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I sensed I was to share this great word on resting that a friend shared on fb this morning.  I have heard a friend say many times, "Rest is an action verb!" I Love it!  I takes so much more work to rest than it does to work!

While this is a timely word for me, there are five words that stood out in this devotional the most, "He started late in life . . . "

I started late in life.  Because I chose to be irresponsible and selfish and outright stupid by choosing alcohol as my escape, and honestly . . . . not taking life seriously until the last few years, I am behind in planning for my future.

The future that is already here.

And that scares the begeezies out of me.

By today's standards I should have ample savings to live on and know what I am going to "be when I grow up." Hundreds of times a day (and that is no exaggeration) I continue over and over to give my fear of the future to the Lord. I am often comparing myself to others with what they have acquired and their financial stability, which only brings me to a deeper discouragement.  Oh it's easy to compare apples to apples, but my story isn't like your story, nor is your story like my story . . . . so why even compare?

My fear became so overwhelming I began searching out scripture for financial peace and how to prepare for the future financially.  My favorite example of preparing for our future monetarily is Joseph's.  (Genesis 41:1-32) He gathered the people and they all worked together to prepare for seven years of famine.  What an amazing story of triumph and discipline!

But that's not where this is going this morning.

While there are several scriptures that teach us the benefits of preparing financially for our future, it is obvious that the Lord's concern is more for our hearts future versus our pockets future.

In my quest for preparing for the future, over and over scriptures appeared with one goal in mind.  Being ready.  Be watchful.  Anticipate it.  Having a ready heart.  A heart of love.  A heart of peace.

While in the quietness of the morning He has given me a financial plan that brings me comfort, and one that is attainable for our lives, I have learned it is not the monies in the bank that brings peace, nor prosperity, but having a heart ready for Christ and helping others prepare for their future in the same manner along life's way.

James 5:8 states, "You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near."

"Oh Father, teach me how to prepare, guide my steps to savings, but more importantly, guide my heart. Amen."

Sideline Blessings

Have you ever wondered why God made you the way He did?  I have.  I wonder that a lot.  Sure, I wonder why I carry a strong gene of obesity, why I have knobby knees and a nose with a line down the middle . . . But the wonder I'm referring to is more selfish. There are times I wonder why I care so much that others needs are met and I bury my own family's  needs.  Why do I do that? Why do I care if a homeless person is warm or not? Why do I care if a friend has all she needs for the holidays or that others know they are loved and are making a difference?

I don't know why God gave me the heart for others that He did, but I'm glad He did. I believe it goes back to Ezekiel 36:26, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." I believe when the Lord saved me, He began chiseling away at my heart of stone. It was then, the heart of flesh began to beat and pulsate, thriving and growing and yearning to make a difference in this world.

This past week I have struggled over these whys and I have asked God what He was thinking several times. I began feeling guilty and doubting my own heart in regards to some personal struggles and wondering how in the world I'm supposed to make a difference in the world when I can't even manage my own home-front.

Satan will do that you know.  He is great at sliding one liners in that cause us to doubt or take the focus off what is to be. He's been doing it for ages . . . since the Garden of Eden when he first caused Eve to doubt God and sin entered the world.  He tried it on Jesus in the desert (Matthew 4:1-11), but it didn't work.  Christ gives us the foundation on how to handle those darts from satan . . . the scriptures. 

During my heart's whiny why's moment, I received a phone call from my neighbor.  She had something she needed to bring over.

Do you see this?  Whoa.  And the two items in the background are two quilts for the kiddos made by some ladies in my neighbors quilt group from church.

Yes.   

I. Am. Blessed.  

I had become so worried over my own family and the whys that I missed out on the blessings of being on the sidelines.  Sure we were obedient to what the Lord told us to do, but I had missed it.  My heart wasn't right because I wanted to be selfish and focus on me when the Lord had mine covered all along.

I am so thankful He knows best.  

Happy Thanksgiving.

Bread of Life

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

I was really discouraged this morning.

I bombed my Humanities test with a 62 last night.  :(  I did great on the arts and recognizing which Renaissance period they were from as well as knowing which artist did what, but with 4 or 5 chapters covered, I was simply memorizing the facts and not trying to understand them, so when the teacher re-worded/re-phrased the facts, I knew nothing.  (Yes, I do believe there is a separate blog post about that!)  Lord willing I will never take another D term again with 16 weeks crammed into nine.

But that wasn't all that was getting to me.

Christopher has been acting out and become very clingy since I've been gone/unavailable more with school.  His hyperactivity is worse, his emotions are worse than a woman 8 1/2 months pregnant!  Agggh!  The stress is getting to me.   And then there is the check engine light that came on last night in the car.  The car is not switching into gears so the concern is it's the transmission.  The list of burdens is rather overwhelming.  Because the burdens are so great, I did the one thing I haven't done on my own in months.  I opened the Bread of Life (Matthew 4:4)

I opened my devotional to today's date.  The title read, "You are an Overcomer."  I couldn't help but smile.  "Okay Lord, I'm listening."  As I read the simple yet perfect daily thoughts, Kayla turned her phone towards me to show this adorable duckling hanging on for dear life to the curb.  Under the picture it read, "Don't give up."

 

What perfect timing from a perfect God :)

Mandissa's "Overcomer"

Research Survey

I want to know your opinion.

Please take 30 seconds to answer one question at the link below.  In order to give a fair answer, you need to understand college students under the age of 24 are required to provide their parents tax documents in order to apply for financial aid.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GYY5MSD

The Perfect Meal Or The Perfect Moment

We had to make a quick run to Sam's this morning.  The store was packed, but even in the busyness, I couldn't help but overhear a loud "conversation" that took place between a man and woman regarding how many turkeys they were going to fry this year and how much peanut oil they would need to purchase.

The man appeared frustrated and the woman appeared hurt. And I wanted to cry.

In the midst of the conversation, they were loading their buggy with a huge box of cookware.

Now I know absolutely nothing about this couple, but from exterior, I have to say that is going to be one miserable Thanksgiving Dinner if mindsets aren't changed.  I found myself wondering if it is really worth it?  No, I'm not talking about not having Thanksgiving Dinner, but is it really worth the chaos and the bickering over one meal, when in reality, it should be a day of peace and gratitude.  A day to spend with friends and family, and to be thankful, not slaving over a hot stove and in the kitchen all morning.  Shouldn't it be simpler?  Don't get me wrong, I love to cook and prepare a meal at Thanksgiving and Christmas for several reasons.  One is, the smell alone fills my heart and head with some of the most wonderful memories of my grandparents and the other . . . . . . I just love to cook, but have I missed it?  Have I been too concerned about preparing the perfect meal that I've missed the point?

There are families all around us that rely of food pantries for their Thanksgiving Dinners, as well as those that go without, and yet this couple was arguing about how many turkey's to prepare.  Oh my.  I hope they see how truly blessed they are.

Please, during the next few weeks and even through Christmas, don't miss the opportunity to look beyond yourself. A life can be changed for all eternity.

If you are interested in serving or donating to the ministries that serve the less fortunate, there are several opportunities in the Pensacola area.  I have posted a few links below.

Nothing Lost Outreach

Waterfront Rescue Mission

Manna Food Pantry

Dr. Pepper Tuition Give-A-Way

In case you missed my last post, I have returned to college.  I won't get in to the details, but you are welcome to read it at the above link.

Tonight, I received an email from my school with a list of scholarships.  I've applied for several, but this one is different.

I NEED YOUR VOTES!!!

Would you PLEASE click on the below link and cast your vote.  

I was only given 350 characters to share my story.  That in itself was a miracle to accomplish!  

Once you do that, would you please share it on your fb page for me? 

The top 5 votes are eligible to receive a $10,000 scholarship.  I am getting a late start as voting started on August 15th.  It closes on December 13th.

You can only vote once.    :(


Thank you in advance to all who vote!


Dr. Pepper Tuition Give-A-Way