...His mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 136:1

It's Sunday evening and I couldn't be happier. I have been facing a personal trial for the past couple of months. In the last two weeks I was at my worst, my lowest point. During church services this morning, I realized why things haven't been getting better. I realized why I was continuing to struggle even though I was trying so hard. I could finally hear what God has been trying to tell me.

I was trying so hard, but trying it by myself and without God. God has a wonderful way of getting my attention and drawing me closer to Him. I know that it is through trials that I grow and mature but this one was different. My trial was to remind me of something I already knew. I need to be close to God. It isn't enough to believe in Him and love Him. It isn't enough to go to church everytime the doors are open. It isn't enough to pray everynight. It isn't enough to serve in my church. It isn't enough to witness to others. I have to be close to Him. To be close to Him I need to read and study my bible daily. I need to talk to God through prayer. My heart needs to be soft so that I can hear Him talking to me. My mind needs to be open so I can learn what He is trying to teach me.

I am rejoicing and singing praises this evening because I am back where I should be. What have I learned? Even I who knows the way, can still get lost along the path of life.

If you are feeling frustated and disappointed, ask yourself this question. "How is my relationship with my Father?" Be honest when you get ready to answer it. It's difficult I know. But God already knows the answer, He just wants you to know the answer too.

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 136:1.

I love this verse because it reminds me of God's love. Even though I was drifting apart from Him, He remained loving and forgiving and welcomed me with open arms.

Happy New Year and God Bless!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

I want to wish all of my friends a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. It's been a year full of blessings.

As Christmas draws near I find myself being reminded of why we celebrate it.

For God So Loved The World That He Sent His Only Begotten Son.... John 3:16a

The love that God had for us before we were born is almost difficult to understand. As I sit here tonight and complain about the day that I had, the lack of money in my checking account and the weather outside, I am reminded of God's Love. I should be singing praises to Him, not complaining.

A new friend of mine emailed a song to me tonight. It is absolutely beautiful. The story she shared with me as to why this is a special song to her is so encouraging. The song is "Gratitude" by Nichole Nordeman. As I listened to the song, I read the lyrics and I wanted to cry.

Tonight I pray that God forgives me for my lack of gratitude but I also praise Him for His gentle reminder and unconditional love He has for me and you.

I inserted the lyrics below. You can search the song on Itunes.com to download it.

God Bless,

Monica


Gratitude by Nichole Nordeman


Send some rain, would You send some rain?
'Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again
And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade
Would You send a cloud, thunder long and loud?
Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down
Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid
But maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case ...

We'll give thanks to You with gratitude
For lessons learned in how to thirst for You
How to bless the very sun that warms our face
If You never send us rain

Daily bread, give us daily bread
Bless our bodies, keep our children fed
Fill our cups, then fill them up again tonight
Wrap us up and warm us through
Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs
Let us slumber safe from danger's view this time
Or maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case ...

We'll give thanks to You with gratitude
A lesson learned to hunger after You
That a starry sky offers a better view
If no roof is overhead
And if we never taste that bread

Oh, the differences that often are between
Everything we want and what we really need

So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace
Move our hearts to hear a single beat
Between alibis and enemies tonight
Or maybe not, not today
Peace might be another world away
And if that's the case ...

We'll give thanks to You with gratitude
For lessons learned in how to trust in You
That we are blessd beyond what we could ever dream
In abundance or in need
And if You never grant us peace ...

But, Jesus, would You please ...

Titus 2:4-5, "teach women to love their family"??

Paul is instructing the women who have been Christians for a while to mentor and to teach the women who are new Christians. The bibles tells us to be teachers of good things. We should teach women to love their husbands, to love their children. Sound kind of silly? Teaching a woman to love their family? Love isn't a feeling, it's an action, a choice that we make. Yes we feel love for our family but how do we show the love? As wives and mothers, we are the heart of our homes. If we aren't acting as the heart, then where is the love?

For me, this was a difficult concept at first. I love my family but I didn't really take the time to show it. I go to work every day. I come home and cook dinner, clean the kitchen, help with homework, straighten the living room, make sure my daughter has her bath, spend 45 minutes completing her bedtime routine and so and so on (not to mention the activities outside the home).

But when I examined my attitude while completing these everyday things, I wasn't very happy with myself. I was cold and set in a routine. I had my eyes on the target but my heart wasn't in it. In fact, it makes me sad to think of this. I still find myself "in routine". I was too busy worrying about getting things done that I didn't realize I wasn't showing love.

I began to slow down. In order for me to slow down, I needed to prioritize and schedule things so I had time to slow down. For instance, I scheduled my daughter's bath time and set a bed time for her. Many women have been doing this forever, why was this such a new concept for me? Not sure, but if you know, please share. :) I stopped watching television so much in the evenings. I record the shows I want to watch on the DVR and watch them after the kids are in bed. I quit things that didn't fit in with my top 3 priorities, God-Husband-Kids.

After I made some changes in my "routine" I tried to smile more too. I also took the time to play and talk with the kids not just tell them what to do. I took the time to ask my husband how his day was and even kiss him hello and tell him I love him! Making the changes (and these are just a few), changed me too. I am happier and the joy that I receive is not something I can put into words. It's an amazing feeling.

BUT...I have been working on this for almost a year now. I backslide a lot. Sometimes I get into the TV mode and I always regret it at the end of the night when my house is messy or I didn't do something I should have done. Sometimes I find myself being cold and focused on things that need to be done. This is why I am so JOYFUL that the Lord loves me anyway and so does my family. They know what I strive for and they support me when I fail. The Lord knows my heart and he speaks to me when I'm down.

I will never be without mistakes and I will always be a sinner as long as I'm in this world. But I will ALWAYS need the Lord and He will ALWAYS be there for me (and you). I tell myself when I fall short, "keep trying Monica because the day you give up, then you have truly failed and Satan has won".

The Idea Behind My Blog Theme & Title

Last spring I read, "A Women After God's Own Heart", by Elizabeth George. In one of the chapters she discusses the need for women to have a mentor in their lives and she quoted the verses from Titus. She advises women to choose women from church who are mature in their Christian walk. She used the verses as support for her advice along with a story of her personal mentor. The book was amazing.

I love the verse too. It is encouraging to me and adds purpose to my life. It helps me to use my experiences and things I have learned to help others.

We are all used of God, but are we all willing participants? I'm not always, that's for sure. I find myself stumbling daily. Saying to myself, I will never do that again! Before I know it, I'm doing it again.

Do you think God reveals His plan for us?

I was pondering this question last night. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up! More specifically, I don't know what God's plans for me is when I grow up.

Does He show us previews of His plan and we can see if it we look closer and listen more intently?

I believe that God has a plan for me but I'm not sure what it is. I get bits and pieces of possibilities but I don't see the big picture. I try not to focus on the big picture and go with what I know for now.

I found myself praying last night for God to give me a glimpse. I see my life evolving almost daily and it's exciting.

What do you think? I believe there isn't a right or wrong answer, just insight and experiences that help us with the questions we have.

Thanks in advance for your comments.

My purpose

My purpose for my life is to "teach, inspire and encourage". I believe this blog is a way for me to do all three!

I have been praying for God to open the door for me to witness to others. I want to encourage and inspire those I meet and also those I don't meet in person. How do I do that? God is opening the door and He has a plan for me.

I will share my testimony with you, comment about books I read, sermons from church, things I read in the bible and things that happen in my life.

I pray and hope that you will continue to check my blog, post comments/prayer requests and share with your friends.

Your prayer and support is appreciated.