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Don't you love to find nuggets in Gods word.  Especially in scriptures that you have read somewhere in time before.  They begin to mean something more.  They add certainty and dimension, focus.  


I love my sister friends.  I grow and mature with help from them.  They are examples of Gods love so often in my life.  They are precious gifts full of inspiration and joy.  

BUT...

When the personalities can't be seen as exceptional differences and we don't see eye to eye, or when we find ourselves lost in thought often, with negativity towards another, God needs to show up then as well.  Here's what Philippians 2:1-4 says.

-Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ?

-Any comfort from his love? 

-Any fellowship together in the Spirit? 

-Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 

-Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, 

-loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

-Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. 

-Be humble, thinking of others as better than    yourselves. 

-Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

God did not make us all to be the same or design us to go about things the same.  He did create us to glorify Him.  To grow in love for each other.  He made ways to get along when He puts us into the lives of so many different women.   

I love that Paul sets out these very clear and instructive verses.  He is exampling the attitude of Christ in these passages.  I love how he lays out three questions.  Then he asks "are your hearts tender and compassionate?"  Then he goes on to say, okay... here's what you need to do.

-  Love one another

- Work together

- Don't be selfish

- Don't try to impress

- Be humble

- Think that others ARE better than yourself

- Don't look out for yourself

- Invest in others

Follow these guidelines while navigating through your relationships with your sister friends. God brings people and things into our lives to cultivate our fruits, to grow us into a likeness of His son.  Keep in mind, the most challenging relationships can also be the most rewarding.

What relationship are you thinking about right now?  We all have one (at least).

What is God telling you through this scripture?

Expect God to show up in all areas of our lives.  

He most certainly will! 

I See Me

I See Me

I see me.  Small and alone.  Haggard and worn for my years.

A bit bruised and battered, messy, spots on my clothes, stained by tears.

I see me.  Looking foolish and ridiculous in my need for love and comfort.

I am belittled by my enemies, left alone, not picked from life's concourse.

I see me.  Insignificant and unremarkable to this world I live in.

Nothing special to speak of, kind of wrinkly and not so thin.

As I look down on myself in my usual fashion, separated from myself,

God strolls beautifully beside me "Let me your story retell."

He looks at me.  Strong!  Warring against the enemy for the ones I love.

A lot of my scars tracing back to the enemy and not sent from above.

He looks at me.  A child of His.  Once alone, lost and forsaken.

He sees me raised from my circumstances, my burden lightened. 

He looks at me. He sees my promise and the gifts He bestowed.

He sees His son and spirit working in the heart, far from earthly vision below.

He looks at me.  He sees a child of His who he raised.

A million times more potent is His love than the doubts I had today.

Bringing Home a Stranger

"Bringing Home a Stranger"

My heart pounds and I watch intent on the message.

Oh to be used so much by God.  To be growing in faith and progressing.

Tears and tears at the love so evident for another.

Teach me, oh Lord. Teach me to submit to you forever.

To be used of God in such a way. To bring a stranger home to stay.

To give unconditional love to one I never knew.  Oh to love in such a way.

I wonder sometimes as I go through life's path.  What will my project of love be.

Oh to be used of God maybe not in this way.  I want my own journey to see.

Dear Lord help me plant where you say to plant those seeds.

Help me not envy but lift praises, when others destiny's are freed.

I will watch, work, praise lift others and be on the battle ground.

For your kingdom is waiting for us and true missions are all around.

Bless those who do love this way, to bring a stranger home to stay.

Show them grace, patience and hope.  These tiny souls were given a new life today.

The following are wonderful stories of Adoption and Gods unmistakable love.

Meet Lily and Hope - Everybitterthingissweet

The Darling Dukes "My Journal entry from yesterday"

http://thedarlingdukes.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-journal-entry-from-yesterday.html

In dedication to my parents who brought many many children in desperation

 through our house.   Who dedicated years and years out of their lives

to give to children in need.



"The Gift of Raising"

Knowing you want the good for me and for her.

Knowing these moments may seem small.

Knowing these days we both are growing together.

These days are simple, precious and pure.

These days may sometimes seem tiring and trying.

These days are etched in our hearts forever more.

  Help me to love her honestly and perfectly.

Help me to rely on you when I don't.

Help me to know her like you know me.

These moments though precious, will soon be gone.

These days pass quicker than I can possibly realize.
These pearls of wisdom from only you are drawn.

Remind me the gift of motherhood is just that, a gift.
Remind me not to lose your pearls amongst the mess.
Remind me each day that the end of childhood will come swift.

Telling myself the world outside your will, doesn't matter.
Telling her only your love is real and perfect.
Telling the world of your love, with how I teach her.

As I grasp on to her childhood with all my might
As I look to you for guidance
As I keep my emotions in line with your perfect sight.

Praying to you with shouts of glory and of much Praise.
Praying when my patience is so small.
Praying for wisdom, for this child you gave to me to raise.

Measurements

Measurements

I sized myself up with the measurement of my daughter's behavior

I have cried at the results

I sized myself up with the measurement of my husband's affections

I have cried at the results

I sized myself up with the measurement of my pier's invites and attentions

I have cried at the results

I sized myself up with the measurements of my own accomplishments

I have cried at the results

Then  a tap, tap, tap on my heart

His voice as sweet as spring  
His voice as strong as thunder

His truths older than this world I call home 
His grace bigger still

So many scriptures of His compassion 
So many scriptures of His love

So many scriptures of His Deity 
So many scriptures of His son

Then I read

I read His note to me and learn more about measurement

I read His note and learn more about what He sees

I read His note and learn about perfection

I read His note and I know He sees His perfect Son when

He sees me!

I size myself up with the measurement of God's Love and Grace
I smile at the results