Living to Give

The other day I was driving to our favorite place, the doctor's office, when we had not one but two people almost hit us in the time span of 5 minutes. In each situation that day, both drivers were not concerned about the others around them, just themselves. I took a few moments to thank the Lord for keeping us safe after each moment that day.

The Lord keeps bringing those instances back to my mind to remind me that life is not all about me but about others. So many times, we feel as if we give and give and have nothing else to pour out but it's then when Christ comes along and gives us the strength we need to keep going and giving.

Our Pastor preached an outstanding message recently that the Lord has used over and over to speak to my heart. When Christ fed the five thousand with the loaves and fishes, the disciples had been going and giving of themselves continually, but He refreshed them that day and proved Himself in a tremendous way. Just as He refreshed them, He will refresh us when we give of ourselves. The disciples had given out the food that God provided and in the end there were 12 full baskets left. Isn't God good?! He had a basket for each of them! "When you give and give of yourselves, He'll always have enough for you." ~Pastor Edwards

I count it an absolute privilege to be able to pour my life into my family. I have to remember though that the Lord will always be my strength, especially when I have a child that doesn't sleep hardly at all, has multiple appointments during some weeks, and just needs his mommy...it can be physically, mentally, and emotionally draining at times. I have to be so careful to not wish I had it easy like some. This is God's plan for us and He has a reason. I wouldn't trade taking care of my little guy for anything! Christ has promised He will always be enough and He will always give us strength and you know what, each and every day He does! I'm so thankful for Him and His arms that pick us up when we need carried! I don't want my life to be consumed with what I want or fulfilling my own needs. I want my life to be used to meet the needs of others, whether it be my family, a friend or neighbor that needs me, my time and my energy. May the Lord help us to see the need of others and not be selfish to pour everything into helping them!

~Rachel

Joy in Circumstance

"Make the decision when things don't go your way, you're still going to rejoice." Pastor Edwards

So many things come into our lives that we wouldn't choose for ourselves, yet God's way is perfect and He has a plan. It amazes me how God shows and proves Himself in every situation if we let Him. I am constantly working, in my life, to "choose to rejoice" in those situations that aren't as pleasant.

As I think and pray earnestly for our sweet Josiah and all the health issues he's faced in his short little life, I also praise the Lord for how He has met our every need and kept him safe in all of it. At the same time, I realize that there are so many other people that are struggling in harder situations and they are rejoicing in how the Lord has helped them along the way.

Our dear friends recently had their day and a half old precious girl go home to be with the Lord. What a testimony they have shown in how God's grace is sufficient. I would encourage you to read Natalie's blog http://www.mymaddiegrace.blogspot.com/ Your heart will be uplifted as you hear her tell how God is giving her strength and help day by day.

I have realized that I am so selfish at times to want our family to go without dealing with the health issues Josiah has faced when I should be ever so grateful that the Lord has given us a little boy to love, raise, and watch grow. We have so much to be thankful for. God has really been showing me that I need to look on His blessings, especially when circumstances are not as I would have planned. The Lord put this song in my heart today as we travelled from the doctor's office.

I've been through a fire that has deepened my desire, to know the living God more and more.
It hasn't been much fun, but the work that it has done in my life has made it worth the hurt.

You see sometimes we need the hard times to bring us to our knees; otherwise we do as we please and never heed Him.
For He always knows what's best and it's when we are distressed that we really come to know God as He is.

How true these words are. He does always know what's best.

How good God is to bring Scripture, songs, encouraging words to mind to help us when we need it the most. There are people in our lives as well that the Lord uses to uplift us at the exact moments we need it. I thank the Lord often for people like this in my life. I had a dear friend tell me recently that she tries to encourage someone anytime she is having a rough day. What wisdom! You definitely can't help someone if you are down in the dumps. What better way to be encouraged but to encourage someone else!

My friend and I joke about how we try to find the comical things in life to help keep us sane.

Here are some sweet, yet jolly photos that brighten our faces:








~Rachel