SEVEN THIRTEEN

Where do you live? I live at 713. There is a lot of daily activity at 713. With a husband, wife, a teenager and a dog on the daily, there is bound to be lots of activity. Sometimes that grows by two more little boys and a college student. My husband and I like to entertain so there are also times that our home can barely hold another person comfortably. With all of these people around and everything that we encounter in a day, there is never a shortage of conversations for pillow talk at then end of the day.

Being the counselor that I am, I tend to want to know the why behind people's actions. I often try to resolve and solve things, mend and restore things that should very well be left alone. My husband reminds me that sometimes you have to leave people to their own devices.

1Thessalonians 4:11
Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.

So my husband and I have developed a code as a reminder to each other to mind our own business and not concern ourselves too much with what other people have going on....Especially if it doesn't affect us.
713
When either of us brings up or begins to go into that 'zone' of other people's business, we just say Seven Thirteen. That reminds us where we live and what we need to be concerned about.
We have found that staying out of other people's business helps keep other people out of ours.
Make your life more peaceful and quiet, live at your home.

Love y'all!!!

The Hairs On My Head

There are times in life that we encounter events that aren't catastrophic and to most may seem very minor. I have heard people say that God has more important things to deal with than the seemingly insignificant things in one's life. One thing that we must first understand is what may seem insignificant to some, may be the thread that starts the entire blanket to unravel.

The truth is that most times when people ask how you are or if everything is okay, it is just a formality and they are not really concerned about the small things and maybe not even the big things. You may get a caring response or the person may seem annoyed that you actually began to share something that was bothering you.
With God, we never have to wonder what His response will be. He desires that we bring everything to Him, no matter how insignificant it seems.
Matthew 10:31-32
And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
 

I have had many stylist try to count the number of locs in my hair to determine what they should charge for the services. Each time they lost count before completion. The best guess was over 300. God cares enough to know this number and so much more about me. As the elders say....Lord you made us and You know all about us.

So the next time it feels as though no one cares about what you have going on, remember God cares...

Ce Ce Winans sings a song entitled He's Concerned. Some of the lyrics remind us.....

He knows
He cares
He sees
He's there
And He'll carry you
He's concerned about you

Love Y'all

God Knows!!!

God Knows- been having a pretty rough week. I have been working lots of overtime which the job in itself isn't taxing but just the extra hours takes a toll after a while. Got mental stuff going on with some things I'm working on and changes I want to make. Still gotta be a good wife and be all that my hubby needs while he deals with his own mounting stresses. 

Mentally drained I stopped in cvs to get batteries before heading home. Coming out I hear the sweetest voice yell  HEY!!!

I looked into the face of a pretty little girl about 4 years old, smiling and waving at me while waiting for her guardian to complete the redbox transaction. I returned the greeting and continued to my car. She yells out-GIMME A HUG!

Shocked I asked her what she said. GIMME A HUG!

I asked the guardian if it was okay(who seemed more interested in the redbox than the child summoning strangers).

She had no idea how much I was the one who really needed that hug. That made my whole day alright. 

How can you bring a smile to someone's day?

Love  Y'all!!!

Looking For A Sign

In the counseling field it is very common to encounter many reasons as to why things are the way they are. You can be flooded with justifications for any and everything done wrong and going wrong. It can also be that same experience in everyday encounters with friends and family and fellow believers. I have heard many people say- I know what I should do but I'm waiting on God to tell me- I know it is the right thing to do but I'm waiting to hear from God- I know I should go but I'm waiting on God to move me. This may come as a surprise to someone waiting on a word from the prophet, God is speaking to us daily. God has already spoken .....

Did you hear that? There is your promise, there is your direction, there is your comfort, there is your guide, there is your hope! The Bible, the Holy Scriptures has it all. Please don't be caught with your work undone and your To Do list is collecting dust.
It is very easy to justify a wrong, but will you have the courage to do what you already know is right?

Love Y'all!!!

If That's What You Want

Don't worry about what you can't control. You may be able to influence the thoughts, actions and deeds of others but never will you control them. We were created with free will and designed to make our own choices. By the same token our consequences for our decisions are ours too. 

I am learning to leave people to their own devices. Some people don't want to be different or what you may see as better.  The desire to change starts from within each of  us.  If your surrounding situation has not changed  over time  and you are stlill stressing over the situation, may I encourage you to stop worrying about what you can't control  and control what you can. Your thoughts, your reactions, your  peace. 

Roman 1:28

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

If it seems as though you have been beating your hands and head against a brick wall, trying to show someone a better way and it's causing your more stress and pain than doing them any good,  give yourself a break. As heartbreaking as it can be sometimes, you can't continue to worry about what you can't control. 

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change; 
courage to change the things I can; 
and wisdom to know the difference.

Love y'all!!!

How Will You Make It?

I decided to try a new nail salon in the area for some pampering services. As I sat relaxing, the nail tech began a conversation when he noticed my wedding ring set.
Tech (Mr.Thomas)- How long have you been married?
Me- Just 13 months now.
Tech- Oh you are still honeymooning.
Me- Yep!! We sure are!
Tech- You know they say you have to make it 7 years before you can say you have made it.
Me- I can't focus on 7 years. I just have to make it through today.

He began to ponder what I said and responded- If only more people thought that way.

The reality is that we are not promised 7 more years. I thought about this when I read a post from a friend that is two weeks into the journey of being smoke free. How awesome!!!
James 4:14
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

The only way to make it is One Day At A Time. Every day you are given, focus on your goal for that day. I want a happy marriage TODAY. I want to remain clean TODAY. I want to be sober TODAY. Before you know it, many TODAYS will add up to many weeks, months and many years.
In the words of an old familiar song....
 One day at a time, sweet Jesus. That's all I'm asking of you. Give me the strength to do everything, that I have to do. Yesterday's gone, sweet Jesus and tomorrow may never be mine. Lord for my sake, help me to take....One Day At A Time.
Love Y'all to life!!! 

Resist Resist Resist

James 4:7

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Please understand that he will flee but he's the devil, he's gonna try to come back again! Somebody will keep agitating and aggravating you. He or she will keep calling or texting after you have finally found the strength to say it is over.  Quick schemes will continue to present themselves. I believe in you. You believe in you. God believes in you! The devil is gonna keep trying you to prove you wrong.

Be  strong in The Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.