Light, Love, Hope

Light in the Darkness Surrounded by Love with Hope for those in need.

Just DO It!

Time is marching on way too fast.  Regrets?  You don’t want to have any.  So, take my advice and just DO it!  Yes, you read that right.  Take that family vacation that you’ve been putting off because you have bills to pay.  Those bills do need to be a priority, but so does your family.  I’m not saying take an extravagant trip that you can’t afford or that you’ll be paying off on your credit card for years.  What I AM saying is just do it.  MAKE time for your family.  Take a day trip to the beach and watch your children run through the water at the edge of the sandy shore.  Soak in all of their laughter as they splash and play.  Allow your spirit to be free and soar right along with theirs.  Enjoy the moment.  Just DO it!

Listen up, parents.  I’m sure no one has to tell you that your children are growing up way too fast.  At times when they are having trouble potty training or sleeping through the night, you may wish they were older and past that stage.  Stop yourself if you can.  Don’t wish their baby and toddler years away.  Don’t rush them to grow up either.  Before you know it, you will blink your eyes, and they will be walking down the aisle with a cap and gown on GRADUATING!  Trust me.  I KNOW!  This just happened to me May 22, 2015 when my darling daughter was a newborn JUST the day before, and I blinked … and she walked across the stage in that royal blue cap and gown with the blue and white tassel hanging from her cap as she glowed – GLOWED, I want you to know – as we clapped and cheered for her great accomplishment.

It … goes … way … too … fast!

There is such an urgency I feel within my heart to tell you to do it NOW while you can.  While your babies still want you around.  When they want you to run in the yard acting like you’re fairies or better yet, like you’re in the Hunger Games.  RUN … PLAY … SPEND PRECIOUS TIME WITH THEM!

So they want to jump on your back, but you’re sooooo tired from the day’s work.  LET THEM!  Bend down and let them ride on your back across the yard.  Hear their laughter in your ears, but let it flow right straight to your heart.  Allow THAT to soak in, and you’ll see that a tired back is nothing compared to the memories you JUST made with your son or daughter.

Just DO it, people!

Years later when you look back on the pictures … relive the memories … or hear your children tell stories of their childhood to their own children … you’ll be so glad you took the time!

Michael W. Smith – Sovereign

Michael W. Smith has just released his new CD “Sovereign.” We have a video clip of the song Sky Spills Over.

Here’s a quote from MWS on the video:

“I’m really passionate about the song SKY SPILLS OVER. It was fun creating it in the studio and I’ve been overwhelmed at the response it gets when we perform it live every night. My son Ryan is a really talented filmmaker so I always enjoy working with him on a project. But what made this project even more special was that 3 of my own grandkids were in the video. This video was a lot of fun to make. I hope people enjoy it!”

Check out the full CD and other videos at iTunes:

MWS

Lesson Learned

I was reminded yet again of a lesson I learned the hard way.    Sadly, my daughter has learned this lesson early on in her life as well.  What I have learned is you can try to do everything just right and please everyone, but it is impossible.  No matter how hard you try, someone is going to have a disapproving remark or look down their nose at you.  There are some people that no matter how hard you try, nothing will ever be good enough for them.  Sad, but true.

Just recently my husband and I attempted to join a group, yet early on, I sensed that I was dealing with someone that just was not going to be happy with me no matter what I did.  I realize that not everyone will like me, and that is okay, too.  They are missing out if they choose to turn their noses up in the air and act as if they are better than me.  They aren’t.  We are made out of the same stuff, whether they want to acknowledge it or not.   It just seems sad when a group of people are supposed to be coming together for a great cause only for it to end with hurt feelings and holier-than-thou attitudes.

I’m me.  Plain and simple.  I can’t be anything but me!  Like me, love me, hate me, judge me … at the end of the day, I’m still going to be myself.  That is good enough for GOD – then why isn’t it good enough for judgmental people that are waiting around every corner to tell you that you’re not good enough?  Oh I beg to differ.  I am a child of God, and HE loves me.  He died on the cross for me.  I AM good enough to receive the most precious gift ever – Eternal Life.

What gets me is the “church people” or fellow “Christians” that think they sit up on the judgement throne.  They are full of criticism and condemnation, BUT … if they will remember, there is NO condemnation in Christ  None!  AND furthermore, who are they to judge me or the life I’m living?  They have NO authority!  ZERO!

I am secure in knowing that my Heavenly Father knows my heart, and THAT … that is all that truly matters.

If you feel wrongly judged, go to Jesus with your concerns.  Let Him reassure you with His love.  Turn to His word and see what Jesus says about you, for you are a precious Child of God!  Don’t let others get you down.  That’s something everyone likes to say when you’re feeling discouraged.  I say that it’s okay to feel down for a moment when you’re disappointed and hurt by judgmental remarks that people make.  Just don’t stay there.  Don’t camp out there and decide to dwell upon what the nay-sayers spoke about you, your life, and your family.  GOD knows your heart – and as long as you are straight with the Big Man Upstairs, you don’t need to explain or justify your position.  You just need to be secure in who you are … a Child of God … and let the rest go.  Pray for those that judge you, and hopefully one day they will remove the plank from their own eye instead of focusing on the sawdust in yours.

Be blessed, people.  There are so many in this world that can’t wait to tear you down.  Why?  To make themselves feel better.  They obviously don’t feel too good about themselves so they want to latch a hold of you and bring you down right along with them.  Don’t allow it.  Rise above it, people.  You are better than this, no matter what they say.

Oh yes, I have learned that other people’s opinions of me simply do NOT matter.  What God thinks of me does, so I will live my life for an audience of One and hope that He is well pleased.

Lesson Learned.

shirley

Light, Love, Hope

Shirley is the proud mother of two beautiful young ladies. She enjoys spending time with them on their ranch in the deep South with their three paint horses. Always looking for an adventure, she looks forward to hikes in the mountains chasing waterfalls, or scouring the coast for beautiful lighthouses! Shirley writes to encourage others and often times shares things that motivate and inspire her. She believes in living life to the fullest because no one is promised the gift of another day. Join her as we honor our bodies, minds, hearts, souls, and our Almighty Creator, God above!