James 1:17, "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above."

Funny thing as I knew what I had to share with ya'll today, my first thoughts were: Am I allowed to be happy? As I typed that in I realized it needed to be changed, just move one little word and make it a proclamation...I AM allowed to be happy! 
As I was praying this morning and asking for direction. I found myself waiting for a different answer, not even the one I wanted. I felt like things are supposed to be hard and I am not always supposed to enjoy my life. Hard work, sweat tears and then somehow I feel like its valued more. 
Knowing in my heart this is not right and it is something that pops up in my life I know its something we all can fall prey to...wrong thinking! Problem is scripture says , "As a man thinketh so he is!" We have to be mindful to think good and purposeful thoughts about ourselves!
In am reminded  of something Dave Ramsey, a business man who gives sound financial advice, often implies if you want success and happiness, find out what you are good at, what your bent or inclination is. When your vocation feels like a vacation you can work hard but with an ease because you are functioning in your calling. I am not saying work is wrong, no way, but love what you do. I found myself feeling guilty for loving what I did. Its kind of silly if you think about it. I invested time and pursed a degree in what I love to do and am good at it, so why feel guilt? I am home with my children and raising good and godly kiddos, why feel guilty about that? I am taking care of my home and my husbands needs, should I feel bad about that? I find joy in all these things because I love my family and love the Lord. I want to serve the Lord wherever I am and whatever is before me. 
I want to encourage momas that our daily tasks can seem monotonous and futile but you are a caregiver, a nurturer and lover of your home and family. There are so many facets to what you are doing it is too long to list! Have confidence God has you right where He wants you! If you have dreams inside you hold onto them and do one step toward whatever it is . Trust God and His time line, He truly knows best! 
I am taking this advice as I share it, something I do have to remind myself of daily! So when you pray know that God has a good plan for you! Jerimiah 29:11, "For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you, says the Lord, plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope."
Enjoy what you do and if you are allow yourself to love your life! 
God is Love, He made you and called you to live a life of Love, why not enjoy it!
Be blessed my friends! 

Confession:
According to James 1:25 I am a careful listener and an active doer, obeying the Lord.
​ I am blessed and favored by God in all I do in my life!

Prayer:
Father thank you for loving us and sending us a Savior who knows our struggles. Thank you that you walk with us through our days and guide us on the path we are to take. In Jesus Name Amen.

I Peter 5:7
Casting all your cares (all your anxieties, all your worries and all your concerns once and for all) on Him, for He cares about you (with deepest affection and watches over you very carefully).

Lord we cast all our cares and concerns we have today for our children and our own health. We thank you for caring for us with such deep affection as you watch over us with care! Amen

The Word is alive and so powerful! We have been given an awesome gift to be able to read it and have it apply to us personally. As we embark on a  new day filled with tasks, activities and duties, do so with eyes wide open, looking for God's handiwork in every area! When blessings come be reminded that every good and perfect gift is from above! When things work out think, "Hey! That's the favor of God!" When it seems like everything is falling apart, recall God says , "I will never leave you or forsake you!" When its just too hard and overwhelming, then let Philippians 4:13 encourage you, "I can do all things which He has called me to do, through Him who strengthens and empowers me to fulfill His purpose." 
Right now if you are expecting, baby is growing inside of you, you are already a nurturing mother with an important job to do. Trust me when I say, I am needing this advice myself! I can feel like I am not doing enough and begin feeling inadequate. Right now is a precious and very important time as you care for your little one and yourself.
Eat healthy, take walks, get fresh air AND read the Word ! The Word is life and health to our flesh!
Do not underestimate the power of the Word! Do not allow yourself to think you are not doing enough.
There are definitely days as mothers the busyness of life and daily tasks will eat up your time. I can also promise you the world will try to make you feel like you need to do more, make more money, be busier or do something that has "real value". I have been caught in this trap of ruination, don't go there Moma! You are granted a season to be used by God, each of us in different ways, but know your calling as a woman and mother to children holds a unique and divine purpose!
What could have more value than caring for a human life created by God?! Treasure this season dear mothers and value each messy moment! Let your family see you turn to God for help and see you make mistakes and then go to the Lord together. Oh, you can ask any of my kids I make mistakes plenty of them! Somehow I find peace in that; I am not giving them an unattainable standard and I point them to Christ, because I just can't do it without Him. Maybe in light of the entire picture, its not such a mess but rather REAL LIFE! 
The Lord never designed us to be alone but to partner with Him in this noble endeavor. Trust Him to be the builder of your home and family. Each person and each family is unique and He cares for us personally! We have a very personal God who loves us! 
You are loved and have great value and purpose! 
Go into this week Moma knowing you got this...and God has got you!

Confession:
As your Word says You exalt us to a place of honor at the appropriate time. I trust you and know you care for me and my family! I have no anxiety, I am free from worries! You watch over my family every day!

Prayer:
​Lord, I humble myself under your mighty hand and set aside pride. I choose you and your Word to govern my thoughts and my life. I seek you first and know you take care of all I need. Lord thank you for sending your Son Jesus to bring us a victorious life in Christ. In Jesus Name Amen

Psalm 62: 7-8
​"On God my salvation and glory rest. He is my rock of unyielding strength, my refuge is in God. Trust confidently in Him at all times O people, Pour out your heart before Him. God is a refuge for us!"

Lord, 
Thank you we can come to you today and seek you. We accept the grace and forgiveness you have given us through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

What an incredible Journey we have before us as mothers, whether expecting for the first time or tenth!
I am currently expecting my seventh sweet child at 46 years old! This pregnancy has been frought with emotions, a combination of hormones and life circumstances and my age for sure! Doesn't matter how old I am,  as I tell my kids, as long as I don't look it! 
I needed to be encouraged just to make it through the day. This pregnancy hit hard. Maybe you are going through that right now, or even after baby arrived. Hold on Moma, this too is only temporary and God has not left you to yourself! I know this as I had gone from living a life of a high achiever to existing on survival mode. My worth felt attacked and feelings were bottomed out as I just tried to do the daily stuff.
The Lord pulled me close as I reached to Him seeking His help I so desperately needed. I was not just dealing with pregnancy but a job change and we moved leaving adult children and our dog behind, all this brought lots of feelings.
I have been blessed with a true life love story, a beautiful story of restoration and God's provision, baby included. Both my husband and I had lived through very difficult marriages that  had come to an end. Years later we were reunited as I had known him in my youth. He is a true gift from God and a picture how God makes all things new!
Even during absolutely wonderful times, life still happens, real life emotions and circumstances we have to deal with, BUT God is so faithful! So trust the One who is trustworthy to carry out your days as He holds you in His hand!

Confession:
Lord according to Isaiah 26:3-4 You keep baby and I in perfect and constant peace! I keep my mind committed and focused on you! I trust you and have hope and confident expectation. You Lord are our fortress and shield! You are our everlasting rock!
I expect health, healing, peace and rest. Baby and I are healthy and strong and receive your blessing!

Prayer:
Lord as we expect this precious gift from you we thank you that according to your Word we have perfect peace!
Amen!

Womanhood and motherhood is quite a journey, it's a "hold onto your hats" kinda ride. I have learned throughout the years ( yet fail time and again) to enjoy the ride. Life can cause us to be more serious or maybe on the flip side and be sarcastic. I get both! Yet it is a journey  that is to be treasured even on the worst of days!
As a mother of 7 children and two step kiddos, I can tell you we have had a ride and a half!
And still going! The past year and a half alone has brought tremendous change. 
I relocated back to my hometown after 20 plus years with my youngest children taking a job in my field. 
I was reunited with a wonderful Christian man I knew as a young person and we were wed that following year. The job ended unexpectantly and I found out shortly after I was expecting! That is where the #7 comes in, 46 years old and having a baby! Woohoo!!!
What has been the most wonderful of times was also difficult. Job loss brought feelings of worthlessness and failure. It began to attack my sense of value and purpose. I applied to jobs but doors just would not open, and then I started feeling the effects of early pregnancy. WHOA! It hit me like a train! It was several months until I felt like myself again. All the while my daily struggles of defining who I am and what am I to do plagued me! I am blessed to be home and fulfilling the calling God has for me! My ways are not HIs, and His are soooo much better!!!!!
Womanhood and motherhood will have these times in life that make us wonder what is going on?!
We must cling to the Lord, He cares so dearly for us and has this awesome plan even when we cant see it. 
I have been blessed with restoration and have a husband who ​has great wisdom. He often tells me to just BE! Not as easy as it sounds, but so mush wisdom in that. It is beautiful how God can take a situation and turn it around for good! He recreates, restoring what was once broken and damaged. He makes all things new! 
In Ephesians 4 it talks about putting on our new self, we are no longer living like the old self, we are made new in the attitude of our minds created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 
He will lead us in what we need to do. He has great plans for us!
The Lord has a plan and He will give us eyes to see things in the light of His love and provision so we are not moved by the outward circumstances. We may not see the entire picture and understand why but He gives us peace as we trust Him!
Be encouraged today is a new day and you have the strength to do the next thing!
Hold on to your hats and enjoy the ride!