Daddy

As a child, especially a female, we look to our daddy for a lot.

They are our knight in shining armor. They hold our hands when we walk. They tuck us in to bed at night. They hold us when our hearts get broken. And they hug us so tightly some times we can't breathe.

I am who I am a lot because of my dad.

But just not my earthly dad. (although I love him lots!)

I am who I am because of my heavenly dad. My father in heaven. The man who created me and gave me life.

As we finished up our series at Church today, they were interviewing people from the church on how this series had affected them. One guy's comment really hit home for me. He talked about how he is watching his daughter struggle to become someone. You know, just to find out who she really is. And he wanted her to know that she could come talk to him any time. That he is always available any time she needs a listening ear. His love is unconditional regardless of what she has to say.

God is the same way!!!

He watches us all the time come in to ourselves. He is always around waiting to talk, to listen, to give advice.....when we're ready to listen ourselves.

There in lies the key. As kids, listening to earthly parents a lot of times goes in one ear and out the other. We don't really want to hear what they have to say. It's only when we really and truly want help that we listen. That we do as we're told. Knowing all the while it's what is right for us.

My heavenly father is available 24/7, 365. And I am talking, and listening. I may not always understand, but I know that he will direct me in the way that is right for me.

Are you talking and listening to your heavenly father?

Take your time and open your heart. Be ready to listen.

Renee

3 A's

I took this post from last Sunday's sermon. We've been doing a series on "The Story of God and You". It's been an awesome series (just like all of ours, actually). But this one in particular I thoroughly enjoyed.

1) A-Appetite:
We all have an appetite for things. But are all those things we have an appetite for, the things we crave.....are these things that are honorable to God? To our body? I'll be completely honest... a lot of things I've put in my body over the years was not really taking care of my "temple". This body is the only one I have and i have to use it and take care of it to the best of my ability. Food aside....there are other things people crave. Things on television, computer. Are the things we take in always honorable to God?

2) A-Affirmation:
We all enjoy it when people like us. Pat us on the back. Do you feel like you have to create drama for people to respond to you? We think too much about "Do people think I'm good?" We look for our identity too much instead of resting in the peace God gives. There is no explanation needed for that. That's pretty sufficient.

3) A-Ambition:
So many people are imprisoned in the addiction for ambition. How to get ahead quicker and be better than everyone else. "keeping up with the Jones'" when I was growing up. Ambition is good as long as it's God given. Why try so hard to be something you aren't? You/I should be at peace. Life is not always what it seems....we have to learn to rest in that which God has given us. For myself as a semi-young adult, this has been the hardest for me. Growing up I had so many dreams of things I wanted. The big house with the big picket fence. The best cars. The prettiest decorations for my home. After all these years I have learn to be content in what I have. My house isn't huge, but it fits the needs of my family. My car isn't sporty, but it's pretty and gets me where I need to go. I don't have diamonds on every finger. I have one that means the most to me and that's all I need. God has provided in ways I never thought possible. So much that I've been able to cut back and not work full time anymore. I can be a mom....which is what I've always wanted to do.

So today, I am grateful for what Griff taught last week. The 3 A's were so pertinent to life, my life.

My God has provided so graciously for me.

I am so truly blessed,
Renee

thankful

Today I am just thankful.

I have a home and a job that allows me to pay for it.

I have a car that works.

I have two beautiful sons.

I am alive and healthy.

What more could I need?

Thank you God for giving me what I need. I truly would have nothing without you.

Renee

Frustration

If you know me, you know I have a tendency to become frustrated quite easily. As I have gotten older, I have mellowed some, but I still have a tendency to let things get under my skin.

Sometimes it's the kids. Sometimes it's the husband. Other times it's just life in general.

And I know I shouldn't be this way, but I am human. I have my own faults.

I am dealing with some frustration now and trying to work through it in the correct manner. I pray for guidance and the right words to say so that people do not become offended. I know God will help me handle it.

So today I choose to be grateful for this frustration, because it will teach me a lesson. That of which I am not sure right now, but I know God has a plan.

On a side note, Ben is doing much better. They are still doing tests and looking for answers for what happened last week, but for now we are all grateful he is alive and breathing.

On a second side note, please continue to pray for my friend Jen and her family. Her teenage son had open heart surgery this past Saturday. Although he did well, they waited to close his chest until yesterday. They were supposed to let him wake up today. I pray so hard that things go according to plan and setback are minimal. This family has just been through it.

Blessings (even in my frustration)
Renee

moments

I have a "wall words" writing above my bed, "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away". That quote is so true.

This week we had our breath taken away when a young teenage son of a friend of mine collapsed at baseball practice. This required CPR, intubation, and admission to UK peds ICU.

His breath was gone.

And ours got taken away when we heard the news.

A seemingly healthy, teenage boy, just playing some baseball. Something he's done for years.

Amazingly enough, he has pulled through. So many people have prayed for him, his family, and his friends that saw things happen.

Moments like this are reminders of how fortunate we are in this life. How we go on with our happy days as if nothing could ever happen.

But it can.

And it does.

So here's my question. What if there was a moment you lost your breath? Your FINAL breath. Are you ready? Do you know where you are going when you die? Granted, I have no desire to rush to my earthly ending. I have a family and wonderful children to raise. But, in the event, I know that this place is not my final home. I know one day, I'll be in heaven. I know without a doubt, I'll see my grandfather again. And maybe even have the chance to meet my dad's parents that died long before I was even born.

Today, live in the moments of now. The past is gone, the future is yet to come, but today is the present. It is a gift. Enjoy it as if it were your last. And make sure that if it is, you know where you're going.

And please continue to pray for this young man, named Ben. He is better and awakened about 24 hours after this all started. Today they were going to try to get him up. He has a long road of diagnostic tests and things still yet to endure, but he's alive. God has given him a second chance in life. I pray he does something wonderful with it.

What will you do with yours?

Blessings in this moment,
Renee

Goals

I have had a lot in my lifetime.

When I was in high school, I was going to be an attorney. Married and have 2 children by the age of 30. Wow, how that changed. I got married, yes. And I went to college.....and graduated with a nursing degree. Medicine was always a love of mine and it seemed natural.

As I've gotten older, my goals in life have changed. I have daily ones....drinking plenty of water. And I have goals I have set for myself in the coming months.

And as my friends and I start a new fitness challenge for the next 30 days, I have even more goals in mind. And as I try to reach these goals, I try to inspire others to do the same. I have had people tell me how much they love coming to my classes. That makes my heart happy. But what I love the most is when they say they are excited and inspired by me. That means I have reached a goal. To let others know you don't have to be a "Barbie" to teach fitness. No, I am not perfect. I have lumps and rolls like most moms do. It took me years to realize that "I am important". A long time to say, "it's okay to leave your child with someone while I better myself". That's a tough thing to do as a mom.

The thing is, I could not reach any goal if it weren't for the backing of my husband and Jesus. Mike has always been supportive of anything I wanted to do when it came to fitness. And if weren't for the good Lord above keeping me healthy, I wouldn't be able to do this.

But my main goal in life is to try and live a Christian life. Some days I'm better at it than others. I am not perfect. I am a sinner saved by grace. And in living this life, if I can inspire someone to do the same, my goal is achieved. I usually end my Sunday Zumba fitness classes with a Christian song. Although I have to be careful not to actually mention God or Jesus (which is sad but true....can't offend someone), I do want people to pay attention and get something from my class; not just a workout.

12 Not that I have already attained this-that is, I have not already been perfected-but I strive to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus also laid hold of me.
13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead,
14 with this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Phillipians 3 12-14

What are your goals in life?

Are they truly superficial to benefit only yourself?

Or are you looking forward and reaching for a higher goal?

Renee

Compassion

It's part of my job.

Some days it's easier than others to have compassion for the woman screaming at the top of her lungs.

For the ones that have ingested some sort of chemical (whatever that may be) and they are delivering a baby very early and don't care.

For the people that are just flat out MEAN.

But for the most part I try to see people with the glass half full. I try to empathize and meet them where they are. Sometimes it's just a simple touch or calming word. Sometimes it's being forceful and making them listen to get control. Even at the time it may seem harsh, it leads to a stronger bond in the end.

But a lot of times, it's just lending an ear. Many times I don't really have time to sit to talk and listen. I have to MAKE time. This has been the case over many of the last few weeks.

To sit quietly.

To listen.

To meet a person halfway.

And in doing so, my heart has been filled. With care and compassion. As I said goodbye to a new friend today and as we took a picture together I can only hope and pray she has her heart filled as much as I did.

Thank you God for giving me the opportunity to touch lives with a compassionate heart.

Renee

worry

I recently heard a song from my younger years while sitting in Orange Leaf (the BEST froyo in Lexington). As I sat there singing it, my kids just looked at me and laughed. It was Bobby McFerrin's song, "Don't Worry, Be Happy". It's got just the right little bounce to make you happy.

I've tried to live my life with that thought process. Don't worry, be happy. There is so much wrong with the world today. And so many people have so many problems that are worse than what I ever could fathom. People are sick. People die. People lose things and don't have money.

I am lucky though. Currently, Mike and I both have jobs with a decent income. We are able to pay our bills and provide for our children. We have a few nice things and are able to buy little extras here and there.

And the things is, I don't worry about tomorrow. I don't think about what could happen. Because God has it under control. Matthew 6:34 says, "So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of it's own".

And that is so true.

Does worrying change things? Does worry make you feel good? NO and NO! So stop worrying. Give it to God. He's got it all in his hands if you let it. Take each day on headstrong and leaning on the One that can hold you. If he brings you to it, he'll bring you through it. (I'm sure that quote belongs to someone, but I'm not sure whom).

So set your worries aside today and place your trust in the Father. He will wipe your worries away. Thank you God for doing that for me every day. For that I am truly blessed.

Renee