Walking in the Shadows

I've been praying for pain, I know it sounds crazy, but I've been in pain a while now and still haven't been able to walk through the pain with joy. So, I've been praying for it, praying for it to continue while those who love me pray for it to cease. Don't get me wrong, I want to feel relief, I want to be able to run with my kids, clean my house, kneel in prayer, and weed my garden without having to take a pain pill, truly I do. But more than that I want joy! Real, true, joy. I am a happy person, the Lord has given me so much, I have more to be thankful for then I have to lament. I also have joy, true joy, until the pain comes. Then something happens, it's like I can't control the way I am feeling and just lash out and find myself walking around in a pile of self pity. That is NOT joy. I have written in the past about my weakness and HIS strength, but it is a lesson hard learned and I believe joy goes right along with resting in HIS strength. I have ...

With school about to start for us I have been thinking about our summer and the fun we have had just being together. So, today is going to be a Thankful Thursday... 1. Afternoon Thunderstorms 2. New Recipes 3. Parents (so thankful mine are ALWAYS there) 4. Sunday Family Dinners 5. Having a 10 year old Man! (Yes he is growing up) 6. Fridays with my Momma 7. The Bible 8. A Husband who plays 9. Grace 10. True Worship 11. Toddler Messes 12. Homemade Bread 13. Bargains!! (spent $115 for this not counting meat and cold items at Bargain Food Store. And I got a TON of Organic items) 14. Marriage (13 years the 28th) 15. Joy 16. River Fun 17. Peace 18. God's Will 19. Forever Friends 20. God's Provision What are you thankful for today?

A week ago today, my youngest son made the most important decision of his young life. He gave his heart and life to Jesus! As a parent, there is no greater joy than to see your child come to Jesus. I know there are some who don’t believe as I do, but I implore you not to stop reading this post. Please just read my account and allow my words to sink into your heart. Friday we decided to go to a campmeeting in NC for its final night to hear an aged man of God preach. I am going to be honest here and confess that I was really tired and considered staying home (thank God I did not). We arrived at the campground and immediately saw our former pastor (where we call our home church), I was so excited as I had not seen him in a quite a while and it was a treat to see him and his dear wife. As it turns out the tent was quite full and we had to sit separate, Jason sat in front of me and the kids with our home pastor and his wife. Throughout the service I recall looking over at Chan...