Our world is in need of great prayer. There is devastation all around us; and you only have to look as far as the local news channel to see it. We need the Lord now more than ever. Join me today for the National Day of Prayer.
May 5, 2011
May 4, 2011
May 2, 2011
Olivia Reading!
You'll have to turn the volume all the way up on your computer, and even then you'll have to really listen!
Our sweet Olivia reads!!
May 1, 2011
my thoughts today...
All this hoop-la over the royal wedding has had me thinking the past couple of days. As I watched Kate {who looked GORGEOUS, by the way} make her way down the aisle to her prince I began to remember that moment in my life. Looking back on our wedding day, several things stick out in my mind. I remember getting dressed; I remember taking my Paw Paw's hand just before we went down the aisle and subsequently letting go of his hand to take Chance's instead; I remember thinking how significant that moment was; I remember our first dance; getting mad at the photographer; and dancing the night away with some of my closest friends. But mostly I remember thinking that our marriage would break the cycle. That we would be happy. We'd grow old together, because I was going to be such a good wife and he would be such a good husband. If all that's true, where did we- where did I go wrong. What does it really mean to be a good wife?
".. Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. she will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. she seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She percieveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."
So that's what the Word has to say on the topic. But what does that mean for my life, and my marriage? I'm no expert; but for me it means taking care of your family, loving and respecting your husband, minding your household and worshiping the Lord. That being said: I have failed in many ways. I think the only thing I have done on a consistent basis over the past 3 1/2 years was to love Chance. I slack in the housework; I don't always submit to my husband and respect his role in our family {if I'm being completely honest- I rarely do;} and I love the Lord, but some days {even weeks} have gone by and I realize I've had no dialogue with Him. I'm not proud of any of this, but still I feel compelled to share my experiences and my life.
Now as Chance and I have begun a new walk together over the past 13 months it's been like our marriage has been put under a microscope. Every little mistake, or wrong-doing that previously would have gotten swept under the rug for another day now has blinking, neon lights around it. So I am forced to re-evaluate my relationship with Chance and my relationship with God. With Chance, I'm praying really hard. Praying that God give me a spirit of forgiveness to get past hurtful words, wisdom to do and say the right{eous} things, and that He would give me peace in the time of transition. I'm continually reminding myself of the words in Proverbs 31, and meditating on how it applies to me. And I'm seeking every day to be the kind of wife I had envisioned myself as on our wedding day. As for my relationship with the Lord, I'm praying for that as well. Instead of praying when I need, or want something to go my way; I pray continually throughout the day. While I'm cleaning, showering, driving. All the trivial tasks of my day, suddenly have a greater purpose, yes- I may be shaving my legs, but I'm having a heart to heart with God also. I'm praying for Chance, for myself, for our Olivia, for our families. It's already shifting my outlook on the everyday, and I know in my heart that His works have only begun.
".. Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. she will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. she seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She percieveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."
So that's what the Word has to say on the topic. But what does that mean for my life, and my marriage? I'm no expert; but for me it means taking care of your family, loving and respecting your husband, minding your household and worshiping the Lord. That being said: I have failed in many ways. I think the only thing I have done on a consistent basis over the past 3 1/2 years was to love Chance. I slack in the housework; I don't always submit to my husband and respect his role in our family {if I'm being completely honest- I rarely do;} and I love the Lord, but some days {even weeks} have gone by and I realize I've had no dialogue with Him. I'm not proud of any of this, but still I feel compelled to share my experiences and my life.
Now as Chance and I have begun a new walk together over the past 13 months it's been like our marriage has been put under a microscope. Every little mistake, or wrong-doing that previously would have gotten swept under the rug for another day now has blinking, neon lights around it. So I am forced to re-evaluate my relationship with Chance and my relationship with God. With Chance, I'm praying really hard. Praying that God give me a spirit of forgiveness to get past hurtful words, wisdom to do and say the right{eous} things, and that He would give me peace in the time of transition. I'm continually reminding myself of the words in Proverbs 31, and meditating on how it applies to me. And I'm seeking every day to be the kind of wife I had envisioned myself as on our wedding day. As for my relationship with the Lord, I'm praying for that as well. Instead of praying when I need, or want something to go my way; I pray continually throughout the day. While I'm cleaning, showering, driving. All the trivial tasks of my day, suddenly have a greater purpose, yes- I may be shaving my legs, but I'm having a heart to heart with God also. I'm praying for Chance, for myself, for our Olivia, for our families. It's already shifting my outlook on the everyday, and I know in my heart that His works have only begun.
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