What Do You See?

If you would stop for just one minute,

You would see my need for compassion

If you would just look up,

You would see the pain inside of me

If you would look outside of yourself,

You would see me

If you would allow your eyes to meet mine,

You would see the desire of Christ's heart

In Memory of My Mom

For those of you who haven't heard, my mom passed away on Tuesday morning.
It was sudden, unexpected, but for her, it was peaceful and welcomed.
She longed to be with her Lord and Savior, and He has granted to her, her deepest heart's desire.
I miss her terribly. I love her immensely. And I understand completely.

When I gave birth to my own children, I thought I fully understood a mother's love; my mom's love for me.

But what I have realized upon her passing is that it goes even deeper that I previously thought.

In heaven, we understand things perfectly. Now, her love for me is perfect; more so than it could have ever been while she was on the earth.

Upon going through pictures, I realized how quickly time really does go by.

I realized how many things we forget with the passing of each day.

But mostly, I realized what a mess we make of things. So often we allow our own emotions and perceptions to effect our relationships with others.

Now that she's gone, when I look at those pictures, I see HER. I see who she was on the inside. I see her beauty, her personality, her heart and her spirit.

All I see is a wonderful woman with a heart of gold.

Life is too short to hold onto grudges. Life is too short to live with regrets. Life is too short to remain stuck in all of those awful places Satan so desires for us to remain.

My mom and I had a good relationship and I am so very thankful for that.

It wasn't perfect and we certainly didn't always agree with one another, but we were always the best of friends.

A Mother's love is an inkling of God's love. And His love is for each and every one of us. If, by some circumstance, you didn't grow up with your mom, please know that God loves you immensely. He loves you with a deep, abiding, fierce love which is almost beyond comprehension. All you have to do is accept it. He's here waiting for you now.

Congratulations on Tea for Two!

Warm Congratulations go to Tracy Suzanne at http://www.cottonpickincute.blogspot.com/ as the winner of my Tea for Two Giveaway!
I hope you enjoy many warm and cozy moments around this little set!

Please check back often as I plan on doing several more Giveaways before the end of this year!
Next up, Angels All Around Us Giveaway!

Many blessings,
Lysa

Hard Pressed

So, we're at the end of week two of being officially "back in school".  A few months ago, I developed this blog which I am trying to keep up with; and have recently incorporated fun "Giveaways" with it. I have embarked on an Etsy adventure (www.etsy.com/shop/manycrowns). Another project the Holy Spirit has been nudging me to do is officially under way. I'm working part-time at Twigs (http://www.yeringtonflowers.com/), which I love. Our home-fellowship group is nearing it's three year anniversary. I am still a wife and mother, not to mention countless other things (hence the name for my Etsy site). Suffice it to say, I am feeling a bit hard-pressed from every side.
How about you? I thought so.

Isn't it a comfort to know that there are others out there feeling the same way; to know you're not alone?

I think so.

But what's even better than that is the fact that we have a Father in Heaven who is with us all the time, all the way. His Spirit is ever hovering about, giving strength and courage. Jesus is faithfully, constantly by our side, holding our hand and lifting us up.

Upon contemplating all of this, I have realized something about myself. And that is, I have come a long way!

Although I have been feeling the pressure of life, I have not cracked!

I have found that I have grown as a child of God, and what would have caused me to melt down in the past, has very little effect on me now.

Through the trials and fire of life, this vessel has hardened.

The Bible says that trials test us so that we might be able to withstand and continue to praise God whatever the circumstances! Wow!

We can't do this on our own, but by the faithfulness of God, we can! He is ever on our side, cheering us on to victory!

As a child of God and a co-laborer with Christ, we would like to encourage you today.

If you're feeling hard-pressed, know in your heart of hearts that we are cheering you on! You can do it! One step at a time, one breath at a time, one moment at a time!

If Christ is for you, who can be against you? Nothing else matters. You have victory!

Praise God and bless you!