How BIG is your God?

This week Satan has been hard at work. Not so much in my life, but in the lives of those who surround me and in the lives of those whom I love. Each day the enemy tried harder than the first when his attempts to destroy didn’t surpass the Lord’s power to overcome. And each day, my heart grew weary as Satan planned another attack.

But the Lord put the words on my lips and the actions in my heart to guide and minister to those hurting. And as the Lord used me to walk them through their tunnels of darkness I felt my purpose grow another level. I’m learning to embrace every opportunity and form relationships with those He sends my way.

Some of those I ministered to I’ve known for years and others I hadn’t known at all. It was by God’s grace and power a friend of mine told my story to another, bringing encouragement and inspiration to a weary soul. This weary soul approached me with gratitude and thankfulness and a new friendship formed.

I am in AWE of the power of the Almighty.

I’ve seen firsthand just how BIG the Lord truly is. I’ve known it in my mind for years, but my heart experienced it this week. So never doubt what the Lord is doing in your life with the talents He has given you. Do some soul searching, discover your talents, pray for opportunity and then embrace all that He brings before you.

If you feel so inclined post your talents and how you plan to serve in the comments. I’d love to know how the Lord is working in your life or using you in the life of others.

Deciding on Purpose

Living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Hashimoto’s Disease requires planning and decision making. I am not great at either one, but I have learned to let my "yes be yes" and my "no be no". Trying to juggle life as a wife, a mom and a writer requires many decisions. If I take my daughter to her softball games will I be able to get up for work the next day? If I choose to spend the day writing when will the dishes get done? If I attend game night on Saturday night will I be able to get up for church the following Sunday? If I spend a couple of hours deep cleaning the house on a Sunday afternoon will I have enough energy to go to small group?

What I have learned is that when I say "yes" to one thing I say "no" to something else. With each opportunity I ask what takes priority. What can wait? What cannot wait? Which is a need? Which is a want? And who will I say "no" to?

It’s not easy because I don’t want to tell anyone "no". But contemplating the possible outcomes brings me to the conclusions benefiting my family the most. Often I attend softball games once a week rather than the scheduled two days (my husband takes her the other day). The dishes are pushed to the back burner until I realize we have three clean forks for dinner and we need four. I have yet to make game night as church service takes priority. And I’ve come to the decision I need to pay someone to deep clean my house!

All of this is to say when you make choices in your schedule and your life, make them on purpose. Because when you decide on purpose, I have found there is less guilt attached to it. And as a mom who has suffered from “mommy guilt” in the past, any preemptive strike in this area is worth it.

So tell me, how do you balance life with your time and energy? What practical decision making techniques do you use? Do you always say yes? Or do you make decisions on purpose?