DEAR MOTHER IN LAW
DEAR DAUGHTER IN LAW.... There once was a little boy that captured my heart. From the very first moment he was placed in my arms and his big blue eyes stared up into mine. I held him there. So close. He had this heart that was full of compassion. Always thinking of me. He would bring me flowers and write me love notes. I was the world to him. He would promise never to marry or move away. And I held him there. So close. As he grew, his compassion never waned. Sweet notes and cards. Thoughtfulness. He shared his dreams with me. His funny moments and his happiness. Maybe, he mused, he would marry.... but live right next door. He would never move....too far away. And I tried to hold him there. So close. But then one day he was asking for advice. His compassion and thoughtfulness shifted. Advice on what to write... to her. Again I tried to hold him there. So close. As he talked, I stared into the eyes of my little boy. My baby, now a man. He would marry her. He would live anywhere in the world if he could be with her, because she was his world. And I was not. I could no longer hold him there, so close. I had to let go. She changed everything. She was his everything. His happiness. His life. She brought him joy just by being herself. And she brought me joy because she was herself. She wrote me notes filled with love. She shared their dreams with me, their days, their hopes, their heartaches and their happiness. She shared their laughter with me. She sent me pictures he didn’t know she took. She told me each time he spoke loving thoughts of home and mom. Each time.💗💗 She shared him. And she allowed me to hold him close again. So close. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Remember the heart that held his first. That heard his first words of love. That taught him to walk and talk and be the man you love, the man you married. Remember the heart that holds his now. That gives him joy and happiness. That loves him more than you ever could have hoped for. The woman he married. Remember.... and hold each other close. Thank you Shannon. I love you 😘❤️
12/18/2018
You Can Change The WorldYOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD
I know it’s cliche, but what if we really did choose to live every day as if it were our last? What if we had to go through the exact routine today that we went through yesterday ~nothing changing~ not telling anyone it was our last day here on earth. Knowing that when we laid our heads on our pillows tonight and closed our eyes, we would wake up in heaven. How would this change how we chose to live? How we looked at our loved ones and treated them? How we lived our lives in front of those we work with, knowing that today was the last time to share our Savior with them? We wouldn’t worry about tomorrow because we would know there would be no tomorrow. Only today. Today would be so much more important to us. We would cherish every single second with our loved ones, with our children. With our spouses. We would make time for family because we would know we didn’t have any time left. We would put our phones down and try to teach our children as much as we could, knowing we wouldn’t be here tomorrow. We would love on our spouses deeply, and be so forgiving of so much. You know where I’m going with this. Preachers have preached on it often~”What if today was your last.” When we hear that, we usually tend to think outside the box of reality. All the extravagant things we would do our last day on earth. But think about having to stay inside the box of reality. Having to live out your day today not changing a thing except for how you view it, and then how you act and react ~because that view is drastically changed. And yet God tells us- We aren’t promised tomorrow. Psalm 90:12, Matthew 6:34 We aren’t supposed to worry. Matthew6:25-34 We’re supposed to love on our children and train them up in the way they should go. Proverbs 22:6 We’re supposed to forgive and love our spouses and each other as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it. Ephesians 4:32, 5:25 We’re supposed to be a living testimony for Christ in all we do or say. Galatians 2:20 We’re supposed to find the joy of Christ in everything. Every single second. John 15:11, I Peter 1:8, Philippians 4:4, Romans 14:17, Psalm 16:11, Psalm 118:24, Just as if today were our last. This December lets choose to live every day to the fullest, with a different view. To cherish every single second and not allow the Christmas chaos to change our perspective. To view each day as a beautiful gift from God and strive to share that present with everyone. Let’s determine to be thankful for Christmas and focus on Christ~just as if we will be seeing him tonight. A drastically changed view can drastically change the world. Through Christ alone and for His glory we can change the world. One day at a time.
10/23/2018
If You Can’t Say Something NiceIF YOU CAN’T SAY SOMETHING NICE...
I stood there listening. Why was I listening? She said~ “I’ve told her all of this. I’m not talking behind her back” Yet she was. The subject of our conversation was not with us. I knew that if she knew the words that were being spoken, it would hurt. It was wrong. I was wrong. And then we add trite little end tails to our conversations, to make ourselves feel better. “Just pray for her” or~ “I’m sorry, I just had to vent” ~ “It’s just so frustrating”... But we are tearing down. We aren’t just speaking about another woman, we are speaking against God’s child. The child that He loves with incredible, awe inspiring love. “Talk to them, not about them”. I’ve heard this phrase before and it immediately pricks my heart. And then this deceitful heart of mine comes up with all the reasons why I can’t talk to her. It won’t do any good. She won’t listen. I’ve tried before and look what happened. You don’t know what she’s like. She’s impossible to deal with. But HE does know. And HE loves still. And He asks me~Why haven’t you talked to ME about this? I AM the God of the impossible. My heart becomes heavy at the thought that if Jesus was sitting here next to me as we spoke~ would I choose the same words? Would I voice the same complaints? Would I listen to the same conversation without feeling tremendous conviction inside? And yet~ He is here with me~ And I allow it all. How easy it is to find the faults in others and to speak those thoughts out loud, but somehow justify our own behavior. The same behavior that our Savior took on Himself when He died for me. Your silence as others speak ill is just as wrong as if you said the words yourself. There will be times where unpleasant situations need to be addressed but, in Matthew 18 God lays out a roadmap on how He wants this done. Conveniently, we tend to skip a few steps. We tend to involve people who have nothing to do with the situation other than being someone we feel comfortable complaining/“sharing prayer requests” with. We cave in to the natural impulse to share others shortcomings thinking it somehow makes us look better. But it doesn’t. Even if we are the quiet listener instead of the news giver, our silence tends to reinforce their bad behavior. We can all take a lesson from our mothers~ “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all”.... So flee that conversation. Walk away. Shut your mouth. Whatever needs to be done. And give it to God. He already knows all about it anyway. And He already has the solution.
8/28/2018
To Fall In Love All Over AgainTO FALL IN LOVE ALL OVER AGAIN
I watched the young bride to be. Two days before the “I do’s”. The winds of work all around her. Like walking on water, her eyes fixed only on him. Pure joy in the eyes that beheld her groom. Unabashed love filled the heart that was his. No care for the lack of helpers. Oblivious to the hard work her hands were doing, the many jobs before the big day, the late nights and lack of sleep. 11pm. Endless wedding chores had filled her day, and yet, she couldn’t wait to get home and talk to the love of her life. Sleep could wait. And so I thought on my own marriage. Those early years when he was the most important thing in the world to me and my love for him was much greater than my love for myself. Time changes things. Self pity gets the upper hand far too often. Today I will remember. Today I will choose to say “I do” again. And then I thought about HIM, my Savior, and how often self has pushed Him aside. I remember when I first fell in love with Him so many years ago. That love has feigned. I was willing to do anything, go anywhere, serve wherever needed. All with joy in my heart. I would take on any responsibility in ministry, all for the love of HIM, and as the sun went down and stars illuminated the evening sky, I was never too tired to talk to HIM. There were no complaints about not getting help with the endless work ministry calls for, because my great love for HIM was my motivation. Like a young bride, my every breath held His name. My heart was totally His. Somehow, too often along the journey, my joy gets lost in serving because I take my eyes off of HIM and turn them instead toward myself. Today I will choose to say “I do” again. I will rekindle the love I lost. I will remember the day He filled my heart and left no room for self to squeeze in. I will love Him with my everything. I will serve Him entirely. I will rejoice in the joy only He can bring. I will walk on water towards Him. My eyes only on Him. No self pity. No self love. No complaints about all the others behind me in the boat that aren’t walking with me, because all I need is HIM. Yes, today I will say “I do” again. “I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience....and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love....Remember...”. Revelation 2:2-5 “Now the end of the commandment is charity (love) out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:” 1 Timothy 1:5 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” I Corinthians 10:31 Matthew 14:29-33 “That I see Him walking on the waves, no shore in sight, no success, no goal, just the absolute certainty that it is all right because I see Him walking on the sea. It is the process, not the end, which is glorifying to God. God’s end is to enable me to see that He can walk on the chaos of my life just now. If we have a further end in view, we do not pay sufficient attention to the immediate present: if we realize that obedience is the end, then each moment as it comes is PRECIOUS.” Oswald Chambers 
8/21/2018
When You’ve Been MistreatedWHEN YOU’VE BEEN MISTREATED
I just want to wallow in it. I’m fighting the pricking of my heart because~ I. Deserve. To. Wallow. How many times can a person get mistreated? How many times can I get knocked down and pick myself back up again? I don’t want to get back up. I want to be angry inside. I want to cry. I want to run away. I definitely don’t want to read my bible or pray. Not now. My heart knows what God is whispering to it~ I block my ears like a little child. It’s not fair It’s too hard I can’t do this anymore. Let me have my moment. But God keeps whispering~ He will keep bringing me back to this place over and over again~ Until I realize Jesus. Today I only realize Charisse. God knows my circumstances. They aren’t accidental. He wants me to see Jesus in every moment~ Even in the mistreatment and hurt. He whispers to my soul~ Be kind Be tender hearted Forgive~ as I forgave you. I am undone. His words pierce my heart. I can forgive I can be kind I can be tender hearted I can love again Because~ I can do all things through Him~ And that’s exactly what He would do. “To the saint, personal insult becomes the occasion of revealing the incredible sweetness of the Lord Jesus” “The disciple realizes that it is his Lord’s honor that is at stake in his life, not his own honor” “Never look for justice, but never cease to live it” Oswald Chambers        
8/14/2018
Shyness And AllA few years back, someone was having a conversation with my son in law and told him that they thought his mother in law was snooty. Can I tell you how deeply that bothered me? Pretty deep. Of course my sweet son in law tried to assure them that I was not snooty, just very shy. He even added-“if you knew her, you would know she’s not that way at all”. It was very kind of him to stick up for me. After the blow of hearing that I was described as snooty, my first reaction was to defend myself~ “I’m not snooty, I’m just extremely shy! I can’t help it.” But then my thoughts went inward. I convinced myself that this was how God made me and He loves me just as I am and understands that I am shy. Can I say~I still believe all of that. God does love me as I am. God does know I am an introverted, shy preacher’s wife. But.... (Yep, but...) He asked me~ Are You a picture of my Son? When people are with you, do they see Jesus shine through that shyness? Even before they know you? Obviously the answer was no, and I knew right then that I needed to be a picture of God’s grace~ shyness and all. It’s something I ask Him to help me with on a daily basis. ~Let them see Jesus in me~ Too often we convince ourselves that we can’t help our demeanor. We argue that that’s just how God made us, but we forget the part of the Bible that says~ We are made in His image. We are known by our fruit. We are a light to the world. Love is everything. In word, in deed, in demeanor. We can do ALL things with Christ help. So I will step out of my comfort zone, put on a little extra deodorant (because I know I’ll be sweating bullets)~ and with Gods help and His power~ I will show the world Jesus. Shyness and all. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.” Matthew 5:14-15 “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18
7/31/2018
God’s Women Warriors~~On the cloudiest of days, when my soul is dark and my heart is thundering~ God will give me little snippets of unexpected sunshine... Discouragement comes in many forms and often sets up camp in the deepest recesses of our hearts and minds. It’s a mental enemy that battles against us and gains it’s strength from every wayward thought our contrite heart imagines. God uses the smallest things to remind us of His love, but we can often miss it because that enemy discouragement is clouding every bit of sunshine the Savior throws our way. Sadly, many times encouragement is fleeting. It can often come in the smallest gesture of another, and change someone’s day completely. God can use all of us in this battle against discouragement. He wants us to be on the front lines, fighting for Him. He is tapping our shoulder. He is whispering in our ear~ “Go. Tell her. Speak kindness. Uplift. Encourage. My child needs your words today. They are hurting.” But we brush it off. We make excuses. We’re too busy. We wouldn’t know what to say. We don’t even know that person. And we walk away, not even realizing in the moment how desperately that person needed a word from a stranger, a smile, a hug. My grandson Ethan saw a political sign in someone’s yard last week. He asked his daddy if someone placed the sign there to tell everyone~‘Have a good day!’ 😊 Wow! We are quick to speak on politics or our favorite sports teams. We put their signs in our yards and their jerseys on our backs. We are quick to speak our disapproval of others and the choices they make- and yet, too often, words of encouragement are absent from our vocabulary. I cannot tell you the amount of times you, the reader, have encouraged me. When discouragement sneaks in and tells my wandering heart that it has no business speaking words of truth, God sends a warrior my way. Someone that otherwise would NEVER cross my path in my normal day to day activities. It astounds me every single time. He uses YOU to bless me. And that brings tears to my eyes. Let’s wear God’s words and outwardly show others the beautiful signs of our Saviors love~~ Speak those words, give that hug, send that card, bring that meal, say that prayer. Shine like your Savior and lift someone up out of the depths of discouragement. Be God’s warrior today.
3/18/2017
The Ones That Need A ConstantThe summer before I turned 13 was full of new beginnings for me. It was a summer I will always remember. My parents got back together after a bad split. We moved from a farm with a lot of land, to a ranch in a subdivision in the city. I met my first "city" friend, Geralynn, who lived right next door and would become my best friend through my middle school years. I read and reread 'Are You There God? Its Me Margaret'. The cute boy who lived down the street became my first boyfriend. The uneasiness inside of attending a new, huge school at summer's end. I can remember it all. I can still feel the warmth of the sun as I laid in my back yard daydreaming about that cute boy down the street. I swam all day and then I laid in bed with windows open on those long summer nights, listening to the hum of cars and crickets, daydreaming some more. The most important thing about that summer though, was that it was a new beginning with God. A new heart because He now lived inside it. A new hope for a new life and a new Love, God's Love, that changed me forever. A young lady in the church my parents started attending had a burden for me. Miss Nancy took me under her wing. She prayed for me. She loved me. She picked me up every Monday night to go to Sunshine Girls Bible Club and she answered all my adolescent questions on the way home. She listened as I jabbered on and never gave up on me. She never treated me as if I were silly or unimportant.
One of the many, many benefits of living in the same town for over 20 years is that you get to see your children's childhood friends grow up and turn into amazing adults and parents, with families of their own. But there is also the sadness in seeing some who get into trouble. Who end up in jail and in the news, and it breaks your heart. You can remember them when they were so young and innocent and full of life, and your heart cries out for them. This places a burden on my heart even more to be there for the kids in our area. That little boy who can't sit still and gets in fights with the other kids. That little girl who always seems to be talking and causing some kind of drama with the other girls around her. The ones that make you think sometimes that you surely don't have any patience left. They need you. They need your love and they need your prayers. The quiet ones, with sadness in their eyes, that never say a word and the ones that drive you crazy, those are the ones that are desperately crying out for help. The ones that need a constant in their lives. The ones that need you to lift their name up to an awesome God who loves them more than anyone could ever love them. Don't give up on those kids. Don't watch the years take a toll on them and find yourself reading about them one day on social media. I'm so glad Miss Nancy never gave up on me. I'm so thankful that my teachers in Sunshine Girls, Miss Helen and Miss Jane, taught a bunch of silly, pre-teen, giggling, boy crazy girls all about God's love and forgiveness and the amazing gift of His Son. I will determine in my heart to continually pray for, by name, the kids that God brings into my life. Please don't ever forget, they are just children. Young and in need of so much love and so many prayers. We don't know what their home life might be like. We don't know the heart ache they might be going through. We can offer them a new beginning, hope and a Love that will never go away. One day they will look back, just like me, and remember. They will be so very thankful to God for you. And 10-15 years from now, when you scroll across their Facebook page, you will smile and be so thankful to God too.
3/4/2017
HospitalityI've been reading a study on hospitality and have a very sad confession. I am not hospitable. I'm more like a hermit. This is an area in my life that needs a lot of work. I enjoy having people over for an hour or two, but then I'm ready for them to leave so I can put on my pajamas and chill out. In fact, I wouldn't mind never leaving my house. Yep, like a hermit. I use my shyness as an excuse when in reality, God has all the power in the world to help me overcome this. Too often I choose to stay in my little bubble. Hospitality is mentioned often in the Bible. I just read a devotional about a family that had missionaries stay with them for a month and all I could think was " I could never do that" and immediately felt conviction. Especially when God brought to my mind those who did it for me. When Mike and I felt led to look for a church for him to pastor, my parents opened their home to us and we moved in with our 4 children for almost a year. From there we moved to Caseville with the pastor and his wife and lived in the upstairs of the parsonage for 6 months. In my small, selfish mind I always looked at these times as "my poor family~no home, our things packed away in garages for a year and a half, our family crammed in tiny rooms..." it was always me, me, me. I never opened my eyes to the hospitality of these precious people. Both had kids that were long gone. Happy to have their own schedules and the quietness of home to themselves. And then total chaos moved in. Two young people who were excited about the ministry and future ahead, constantly babbling about ideas, along with 4 children all under the age of 6. Noise and fingerprints and fights and sickness, not to mention toys everywhere. The fact of the matter is, if we have accepted Christ's wonderful gift of salvation~ our amazing Father has opened His magnificent home to us, for eternity. This house I live in is not really my home, it's just a rental for my time here on earth. God gives us opportunities to share with others the comfort, peace and love we feel when we think of home. What a beautiful picture of what our heavenly Father has done for us. True comfort, true peace, true love can only be found in His presence. The mortgage has been paid in full on the cross and a home in heaven can be ours forever. What a lesson to be learned. Today is a good day for me to start my real estate training and open my eyes to those who need that comfort, peace and love that a home can bring. Mine can be just the beginning.
1/28/2017
Love With Our EverythingEvery circumstance around the birth of Andrea was pretty miserable. It was July and the heat was unusually high. There was no air conditioning in our tiny apartment and I can remember the sweat just dripping down my huge stomach. I kept telling everyone that I couldn't wait to go into labor just so I could be in air conditioning. When I was finally wheeled into labor and delivery, I thought the hospital felt extremely warm. Even stifling. The nurses broke the news to me that their air conditioning was broke and it wouldn't be fixed for days. Of course, Andrea didn't know about my circumstances at the time, she just wanted to be born. Soon after our precious baby came into this world, I began hemorrhaging, passed out and was rushed to surgery. Healing was slow and days later, Mike's mom came to stay with us to help out. In the heat. So we sat on the couch, miserable and drenched, passing Andrea back and forth. I was hot and hormonal. But it didn't end there. We were suddenly taken over with fleas from the upstairs apartment and they wouldn't stop chewing on us. (Not a good thing when your mother in law is over for a visit) Our feet and ankles looked like a dot to dot coloring book. Despite all this, baby Andrea didn't have a clue. She didn't know how hot I was or exhausted from loss of blood and sleepless nights. She didn't know fleas were having a feast on my feet and ankles. All she knew was that she needed me and wanted to be loved and when I looked down at her, my heart was over flowing with it. We all have bad days or even weeks, but if we get stuck on our bad circumstances we will miss out on opportunities to love someone in need. Someone that might not have a clue that you don't have air conditioning and you're hot or that you have flea issues 😉 We have a bad day and get irritable and grumpy. Picking the kids up at school, traffic, running to the store or dry cleaners. Our jobs. Everything adds to our irritability. We never notice others around us. The cashier whose heart is broken or the other mom at school who just needs a friend. We miss seeing others who desperately want to be loved. Whose need is far greater than our trivial circumstances. Someone who might have just lost a loved one or whose marriage is falling apart. Someone who needs hope. Someone who needs you. We miss out on opportunities to tell them about the new life they can have in Christ or show them the love that comes from being His child. Having the heart of a mother made it easy to love Andrea with my everything, despite my circumstances, just as having the heart of Christ will make it easy to have over flowing love for others. So despite our circumstances, let's pray that as we look up at the Father, He gives us the heart of His Son. Then let's love with our everything.
12/17/2016
God's TeamI moved from a small country farm in Oxford to a subdivision with houses that seemed so close you could touch them, if you reached out your bathroom window. I loved the farm life. I did not love the city life. I was the little elementary girl that loved to play house and still enjoyed getting dolls as gifts. I was not athletic, but I didn't care. Until Jr High. My first day of gym class at a huge, city school with the teacher telling two very athletic boys to pick teams. Scrawny Charisse waited and waited and waited until I was one of the last ones picked. That was not a good feeling and it fueled my determination to try to be more athletic and tough. Forty years later and I'm still not athletic or tough (Don't even get me started on dodge ball). I still love "playing" house and I love taking care of babies. And that's ok, because that's how my God made me. Aren't you thankful that our Heavenly Father didn't look down from heaven that first Christmas morning and say~"I'm going to send my Son to be born in a manger and to die for people's sins, but only for the people I choose for my team." No, He looked down in love, SO MUCH LOVE, and said "I want the whole world on my team" Not only that, but He allows all of us, despite our shortcomings and failures, to choose to be on His team with Him. To choose to be on THE KING'S team! Knowing all that, why do we as ladies still pick teams? Why do we think it's ok to be loving and giving with some people, but only the ones we choose? Why do we think it's ok to talk down about each other with each other? To leave someone out, to shun or ridicule? Certainly that's not what Christ did. Every bitter thought, every evil deed and yet He loved us still. I know it isn't easy. I know there are people that hurt us, that wrong us and even people that are downright mean. But God loves them all just as much as He loves us and if we are honest we will see that we ourselves don't treat Christ the best. We have hurt Him and wronged Him, we have even been mean, and yet He loves us. So much, He chose to be born in a manger to die for us. This Christmas choose the love of Christ. Ask Him for the love of others that only He can give. The heart of our Savior should fuel our determination to spread the love of Christ this Christmas and every day of the New Year.
12/10/2016
A Kind Word From His WordI'm that girl that looks downright scary without makeup on. Anytime I have tried the more "natural" look, my husband innocently asks if I'm feeling sick. There have only been a handful of times that I have actually gone out in public without makeup. One was when my son had his seizure and another was when I had to have surgery a few years back. That day will always remind me of giving at Christmas. When I think back to the many gifts Mike has gotten me through the years, that Christmas stands out the most to me. It was 6:00am and we were walking into the hospital. Me, without any makeup, hoping we didn't run into anyone we knew and feeling very anxious. As we walked past the gift shop, I noticed the cutest Christmas sign. It caught my eye because it reminded me of my mom, who had recently passed away. The shop was not open yet and soon I was admitted for my up coming surgery. Back in my room several hours later, when I finally opened my eyes after the surgery, the first thing I saw was that little sign hanging on the bulletin board and it brought tears to my eyes. Mike was sitting right next to me, smiling, telling me he loved me and I was beautiful. I had to laugh when I finally looked in a mirror. Anesthesia is not kind to me and my eyes were swollen so badly I looked like I'd been in a boxing match. Not only did my sweet husband go back and get that sign for me, but in my following weeks of recovery as he took care of me, he sat with me and watched every single Hallmark Christmas movie ever made. And he never complained. His gift wasn't something fancy or expensive. His gift was his thoughtfulness, his kind words and his time. This world is filled with people who are hurting. A kind word, a thoughtful gesture, a minute of your time could mean the world to someone. Your co-worker, your neighbor, the cashier at the crazy, busy store during holiday shopping, these could all be people who feel like they have no hope. You could be the one to change that for them. Let's take a lesson from the One who gave us everything. Our Savior who always thinks we are lovely, despite our unloveliness. Our Savior who always has time for us, who always blesses us with a kind word from His Word, who gave Himself so that we could have the gift of eternal life in Heaven someday. This is the season of giving because of Him who gave us everything. Let's not rush through December~and right past every opportunity He gives us~to give of ourselves. It might just be the best gift someone will ever receive.
9/10/2016
No Request Is Too Big Or Too Small"There is no sweeter manner of living in the world than continuous communion with God."
A while back a friend of mine asked for my thoughts on starting a private Facebook group specifically for prayer. I thought it was an awesome idea and throughout this year, week after week with each devotional I share, my heart has become even more burdened about our need to pray for one another. As I scroll through Facebook day by day and read the posts of so many of the people I hold most dear to me, my heart is almost bursting at the desire to pray continually for all of you. I know that I have posted about prayer before but I truly feel God laying this on my heart. WE NEED PRAYER. We need to pray for each other. Knowing that others are praying for your needs or your heartache, your health concerns or your future~ that brings a peace and a comfort that nothing else will. Because of HIM. Whispering a loved ones name up to God as you scroll through your feed would not take any time at all, imagine if we all did this? I have been reading a book called The Practice of the Presence of God. That's where my quotes have come from today. It's just a small book but has such a huge message. "During your meals, or during any daily duty, lift your heart up to Him, because even the least little remembrance will please Him. You don't have to pray out loud; He's nearer than you can imagine." That's just so amazing to think about. The God who created this huge world, down to the tiniest detail loves us with a love that is indescribable and wants us to talk to Him. So ladies, let's start today. Let's lift each other up to our Savior. My desire would be that we can start on this page. There are 146 of us. If you have a burden, a heartache, a health issue, whatever it might be~ just comment below. No scrolling through Facebook needed if we share our needs with each other here. Don't ever think your burden is silly and please don't ever carry your burden alone dear friend. "If the vessel of our soul is being tossed by winds or storms, we should wake the Lord who has been resting with us all along, and He will swiftly calm the sea." No request is too big or too small for my God. How can we pray for you? 💗
8/20/2016
Lean On God. Lean On OthersBack in 1985 Mike and I took a little marriage survey of the top 10 things that cause stress in a marriage and I think we hit the first 5. We were moving 900 miles away from home and family. Newlyweds with a baby on the way. I was 20 yrs old and I'll be honest, I cried most of the way there. I would've followed Mike to the ends of the earth but back then there were no cell phones or texting to talk to mom and long distance calls cost so much. I went from relying on my mom and dad for everything to relying on Mike. I would throw God in for good measure, but I didn't rely on Him like I should. I was homesick and felt alone. Fast forward to 2016. I decided to dig that book out yesterday and take that survey again. With everything that has happened in the last few months, we had way over half of the stress inducers in our lives. The book claimed that if we scored over 300 we were at the highest risk of being hospitalized due to stress. Our score was 342, but today I'm not crying. I'm not stressed. I have such peace. I don't feel alone. My great God has carried us through this, and ladies it's because of you. It's because of the one prayer that you lifted up to our Savior asking for help and healing for Mike and I. Because of those who asked God to give me the peace that passes understanding. Because of those that quickly said "please be with Mike and Charisse". We feel your prayers. Every single one, every single day. The first day I asked for prayer for Mike my post reached over 5,000 people. That was so overwhelming. Even if half of those people said a quick prayer for us, that's still overwhelming!! My challenge is so simple. Don't just tell someone on Facebook you are praying. Read their heartfelt request, stop right then and ask God to help your friends. Be that one that prays. Even one prayer would mean the world to them. It will not only bless them, it will bless your heart as well. So many of us are going through things that seem too hard for us to handle. Let's let each other know that we are praying and Gods got this. Sometimes it makes a world of difference to know that others have your back and they are praying for you, even if it's only the ladies that follow this page. Don't go it alone. Lean on God and lean on others. What a precious thought it is to know so many are praying on our behalf and that our great God hears and answers!! "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil 4:7
6/25/2016
Not Too Far From HereToday my husband will be doing the funeral for our dear neighbor, Rose Storm. This past year, any passerby might look at Rose's beautiful, picture perfect home and gardens and not think twice that heartache was within that home's beautiful walls. Rose lost her husband to cancer and shortly afterward found out that she had cancer and didn't have long to live. Not only was she going through the heartache of missing her husband, but also the heartache of knowing she would die soon and say goodbye to her children forever. To all appearances, you would never know. This is the very thought that burdens my heart. I am often too guilty of it myself. Our busy lives, wrapped up in the many "to-do's". We drive down the streets in our neighborhoods and rarely give a second thought to the homes and the people that live in them and the needs they might have. Even in our day to day lives~ the cashier at the store, the mom on the soccer field, the waitress at the restaurant, the grandma on her front porch~all of them could be going through some type of heartache that we know nothing about. We get so busy, we don't take the time for a kind word and smile or an invitation to church or a note of encouragement. I read a quote that said "If the devil can't make us bad, he will make us busy." All the things that take up our time might not be bad things at all, but they can blind us to the hurting souls of those around us. The souls Christ loved so much that He died for. Christ never called us to be super moms or wives. He never told us to make sure our kids were involved in every sport and activity or stay so busy we never sit down as a family for a meal. He called us to look on the multitudes with compassion. To love as He loved. Today as you drive past your neighbor's homes, look at each with open eyes and open hearts. Slow down. Think. Pray. And when you finally get home after a day of"busy"remember~
someone needs Christ's love not too far from here.
6/11/2016
We Were All That Age Once OurselvesI turned the corner in our small school hallway and overheard a group of teens talking about me, and they weren't nice words. I remember how deeply it hurt at that time. I was already going through some inner turmoil of my own. My grandpa was in a hospital bed, dying of cancer. My mom cried every day. I felt helpless. She was at the hospital with my grandma daily and I took on the responsibilities at home- cooking, cleaning, laundry, ironing, grocery shopping etc. My heart was overwhelmingly sad and part of me just wanted a carefree life like these other teens had. I wanted everything to be better. How many other teens have felt this same way through the years? We had our 6th annual Youth Explosion this week at church and my heart was bursting with love for these kids. The mom in me wanted to just hug them all and make their lives better but I know that the only One Who can do that for them is the Lord. All I can do is pray and be there for them. These kids made decisions this week to be a follower of Christ. Completely committed. They didn't wait for their friends to go forward, they practically jumped out of their seats. They wanted their lives to be different. But then they have to return to the reality of life. Sometimes that means sadness, pressure from other teens, loneliness, heartache. Many might not have a support system cheering them on. Too often when we become adults, teens annoy us. Their dress, their music, their attitudes. We think the things they worry about are so silly and "they will realize some day that none of that matters" But underneath it all could be a heart that is overwhelmingly sad. A heart that puts on a show but is really in despair. We don't know what might be going on in their private lives. The heartaches they might be enduring. The things that are hurting them right now are very real to them. I will never forget during that time in my life that I broke down in church one Sunday morning and couldn't stop crying. My youth pastor's wife, Sheilah Smith took me in a side room and just held me as I sobbed. I don't remember her exact words but I know she didn't treat me like I was silly or didn't matter. She encouraged me, prayed with me and loved me. Our theme this month at church is Outreach. Don't neglect our teens. Don't treat them as if they don't matter. Love them. Pray for them. Reach out to them. The decisions they make now could set the course for the rest of their lives and they need encouragement from all of us to stay on the right path and be a follower of our Savior. Don't give up on them. We were all that age once ourselves and I thank God for the ones that never gave up on me.
5/21/2016
Someone Needs You TodayI will never forget the many testimonies given at my sister in law Amy's funeral. Amy was the kind of girl that did everything, even with 6 kids. She sewed, baked, gardened, she made homemade baby food and fruit snacks for her kids, and then she home schooled on top of all that. She was never overly concerned about her housekeeping yet she had friends over all the time. What struck me the most during the testimonies though was the fact that even though she did all those things, she still gave of herself to the people that needed her, no matter what. She had no family that lived close to help her out or give her a break yet she was selfless and she touched many lives. I thought about how opposite I was from Amy. My life always had to be so structured, my days planned out perfectly. Everything in order. I decided I would beg God to change me, to help me be selfless. But in reality I was being selfish when I asked. I wanted people to say the same things about me someday. I never thought about the glory it could bring to my Savior. My ideas of selflessness weren't God's ideas. After my granddaughter Ellie was born, I began babysitting every day from 7:30-4 and my perfect, orderly world turned to chaos and I will be honest, I had some freak out moments. I know it sounds terrible~ how could I be upset about babysitting my precious grand babies? I was trying to be everything to everyone. The perfect pastor's wife, mom, friend and grandma. I was trying to be like Amy. I was exhausted and I cried a lot and I told my husband over and over I can't do this~but God kept whispering "yes you can, those babies need you" I didn't think I could possibly babysit both girls when Clara was born. Let me tell you, she is beyond a handful but her smile is contagious even when she is sitting on the kitchen floor in the middle of an entire box of cereal. God has continually shown me that this is His plan for me at this moment in my life. I am not Amy but God can use Charisse, just in a different way. The love and the time I give to these precious babies who think the world of grandma is most important right now. Ask God today to show you how to be selfless. Maybe someone is searching for more. You can tell them about Christ and the life He gives. Look around you with open eyes and see the hearts that need you. Whether you touch many lives or only a few, you can impact eternity for God's glory. Someone needs you today. It might not be the person you think. It might not be on a grand scale. You might not reach hundreds of lives. But you can reach one and that one will be the most important one in God's eyes.
3/19/2016
See Each Other Through Christ's EyesWhat if your friends and family were asked to describe your words and actions with one word? What about your coworkers and acquaintances or the women in your church? Would that word be LOVE? It’s very sad that women have a reputation of being catty, gossipy, hormonal and witchy. We have a bond in Christ and yet it comes so easy to gossip, to put down, to judge, to be the very picture of “unlovable”. We often even justify it. Our gossip turns into a false guise of “concern” and our spirit becomes self- righteous as we look down our noses at other women. We talk about the way they look, the clothes they wear, how they act, how they raise their children and how they are doing everything wrong. We FORGET about Christ’s LOVE. Christ’s AMAZING LOVE. We forget about all the ways we fail Him, every single day, every hour and yet He loves us and forgives us. He shows us grace and mercy. Christ, who gave His life for us, forgives us even as we spit out nasty remarks about others or think our self- righteous thoughts. He loves us still. He is the very picture of love. He alone should be our goal. He is Who we should strive to become. “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, by your love one for another.” Do your thoughts, words and actions shout Christ’s love? I recently read that 92% of Christians at a Bible conference admitted in a survey that feelings of loneliness were a major problem in their lives. All shared a sense of despair at feeling unloved and a fear of being unwanted or unaccepted. How sad is that? Think about how simple it is to love others and the huge impact it could make. When we love others we are living God’s love out loud. When we choose to offer love, we are choosing to let Jesus shine from us. When we choose to allow the “reputation” women have to govern our actions, Christ becomes hidden and true love is nowhere to be found. Ladies, as Easter is approaching and we think about the magnificent love of our Heavenly Father in giving His only Son for us, choose your words and actions to reflect that love this week. Tomorrow is Palm Sunday. Make a conscious choice to not be like the multitudes who praised Christ one week then shouted “crucify him” the next. Remember Christ’s words- “as ye have done it unto one of the least of my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” On our worst day, on our hormonal days, on days when everything goes wrong, remember the agony and pain Christ endured on the cross because He loves us, because He wants us to have a home in heaven with Him someday. This week, every week, choose to make everyone feel wanted, accepted and loved. Choose to see each sister through Christ’s eyes. Eyes of LOVE alone.
2/27/2016
Pray For Our TeachersTomorrow at our church we will be celebrating and honoring our teachers. I have always been a "school girl" I loved all my teachers, I loved school and homework and learning. I loved fall and the excitement of school starting. A lot of my friends thought I was crazy. I wanted to BE a teacher and pass that love on to other children. God had different plans for my life and although I never taught at a school, He has allowed me to teach the children at our church through the years and it has been such a blessing. Tomorrow's special day has had me thinking a great deal about our teachers. They are such an influence on our children. They are with our children for 30+ hours a week and we are essentially counting on them to "raise" our kids during that time. That is huge! I have a challenge for you today. Have you prayed for your child's teacher? Have you told them how thankful you are for the time and love they pour into your child? They need our prayers and they deserve our thanks. They have a heavy load on their shoulders and knowing that you care, that you are praying for them and that you are thankful would mean the world to them. Whether you are a grandparent, a parent or a student, remember to pray for your teachers every day. It will make a huge difference in their life, your child's life and even your own. Thank you SO MUCH teachers, for ALL you do! We love you!!!
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