Well, I did it again. . . I stopped blogging. I have to find my camera disk and load it onto my new computer. Without the ability to post pics of my kids, I lose the desire to blog. I mean isn’t that why you come here? Isn’t it to see pics of my awesome kiddos?! I promise I will dig through boxes today. We’ve moved and it is somewhere among a giant pile of boxes in our garage!

 

Speaking of moving. . . My dear James loves change. He feeds off of it. I believe it even gives him energy. I, on the other hand, resist change and even find it quite painful. Opposites do attract and for good reason, I think. I need James to help stretch me. We do compliment each other quite well.  

 

This winter has been a season of change for me. I believe God used a book by Victoria Osteen to help encourage me through this time. It’s called “Love Your Life“. One of the challenges that James and I are working on is our thoughts and words. It’s so easy to become negative, especially when times are difficult. When business drops to an all time low or the kids are extremely moody and difficult or we have to go through the difficult process of moving, it’s easy to feel defeated, but we want to choose to focus on the positive and speak positive words. Negativity only drags us down and causes us to lose hope and faith. I struggle with this every day, but I want to continue to fight the good fight! It’s worth it.

 

Here are some of the anchor thoughts in Victoria’s book that really helped me properly focus.

 

• I will stay flexible and willing to change in order to embrace the new things God has in store.

 

• I will look beyond where I am right now, seeing new possibilities, being open to new ideas, and expecting great things in my future.

 

• I will not live my life in regret. I make a decision today to release the if onlys and anything that is keeping me from God’s best.

 

• I recognize that even though challenges and difficulties seem like they are working against me, if I stay in faith, they will ultimately work for me.

 

• I will not be consumed by my challenges. I will stay in faith, focus on the good, and keep the right perspective.

 

• I choose to live this day happy, content, and grateful for what God has given me.

 

• I will focus on what I have and not what I don’t have. I will dwell on what’s right in my life and magnify the good.

 

• When things are difficult and I’m tempted to get discouraged, I will remember all the great things God has done in my past.

 

• I recognize I was not created to constantly struggle and endure life. I am making a decision to celebrate each  day, to live it to the full, and to enjoy the people in my life.

 

• I will not long for the good old days, wishing it could be like it was. I realize today I’ve got great people in my life, great opportunities, and I’m making great memories. I know these are the good old days.

 

I know this is a very difficult time for a lot of people. My heart aches for those I know who are struggling. One thing that I am confident about is that God does work ALL things together for good. He is not the one hurting you, but he can miraculously take a bad situation and bring about goodness. We have to trust him and ask him for help. I know He is more than able and it is his desire.

 

A friend emailed me this Joel Osteen quote this morning. I felt like it was complimentary to what I had to share.

 

Today’s Scripture

 

 “Ask the LORD for rain in the time of the latter rain” (Zechariah 10:1, NKJ).

 

 Today’s Word from Joel and Victoria Osteen

 

 In the Scripture, rain represents God’s favor. This verse is telling us to “ask for rain even though it’s raining.” What does that mean? You might think, “If it’s raining, it doesn’t seem like you’d need to ask for it.” But God is saying, “My favor is available to you, but you’re not going to receive it unless you ask.” Right now, God is showering down blessings, healing, promotion, and good ideas. It’s raining favor. But we have to do our part to get our words in line with what God wants to do. We have to ask for that favor. We have to call it in if we are going to experience it. We have to release our faith with our words. This is a great day to be alive! God is pouring out his favor like no other time in history. Right now, it is raining increase. It’s raining new ideas. It’s raining promotion. Don’t let it pass you by. Start declaring it for yourself, “I am blessed. I am prosperous. I am favored. I am healthy. I am free.” Ask for rain in this time of rain, and you’ll see His blessing and provision in every area of your life! 

 

 

Father in heaven, thank You for Your grace, mercy, and favor. I ask for rain in the time of rain, I ask for increase in Your favor and blessing so I can be a blessing to those around me today and always. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.