Love Learn and Grow

H-A-R-D

2012-01-26T12:27:00.000-06:00

Lately, life has just been a little bit harder than normal. I am facing new challenges and new levels of...discomfort? confusion? discontentment?...and I am really having to push myself to hang on to the only One who can make things make a little bit more sense. It is taking everything within me to not give up on my ideals, to stay strong and hold on to what I know is true. Have you been there?

It is in these moments, I am learning, that you have a decision to make. One can either stay the course, hang on to the truths that they have been filling themselves with, even if it hurts; or one can do what would grant temporary relief, what makes sense at the moment, and let go of what they know, deep deep down, is truly wise and unfailing. There it is, I said it...deep deep down, I know what the right thing to do is. I know I must trust in God to give me strength to work through each and every situation. Hanging on to God's promises will not let me down. What my "self" wants to do is not what God would want for me to do. Psalm 55:22 says,

"Give your burdens to the Lord,

and he will take care of you.

He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

God wants me to give Him all my fears, worries, and concerns, and He says that He will take care of me...He will not let me fall.

Today, I choose to trust and choose to persevere, even though life has been...hard. He didn't promise life would be all daisies and roses, but He did say he would be our strength.

Philippians 4:13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

So even though I am weak today, I choose to obey Him, I choose to persevere.

Blessings today,

Jenna

The Occassional Blogger

2011-12-31T14:34:00.000-06:00

The occassional blogger...that is me. I find that it is very hard for me to find the time to write down and say all the things I would really love to blog about. I don't quite understand why it is so hard. I have only 2 children, Matthew who is 5 and Alegra who is 1. And while they do occupy A LOT of my time, I have to wonder why it is that I cannot get organized enough to find the time to really dedicate to this blog. I mean, goodness, there are so many women with 3 times the amount of children I have who blog regularly and beautifully...so why can't I, with a mere 2 children, make it happen?

My guess is twofold...one, I am in a season that I have not quite mastered. Child number one was tricky enough, but juggling 2 has me in for a loop. I just struggle to find time for everything that I need to do. I am one of those people who like things done a certain way and in a certain order, and by a certain time, and so perhaps I take a little longer to do things. Which, by the way, has been an area of growth for me. I am slowing learning to let go of the little things, the "unimportant"...the things that feel important, but in the great grand scheme of things...really are not.

My second guess for having been an occasional blogger is perhaps my level of commitment has not been high. While I am busy learning and growing and stretching, at the end of the day; the time I would have for blogging, I choose to do the other things that are helping me grow and stretch, which is actually, not a bad thing.
However, I do enjoy having my own little space in this vast world on the internet, and I do get excited about the idea that I might be an encouragement to someone out there who is in the beginning stages of life with little ones, and being the introvert that I am, a blog is such a great way to express my heart with others.

Sooooo, I think for the new year, 2012, I will dedicate just a little more time to communicate through writing, to share my heart and hopes for this life. May God lead us all in strength and perseverance as we head into a new year. Joyous 2012, Happy New Year!

Learning to sloooww dowwwnnn

2011-11-03T22:18:00.000-05:00

Today, I found myself rushing about, stressed and impatient. Yuck! My hubby is traveling on business which often leaves me flittering about nervous and rushed to get all the things done that “need” to get done…And then…I realized this morning, “what is sooooo important?” It was the look of my precious one year old’s face that said, “I need you now and I am frustrated that you are not paying attention to me!” Her little lip quivered and she had these begging eyes asking, “please, pick me up”. So I did. I picked her up, amid the rush of trying to get jackets on, shoes on, hats on, car keys in hand, etc…just so that we would not be late to my son’s preschool. REALLY?!!! Are these things so important that I cannot hold my daughter for a few minutes and offer comfort? Wow! I needed some perspective and her sweet little face gave me some perspective. She needed me, and I, the person whom she is to depend on most, did not want to stop going, going, going.

Breakfast dishes will not go anywhere, pajamas will soon be put away and laundered, sinks will eventually be cleaned up, floors will be swept again, but my daughter will either remember a mother who was available to her or a mother who was not someone she could depend on at any time. I want to be the available mother. I want her to know how valuable her precious life is and I want to show her the love of Christ in action daily. And by showing her she will know how to do the same for her children and loved ones in her life.

Thank you Lord for the wisdom that you grant me at the exact moment that I need it. The morning could have turned out much worse and we could have arrived at my son’s school angry and rushed instead of peaceful and joyful. After picking up my daughter to give her the much needed attention she sought, she was ready to be back on the floor playing within 5 minutes and we continued to prepare for our day and make our way, joyfully, out the door.

Blessing to you today and God’s ever abundant mercy as well!