Thank You Military service men and women!!

I wrote this letter a long time ago, but thought it would be good to post today with it being Veteran's Day.


Dear friend,

I will be honest, as I always am; I’m not sure what someone in the military would want to read. I’m not sure what words someone would want to be encouraged with, but I do know that God has asked me to make an effort.

I’m not a brilliant writer, but words are my world. I analyze and debate within myself as to what is the better way to communicate a message to another person. Of course, when I’m not sure what message I should be sending, I go to prayer.

It’s similar to the way you may feel approaching your daily tasks. You may not know exactly what detailed steps you need to take along your path, but you know you need to make a move. God is my anchor point, so when I’m unsure, I know I can get the confidence I need through prayer to make a move.

The road I move along may look much different than your road. Mine consists of struggling to roll out of bed, as I am not a morning person, and prying my 2-year-old from her blankets so we can venture out for another day that looks much like each previous day. Routine surrounds me in a pleasant way. Work, dinner, cleaning, and entertaining a 2-year-old is on the agenda before returning to bed.

I could not imagine a life without the comfort of my own bed in a home with my family, and it is this reason alone that I thank God for making us all so different. God leads us down different roads. Your road may look much different but as our roads interconnect we have the ability to make an impact on others even when we are unaware.

Some may be bound up in the debates and details of our government and its role in the military, but I drop all of it to be simply thankful. I am thankful that God has allowed our differences to lead us to varied destinations. I am thankful for the person strong enough to train and take a stand where ever they are led, so our enemies do not cause danger to our children within the proximity of this land.

While I may not have a clear view to the road you are traveling, I want you to know that there is someone thankful for the work you do along the way. Even when you feel you haven’t made a monumental impact, your willingness is enough to make a difference. With this letter I also am sending prayers, and I hope God has a special blessing for you.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

With God’s love and a thankful heart,
Melissa

Wow...deception is running wild.

So, just like any day when I got some free time I scurried up to the computer to see what was happening through Facebook. I stay up to date with friends and family this way and use it as an outlet for things on my mind occasionally. Well, today was slightly different. When looking at the home page, I was blown away by a post an old friend of mine had placed on her page.

She had posted an image from a homophobia page. The image on one side had two gay men leading up to a romantic kiss, while on the other side was orphans starving to death. The caption read: If the picture on the left (gay men) shocks you more than the picture on the right (orphans), you need to revise your views on immortality.

There is so much wrong with this logic, I don't even know where to begin. Hence the reason I am typing a blog about it rather than commenting on Facebook, especially since there are so many deceived people ready to argue.

My mind raced with several comments I might have injected. I don't believe either picture is shocking. We have gays living just as orphans are dying. This is a corrupt world after all. However, if both were to reach death the orphans would no longer have to suffer as they are swept away in the arms of Jesus, and the sadness for those deceived living homosexual lifestyles would be not having the same luxury. (Romans 1:25-32)

One group of people doesn't rank higher than the other. Jesus Christ died on a cross to bring salvation to everyone. However, He will let go those who turn to wicked ways of living. And yes, for those God has told to take care of the orphans and are not, they are also in disobedience. (James 1:27)

God is the judge of both, and we have Scripture to lead us in the right direction if we will heed to its instructions.

The other problem I have with posts and comments in regards to homosexuals is the word homophobia. Seriously, people act as if being a Christian automatically makes you scared of a gay or lesbian as if they are the Boogie Man. Just because I don't agree with their lifestyle, the same as a drug addict, does not mean I hate them (as a true Christian, I'm not suppose to let hate overtake my heart anyhow), and it does not mean I am scared because someone is gay. (2 Timothy 1:7)

Yes, arachnophobia, I am scared sometimes of a little spider crawling across the floor because I don't want to be touched or bit by the eight-legged creation. However, I'm not scared a gay or lesbian is going to touch or hurt me in anyway. (Matthew 10:28)

Those who take comments and ideals in regards to homosexuality without running it alongside Scripture(truth) are being deceived and I find that more shocking or sad in the whole scheme of things. Too bad there isn't an image I could post to counteract the fuel to the fire of deception.

What we will endure for a child…

I’ve never been so exhausted. I feel as though my back has broken in half at my rib cage with every muscle requesting a vacation. I am continually told I shouldn’t be tackling certain daily tasks the way I do in my condition. My condition being that I am pregnant.

Aside from the physical strain on my body, the waves of nauseating moments and limitations (mostly bending over) I have faced throughout the last 9 months, I still have to embrace the thrill ride of delivering the child who currently wants to kick her way out my side. Sounds a bit crazy, right?

Well, women volunteer their bodies to the growth of children every day. They endure ridiculous morning sickness, or anytime sickness. Then they move on to never receiving rest from an average of 20 to 40 pounds of extra carriage. Lastly, labor can take hours spent with contractions, possibly pain medicine and pushing like no one has ever seen.

All of this for a little baby who usually cries the first time they see you. Of course, Mommy doesn’t care about all the pain and suffering she may have felt, she is looking at beautiful blue eyes, tiny hands and this small baby bundled ready for her arms.
Many have said this in past; I know I have, that a mother’s love is similar to God’s love for His children. To put a different spin on this love, I believe a mother’s love is similar to Christ’s love for God’s children.

Christ volunteered His body up for the growth of God’s children. He endured ridiculous ridicule and torture. Then he moved on to carrying the weight of our sin on His body. Lastly, hours were spent hanging from a cross.

All of this for a little child who usually runs the first time they are introduced to the love of Christ. Of course, Christ doesn’t mind all the pain and suffering He might have felt, because he is looking at a precious child of God ready to love with open arms.

They missed one…

While waiting at the doctor’s office, I scanned through a magazine and came across a collection of articles featuring fathers in the local area nominated as the best dads. Not one of the fathers was extra extraordinary with any super power except for taking their job as dad seriously and holding their children dear to their hearts.

I decided after reading through a few of these dad stories, the magazine missed one. Brandon, my husband, is the best dad I know. Our first daughter, Autumn, is 3-years-old and soon our second, Brooklyn, will be born.

The Lord wanted to bless Brandon with daddy’s little girls and he cherishes his time as a daddy. In the evening, you can find Brandon helping prepare dinner, sitting around the table with us, cleaning up the spaghetti-covered face and fingers of a toddler and then having pretend tea time in Autumn’s bedroom floor.

Of course, Autumn enjoys many of daddy’s interests as well. While Brandon enjoys making house plans on his computer, he and Autumn love to pull out the bag of blocks to construct a house or castle also.

As Autumn has grown in the past year, she has become a mini-Brandon. They both love music and will dance together. They love to be outside, so Autumn will follow daddy cleaning the yard or working on something before Brandon will help her ride her bike or bang on her drums.

Brandon works full-time and runs a small yard care business, so these moments in time with his little girl are very important to the both of us.

I am very proud our girls have such a great and wonderful father they can spend time with, love and learn from as they grow and mature.

To an unknown god…

I was reading a passage in the Bible (Acts 17:23-30). It said in short there were a group of people not focusing on the Creator, and instead worshipping at an altar with the inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Paul wrote, saying they were ignorant and there was an amazing Creator, our true, one and only, God to serve.

First, I thought of the area of my life where I could be ignorant serving something unaware. What came to mind was a show I had recently become addicted to watching and needed to lay aside to better use my time elsewhere.

Next, I thought of what others may have sitting in their lives taking away from serving God. There was one item in particular that stood out louder than words.
The item has taken a form of god in many people’s lives. This particular item can light up a room in darkness. It is considered a necessity by most. It is never forsaken, rarely left behind. It is taken to work, church, and the dinner table, and even for some, to bed. It has many tools. It predicts the outcome of the day; it helps everyone communicate and even gets us up out of bed in the morning.

Yes, I am sure you know by now I am referring to your cell phone. I am so frustrated by the usage of this device. I wonder what our lives would be like if we served God with as much enthusiasm as the cell phone hanging out of our pocket?

At work employees take time to neglect their duties for a quick text, call or to surf the Internet. The exact image sits on the pews at church as nearly half the congregation cannot end a text conversation, or go two hours without a Facebook update.

The cell phone usage and addiction is sad, pathetic and makes me angry. Again, I’m only a bystander. The true God is the one being neglected.

What if we were to let Christ light up the room and consider Him our necessity, never forsaking Christ or leaving Him behind? What if we brought Him throughout our day, praying to Him at work, the dinner table and before bed every day? How about letting Him get us up in the morning, guiding our day and being in the midst of our daily conversations?

I bet if nothing else, if we were serving God in a more real way instead of our unknown god, He would be so big in our lives that we would leave the phone in our cars when entering the sanctuary for church service.

Beauty of a woman

What do you see when you look at me? Could it be beauty, not likely.

I don’t wear stylish clothes. I don’t spend money on nails, hair or jewelry. You won’t find layers upon layers of makeup on my face either. I’m lucky if I can go a day with clear skin and my legs not sprouting a field of hair after shaving the night before.

Scars from work and other bumps along life decorate my hands. If my skin glows it isn’t from the sun glistening it, it’s because it is the palest body in the room. My main accessory is a hair tie on my wrist and around my hair, and in my purse are the basic necessities for brushing my teeth, not a city full of glamour.

What do you see when you look at me? Could it be virtue? That is what I want to be true.

Though I may not have the best appearance to the eyes of this world, I know the beauty in my life. I do not wear it in my attire. Instead, it is the beautiful love my husband and I share with each other and with our children. It is in the assurance I have in my faith for Christ as my Savior.

Young women do not need to seek attention through their exterior, while missing out on the interior of their temple. When ladies do this, it often means they are in need of a building up of who they are on the inside. It is hard battling low self-esteem, but the truth God can reveal to us is a great weapon for the fight.

I don’t have to wear what the manikin just inside the store window displays to turn eyes my way and feel good about myself. The low-cut shirt or skirt can remain on a rack. I would rather spend my energy instilling good values of modesty for the children looking up to me. Instead of spending 30 minutes before bed attempting the latest beauty tip, I want to read and pray with my daughter.

No longer is my desire to avoid the discomfort of others talking negatively about what I look like, because I know people are going to talk and it is time I adjust my focus elsewhere.

It is my desire to work toward being a virtuous woman and learn the beauty secrets God has for His daughters.

Proverbs 31

Be Used By God

Sometimes God uses the imperfect people with flaws to show His power where He can receive the glory He deserves. (This is similar to a phrase I heard spoke on television.)

2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.

According to God’s purpose and saving grace is much better than the standards we lay at each other’s feet, or even at our own.

Is it a lack of confidence, direction or laziness keeping us from reaching out as God’s hands? I would imagine everyone would have to answer this for themselves. If I were to categorize my lack of motivation at any given time according to the statement above, it would be a combination, making me human.

I think first we need to know we are flawed, but what makes us amazing as saints, is that God can anoint us with His righteous power. Many have heard “we can do all things through Christ which strengthens us.” Well, it isn’t well known in vain. We, as humans, need to be reminded on a regular basis we are capable of doing more. We don’t need to lean on our crutch of what we are incapable of completing, but rather, taking hold of the tools only God gives us to do the job. The only person holding us back away from the path laid out with God’s will is ourselves. In addition to having joy through our salvation, we can have strength and confidence.

Philippians 1:25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith.

Once you realize who you can be with the Lord, now you need direction. You are ready to move, but to stay in His will, you need His guidance.

It can be as simple as your conscious or conviction leading you to know what is right or wrong in a moment and as in depth as searching Scripture for a message and purpose in your life.

For instance, I recently studied Titus. With my research, I learned elder women and men are called to be helpers in teaching younger generations how to interact with their families. The older women are to lead young ladies in how to raise their children and love their husbands. It would be incredibly special for someone to impact a family in such a meaningful and positive way. (Titus 2:3-5) However, with children’s negative behaviors and a lack of commitment running throughout families, I am pretty sure we dropped the ball on this one.

God’s Word is a light for our feet so we know which steps to take. Relying solely on another person’s telling of Scripture and beliefs is not personal enough to continue to feed God’s purpose into our lives on a day to day basis. So, the next step would be having our own knowledge with application, and these two will set us apart.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Lastly, we must fight laziness and unwillingness. If our mindset is at a place where we think others can do the job God has laid out for us or find every excuse to remain slack, then we are wrong. We should have an eager heart ready to follow Christ and further the kingdom of God with the resources we have.

One of the biggest resources we have is God’s love. God love d us enough, and now it’s our turn to love others in the same manner.

We don’t need to meet high scholarly standards to love another person and make a difference. A person may be limited with their vision according to talents or intelligence, but they are always capable of love.

Through Christ’s love we are able to receive salvation along with a Holy calling on our lives where we can reach beyond our understanding into a new realm of purpose. Of course, it takes a willing heart in obedience, confidence in who you are with God and God’s guidance throughout your life.