Pack Lighter!

    

 Its been a long time since I had a dream that I felt meant something spiritual. I usually am just running around on some adventure and wake up feeling more exhausted than when I went to bed. Welcome to my life! lol  Anyways, I dreamed that my family was scheduled to get on some sort of subway type thing and it was of dire importance that we didn't miss the train. When we arrived at the terminal the person that was supposed to let us on informed me that I had WAY too much stuff to take with me and there was no room for it. When I turned around to see what she was talking about I realized that behind me was a ginormous stack of junk behind me all spewing out of the many bags and boxes that were there. I quickly began to try and downsize what I knew I wouldn't need and kept getting told that it was still too much. So I was cramming things down into my huge Thirty-One bag and trying to decide what was not important and could be thrown away. I was very frustrated and confused by the idea of having to get rid of things knowing they would only go in the trash. Then I woke up...

     Immediately I wondered what that dream was all about. Why did I dream such a vivid dream that cramped my style so much? I didn't have to dig very hard to realize that God had a message in there for me and it was loud and clear. I was going to have to reduce some things in my life in order to move forward. It wasn't the first time he tried to tell me that, but sometimes I need a good, swift, kick in the pants in order to realize what I already know.
      I have taken on a lot of extra things lately and have been trying to balance it all perfectly. I had no idea that believing that I could do EVERYTHING was a form of pride and it was another thing that had to go!
     The big kicker to all this was that when I went to church Sunday morning the sermon was all about addressing the elephant in the room. Actually... it was the whale behind you. I know that sounds kind of strange but the sermon began with Aaron talking about an incident that happened in 2004 in Taiwan. The short version is that a marine biologist had an amazing opportunity to study a whale found off shore that was dead. He worked diligently to get the whale removed and taken to his lab at the university only to be told that there was no room to do such a task there. In transport the whale was doing what dead animals do and was getting all warmed up in the sun and creating methane in its body. The pressure was just too much and exploded all over a busy town in Taiwan. I am quite sure that the smell and mess was unbearable!  So, like that dead whale that been pulled around town behind a truck, I too was guilty of carrying around things that I didn't need to be transporting. Luckily I realized this BEFORE my whale exploded. I won't lie though...it was a close one! 
     So pack light friends and don't go hauling around things you don't need to. Jesus told us,

"Come to Me, all you who are weary and heavy-laden,

and I will give you rest.

Take My yoke upon you,

and learn from Me,

for I am gentle and humble in heart;

and You shall find rest for your souls.

For My yoke is easy,

and My load is light."

Matthew 11:28-30

 

Thank goodness he has a light load and he will give us the much needed rest that we need. I am going to downsize a bit so don't be suprised if I say that word that I dread saying from the pit of my soul....NO. I am packing lighter.

 

 

Your Beloved Needs You Now

It is such a Monday already. Sometimes you need to just be still and take in anything you can get from God on days like these. I choose to listen to christian radio in the mornings to help lift my spirits. This morning this is the song that really spoke to me. I hope the words speak to you as well. I will post the actual song later but for now...

I WILL LIFT MY EYES

God, my God, I cry out:
Your beloved needs You now
God, be near; calm my fear
... And take my doubt

Your kindness is what pulls me up
Your love is all that draws me in

[Chorus]
I will lift my eyes to the Maker
Of the mountains I can't climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer
Of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer
Of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You

God, my God, let mercy sing
Her melody over me
And God, right here all I bring
Is all of me

Your kindness is what pulls me up
Your love is all that draws me in
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/b/bebo_norman/i_will_lift_my_eyes.html ]
[Chorus]
I will lift my eyes to the Maker
Of the mountains I can't climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer
Of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer
Of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You

[Bridge]
'Cause You are and You were and You will be forever
The Lover I need to save me
'Cause You fashioned the earth and You hold it together, God
So hold me now

[Chorus]
I will lift my eyes to the Maker
Of the mountains I can't climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer
Of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer
Of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You

God, my God, I cry out:
Your beloved needs You now...

An Unexpected Journey

     The movie, "The Hobbit" comes out December 14 and I am very excited because its part of the Lord of the Rings, which is my favorite movie. I am reading the book right now because I want to see how it compares to the movie. Anyways, I haven't gotten very far in the book because I am really trying to enjoy each part, each character, and the journey itself.  The first page of the book was so descriptive and I already feel as though I am a part of the adventure! The more I read the more I realize how we are all on our own adventure in this life. We get so caught up in the busyness of everything that we rarely see life as an adventure. It usually seen as more of a chore and we seem to spend time wishing we could either go back in time or make it to the next weekend. We never really live fully in the moment. 

     I can identify with Bilbo Baggins more than I ever thought I would. I, like him, am living all comfortable in my little hobbit-hole drinking tea and sitting by the fire. I know exactly what will happen at what time and I am completely predictable. Then along comes Gandalf unexpectedly into Bilbo's cozy abode talking of adventures.  Stunned and confused, Bilbo hurries him off not even realizing that Gandalf has chosen him for a greater task. Whether he wants it or not, he is getting ready for something big. (God does this to me daily and probably giggles at my surprise when he shows up!)  Bilbo comes from a lineage known as the Took clan. Every once in a while someone from that lineage randomly does the unimaginable and has an adventure which goes against everything a hobbit stands for. His first reaction to Gandalf's invitation is that he has no need for an adventure, but something stirs inside him because of his lineage that makes him suddenly feel brave and prepared for a journey. My first reaction to God's invitation is to stay comfortable in my hobbit-hole as well. Then something stirs inside me...something from my lineage as a child of the King. Something that makes me want to do brave, exciting things. Something that makes me ready for the next adventure at the drop of a hat. I want to live my life in a big way...are you up for an adventure?

Lucky?

Some people have all the luck...especially those who it seems don't always deserve it. That is what I used to think. I always thought everyone else had it better than I do. More money, better genes (skinny ones!), nicer houses, etc.  I've come to realize that I am not a lucky person at all. I am a blessed person! There is a difference between the two that I never really realized before. 
Here is the definition of luck as seen in Webster's Dictionary:
1.      the force that seems to operate for good or ill in a person's life, as in shaping 
       circumstances, events, or opportunities.

2.

good fortune; advantage or success, considered as the result of chance.

3.

a combination of circumstances, events, etc., operating by chance to bring good or ill to a person.

4.

some object on which good fortune is supposed to depend.

So it seems that everything about luck operates on chance! My life, however, does not operate around chance. It is all because I am blessed. There is no luck involved in being created by a loving God who chose us and knew us before we ever came into being. Everything I have and will ever have is given because God knows me. He knows what I can handle and what I can't and that takes a lot of pressure off of me to be perfect. He knows the things in my heart that may keep me from Him, from being the person He created me to be. So I can't help but think as I look in the mirror, cuddle on the couch in my modest home, and struggle through to the next paycheck, that God has it all planned out to bless me in the way that I was created. No luck involved. I am glad that only "chance" I have in my life is my son. (Chanze) lol

Britt

I will be with you...

Thank goodness for days when God knows you are in a slump. He carefully lifts you up, dusts you off, and then sends you on your way to do the best you can with His help. I woke up this morning tired and unwilling to begin my long day. Tears almost filled my eyes as I thought about the tasks that were ahead of me. "I don't think I can do it today Lord", I said. He said...yes you will do it and you will be just fine. 
 The scripture in my Jesus Calling devotional for today was Isaiah 41:10.
 "So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

How do I argue with that? He said he wasn't going to let me go it alone and I have the Creator of the Heavens on my side. How can I go wrong? I still feel tired and unwilling but there is a part of me that wonders what God will do today that is just for me. That is what keeps me going. He already shared His heart for me by giving me the words I needed. Now its up to me to share that with others. Thanks God for always being by my side, for your words that lift me up, for protecting me, for making me willing to push on with my day.

Britt

The Fourth Day....

I went on a retreat called the Walk to Emmaus a couple of weekends ago. I was a pilgrim on a journey and couldn't bring my phone or even a watch. The control freak in me was losing my mind but also glad that I could disconnect from the chaos of everyday life. I knew I needed a spiritual boost so I was prepared to endure the 72 hour journey with no complaining. I never expected to feel the presence of God so swiftly as I did while I let the cares of this world slip away. Things happened that I cannot explain, my world was rocked, my attitude changed, my controlling nature more open to letting God control it. The "me" factor was put to death. I met people that will forever be my friends and accountability partners, I watched as God did a mighty work in me and the women around me. It brings tears to my eyes to realize the magnitude of God's love for me. ME....and YOU! I truly felt the unconditional love of God surrounding me for 72 hours. But the best part is that after that 3 day event there is a Fourth Day! Its the rest of my life. What will I do with this fourth day I have been given? I know that being different is on my list. Hold me accountable friends. I want to see everything with fresh eyes, see everyone with fresh eyes. If you ever want to be changed forever in a way that is unexplainable...come talk to me about the one who changed me.
May the peace of Christ be with you.
Britt

Happy Birthday Mom

Gloria Jean

Sitting at the mirror,

a precious little girl

looking deep inside herself

into another world.

She wasn’t sure she liked

The reflection that was seen.

She knew her name yet could not see

the treasured Gloria Jean.

She saw herself as she thought others did

Finding each and every flaw,

When she looked at her reflection

It wasn’t herself she saw.

She saw a girl who seemed so weak,

A girl quite plain and dull.

She felt like she was not a gift

to anyone at all.

God saw Gloria Jean’s heart was troubled

And one night in a dream

He opened up her eyes and mind

And this is what was seen.

God said, “You are a gift and more than just to me!”

He then began to show her things that no one else could see.

She saw herself through eyes

that weren’t hers at all.

She now could see with God’s own eyes

Another girl so small.

Perplexed by what she now could see

A new and different reflection,

She realized she knew this girl

But struggled to make the connection.

The girl that was before her now

Was beautiful and brave,

Deep blue eyes full of passion

And a heart that gave and gave.

Then suddenly before her

A young woman did appear.

An adoring husband by her side

And four children she held dear.

Carefully she reminded

each of her little ones

That they were special, loved, and smart

Magnificent and fun.

She then turned to her husband

Looking deep into his eyes

Without a word she let him know

He was her perfect prize.

Love beamed from her heart like sun rays

Kindness from her pores

Patience, understanding, peace

That stretched to distant shores.

Then God said,”This girl you see,

Is the same one that I see.

 I see YOU as a gift

and the gifts not just to me.”

As Gloria Jean awoke

From a long and restful sleep

She realized that this amazing dream

Was a gift for HER to keep.

God made her just as He saw fit

Each piece and every part,

And only God can fill the holes

That lie within our heart.

On this special birthday

Know that you may get lots of gifts but to us

YOU are the gift!

With Love,

Brittany

9-30-11