Monday, September 21, 2015
Early Intervention NEEDS Our Intervention
I am a mother of five children, two of which have used Early Intervention services due to developmental delays. This program was a substantial part of their learning and development. It was also very important in my own learning of how to better work with my children! It's a program I am forever thankful for. Here are Adrien and Jonathen's stories...
Adrien was 18 months old and barely saying mama or dada, his temper tantrums were unlike anything I had ever seen before, he refused to let me leave him anywhere, he didn't play with other kids, and he just wasn't good at any kind of social behaviors that he should have been doing at that age.
When he was evaluated, the original thought was that he had Autism. So, we created a plan to help him, help us and begin better relationship with him. Though, after just a couple months of working with his therapist, we saw astronomical improvements in his language skills and social behaviors. Though, he still needed a lot of help in specific areas. However, we lost services because of funding. We were in Germany. It was good that he just so happened to qualify to attend the Sure Start preschool the following year.
Now, we have Jonathen. After an illness when he was nearing his first birthday, he regressed and struggled to regain the skills he once had. He had started to say mama and dada, but quit after that. He had started to walk, but then had trouble crawling after that. Again, I thought Autism, especially the way it seemed to happen. At 18 months old, he still wasn't able to say basic words and barely even did much babble. He was still struggling to walk again and just didn't do what other kids his age (or even kids much younger) were doing. Early Intervention came in and, once again, helped us put the pieces together. His progress was VERY SLOW. I did begin to wonder, after a few months, if he would ever hit some of the milestones we set goals for (and believe me, our goals were very small for him).
He received physical therapy for a year, but did catch up in that time to at least not require services. However, his speech/language ability was still largely delayed after a year and is currently receiving services. And even now, almost 2 years of services, he still really needs it. But, apparently they are no longer being funded.
It's good for us that he goes into the school system soon, but other kids are not so lucky. Kids are losing their educational assistance through Early Intervention because they don't have funding...??? Why in the world does this incredibly important program not have funding?
I don't know who is at fault, and frankly, I don't care. We just need a solution. Families NEED a solution - a solution that gets this program funded and back running to assist the families with children who need services.
We need to be the voice for these children that can't speak for themselves. We need to stand up and let the state know that our children deserve better!
If you are interested in helping this fight, here are some pages to visit and find out more about what you can do to help support this fight:
I NEED EI -- Southern IL Action - https://www.facebook.com/groups/896483647092155/
I Need EI - https://www.facebook.com/ineedei?fref=ts
Illinois Developmental Therapy Association - https://www.facebook.com/Illinois-Developmental-Therapy-Association-311153305572207/timeline/
Families, Friends & Fans of IL EI Children - https://www.facebook.com/illinoiseichildren
I Support Illinois Early Intervention - https://www.facebook.com/groups/isupportei/
JOIN THE FIGHT! FOR THE CHILDREN!
Monday, February 2, 2015
Being Hidden is a Compliment!
I recently learned of a few people, completely unknown to each other, that have shared that they blocked my Facebook posts from their news feed. They will go check randomly to see what I am up to but they do not want to see my posts in their news feed. Now, usually this would bother me. But when I was aware of the reason, I took it as a compliment!
You see... there is this guy that changed my life and I like to share things about Him on my page... His name is Jesus... and there are people out there who don't believe as I do and wish not to see those things. And that is okay. But if I am posting enough about Him to impact a person enough to hide my posts from their feed, I smile about that!
I do wish everyone believed in Him, and I pray for those who don't, but we don't have to have the same beliefs to stay connected. I am glad that they did care enough not to completely delete me, but I am also glad that it speaks to the things I post!
I want my posts to be a true representation of who I am, what I believe and WHO my life is lived for. I try very hard to share His work in my life, just to be a testimony to those who may not believe, or those who do but do not trust. I want others to see what He has done in our lives, even if it means being hidden by some.
I used to feel hurt that my beliefs would cause people to hide my posts, or even delete me completely (that has happened too). I used to wonder if I should just keep things to myself and not share about my faith. I used to worry that sharing too much would make me seem like a "Bible thumper".
Well, now I smile and feel blessed that I am being seen that way. I am not longer worried about whether I should keep my faith to myself or what someone else may think of it! I am proud to be God's daughter, and proud to share about how He has blessed me! So, I will smile and accept being hidden as a compliment!
You see... there is this guy that changed my life and I like to share things about Him on my page... His name is Jesus... and there are people out there who don't believe as I do and wish not to see those things. And that is okay. But if I am posting enough about Him to impact a person enough to hide my posts from their feed, I smile about that!
I do wish everyone believed in Him, and I pray for those who don't, but we don't have to have the same beliefs to stay connected. I am glad that they did care enough not to completely delete me, but I am also glad that it speaks to the things I post!
I want my posts to be a true representation of who I am, what I believe and WHO my life is lived for. I try very hard to share His work in my life, just to be a testimony to those who may not believe, or those who do but do not trust. I want others to see what He has done in our lives, even if it means being hidden by some.
I used to feel hurt that my beliefs would cause people to hide my posts, or even delete me completely (that has happened too). I used to wonder if I should just keep things to myself and not share about my faith. I used to worry that sharing too much would make me seem like a "Bible thumper".
Well, now I smile and feel blessed that I am being seen that way. I am not longer worried about whether I should keep my faith to myself or what someone else may think of it! I am proud to be God's daughter, and proud to share about how He has blessed me! So, I will smile and accept being hidden as a compliment!
Sunday, February 1, 2015
I don't want to be a leader, I want to be His servant!
Ever since I learned about (and really understood) Celebrate Recovery, I have felt an immense pull toward the ministry. And not just in an attendance sort of way, but in a leadership sort of way. I can't exactly explain it, but when I say I've felt very strongly about being part of it, I mean in a HUGE way. Well, it appears as though God is showing me that path now.
After bringing it up to our home church's lead pastor, Filip and I are in heavy prayer about beginning the Celebrate Recovery program!!! This prospect is incredibly exciting! Though, I will admit, I have some nerves happening as well!
Though, after a very intense and powerful message at church this morning, I am reminded that I should not have anxiety about it. Because God is working, and will work, in this! Celebrate Recovery is HIS ministry! Something a very wise person said to me the other night, and the motto I will remember and strive to stand by -
After bringing it up to our home church's lead pastor, Filip and I are in heavy prayer about beginning the Celebrate Recovery program!!! This prospect is incredibly exciting! Though, I will admit, I have some nerves happening as well!
Though, after a very intense and powerful message at church this morning, I am reminded that I should not have anxiety about it. Because God is working, and will work, in this! Celebrate Recovery is HIS ministry! Something a very wise person said to me the other night, and the motto I will remember and strive to stand by -
God is the leader of Celebrate Recovery, I am His servant.
I will be in a place to serve others through their recovery
and to help them find their healing in Jesus Christ!
I don't want to be a leader, I want to be a servant! And though my title would be leader, I know that my true position is to be a servant to Christ! I will want to be His arms and legs, to speak His words with His heart, to do His will in everything! So, I will do my best as His servant to lead others to Him!
My story, our story... one that I pray will be used to encourage those who find themselves sitting in front of us at meetings. I am so thankful to the work God has done in our lives, especially now that we will get to share that in a much more powerful way!
I am asking that our friends be in prayer with us as we step out in faith to begin such a wonderful ministry! We know God is here, walking in front of us, guiding our path! We know He will do the work He needs done!
And a major THANK YOU to those who have already been in prayer with us! We appreciate all the faithful people in our lives! But we have so many faithful people because we have such a faithful God! What an amazing God He is!
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Nestled in God's hands!
How do I do this? How could I possibly handle it? Will I have all of my hair at the end? Can I really care for 5 kids, on my own, without the husband, for 6 full weeks? OH MY... Talk about stressful thinking and worry like no other.
A few weeks ago my husband was told he would be going to a class in another state for 6 weeks. Now, some people will say "oh, it's ONLY 6 weeks" while others have said "woah, 6 weeks?"... and here I am thinking both. Yes, it's ONLY 6 weeks, but it's also 6 weeks away from the man I love... alone with all 5 of our children... without the normal assistance and companionship I get from him. That makes 6 weeks an awful long time.
And to be honest, I get kinda frustrated when people say that. I know it's only a short time, especially in terms of military duties. But, we haven't had much of this. And the last time he was gone, we had a terrible, horrible situation happen. So... yeah... 6 weeks, to me, is pretty intense right now.
So, I was pretty much freaking out. I am a worrier, big time. I go through all the worst possible situations and then fear them happening to us. I worry that I won't be able to handle it. I worry about every.possible.thing. And this brought tons of worry... Until...
A friend shared something the other morning, which just happened to be the last day he would be with us before leaving. She posted about how her foster child was happy, even though her life situation is anything but good. Here is what she said:
A few weeks ago my husband was told he would be going to a class in another state for 6 weeks. Now, some people will say "oh, it's ONLY 6 weeks" while others have said "woah, 6 weeks?"... and here I am thinking both. Yes, it's ONLY 6 weeks, but it's also 6 weeks away from the man I love... alone with all 5 of our children... without the normal assistance and companionship I get from him. That makes 6 weeks an awful long time.
And to be honest, I get kinda frustrated when people say that. I know it's only a short time, especially in terms of military duties. But, we haven't had much of this. And the last time he was gone, we had a terrible, horrible situation happen. So... yeah... 6 weeks, to me, is pretty intense right now.
So, I was pretty much freaking out. I am a worrier, big time. I go through all the worst possible situations and then fear them happening to us. I worry that I won't be able to handle it. I worry about every.possible.thing. And this brought tons of worry... Until...
A friend shared something the other morning, which just happened to be the last day he would be with us before leaving. She posted about how her foster child was happy, even though her life situation is anything but good. Here is what she said:
"This morning started out with me seeking God's direction in several
areas of my life. And as always, I was able to read some great truths
from Jeremiah, Paul in Romans and from my daily devotional.
But I
think the real truth came from the baby girl nestled by my side. She's
our foster baby and had woken up early this morning, hungry and wet, and
I had taken care of her needs. I'd snuggled her for awhile and then
laid her beside me while I opened my bible and journal to read,
write and pray. She'd been perfectly content, cooing, watching me,
playing with my fingers, and looking up at me and knowing I'm the one
who meets her needs. And then she quietly fell asleep.
But the truth of the matter is that her life is not so great right now.
Yesterday we received bad news regarding her parents. It breaks my
heart for this beautifully and perfectly created baby girl. From a human
perspective, the future of her life is unknown and it doesn't look
good. Yet she's content and she's happy. She trusts Scott and I and our
boys. She's joyful and is doing exactly what a typical 5 month old
should be doing.
And then I felt the Lord speaking to me that this is exactly how I should view 2015. I should view this year just as Baby V does. I have no idea what the new year holds but I can trust the One who can see into the future. I have no idea of the steep hills I'll have to climb or the valleys I'll have to endure but my Father will be there to walk with me. I'm not yet aware of my needs but I know who will meet all of them in Christ Jesus. Just like Baby V, this year is unknown and completely out of my hands. The only thing I can do is to be the child that God has created me to be, His child, and to place my trust in Him each day. And I have no doubt that I can look to Him to meet my needs, care for me and guide me. I'm so grateful for a loving Father who cares for His children."
And then I felt the Lord speaking to me that this is exactly how I should view 2015. I should view this year just as Baby V does. I have no idea what the new year holds but I can trust the One who can see into the future. I have no idea of the steep hills I'll have to climb or the valleys I'll have to endure but my Father will be there to walk with me. I'm not yet aware of my needs but I know who will meet all of them in Christ Jesus. Just like Baby V, this year is unknown and completely out of my hands. The only thing I can do is to be the child that God has created me to be, His child, and to place my trust in Him each day. And I have no doubt that I can look to Him to meet my needs, care for me and guide me. I'm so grateful for a loving Father who cares for His children."
Then it hit me. Why was I worrying? God's got this. I don't know what the next 6 weeks have in store, but I know that God will take care of us through anything. I do pray it's uneventful, but in the event we have something exciting happen, I know I have a dependable Father that will see us through. And THAT is comforting.
I also want to take the mindset through the rest of the year as well. I don't know what is in the year ahead. I know what plans we have, but I don't know what plans He has. I just know that I can trust His plans, even not knowing them. I want to feel the comfort of being nestled tightly to Him, knowing that He is taking care of my needs and that I can be happy there!
What is your mindset going to be for 2015?
Thursday, November 13, 2014
The day Brinden joined our crew!
It started like any other day, except that it wasn't just any other day. It was the day we would welcome our 5th son into our family! And what an amazing day it was!
They handed him to me and I was just as in love with him as I was his brothers! He was just perfect, and I knew that we chose the right name!!! Brinden James was born at 5:01pm at a whopping 8lbs 11oz and was 20.5in long! He was pure perfection!
And, it helps that the journey of the day was a pretty awesome experience! Aside from the wait we had in the morning, I was very pleased with my labor and delivery experience!
We arrived late, just a little after 8am. It took them 30 minutes just to get us registered before we could go to our room. Once we were in the room and I was changed and on the monitors, it was nearly 3 more hours before they even started getting things going. Finally, they got things going just after 12pm and it was a fast ride!
So, quick timeline:
8:10am - arrive
8:40am - get in room
11:40am - start fluids
12:05pm - start pitocin
3:40pm - water broken
5:01pm - Brinden
I would say it was pretty quick!
Once I hit about 7cm, I was hurting - REALLY BAD. I gave in and asked for an epidural. Filip tried really hard to talk me out of it, but I was set that there was no way I could get through it without one. Boy... what happened next was rather funny.
They came it and started to set me up. As soon as he got everything in and ready, he gave me the test dose of medicine just to make sure it was working. At that point, it was already too late. Brinden was coming right then. Pretty much, I went from 7cm to pushing in about 20 minutes because I sat up completely. I should have known.
But, I only got the test dose of epidural, which was just enough to take a very minimal edge off while pushing. I am kinda bummed that I gave in, but glad that I still got to experience what I did!
October 6th will now forever be a special day! Because it was the day Brinden joined our crazy crew!
They handed him to me and I was just as in love with him as I was his brothers! He was just perfect, and I knew that we chose the right name!!! Brinden James was born at 5:01pm at a whopping 8lbs 11oz and was 20.5in long! He was pure perfection!
And, it helps that the journey of the day was a pretty awesome experience! Aside from the wait we had in the morning, I was very pleased with my labor and delivery experience!
We arrived late, just a little after 8am. It took them 30 minutes just to get us registered before we could go to our room. Once we were in the room and I was changed and on the monitors, it was nearly 3 more hours before they even started getting things going. Finally, they got things going just after 12pm and it was a fast ride!
So, quick timeline:
8:10am - arrive
8:40am - get in room
11:40am - start fluids
12:05pm - start pitocin
3:40pm - water broken
5:01pm - Brinden
I would say it was pretty quick!
Once I hit about 7cm, I was hurting - REALLY BAD. I gave in and asked for an epidural. Filip tried really hard to talk me out of it, but I was set that there was no way I could get through it without one. Boy... what happened next was rather funny.
They came it and started to set me up. As soon as he got everything in and ready, he gave me the test dose of medicine just to make sure it was working. At that point, it was already too late. Brinden was coming right then. Pretty much, I went from 7cm to pushing in about 20 minutes because I sat up completely. I should have known.
But, I only got the test dose of epidural, which was just enough to take a very minimal edge off while pushing. I am kinda bummed that I gave in, but glad that I still got to experience what I did!
October 6th will now forever be a special day! Because it was the day Brinden joined our crazy crew!
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Five Boys? I'm Sorry... NOT!!!
Wow. Sometimes that is all I can think. Just WOW!
Finding out I was pregnant was so very exciting! I couldn't wait to get home to even take the test, much less wait to tell my husband the exciting news! I was grinning ear to ear, surprised that the people I was with didn't notice something was up. But, none-the-less, I was ecstatic and felt extremely excited to be expecting a baby!
Now, if I told you that the experience above was my first pregnancy, you would - without a doubt - understand my excitement and even feel excited for me. But, how would that change if I told you that it was the 6th pregnancy? Would you still feel that excitement for me or would it be something else? (and just quickly, it is my 6th pregnancy but will be my 5th child... I had an ectopic pregnancy in 2009).
So, honestly... I wonder how many people would still feel the crazy excitement knowing I was now expecting a 5th child as they would if I were expecting my 1st child. However, judging by some of the comments I've heard, not many would be excited. In fact, I think they'd feel sorry for me, or worried for me. But I don't understand why.
My excitement was ridiculous when I found out! It is actually hard to explain how excited and happy I felt seeing that second pink line show up! Like I said, ear to ear grin, and felt like I would explode if I didn't share with my husband right away!
So, imagine my disappointment when I was met with less than exciting comments from people - people I didn't even know. Once I started showing, which wasn't long, it began. No matter where we were, people would see me out with my four kids and have their questions and comments. It normally started with "are they all yours?"... to which I would answer "yes"... and then "wow, and you're having another? you really have your hands full".
At first it wasn't too bad, but then I got some comments I wasn't so sure of. Since I have all boys, people automatically assume I only got pregnant again to try for a girl. So, of course when they hear I am having another boy the response is "oh, I'm sorry" or "wow, you really need a girl". Though, I don't get it.
WHY? Why is someone else sorry that I am having another boy? And why do I NEED a girl? I don't understand the need to feel sorry for me, or to tell me what I need. What I NEED is people to be happy for me and to appreciate the gifts God has entrusted me with.
I used to think I would miss out on something by not having a girl. Though, what I have come to realize is that I am not missing out on anything, I have more than enough of what I need! I may not have that girl to dress up, paint nails and do manis and pedis with, but do I really NEED that? Nope.
What I do have is 5 amazing little guys who remind me each day the miracle of God's creations and love. There is a reason God has entrusted these lives with us, and I have great joy in knowing that He chose us to love, nurture, and teach these boys so that they should one day return to His kingdom! What a blessing it is to be so trusted by Him!
So, to those who think that having five children - five boys at that - is a curse, please keep those comments to yourself. I will never feel ashamed or sad about it, and you shouldn't either. My children, my young men, are not a curse! They are blessings! My hands my by full, but so is my heart!
Finding out I was pregnant was so very exciting! I couldn't wait to get home to even take the test, much less wait to tell my husband the exciting news! I was grinning ear to ear, surprised that the people I was with didn't notice something was up. But, none-the-less, I was ecstatic and felt extremely excited to be expecting a baby!
Now, if I told you that the experience above was my first pregnancy, you would - without a doubt - understand my excitement and even feel excited for me. But, how would that change if I told you that it was the 6th pregnancy? Would you still feel that excitement for me or would it be something else? (and just quickly, it is my 6th pregnancy but will be my 5th child... I had an ectopic pregnancy in 2009).
So, honestly... I wonder how many people would still feel the crazy excitement knowing I was now expecting a 5th child as they would if I were expecting my 1st child. However, judging by some of the comments I've heard, not many would be excited. In fact, I think they'd feel sorry for me, or worried for me. But I don't understand why.
My excitement was ridiculous when I found out! It is actually hard to explain how excited and happy I felt seeing that second pink line show up! Like I said, ear to ear grin, and felt like I would explode if I didn't share with my husband right away!
So, imagine my disappointment when I was met with less than exciting comments from people - people I didn't even know. Once I started showing, which wasn't long, it began. No matter where we were, people would see me out with my four kids and have their questions and comments. It normally started with "are they all yours?"... to which I would answer "yes"... and then "wow, and you're having another? you really have your hands full".
At first it wasn't too bad, but then I got some comments I wasn't so sure of. Since I have all boys, people automatically assume I only got pregnant again to try for a girl. So, of course when they hear I am having another boy the response is "oh, I'm sorry" or "wow, you really need a girl". Though, I don't get it.
WHY? Why is someone else sorry that I am having another boy? And why do I NEED a girl? I don't understand the need to feel sorry for me, or to tell me what I need. What I NEED is people to be happy for me and to appreciate the gifts God has entrusted me with.
I used to think I would miss out on something by not having a girl. Though, what I have come to realize is that I am not missing out on anything, I have more than enough of what I need! I may not have that girl to dress up, paint nails and do manis and pedis with, but do I really NEED that? Nope.
What I do have is 5 amazing little guys who remind me each day the miracle of God's creations and love. There is a reason God has entrusted these lives with us, and I have great joy in knowing that He chose us to love, nurture, and teach these boys so that they should one day return to His kingdom! What a blessing it is to be so trusted by Him!
So, to those who think that having five children - five boys at that - is a curse, please keep those comments to yourself. I will never feel ashamed or sad about it, and you shouldn't either. My children, my young men, are not a curse! They are blessings! My hands my by full, but so is my heart!
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
I'm not a one guy type of girl!
"I just never thought I would be a one guy kind of girl"
Yes, this is a statement I have made... and now realize the truth behind it. However, the meaning behind that comment is vastly different today than it was when I originally said it four years ago.
For some reason today, a conversation I had with a friend popped into mind as I was thinking about how different my life is today from just a few years ago. Though, what I realized when I thought about it is that I still can't see myself as a "one guy kind of girl". However, the meaning of that statement has changed tremendously.
The first time I made that statement, it was because I wasn't happy in my marriage and thought other men would "fix" my problem. The thought of being married to one guy, only being with one man for the rest of my life, just wasn't very appealing. Surely I wasn't meant to "settle", I wanted to continue exploring. Why be restricted to just one guy when there were so many out there?!
Though, I have come to realize that was SOOOO wrong. Being married to the one man is exactly what I want (and very much NEED)!!! I was definitely missing something, though it wasn't what I thought it was. I was missing fulfillment. But the kind of fulfillment that I was missing couldn't come from any man here on Earth, it could only come from God.
Now that I have found that fulfillment, and have allowed God to help fill the places of my heart and soul that I tried to fill with men, I see how that statement was so very wrong.
However, I will never be a one guy girl... I can't be, EVER...
God has blessed me with not just one guy, he has blessed me with six of them! I can't possibly be a one guy girl when I have six guys who depend on me every single day!!! So, my statement was correct, just made in the wrong context the first time it was made.
I do believe God knew what he was doing when he gave me all boys! I didn't understand it, and in many ways I still don't, but I see now how it is surely fitting. God knew I needed other guys in my life, so He gave them to me, on His terms! Even though it wasn't in the way I first thought I wanted or needed, I know that His ideas are so much better than mine!
I am so blessed to have a God that loves me enough to give me the things I need!
Yes, this is a statement I have made... and now realize the truth behind it. However, the meaning behind that comment is vastly different today than it was when I originally said it four years ago.
For some reason today, a conversation I had with a friend popped into mind as I was thinking about how different my life is today from just a few years ago. Though, what I realized when I thought about it is that I still can't see myself as a "one guy kind of girl". However, the meaning of that statement has changed tremendously.
The first time I made that statement, it was because I wasn't happy in my marriage and thought other men would "fix" my problem. The thought of being married to one guy, only being with one man for the rest of my life, just wasn't very appealing. Surely I wasn't meant to "settle", I wanted to continue exploring. Why be restricted to just one guy when there were so many out there?!
Though, I have come to realize that was SOOOO wrong. Being married to the one man is exactly what I want (and very much NEED)!!! I was definitely missing something, though it wasn't what I thought it was. I was missing fulfillment. But the kind of fulfillment that I was missing couldn't come from any man here on Earth, it could only come from God.
Now that I have found that fulfillment, and have allowed God to help fill the places of my heart and soul that I tried to fill with men, I see how that statement was so very wrong.
However, I will never be a one guy girl... I can't be, EVER...
God has blessed me with not just one guy, he has blessed me with six of them! I can't possibly be a one guy girl when I have six guys who depend on me every single day!!! So, my statement was correct, just made in the wrong context the first time it was made.
I do believe God knew what he was doing when he gave me all boys! I didn't understand it, and in many ways I still don't, but I see now how it is surely fitting. God knew I needed other guys in my life, so He gave them to me, on His terms! Even though it wasn't in the way I first thought I wanted or needed, I know that His ideas are so much better than mine!
I am so blessed to have a God that loves me enough to give me the things I need!
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
God Changed My Marriage!
One of the things we learn when we begin our faith journey is that the husband should be the spiritual leader of the home. It is engrained in us that the husband is the head of the family, and as such has the role of leading them.
Ephesians 5:22-26 says: Wives, submit to your own husbands as to the Lord, for the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of the body. Now as the church submits to Christ, so wives are to submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her to make her holy, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word.
Though, I have found that some have taken this out of context. It seems like wives believe that if their husband doesn't go to church or believe, that they must follow that, even if they want to live in Christ. They feel that the Bible instructs them to follow their husband, no matter what. However, this isn't true. If you read the first verse again, it says "Wives, submit to your own husband as to the Lord". This doesn't mean to submit to your husband in place of the Lord, but in the same way. You should still submit to the Lord first, even if your husband doesn't.
My marriage is living proof of the work God can do, if we truly live for Him and allow His work in our lives. When I first started following Christ, and truly following - not just going through the motions - my husband wasn't so much into it. He would go to church with me, though mostly just to go along with me, not for himself. I started going to Celebrate Recovery and he stayed home with the kids. My spiritual walk was not along side or behind his, it was in a completely different direction.
I started my journey feeling guilty for stepping out in faith before him. I worried, for a long time, that I was going to "out-grow" him and feel unequally yolked because I was wanting to be so faithful to Christ. Though, what I found happened was exactly the opposite. It didn't happen overnight, but because of my faith and trust in God, things began to change.
Little by little I could see the change in my husband, the change his heart began to make in him. He started having in-depth discussions with me about the messages we heard at church. He took lead on teaching our children to pray at meal times. He started praying and reading the Bible more. Before I knew it, he was leading me to things I hadn't yet done or considered. He was taking his place as the spiritual leader!
Now, a couple years later, I see the blessings God worked in our lives and marriage because I first stepped out in faith and began my walk with Christ. And though I have witnessed these things over that time, this morning I woke up to find a note he made in our Bible app on a study he is doing. It really put it into perspective, reminding me of where we started. So, don't take my word for it, read my husband's words:
"Marriage isn't something that is successful naturally. You have to work hard at it and trust in the Lord. It is through Him that your marriage will succeed and without Him that your marriage will fail. I know this from experience. The more we soak our marriage in the Lord's words the closer we become and the stronger our marriage becomes. It doesn't mean we both started on this road together, however. My wife was the fortunate one to start her walk with Christ before me. She didn't make me walk with her, rather she kept on her path and simply prayed for me and our marriage. I began my walk with Christ because I was shown His grace and His blessings with open eyes finally. I had gone to church for years off/on before that, but I had never really gone to purposefully take in His words to apply it to my life. I pray that God continues to bless my family and that through us He helps us expose others to His blessings. Amen."
I can't even begin to describe the joy that filled me as I read his words. I trusted God in one of the most difficult times of my life, and He has surely blessed me through my marriage. My husband is the most amazing gift from God and I thank Him daily for allowing us to grow in His word, together!
If you are a wife who's husband doesn't follow Christ, don't let that hold you back from living in faith yourself. Let God lead you and He WILL figure out the rest too! Don't miss out on Christ's love out of worry or fear of "out-growing" your spouse. Keep faithful in prayer and He will answer.
I pray for all marriages to find the grace and blessings we've found through Christ's love!
Ephesians 5:22-26 says: Wives, submit to your own husbands as to the Lord, for the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of the body. Now as the church submits to Christ, so wives are to submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her to make her holy, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word.
Though, I have found that some have taken this out of context. It seems like wives believe that if their husband doesn't go to church or believe, that they must follow that, even if they want to live in Christ. They feel that the Bible instructs them to follow their husband, no matter what. However, this isn't true. If you read the first verse again, it says "Wives, submit to your own husband as to the Lord". This doesn't mean to submit to your husband in place of the Lord, but in the same way. You should still submit to the Lord first, even if your husband doesn't.
My marriage is living proof of the work God can do, if we truly live for Him and allow His work in our lives. When I first started following Christ, and truly following - not just going through the motions - my husband wasn't so much into it. He would go to church with me, though mostly just to go along with me, not for himself. I started going to Celebrate Recovery and he stayed home with the kids. My spiritual walk was not along side or behind his, it was in a completely different direction.
I started my journey feeling guilty for stepping out in faith before him. I worried, for a long time, that I was going to "out-grow" him and feel unequally yolked because I was wanting to be so faithful to Christ. Though, what I found happened was exactly the opposite. It didn't happen overnight, but because of my faith and trust in God, things began to change.
Little by little I could see the change in my husband, the change his heart began to make in him. He started having in-depth discussions with me about the messages we heard at church. He took lead on teaching our children to pray at meal times. He started praying and reading the Bible more. Before I knew it, he was leading me to things I hadn't yet done or considered. He was taking his place as the spiritual leader!
Now, a couple years later, I see the blessings God worked in our lives and marriage because I first stepped out in faith and began my walk with Christ. And though I have witnessed these things over that time, this morning I woke up to find a note he made in our Bible app on a study he is doing. It really put it into perspective, reminding me of where we started. So, don't take my word for it, read my husband's words:
"Marriage isn't something that is successful naturally. You have to work hard at it and trust in the Lord. It is through Him that your marriage will succeed and without Him that your marriage will fail. I know this from experience. The more we soak our marriage in the Lord's words the closer we become and the stronger our marriage becomes. It doesn't mean we both started on this road together, however. My wife was the fortunate one to start her walk with Christ before me. She didn't make me walk with her, rather she kept on her path and simply prayed for me and our marriage. I began my walk with Christ because I was shown His grace and His blessings with open eyes finally. I had gone to church for years off/on before that, but I had never really gone to purposefully take in His words to apply it to my life. I pray that God continues to bless my family and that through us He helps us expose others to His blessings. Amen."
I can't even begin to describe the joy that filled me as I read his words. I trusted God in one of the most difficult times of my life, and He has surely blessed me through my marriage. My husband is the most amazing gift from God and I thank Him daily for allowing us to grow in His word, together!
If you are a wife who's husband doesn't follow Christ, don't let that hold you back from living in faith yourself. Let God lead you and He WILL figure out the rest too! Don't miss out on Christ's love out of worry or fear of "out-growing" your spouse. Keep faithful in prayer and He will answer.
I pray for all marriages to find the grace and blessings we've found through Christ's love!
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Admit and Live in Light!
All around, I felt very spoken to today! I love it when I feel God is very clearly sending a message, especially when it's a message I NEED to hear!
1 John 1:5-10 says:
Now this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him. If we say, “We have fellowship with Him,” yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth. But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say, “We don’t have any sin,” we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
I spent so much of my life living in the darkness. Saying I believed but then doing nothing that proved that. I allowed sin to control my life and tried to hide it, even though I wasn't very successful. And, that's not to say I don't still sin. I do. But, I am much more aware of my sin now, and willing to admit it. And these verses are so much part of what I believe now, and so very true!
I love that it was said that you can't live in the dark and the light at the same time, because you really can't. You can't hide your sin, deny it, and be a faithful follower of Christ at the same time. It just doesn't work that way. But by bringing that sin into the light, exposing it, you are living in the light!
That is one reason I have felt very pulled to be so open and raw about my life. I don't want to hide who I am, and I shouldn't. I don't even want to hide my sin. I want it exposed, I want others to see it, because I want others to help guide me back to Christ. If I am hiding it, I am moving further and further from God, and that just doesn't work for me!
I have heard that I am too open, and sometimes I will admit I have been. Though, I am learning! I am starting to find who I should and shouldn't share with. I am learning how much to share and with who. I am learning who God is placed in my life as guides to help me in my journey closer to Him!
And lately, I have worried that sharing has allowed for my faith to be called into question. Or for others to think that because I still mess up that I can't possibly have the faith that I claim. Today's message, however, reminds me that it's because of my sharing, and because I am able to admit I mess up (more often than I like to admit), shows my faith and how much I really do believe He forgives our sins! I admit because He told me to! I admit because my faith is in His word and His love and forgiveness!
I am a grateful believer in Jesus Christ who struggles with sin. I am also a grateful believer that wants to live in the light, even if my sin shows, and gain His forgiveness!
1 John 1:5-10 says:
Now this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him. If we say, “We have fellowship with Him,” yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth. But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say, “We don’t have any sin,” we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
I spent so much of my life living in the darkness. Saying I believed but then doing nothing that proved that. I allowed sin to control my life and tried to hide it, even though I wasn't very successful. And, that's not to say I don't still sin. I do. But, I am much more aware of my sin now, and willing to admit it. And these verses are so much part of what I believe now, and so very true!
I love that it was said that you can't live in the dark and the light at the same time, because you really can't. You can't hide your sin, deny it, and be a faithful follower of Christ at the same time. It just doesn't work that way. But by bringing that sin into the light, exposing it, you are living in the light!
That is one reason I have felt very pulled to be so open and raw about my life. I don't want to hide who I am, and I shouldn't. I don't even want to hide my sin. I want it exposed, I want others to see it, because I want others to help guide me back to Christ. If I am hiding it, I am moving further and further from God, and that just doesn't work for me!
I have heard that I am too open, and sometimes I will admit I have been. Though, I am learning! I am starting to find who I should and shouldn't share with. I am learning how much to share and with who. I am learning who God is placed in my life as guides to help me in my journey closer to Him!
And lately, I have worried that sharing has allowed for my faith to be called into question. Or for others to think that because I still mess up that I can't possibly have the faith that I claim. Today's message, however, reminds me that it's because of my sharing, and because I am able to admit I mess up (more often than I like to admit), shows my faith and how much I really do believe He forgives our sins! I admit because He told me to! I admit because my faith is in His word and His love and forgiveness!
I am a grateful believer in Jesus Christ who struggles with sin. I am also a grateful believer that wants to live in the light, even if my sin shows, and gain His forgiveness!
Sunday, August 17, 2014
"REAL"
Not very long ago I posted a "date night" question that I went ahead and answered.
- Question to ask during date night: What words do you hope people use to describe our marriage?
- Answer was: I hope people say Christ-centered, loving, honest and inspiring! We may not always get it right but God has blessed us beyond all belief! I pray that we can some how inspire others for Christ through our marriage!
Those are still definitely words I pray others use, or will use, when talking about our marriage. However, today I heard another word that I didn't think of when answering the question, but definitely love that it was used to describe us.
"REAL". Real. What an awesome word, especially in this context. Though, why would, and why should, we feel blessed that this is a word used to describe our marriage? Because it shows that people see we are raw and open. It is a compliment to me, because I never want to be fake (or have anyone think I am) when it comes to loving one of the best blessings God has given me! Our marriage has been through the ringer, and even down the toilet tubes a few times... but even with all our issues, I don't want to ever put on a show that is unbelievable or false.
I spent too many years trying to put on a show for those around us. Wanting people to think we had a good marriage, when in fact we had some pretty extreme struggles. I hid my emotions and feelings from him, and everyone, thinking I was supposed to have it all together. I faked a smile, faked a few hugs and pretended that I was happy when I was feeling so dead and trapped inside. And I now realize that no one should do that. So, after so long of being so fake, I want nothing more than to just be "real"!!!
When I was given this compliment today, my heart thanked God for His intervention in my marriage. I almost cried over it, in a good way, because it felt so great to be seen that way, especially after all we've gone through. And God is the ONLY reason we've gotten to this place of realness with each other, and with those around us. So, my heart was extremely thankful to Him for being the center of our marriage and teaching us how to be real! And for opening our hearts to a kind of love I don't think either of us had ever experienced before!
Because my love is real, and because God's power is real! And showing how real God's power can be is the greatest thing we can share with others!!!
- Question to ask during date night: What words do you hope people use to describe our marriage?
- Answer was: I hope people say Christ-centered, loving, honest and inspiring! We may not always get it right but God has blessed us beyond all belief! I pray that we can some how inspire others for Christ through our marriage!
Those are still definitely words I pray others use, or will use, when talking about our marriage. However, today I heard another word that I didn't think of when answering the question, but definitely love that it was used to describe us.
"REAL". Real. What an awesome word, especially in this context. Though, why would, and why should, we feel blessed that this is a word used to describe our marriage? Because it shows that people see we are raw and open. It is a compliment to me, because I never want to be fake (or have anyone think I am) when it comes to loving one of the best blessings God has given me! Our marriage has been through the ringer, and even down the toilet tubes a few times... but even with all our issues, I don't want to ever put on a show that is unbelievable or false.
I spent too many years trying to put on a show for those around us. Wanting people to think we had a good marriage, when in fact we had some pretty extreme struggles. I hid my emotions and feelings from him, and everyone, thinking I was supposed to have it all together. I faked a smile, faked a few hugs and pretended that I was happy when I was feeling so dead and trapped inside. And I now realize that no one should do that. So, after so long of being so fake, I want nothing more than to just be "real"!!!
When I was given this compliment today, my heart thanked God for His intervention in my marriage. I almost cried over it, in a good way, because it felt so great to be seen that way, especially after all we've gone through. And God is the ONLY reason we've gotten to this place of realness with each other, and with those around us. So, my heart was extremely thankful to Him for being the center of our marriage and teaching us how to be real! And for opening our hearts to a kind of love I don't think either of us had ever experienced before!
Because my love is real, and because God's power is real! And showing how real God's power can be is the greatest thing we can share with others!!!
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