The most difficult struggles often yield the most valuable return.....

"My son, do not despise the LORDS discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in." Proverbs 3:11-12

Lately I've found myself engulfed in the book of Proverbs during my quiet time and find myself drinking in a knowledge never before tasted. It seems that every time I seek the answer to something that's truly conflicting me, God doesn't pull any punches yet leads me directly to where I need to go. (I LOVE DIRECTNESS!!) :)

Most who know me, know that I'm opinionated. I've gotten on my soap box before and blurted out my opinions on parenting and societies preoccupation with keeping up with the Jone's and the sense of unearned entitlement that is often instilled in our kids. Yet what I've come to realize is that without an offer of solution or directive to guidance all that is, is placing blame. Which serves no one.

This past year has brought with it personal struggles for so many, my family included. People I know and don't know have endured substantial pay-cuts and/or lost their jobs, their homes, their vehicles and their sense of security. I've found myself praying for easier times and smoother paths for myself, my family and my friends more then ever this year.

Last night I spent time thinking about Christmas and money and wondering how those who endured the Great Depression handled Christmas? Something tells me the memories made on those Christmas's far surpassed any gift one could purchase. I also couldn't help but think how they must be shaking their heads at us for the glutenous lives we've created for ourselves and our kids. The lessons learned in that time were difficult and lengthy. In those years, the value of true necessities in life we learned. Our countries current economic position is closer to that endured in the Great Depression then ever before. It baffles me how the lessons learned by our ancestors have seemingly eluded us.

We've become spoiled, spoiled by materialism and greed and a standard set forth by those who's money can't buy anything of REAL value. We've watched major players in the financial arena lose everything this past year. From Madorf to Petter's we've watched some of the greediest and most glutenous people crumble to the ground and take their families and friends down with them. I can't even imagine what their families are enduring having everything they've known and grown accustomed to stripped away. We've all heard the Chinese Proverb that says, "Give a man a fish and you'll feed him for a day, teach him how to fish and you'll feed him for a lifetime." I often wonder if, in the slew of materialism they showered upon their families, they ever taught them how to fish?

In moments of weakness, I've wondered how God could allow such pain and suffering of so many while others are seemingly unaffected and still lavishing themselves in monetary and material wealth completely clueless. Then it dawned on me...

As a parent we pick and choose our battles with our kids. We let them slide on some things now and then when we know there are bigger issues at hand. Though when we do discipline them we continue to discipline them until they've learned their lesson. So I guess it really doesn't surprise me when I think about the struggles our nation is currently facing because we obviously didn't learn our lesson the last time.

So, I think now, instead of praying for easier paths from now on I will pray for continued understanding and desire for knowledge. That we may all be blessed enough to accept and endure the trails and tribulations God places before us with an open heart and thanks giving to Him for loving us enough to continue to call us to him in whatever manner grabs our attention. And that we learn to seek Him in good times and in bad.

"Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding for she is more profitable then silver, and yields better returns then gold. She is more precious then rubies; nothing you desire can compare to her." Proverbs 3:13

Can you hear Me now?

I read awhile ago an extraordinary story about a woman who said God spoke to her. Not in the literal way as in she heard voices but in the manner that He put something on her heart and that there was no other explanation other then it being God. I've always wondered what that would be like and if I were to ever be that lucky to have God talk to me....would I hear it?

I've never been great at listening, I hate admitting that but it's true. I'm what you call a fixer. I can't help it... I get it from my dad. You come to me with a problem and I'm going to tell you what I think you should do. I know, annoying isn't it!! I even know that, because when it happens to me, I am just that...annoyed. But what can I say...call it a character flaw....I'm workin on it! :)~

A few weeks ago I started thinking about Christmas and how uptight and stressed I get over the holiday's, the running around and trying to appease all sides of the family with equal / adequate time. The chaos of shopping lines, getting just the right gift, the money....oh the money that seems to appear from nowhere and disappear faster then you can blink only to leave an emptiness after all is said in done. Empty pockets, empty cupboards, empty spirits everything...just empty!

What happened to the Spirit of Christmas, more specifically what happened to MY Christmas spirit? I use to love Christmas when I was little. I mean how could you not with a dad who epitomizes the spirit of giving. He instilled in us the true pleasure of giving. I recall countless Christmas's where he couldn't wait to give my mother something he had bought for her. I loved that we always took turns opening gifts so that we could all see what everyone got and better yet see the expression on the faces of those opening the gifts that we had given them. I loved that!

But as time has gone by and it seems there are more Christmas's to go to with extended family and the push and pull of every one's expectations of your time, it's taken something away from it all. At least for me. Too much driving around from place to place, someone always upset that you can't attend or can't stay longer. Loading and unloading the car place after place. Children, overstimulated and cranky that they have no real time to play with the things they just received and a mountain of new things to try and find a place for. It has become such a downer for me filled with stress and chaos. I've come to really dislike the holiday's.

Though a few weeks ago, I started thinking about Christmas. I NEVER think about Christmas this soon. But this year it's on my mind all the time. I want to enjoy this Christmas time with my family and give gifts that show my love for them. I want to make my gifts and find ways to make it memorable and not about the truck load of gifts that are passed around in a frantic chaotic paper tearing exchange. I want to bring back that real sense of the holiday and honor the birth of Jesus and the gifts He gave to all of us that we all often forget about and take for granted. And I want to instill in my kids the true spirit of giving not just receiving.

I find myself thinking of this daily and coming up with new ideas to surprise my family with this year to make this a Christmas we can all remember. The more time I spend thinking about this the more I've come to believe that God has indeed put this on my heart. Why, I don't know exactly but the realization that God is leading me and guiding me with this fills me with such an indescribable feeling of joy and excitement at both the idea of building memories with my family as well as the realization that when you take the time to listen......He will talk to you!

May you all have a Blessed Christmas filled with love and family and fond memories.