At The Red Sea

God could have chosen to have the Red Sea all dried by the time the children of Israel arrived. They would have walked across and basically disappeared from sight. Believing in magic and mysticism, Pharaoh would have explained it away claiming Moses performed some trick. Instead God chose to allow Pharaoh to be right on their heels before making a way when no one could see a way. He allowed the enemy to view the glory and power of God at work in the lives of His people. Not only did the children of Israel experience another miracle of God's hand but the enemy also had to witness it so everyone would know that it was God and only God!

Even after witnessing the power of God, the enemy didn't stop pursuit. Had they turned back at that moment, then they would have been spared. The problem with that is that Pharaoh would have just tried to find another way to attack, harass and hurt and kill the children of Israel. God allowed them to keep coming until HE said no more. While God was preparing a way out of trouble for His people, He was also creating the trap for the enemies demise.

So if you are standing at your Red Sea with the enemy on your trail, just lift your hands to God and ask Him to make a way because you can't see a way. He is more than willing and able to not only deliver you from the enemy but He will stop the enemy from ever coming for you again.

Gotta Make It Home

I have a goal or bucket list item to run a 5k. I have even registered for one a few months away. I am using an app for couch to 5k or 0 to 5k to help me  train. It is an 8 week training to gradually get you to running for about 35-40 minutes nonstop, which is the average time it takes to run a 5k. I haven't done an intentional run since I left the military many many moons ago. The week 1 day 1 listed the program as a warm up walk and alternating 1 min run with 1 min walk. When you haven't run in years one minute can seem like an eternity.

I am determined to complete the program and run the 5k. During my walk/runs, I sometimes feel pains in areas of my legs that I did not know could hurt so badly. The program cues you when to walk and when to run. Oh what joy when it says.....slow down and walk. Sweet relief, but just momentarily because it will soon say...start running! The pain doesn't last long and after a day off, I am ready to go again.

I start out from my house and run through the park and then out to the main road that runs through the development. Strangely enough the best part for me is when it announces- You Have Reached The Halfway Mark!! You would think that could be discouraging but I get excited as I turn back and head home. The entire way I am thinking- all I have to do is make it home. I know when I get home, I can rest, relax, rehydrate and rejuvenate. When I get home it wall all be worth it.

^{Matthew 25:21}
 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Life gets hard sometimes. We will have hills and valleys, bumps and bruises, and feel some pain along the way. No matter how it hurts, keep going. There is relief at home. All we have to do is make it home and we can find rest in the arms of our Saviour. Stay encouraged, keep pressing. The race isn't given to the swift....

Just make it home.

Love Y'all  

God Knows My Name

As the youngest child, it is natural that I was never the first to do anything. Even though there are nine of us, my sibling closest in age is just two years ahead of me. All through our school aged years I was referred to as A's sister. Even as an adult people still refer and remember me as A's sister. Even when they struggle to remember a name, her name is the first one that is called. I often have to remind people that I'm the little sister...G. She is an awesome person and woman of God so it's cool. 

I moved my church membership about 4 years ago into a church in which I had one older sister join decades before. She is such a social butterfly and everyone knows her in every church we attend. Even when I moved my membership to another city, people kept welcoming me the first several weeks as though I was visiting until my sister came to speak. Well whadaya know....now I'm known as Sis. D's sister. And that's cool too because she is also an awesome person and woman of God.

I am also happily married to a pretty well known guy in our area. He knows quite a few people and many people know of him because of community activities and connections he's made through church and business over the years. I count it an honor to share this ordained covenant with him. He's an out front person and I stay more in the background, but always supporting. He honors me and lavishes me with devotion and words of love and commitment publicly.  With that, I am now referred to as K's wife. 

I just attended a family reunion and by the end of the weekend, my oldest cousin (83) finally remembered who I was upon sight. I thought it was cute and funny because I have seen him around town and at other family events several times. He always re-introduces himself. Well after the family worshiped together he came to me and said he was so happy to have looked up and saw me there. I asked who I was and without hesitation he replied.....DOC'S GRANDDAUGHTER!(That's a new one..lol)

Luke 10:19-20

…19"Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you. 20"Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven."

When I stand before God, He won't reference anybody else. He won't judge me base on anyone else. In my spot in the Lamb's book of life there will only be My Name. The plans for my mansion aren't labeled A's sister. God loves me and He knows My Name. He will call me by My Name!

Love Y'all!!!

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!!!