Moments Like These

     With my wedding being 11 days away, my time with my family is coming to an end. Sure, I'll still see them, and talk to them, but I'll be married, and living in a different state. My life will be completely different than what I'm used to. I'll take on a new last name, be in a new, loving church community whom have taken me in as one of their own, have more friends, cook smaller meals, have a husband to love, a house to clean and make my own, and possibly, more time on my hands. 

     It got me to thinking about the little things in life. As I write, my little 6 year old brother, is sitting on my lap, blowing bubbles. Enjoying this moment that I have with him. To Elijah, he doesn't understand what the meaning of getting married means... aside from his sister leaving. To him, he doesn't understand that I'll still see him, and be able to talk to him through Skype/FaceTime and such. 

     So often, I took the moments that I had with my family for granted. I didn't take each day as a gift from God. I'd go through life daily, as just that... a life. A life, that I felt like was my own at times. A life that didn't take those moments, and realize that they're really "moments". They don't last forever. Noah Webster's 1828 dictionary term defines a moment, as, "an instant, the twinkling of an eye". It's only there for a moment, and than, it's gone. While I think of every opportunity that I missed out on, I realize that I can't go through life looking back on all my regrets. I need to move forward. I need to enjoy my moments in life. Sure, some moments I want to forget about, but things like, when Josh proposed to me, when I first found out he loved me, when my little brother hugged me, when my sister asked me to pray for her to get a restful night sleep, when I got my license, those special days when our family was out and about, and decided to eat out to make it all the more special.
     Moments. All my life I wanted to get married. God has answered that prayer, and in just short of 2 weeks time, I'll be a wife to the man I love. I'm on a new journey. The book hasn't ended... there's more to it... I'm on part 2. ;) So, take in the moments you have on a daily basis... even the little ones... a child's laughter, eating chocolate with a friend, the smell of coffee brewing, cold water on a hot summer day at the park with some friends, the love a child/parent/sibling/friend shows you on a daily basis. God is continuing to bless me with sweet moments with my fiancé, the love of my family, and so much more every day! 
     In what ways do you take in those moments? May you all be blessed! :)

"This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." ~ Psalms 118:24~

"Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." ~ James 4:14~

Valentine's Day and Hearts Desire's

"Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” ~Psalm 37:4

   
     Valentine’s Day.  You love it when you have someone to love, and you hate it when you don’t.  Valentine’s day means something different to everyone.  To some it is just a lame Hallmark holiday, to another it a great opportunity to shower the one you love with admiration. To many, Valentine’s Day is another reminder that you’re alone. And to others, it's a great reminder that Christ was the first one to love us... after all, we love because He first loved us. (1st John 4:19)       For this Valentines, I am blessed to spend it with my fiancé, but it wasn't long ago that I remember wishing, hoping, and praying that the Lord would send me the one HE created for me. 
     There were many days I was tired of waiting, sick of crying, and wishing I didn't feel so lonely.  I’m sure there are many that are alone and can’t relate, but others that may be saying, “YES! I know the feeling!” So to those people, this is for you.  This is my story.   
      Some days were amazing as I learned God’s fulfilling love, but there were many days that the enemy would lie to me that I would never find someone to love me, my standards were too high, etc...  Almost daily I had to renew my mind to the truth of God’s word and cast down lies that I would never get married, no one would love me, and so on. 
     When fear would take over, I had to imagine myself walking down the aisle. I would renew my mind to God’s word and speak these scriptures out daily:   
      “Lord, I thank you that your word says in
 Psalm 37:4 that, “You delight in giving us the desires of our hearts.” Your word promises us that, “You withhold no good thing to those that love you.” –Psalm 84:11. I thank you that marriage is a good thing and you will bless me with this gift of marriage. Psalm 18:22 says that, “A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.”   
      It’s been just 5 months since the day I met Josh and I now have a ring on my left hand to signify our soon-to-be life together.  I truly believe God created marriage as a good thing.  The Word says, “It is not good that Man should be alone; I will make him a helpmate.” –Genesis 2:18. “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.”-Ecclesiastes 4:9. 
       I pray that my story encouraged you today, wherever you are in your journey.  The Lord cares so much about every detail of your life.  He put the desires in your heart.  The more that you seek Him, the more You'll want Gods will, and desires. Don’t try to get ahead of God by trying to figure out how it is going to happen.  Trust that if He created this earth and everything in it in such intricate detail, that he has your life planned and figured out.  It will be beyond anything you can ever dream, ask, or imagine.  Our God is so faithful! :)