Happy Birthday!

Today is my 32rd birthday and if you know me at all, you know I LOVE my birthday. My humble thoughts are this...It's a day all about me! Ha! I know, it's terrible - but my childhood excitement arises on this day! I've known the Lord as my Savior and have been a Christ follower for 28 years now and my heart longs for Him. I hope that the Lord looks at my heart and can say that every year I've become more in love with Him.....

May my heart ever long for You....
May my life breathe your love with every breath I take....
May my soul yearn for You with relentless passion....
May my words be like music to your ears....
May my thoughts and actions find closeness to your heart.....
May my desires be yours alone....
May You know that I'm always Yours.......

May my life be an ever testimony to Your unfailing love....
May I always long for a deeper love relationship with You...
May all I do point others to the Cross....
May Your sweet presence saturate my life....
May I always long to be obsessed with loving You....

As my birthday comes again this year, I'm forever grateful to a God who cares so deeply for me...my hurts, my joys, my life....

For without Him, my life would be pointless...yet again this year, I find myself forever changed by His love.

More of You.....

Lord, thank you for the unexpected blessings of joy that come to my heart's door.
When I least expect it and at times get discouraged and wonder...
Am I making a difference for you in the world?
It's then that you do more than I could hope or dream.

Strength comes when I hear a sweet whisper of love from You.
Cherished joy comes when I receive a hug from one of my "little loves."
Encouraged kindness comes when I receive a sweet card from a friend.
Love comes when a kiss from my husband stretches to my lips.
Gratefulness visits when I am again reminded of all You've done for me.

Much to my shame - hidden beneath the layers of me is a woman who
desires the approval and acceptance of man. It's not a desire of noble calling,
but alas one of human.

Sweet reminders come when humble Life speaks truth to my soul.
True contentment comes when your hand of love says, "All you need is Me"
....and I remember that my life and heart belong completely to You....

Distractions....

Yesterday morning, like so many of my days was spent with distraction after distraction. My mom was having some special one-on-one time with Caleb; therefore I only had two children to care for. I got Levi fed and put Benjamin in his highchair to eat his breakfast. I got my breakfast prepared and going in the microwave. I think...I'll just go quickly and make my bed...then on my way to make the bed I pick up a few toys on the floor. While I'm making my bed, I decide to grab the burp cloth on my floor and put it in Levi's dirty clothes. But, while I'm in his room I realize that I need to change his sheets because his diaper leaked. After making his bed I hear Levi getting fussy in his swing and decide it's time to put him down for his morning nap. I head out to the living room where he's in his swing and so diligently put him down for his nap, but not before I think I should grab his laundry and get that started....heading down to the laundry room, I put a load in and get that started and then grab Benjamin's clothes for the day to bring up stairs & get him dressed after he finishes eating....Meanwhile, my breakfast is now venturing towards the side of cold, so I re-heat it. While it re-heats I decide to empty the dishwasher. My breakfast is finally warm again and I finally get to sit down to eat and I realize that I left my water bottle in the other room. So, I get up to get it & head back into the kitchen to eat & finally sit down and then I hear Benjamin say to me...."Mama, I'm all done...get out?"

Does this sound like one of your mornings? Some might call these things distractions, but I call it having the privilege of being a mama! Always someone depending on you...always something to do...always cleaning up...always cooking a meal....always....

As a wife & mom, I always have responsibilities in my life, but I wonder what things become a distraction in my growing more in love with the Lord. Always an email to check...always a dish to put away...always a toy to clean up. When do I stop and take a moment to listen to His still small voice whispering my name and desiring my full attention? Is my first, my best always given to Him? Do I spend time in the Word and prayer like I should and make that my first priority...because I know that once I do that, it makes all the difference in my day. What do my distractions take me away from....Him?