The Way Less Traveled

the way home graphic from art.com
Matthew 7: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

I was reading this verse today and over the past few weeks I have been working on an article for single young people about the over all happy ending when you take the road less traveled. I am not a big, big poetry fan, but I had to memorize the Robert Frost poem The Road Not Taken(below) in the 6th grade, and it has always stuck with me, but more so now than then. It is a testament of my faith in God and living for him, walking his path under the guidance of his direction. Lately I have written about faith, and disappointments and such, but in all that I have been faced with I know that my decision to have peace with God's will places me on the path less traveled. I know that being a single mom really is something of a choice that I made earlier in my life to take the road that is most traveled, following the crowd, living the life of the times but I thank God everyday for pulling me off that path and leading me down the more narrow path which has been nothing but bliss and peace for me. There is a saying " The road to hell is paved with good intentions", well if that's the case, then I will just take the one less traveled, the one that is narrow, the one that comes with a guide to hold my hand through the way, and to carry me when I can't walk and the one that has made all the difference in my life! Be blessed and encouraged today!-smfg
The Road Not Taken
by, Robert Frost
TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference

Pity Party Cancelled!!!!!

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.
1 Peter 2:9

Have you ever had days when you feel as if you fail at everything you attempt??? Doesn't those days take a big jab at your self confidence and self worth? Do you find yourself writing invitations to a full blown pity party in where you are the guest of honor. Well I almost had one of those days this weekend. I have to be honest and open with my short comings or I will never be able to grow from them and as I am writing my thoughts and deciding if I will post them or not, I feel silly for even accepting the thoughts of self doubt and pity. I mean, why would God allow poor and pitiful people into his kingdom of greatness? What is the point of being saved from misery if you are only going to remain miserable- it doesn't go together.

When the enemy tries to get us to feel sorry for ourselves, or start planning a pity party remember that we are married to a husband of greatness, and excellence whose kingdom I can't even think of an adjective to describe how wonderful it is. Why in the world would he want a poor, pitiful person who would only stand out like a sore thumb in his kingdom. We should not want to stand out in God's kingdom, but stand out in the world. The world is dreadful and pitiful, and we should stand out as being the opposite- hopeful, happy, and radiating joy! Also we should never want to bring anything into God's kingdom that resembles the darkness of the world. So when you are feeling bad and the devil starts picking you a part, remember your opposites and apply them to your surroundings!
2 Corinthians 4:7-10
7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
8We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

Just a Thought

Sorry friends for being MIA over the past few days. I took some well deserved downtime and actually was able to accomplish some much needed cleaning and organizing in my home.

I want to leave a word of encouragement with you today it is a quote by Max Lucado:

" Change the thoughts and you change the person.
If today's thoughts are tomorrow's actions, what
will happen when we fill our thoughts of God's love?
Will standing beneath the downpour of His grace change
the way we feel about others? Absolutely!"
Max Lucado

I encourage you to fill your thoughts with God's love, you just may make a difference!

Be blessed and encouraged!

A Merry Heart

Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Today I am dedicating my blog to someone who I consider a very good friend who's kindness and thoughtfulness inspired today's post. I posted yesterday that I was having a testy day. What I didn't add is that I was mentally, physically and emotionally drained. I didn't mention it because I didn't want my readers to think I had what I like to call a whiny post.... I didn't want to seem as if I were whining about my day, but honestly I was exhausted and wasn't my usually chipper and quick witted self. My broken spirit literally dried my bones!! But, I thank God for the friends that he has given me. Notice I say given me, not the ones I chose but the ones I let my husband pick out for me. He knows what and who I need best in my life and I let him choose.

Proverbs 27:17
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
My dear friend sent me a few hilarious emails centered around a topic we rival harmlessly about. I immediately broke out in hyena-like banter and felt so much lighter afterwards. All day I have been laughing about the email and thinking less about the shots the enemy tried to take. There is an old saying: " Laughter is good for the soul" indeed it is.

Proverbs 18:24
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
When my children ask me what I am laughing about when I think about funny things my friends say or encouraging conversations, I simply use it as a teaching moment. Mommy is laughing at something a friend said. I teach them that God will send you people who when you least expect it will encourage you, no strings attached. I will teach them that a true friend is most happy when you are happy and sad when you are sad. They will pray for you when you know they are praying and they will pray for you privately, they will always be honest and tell you things you don't want to hear but need to know about yourself. I show them scripture about how a true friend is supposed to be, and if your pray and ask God to give you friends, he will give them to you according to his word. Its important for them to know at a early age that God sends them the best friends, the friends they choose may be fair weathered! Plus I want my children to have pure, saintly friends, ones who will not taint them with teaching contrary to the things of God!

I thank God for my friends who are like family to me. Our situations may not be traditional, but God will surround us with people he has chosen to be our natural friends, but our spiritual family. I think of this scripture that another friend would use to encourage me. Psalm 68:6 God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

We have to embrace those friends and family who build us up spiritually and naturally. We have a duty to teach our children about praying to God for true friends who will help contribute to them having a merry heart!

God Bless you and stay encouraged!
And to my friend- Thanks for all your prayers and encouragement Gal 6:9 will come to pass sooner than you think! gOOOOOO fg

A Husband with a Good Name

Ecclesiastes 7
A good name is better than precious ointment

This has proved to be a testy week for me and its only Tuesday. But I am claiming my joy and victory over the devil and everything that he throws my way. I am resting in the joy that I am married to a husband with a good name, the best name, the only name.....

Last night I had the pleasure of loosing my keys.... I turned my house upside down and the only thing that I could come up with is that I must not have taken them out of my door last night as I was really busy and rushing. A feeling of panic, anxiety and fear came over me, but I prayed and fasted and left everything in God's hands. He knows where my keys are and maybe he wanted me to just learn patience and how to truly lean and depend on him when things go beyond my control.

Anxiety is a natural reaction, its also a fleshly reaction. A vise that satan uses to steer our attention off of turning to God for the simplest things. Long story short, I used my spare key to get to work and requested a new office door key and called my apt manager to request a new lock and key. I as cast down those thoughts of how expensive this would be, I simply told God, its in your hands. You know what I can and can't afford. You know how to work this situation out so I am going to let you have it. Really that is what the husband is for right???

As I talked to my managers and they started quoting me figures, my managers husband took the phone and said, for you its free! Your a single mom, and a wonderful tenant and I don't want you to worry about it one more second!! Isn't God wonderful! Instead of focusing on the negative of my situation, I was blessed for turning it over to him. Satan tried to taunt me all day, but I kept putting the word on him and resisting him and he retreated.... for now. I appreciate how being saved causes you to maintain a good report with people that pays off. I could very easily be out of a nice sum of money, but thanks to God and his teaching me how to have a good name, I can claim victory and keep spreading joy!

Remember, no matter how bad things may seem maintaining a good attitude and being nice always goes a long way. When you are saved and say you are a Christian, you are set upon a pedestal. The world is looking to either point out your flaws, or your testimony. A husband with a good name will take you far....

Stay encouraged and be blessed!

My Non Creative But Hopeful Day!

Today I am not feeling very creative..... Simply put I am exhausted creatively, mentally and physically. I had a post that I wanted to add today, but I am kind of going through one of those moments when you try on an outfit and it just doesn't go with your day, so you change it. Well, I am having one of those days when nothing I write sounds right. Cliche' isn't it?

So, I checked my email this morning and read the thoughts today that my pastor sends out daily and it was encouraging so I thought I would post it, ( by the way if you want to be added to his distribution list that is sent all throughout this country, then simply leave your email address in the comments and I will forward to him and you will be able to receive these very encouraging spiritual thoughts). Today's thought which follows below is about hope.

When I feel rejuvenated I will post again today, because I don't want the enemy to rob me of the creativity that I feel that God has bestowed upon me. As a matter of fact, the more I type this the more my mind is churning and I want to post, so let me get my thoughts focused and I will come back later and re-post. For now, I want to share with you this thought.

Thoughts Today
Thursday, November 1, 2007

Hope means ANTICIPATION, EXPECTATION, CONFIDENCE. You must desperately fight in your mind, your heart, and your soul to protect your hope. It is the forerunner to your blessing from God. Make sure your hope is anchored in the deep-rooted belief that God is true to his promise, as long as you remain true to him. Such an anchor strengthens your patience.

Romans 5:1-5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. KJV
Pastor James Jennings, Church of God of Forrest City , AR
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Solid Rock
My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name.
Chorus: On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand.
The words of this song are so encouraging to me and I hope they encourage you. Be blessed and stay encouraged

Perfect Me O' Lord

Yesterday was my youngest daughters sixth birthday, and I was pretty down about not being able to do things that I wanted to do. Flat out, I felt like a horrible mother for not being able to do the things I wanted to do. I wanted to get up and have her favorite breakfast ready for her as a surprise but I overslept, I was exhausted!!! We were running late and the enemy started in on my mind telling me that " You asked God to help you in this area; now look at you" Well my faithful God sent me a scripture Psalms 138:8 The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

My God is still working with me, he is still perfecting me, and as long as he is perfecting me daily then I am a perfect mom. My daughter was okay with out having her favorite french toast sticks, she happily thanked me for her " Birthday cereal". As single mothers we have to trust in the Almighty God, we have to accept his compliments and his love as well as his chastisement. We can not let the enemy battle our mind with our imperfections, accepting his condemnation will not do anything but tire us out and dehydrate us from the spiritual water that we need to energize ourselves to take care of our families.. Besides do our children really care if about the mountains we make out of mole hills? I say nay, they are perfectly happy with birthday cereal!