Aware of the Cats!

Yes, I am thankful for the Cats in my life…and I’m not talking about felines!  To understand where I got the incling to call people in my life Cats, listen to this last Girlfriendit Radio Show titled, Surviving Life and hear Sandy Tremp share her story. 

What a clever little name to give the people in our lives  who God has used as a catalyst  to move us forward.  

Are you aware of the Cats in your life? 

God makes me aware of these Cats when I spend time with Him and one way I spend time with Him with a toddler at home, is during my afternoon walks.  This last week, God has been showering me with little whispers of His love, and they all echoed through the trees during my afternoon walks.  My eyes have gravitated towards the beautiful trees in our neighborhood. 

This is one of my favorite trees.  The leaves were actually red in the fall and leaves changing is a foreign thing in the Arizona dessert.  Right now, these trees are full of beautiful white flowers. 

About half a dozen line the path just a few feet out my front door and as the days go by, I have watched the white flakes of the blossoms cover the sidewalk as if it were snowing. 

This reminded me of a scripture in Isaiah that talks about us being washed white as snow…a scripture I heard while at a retreat and it actually snowed in late spring. 

Karie, Chris, Cameo, Deb and I

Then another day a storm rolled through and I was racing my boys off to football practice driving through the neighborhood watching the flakes flutter with the wind across the street reminding me of the gifts we have been given from God are meant to flow freely to cross the paths of another and I was reminded to pray for a dear, sweet, new friend. 

Then, now after being so very aware of the Cats in my life as I walk and remember other times I went for walks being aware of the trees, sometimes as a little girl, sometimes as a lost teenager and sometimes as a hurt adult woman…there God has always whispered.  With each walk and small part of my journey, He has drawn my heart to see the tree that I am as described in Jeremiah 17:7-9.

Sometimes things happen, sometimes people are abusive, sometimes people are unaware, and sometimes I just need to learn to give God the heartaches and pain so that I can grow.  And isn’t that just what a Cats purpose is…to bring about change—with each Cat in my life, God has used them to make me that much more fruitful!  I've learned about boundaries, mercy and grace along the way--both for myself and to extend to others--and I'm still learning.

I took this picture weeks ago when I was struck with how stoic this bird sat perched on the branch of this tree, and God has brought it to my mind frequently. 

You see, a few trees down the path, a handful of birds were flying away as I walked down the path, startled by my approaching feet.  But this bird sat still—unmoved even as I drew closer to capture this amateur photo. 

Something in me wants to be like this bird—unmoved by the noise of life, chaotic situations and relationships with Cats.

I have a feeling this bird has allowed the Cats in her life to roam in and out of her life, knowing she can soar.  We have wings to soar GIRLFRIEND!!! 

I needed to remind myself of this fact this week.  Do you need to be reminded too?

What keeps you stuck in the pain? 

What helps you remember those wings?

God’s Word and even the very study I wrote and have published as an eBook are speaking to me this week.  In Matthew 4:11, right after Jesus rebuked the enemy with God’s Word, it says, “angels came and attended him.”  I’m reminded that I too am going to be thrown arrows from the enemy and he unfortunately knows what has wounded me in the past, and he loves to inflict old wounds.  I must consistently refute the arrows from the enemy and fight through the pain with God’s truth.  It is here that my heart is light and I see my ability to soar…not just surviving but thriving! 

Let’s practice together, Allen McCray also encouraged the listeners on Girlfriendit Radio  to make a list of what is true—turn that desire to compare your list with mine or anyone else’s and I will resist this temptation too--but let’s just share with the purpose of spurring one another on to see what is true! 

I will start and I will be looking to hear what you have to say too.  Ready-set-go! 

I AM LOVED…WORTH DYING FOR and WORTH the effort to be spoken to!
(These past weeks it's been in the trees...hmmm possibly, for the purpose of casting my eyes above to see the heights as to which He wants me to soar)!

*Come on...don't be shy, share your truth and let's thrive--even amongst the Cats in our life!

Truth to Match: A Valentine Message

 “That was for you!” My boy grinned and explained that his winning touchdown was for me—an act of greatness to demonstrate his love for me.

This all came on the heels of last week’s defeat which broke my heart.  My mom even explained to me the heart-wrenching emotions that over took her while watching our new littler quarterback throw an interception, leading to a score for the other team.  I prayed for my boy while standing on the sidelines, adament about my request for God to flood my boy with confidence that He is loved amidst this defeat.  “You fill Him Lord!” 

My mom had tears in her eyes as she told me she had emotions flood to the surface while watching my boy courageously hold back tears and asked, “Why do we have to wrestle with such difficulties in this life.”

It’s hard to watch another struggle through pain isn’t it?    

As my mom and I talked I couldn’t help but share this nudge in my heart and I believe God was bringing my heart to realize something.  I could think that this thought came from my own mind—but I choose and am choosing to believe each time a piece of truth comes to my mind, that it is God reaching out to me. 

Similar to what is depicted in Isaiah 30:19-21 (Go read these verses—they are treasures!)  Ha!  Verse 22 is even a little funny—away with the thoughts and feelings that can come associated with a certain time of the month. (Please smile with me and say Away with you!--all for the purpose of leaning more into God and His truth)

Let’s not be embarrassed to share these moments where God nudges and we see glimpses of His love.  Let's write them down, journal them, blog about them, and talk about them.

I heard God whisper and encouraged my mom to write this in her journal, for right now she is embarking on her own troublesome journey.  As I thought about God and His love being nothing like the selfish love my biological father demonstrated, I heard, “If you are feeling so much love and compassion for your new little quarterback, imagine the love and compassion that I have for you.” 

I then remembered more of that moment and how I wanted to rush in and rescue my boy; but thank goodness I left my super woman cape at home.  I chose to pray instead and God commented,  “I too want to rush in and rescue you—and ultimately I have—I’ve given you victory.”

I watched my boy glance over to the sidelines to see us all continuing to cheer him on and God commented, “I too am cheering him and you on, I will never fail you!” 

Watching my boy persevere on the field stirs my heart to do the same.

 Do you keep going even when you don’t feel like it?

Sometimes, it is easy to feel like our efforts are hopeless—my heart has been wounded and with no father figure to model the way for me, and there have been other people in my life who have failed me too.  Because of pain in my life, I have struggled with doubt and discouragement.  Some days I do good relying on the love God has for me, and other times I struggle with letting go of the painful situations in my life and the feelings linger.   


I have never found victory by following my feelings.  The good days and victories come for me when I surrender to God (accept His love and trust Him, claim His truth for myself and forgive others.) 
My feelings do eventually catch up when I choose His path and forgive those who have come along my path. 

Want a fresh perspective on letting go?  Go here and listen to an inspiring story about forgiveness shared on Girlfriendit Radio. 

While cheering on the football field, I have witnessed God’s megaphone in my own ear…helping make the complex simple for my heart.  Just before the game, my boy gave me my birthday present...a box of heart-shaped earrings-one for every color of the rainbow.   “I picked these because you can wear them with every outfit, Mom!” *Deep silent breath, inhaling the love, exhaling the pressure and expectation*

So thoughtful, isn't he?  Well, as I chose these purple ones and put them on to match my boy’s jersey, in that moment my heart recognized the need to choose truth and put it on to match!

In recent months when I wasn’t chosen for a job, I reminded myself that I am chosen by God.

My dad discouraged the whole little girl princess stuff growing up, but I remind myself today that I have a high calling of princess work for my King.

On days that I feel blah, I remind myself that I am treasured and beautifully and wonderfully made.

(1 Peter 2:9, Eph 2:10, Psalm 139:14)

 So, just as I wear the earrings to show my boy how grateful I am for his gift…I’m going to wear God's truth today and show my God just how grateful I am for His gift!

What truth goes with your feeling today? 

Will you please share with us what you are wearing today, a girl always can use some new ideas to coordinate with what's in her closet, right?!?! 

Let's think of it as God’s own little valentine message for our hearts today…and then choose to give our own valentine in return.  *Can't wait for what you have to share*

Help!

I chuckled to myself when I got home from Bible Study the other night and saw that one of my boys wrote a little note in response to my first note to him and the rest of my boys.

As I smiled and let the love of my boy sink in, I felt God whisper to me, "Yes, let My Love sink in."

I haven't always had a heart to ask for help...either from others, my boys, and especially not from God.  But I am learning as I take little baby steps, what it means to walk humbly with my King.  Hmmmm...we don't have to get it just right before we take those first steps, do we?  We have the freedom in Christ to walk...to take those 'freedom baby steps.'  (Want to be encouraged to take some FREEDOM STEPS...check out this album another princess is debuting soon).

Do you need help?
Do you ask others for help?
Do you ask God for help?

I have definitely been that kind of wife, mother and friend in recent years that did not need help, for I felt that I could take care of things best on my own.  If I asked for help I used to feel that I was fully displaying all of my weakness and fraility for all to see--and who wants to display weakness.  (Ah, yes, but when we are weak, You are strong (1 Cor 4:10). 

Can you relate?

This week in my studying...please feel free to join me and others on the Princess Path and let me know if you want to join in on the studying 1 John, we are just beginning Chapter 2 and you can get my eBook here...we just talked about God being our help.

As I stare at the words penned by my boy, I also think of the words God inspired others to pen and I know God is with me in spirit and encouraging me to ask for help. 

Do these scriptures stir your heart like they do mine?

"Now go, I will help you..." (Exodus 14:12)

"There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides on the heavens to help you and on the clouds in his majesty. (Numbers 33:26)

"For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you."  (Isaiah 41:13)


Who is your help?  How do you ask for help?

Clean And Cute!

Does your life look or feel messy?  Yesterday was a messier day than usual for me and I even tweeted this picture of my son.  I titled this picture of him and is smeared spaghetti tray, “It’s been a messy day!”

I thought a lot yesterday about how messy life can be.  In the middle of the muck of life, it is easy to feel like we can’t get cleaned up—hopelessness can set in at any given time and thoughts of change exhaust even the most driven princess. 

I realized this morning that God was speaking to me through my messy day and He rocked my heart this morning as He breathed life into my heart.  His words of truth are echoing now as I type, “You are already clean.”  And as I work through my 1 John study He is highlighting this truth even more!

Click here

Are you studying God’s Word?  Are you plugged in with a group of girlfriends?  I encourage you to get connected and meet face to face with some gals around you; but if for some reason you can’t—I invite you to check out my study here and get connected with me and other girls on the Princess Path.  There are almost of a dozen of us on this specific journey right now and I will be sharing more of my heart these coming weeks as I venture on this journey with some new girlfriends.  Just click on the picture to the right and it will direct you to Amazon to download my eBook.  Then visit with me here and let me know that you are studying with us—I would love to pray for you each week!

So, in today’s study we read Hebrews 9:14 and 22 and the word cleans jumped off of the page for me.  I share the meaning of the Greek word in my study and write—“all the mistakes, all the regrets, all the dirtiness that life brings, He can wash away.” 

I realize how much the world has taught me otherwise.  Even the very people God has placed over me in my life, other well-meaning people just have managed to communicate either by their words, or lack of words and just their simple actions have left me with thoughts close to my heart, “You are not good enough,” or “I see your messiness and until you get it together, you have no worth.”  As a child I remember feeling like my good always needed to be better when words of affirmation were often withheld.  Over time, my heart was left feeling dirty, inadequate and without hope and I couldn’t really explain these feelings--I just know I felt this way deep inside.  I struggled with feeling clean and good.  Do you struggle with feeling good enough in this messy world?

Remember this picture I said I tweeted, I got several comments back with just the word ‘CUTE!’   I have to say, I agree with the comments, for as I snapped the picture of my messy boy, I was thinking about how cute he was and he was just so proud to be feeding himself and enjoying every second of messiness.  As I glanced again at the picture I heard God whisper, “How cute you are in your messiness.  And just as you are cleaning him up—I do the same for you…You are clean and cute!”

You are clean and cute too girlfriend!  I pray you make time to chat with our King today and hear His whispers for yourself.  Feel clean and cute!  Because He has already made us clean and cute!

Want to be inspired by another’s journey with God that brought about clean and cute amidst a messy life?  Bryon and Julie Widner will be sharing their redemptive story on Girlfriendit Radio today…can’t wait to hear from this former skin head and his wife and how God transformed their lives with His love.  Come listen with me and then let me know what you thought of the show?

Linger

Sometimes, life gets busy and things just kind of linger on my to do list?  Anyone else still have their Christmas tree up?

I'm kind of chuckling...but kind of not-ha!

Another thing on my list is figuring out my blog and having it imported to my Princess Path Facebook Page again...anyone have any ideas?

I came across this link  with some information about "Network Blogs" and now have the 'handy dandy' tab on the left-hand side of my Facebook Page...let's see if anything comes to fruition from this new tab. 

And maybe, I'll get the tree put away this week too...YIKES! 

A Splash Of Almond Milk

Just a splash of almond milk.  That’s what I began adding to my concoction of coffee this past week after listening to some great tidbits about How toTransform It on Girlfriendit Radio.  (Feel free to click on the link and download for free on iTunes)

I had to chuckle to myself after chatting it up with some girlfriends online about it.  Really, God is transforming my heart BIG time right now and He is calling me to make some changes in how I think and respond to some things in my life right now—but really my true emotions came out when I messed with and talked about my morning brew.  Change can be delightful but hard to swallow sometimes.  Do you agree?

Anyone else working through some change right now?
Are you being challenged?
Are you learning to look at your circumstances differently?
Are you learning to respond different?
Are you embracing a different attitude?
Are you being led by God to do something different?

As the seasons change, so do our minds and hearts transform as we agree with God and walk with Him as His princesses down the paths that He has for us. 

I was reminded also after listening to my pastor’s message this weekend that it is this transformation that God wants to use to bring us and others closer to Him.   My pastor titled his message, Come and See…and these words from John 1:46 are resonating in my heart today as is the story told in John 9. 

So often I get snagged in thinking that my sad circumstances or past abusive situations occurred to punish or show me just how sinful and worthless I am—I know ridiculous…right?!? 

As I even type that I know how ridiculous that is; but the reality is that even if I don’t speak it out loud, my emotions and subconscious feel this to the core because of the situations that have been present in my journey. 

Just as the disciples asked in verse 1, “…who sinned this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”  I can so easily replace these words with my own situation(s)….and either feel I have sinned or point the finger at the generation before me or the other sinner beside me. 

Yet, Jesus explains, “Neither this man or his parents sinned…but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.”  (John 9:3)

The work of God displayed in his life!  Does your heart long for the work of God to be displayed in your life? 

Those words ran right into my heart, covered the cracks like a medicating salve…and spoke volumes of hope!  I see that things have happened in my life too and that God desires to transform my heart all so that God might be displayed in my life.  It’s simple but complex isn’t it? 

How can I more easily share this splendor and keep it simple like the blind man who said, in John 9:25, “One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” 

How do you keep it simple?  Can you help me keep it simple?  Is there one thing  we know?

I want to share more of the changes that have occurred in my life and heart….kind of like the change to almond milk in my coffee--but beyond that; don't you? 

I believe God has helped me create this simple list—what can you add to this list with me?

*I was once feeling unloved and unwanted…now I am loved and cherished (Deut 7:9).

*I was once searching for purpose…now I know God has a great plan and purpose for my life. (Jer 29:11)

*I was once broken and ashamed of my past feeling defeated…now I am living…although not perfectly, but as an overcomer—more than a conqueror with Christ.  (Romans 8:37)

As we remember where we’ve been, may we stay focused on where we are going with Christ.

How do you keep it simple and stay focused on this ever transforming journey?  Let's chat it up and laugh about our ways and keep going with our King...one step, one splash of almond milk at a time. 

But seriously, I am asking for your input and help...please dare to go with me and respond below.

Never Stop Dancing!

It's late...Mommy's home--thank you for your prayers--and the heels are off and the boys are in bed.  I've decided to make a collage of the night...a night I will treasure FOREVER!  First, I kind of felt like Cinderella today, taking care of a regular day of duties, changing diapers, running errands and even finishing up some work while the youngest prince napped...Mom was in sweats, hair pulled back and no make up for the majority of the day...and the rush of dinner time was in full force around 6pm when I grilled burgers for the family

 (the Princes' choice dinner for the night).

Dad brought home a gift and the boys helped put it on...                

The boys adjusting my corsage.

Prince JT-Princess Mom-Prince JD ready for the night

 I never did think about dressing the baby for the night...what was I thinking, he is our biggest dancer yet!

 Surprised at how many people there were--such a great idea!!  And way to go Dad's Club!  This picture shows just one of the circle of kids doing some dance activity with hula-hoops...my cool pre-teen was the COOLEST!

Some serious looks from the little j-man tonight...I think he was wondering what his brothers were doing with hula-hoops...

 What?  (Don't you just see the COOLNESS?)

This dancing dude

 One is particularly, not shy and not lacking in dance moves....the picture just don't do it justice. 

with his COOL bro

NEVER

STOPPED DANCING!

I don't want to stop dancing in this life...

I hope you don't stop dancing either...

But don't follow my moves...I don't know what I'm doing...just feel His heartbeat within you and follow Him...He will lead you into your own groove. 

Let's not be scared to get out there and DANCE...our own gifted dance!  I am choosing to forever remember this night, and just be...

THANKFUL!

Happy Birthday Mommy! 
Thank you for encouraging me to keep dancing.  I will push through the fears and keep dancing!