A Message to All Preachers

I have tried to go to different churches, and the one I felt most comfortable in was Pentecostal, because I love how spirit filled it is!  Most of the people are welcoming and friendly, but we're all people. We're all going through life. We're all on the same playing field, and none of us are better than another.

I struggle daily, as any other person going through life. That's life.
Going to church is my way of taking my focus off of life and worshipping God. I love to give God honor and glory through my praise and learning more about Him.

My message is this: preachers will focus on problems in life and magnify those areas that we tend to overlook, but sometimes they don't offer a solution. It becomes a prayer, which in my eyes is a stresser, so going to church makes me focus on my every, little problem. That's not what I want to do at church. I want my mind fully focused on God.

Preachers also criticise from the pulpit. It's hard enough going through life with all our daily struggles, but then to get needled for things way beyond our control isn't helpful. It's very hurtful. I hate being criticised and judged. Hate is opposite love. God calls us to love one another, to speak life, to edify and build each other up.

The last thing that really keeps me from wanting to go to church functions is most of them require a fee. At some point, every church function becomes a fund raiser. As a mom of three, it's hard enough affording life within our means, but now you want to charge an entry fee per person? Then, the snacks and drinks cost money too? No thanks! I'd rather stay home and host a movie night with my family.

The Path

    I took a walk one day. The weather had finally become pleasant. On my walk I was inspired. 
    Life is like a path. At first, there is no path. There may be areas worn down by one who went before us, but things have grown up or fallen down distorting the way.
    Starting out on our journey, we decide to go that-a-way, and so we need to clear the area. The first hike down that path will most likely be difficult and hard to negotiate.
    We may stumble and fall. We may get battle scars, and we may say to ourselves, "This is too hard." We may want to give up and not go back. Don't quit!
    Try again. Go back out and do it again. "Practice makes perfect" after all.
    Each time we go back, we can see our footprints, and there may even be others' footprints, because we led the way. We were brave and took the first step or a giant leap of faith. 
    Over time, the path will get worn down. It will be easier to traverse, and we may look forward to going. Sure, things may grow up and fall down many times over, but as long as we get back up and keep trying, we will find joy in this. It's perfectly ok to take rests, breaks or even go on hiatus for a while. Rest is good for the soul, but don't give up.
    If we decide to quit, we are left with regrets and wondering, "what may have been".

Simple, Right?

Over many years, I've found keeping life simple helps me enjoy it more.

~I only buy what is absolutely needed.  Only with agreement, do I spend extra.
~I cut out swearing, smoking and drinking.  Without these in my life, I don't stress as much.
~I only drive to where I need to get to.  This keeps me on time, and cuts down on gas consumption.
~I try to do something fun with my kids everyday.  They're my future, and I try to give them as much love as I can.  The more time I invest in them, the happier they will be.
~I only wear make-up on special occasions.  Being clean is much more important than being made-up.
~I give smiles, compliments and hugs as much as possible.  I am so full of love; I want everyone to have some.  :)
~I keep my mouth shut, if I feel an argument arises.  Why argue?  Eventually, it will all be over, anyway.  I'd rather be happy than right.
~I listen more than talk.  Listening gives me more understanding than to always be talking and letting foolish things spill out.
~I pray several times a day.  It's not ritualistic, and it's not the same thing.  I pray when urgency weighs on my heart and when I need help.  Prayer avails much!
~I am sympathetic, empathetic and sometimes pathetic.  I understand my way of life is not as others' lives are, and I'm o.k. with that.  I don't have anyone to live up to, except God.  He's my ultimate goal.
~I have no expectations.  This makes it much easier, for me.  I used to have expectations, and they were set too high.  No one, not even myself could live up to them.  I was filled with anxiety, and let down to depression.  Having no expectations makes everyday a joy and surprise.
~I take naps when I'm tired.  When I was younger, I thought I had to stay awake all day, no matter what I was doing or not doing.  Now, when I'm at home, and there's nothing going on, and I'm tired, I nap.  It makes me more refreshed and keeps me from getting frustrated from being too tired.
~I only use my phone or computer when necessary.  I used to use them quite a bit, and I was missing out on life.  My life is more about who's around me, my home and outdoors.  Outdoor activity is so important, to me.  Fresh air is very much needed along with sunshine.
~I won't tell bad dreams or nightmares, anymore.  I used to tell them, but I realized there's nothing good in them, so I stopped telling them.  What good does telling them do?  I do, however listen to my children's, so I can comfort them and let them know everything will be o.k.
~Bare feet.  I can't express how much I wish I could go around with bare feet, all the time.  I only wear socks and shoes when I have to.  My feet just feel so much better naked.
~Beauty starts from the inside.  I do believe that the personality and depths of a person's heart are what truly make them beautiful.  What people put on the outside is what they feel makes them worth more to others.
~Keeping an empty schedule makes life a bit more easier to work around.  I try not to make plans for anything.  The only things that are planned are work, school, extracurricular activities my kids take on and appointments.  Everything else is subject to change.  Many times, it's just a get up and go kinda deal.
~Church is very important in my life.  I believe church is the gathering of two or more people believing in the Gospel and coming together to worship and learn more about God.  I make sure to read as much inspirational books, my Bible and my Sunday school quarterly when I get the chance.  I listen to Christian music in my vehicles and pray throughout my day.  This brings a joy inside me that is inexplicable.

These are the ways I keep my life so simple.

SpRiNkLeD wItH tWiNkLeS

Seeking out the many parts
Along life's journey
We measure in plenty hearts
While we're learning

And many days
We think we know
All the ways
And then we grow

When we look
We see the twinkling
Not of a book
Comes pretty sprinkling

Seasoning in a once bland
And boring place
Coloring on our land
By mercy and grace

So many chances
To stop and pray
In quick glances
Fading to gray

Take it for what it's worth
And live each moment
To the fullest

No one can make you do it
You must choose
And do it well

Don't fade into gray
The way some do

Live to see the sweetness that's been spread before you.  Seek out the beauty in your everyday.  Slow down and enjoy time and everything.  Life's a fleeting breath, and it's here for us to enjoy.  Live like it's your last day.  Love like you will never run out.  Laugh with all your heart, so no one can say you were fakin' it.  Do what you do, and let no one tell you your dreams don't mean a thing.  Dreams inspire life!