The Simple Things

Yesterday was an absolutely perfect weather day! Great temperatures combined with the most calming breeze blowing across the ocean made it difficult to resist taking a nice, long walk on the beach. There is something so tranquil about the sound of the waves crashing on the shoreline. With each step I could feel the stress of the week rolling off of me.

I thought throughout that walk how grateful I felt for that time, to just breathe, spend some time talking with my son, laughing a bit, and basking in the warmth of the sunshine. I know it may seem so small, but friends, that's where I have been finding my joy and blessings lately....in the small stuff!

 In a world where many of our lives can become so chaotic, distracting and stressful, it is in the small things that the biggest blessings are often found. I am thankful for a heart that no longer seeks the grandiose and can recognize and appreciate God's tender and loving hands in the smallest of things.

I have a new appreciation for simplicity. Think about how peaceful it feels when your life is less complicated. Although those times may not present themselves as much as we would like them too, do we really slow down to appreciate them and the peaceful joy they bring when they do?

I started learning the lesson of finding the blessings in the small things during my husbands illness, especially in those last few months of his life. But truthfully, it wasn't until much later during my journey, and even more so now, that I really began to appreciate and recognize that it is those small things that seem to have enough power to pull me right up out of the pit. For me, having the opportunity to reflect back on a life with someone I loved and lost opened my eyes to what those small, simple things that really blessed me were and still are.

When we truly surrender and let God remove the blinders from our eyes and begin to peel away those layers that are weighing us down, our heart can begin to absorb all of His glorious blessings....big or small!

Challenge yourself this week to look for God's blessing in each day, and when you find them, praise Him!

"God doesn't just bless us to make us happy; He blesses us to make us a blessing."
-- Warren W. Wiersbe

Blessings Always,  

Tammy 

What Does Your Heart Yearn to Hear?

Change of a season can sometimes bring about a change of emotions. According to the calendar fall has officially begun, but for those who live where I live, you know the weather still dictates very warm and humid temperatures. But still, there is a slight, refreshing change in the air that is always welcomed.

This week was one of those weeks where my heart seemed to be reflecting a lot. Several days ago, I had managed to get a lot of work done outside and after finishing up my "chores" on that nice, warm, fall day, I sat down for a moment to put my feet in the pool water and cool down a bit. As I sat, I looked around at the back yard and remembered how pristine Nick always kept it. He took such pride in every little detail of making everything look perfectly manicured. Let me just say I do not have that same gift!

As I sat I began to wonder, "Would Nick be proud of me and how I am doing things?" I am not even talking about the yard, but the things that really matter. My eyes filled with tears as my heart was longing to hear him say "Honey, you are doing good, and I am so proud of you for learning to live again and for taking care of our boy."

There is something about someone telling you they are proud of you that brings about feelings of validation and encouragement. That's why we as parents relish in telling our children how proud we are of them.

Later that afternoon, I was catching up on some emails and come across one from a very dear friend of mine. I read through the sweet words she had written and when I got to the end, these are the words she had closed with "I am always so proud of you." She had not known of my feelings that day and how that was exactly what I was longing to hear! Those words brought nourishment to a heart that was hungry for encouragement.

I was so thankful for that email and those words. For me and my heart, that was a divine confirmation from my Heavenly Father saying yes, Nick was proud of me! But more importantly so was HE. It's funny that since I've started to write this blog post, I have had those very words spoken to me several more times. Coincidence? I think not! When our God wants to communicate with us He will, whether it be through His Holy Word or His people.

In our sermon this morning, Pastor Josh Turner spoke about listening for God. He said, "Often times God speaks in the quiet whispers rather than a dramatic voice."  That resonated with me, because it is in those quiet whispers where my heart overflows with the greatest peace, sweetest love and endless encouragement.

In the Bible, Psalms 46:10 tells us "Be still and know that I am God" Be still? Why is that so difficult to do? But friends, I have learned when I am most still and I give God my full attention are the times that I am able to bask in the full presence of His greatness. 

What is it your heart is yearning to hear God whisper? Take some time this week, be still, press in, and listen. You are His beloved.

Blessings,

Tammy 

September 22nd, 2012

Something sparked a sweet memory in my mind a few days ago that keeps reoccurring in my thoughts. The memory took me back to a cold evening in January, 2011, when a group of amazing sisters in Christ piled into a quaint little chapel at the McGraw Hospice Center to pray for my husband and our family. It was truly a night that was full of love, fellowship, prayer and worship. It will forever be etched in my heart as I was so humbled by all that took place that evening.

 I cannot help but to think about that night and not be flooded with feelings of immense joy and peace. I began to remember that irrefutable feeling of peace that seemed to surround me during the most difficult time in my life, a peace that truly transcended all of my understanding. This is the peace I have come to pray for daily as I find my way on this journey of rebuilding my life.

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Jesus Christ." Philippians 4:7

As I continued to reflect on that evening and all that my Heavenly Father had blessed me with, the one thing that was so unforgettable to me was how the body of Christ came together and fearlessly prayed. There is something so powerful when a group of believers join hands and begin to pray without hesitation, boldly approaching His throne of grace with everything they have and not being afraid to lay it all at the feet of Jesus...and leave it there!

Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Prayer helps us to release control over a situation, acknowledge God's sovereign strength over it, trust that He will take care of us, and it brings us peace. One of the lessons that Ruth Bell Graham taught was "Worship and worry cannot exist at the same time in the same heart. The are mutually exclusive." That is a lesson that I often have to be reminded of.

Prayer is not all about asking God for something, but also thanking Him for everything He has so graciously given to us. Giving thanks frees us from our worries and brings about that glorious peace that blankets us.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His court with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good;His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endure to all generations. Psalm 100:4-5

I want to share something that I recently read from a devotional called, "Good Morning, Lord": 

"Concerned about one of her children, Ruth was unable to sleep one night. Realizing the missing ingredient in her heart was thanksgiving, she began to thank God for this son, for his life, for the joy he had brought to their family. Her burden quickly was lifted and she was able to finally rest." Her prayers of thanksgiving brought her peace.

Reading that made me think of the many times I pray and only focus on the problem. I realized that I too, at times, have been missing that special ingredient of just thanking God for His mercy and truth in my life along with ALL other things I have to be so thankful for.

 It's really quite simple: prayers of thanksgiving equate to a peaceful heart!

What a blessing to be able to recall such precious memories of that night. I can close my eyes and go right back to that wonderful little chapel, see all those beautiful faces, listen to each prayer that was sweetly spoken. I can hear the music playing faintly in the background, proudly standing hand in hand with these amazing women knowing just for that moment I was experiencing a little taste of Heaven. Oh the peace that floods my soul!

A nugget of encouragement from Jesus: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 

May you all come to know His peace. 

Blessings,

Tammy

September 9th, 2012

I am sure many of my friends are getting used to the new schedule of their teenagers being away at college. I know I am trying to acclimate to Aaron's. Between school, work and church I rarely see him during the week. But it is all good. He is happy, so momma is happy! Hope all you parents are getting adjusted to the change as well.

Okay, confession time!

Don't get to excited there is nothing too juicy!

I know I wrote about life changes a few blogs ago, but over the last couple of weeks, the Lord has really been convicting me with some much needed heart changes. He has been prompting me to reach out to who and what He places on my heart, and to really look at and accept things outside "my box" that maybe I was not so open to before, things that God wants to bless me through, but maybe I wasn't so willing to bend for. 

 Aaron and I have often debated over these comments that I have spouted out a time or two: "Well, I am who I am!" or "I am too set in my ways!" or the ever-popular " I am too old to change now." 

 I realized how sad it would be if that were really true. We should welcome the change that our Heavenly Father wants to do in us...especially the heart change. Without the heart change there would be no transformation. We wouldn't grow spiritually, let alone emotionally. So the confession...I have some changing to do! We all most likely have some changing within us that needs to take place.

Praise God, I am not who I once was, I am made new in Christ (Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has gone, the new has come. 2 Cor 5:17). So, "I am what I am" doesn't really apply any longer. Amen! 

I don't want to be set in "my" ways. Lord knows, that can steer me right off course. Psalm 18:30 tells us God's way is perfect. Not just okay, not just good...but perfect! And He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him. Stay humble now, it doesn't mean you are going to be perfect! 

Friends, we are never too old to change. We should seek a constant heart change through our Heavenly Father every day of our lives by striving to love without boundaries, forgive without conditions, and always help and encourage those who need it. 

(Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2) 

Many times to bring about the true change that God desires to take place in us, we have to remove the scales that are weighing us down or holding us back. We have to be willing to hear, see and feel through our spiritual ears, eyes and heart, and not care about what others will think as we are going through the process, only seeking the approval of the One who brings about the true transformation. I recently came across a quote that resonated with me: "God is far more interested in what you are than who you are." In the eyes of God you are everything! 

I have been so blessed that through the many changes I have gone through and still continue to go through, the Lord has also surrounded me with family and friends that have showered me with unconditional love and compassion and in the process that has changed my heart to be that same way with others who are walking out their own transformation.

The process isn't always an easy one. It requires dying to our flesh and surrendering ourselves in a way that can make us feel, at times, very vulnerable....but the reward is nothing short of spectacular! The change within you and the freedom that it brings is a rare treasure that brings about a soulful satisfaction that nothing can compare to...not this side of eternity, anyway!

As always I thank you all for your love, support and never-ending encouragement. My heart runneth over with much love and gratitude for you all.

Forever Grateful, 

Tammy