Follow His Footprints

Juggling with Purpose

Learning to juggle is on my bucket list. I literally just put it down next to “go to Italy and eat”. Juggling seems so easy and so hard. The symbiosis of keeping all the balls in the air appears effortless and beautiful. Yet it’s a purposeful skill to learn.

Last year, life had many balls and I wasn’t juggling any of them well. Don’t get me wrong, I loved them all (most of the time). But often nothing worked together and too many were about to fall. I existed by catching one speeding ball after another without a plan. It drove my type A mind crazy!

We all have parts of our lives to juggle, especially as women. We strive in each and find ourselves multitasking to accomplish it all. [Read more…]

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Encouragement Ahead

I was sure she could do it, even though she felt unsure. I could see it even if she couldn’t.

Have you ever had a sense about someone else’s ability? This often occurs with our children or another loved one. Recently, our daughter started driving with her temporary license. She was initially nervous and unsure of herself. But I knew once she tried it, she would be great, and she is! I had full confidence in her, even if she didn’t.

For the last few years, I’ve picked a word(s) for the year. Initially upon hearing of others doing this, I was skeptical. Honestly, it seemed a bit self-serving. But then I tried it. I asked God for my word at the end of 2016 and sensed it was joy.

Joy became a thing for me-I found Bible verses, inspirational quotes, plaques and told many all about my word. God knew I needed joy that year and He didn’t disappoint. Not only did I find joy in the obvious, good things of life, but I also found it in the not-so-good. I learned many things that year and was able to share them here (just search joy on the blog!) and elsewhere, helping others along the way. This one word for the year thing hooked me.

Last year it was a combination word. Present Presence intrigued me as God settled it into my being at the end of 2017. I set about finding and being a present presence in the lives of those I love while also searching for God’s present presence in all things. Of course, I again was inundated with seeing this everywhere and was also reminded by others when I got distracted. Focusing on these two words last year was incredibly meaningful as I focused on being present and a presence during the last few months of my dad’s life and with my son before he left for college. I also completely felt God’s present presence with me in all my moments.

So here we are in a new year and ready for the next word. The last month or so I’ve been sensing God give me the word encourage. Years ago, I retook a Spiritual Gifts survey. I was rekindling my connection to God and wanted to make sure I’d use the gifts He gave me well as I followed. When “encouragement” came up in my top three gifts, I was surprised. I tucked it away and moved on. Shortly after, I began writing and often it was to encourage someone else. Guess God knows what He’s doing.

If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. ~ Romans 12:8a

But when encourage came up as my word for this year, I hesitated. Wasn’t I already doing this? Yet, there was no other word I sensed from Him. Then yesterday more confirmation came as I was preparing some verses for the new year to share…

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. ~1 Thessalonians 5:11

Yes, God knows I’m already doing this as the verse describes. I realized just as I have confidence in my daughter, son, and others, God has confidence in us. He has already given us the ability to do all He has created us to do. He knows we can accomplish all He has planned but often we stop ourselves from achieving His plans with our feelings and/or lack of confidence.

So instead of hesitating, it’s time to put our faith in what God says we can do and be. It’s time to trust, and yes, encourage others and even ourselves to live out His plans. Maybe my word isn’t just about encouraging others, but also myself. Maybe He’s prompting me like Lauren Daigle does in her song You Say to see myself as He does.

There’s so much more I’m already thinking about with encourage. I’m not entirely sure where this word will lead, but that’s part of the journey. Based on experience, God has great plans for me and it together. In the meantime, as you make plans for 2019, please enjoy these 10 Verses for a New Year to encourage as you trust, plan, and follow Him.

And if you’re thinking about choosing one word for the year-let me encourage 😉you to go ahead and ask God to give you one. Really pray, listen, pay attention and then grab onto what He gives, even if it’s not what you’re expecting. You won’t regret it, in fact, it may make 2019 even more memorable.

I’m sure of it.

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Honoring Gratitude

It’s been a long year. I’ve lost two of my favorite people, battled annoying physical issues and been blindsided by multiple challenges. These circumstances often left me ungrateful even though God wove in wonderful and unforgettable moments amid the woeful and wearisome. The year has simply left me tired and unsure of what’s next. But the last few weeks have also given another perspective. It’s time to honor gratitude.

As Christians, we are called to give thanks in all circumstances. Realistically that’s easier some days than others. Instead we often complain, ask why, or are mad at what God gives and allows. It’s difficult to be thankful when struggling to keep our heads above water. But in all my circumstances, especially the not so good ones, I’ve always known and felt God’s presence. For that I am grateful.

God doesn’t expect us to be perfect. In fact He knows better than anyone we aren’t. Which is why He’s always faithfully present. He fully comprehends our imperfection and sent Jesus to save us and the Holy Spirit to speak to us. So in the moments we don’t understand, want to cry, pull our hair out, or throw up our hands, we can instead call upon God and shift toward gratitude.

We do this not because we want to or should, but because we can. The gift of God’s saving grace ensures a heavenly home for those who believe. But God’s grace doesn’t begin when this life ends. His grace also provides the gift of His in-dwelling peace and presence right now.

Right now-in the midst of the mess, loss, hurt, rejection and pain this life can bring, God is here. God won’t always change what’s happening to us. But He will always be present with us.

God won’t always change what’s happening to us, but will always be present with us #gratitude #trust
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Sometimes life isn’t fun. Often it’s painful, sad, and worrisome. It throws curves when we’re expecting the fastball. It zigs when we want to zag and leaves us breathlessly swinging to keep up.

But we shouldn’t let the swinging, zagging and worrying make us lose sight of what we already possess-God’s presence, peace, and grace. He’s here with each us. Even when we feel no one can fully understand. God can and does and He’s right here fully understanding everything about us. We’d be wise to remember this. {I just heard this fantastic song, Remember by Lauren Daigle (love her!) that reminds us to remember God’s faithfulness and presence in everything.}

This Thanksgiving and holiday season when everyone else is merry and thankful, circumstances may tempt us to not feel the same. Yet, I’m remembering while I may not be thankful for everything, I am grateful for His never ending presence in everything.

Instead of feeling sad, worried, or unsure of the future, I’ll simply shift my perspective and honor gratitude. I will give thanks to and for the God who created me, saved me and never, ever leaves me.

Honored to link up with this special gift guide from Crystal Storms-check it out!

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Finding Presence

But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord,  for our hope is in you alone. ~Psalm 33:18,20-22

Something about a hurricane threatening your child makes one’s mama bear instincts kick in. Three weeks after our son went to college a potential hurricane loomed on his horizon. My pride in not worrying too much blew away as Tropical Storm Gordon blew close. Thankfully it bypassed his area and all was well, but for a nervous few days, I lived 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “never stop praying“!

Simultaneous to Gordon, additional family issues blew in and a few days rolled into a swirling month of life storms. On the other side of those life changing storms, I am simply thankful. Thankful to my God who through it all, never left me or mine. His presence was ever present. As literal and figurative storms approached, hit with fury and now in the aftermath, I always sensed and leaned into His presence.

When the words Present Presence came for this year last December, I anticipated they had to do with my son leaving for college and my dad’s failing health. I wanted to be present for both of them, the rest of my family, and feel God’s presence in all of it. Now approaching the end of this year, our son has indeed moved across the country to college and my dad and other loved ones have moved to their eternal home with Jesus. I miss them all in different ways, but one thing has remained constant: God’s presence with each of us.

For those of you anticipating a blog series on God’s presence as mentioned in my last newsletter, recent life storms have blown that plan away. But not even minor or major life situations could blow God’s presence from me. While my writing plan may have vanished with the wind, God had another, better plan for me-to show His presence even more powerfully than any literal or figurative storm of life.

Instead of writing about His presence, I simply felt it in so many ways. I found God was present in:

  • Those who came beside me and mine. They prayed, gave up their sleep, helped with what was needed, or simply lent a hug and their presence. So many were His hands and feet as we weathered life storms. Another reminder to always be available because we may never know how a simple act can mean so much. (I sense another blog post from this lesson…)
  • His Word. Multiple times daily His Word came to me with just what was needed in a daily devotion, verse of the day, scripture at worship, or Christian songs that came on at just the right moment. Don’t dismiss the coincidences of life-they may simply be God showing His presence.
  • Prayer. His presence soothed as I whispered prayers for so many situations this last year. He heard me, lead me to solutions and comforted me in the midst of it all. As I prayed incessantly, I often would sense an answer or a direction afterwards. Even if the next step wasn’t always clear, I ALWAYS knew He heard me and was with me and those I love. One of my last memories of Dad was praying with him the prayer Jesus taught us. It’s a gift I’ll always treasure.

This year began with a desire to be physically present with those I love more. I feel blessed I did this in many ways. Most importantly, His presence was acutely palpable, often when least expected. I began seeking to be present and feel His presence and found so much more.

Winding down this year, there’s an even greater desire to be present for those I love, serve and find in my life daily. His presence continues to prompt me to be His hands and feet and encourage others along the way. I sense that will still include writing here on the blog, but not sure how that will evolve.

In the interim, I pray He continues to give me words to share and encourage. But for now, some time away is needed. I’m going to continue seeking His presence and path for me and mine, trusting in His timing. More than ever before, He has shown me His plan reins higher than mine, especially in life’s small and even hurricane force storms.

But let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God’s presence. Let them be filled with joy. ~Psalm 68:3

My hope is in Him alone. He is with me, my child across the country and my dad in heaven. He will never leave me or any of us just as Joshua was told:

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

Trusting in these promises, let’s continue to follow one footprint at a time. Keep seeking His presence and see how it changes you and your storms of your life. Need some more encouragement in seeking His presence? Check out this song I found over and over again this year. Please keep in touch and let me know how His presence helps you with a comment or on social media. Until we connect again, let’s keep following His footprints to wherever they lead us.

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Instilling Faith to Follow

It’s back to school season and this year that meant a college far, far away for my first born. I often wondered if I had done enough as a mom to pave a path of faith to follow. It made me think of all the ways this world can impact our children and how our influence as Christian parents can create a firm foundation.

More than any other time in history, our children are being raised in a world surrounded by expanding temptations, publicly differing opinions and increasing negativity. The rise of social media platforms give way to things like divisive political arguments while television programming and movies are less edifying-all shaping the current environment. As parents, it is more important than ever to do what we can to set a good example and encourage our children’s faith as they grow.
Form traditions & habits while they are young
We’ve talked about being purposefully present and how easy it is to be distracted by the littlest things, but it is just as important to help our children be mindful of being present in their faith. It begins by being a good witness with our own faithful actions, sharing the ups and downs of leading a life of faith, and setting a Godly example.

Another good way to do this is to instill habits that bring our children closer to God daily. Simple ideas like having them pray before meals and at night are the start to getting our children conversing with God throughout their day. Reading their Bible along with daily devotions can give them spiritual wisdom to take with them in their day ahead. Start traditions that they can look forward to like worshiping together or a family Bible study once a week.

Quality family time is important for any child’s growth, but it’s even more imperative to instill a strong spiritual mindset for our children. Attending church every Sunday is a good start, but the church’s additional opportunities can immerse them in the Spirit and help them make new friends who have similar values. As they get older, they can participate in youth ministry groups, worship services, and Bible studies.

Outside of the church, look for spiritual opportunities during family outings and activities. Go on nature walks and visit parks, appreciating the majesty of the Lord’s creation. Curl up on the couch as a family for movie nights, and whether the movies you watch have a specific message of faith or not, discuss lessons learned and moral observations of the characters. They then will be more mindful of this thinking and relate it to their Christian perspective when they consume media on their own.
Communication is key
It is so important to be open and honest with our children and expect the same from them. If they see something inappropriate on TV or hear something bad in school, discuss why it is inappropriate from your perspective as well as in God’s eyes. When they talk about the types of media they want to consume or want to do something with their friends that we don’t agree with, let’s not just just tell them they can’t watch or do something and leave it there.

Being specific in why something might not be appropriate as a Christian is definitely more important as they grow into their teenage years. It will hopefully instill not just knowing right from wrong, but a desire to be their best self for God. Most importantly, when they do set a good example or otherwise make us proud, let’s not hesitate to give them praise and appreciation for doing the right thing.
I pray these these simple reminders will help strengthen our children’s faith and give them the encouragement to develop into the great Christ-following individuals they were created to be. I know there were moments I didn’t always follow through on all of these suggestions. But it’s my prayer that I created a foundation of faith to follow nonetheless.

Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.
Proverbs 22:6 NLT

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