Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Do you ever?

Do you ever just sit and ponder the way that your life is...whether you're doing the right things, whether you're making the right choices, are you making sure that you slow down enough to enjoy the time that you have now.

During our day to day scuffle, we so often forget to slow down enough to think about what we're doing, make sure that it's pleasing to God. Do we even try to include Him in our day unless it's something pressing or just because it's something we want. I find myself so many times forgetting to make God first and foremost in everything that I do. It leaves me with an empty feeling at the end of the day, like I have lacked the most important part. I sit in the evening pondering the things that I've said and the actions that I've done during the day and wonder just how differently my day would have gone if I had stopped just a moment to consult God about what I was saying and doing.
It pleases God when we pray to Him giving thanks and praise, but how often do we neglect Him until we need something?
God has blessed me with an AWESOME little family! I love my husband *miss him TERRIBLY right now while he's working midnights* and I adore my two beautiful children. I couldn't have asked for a better family. The thought of having more children thrills my heart. God has fulfilled the desires of my heart and continues to pour out His blessings to me even when I neglect to give Him my all.
Rather than being known as a person who does whatever they want at the time or acting out hastily...I would like to be known as a woman of God. I want to be a testimony so that someone could say, "She really loves the Lord and puts Him first in her life." I want to teach my children the importance of serving God and putting Him first in their lives.
I anxiously await the day when they can be saved. The mere thought of it alone is enough to make my heart leap. To witness the salvation of your children has got to be one of the most ultimate joys on earth.
There needs to be a more fervent stride to pause and put God at the beginning of our day, our plans, our everything. At the same time, I don't mean to say that anyone should go about all day acting as if there is no fun in serving. I believe that christians can have the most fun and joy of anyone.
Note: The above picture...yes...I'm being stabbed with a putter during a "fencing" match and I was putting forth my best effort to "die" as gracefully and girley as I possibly could. haha
Slow down today and consult with God. Take time before you answer and think about what God would have you to say. Enjoy the time you have with your family. Don't brush the kids off because you don't feel like playing, play with them. Give them the little attention they need. They don't stay young for anytime at all. Ty is growing up so fast that it scares me. Macie is already under 2 weeks shy of being one year old.
There are times when the kids NEED me to play with them and I really don't feel like it. I'd rather take time out for myself, flop on the couch and chill. BUT, I ALWAYS feel better when I make myself stop and think of them before myself and play for a while with them. It scares me when I look at them and can't remember what they were like just a year ago. What did they really look like then? I carried Macie past a mirror today and stopped and looked and then completely freaked out when I saw how big she has gotten over what seems to be just this week. I don't want to miss my kids childhood by rushing around.
So, slow down, put God first, and enjoy your family!

7 Say It Here:

Terry said...

Dear Jessica...It was so nice to hear from you and then to read this awesome post. Oh it is so good!
I just feel like putting it on my blog for everyone to see and read. Let me know if I can!
I would of asked you by email but I can't get through with it anymore...Please let me know Jessica.
I would just say that it is from a guest host!
You must be up because Ryan will just have gotten home from midnights.eh?
Please write back...love Terry

OH!!! Such a good post!

Terry said...

Thank you so much Jessica!
I will do that tomorrow.
I put that post in about Vacation Bible School but I am going to switch the second video. I don't like some of the pictures on it but I was in too much of a hurry..Thanks again...Love Terry

PS Did you ever think about writing abook? I think that you have the gift of writing!

As I sit writing this post there are baby picture of Ty on your little photo show. He was such a sweet baby and I just bet he is a sweet boy now too!!
A good big brother to your little princess of a baby girl.

Terry said...

Hi Jessica!
I will have to wait one more day before I put your post in.
I completely forgot about my friend Noel's birthday so I had to make a post for him but tomorrow my blogging friends are going to be getting some good reading...Love Terry

Anonymous said...

I often feel the very same way...so many times Blake wants me to play with him or sit and watch something and I always have something else that needs to be done and it always makes me feel guilty when I see the disappointed look on his face. You're right, they do grow up so fast and I have the very same feeling looking back and trying to remember just a year ago or when my babies were born. It's amazing! And I can sympathize with you..my husband is on the night shift every night..He works 6 days a week 10 hours a day..he leaves for work at 5pm and gets home about 4am so I know that feeling.
I, too, reflect on my days and think...have I even thought about God today?? So many times the answer is.."Well, I prayed before I ate.." or something very mynute (sp??) like that...He has done so much for me and I so little for Him and I can't believe He has still given me what He has..I am not worthy for sure. I even catch myself thinking..I hope I don't die right now because I really don't want to stand before God and this is all in my life that I have accomplished...I want my life to be more for Him than what it has been...I don't want what I've done so far to be it...thank you for the post. It was a blessing and much needed for thought. For what it is worth...I admire your life and what you are for God. I think you are a great Christian and I look up to you...always have since I heard you sing as a young girl!:) In fact, I had the tape of just you singing..."Quiet times with the Lord..." and I absolutely LOVED it, it blessed my heart...however my son got a hold of it when he was younger and tore it so it no longer works!:( I can still remember the words to those songs though and I love them!!
Thanks again! Hope you are sleeping okay without Ryan...I know it's tough!

Amber said...

I also know what you mean about playing with the kids. Just a couple of weeks ago I was emailing a lady i've known for years and the one thing she's said to me that's really hit me hard and made me stop and think before I say "no, not right now, maybe later kids" She said "I've always worried about getting the house cleaned, making it look so nice all the time, that now, I wished i wouldn't of turned down my kids b/c they grow up so fast and their not young forever!"
I think the same thing...and what my kids see me doing and saying. It's been really hard for me since this disease has came into my life! Some days are just bad and oh how the guilt just weighs me down! But I've learned that I will just do it with them and spend time and camp out with them and watch movies.
Thanks for writing this post though :) Hope you have a good week!! Are you going to work at the school again this year?

donna said...

Loved this post....

I popped over from Terry's blog....and am glad I did.

blessings
donna

Jessica said...

Thanks all!!! I'm so glad that it could be a blessing to you!!!