I Got Into A Confrontation

Just keeping it real...I got into a confrontation.😳

Now here's the deal, most of you locals know it's a struggle in the summer to find parking downtown as people flock to the beach. My little sis and I lucked out as we turned down a street just as someone was getting into their car. I stopped, put my blinker on and was waiting, when all of a sudden, a car halfway down the street started backing up. He pulled up next to the car leaving and sat there. I was not happy and rattled off a few, "Is he a moron or something?" comments to my little sis.😬 

I knew I had the angle on him so when the guy pulled out I pulled right in. The kid in the car stayed next to my car and flipped me off. So I rolled down my window, with arms raised, I sarcastically said, "Are you kidding me? You were halfway down the street and saw me waiting." 

He yelled back, "I've been circling the block for 30 minutes and I was barely past him. I live right there!"

Here's where it gets good friends....as my old prideful nature began to rise up, the Holy Spirit convicted me, "Give him the spot." 

I tried to resist the thought because I don't want someone ever getting the best of me and I especially don't like someone flipping me off and then getting the best of me! 

So the difficult words came out of my mouth, (the battle of my will vs. GOD'S. Pride vs Humility.), I told the kid, "You know what, I'm a Christian and I'm going to bless you today and give you this spot." 

A bit shocked, he said, "No, you keep it." 

My tone softened as I started my car, "No, you're being blessed today," and I pulled out.

I'm thankful for the very obvious work The LORD is continually doing in me right smack in the middle of life. I'm thankful that as my old nature pops up unexpectedly, JESUS meets me there, helping, guiding, teaching me to be kinder, more loving, less prideful, more giving...even when it's hard. I'm obviously still a work in progress, but I'm thankful for the *progress*.

Friends, never forget, when you say, "Yes JESUS, come into my life and have YOUR Way in me"...you will see progress. HE will continually direct and redirect you throughout the day. 

"He must increase, but I must decrease."~John 3:30

Jump on the "Thankful Train"...what are you thankful for?

*side note: I turned the corner and got another spot right away! How awesome is GOD?!!! 

#DailyBlessingsAndReminders #UnconditionalLove

When Things Don't Go As Planned

After my workout today, (I was able to leave the hubby for a little bit and go to the gym-first time since becoming his home care nurse😬) I pulled up in front of the beach for a little quiet Bible study time. As I sat in my car with the prime view, my peace was suddenly interrupted by people screaming and yelling. A family carrying a large cooler, canopy, umbrella and several supplies for their beach day, dropped the heavy cooler spilling its contents. The canopy then fell out of the bag as they scurried to pick up the items rolling down the stairs. After the initial anger, everyone started laughing. They put everything back in and headed on their way ready to enjoy the day. 

Later that evening the hubby and I took a walk (I'm trying to get his stamina up for the upcoming wedding weekend adventures I have planned-hikes, deserted mines and a ghost town😜.) 

We were having a great time until we passed a lady with her dog. She must've seen us/avoided us in the past with our Allie-girl over the years and said, "I'm glad there's no dog with you today for my dog to bark at."😩😢

I almost started crying right then and there. 

I sure do miss my Allie-girl and the reminder of her passing hit deep.

So here's the thing friends, it's rare that your day will be filled with all good stuff. They are often filled with waves of emotions...ups, downs, twist, turns and spills. Today I'm thankful that our happiness is not dependent upon ever changing emotions. I'm thankful that as we look to our Unchanging, Steadfast, Loving LORD...we're strengthened for life's journey. HE reminds our hearts/minds that this is only a moment. HIS Truth brings to light the many times HE'S put our feet back on solid ground. 

Our emotions are secured in CHRIST...the Anchor of your soul. 

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."~Hebrews 13:8

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”~Revelation 22:13

Jump on the "Thankful Train"...what are you thankful for?

What Do I Do When I Mess Up?

My hubby was recently released from a two and a half week emergency hospital stay for diverticulitis, perforated colon, a blockage and C Diff infection. I'm now being trained in his home care.

I've got most of it down. I changed the hubby, Anthony's IV/drainage tubes without a nurse yesterday and it went pretty smooth. Well, that was until I got to the machine settings. I jumped the gun, hitting yes, as it cycled through an area I should've hit no. The hubby said, "You need to slow down!" He wasn't too happy with my exuberance and "I've got this" attitude/actions. 

I told him, "No big deal, everything is fixable." 

You see, I'm not the nervous type and generally plunge into things thinking, "If I mess up...it can always be fixed". 

It got me thinking....what about when I sin, mess up, fall short of all I want to be? Do I have the same attitude or do I choose to sit in the mess feeling hopeless, lost, alone and unforgivable? 

So I ask myself...I ask you friends, what areas of guilt and shame am I/are you still holding onto?

I want to remind you today that it's *fixable*...in and through JESUS CHRIST. Ask HIM into your heart and life this very moment. Ask for HIS Forgiveness. Lay it down and let HIM wash you clean...the very reason HE came. 

Sin, shame, guilt and regret will keep you locked in the bondage of hopelessness; hindering all that The LORD is calling you for.

JESUS came so all our sins and *less than moments* are fixable!  Redeemable. Forgivable. HE died specifically for your *not enough*. 

I'm thankful for the reminders that every area I fall short in, The LORD is waiting to Pick me up, Dust me off, Hold me close, Redeem my hurt, Forgiving and Loving me beyond my shortcomings.

"He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,

Out of the miry clay,

And set my feet upon a rock,

And established my step"~Psalm 40:2

JESUS said...

"I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep."~John 10:10

Jump on the "Thankful Train" friends, what are you thankful for?