Share - FMF

Apparently, I am an over-sharer. My dad used to tell me to head into the barn and stop circling it when I would tell a story as a youngster. My husband often tells me to just get to the point when we have our conversations. And I hear, "TMI, Mom!" from my pre-teens on a pretty regular basis. 

Seems I do not have a problem sharing.

Except when it comes to my faith.

I seem to hem and haul when it is time to tell someone my testimony or tell someone the Good News or even to pray with someone. I often feel the Holy Spirit nudging me to be bold in my faith, but I hesitate and avoid it more often than not.

And I am not sure why. I have been extremely blessed since I trusted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. It has not been an easy journey, but it has been a blessed one and one I should be willing to share.

Because I am good at sharing.

Maybe I need more boldness, more faith, more willingness.

I need to be willing to share more than my opinion and my feelings.

Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;
    let us exalt his name together. ~ Psalm 34:3 (NLT)

May 2015 be a year of sharing more of His greatness and love for me and others.

Link your FMF post to Kate's blog. 

One Word 2015

Last year, just like the year before, I struggled a bit with choosing my One Word. I was finally able to decide on HOPE and realized as the year unfolded that HOPE was not a wish, but a feeling of certainty. Something I could rely on and put my trust in, knowing that my HOPE was in the Lord and in the future He had for me. That every day there was something to be thankful for and that He was working in all situations. There were still days I struggled, but the theme of HOPE was always outlining our days.

I was able to see Him reunite my husband with his children (my stepchildren) and heal hurts from years ago. We still have a long way to go as a blended family, but we are working toward healing and redemption. I am hopeful that our oldest son will turn back to the Lord and be able to reunite with his young family and that we would also see redemption in that situation. We are praying for complete freedom from his addictions and for God to move in such a way, that in the eyes of men is impossible, but with God is amazingly possible. For this situation to be cleared and made right, God must intervene and we are believing that He will. He will have to be our refuge in times when we forget His promises, our shield in times when we feel overwhelmed and our refuge when we need to rest in the battle and let him defend us. He will definitely need to be our defense this year.

And therein lies my problem with my One Word for 2015. I have been reading through the Psalms since I stumbled upon a list of Psalms that I wrote sometime last year or in 2013. The list was in the back of my prayer journal with no title or anything. I am not sure why I compiled this particular list of Pslams, but as I have been reaing them I have noticed a theme.

Refuge
Shield
Defense/Defender

Most of the Psalms have one or all three of those words in them. And as we have entered a new season of uncertainty, I find myself clinging to those words.

Refuge
Shield
Defense/Defend

So, I am not sure which one of those words should be my One Word or if I should somehow incorporate all of them this year.

So, I am praying and waiting and I know that God will reveal which word should be the theme of 2015.  

FMF - Welcome

I love being able to walk into someone's home and feel comfortable, at ease, welcome.

And that is what I want my home to be. A welcoming place for everyone, anyone.

I don't want it to matter if I vacuumed or wiped down the toilet. Or mopped the kitchen floor. OI want you to feel like my future daughter-in-law does and take your shoes off and put your feet up on the couch when you come into my home. I want you to be able to snuggle up in a blanket on my love seat and sip a cup of coffee.

You are welcome in my home.

And I want to be so close to the Lord that I always feel welcome in His presence. Because truth be told, sometimes I feel like I am just starting out on my journey of relationship with my Savior instead of 28 years into it.

I want to be able to not care that I messed up during the day or said a harsh word or forgot to pray before my meal. I want to be able to embrace everything about Abba Father and feel at home in His presence.

Because sometimes we believe the lie that our house is not Pinterest-worthy enough to have company.

And sometimes we believe the lie that we are not good enough to be in the presence of our Savior.

But, we are. We are welcome and so very wanted.

Welcome (to my) home.  

Linking up to Five Minute Friday at Kate's blog and you should, too!