Summer brings back fond childhood memories.  Some of my favorite memories come from visiting my grandparents in hot, humid Mobile, Alabama.  Crabbing and fishing on the pier, sunburns (not good I know), fireflies and home-made cool-aide ice pops in the freezer.  We spent time swimming at the Coast Guard base, snapped beans with my grandmother in the kitchen and made home-made ginger bread cookies.  Grandma always had something yummy cooking on the stove or in the oven.  When I walk into an older home that has the same smell as my grandparents house all of the memories come flooding back and I can’t help but smile from ear-to-ear.  I get lost in the warm feelings of comfort, peace and unconditional love. 

When I think of what it will be like when we meet Jesus, I imagine these feelings but multiplied beyond measure.  Jesus is love.  Jesus is grace, warmth, comfort and peace.  Do you have fond memories of a place or a particular person that makes you feel loved, comforted, peaceful and happy?  Now imagine those feelings so overwhelming you can hardly catch your breath.  If you don’t know Jesus, it’s not too late to get to know him!  Just invite him into your heart.  Spend time each day talking to him and including him in every part of your life.  You will find peace even in troubled times.  You will feel love even when you don’t love yourself.  You will find hope when your situation seems hopeless.  Jesus loves you!

In 3 days I will be taking my last exam for my graduate school experience.  Graduation is this weekend!  I am tired and and ready to be finished but I know I still have my final exam.  In prayer last week I was asking the Lord where I was going to get the strength to finish.  I wasn’t asking to just finish, but to finish strong!  I heard the Holy Spirit very clearly say, “Keep your eyes focused on me.  I have the strength.  Ride in my tailwind and I will carry you to your destination!”  God knew exactly what I needed to hear.  I am 3 days away but very tired!  Satan wants me to procrastinate and be discouraged.  My Heavenly Father wants me to finish strong.  I will put forth the effort by studying hard, but I will also pray before the exam that the Lord helps me ride in His tailwind so He can carry me to the finish line.

I ran track in high school and for Virginia Tech.  I was a 400 meter sprinter.  I can still reflect back and hear the breathing pattern I established over the years.  I can feel the “wall” that I hit so often in the last 100 meter stretch to the finish line.  Through my training I figured out that the last 100 meters was a mental game.  I had to push through, lift my knees higher and use my arms.  My teammates and family were at the sidelines cheering me on.  As I came around the bend I would say a prayer and focus on one step at a time until I crossed the finish line. 

Years later I am running another 400 meter dash.  This time it is graduate school.  I have been in school since the summer of 2008.  I am in the final stretch-the last 100 meters!  I am exhausted and ready to cross the finish line but I still have the toughest part of the race to go.  This is where prayer comes in.  I have to pace myself, focus on one day at a time and pray!  My friends and family are cheering me on.  The Lord has sustained me up to this point.  I know He will help me finish strong.  If you have a long, challenging task ahead, pray each day that God will give you strength and perseverance.  Ask your friends and family to pray for you daily.  I am amazed how He has helped me run the longest part of the race.  Through continued prayer and dedication I know He will be crossing the finish line with me!

Have you ever considered how your words have the ability to build someone up or tear them down?  I don’t know about you, but as a follower of Christ, I want to build others up.  I know my words can hurt others if I don’t think before I speak.  In the heat of an argument, my natural tendency is to match the words being spoken to me.  If someone is saying something critical or harsh, I get that feeling in my gut and my mind starts to think of a comeback!  Three years ago the Lord convicted me in this area of my life.  I realize that in order to be like Christ, I have to hold my tongue and say something back that builds that person up.  Boy is it hard!  The amazing thing is, IT WORKS!  A kind, loving response that is non-confrontational diffuses the other person’s anger.  You don’t add gas to a burning fire do you?  You are supposed to keep your cool and cover them with the Living Water!  Next time you are in an argument, try it!  Say something like, “Is there anything else?”  Or you might say, “I’m sorry you feel that way.  What can I do to help?”  It takes practice and it takes holding your tongue.  By doing this, you can better understand why the other person is hurting or struggling.  That is what Christ would do!

The Lord convicted me on something this past weekend.  I was presented with the question, “Do you set aside quiet time every day to pray and listen to the Lord?”  I thought about my weekly routines and realized I pray and spend quiet time with God, Monday-Friday.  What about the weekend?  At first I tried to count my time in church.  Well, that’s not personal, individual, quiet time with God.  Saturday is a wash.  My Saturdays are always filled with sports, my school work and cleaning.  God should be my primary focus.  Prayer and meditation should be a priority.  Reading scripture should be a start to my day.  It was recommended that I pick a favorite, comfortable spot in the house to call my prayer spot.  That spot is mine and God’s.  I chose a favorite pillow to mark my spot.  This should not be a New Years resolution.  This should be a life change God has pointed out to me.  In the past 4 days, I have heard His gentle whisper; I have received peace and rest.  If you are convicted of something, repent and make a change!  God will reward you.

Today is my daughter’s 13th birthday!  It’s hard to believe I am the mother of a teenager.  I know now, more than ever, I must be available and present to guide her through these awkward years.  As mothers we have the responsibility to teach our children both by word and deed.  We need to let our children see us in prayer.  We need to let our children see us reading the Bible.  We must stand firm against the pressures of the world and set clear and concise boundaries of what is acceptable and not acceptable. 

Yesterday my daughter begged me to buy her “Seventeen Magazine” while we were standing in line at the grocery store.  I told her I would not support a magazine that exploits young women and besides, she is only 13!  She was not happy with me.  She said all of her friends read it.  I explained to her that I want her to develop a healthy image of herself and not an unrealistic one.  I am not niave.  I know my children will still be exposed to exploitation and inappropriate things.  I cannot control that.  However, I can control the things they are exposed to within our home.  I want her to know that there are other positive magazines and books out there for young girls.  Maybe she will think twice before picking up a more explicit magazine when I am not around. 

Let me know some of the battles you fight with your teens.  How are you providing a Christ-like environment for your children?  It’s the little battles that win the war! 

The first 3 people to respond will receive a gift!

Blessings to each one of you!  May your Christmas celebration include Christ.  Tell me what your favorite Christmas memory or tradition is.  Mine is reading the Night Before Christmas to my children every Christmas Eve around the illuminated tree and in front of a warm, glowing fire.  When we are finished, we sprinkle sparkling reindeer food out on the front lawn and then put out Christmas cookies and milk for Santa.  Children bring Christmas  to life.  Just like Jesus did for each one of us!  Merry Christmas!

For many the holiday season means endless errands, Christmas shopping, house cleaning, parties and family gatherings. For others, the Christmas Season can be a time of sadness, pain, loneliness and anxiety. How can you reach out to someone who is experiencing stress and sadness this Christmas season? You don’t need money to buy them gifts. Extend an invitation to come over for coffee or dinner. Invite them to church or a music concert. Call someone you haven’t talked to in a long time. Don’t let the “tasks” of the Christmas season cause you to forget the reason for the season. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, give the gift of hope, peace and love to someone who needs it. Tell me how you have been God’s hands and feet during the holiday season. Be blessed and enjoy this special time of year!

Thank you to all of you who responded to my last post! It is so important for us to remember all of our blessings and to praise God for each and every one of them.
I want to encourage all of you to visit the Focus on the Family website. You can find them at www.focusonthefamily.com. They have all of the latest shows for you to listen to and they have amazing articles and information to help us be better wives, mothers and women! If you have some great tips to share on how to strengthen your marriage or family relationships, send me a post! Be blessed and thank you for your loyal support of AFR!

As you approach the holidays, take some time to reflect on the days behind you, your life today and the future God has planned for you. Reflect on your blessings. What are you thankful for? Tell me about the blessings in your life. I would love to hear from you! If I select your posting to read on the air, I will send you the Sara Groves CD, “Tell Me What You Know.” Peace and blessings to you!