Chasing....

1 Corinthians 9:24

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

As a mom I spend most of my weekend days chasing after my kids.... trying to make sure that they have "controlled" fun.  You know the kind of fun that doesn't make the house cave in or cause hospital visits.  Most of the time I listen for those quiet moments that usually mean that the youngest is into something she shouldn't be and i have to sneak up on her to make sure to scare her enough and hopefully catch her before whatever it is has been broken or wasted.  As moms we all have these moments and then when other people tell us how well behaved our children are we desperately try to hold in the laughter and gently say thank you while wondering where the real child went.
If you are a wife then you chase after your husband to pick up dirty laundry, to not walk into the house with grass all over his shoes from mowing the lawn.  Or even beg him to take medicine when he is sick because ladies lets face it when our husbands are ill it is like we have inherited another 5 year old.  I'm just saying....

So this got me thinking today, I spend all this time chasing after other people that I spend very little time chasing after the one that I should be chasing after... My Lord.  I was struck by the fact that I struggle so much with self-esteem when he has made me in His image.  I struggle with relationships when the one that counts the most gets the least amount of my attention because I take it for granted that He will always be there for me even when I am not my best.  I struggle with hurt feelings when I know for a fact that its not what others think about me that matters its what God thinks that should be my measuring stick.  I struggle that I am not model thin and was reminded today that God doesn't my waist but my heart.

These struggles have allowed what should be my burning flame for Jesus slowly become less bright and why?  What's the point in feeling all these things when He has made me beautifully and wonderfully made?  Ladies we are told so many lies and we fully by into them because the world has told us that we are just not worthy.  I for one am done and taking a stand for chasing after the one who is everything to me!!!

I am taking back my God given beauty.  I will no longer chase after the things in this world because guess what.  People are human and a mess someone will always be there to tell you what you aren't, but God is always putting people in your path to tell you what you are to Him.  He is chasing us so why don't we start chasing Him right back?

Knowing your enemy helps you combat the lies we are told and will start the race of chasing God!!!!!  Who will chase the Lord with me?

Tough Times

Fighting, to me is a hard learning process. The tears over arguments and the thoughts that maybe I can't do this all has given me a drive to keep going.  It sometimes takes words from someone that loves you to shake you up and make you see what you should actually be doing, and sometimes you end up with bruised toes.  After all, a relationship is a promise between two people, God doesn't take it lightly and neither should we.

What do you do when you realize when the fairy tale story turns into reality and you realize that the prince can be a frog and the princess the wicked step-sister character of the story?  All those qualities that you once loved now seem selfish and it seems like they no longer care about.  It is all about perspective especially if you've been together for a long time.    

The way I see it now, the problems and issues that are encountered are probably for the best because God is teaching and stretching us.  I know that sounds like a crazy statement, but think about it if we thank God for those issues and look at them with a little perspective we find that those issues are opportunities to grow and re-learn the person you're with.  But what if you've been married several years and you're friends with the person you're with can you start at the beginning and build a friendship.  I say a big YES to that.  It is never too late to make a new beginning all you have to do is try your hardest and be fully invested in relearning the person you are with.

If you can get over the first hurdle, just imagine how much stronger our relationship will be once you reach the next one!  Remember your promise you are partners and God gave you this person for a reason.  Each person has goals and aspirations that you each want to achieve so find the support and friendship in your relationship that will lead you to support each other the way God intended.