Try the Up Look

"If your outlook is bad, try the up look!" 

~ Pastor Jeff Schreve

Habakkuk 3:16-19 (NLT) 

I trembled inside when I heard this;
    my lips quivered with fear.
My legs gave way beneath me,
    and I shook in terror.
I will wait quietly for the coming day
    when disaster will strike the people who invade us.

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
    and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
    and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
    and the cattle barns are empty,

yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
    I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!

The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
    He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
    able to tread upon the heights.

God Reminded Me

Last year I heard the song "Remind Me" by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood.  It is about a married couple who have become passive in their relationship.  There were a couple of lines that really struck a chord with me...

1) "Now we keep saying that we're ok, but I don't want to settle for good not great. I miss the way the way that it felt back then.  I want to feel that way again."

2) "Do you remember how it used to be?  We'd turn out the lights and we wouldn't just sleep."

Ouch!  That is exactly where Jason and I had gotten... and it was mostly my fault.  Often at the end of the day... after being mom, teacher, housekeeper, cook, etc, etc, etc... I didn't have much left to be wife.   I no longer acted like the girl he married ... truthfully, I didn't even resemble her.  

In the song, the couple is asking each other to "Remind me."  I asked God to remind me.  I wanted to be reminded of the excitement I felt when I saw Jason.  I wanted to feel that tingle when he would touch my arm... even accidentally.  I asked God to remind me how I used to respond to Jason.  I wanted to remember how to flirt with him.  And I didn't want to just fall into bed and fall asleep.

After some prayer, God led me to read Song of Solomon.  Truthfully, this is a book in the Bible I had never put much time into... but as I began reading, a verse immediately jumped out at me...

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth - For your love is better than wine. 

Song of Solomon 1:2

That is what I used to feel, and I wanted that again! God is faithful, He helped me to remember... and He gave me the courage to apologize to Jason for my lack of effort in our relationship.  Now, I can say that Jason and I are back on track... Our marriage is no longer just good... it is great.  I love flirting with him.  I love dressing to please him.  I love putting the kids to bed early so I can have a "date night" on the couch with my man.  

God reminded me of the passion I feel for Jason... and it is a good thing.  I pray that I never forget or become weary of being his wife again.

This is a very personal blog... so much so, I have put off posting it for a while now.  However, I see more and more families separating and even divorcing because of issues like the one I just shared.  Wives if we don't take the time to love and care for our man ... someone else will.  Not all men will fall into this temptation, but do we really want to leave him open to it?  

If you are struggling with this area, ask God to remind you.  Then work to re-ignite that fire in your marriage.

The Right Kind of Strong

I am a Strong willed woman,

but I want to be a Strong Woman of God.

(And I want to raise my daughter 

in the same way.)

She is clothed with strength and dignity, 

and she laughs without fear of the future. 

Proverbs 31:25

Think on Joy

As we head into the holiday season, for some, it is easy to feel depressed.  Here are a few verses on joy to meditate on. Let them sink into your heart, and hopefully, they will help you to be thankful for your blessings and to celebrate the birth of our Savior.

                                                                                                         Blessings,

                                                                                                         Kerry

You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. Psalms 16:11

You love him even though you have never seen him.  Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 1 Peter 1:8

Always be full of joy in the  Lord.  I say it again - rejoice! Philippians 4:4

I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! John 15:11

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Rules to Live By

He has showed you O man what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God?

Micah 6:8 Amp

Dear Daughter of I Am

Ok, I am not a big fan of advice columns like Dear Abby.  However, I was recently asked a question, and  I thought I would share the question and the answer I gave her in this manner.  So here is the first... and probably only ... edition of Dear Daughter of I Am.

How did you know God wanted you to stay home with your kids? When I read about the Proverbs 31 woman at first I just saw all the work she did and felt bad I couldn't make it happen. Yesterday I noticed that she worked out of the home. I don't know if I am right but from what I read she didn't work for another man. ~ A Good Friend 

Dear Friend,

God put a great desire in my heart to stay home. It was my desire long before it was Jason's... therefore, I worked outside the home for years before getting to stay home. I just continued to pray and trust God... this was not always easy. When Ethan was in 3rd grade, Jason also had the desire for me to stay home and homeschool. We began fervently praying together. God opened doors... and we took the step of faith. We have been blessed beyond measure in our decision. I honestly can't imagine working outside the home again.

In today's society, women are lead to believe that they can't find fulfillment unless they have a career outside the home. I have found just the opposite to be true. God created women to be a help meet to their husband. In Titus 2 it says that older women should teach younger women to "be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." This is my job description.

I believe that there are times that we as women may need to work outside the home or help to bring in income in some way. You see this with the Proverbs 31 woman.  In Proverbs 31, the home and family is always the priority.  The business opportunities were ways in which she helped her husband, and they did not become her main priority.  

An important thing to remember is that wives are not called to be the main provider of the family. That is for the husband. Women can however add to and supplement the income. Husbands and wives should pray together as they seek what is best for their family.

The important thing is that you Honor God by honoring your husband. Ultimately, wives are to submit to their husband. Honor God in this way, and God will give you the desire of your heart.

Hope you find this helpful.

                                                                                       Blessings,
                                                                                       Kerry
                                                                                      Daughter of I Am

Stepping it Up for My Man

At the end of summer, I had an eye opening experience.  Sadly, I don't remember the exact day or reason... However, one day I dressed just a little nicer than I normally do.  Jason complimented me several times on my appearance.  Enjoying his praise, the next day I stepped it up again.  This time he asked me where I was going that day.  I replied, "No where.  I wanted to dress for you."  The look of appreciation on his face was enough for me. Since that point, I have made a point of dressing in a manner that gets the attention of my man. Now, I am not June Cleaver, but I am trying to put  just a little extra effort into my appearance each day.  

There has been an additional side effect...  Last Friday, I put on a shirt that Jason really liked last year, but this year it is a little big on me (I have been losing weight ... 19 lbs and counting ... Yay!).  I decided it would be ok... after all, I was taking the kids to the park after school so I was going for a casual look anyway.  The problem was, I felt frumpy all day!  I was not pleased with my appearance.  I discovered, I enjoy trying to look my best, and when I don't... I am not comfortable. Needless to say, that shirt is going in the donate pile.  

So, here is my conclusion... 
Jason appreciates the effort I am putting into my appearance, and I appreciate the attention and praise he gives me... It's a Win/Win.

Jason took me shopping and bought this outfit for me... because he appreciated my effort.

I decided to share this after reading Time-Warp Wife's post this morning. I highly recommend you checking it out.  For that matter, I highly recommend her ... She is great!

http://www.time-warp-wife.blogspot.ca/2012/11/hes-worth-more-than-chip-clip-to-me.html