Television. Cell phones. Facebook. Children. Exhaustion. To-do lists. It goes on and on. How many distractions keep you from connecting with other people? And I mean really connecting. Be honest and think about how often you’ve been on the phone talking to a friend all the while surfing Facebook. When was the last time you looked into somebody else’s eyes and gave them you’re full attention?

It’s hard, I know. It’s almost like we’ve been trained to multitask our entire lives. Schools and jobs are so demanding. And who has ever really taken an honest to goodness vacation? We’re so worried we’re going to miss some big important news flash. So we’ve got our laptop on the table, our cell phone in our pocket and our minds constantly thinking of the next thing to do. But do yourself a favor and pause.

Take a deep breath.

Do you see that person across the room? Your spouse? Your child? Go talk to them, now. Invest 5, 10, 15 minutes, however long, and listen to them. Take note of that little voice in your head that keeps interrupting. You hear it. It’s telling you to check your email. Add cheese to your grocery list. Call your friend to tell her about this cool new item on Etsy. Turn that voice off. Right now it’s just you and that person. And chances are that person, whomever it may be, rarely gets heard.

I can only imagine what it must have been like when the woman who had touched the hem of Jesus’ garment felt.

As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” (Luke 8:42-48 ESV)

For twelve years she was an outcast. Considered unclean and unwelcome. Can’t you imagine how much this timid child of God felt when Jesus singled her out in front of the crowd? Scared at first, wondering if she had done something wrong. But now, here was Jesus proclaiming that her faith had healed her. Such a beautiful scene! She was accepted and loved as she was by her savior in front of everyone! Don’t you just want to run up and hug her!

Who do you know that could use a listening ear and listening eyes? Seek out that person in your life that needs to know that they matter. That they are not a lost cause. Let go of any pride you may be holding on to and go after that loved child of God. Show them the love of Christ and give them your full, one hundred percent, attention. Chances are the Lord can use you both in each others lives. You in their life and them in yours.

Blessings!

Have you ever considered blogging? May I encourage you to start today?

I’ve kept several blogs since the birth of my first daughter in 2002. Every single entry is incredibly precious to me. Not only do I see how my children have grown, when they reached certain milestones, memories of their baby days, etc. I also see how I’ve changed. I’m able to see the valleys. The high mountains. The seasons of struggle and growth in my marriage. I see His grace painted over all the days. The season where I walked away from Him. He was still there. Always there waiting and encouraging me.

Maybe you journal? Who doesn’t love a crisp new journal accompanied by a new pen?

The pages just waiting to hold all of your thoughts and dreams. And when you begin you think it’s going to be filled with wonderful things. But then you begin to walk through a valley and before you know it the journal that you had so much hope for is now filled with pain. No longer beautiful to look at. I cringe when I see those journals and contemplate throwing them out. Disgusted that I could be filled with so much anger, jealousy, hate, etc.

It’s not the same with blogging. When you’re online and typing your thoughts you know there is the chance somebody else is reading. I do have private blogs, ones that only family members can see, but having a public blog is a wonderful lesson in taming your tongue and capturing your thoughts.

take every thought captive to obey Christ

{2 Corinthians 10:5-6 ESV}

We’re so easily deceived into thinking that our thoughts can’t possibly effect others if we’re not acting on them. The word tells us otherwise.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

{Philippians 4:8-9 ESV}

The most beautiful gift in blogging {and journaling} is how we number our days. Our lives are fleeting. It’s so hard to remember that when our days run together like water. Wake up, breakfast, homeschool, lunch, nap, dinner, bed, repeat. Your life is so much more than that. Your thoughts, what you do every day, may seem monotonous to you but could be life changing to somebody else. Don’t down play what you do or how you live. God is most glorified when using the unnoticeable. He created you and has magnificent plans for you! Let Him use your life to shine into another’s.

So teach us to number our days

that we may get a heart of wisdom.

(Psalm 90:12 ESV)

If you feel this is the direction the Spirit is leading you then start today. Type your first entry now. Tell the world your story. Remember with each letter you type you are part of His story.

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

{1 Corinthians 2:2-5 ESV}

Blessings!

When we rise our day is unblemished. As long as our hands are held open and not holding onto the wrongs of yesterday. We have choices to make. Will we bring down or encourage? Will we go stagnant or pursue His promises? Computer or Bible? Regret or new life? Forgiveness or pride?

Can I encourage you to rise a little earlier? Take a walk around your neighborhood. Pray for the day that lies ahead. I read in a book one time a great acronym for praying. PRAY – Praise, Repent, Ask {for others} and Yourself. I’m prone to pray for myself and my problems. This acronym has helped me to readjust many times.

As you walk pray for your neighbors and the struggles they might be going through. You may not even know them or what they are going through. If you feel the Spirit tugging on you then pray. Pray for His will to be done, whatever than may mean in their current situation. And if you don’t know them make a mental note to introduce yourself. You never know how the Lord might use you in their life, or vice versa.

Pray for your friends, your co-workers, your family, your children, your children’s future spouses, etc. Pray for the unknown. Pray for the lost.

If you can’t rise early enough then go on an evening walk. Take a family member or all. I’ve truly enjoyed taking a different daughter on various walks. They each get ‘mama time’ while I get the pleasure of walking their hearts closer to His.

Draw your heart closer to His. He will give you the rest you need for the day. Take time in His word. In His truth. In His promises. Spend time with the one who gave it all. Every beautiful heartbeat.

Blessings!

What can you do today to change the world?

Consider fighting human trafficking and ordering a shirt from She Has a Name.

We had an idea to start selling a t-shirt that would aid in awareness, as well as generate a profit that could be used in the fight. 100% of the profits from shirt sales go toward the fight against human trafficking. At this time we are partnering with two ministries that are rescuing and restoring young girls… bringing the HOPE of Christ into a very dark place!

Having so many daughters myself I have a heart for these girls. And though I can’t help out physically I appreciate all the work that She Has a Name has done. And I proudly wear my t-shirt. To be honest, I’ve taken over my husbands shirt as well {they are incredibly comfortable to boot!}. Many people have made comments. Usually making a crack that I don’t know the names of my children….which yes – I do get there names mixed up on a daily basis {begging for grace}. However it always opens the door for me to talk about She Has a Name and encourage them to help in the fight.

So will you please consider helping? $15 will give these sweet young ones a renewal of hope {and you get a shirt, too}.

She Has a Name

Blessings!