Juggling 3

      

 My life has taken many twists and turns and all for the good. My youngest, Meredith Evelyn, is almost 4 months old and knowing that I am the first person she sees when she wakes up and the last person she sees as she closes her big blue eyes, is worth more than anything in this world. I have always seen myself becoming a mother. It is what I am good at and apparently, God thinks that as well or else He wouldn't have blessed my womb.
        I have a 5 year old, Brent Jackson, who will be turning 6 on May 6 and a little girl, Laura Lynn, who will be turning 2 on June 20. With all three of my little monkeys, there is never a time of dullness nor boredom. The house is always loud, massive amounts of toys everywhere, nonstop cooking frenzies, so forth and so on and I love every second of it. From one of my blogs, involving my childhood, you might have read about my not-too-perfect life as a child. That childhood has made me the woman, wife, and mother that I am today.
        I was blessed with a beautiful boy, very smart boy who is athletic, competitive, warm, kind, hyper, sensitive, mean as a snake, cuddly, etc. He was born on a rainy day on May 6, 2009. I remember his doctor, Dr. Raper, coming in and telling me that he had very handsome features for a baby boy. From his checkups as the years passed, his cute little face matched his cute little size. He may never be a tall guy as he gets older (I'm 4'9 and his father is 5'6), but his wit and charm make up for it. God designed him and therefore, I love him just the way he is.
        He loves to read books as well. Over the years, I have bought him so many books that it required a bookcase in his room. I have always believed in the power of reading and I can remember reading to him since he was big enough to sit still and just look at the pictures. To this day, he still reminds me every night to read to him.
        My next little monkey came on June 20, 2013. It also happened to be on a semi-rainy day. She was a beautiful little baby and I can remember seeing her father cry for the first time. As soon as she arrived, she cried and as I looked over to see my husband, he was laughing and crying his eyes out. As soon as he held her for the first time, I could tell they were going to be buddies for life. Today, she is a rowdy little girl who loves to play outside and cuddle. She is a pretty tough little girl and can hold her own thanks to her big brother who likes to wrestle with her, lol.
        With all these active children, it makes me sad to know that I am getting older. My husband and I are having a renewal ceremony in 2017 for our 5 year wedding anniversary so we thought that after that point, we will try again. I will tell you this: My husband loves babies. He was a rough guy when we dated but ever since Laura came along, he turned into a big teddy bear. He loves the idea of having more children, especially girls! He loves putting Laura's hair up in pigtails, putting dresses on her, letting her wear little earrings and necklaces, etc. So, for him, he is actually excited to extend the family (that and with more children, the more grand babies we get to have in the far future! lol). It is actually funny because my mother had 4 and so did his mother, so we might be destined to have 4! We never know!
       These 3 blessings have brought so much joy to my life. It can be hard at times, but I enjoy taking "me" out of the equation. I haven't slept through the night in almost 6 years, so I don't know what it feels like to sleep at night. I gave up a career, but wouldn't go back no matter how much money it was. I don't get a shower every day and I often forget to eat because my mind is so bogged down with mommy stuff. Sound silly? Not to a dedicated and compassionate mother it shouldn't. Since I came to Christ, what He wants of me is more important than what others expect of me. I always go back to Proverbs 31, not because I am striving to be perfect, but because I want to please my Heavenly Father by being what He deems as a good wife and mother. I hope you find encouragement while reading this. God bless you on this beautiful Palm Sunday!

We Have to Stick Together

 

      





       





        As believers and followers of Christ, sometimes we face situations where we can become disconnected from our brothers and sisters in Christ. More often than not, we find ourselves bickering with one another and being cruel. Why is this? Why do we allow ourselves to fall prey to the devil's schemes? You and I both know that the devil likes to stir up trouble and the less effective we become as one, the less effective we become for the Kingdom.
        The book of Philippians was written by Paul to the Church of Philippe as a means of encouragement because the Church was facing trials. They were waiting on Timothy to arrive so until then, Paul wrote this letter to them to encourage them while they waited on his arrival. Here are a couple of scriptures from the second chapter that I want to share with you:

"Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." (v. 1-4)

        What does that say to you as you read it? To me, it says: If we are in Christ, as we claim to be, then we should come together and put one another above ourselves. I had a dear friend of mine tell me something that has always stuck with me and it goes like this: "If everyone puts everyone first, everyone wins." Makes sense, doesn't it? 
       

Prayer Request

 

My husband's sister called me up a couple of days ago asking me if I wanted to go with her to a doctor's visit about her infertility today in Knoxville because she and her husband were more than ready to start having babies. As we rode up there, I could tell she was a little nervous but shy. She was nervous because the worst thing they could tell her would involve the words, "I'm sorry, but it just isn't possible for you to have children because..." She was also excited at the same time because she would finally find out what the cause is behind her inability to get pregnant.

So as we walk in, Meredith tagging along in one arm, I followed her to the seating area and waited outside as she went in to talk with the doctor. I spent my time talking to Meredith and showing the other women in the sitting area, receptionists included, how well-behaved Meredith was acting. After about an hour, I heard her talking to the receptionist about a surgery date. I turned around and grabbed her purse for her and as she stepped out, I said "Surgery? What surgery?" She had too much information stored up so we hurried to the car to discuss it further. As we sat in the parking lot, she started telling me all about the visit and ultrasound she had done. We then drove to a Fuddruckers to grab a bite to eat and discuss it further.

According to her ultrasound, she has a softball-sized cyst on her left ovary that needs to be dealt with only by means of surgery. We then began to laugh about all the times her husband and my husband (her brother) had wrestled with her and liked to rough her up when she was around. According to the doctor, that cyst could have been there for years, hence, her inability to get pregnant all these years. He was hopeful that after this surgery, which is scheduled on April 24th (April 17, if she wanted a quicker date), she should be able to get pregnant by at least 3 months following seeing that this cyst seems to be the main problem. If after 3 months, they will talk about other means of trying to increase her fertility.

With that being said, Megan and her husband are very excited and nervous about the whole thing. The doctor isn't quite sure about the cyst until he gets in there to see it during surgery so I am asking for prayer warriors from my readers. Please help me in praying for God's guidance and hand in this surgery and that His peace will fill their hearts. Thank you my brothers and sisters. 

Joyfully Loving Others

"A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones." 

Proverbs 17:22

Everyone you meet has faced, is facing, or will face some kind of difficulty in this life. That's just the way it is. 

John 16:33 says, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

What does that verse, if discerned correctly, mean? If we are in Christ, if we are living for Him, it is GUARANTEED that we will have tribulation. What is the definition of tribulation? Tribulation, as defined by Merriam-Webster goes as such:

*unhappiness, pain, or suffering: an experience that causes someone to suffer. 

*distress or suffering resulting from oppression or persecution; also :  a trying experience.

When we know of someone who is feeling down or come across a stranger whose countenance seems low, our obligation is to cheer them up or even better, to pray or weep with them (Romans 12:15). How many of you believe that the devil enjoys us being in a state of depression or worry? Why do you think he enjoys it? Because we become ineffective for the Kingdom of God! So many times life can throw us curve balls, but as children of an Almighty God, it is our responsibility to help others emotionally and to keep ourselves focused on Christ. In our flesh, it is not natural to wake up every morning cheery, but we can trick our minds (which are still carnal) into thinking that today is going to be a good day. Guess what? That's a good thing. Focus on that mindset and it becomes contagious to those around you. 

So next time you hear of someone is who feeling down, give a phone call, text or even a visit to that individual. Let them know that you are praying for them or better yet, take time to pray with them whether it is over the phone or in their living room. Believers need to keep one another uplifted and distracted from the devil's schemes. We also need to show our merry hearts to the lost around us. You never know when our cheerfulness might rub off on an unbeliever. So be merry today and bless those around you! Shine with that beautiful smile!