Too Much on Your Plate?

See this face?  Know that feeling?  Well, I sure do! Of all the exciting things that are coming with this big move, there are still quite a few that aren't as pleasant. You know what I mean, right? Having to search for the right job, getting a nice, yet reasonable, place to call your very own,  transferring licenses and car tags, putting down deposits, paying off final bills, yada, yada, yada! Oh. My. WORD!!! I found myself starting to feel a little frazzled and I could tell that sense of being overwhelmed was trying to take a hold. But, thank God, my faith kicked in before the tears ran out. I sat down my phone, shut the laptop, took a deep breath and began to utter these words, "Ok, God. Help me realize nothing is too hard or too much for You. Take away the stress, increase my trust, ease my nerves." Almost instantly I could sense a change. More peace came when I started quoting some of my favorite verses:
"When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I." Psalm 62:1 ~"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10 ~"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee." Isaiah 26:3

In the hustle and bustle of this busy day we are in, there are so many people that are just overcome with stress, confusion, a sense of being lost... and they look in all the wrong places for answers.  It breaks my heart to hear that people turn to alcohol or drugs or sexual immoralities to try an ease those unwanted feelings.  What most don't realize is that becoming a victim of those things is only going to cause a lot more heartache and trouble.  It causes health issues, relationship problems, and more importantly, it puts up a barrier between them and God.

You can get relief from any stress or chaos you may be facing. I'm not saying the problem will definitely go away immediately, because it may take time. It's not 100% guaranteed that it will go away at all, because this is life, and sometimes we bring things on ourselves that can't be undone. However, I can promise you, that if you "cast your cares upon Him," you will notice a freedom and an awesome sense of lightness. You can know, without a shadow of a doubt, that it will be ok. He is the Creator of this universe and the Author of your life. What's the significance in that??? He can write out anything He needs to! If a change is needed, guess Who has all the power to make that change?  What a relief and joy it is to know that ALL you have to do is your little part. Anything that's beyond your control... well, that goes to Him. Watch Him work it out!

{If you haven't heard the amazing account of how God erased 2 years of what we thought would be unexpected tax debt, click on the "ExtraKrisB" tab, and read my personal story of how wonderfully God worked that out to our advantage. ("Fish Breath Never Smelled So Good")}

My good friend was supposed to have surgery on a cyst that had grown and changed shape significantly within a 3 month period.  The doctors had some concern that it may be a sign of ovarian cancer. She was nervous, as any of us girls would be. She has a husband and small children that she worried over at times. But, she also has a God that is a Healer and a Miracle Worker! She prayed, and had others pray, and we placed our faith in the God that is capable of all things. She went back in just two days before her surgery to get a final ultrasound, and SURPRISE SURPRISE!! The cyst was completely gone!

Another lady our church had been praying for, had a husband and 3 young children. She had been diagnosed with cancer a few months back.  Last week our pastor shed tears as he gave in a request to pray for her family, for the doctors had called all the family in. They were only expecting her to live a few more days.  Once again, God had a change of plans! As the family was all gathered in the waiting room, expecting the worst, the little son of the precious lady ran out crying, "Mama's not going to die! Mama's not going to die!" The doctors did another scan, and EVERY OUNCE of cancer was gone! The night they expected her to leave this life, she simply left the hospital to go home with her family!

I wanted to share these stories with you, because when I see how serious these needs were, mine seem so small! And if God can take care of the big situations, he can move for me, too! No matter how big or little the situation, He cares and He will do what's best.  Don't live life overwhelmed. Live it with joy! If your plate is piling up today, give it to Jesus! It's never too much for Him. He never intended for us to take care of everything on our own. He wants to show us what He can do so we can bring Him glory through it! Take comfort in that, my friend!

Empty that plate!

A Brand New Recipe

So, I've been blank all year... and the one day I decide to pick up the laptop and just write away anyway... I see that it's been 1 year to the day that I've made an entry. Ironic? Coincidence? Absolutely meaningless?  Who knows.  But, in just 1 years time, so VERY much has changed in my life.

I no longer live in Illinois.  Aaron and I moved back to my homeland... Kentucky... in Louisville.  How did we get here?? Why did we come here??  Sometimes I ask myself those same questions.  And I only have one answer. God led us here.

This move was an extremely difficult one to make... on many different levels.  We had grown accustomed to Illinois. After all, we'd lived there for three years. We had some great times and plenty of not-so-great times. We made amazing friends... and some friends disappeared. We took some college courses, made some tough, but definitely right, decisions, matured, had time to figure out who we were and what we wanted. We were privileged to lead a student ministry group of 30+ teens. We got great experience from job opportunities. We got a fresh new start. Only now do I see how truly fresh that start was.

We started feeling like we would probably be relocating within the year back in January 2012. Honestly, the furthest I thought we'd go was St. Louis... only about 45 miles. That was my dream. When we were asked to head up the youth ministry at Faith Assembly, we weren't sure if we should take it, because of the little inkling we had about moving away. But, when we explained that and they still asked us to dedicate just one year to helping the ministry grow, we felt like that was a good plan. Once we got involved in that, we didn't want to leave. Everything was going greater than ever before... Why would we want to give that up now?  Back in February 2013 someone approached and told us that they believed within three months we would be back in Louisville.  I couldn't help but just smile and nod. I didn't believe it to be possible or accurate for one millisecond. Looking back now, I almost feel like Sarah in the Bible, laughing over the prophecy that she would have a child in her old age. Why? Because within less than two weeks of my "laughter," our landlord approached us with apologies. "I'm just in too much debt with my house... I'm going to have to sell my rental properties."  Ummm... Hello. Would you be worried sick?  Normally, I would have been. But one great thing that happened in Illinois for me, was being able to get away and realize that not all opinions about what happens in my life are acceptable and worth fretting over. There are some things in life that happen way beyond our control, and people that are too quick to get an idea of why or what you must have done to make that happen, a lot of times are completely off track. That seemed to happen to us a lot in our first few years of marriage, and I had to pray through some MAJOR complexes and hindrances because of that. That's what makes this time in my life a great victory. I've finally realized that GOD LEADS ME. He opens doors. He shuts them. I know that sometimes people can make decisions that cause things to happen... but I also know when one's heart is truly toward the Lord and His will, He keeps His promises and takes care of that one. So, I don't have to worry. This is God's doing... and all I need to do is trust.  After much prayer, we started seeing God do some awesome things to prepare for the move. Everything was taken care of... not just barely... with much ease. Financial miracles took place. Minds that needed to be changed were. One by one, "crazy" things started happening... and we knew it had to be the hand of God making our path plain.

I think the sense of not fully belonging anywhere just yet is the most difficult.  You know, having to start all over.  New home, new jobs, new friends, new church, etc... Even though my family is here (and we love it) we still missed three years of each other's lives... so there's even a twinge of something odd there. I know that within just a little bit, everything will start fitting together perfectly and all will be grand! After all, there's been some humbling and amazing opportunities for us already... and for once, we've been able to fully reach out and accept them without any reserve. Knowing that I'll always belong in the arms of the Lord... that's all the belonging I need. Of course, having such an amazing and supportive husband there with you in every new venture is pretty sweet, too!

A few people have asked what brought us back... and they automatically bring up the hurts, frustrations, and disappointments. Believe me, we remember those things from time to time, but we don't let them dictate our lives. It's not worth it at all to dwell on those things! The joy that Jesus brings can surpass them any day of the week! Plus, I know that we learned so much from those times, and it's made us happier, better, and more thoughtful of others' feelings. "What the devil planned for evil, God turned into good." Others have talked about the glories of the big city opportunities. Yes, those are a great incentive, for sure. But really, I'm just curious and excitedly awaiting what God is going to "cook up" for us in this chapter of our lives. After all, it is a brand new recipe this time around. Maybe God had a work for us to do here the whole time, had to move us to prepare us, and is bringing us back to get it done. 

I look back over my life, and even though I'm only almost 25... I've already had quite the fun and adventure.  We've moved a couple times... lived out of state... took a mission trip to Mexico... got to know and help some amazingly talented teens... sat under some wonderful pastors... made friends all over the country and even a few outside of it... got contacted by a music producer to start recording our ORIGINAL songs... helped my brother prepare to get out on his own... got to be there for my sister... The list could go on.  I'm grateful for that.  It's a little stressful right now, starting all over again... but every time God's led us to a different door, it's always been better than the one before. I'm believing the same for this one. When I write the next time, I can't wait to give detail of what these new ingredients have added to our lives.  If I didn't have the experience with Christ, all this hope and eagerness wouldn't be possible.  I'm grateful that in spite of everything that changes in my life, He remains the same.

Just like in every meal preparation, in life you get a little shook up, mixed up, and probably even heated up. There may be a few new and seemingly random ingredients sitting somewhere close by, but when the One preparing the dish has mastered the recipe, you can guarantee that it'll come out amazing.

Some don't like change... Some thrive on it. Others, like me, accept it. Maybe that's why God's led us out of the box we were in, and now has something incredible in the making. I can't wait to see it... and I can't wait to share it!

Just a Little Something to Nibble On

*****Working for an eye dr- I see people lose their sight more often than others. I see the fear when you inform them they have a disease that could potentially blind them. I sense the hesitance when you tell them surgery on the eye would make them see clearer. I see them stubbornly refuse because they're afraid of possibly losing the sight they have NOW. They don't realize they can see even better!! They've gotten so used to their view they've had forever, anything different, well, just has to be worse. On the other hand, I see those that do get treated, and vision is restored. They smile and laugh, and point at things they didn't realize "were so bright blue!" Its amazing. Makes me even more thankful to JESUS for opening my eyes! I once was blind... BUT NOW... I CAN SEE!!*****

This is a facebook status I posted yesterday- and the thought has stuck with me.  I am overwhelmingly thankful for: #1- Jesus' sacrifice and #2- God's grace.  It's so humbling to think that the Creator of this world knows every awful thing about me... and STILL cares about me, forgives me, uses me, and believes in me enough to bear His name. What an unconditional love.

I remember something that happened a couple months back.  I was at work...  It had been a long and eventful day.  Everybody's nerves seemed to be frazzled.  We had been short handed, had several grumpy patients, and it seemed like everyone of us made one mistake or another that day.  Some people were literally on the verge of tears, others were griping, and some, like me, were just silent and obviously tense. Then, the office television (which had been on all day- and completely ignored by all employees) suddenly got my attention.  I could hear the sobering sound of bagpipes bellowing beautifully the melody of "Amazing Grace."  Beyond all my control, tears began to fill my eyes.  Instant peace flooded my soul.  As the soloist began to sing, and a few saw my tears, everyone else that was still in the office stopped and watched-  and listened.  Really listened.  As each stanza was completed you could hear sighs and a few gentle laughs.  When the first chorus was repeated to end the song, I said aloud, "Isn't it just awesome how the thought of the amazingness of God's grace can cover a multitude of frustrations?  And better yet... a multitude of sins!" 

I was so convicted and refreshed at the same time.  Convicted because I was JUST NOW remembering that verse in the Bible, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee."  Why is it that we let POINTLESS things take over our thoughts for any amount of time.  Just a few minutes is too long!  We must remember God's blessings outweigh any bad thing we think we may endure. 

Then I was refreshed... because I knew, I had found God's grace.  I had experienced it.  Grace is a gift He gave, and I accepted.  I'm thankful that when I was lost, He sought me and He found me!  And after years of living in darkness, He allowed me to see His light and the beauty that comes when living for Him.  I was blind.  Now, (thank God) I see.

Grace.  Grace.  God's grace.

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within.

Grace.  Grace. God's grace.

Grace that is greater than all my sin.