Life Changing Faith- ramblings from my heart

This weekend, I spent time on a women's retreat with our church. The speaker was a great woman of faith who had been through some horrible trials yet has such strong faith.

I know that trials test and grow your faith but I want a life changing faith that grows every day. A few thoughts of my heart since the retreat include: Am I changed when I spend time reading God's Word? Am I allowing Him to work in and through me to accomplish His purpose and will for my life? Can the world see Jesus in me?

I truly want Him to be my desire. I want my time spent with Him each day to be the highlight of my day and I want to finish my "quiet time" feeling like I have been with Jesus. I want to hear Him speaking to my heart and I want to be changed and transformed into the woman of God that He has created me to be.

All too often, I think others  believe that I have it all together. Because I am facilitating a women's Bible study, they think I have my quiet time and my faith perfected. Confession: I do not! Faith in God is a process. It requires a close, intimate relationship with Jesus. Just like all relationships, we must invest time and attention to our relationship with Him.

So how do I do this? I struggle with MAKING time each day to spend in prayer, Bible study, and meditation.I have a crazy, busy life! But it is possible! Personally, I use a Bible app where I read a verse each morning and also do some of the devotionals that the app offers. I usually spend my time in the shower each morning praying to Him. Some days (it should be EVERY day) I spend time at home during my lunch break reading my Bible. I talk to God in prayer throughout the day as differect things come up.

So...my plan- I truly want to grow! I want to have a strong life changing faith. I plan to work harder to make time each day to spend with Jesus. I plan to prayerfully seek Him before I begin reading His word. I plan to meditate on the scripture and do some journaling. I want my heart to be transformed by the powerful Word of God.

Life is about......relationships

This has been a recurrent theme in my heart this week. "Life is about relationships." And our pastor actually made the exact same comment several times in today's sermon....so I feel  like God is trying to tell me something!! Maybe I need to get my priorities straight and focus on the relationships in my life rather than everything else.

This week has been wonderful and full of time with a lot of my favorite people! It was fall break for our big kids, so Josh and I took the week off for some vacation, rest, and family fun. We went to the beach with friends, went to the fair as a family of 5, and spent time with my family (parents, sisters, and nieces).

So....the relationships in my life-

My Spouse-

Josh is truly my best friend. He is my right-hand man. He is my high school sweetheart. He is the love of my life. God has truly blessed us with a wonderful marriage. Yes, there are plenty of ups and downs but we are facing them together.

My babies-

Addie, Asher, and Asa are 3 of my greatest blessings. They are so fun and full of life. I enjoyed some time with all 3 and even some quiet one on one moments with each one this week. Addie is a big helper and very smart. She is usually very well behaved. Asher is all boy and can be quite the challenge at times but can also be super sweet. Asa is all hugs and kisses- everything is new to him and he is enjoying exploring his world.

My family-

I am super thankful to live close to my parents and inlaws. They are a huge help and support and my kids adore them. My sisters and I aren't as close as we once were- due to distance and busy-ness but they are still 2 of my very best friends. And my nieces are so sweet and have such a sweet relationship with my kids. I'm thankful that my kids have cousins to grow up with!

My friends-

 I have some amazing friends. I am not one who has been good at maintaining lifetime friendships but the friends that I have acquired in this stage of my life are sure to be my forever friends. I love that our kids are growing up together.

My Soul Sisters-

 this is my women's Bible study group. I love  these women more and more with each passing week. They are inspiring and uplifting. I'm thankful to have a group of Godly women to do life with.




All these relationships are important and impact the person that I am but......the most important relationship in this life (and the next) is my relationship with God. Yes, I think that is what He wants me to remember. The God of the universe is madly in love with me and wants a daily, personal relationship with me. How amazing is that?? He wants me to talk to Him every day and He wants to talk to ME! He wants me to read His Word and find my delight and joy in Him. He wants to be everything to me- my provider, my protector, my comforter, my joy, my deliverer, my sustainer, my hope, my peace.......


All the relationships in my life are so important. Sadly, I often neglect the most important one. I have all these other relationships because of HIM. Every good and perfect gift comes from HIM. He gives me life and breath. He is the reason that I live and move and breathe. May I glorify Him in all my relationships but most importantly, may I daily pursue a closer walk with my Lord and Savior.