep her entertained in the first place!

Are you kidding me?!? My palm was itching to make contact with this young woman. How dare she speak to this child like that? And then I realized, this is more than likely the way she was raised as well. That's when my heart broke. Here she is, screaming at this child and it's probably the only form of parenting she has ever witnessed.

I can't help but wonder what this young Mom's voice sounds like in her daughters head. And worse than that, I can't help but wonder if these are the only words that she will remember as she grows into an adult and starts making life's decisions. This young mother has subconsciously taught this child her worth. She will grow up and think that it is ok for her significant other to speak to her this way. She will one day teach her own children this same lesson.

Schools can't fix this. Church can't fix this. Raising children is our own responsibility! A responsibly that should be our highest priority! God help us all!

You Came To Me In A Dream

I woke up with tears on my lashes this morning. You came to me in a dream. You were a lone stranger sitting in a waiting area of a low lit, open concept restaurant waiting for some reason...a table? another person? I'm not sure. I was the driver of a van full of teenagers at some sort of retreat in the mountains. We were in New Mexico? Colorado? I was waiting for my group to get back to the van and I needed to use the restroom. 

I crossed the street and rounded the corner of this outdoor patio restaurant and there you sat. Alone. I didn't notice you until you said, "hey, you forgot the rest of that sweater". I was wearing a hi-low sweater and it was longer in the back than it was in the front. You had a twinkle in your eye and a little smirk on your face to let me know you were teasing me. I looked at your face and I couldn't move, couldn't breath for a moment. Your gaze looked upon me without recognition. Then you got concerned because you could tell that I was staring at you with no words.  I took a small step towards you and then I felt tears start to form in my eyes. Suddenly I realized what I was doing and then, without ever taking my eyes from yours, I apologized for being so rude. I explained that you looked exactly like my Dad that had passed away. You had a look of sadness as you apologized for my loss. I introduced myself and you obligingly told me your name was Ronnie. I stared at you as if this was impossible and whispered that Ronnie was also my father's name. 

I went on to explain that he looked like a younger version of you. He joked that you must have been an extremely handsome fellow. I sat beside him and I told him that I had a picture of you that I wanted to show him because I wanted him to understand why I was so shocked. I pulled out my phone and showed him the picture of you and Coleen taken right before you got married. He was stunned at the similarity. 

I told him I had to leave yet I couldn't make myself stand up. I asked him if I could give him a hug because I couldn't bear to leave without touching him at least once before I left. He smiled and said, "sure Darlin'". As I pulled away, I placed my hand on his cheek and whispered, "I don't understand." He looked at me and said, " maybe you needed to know that he is alright." 

I couldn't stop thinking of this bizarre dream. All through church it stayed on my mind. I couldn't understand why it was such a vivid recollection. As I sat having lunch, a thought occurred to me. You kept a small postcard that was left in your hospital room during one of your stays in Abilene. I literally could not wait to get home to read the scripture that I knew it contained. Even though you couldn't speak, you would hold it up for me to read and you would look me in the eye and point to yourself and shake your head in the affirmative and then you would point to me and shake your head in the affirmative. 

As soon as I read the words on that card, everything became clear to me. The card read: Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9. Lord, I rejoice in the encouraging promise that You will never leave me nor forsake me. Amen

I realized that you came to me in my dream to show me that you were ok now. That your body was young and strong and had no cancer. That your voice was sure and beautiful. That your mind was happy and finally content. You wanted me to have peace and you gave it to me through a stranger in my dream. 

I woke up with tears on my lashes this morning. You came to me in a dream. 

Angel Baby's 21st Birthday

My Angel Baby turned 21 today!

21 things you may or may not know about my Cheyenne Casey...

1. She was actually born on her due date, without induction. She has always been extremely punctual. 

2. She cried when her Bubba got to start school without her. 

3. She didn't want to be walked to class on her first day of school. She made me let her out in the drop off line. 

4. She actually caused our church to delay starting one Sunday when she was in elementary because she disappeared between Sunday School and church. We found her upstairs playing in the bridal dressing room. 

5. She doesn't have a middle name so she once asked if we would call her Cheyenne "Sweetheart" Casey. (I'm probably in big trouble for that one!)

6. She loves 80's movies and can watch them repetitively. 

7. She named her first truck Brutus and she still misses him. 

8. She has a secret crush on BD. (Now I know I'm in trouble!)

9. She loves to dance. 

10. She is a BOOKWORM! She can probably read for 12 hours straight if she has food and drink handy. 

11. She thinks her Bubba walks on water... Most of the time. 

12. When she is eating something she really likes, she does a little happy dance side to side in her seat. 

13. She likes to cook. 

14. She has a brown ribbon tied around her steering wheel just like me for no apparent reason. 

15. She always wants to know why coffee at my house tastes better than it does at her house when we use the exact same stuff. 

16. She calls my boss Jarrell. 

17. She likes to hunt. 

18. Her favorite places to eat are still El Taquito and Big O'S. 

19. She likes antique furniture. 

20. She wrote a book when she was in the 4th grade...All about girls from A to Z. 

21. She is the best part of me!

This Day In Time, 23 Years Ago.....

This day in time, 23 years ago.....

October 15, 1991 was a game changer for me. From that day forward, I was forever a different person. I got a new name. I got a new job. I got a new gift, and I got a new life. 

The rules of life that I had so foolhardy thought I had begun to master at the age of 23.....simply changed. The identity that I had become surprisingly comfortable with, "Johnnie Casey's Wife", vanished. The job of preschool teacher that I thought was the hardest and most rewarding that I had ever done, became a sweet memory of the past. The gift I received, the most precious I had ever been given and the new life that was now mine.....priceless!

My new name became, "Trey Casey's Mom". That was a promotion, kinda like going from the Governor of Texas to President of the United States (only I am much better at my job!) and my new job description was: to raise a young man who is respectful and kind, smart and generous, loving and compassionate. One who will contribute to society and make this world a better place to live in. One who will fearfully love God and spread His message to others through his thought, his actions, his words and his convictions. 

My new life? One I would never have dreamed possible....practically perfect in every way! To the man that stole part of my heart from his Daddy, Happy Birthday Trey Casey! You will always be my baby boy! Thank you for making me a better person!!

I'm Only Human

As is expected in this day and age, the media is taking every opportunity to expose, exploit and exchange the value of a mans lifetime of achievements and humanitarian efforts for the race to receive the greatest ratings. It has sparked ugly and unnecessary debates among the public. It has caused me to revisit one of my favorite devotionals to remind me that I am only human. I will ever only be able to justify, judge or forgive as a human.  I am so grateful that the God who so lovingly created me, looks past all of this nonsense and sees only ME, His creation, His child, His reason to sacrifice His Son....

Think and act like Christ Jesus.In your lives you must

- Philippians 2:5
It's dangerous to sum up grand truths in one statement, but I'm going to try. If a sentence or two could capture God's desire for each of us, it might read like this:
God loves you just the way you are. If you think his love for you would be stronger if your faith were, you are wrong. If you think his love would be deeper if your thoughts were, wrong again. Don't confuse God's love with the love of people. The love of people often increases with performance and decreases with mistakes. Not so with God's love. He loves you right where you are.

Just Like Jesus

I don't know what things plagued the mind of Robin Williams. I only know that he was compassionate, he was kind, he loved his family and he loved people. He made an impact on my life with his humor and his creativeness. He had a beautiful heart. Simply put, I loved him and will miss his presence in this world.

A Rare and Beautiful Sight

From the Merriam-Webster dictionary…..

in·no·cent

adjective \ˈi-nə-sənt\

: not guilty of a crime or other wrong act

: not deserving to be harmed

: lacking experience with the world and the bad things that happen in life

 

Today I saw a rare and beautiful sight. It was sweet and it was pure. What made it this way was the fact that it was completely unsuspecting. It hadn’t yet developed preconceived ideas. It had no agenda. It hadn’t put rules into play that would make it ugly. It didn’t feel the need to fight for attention. It just floated around the atmosphere and relished in its creation. It hovered over its recipients and infused them with its euphoria. It was content to just “be” for a while. It was completely innocent.

I sat and observed a young couple today. They were by no means making a public display of their relationship. For all intents and purposes, most people wouldn’t have even known that they were in a relationship. For the unsuspecting crowd, they were just two people who happened to inhabit a central area of space for a short while. They were not alone. They were with a crowd of friends.

As I sat and watched this young duo, there was no doubt in my mind that they were on the cusp of a grand adventure. I’m not even sure they realize it. You see, I saw the way they looked at each other. It wasn’t just glances in passing or the casual eye contact while having conversation. It was the WAY they looked at each other. Almost as if each look was actually asking a question. I’m not sure what the question really could have been. It was just a look that was eager for an answer of some sort. It was a look that said, “Whatever you have to say is genuinely important to me!”

When one or the other would stand to walk away for a moment, it was that lingering length of time it took for their eyes to leave the other and return to the crowd at hand.  It was the way that they watched the other unobserved. Taking in the details of the others face, of their hair, of the way they smiled, of the things they did with their hands. Intently paying attention to how the other acted and reacted to the conversations going around the table. They were reading each other. And completely without their own knowledge of it, they were storing this information into a new file in their brain marked, “very important stuff.”

Amidst the blushes and small smiles that frequently made an appearance were the moments of complete beguilement that would transport them to a place that no one else was allowed to go. They only lasted for a few seconds but they were completely understood by the other. Maybe memories of times spent together, maybe something said that caused a spark of shared recognition over a past event. It was beautiful!

Yes, today I saw a rare and beautiful sight. It was sweet and it was pure. I hope that the world will leave it alone. I hope that Merriam-Webster continues to prevail with its definition of the word “innocent”, that this rare and beautiful sight, lacking experience with the world and the bad things that happen in life remain undeserving to be harmed!

My Best Friends Wedding Day

For my best friend on your wedding day…..

As always, my brain has a way of being completely random at the most logical times. We have established that my mind is haphazard on the best of days. And today is definitely the best of days! I have so many thoughts running through my head today about what you mean to me, about how much I love you, about love in general really.

You are more than a best friend to me. You are my sister, a confidant, a protector, a mentor, a quiet place to hide and a happy place to reside. On this journey of friendship we have been through so much. You have been by my side through most of my adult milestones. We were kindred spirits from the start. We will be crazy old ladies ‘til the bitter end.

I have tried to think of a brilliant, funny, witty, unique way to explain how much you mean to me but, alas, I have come up short. I believe it to be due to the fact that when I think of you, one thing comes straight to the front of my little brain and that is this….1 Corinthians 13: 4-7. This is the way I do and always will see you my friend.

Love is patient….You are the most patient person I have ever met. You have the amazing ability to look past undesirable things and see the good instead. You are able to let things fall into place in their own time and you do so with grace and dignity.

Love is kind….You change the world a little each day with your kindness. I’ve seen it a million times. I have seen you stop to help a turtle in the middle of a busy street. Who does that?? I have seen you love people more than they deserve.

It does not envy…You have always made your own way, created your own opportunities, and fought your own battles. You have never needed to compare your life to another. You are rich in all things that matter the most.

It does not boast…You are humble. You always remember where you started from and you have never let this world change your heart.

It is not proud….It is impossible to be proud if you are thankful. It is impossible to be proud if you are humble. It is impossible to be proud if you are grateful and you my Love are all three of these things.

It is not rude….I’ve read that rudeness is the weak persons imitation of strength. You are the strongest person I know and you never miss an opportunity to build people up instead of tear them down.

It is not self-seeking….Other than your desire to own your own car wash/barber shop, I can’t think of a single solitary thing that you have sought just for yourself. You keep that desire, it is a totally fab idea!

It is not easily angered….Your ability to put yourself in the shoes of others has definitely taught you to look past what you see on the surface. This makes you beautiful.

It keeps no records of wrongs….This is my most favorite trait that you possess!

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth….You have a beautiful soul that sees beauty instead of ashes.

It always protects….I can’t even begin to explain this one. You know that I understand this about you and that’s all I have to say about it!

Always trusts….You have surrounded yourself with people who love you and that you love. You have never needed tons of people around to be happy, just a few that recognize your worth. I’m so very grateful that I am among those few!

Always hopes….You have always had it. It has always kept you going. It continues to guide you and tell you that tomorrow has the potential to be even better than today.

Always preserves….Your love never changes. It is smooth and steady. It is comforting. It is rare. Never change my friend.

I am so happy for you and Michael today. Happy that you have found love and laughter. Happy that you have found peace and contentment. Happy that you have found each other. I love you! I Can’t wait for you guys to get home and share your day with me!

Smoke and Mirrors

My devotion from today: 

A Raging Fire

Since God has shown us great mercy, I beg you to offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him.

- Romans 12:1

Resentment is the cocaine of the emotions. It causes our blood to pump and our energy level to rise. But, also like cocaine, it demands increasingly large and more frequent dosages. There is a dangerous point at which anger ceases to be an emotion and becomes a driving force. A person bent on revenge moves unknowingly further and further away from being able to forgive, for to be without the anger is to be without a source of energy.

Hatred is the rabid dog that turns on its owner.

Revenge is the raging fire that consumes the arsonist.

Bitterness is the trap that snares the hunter.

And mercy is the choice that can set them all free.

The Applause of Heaven

If you are a Christian and you have the belief that you are safe from addictions, then you are wrong. Dead wrong. A Christian can be just as susceptible to an addiction as a non-Christian if they aren't careful about letting the world influence them. And unlike the addict, that almost always knows that their addiction is wrong, the Christian will inevitably hide behind their "religion" to deny or justify their addiction, thus, the "dead wrong" comment. 

There are all types of addictions. The obvious; drugs, sex, alcohol and smoking to name a few of the traditionalist views. Then there are the less conspicuous; resentment, control, self-indulgence, gossip, codependency. 

Every single one of these have consequences. Every single one of these cause pain and destruction. Every single one of these lead to death. Every single one of these are a sin and have no greater degree of sin than the other. 

For every person that has one or more of these addictions, and that is almost all of us at some point in our lives, we will exhibit the same behaviors. We will assume we have it under control. We will tell ourselves that we don't really have the problem at all. We will justify our actions. We will hide it from our loved ones. We will assume that no one knows because we think we have it all under control. We will spin out of control until something eventually lands in our path that causes us to crash! 

My prayer for me and for you is this: that we will take a real long look at ourselves. We will ask ourselves the hard questions. Have my actions hurt someone? Have my actions built someone up or torn them down. Am I able to take an honest look at myself and my actions? Have my actions strengthened my relationship with God or have they caused me to hide from Him in shame? Are my actions pleasing to Him?

These questions are not a one time pop quiz. They should be asked every day, sometimes every minute if need be. Will you have the courage to face the answers you might get? Will you make amends where need be? Will you love yourself enough to slay your own self-will? Will you chose to give up hypocrisy?

Will you chose to live? I hope so, because you are important!

Give Us This Day

My devotion from today really hits home in reminding me of how easy it is to wish our lives away if we aren't careful. I remember when Trey Casey was a baby. Being a new stay at home mom was a tough adjustment. Not only was I trying to figure out how to handle a new baby, I was trying to do it with half of the income coming in. I remember being tired and overwhelmed for a good part of the infant stage and realized one day that I was saying, "if only he will sleep through the night". But that wasn't enough so I moved on to "if only he will will learn to walk, my life will be easier". Then, "if only he will potty train". Get the picture? One day it's like a light bulb went off in my head and I had "if only'd" my precious sons first year right out the door! 

I stopped and made a vow to myself that day that I would never again wish away any part of this life God has given me! Have the years been rough? Occasionally yes, but what I have learned from this is that those are the times that have brought the most meaning into my life. Why? Because those are the times that mattered the most! Those are the times that my little family had to draw together and figure things out together. Even now, as I have two kids in college and we quite frankly live pay check to pay check, I don't wish away one second of this moment in time. I've seen my kids grow and mature and have come to an understanding of hard work, money and sacrifice. They have a new appreciation of the things that John and I have provided for them and we all work together as a team to get through these things now. 

I appreciate everything life has to offer me, it's all from God and it all has a very specific purpose in my character development. I hope He likes the person I am becoming! 

Nothing on Earth Satisfies

We brought nothing into the world, so we can take nothing out. But, if we have food and clothes, we will be satisfied with that.

- 1Timothy 6:7-8

Satisfied? That is one thing we are not. We are not satisfied.

We take a vacation of a lifetime. We satiate ourselves with sun, fun, and good food. But we are not even on the way home before we dread the end of the trip and begin planning another.

We are not satisfied.

As a child we say, If only I were a teenager. As a teen we say, If only I were an adult, As an adult, If only I were married. As a spouse, If only I had kids.

We are not satisfied. Contentment is a difficult virtue. Why?

Because there is nothing on earth that can satisfy our deepest longing. We long to see God. The leaves of life are rustling with the rumor that we will-and we won't be satisfied until we do.

When God Whispers Your Name

8 Little Letters

This morning I was thinking of three words that have such a powerful impact on others. I love you. Three words, 8 little letters, 2 seconds to speak have the ability to change a person's life, not only the one hearing them, but the one saying them. Some people never hear these words and they need it so desperately while others never say them and need too even more! Don't withhold such a powerful, life changing, healing tool. Share it today!

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. – Deuteronomy 6:5

Love each other as I have loved you. – John 15:12

“A real girl of the Bible enjoys a personal and purposeful relationship with God-one that influences her relationships with others. A real girl is developing a thankful heart, recognizing God’s importance in her life, and exalting his name. A real girl is… well, real, and confident in who she is because of Christ. A real girl desires to love her Lord with all her heart and with everything she has and is. And that love guides her love for all others.” (pages 12-13, Real Girls of the Bible)

The Little Things Are The Big Things

I have a special friend. I like to call her Kady Kat. I've known her most of her life. She is 11 years old and she is vivacious, talented, creative, enthusiastic and flat out ADORABLE! But most of all, she is innocent. She is everything I wish I still was at the age of 45. She has a special talent as well. She makes friendship bracelets and she had a plethora of these adorning her arm today. I took the time to ooh and awe over these and she was quick to let me pick one out for myself. Now being the die hard Bluecat that I am, I chose the only one that had Bluecat Blue. She informed me that this was a one of a kind original, no one else had one like this! I gladly accepted and am sporting it as we speak. I can proudly tell you that my bracelet was made by a one of a kind, original young lady! I pray that she never changes and that her sweet spirit continues to bless me for years to come!