I Struggle

"I struggle"

I have always been a person concerned at least a little bit

about how I look and how my life looks to others.  Not always

a bad thing.  I also want my life to run smoothly.  I would
 like my husband to be the spiritual leader.  I want my child to be
kind and respectful.  I struggle to maintain these things.  I
struggle to make these things a reality.  I struggle with my
thoughts when I believe others don't see my life as
Godly and relevant.  Lets be honest here.  When others don't
see our lives like we want them too, it can hurt.

Ever get wrapped up so tightly in these types of
struggles?  Maybe so tightly you can't quite breath? 
Struggling to maintain, struggling to fit in, struggling to

not look like you have nothing to offer?

I was dealing with this the other day.  Then I had an epiphany.

I believe it was sent to me from the one I have never ever

had an empty meaningless struggle with.

"I am here to glorify and serve"

The end.  Nothing else matters more than this.  This is who

I was created to be.  To love my savior, to serve Him, to glorify

Him by my actions and words, that is why I am here.

Strip away all other struggles for a moment.  Breath and rest in the

 truth.  Drop everything you struggle with outside serving, out side

glorifying.  Strip away the need to control.  Strip away the
need to be appreciated.  Strip away the fear that
others will not see your walk as you would want them too.
Strip away the disappointment you may feel
when you can't afford certain things.  Strip it away, now
leave it at the feet of Jesus.  And see what He says about all these
struggles.

Matthew 6:32-34  tells us that God actually realizes your
need for all these things.  But in this passage it says to
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God"
then these things shall be added to you.

Its a simple yet important reality to maintain. 

I am here to serve God and Glorify Him.

Through this, we are given the fruit that actually fills that empty

part of our souls that need that validation.  God is so true to His

word.  So strong in His love.  So righteous. 

Focus on Serving.  He wants your efforts.  Put aside all the struggles

that have left you wanting and feeling empty.

Just Glorify and Serve.

What Are You Chasing ?

What are you chasing ?

I just heard a speaker talk about being completed, and 

what you think completes you.   One thing he spoke about was

how often we have a check list of things that when we check

them off we feel better about ourselves maybe more

able to feel complete. It got me to thinking.

What am I chasing down?  What in the daily scheme of things

do I think I can complete or check off that will satisfy that

inner self.   I often think this way and didn't even realize I am

doing it.  For instance.  If I work out 20 minutes a day,

 I feel I am more healthy.   If my daughter and I can do at

 least three good days of lessons, I feel I am doing a better

 job with her and getting her ready for school. If I have

my devotions each day, I am a better Christian.  If toys are

picked up off the floor when my husband gets home and

everything looks pretty and neat, I can check that off

as doing my job at helping him feel relaxed when he gets

home from work.  If I get my hair brushed and make up on

I get an even bigger check mark.

None of these are a bad idea.  But what happens when

my mental note pad becomes all consuming?  What happens

if what I am chasing is not what God intended for me to chase?

What happens if I scurry around through out my day with

my head down, getting my things checked off?  When doing

what we believe is all important takes us out of the

control of what  God wants for that given moment

I think we miss the  forest for the trees.

Maybe that day my husband wanted to talk to me while

he is getting ready for work instead I go work out because it

is on the list?  What if a friend needed me on the day I planned

to do lessons?  What if my daughter needed extra time with me

when I wanted to be picking up around the house?  We could

easily miss out on Gods opportunity's if our note pads get

more important than listening to God.

Whats on your check list of daily tasks?  Its great to be

organized.  Its also great to not let the list get in the way of

living and  listening to Gods direction even when it  may differ

from your list from time to time.  Really, the only thing that

as Christians will make us feel "checked off" or "complete"

is our relationship with Christ.  That's the only check mark

that we should be chasing.