Wreckage To Hope

 Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! I find it very appropriate to make today about focusing on gratitude and all that we are thankful for. That should be a daily practice and not just devoted mostly to a holiday, i.e. Thanksgiving. Let it be a constant and not just reserved for special occasions. Having practiced this myself daily for a while now, it really does make quite the impact on your perspective and even the condition of your heart [ attitude ].  Here's something to chew on today other than turkey and all the Thanksgiving fixings.....Make a gratitude list, then beside it a gripe list or bad things you've been dealing with. Then I want you to think about all the things I have shared about how the bad has been turned around for good, and how the bad has helped shape me into the strong individual I am today with a bigger heart of gratitude. Look at that list again, and you'll realize that they all end up being a gratitude list....just let that sink in for a bit. ;) Pretty c...

.                My "serenity room " where I write and                    Spend time with Jesus 🤗💖  I've always gotten my deepest revelations in my darkest seasons and hours. You give God more to work with when you are completely surrendered, raw, open, and honest with Him. You might as well be because He already knows your every thought, feeling, and your heart. It's okay to be mad at God, it's going to happen!! But, it's what you do with it, your actions, and how you deal with it. Don't stay mad at God, at anyone. Remember, God may allow things to happen but its for your good and the devil brings about bad to harm you. God does not and won't ever do anything to harm you! Don't let the devil lie to you about God's character and who He truly is!!  I've always felt bad for getting mad at God and knew He ultimately was not to blame for my problems or storms I am going through. I've also q...

 You've heard plenty about how I've plowed through all opposition with determination, perseverence, and strength God has given me, hope being the root of it all. It's encouraging and inspires motivation, but I haven't really dug into the intense pain, emotional anguish, anger, frustration, and very dark dark times I've experienced on this journey through this current season of my life. If I don't bare all and share all, it looks like, " oh all trials are easier for me than you because I'm a Christian, and I believe in Jesus." I've had my VERY angry, rock bottom conversations with God and I'm going to again, be extremely vulnerable and real with you. I don't put up a "strong" front like I used to because I felt like I had to, then deal with it all alone in silence. That was a bad habit developed during the abuse years, my abusive ex husband getting engrained in my mind that I had to " suck it up soldier. " That is one...

You're never too old to be swooned by sweetness, and you're most likely to fall into that trap if or when you're vulnerable. There are many reasons you can fall prey to this and I was one of those who did. Then, before you know it, you're so deep into the relationship you aren't thinking rationally and become too willing to settle on issues that should be worked out before marriage or you get into this fantasy world thinking everything will just work itself out. NOT TRUE and that is absolutely not how it goes. Yesterday, I spoke a lot about guarding your heart and your mind. Today's topic gives you a prime example and concrete proof as to the "why" on both of those things. Your first red flag [ with yourself, not the other person ] is if you are too willing to accept things that are opposite of what you believe, and go against your morals and values. And, of course the second red flag is the person you're with even expecting you to change or settle...

Keeping your sanity in times of trial takes effort and dedication to self-care, awareness of your needs, and maintaining mental health. Think about what you're thinking about and and if its not constructive or pulls you in a negative direction, shut it down! You've got to remind yourself that the bad times or hurdles in life are temporary, you are strong, and more importantly remember that God has already given you all that you need to be victorious!!! In fact it says so in the Bible and in many places. For instance, 2 Peter 1:3-8 is a great example! It begins by telling you that the divine power of God has given us everything we need for this life. Isaiah 40:31 talks about renewing our strength through hope in the Lord. John 16:33 Jesus assures us that we will face trials of many kinds, but He reminds us that He has overcome the world. Exodus 15:2 states that the Lord is our strength and defense.  Keeping your sanity isn't just about mind control, but soul control and what...

 Well, I guess there isn't a more appropriate time to write this than now as I am not sleeping and we leave at 3:00 AM to head to Indianapolis for my surgery this morning. I wasn't quite sure which direction I wanted to go with my next post. Obviously I've figured it out. I have so much to share and I don't always know until I begin my next post which topic out of many I am going to cover. I'm like a simmering pot...Over the years everything has had time to marinate as good things take time to be ready. Then you reach near boiling ready to bubble over.......Just as many different ingredients are added to a pot of stew, all of my life experiences have created this beautiful story full of life, resilience, strength, hope, courage, and inspiration. There's so much waiting to come out that at times I feel like I could burst, or shall we say boil over. I have to sit for a bit sometimes to ponder and pray, then when I begin, it just all comes together beautifully........

 One of the most valuable lessons I have learned from my past is how to protect myself from narcissists, manipulation, and deceit. I have ZERO tolerance for it and can smell it from a mile away!!! Jesus and I are tight and He shows me everything! I don't miss a beat, I see and hear everything. The ability to do so is both a blessing and a curse because it takes me being able to exercise self control to keep what shouldn't be confronted to myself and pull on my faith giving it to God to allow Him to be what He's promised..... to be my vindicator and protector. I feel the reason it's so difficult to keep it to myself is my flesh screaming wanting to say to those people who try to manipulate and deceive me, " Really, you think I didn't know or that I don't know what's going on?! How stupid do you think I am?! How could you do that to me?! Furthermore, you aren't as keen and in control as you think you are, so don't you dare try to mess with me as t...

I've shared a lot with you about tough times and some things I do to cope, stay strong and built up while navigating through storms of life. But there's far more to it and I feel it's important that I share with you simple self-care practices that really help carry you when life gets dark. You've heard that laughter is the best medicine and I couldn't agree with that statement more, especially if you have a significant other or are married. Before we begin, remember that the small things are HUGE and highly impactful. Stop for a moment and think about the things in your relationship that keep you deeply connected to your partner. For example, with my husband Rob and I, here is a list of things that we do to stay connected in any season of our lives. 1.] We laugh together  2.] We have a regular date day or night [ weekly and sometimes twice weekly ]. Don't over complicate things!! Right now, we are limited, so one of our favorite things to do together for dates w...

Looking for the good isn't just limited to the good in life. More importantly, it's the good in people. However, you want to develop the skill and habit of looking for the good in ALL things. It takes time as any habit does to develop, but it's worth the effort!  In previous posts, I've said over and over how much I love and care for other people, and it's the honest to God truth. Obviously it's because of Jesus, but I had to put in the effort as well. Aside from that, the ability was developed as a result of my life experiences which have not only softened my heart, but greatly grown my level of grace, mercy, empathy, and compassion for others. In yesterday's post I spoke about being refined by the fire and in that refining came the qualities of my character.  Not everyone is easy to love and I've had my fair share of challenges, but there is something good in everyone. As I have also said before, you never know what someone else is going through, so be...

I've had to walk through the fire so many many times. When you're going through some really tough stuff and you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, you begin asking God a lot of questions. I've had my angry conversations with God questioning, "how much longer God, haven't I had enough?! I know there's a lesson to learn in every tough season and every trial, but come on! Why is this dragging on so long?!! I'm tired and I've had it!" Sound familiar? Sometimes it seems and feels as though everything is falling apart. The smile you once had disappears, your heart becomes burdened by all of the things you can't control, and you just want to throw in the towel. I may get tired and feel like doing just that, but I know that I can't and as I have said to you many times before, HOPE is what keeps me going. I have felt helpless plenty of times, but never without hope regardless of how bleak the situation may be. I've had days too wh...

 Fear sucks, I'm just going to say it! It's debilitating, can stop you in your tracks, hold you back, and even effect your health. Fear is the enemy and faith is your weapon to defeat it. We all struggle with it and some worse than others. I've had to work really hard to overcome fear and it takes constant effort, but you have to decide when enough is enough! I got sick of it ruling my life, mind, and emotions. I'm going to be raw and vulnerable here......One of the things that held me back from writing my book and even starting to blog was my fear of inadequacy, not being an author, not being good enough or smart enough. I'm new to blogging and have never done it before now, but I got sick of fear holding me back from using my experiences and wisdom gained from those experiences to help other people. Not only that, but fear of what people think. Now I just don't care and I don't have to be perfect to put myself out there and have enough courage to take a ch...

 Nothing is worse after fighting this long than to have setback after setback. Then on top of that, having things like the furnace needing upgraded, the garage door breaking, etc etc etc. You know, normal adulting stuff. Thank God there's always been money and right on time to take care of these things. When life is normal, it's not as upsetting and you have far more energy to deal with it. Life on life's terms my friends, but you figure out how to navigate it all.  The biggest and most stressful thing we've recently had happen is the possibility after all this time of waiting, for surgery to be delayed. Well, I have an inspiring and miraculous story to share with you about that! There was a medication my Urologist put me on that I was very reluctant to take, and lets just say, next time, I'm listening to my gut. I finally agreed and then when it came time last week to get my pre-op blood work done, my liver enzymes were pretty high. So, I had a repeat blood test do...

 Obviously, life hasn't always been easy for me, but I have no ounce out self-pity at all. I've had my fair share of losses, heartache, and setbacks, yet I have managed to make it this far. It's only by the grace of God that I haven't given up and lost all hope that God is with me. He is working even when you can't see it, I can promise you that! He has and still is using my pain for His purpose. The very things that were meant to destroy me and break me down actually came to restore and build me back up stronger than ever! " But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him"            [ Hebrews 11:6 NKJV ]. Let your faith be what draws you near to God on your journey of becoming. You are stronger than you think and that is one of the sure things I have found through all of my trials and tribulations.  There's been a LOT going on as I have ...

 If you are familiar at all with the Bible, you know or have heard of the verse that talks about beauty for ashes......Isaiah 61:3 " To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair." Beauty for ashes defines our hope. Because of Jesus, we no longer sit in the ashes of our own sins or sins against us. He causes us to rise again from the rubble and despair....He saves, he gives, he loves, and he renews. Ashes in the Bible symbolize mourning and can represent wounds or places in life where people are prone to despair such as death, heartache, despair, sickness and disease, and many other things. God wants to take your mourning and replace it with the oil of gladness, He wants to take your spirit of despair and turn it into a garment of praise. You can see, reading through these posts that He is faithful and He has done this for me EVERY TIME. God doesn't play favorites and He WILL ...