It has been exactly two years since I had a hysterectomy.  During the recovery process, the reality hit me that I could never have children of my own.  I was always ok with not getting pregnant, as I knew the Lord had other plans for me at that time.  Plus, in the back of my mind there was also the possibility that He might surprise us.  Now, this wasn’t the case.

I grieved for a brief moment; I knew babies were gifts straight from heaven above.  However, please take a look at these precious souls the Lord as blessed me with since!    Isn’t it awesome?  His promises ring true…delight yourself in Him and He will give you the desires of your heart!

Neil and I just rolled out of bed, we didn’t feel like getting dressed, but were craving donuts.  We decided to throw on a coat, slippers and go through Scarlet’s drive threw. However; once we got there, Neil said we needed to go inside so we could see our options. His famous last words were…”you won’t see anyone you know.”

Well, the first person we saw was Ms. Scarlet herself.  We exchanged greetings and then I noticed a dear sister that had once been active in Celebrate Recovery several years ago.  Neil helped her boyfriend get a job there numerous years ago.  Shortly after he was hired, this young lady and her father got a job there too.  This was a miracle in itself because they had records and couldn’t find another employer to give them a chance.  Pretty cool!  Not only that, but they all were still employed there as of today!  God is good!

As we were catching up, I noticed another girl behind the counter watching me.  She asked if I remembered her.  She told me her name and I immediately began tearing up.  She was literally the first miracle I witnessed!  She too was a participant of Celebrate Recovery.  About nine years ago, I received a phone call saying she was found in a car in a church parking lot left for dead.  When the paramedics reached her, she was only breathing approximately 3 breaths per minute.  Myself and three other leaders went to visit her in the ICU.  We all watched her struggle for each breath while she was hooked up to life support.  We joined hands and prayed for a miracle…that the Lord would heal her so she could be a testimony of what God can do!  Needless to say, she made a full recovery!  She shared with me that she now has three years clean and sober and happier than she’s ever been, praise God!  What an awesome reminder that God is still in the miracle making business.  I am so thankful I went inside and didn’t miss out on seeing God’s work!

Look at these beautiful sisters the Lord has connected me with!  My cup runneth over!  I am sooooo blessed to have each one of them in my life.  They hold me accountable, teach me, challenge me, laugh with me, and walk beside me on this journey!

Wow, since stepping into the role of becoming a team member with Time To Revive, the spiritual warfare in my life and in those that I care about has increased drastically!  However, I am learning tactics to overcome the enemy and to determine who’s voice I am hearing!  The movie War Room really opened my eyes about who the true enemy is!

I have caught myself saying I want a more intimate relationship with my Heavenly Father and I want a better prayer life.  Well, I can’t say enough about Pricilla Shirer’s Bible Studies…Discerning the Voice of God and The Armor of God!  They have both been great equipping tools for me!Continue reading “This Means War!”

This year instead of clicking a button and purchasing something on Amazon; I made most of our Christmas gifts.  It was definitely more time consuming; but as I listened to Christmas music while painting them, He reminded me of the true and ultimate gift…JESUS!

As Neil and I were driving back into town after being in the woods for about a week, I saw this amazing expression of God’s promise in the sky!  What a beautiful reminder to keep my eyes on Him and His truth!  To keep my mind on things above and building His Kingdom!  To remember how much He truly loves us…that He would send His only Son on Christmas…knowing He would die for us!  Oh, how we are treasured and cherished by our Heavenly Father!

This morning as I was fulfilling my crossing guard duties, I noticed how differently everyone responded to me waving.  Some honked their horn, some greeted me with a big smile, some used their entire hand, some just lifted a finger…and I heard that still small voice say that you are all fearfully and wonderfully made…you are all My masterpieces!  (Eph. 2:10)

Oh the sadness I feel as I pass this vacant, empty home.  You see, I briefly dated the individual that lived there when we were in high school.  We reconnected when I returned to Tupelo after college.  I dismissed him after trying to get sober.  I ended our relationship to begin dating someone who introduced me to recovery.  The last thing I remember him saying is that girls always chose someone else over me.

Well, it has been almost 14 years since I have seen him and from what social media shows, it appears he continued living in the darkness I escaped.  It hurts me to the core because I know the answer that he was seeking…the only thing that would fill that void in his soul he was so desperately trying to fill…Jesus.  The worst part is I never shared the answer with him.  My prayer is that he knew his Heavenly Father before he took his final breath…and that I don’t miss another opportunity to pass on this hope to anyone else that has ears to hear.