Author: Kelly Girl

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

This morning my hubby asked me if I was ready to write the continuation of yesterday’s post. I replied, “I forget what I wanted to talk about.” Ha! No I didn’t, but he sure had a funny look on his face because me forgetting wasn’t completely out of the realm of possibility!

I had a bit of a realization as I was taking some advice from Darren Hardy on my walk last week. After I read that success is doing a half dozen things really well, repeated five thousand times, I started to get really excited! What made a huge impact was the addition of his advice telling us about the compound effect. It’s the strategy of reaping huge rewards from small, seemingly insignificant actions. When I put those two together, it became a wake-up moment for me. Why didn’t I see this before?

I had a little celebration right there in the middle of the road. As the pup stopped to roll his eyes (I’m telling you that his looks most definitely equate to a mental eye roll), it became clearer to me that I was accepting some really important information. This information was going to be a huge change in my life because as soon as I grasped this, one word, one action was really front and center in my mind. Smile!

The advice from Darren Hardy was not new and smiling was certainly not new, but I was seeing it in a different light now. It took me back to a memory of when I was young. I remember that I got in the habit of smiling when I used to twirl baton and it was drilled into me to smile, smile, smile! I loved to twirl, so it was easy for me to do. I think it just carried over from that and I was able to smile easily and often when I was young.

There were family friends of ours that we would get together with quite often. I remember the sweet man in that family who always had a smile on his face. He’d light up when he saw me and he’d say, “There’s my girl who always has a smile on her face.” He had it wrong though. It was the other way around because he made me smile with his smile! Isn’t that how smiles work?

As I was standing in the middle of the road, I realized how often I try to focus on too many self-improvement projects at once. On top of that, I focus on what I need to stop doing instead of what I can do right. It’s like that with doctors who come up with a plan of foods for us to eat that will help our bodies reach their potential. I don’t have time to eat a bunch of junk when I’m focusing on the good stuff I need to get into my system! The bad stuff gets pushed out naturally.

Smiling was to be my first of the half dozen things I needed to do really well to reach success. I just needed to repeat it five thousand times! I believe I’ll see huge rewards from that seemingly insignificant action. Now you might be thinking that he meant something a little more substantial, but I don’t think so. I believe without a resilient, positive, and grateful attitude, we’ll never feel ultimate success. I believe smiling is the key to unlock those character traits for me.  It will have a compound effect.

Let me explain. I realized how often I was already smiling when I saw something that made me feel grateful. Gratitude is HUGE in God’s eyes! We are to rejoice always. When we’re smiling we’re rejoicing! We are to pray continually. What easier way to have prayers than to have something to smile about and thank God for? It will help me to see the positive even in the hard circumstances, which will allow me to still be giving thanks to God. I’ll be doing His will! That’s success…it’s all connected.

In the Optimist’s Creed, it talks about promising ourselves to give every living creature we meet a smile. This made my family laugh every time we passed a horse or other animal, and my youngest would remind us to smile at them. It seemed funny to smile without a little greeting, which made us giggle even more to be talking to the animals. It’s such a habit now to smile when we see a living creature. Just think about how many living creatures I see in a day. I’m getting closer to five thousand each time, and they’re genuine smiles!  That’s the key.

There are times when I just don’t feel like I have any smiles left, but it really isn’t true. It’s like my soap that’s in a pump bottle. When nothing more will come out, I think it’s finished. It never is though! You wouldn’t believe how much is left in there. I take that pump off and tip it over getting a shock at how much poured out. When I add a little water and shake it up; I could have more soap for days! It was in there, but I just couldn’t get to it until I shook it up a little.

What isn’t working in your life that you keep doing? I’m not telling you to stop. I’m telling you to replace that action with a positive one that doesn’t leave any more room for what you don’t want in your life. Find something that would be a simple, positive change and do it.

I think you’ll see that simple thing you’re going to do really well will have long reaching effects in your life. If those actions seem insignificant, then what will it hurt to just do them? It’s not going to take a whole lot out of you right? Do it five thousand times. Find a way to remind yourself and even keep track. When you feel like there’s nothing left…SHAKE IT UP A LITTLE!

When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” Mark 3:21

As I’ve been taking the pup for a walk in the morning this past week, I’ve been getting some inspiration and motivation. I’ve always gotten it in the outdoors, but I’ve upped my game. My great aunt taught me you shouldn’t waste time. If she could drive and read, I can walk and read!

Wait a minute, stop, please hear me on this…do NOT read while you drive! Do NOT text while you drive. Do not be distracted while you drive. That wasn’t smart, but she knew before the tape players, the cd players, the USB thingies, and whatever technology that has you learning as you’re moving, that she needed to stop wasting time.

I’m done wasting time. Walking and listening to the wildlife is not wasting time. Walking and talking to God is not wasting time. Walking and listening for God’s still, small voice (or his quite loud scolding in your head) is not wasting time.

Replaying a conversation that you aren’t happy about is wasting time. Stewing about something you have to do is wasting time. Thinking on a situation that isn’t fair is wasting time. I’m done wasting time! I’ve gone through the valley long enough that it’s enough! I’m looking ahead and not looking back. I’m seeing what God has for my future instead of stumbling over where I’ve been.

So, where does that leave me? I walk my pup down the road while having something in my hand that I’m reading and pondering. It leaves me having a full out loud conversation every now and then as I walk down the road. I talk to myself and I’ll even share my thoughts with the pup when they’re really good because he’s so attentive and cares what I have to say. I share my “feelings” aloud with God who’s patient enough to listen.

Most people could care less what I’m doing, but the few that give me that strange look can just think, “Boy, that pup gets quite a few commands from her!” Ha, nope, but if that’s what people want to believe, it keeps them from thinking I’ve lost my mind.

Yes, hubby…I’m still alert to my surroundings as I’m walking, reading, talking, and listening. I know that I’m not amazingly graceful in doing two things at once, but it’s amazing how I can get filled up with wisdom and knowledge plus walk without stumbling…most of the time. Although thinking back, did I miss the snake that was hit on the road? I don’t think it was lying there the first time I went through…no worries…I’m sure it came out of the woods after I passed that area!

I feel so good when I’m walking and being productive and filling myself with good things that the neighbors get the benefit. I send them off to their jobs with a smile and a wave. I greet them with a cheery good morning. They either accept it and get happy or I make them wonder what I’m up to. Either one works for me! They can’t say I didn’t at least try to get that sour expression off their face. When I do something positive and come back to the house, I’m invigorated and ready for school! I’m ready to take on the world!

This was really about what I learned on my walk the other day, but as I often do, since I’m getting my spunk back, I got off track. Wasn’t it a good track to take though? Sorry, maybe it was the caffeine I had this morning…I don’t usually have caffeine. I’ll talk about what this post was really supposed to be about in my next one…I did touch on it though.

I challenge you not to be too concerned what others think about you as you go about growing …and talking aloud. Do what Jesus would’ve done. Oh, oh, do you remember WWJD? Go ahead, I dare you! Even Jesus had his family say that He was out of his mind. Stop for one day being concerned what others think of you and what others are doing.

Keep growing and keep learning. Oh, and still be aware of your surroundings. Remember to be productive and just give that stuff that could put you in a bad mood while keeping you down over to God. Focus on where He has you going, not where you’ve been. Greet your neighbors with a smile and wave or even a cheery hello!

When we’re doing what our Father wants us to do, our own family and neighbors might think that we’re out of our minds, but in actuality we’re right on track. We’re just done wasting time! As Mahatma Gandhi said, “You must be the change you want to see in the world.”

But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7

I’m tired! Too tired to lead! That’s my problem, so what’s my solution? Rambling is where it’s at today to get my “feelings” in line with God.

What happens when you know that you’ve tried everything to lead your children in a certain way, but it isn’t working? What happens when you know that you don’t know the next step? Do you ever get to the point when you want to say, “I give up!” as you throw your hands in the air?

The first thing that we need to understand is that we haven’t tried everything. I guarantee you that there’s something left to try. I challenge you and challenge me to write a list of ten things we tried and stuck with that failed to get a problem solved. That’s only ten, and I bet we couldn’t do it! Yet, we’re tired…too tired to lead.

Go ahead and give up. Give up if you want our Father giving up on us when we’re challenging. That’s not too pleasant of a thought is it? I have an idea though! Why don’t we try leading by letting those children lead? I’m not talking about getting rid of all the rules. I’m saying to put it into their hands. We’ve trained them…do we trust them? Do we trust our parenting ability and how they’ve been raised enough to let them lead?

When we have a problem, let’s go to them for a solution. Once our children are a certain age, they’re more than capable of taking problems and finding solutions that just might be better than ours. I’ve seen what our children can do when they’re put into a position of leadership, so why isn’t it working at home? I believe confusion.

Our children’s role in the family is constantly changing as they get older. It’s confusing! They’re hormones are going nuts. I have two young bucks in my house…I don’t know about yours. One likes to agitate, and the other glares and gets angry. All the while, I feel like I’m losing my mind!

Our role as their parents is constantly changing as our children get older too. We start out telling them everything they need to do and not do when they’re little, to being their friend as they are an adult.

We’re at that stage when we’re training and coaching; I learned this from something I read. Frustration will surely set in as we struggle on understanding our ever-changing roles, but just like God will not give up on us, we can’t give up on them or our ability to lead.

Too tired to lead? Are you taking on what belongs to God? Are you following Him? After giving over what should’ve been His to start with, be strong and do not give up!

When your children are grown, you’ll see the rewards in your relationship with them if you don’t give up. Just try something different, and lead by letting them lead! If you’ve tried everything else, why not try this? Direct them into an area of leadership today.

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12

We started back to school in July, but have missed several days due to a little bit of everything. I knew that this tended to happen during July and August, so I didn’t fret too much. This is one of the reasons we start early.

We also like to take quite a bit of time off during Christmas and finish by the end of April or beginning of May. Without starting when we do, it would be rushing for us to get everything accomplished and our hours in. My boys don’t complain about the start date because they see what they’re able to do when they have their time in before it’s absolutely necessary.

Our school doesn’t have excuses like being sick, going to a doctor’s appointment, a death in the family, or even delays for snow. The benefits for us far outweigh those minor issues, but it’s something we do need to take into consideration. Having the extra time already in allows us to roll with the punches when something unexpected comes up. I can’t handle the stress of scrambling to get in hours at the end of the year; I’d much rather be on vacation!

I knew that at this point, it was necessary for me to pull out the calendar and actually schedule our days for the year. We knew what days we’d like off for holidays, birthdays, and planned vacations. It’s beneficial for my boys to see what they need to do in order for them to get their time in by the end of April.  This keeps schoolwork out of weekends (except homework) and during those special times we have planned off.

This really gives us motivation to get in an hour or two here and there. By doing that, it allows them to take an extra day off or even erase days to the end of the year. We’re all working together to reach a goal instead of the teacher (making it even harder because I’m “Mom”) dictating the schedule. They don’t want those days off now when it might cut into their summer break!

We finished the calendar before my oldest went back to bed with a sore throat. There wasn’t any need for us to panic because we’re missing school, since we already have it taken care of! I can only imagine the overwhelming doubt that would come over me if I thought I wouldn’t be able to get everything covered I wanted to for the year or wouldn’t have all the hours in we need.

Flexibility to our calendar and an action plan allows us to reach our school goals. This is a necessity in our life in order to homeschool successfully. I know what it takes in order to keep things from feeling out of control on the school side, but what about the spiritual side? Am I so organized with my time there?

It saddens me how it’s normal to push things back with God. Just like having a set number of days in a school year, we have only so many days here on Earth. We seem to think that because there isn’t someone holding us accountable now for the time that we’re wasting with Him, we have free reign to push things back another day, another week, another month, another year…until we’re just out of time!

There’s so much that we’ll miss from Him and He’ll miss from us if we don’t make it a priority now. It’s never too late to go to Him, but don’t wait until your last days and cram because you simply didn’t plan ahead. Sure, like our evaluators, He’ll help pull our stuff together at the last minute, but what awesome things we’d be missing along the way!

Today, make Him as much of a priority as getting everything else done by your deadlines. You’ll find that all your other priorities just got much easier.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29

I’ve had a struggle with my body and mind the last couple of days. It actually started a couple of months ago after getting a bit better from a battle I was in. The battle of Lyme disease. It apparently has decided to go on another rampage in my body and create complete havoc.

I’m not telling you this to complain, but to let you know that if you’re going through a rough stage in your life, you aren’t alone. We all go through these stages, although I fully agree that some are worse than others. That doesn’t make it any easier for the person struggling.

There are so many of you out there who are dealing with awful things right now…whether it be physically, emotionally, financially, mentally, or relationally. Things that I couldn’t even imagine. I want you to remember that out of everyone in the world there is probably at least one other person who is going through something very similar to what you are. You aren’t alone.

All I could think about tonight was an amazing trip we took one Christmas. We visited Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia. It was a fairy tale night that I had with my hubby and boys. There were over eight million Christmas lights that took us to an incredibly magical place.

While there, we saw the most wonderful show with beautiful singing as we celebrated the first Christmas. We had so much fun in Das Festhous surrounded by food and lively Christmas spirit brought out in the decorations and music!  We even saw and learned about penguins.

Amusement park rides are not a favorite of my hubby and boys, so they got minimal attention. For some reason the roller coaster was one we all decided to go on. We couldn’t see the beauty of the decorations any more as we all got situated.

Before we knew what was happening the ride began, and we were heading to a pitch-black tunnel. That was not in our plans! It just happened. I couldn’t even see my son who was right next to me!

There we were in the dark when we got another surprise. The ground dropped from under us! I’m telling you…we didn’t just go down a hill, we dropped. There we were at the bottom, but we didn’t stay there. Obviously, we aren’t still there, and we eventually saw light again.

We continued on the ride as we slowly journeyed out of the dark bottom and back up. By the time we got to the top, the view was amazing! The beautifully lit trees lining the hill made it all worth what it took to get to that height.

This is the best way that I can describe my situation yesterday and today. It felt like I was on that ride. I was enjoying the way life was going when I hit complete darkness and the ground dropped out from under me. I even lost sight of God because it was just too dark. The difference was that I wasn’t being forced to move forward.

I was starting to get so tired of struggling with not feeling well and dealing with the emotions that were all churned up inside of me that I actually decided I was just going to stay in bed. I didn’t “feel” like getting up! Didn’t I deserve to just stop for a while?

Yes, I do need to stop and rest. It’s actually quite necessary, but I wasn’t doing it for my health. I knew that. I wasn’t doing it in order to move forward by allowing my body to heal. I had decided to stay there in the darkness because I wanted to hide and not deal with reality.

I was in a place that I couldn’t see God, and instead of walking in faith knowing He was right there, I decided to be stuck. If I’d stayed in that bed, I wouldn’t be back in the light now. I wouldn’t ever make it back to the top where I know the good things are waiting. I had to remember God’s promises in order to get through the now.

I was told something that gave me the push I needed on this day of a solar eclipse. A very important person told me that the sun will be eclipsed by darkness, but it is only temporarily there…for the sun will shine after the darkness.

In order for me to continue on this roller coaster ride of life, I had to move. Rest is fine, but hiding is not. I am promising you that there is light ahead if only you take a step forward…one step. Then just repeat the process.

It may be hard, but please just take one step. I had to force myself out of bed, I forced myself to put on a bright shirt, and I forced myself to move. Nothing complicated, but it was hard.

After the first step it became easier. I didn’t say it was easy, but it did become easier. Once I stepped outside and felt the sun shine on my face, I felt like I was feeling God’s love again and the difficulty started to lift away.

God was always there with me just like my son never left me on that roller coaster ride. I just needed to get into the light so I could see Him.

Please know that I realize whatever you’re facing is hard. I want so badly to help you, but I need you to please go to God. Start moving…one step. That’s it. Then repeat. I’m praying for you.

God’s there even if you can’t see Him. Please trust me and ask for His help for you to take that one step, then just do it. Do it because you know that God has given you all the strength and power you need!

Corrie Ten Boom had experienced great pain in her life and it would’ve been understandable for her to give up…to stay in the darkness. Instead, she past through that darkness in order to get to the high point of allowing God to reach so many with her wisdom. Let me share some of that wisdom with you:

• “Some knowledge is too heavy…you cannot bear it…your Father will carry it until you are able.”
• “With Jesus, even in our darkest moments the best remains and the very best is yet to be…”
• “If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you’ll be at rest.”
• “There is no pit so deep, that God’s love is not deeper still.”
• “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”
• “There is no panic in Heaven! God has no problems, only plans.”
• “Let God’s promises shine on your problems.”
• “Now, I know in my experience that Jesus’ light is stronger than the biggest darkness.”

Rely on the strength and power that has been given to you and know that Jesus’ light is stronger than your biggest darkness.  The best is yet to be…

If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. John 15:19

We had a wedding extravaganza this weekend that started on Friday and went through Sunday. Friday was the wedding with a dinner reception, Saturday was the outside BBQ celebration, and Sunday was finishing it off with a breakfast for those who stayed. I just wanted to spend a few minutes explaining the fashion attire for my family.

Friday we needed to be more dressed up. My hubby cringes when he thinks suits. Unless he’s specifically told that he has to wear one, it simply isn’t going to happen. Friday’s event was only for adults. Once the boys saw that we were getting dressed up, they were pretty happy not to be included. They definitely take after their dad!

I wore a long, flowy dress and my hubby conceded to a tie with his dress pants and shirt. I had one problem. Every time I went to stand up, I had to make sure to gather the material so that I didn’t step on it. I forgot a couple of times and got jerked back to a sitting position pretty quickly! I can’t say I wear dresses too often.

Saturday’s celebration was a more casual affair that included my boys. There were still quite a few who were a bit more dressed up, but in general shorts and a nice shirt would do. Let me start out by telling you that my oldest was camping with scouts, but we picked him up to go to the BBQ for a while. Therefore, he was in manly man mode.

I made him go to my parents’ house to shower and get dressed. I had his clothes for him, so I figured we’d be good to go. He walked out with a knife hanging from his side and a belt with a big buckle that didn’t really go with the outfit. I vetoed the knife, although he still kept one tucked inside his pocket I noticed. I had to do the “you-be-you” with the big belt buckle.

We were one of the firsts to get there, and they needed some help getting everything dealt with because it started raining and storming. The next thing that I see is that wonderful, oldest son of mine running around wearing a garbage bag with slots cut out for his head and arms. Guess that knife came in handy. Oh boy. I will give it to him that he stayed pretty dry. As everybody is in his or her nice clothes, there’s my son in his garbage bag.

There are two things that I kept thinking about while looking back on the past couple of days. First had to do with my dress. My dress was a lot like our thoughts. If we let them drag down, they’re likely to get caught there and won’t permit us to stand tall.

Second was my son’s garbage bag fashion statement. He went with practicality over fashion. How many times do we “conform” to not make waves, but get drowned in the process? There are times when God needs us to be different…in our actions, in our words, in our thoughts.

I challenge you to keep your thoughts from dragging on the ground so they don’t jerk you down there with them. I also hope you think about when it’s important to not just go along with what everyone else is saying and doing. Be the one to take that first step in the right direction and many will probably follow. Even if they don’t, you’ll know that God’s pleased with your thoughts and behavior.

I cling to you; your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:8

I have a confession to make. I still don’t understand exactly how this blog works. Shocking, right? I’ve been receiving an abundant amount of emails lately from the people I have the blog with.  Let’s just say that it’s been enough to start concerning me. I was deleting them over and over again until I figured I better check to make sure something funny wasn’t happening with my account. I had always believed it was some sort of technical thing that I didn’t need to deal with.

I opened one up hoping my computer wouldn’t blow up with a virus. Yes, this is where my brain goes. I kept hearing my hubby’s voice in my head, “Don’t open things up that you don’t know what it is.” I didn’t know what it was, but I had to find out! They were coming in on a daily basis…sometimes several a day.

When I opened it up, I was told there was a new user registration on my site. Now I was really worried! Something was happening to my site and I didn’t know how to fix it. What do I do? I thought about what I’ve been taught to do in emergencies. Stay calm! I had to stay calm…and Google it. I was getting all kinds of crazy responses.

I thought I had it figured out and went to my hubby. I even found all these email addresses in my account. Where did they come from? This has been happening for a long time now, but I never looked there before. I just hadn’t been paying attention to all those emails.

I told my hubby how I thought some computer must be generating all these things (trying to hack into my blog) and was getting email addresses into my account. I had read that I needed to delete them immediately and change my password.

He told me that he’d check into it and insinuated that I needed to stay calm. Didn’t he realize that was the first thing I did? I breathed deeply and was staying calm! I don’t know where he comes up with these thoughts that I wasn’t.

This is when my oldest son tuned his ears into our conversation. He excitedly said, “Mom, that’s so cool! You have subscribers.”

What? I didn’t want “subscribers” because what they would do to my computer. I knew it…it was going to blow up! He patiently explained how real people could subscribe to sites and get alerts when something new has been posted. His look said, “How could you not know this stuff.”

If this was true, which I’m not entirely sold on yet, are you people actually subscribing to my blog on purpose? Well, that’s pretty cool, but really scary for me. This has been about me following God’s orders…just the two of us. Now, there’s real people reading it? I mean, I knew there were a few, but WOW!

I just have to believe that there are times when even if these blogs don’t quite make sense to me, God lets you decode what I’m trying to say. Hey, if God can somehow touch you with my ramblings and crazy things that happen in my life, then I’m super excited. I just have one issue with it. You’re giving your email address to someone you don’t know! Do you realize that I could see it? I promise not to do anything with it. Oh, and sorry I was about to delete you.

I’ve learned a couple things through all of this. Obviously, I need to understand the computer better. Also, I really appreciate that you’re willing to take the time to “subscribe” to this blog. I always thought you subscribed to magazines…who knew you could subscribe to these things too! The most important thing that I learned through all of this is that God’s in control so there’s no use wasting your emotions worrying.

I went through a bit of a panic mode when I realized more and more people were actually reading what I was writing. What if I said something wrong? What if I disappointed God? Well, he led me to it and I just needed to believe that He’d lead me through it. I didn’t need to fear you. I’m going to look on all of you as friends that I’m simply having a conversation with. God put this on my heart, He’s in control, I’m writing for Him with a few friends joining in.

That’s my hope for each one of you. I want you to believe that whatever God leads you to, He’ll lead you through. Don’t quit because you get overwhelmed! This is when greater things can happen if only we rely on Him. When we place our life in the Lord’s hands, whatever happens will be worked out for our good. His hand upholds us when we’re following Him.

Stay calm today, don’t panic, and don’t get overwhelmed.  You have someone who has it all under control!

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galations 5:1

It was a weekend we were looking forward to quite a few years ago. I had picked up my little cousin from her house and was laughing with her as we made our way to pick up my hubby. I had told her that in order to go to a bull riding event, she had to learn to say “yee-haw!” She would respond too quietly for my liking, and then giggle when I’d tell her how she needed to buckle down and take this seriously. She would try again, but still without that enthusiasm I was looking for. I would ask her what it was she was trying to do because I’d never heard anything like it before. She would giggle again with me joining in.

We were all smiles when we got home to grab my hubby and the luggage to begin the journey to the camp where we were heading. It was one of those carefree and enjoyable trips with lots of laughing and chatting the whole way. What a fun weekend it was going to be!

Bull riding was not something she’d experienced before and wasn’t quite sure what she was getting into. It didn’t take long before she was feeling the energy! How could you not get excited when the National Anthem started playing and the flag was flying? When the bulls made their appearance, her eyes got really big and she quickly got into the cheering and yelling.

Toward the end of the event, we experienced a little problem. A particular bull decided he didn’t feel like being in the arena anymore. He apparently had a plan to break free, but the arena fence was made with thick, steel bars. That bull fit its massive head between two of the bars, wedged himself in there good, and lifted with his powerful neck. He heaved and pushed until he had the bar in an arc.

I have no idea how she did it, but my little cousin was in my arms faster than I could blink! We moved all the kids up the stands, but that bull had no desire to go after anyone, he just wanted to be free. After he got his massive body out, he trotted off to the woods just as calm as can be!

I don’t believe they ever found the bull that weekend. He wanted to break free badly enough to make it happen no matter how strong the bars were that were keeping him in. People’s plans apparently didn’t match up with his plans.

The arena holding those bulls made me think of strongholds we have in our lives that make us feel like we can’t leave them behind. We’re stuck going through the same thought patterns and dealing with everything from pride to addiction to wrong thinking while the fortification is being held by the devil. They can feel just as real as steel bars trapping whatever is inside. They’re lies and deception the devil uses to keep us in bondage.

How often do we feel confined and trapped like the bull did? Too often we think that we can be like that strong animal and use our strength and willpower to break out. We might actually see progress, but then we get so tired and need to take a short rest. It’s during that time of reprieve that the bars get reinforced and seem even more impossible to break through.

Wouldn’t it have been much easier if someone opened the gate that the bull could’ve just walked out of? There is a way that gets us out of the bondage we’re facing too. Jesus is that gate opener for us. Is it easy to get through the gate? Personally, I’ve found the answer to that is yes and no.

Jesus is right there leading the way. It’s easy for me to see Him through God’s word, but I know that I will often act like Peter out on the water. I’ll be following along on the path that Jesus is leading me on to get to the gate, but I start to look back, I start to question if I can really do this, I even get caught up in the action around me that I’m trying to escape from. My lack of faith has me sinking before I reach the gate!

Are you trying to escape today? If you feel trapped by your feelings or your behavior, you aren’t alone. When you start allowing Jesus to lead you to the gate, don’t allow the burden of guilt, shame, disappointment, doubt, and fear to separate you from Jesus…your freedom maker.

When I ask, “How do I make the whole walk without failing before I get to the gate?” I believe I found my answer. God’s word. Take scripture that deals with your situation and keep it with you…this is your weapon. Study it, repeat it, and believe it. Recognize the devil’s lies, and learn God’s truth.

Speak God’s truth in the midst of the lies surrounding you. Your own strength will not break and keep you free. Trying harder won’t free you from burdens. That’s what the devil wants you to believe. The truth is God leads us to victory through Christ. It’s a gift that we just need to accept. That’s grace.

I challenge you to ask God to show you a stronghold in your life. An example of a stronghold could be guilt. You’re in the arena of guilt that has been forgiven, but you still can’t break free from it. Then learn Romans 8:1 that says there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Repeat it every time you feel yourself starting to loose sight of Jesus who is leading you to the gate for freedom. Line up with the truth and leave the dirt and mess of the arena behind.

For you, I see a future of freedom, not one of burden.  The gate is there and waiting.

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Revelation 2:4

It dawned on me today that I should really use the time spent travelling in the car as a class to teach my oldest the rules of the road. It’s sort of the way homeschool moms think sometimes! We were going to have that good old automobile university taught by yours truly instead of Zig Ziglar today.

We had a problem though. That wannabe driver was sitting behind me instead of beside me. Was I a chauffeur or what? Seriously! I pulled into a parking lot just as soon as I could, following all proper protocol of course, when he snapped out of his daydream to see what was up. It was time for him to focus and pay attention. He’s been talking about his permit and we still have a ways to go before that can happen, but I’m sure it’ll be here before we know it. Time for us to get serious.

As we’re going down the road, I’m having him look out for anything that would be important for a driver to notice. He started pointing out signs, noticing when someone was breaking in front of us, and when the speed limit changed. Actually, I might be creating a monster…yes, I saw the speed limit change! Then, he started asking me questions.

I know the state laws, right? Of course I do! I’ve been driving for many years. I do know these things…I think. What exactly is the rule if the mailman is pulled halfway off the road, but the line shows it’s a no passing zone and you’d have to cross it to pass the mailman?

Yeah, what then? I answered as any great homeschool mom would, “These are great things for you to look into. Let me know what your research turns up!”

I even imparted my wisdom of making sure he always had his keys so they didn’t get locked in the vehicle. He responded, “Who do I call if they get locked in the vehicle?” I don’t know! Get AAA.

The whole thing is overwhelming and just too funny. It didn’t happen exactly that way, but close enough!

I want you to please think about something with me for a minute. How often have you thought you surely know how to drive because you’ve been doing it for how many years? Do you ever scan over the driver’s manual after taking your test? How about the car you have? You get by wonderfully, so why figure out what that one button (that you apparently don’t need anyway) does!

That son of mine will be devouring his driver’s manual because he has something he’s working toward. He has a goal…a passion. Do you and I still have something we’re working towards, or have we just set the cruise control in life and in our most important relationships?

I want to share with you what I told my son today. You never, ever keep the cruise control on when it’s raining and wet out. Hmm…think about it. When we’re talking about God, we never should be on cruise control because that’s when the devil will surely step in to do the driving.

When we stop running and start drifting toward God on cruise control, life becomes pretty dull or pretty scary. We stop seeing the abundant life He has for us and we start seeing the problems. Before long we’ve drifted into an area that we don’t want to be, but we can’t even figure out how we’ve gotten there.

Cruise control…never use it in the rain or in your relationship with God.  I challenge you to ask yourself if you’re on cruise control today.

And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. Mark 6:31

I stepped into the place where my pup gets groomed and was met with noise so loud that I had to yell in order for the person right in front of me to hear what I was saying. The pup does not enjoy an environment where chaos is reigning, and this was not what he considered fun.

I knew his thoughts the moment I let him out of the car and we heard all the barking. He hung his head in defeat and tucked his tail as he made his way inside with a resigned look. Usually he’s excited to enter all buildings. We can’t even go into the vet without his whole body swaying from his tail wagging so fast!

There were several dogs barking all at once with big dogs loose in the grooming area. They were full of energy as noses and paws were peaking out from behind the high counter trying to see us. The dogs were sweet, but overwhelming for the pup.

When I returned a couple hours later, the noise was just as deafening! As I was standing there in order to pay, I could hear my pup moaning and groaning occasionally. He isn’t a big barker, but he sure talks quite a bit with those crazy noises! The lady there was surprised I could hear him over the chaos of the other dogs when I responded to him.  I recognized his voice, but he probably couldn’t hear mine.

It made me think that no matter how noisy and chaotic life is around us, God still hears our moans and groans. He’s ready to answer amidst all the noise in our lives. The problem when it’s so busy and loud around us, is that we have trouble hearing Him respond. It’s vital we get those quiet places throughout our day in order to rest and be able to hear God.

God showed me how important it is to strive for calm throughout my day. You see, my pup has been getting sick after returning home from dealing with the noise and chaos when he gets his hair cut. The vet told us that stress on him could be the cause of him throwing up even a couple days after dealing with it. Stress has lasting effects on our physical bodies as well as our minds.

I challenge you to be aware when those times of quiet are needed, and do everything you can to make it happen. Do it as maintenance.  If not, the stress will show up in different ways. You’ll be more likely to snap at people and you’ll be less likely to hear God’s voice. You’ll be more likely to get sick and less likely to think clearly. You’ll be more likely to face anxiety and less likely to feel God’s peace.

When you can’t hear yourself think, how are you going to be able to hear God’s still small voice?