Sunday, October 12, 2014

CHOICES....They are YOURS to make!

I feel bad....
Once my Soul Steps started up I just sort of dropped off and forgot all about my blog!  I have been consumed... thrilled to be using the lessons God has taught me in my own life to share with other women on their journey.
I have been blessed with the most amazing group of women who are hungry for God in their heart and life. These ladies come each week anxious and ready to hear what God has for them. I feel absolutely honored to be in the presence of such sweet souls.
We are at week # 2... The topic this week is OUR STORY.
 We all have a story and they all began exactly the same; we were knit together in our mother's womb.... Psalm 139 goes on to say that EACH one of us were fearfully and wonderfully made.
Our stories are the same, that is until the minute we took our first breath. Then life happened: circumstances, situations, people, all molded and shaped who we are today.


Much has happened that has taken our lifetimes to overcome and rebound from. Here is where the rubber meets the road....It all hinges on WHAT we do with these things. Do we allow them to make us bitter OR better? Do we allow the wounds of our past to keep us stuck OR do we get up out of that mirey clay and move forward as Christ would want?
WE CHOOSE! 
Every day we make choices! Some times we make excuses...I made plenty of excuses until I came to the realization that those excuses did me no good, they only kept me stuck. If something is important to us we will figure it out, we choose.
Where are you on this journey my friend? Are you in the habit of making excuses for yourself or for the ones who have wounded you and kept you from living the life GOD wants for you?
YOU CHOOSE my friend....YOU CHOOSE!


Where are your choices taking you on this journey of life?


I am getting things lined up to announce the second SOUL STEPS to begin in the new year. If you are one who tried to make it work this time, but couldn't, then be ready to make a commitment in 2015 to make some forward SOUL STEPS in this fabulous journey with Christ!
I am also working on making an online version available, also in the new year.


Let me leave you with one of my new favorite quotes:


If something is important to  you , you will find a way OR you will find an excuse.


Sending you love and blessings!
XO Sherry

Sunday, September 28, 2014

A Mere Matter of DAYS!

In only a few short days I will be launching the project I have worked on so long and hard. I am beside myself with excitement and a strange anxiousness. That anxiousness flutters from pure anxiety to a very excited apprehension.
As the time has clicked off these past few weeks I have had to trust God in a huge and powerful way. I have had to blaze a trail that I've never traveled before,  unable to find a path I could easily follow.
I am the kind of person who does not like to read instructions, but I do like someone to show me how to do something, then I get it. That is why I have so wished there was someone who could just tell me what to do, what steps to take. Since that is not the way this journey has played out, I feel certain that God is showing me and allowing me to figure it out as I go. My sweet husband keeps reminding me this is how I will learn it best.
Actually if I think about it, that is exactly what my whole story is about...sharing that which I know, what I have experienced. Why would this be any different? I am here fulfilling the mission God has set me here to do. I will always share with other women in the hopes of making their life better, enlightening, and inspiring others on their journey.
I covet your prayers as I take this bold soul step, leading other women on their soul journey. 
Much love and blessings to you!
XO

Monday, September 15, 2014

Women of Faith and confirmation....

I am just returning home from an amazing weekend at the Women of Faith conference. If you have never been, let me encourage you to attend! Check out the details here: womenoffaith.com  I attended for many years since it began almost 20 years ago. That is up until eight  years ago when my sweet little grandangel arrived on THAT weekend. In fact I was en route to WOF when the call came that she was on her way, so I turned my car in a new direction for the seven hour drive to be there for her arrival.
So, for the past eight years we have celebrated her birthday on this, the same weekend WOF is close to home in Anaheim. Well, since that precious little angel is now in Japan with her mommy, daddy and sister I had no birthday party to attend and was able to join my aunt, cousin and some friends for this fabulous annual event.
This conference came on the heels of some intense time of preparing for the launching of my program; Soul Steps. It was difficult for me to pull away from working on it, but as God does so well, He used this time in a most powerful way. The messages spoken by the anointed speakers and music artists were profoundly connected to the core message of Soul Steps, which inspires me and motivates me even more!


I believe there is a message God wants women to hear for this day and age. He wants us to know how powerful and strong we are, that we can and should be doing the work He has set for us to do. It is time to be brave and move on from the traps and snares that the enemy has been set before us. One speaker, powerhouse Lisa Bevere, said: "Spiritual attacks have more to do with who you might be in the future than anything about your past." That spoke to the depths of my heart since part of my journey has been to overcome the issues of my childhood, the words that were said and the things that happened to me. The enemy knows if he can get us to stay stuck in that defeated attitude then we will be rendered ineffective as a powerful woman for Christ. It is time we pull out our swords (the Word of God) and use them! We need to quit retreating into the corner of our little worlds where we wallow in our insecurities and struggles, and move out into the world doing the work that needs to be done.
We all know our world is in a crazy place right now, these are signs of the times, which makes it even more urgent that we are doing His work, to get unstuck and move out into the effectiveness He has empowered us to live in.
We need to allow God to go into the deep parts of our hearts and move out all the junk that has been buried in there for long enough. When we release the clutter we have room for the things He wants for us, the fruits of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self-control.


If you live in the Bakersfield area let me encourage you to sign up for SOUL STEPS where you will be led on an amazing journey out of your defectiveness and into the freedom of Christ.  We will be digging out the junk that you have been buried beneath, the stuff that keeps you stuck in a rut. After years of being buried beneath the rubble it is time to do some spiritual deep cleaning and this is the perfect opportunity to do just that.


The series begins on September 30th, meeting every Tuesday for seven weeks. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me here or at my email; amazinglovecreations@gmail.com  I would love for you to join me on this Soul Step journey as we move out of our broken places and into the freedom of Christ.


Much love and blessings!
XO Sherry

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

SOUL STEPS UPDATE ~

Greetings!!!!


I am so blessed and touched by the responses to my SOUL STEPS class that will be beginning on September 30th! There is only room for 30 so I would encourage you to sign up while there are still spots available.
 If indeed the response and need is great I will add Tuesday mornings 10:00 - 11:30 am at my home here in Bakersfield. I realize it might be easier for some to attend during the day and I would love to make that available. Let me know if that is an option you would prefer.


I am excited to begin this journey of sharing what God has placed on my heart. I believe women are in desperate need of encouragement and guidance as they strive to manage a life of demands and the heaviness of the burdens they carry. It is my hearts desire to be a vessel used by God to help women GrOw forward in the life God has intended for them.
To register for SOUL STEPS, you can contact me directly via my email mimisherrylynn@yahoo.com or comment here. I will give you further instruction from there.


I am currently working out the details of an ONLINE COURSE as well.  There are several of you who have expressed an interest and I hope to make that available soon.




I want to leave you with a little excerpt from SOUL STEPS, a quote that is the basis of  the message. These are words spoken to me directly from God....


"YOU WILL NEVER BE AN EFFECTIVE ADULT,
 UNTIL YOU QUIT BEING A DEFECTIVE CHILD"

If that resonates with you, then SOUL STEPS is just what you need. If you are debating with yourself, remember that you deserve the time and investment into your spirit. When we are strong as women, wives, moms, daughters, friends, workers, etc.... we are far more effective, doing the work of the Lord. What is more important than that!?

Have a beautifully blessed day! Remember that God is your source, your power, your strength and above all He longs for you to live in that promise and victory!

 "In Him we live and move and have our being"
Acts 17:28


XO
Sherry

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

INTRODUCING.......

I have been waiting a very long time to make this announcement.
I am absolutely THRILLED to tell you about my new endeavor.
The thing I have been working on for YEARS!
My hearts work... my passion!!!


Some of you who know me well know all about the spiritual/physical journey I experienced on my 39th birthday...all those years ago!  ;)
 I walked from our home in the mountains to the TOP of the mountain and back; an 18 mile trek. During that experience God did a mighty work in me. I love sharing the story, how God moved in me and changed my life. My heart was forever changed from that day forward. Not that I have never struggled since, but I have a whole new sense of healing in my heart and soul. A healing from issues and wounds that had been there for a very long time, some since early childhood.
I began writing the moment I returned that October day in 1997 and was always intending it to be a BOOK sharing my experience and the lessons I learned.
Through the years I have heard many women speak of their similar struggles which always made me feel anxious to share my story. I wanted desperately to be able to offer them a resource that would help them walk through their own journey towards healing.
For years my "Mission Statement" has been "to share that which I know, have experienced, with other women to help them on their journey".
I long to help women heal from their woundedness , to become the strong effective women God created them to be. To embrace their story and all that has led them to this very place in life, nothing is wasted with God, He uses it ALL.  He longs to heal us from our brokenness, the wounds that we have carried around for so long. More than anything He wants us to be whole so we can be the effective women He created us to be. He has created each one of us with a perfect plan and purpose yet sometimes we get lost amidst the troubles, trials, struggles and pain of life.


Like I said, I had always intended to write a book, but the process began to shift, becoming "lessons" that I soon realized would be a curriculum.
This curriculum is called.....



SOUL STEPS!!!!





What is SOUL STEPS exactly?




It is a seven-week curriculum created to walk women through their past issues, struggles, wounds, and into the freedom of Christ. Leading women through the process of knowing who they are and what they were created for. It begins with UPHILL, the first lessons which will lead you through the treacherous process of CLIMBING the mountain, doing the hard work of digging into your heart and purging the things that you have carried long enough.


Then we will have our own MOUNTAIN TOP experience, an actual time on the mountain, where the participants will have their own opportunity to process their wounds and release them there in the beautiful backdrop of nature where we can quiet ourselves and allow Him to speak to the depths of our hearts.


The curriculum continues in the section called DOWNHILL, which symbolizes the freedom from letting go of all of the burdens and heavy weights we have been carrying. This is the time I will encourage women to embrace who God created them to be, to do and be who He has always intended. He longs for you to live your life for Him, to love yourself and to show love to others. You cannot do that when you are stuck in your own issues.
We must move out of our defectiveness and into the place of effectiveness.


We end with a CELEBRATION!  A time of honoring and celebrating who we are.  I have a fun evening planned in my lovely backyard complete with patio party lights.  ;) 
(one of my favorite things!)


This seven week curriculum will begin on September 30th at Seven Oaks Country Club.
I would LOVE for you to join us!!
The cost of the course is $125 and that will include the seven meetings, the mountaintop experience, the downhill party, the curriculum, a personal journal and lots of other little goodies along the way.


















CHANGES...

Some changes happen in life whether you choose them or not. Some happen suddenly without warning and take you by surprise, forever changing the landscape of your life.

Then there are some that come after much consideration, lots of thoughtful, diligent prayer, after considering the cost and weighing the options. These kind of changes are often born of a prompting of the Holy Spirit, knowing that you are to step out and do that thing God has called you to do.


I tell other women that they are created wonderfully with a plan and purpose by their Creator. That God has intention for their lives and it is up to them to make themselves available and willing to do that which  burns within them.


It is in that spirit that I have made my decision to take big, bold steps out of my comfort zone into the land of the unknown.


 Today is the last day of my "office job" I have worked at for the last three years.


A job where I have come to know and love some amazing co-workers. A job that has taught me a great deal and stretched me in ways I appreciate. I have learned many lessons during these three years that I will certainly never forget. I have been blessed to work for friends who are thriving successful business people. They are the most hard-working, diligent, smart, industrious, generous family I have ever met!
As I get ready for this day I am feeling the emotion that comes with heart ties and leaving those who have been a part of my every day life.  It is striking me just how much I will miss each one of them!


On the flipside...I cannot wait to share what this journey is ahead of me, what I have been working on for YEARS! I plan to make that announcement tomorrow, the first day I do not get up and get ready for work at DMW Industries Inc.


Have a  beautifully blessed day dear ones!!


XO
Sherry

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Depression and that deep pit....

With so much in the news the past two days about depression following the devastating news of Robin Williams suicide, I felt a tug to share a little.
You see... I have battled that green-eyed-monster called "Depression".
It is a battle that, unless you too have fought, you probably cannot fully comprehend.


I have been hearing conversations about "How could anyone ever feel so low and desperate", "How could someone take their life when they have kids/wife/etc."


First off, it doesn't  make "sense". 
Depression is a pit of despair that makes even less sense to the person who struggles with that nasty issue. When you free fall into that pit of despair you have no sense of reality in the way that truly "makes sense." Something comes over you and overtakes your senses to the point of desperation.
It is a chemical imbalance that can cause great destruction if left untreated.


I will never forget the words of author/speaker Sheila Walsh when speaking of the depression she struggled with for years. She said that if you had diabetes you would take your insulin, same holds true for someone who struggles with depression; if they are in need of medication to balance them out, they should take their meds.
My own mother was diagnosed with bi-polar disease. It took it's toll on her and those around her.... this illness can be so harmful when untreated.



I guess my point is this; I want those of you who have "NO IDEA" how anyone could possibly feel THAT low and desperate, to have an insight into the window of desperation. There really is not a lot anyone can do, except acknowledge and be there for someone if & when you notice them retreating and falling into that pit. Unfortunately it is not always obvious or apparent, so throwing a life-line is not always an option. Maybe your eyes can be opened a bit more than they ever were before, maybe you will take notice of those around you who seem a little down or blue.


 Although it is never your responsibility to be sure someone is "ok",  it IS your work (for God) to reach out to those around you in hopes that you can build up and encourage them, which is all the more reason to be in-tune to His voice.


In light of our beloved comedian as well as so many others I can think of right now (Rick and Kay Warren's son, Marie Osmand's son....) Let us love and encourage one another in the Lord, let us be kind and considerate, let us be mindful and thoughtful.


Life can be tough, but always....GOD IS GOOD!!!!!


If you are the one in the pit, reach out!!!
 I am here for you!
 Others are here for you!
 Do not feel like you have no where to turn!
 I know that feeling, but it is fleeting, truly it is..... and if you can just move past it, you WILL feel better..... I PROMISE!!!!!




Much love and blessings!!!!
XO Sherry

Monday, July 28, 2014

He Is Our Strength....

I love how God brings the Word to us to reassure and comfort us just when we need it.

Yesterday morning I woke up with many thoughts and concerns floating around in my mind. I jumped into the shower and was astonished at how quickly I had gone from a deep sleep to all this concern and worry going on in my brain. I tried to reign it all in and pray about each situation...and as happens often with me, I was soon off to the land of what ifs and when/how...etc. I kept on having to retrieve my thoughts. All that in the time of a shower!
A bit later I sat down with my devotional and a hot cup of coffee and cracked open my devotional; "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young.
Let me just share what it had to say........
"I am your strength and shield. I plan each day and have it ready for you, long before you arise from bed. I also provide the strength you need each step of the way. Instead of assessing your energy level and wondering about whats on the road ahead, concentrate on staying in touch with Me. My Power flows freely into you through our open communication. Refuse to waste energy worrying, and you will have strength to spare.
Whenever you start to feel afraid, remember that I am your Shield. But unlike inanimate armor, I am always alert and active. My Presence watches over you continually, protecting you from both known and unknown dangers. Entrust yourself to My watchcare, which is the best security system available. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go."
Isn't God so good to bring the perfect reassurance just when we need it!?

I am certain that I am not the only one needing a little reassurance today. A hopeful rest and trust that God has it ALL under control! It is so difficult to remember sometimes.



SO, the above is yet another draft I found in my pending file on my blog and it is as timely as ever. Again this morning I woke up with loved ones on my heart, namely my kiddos. This is obviously a trend of mine!  The words to today's devotion were straight to the point and quite appropriate for this particular time of life.  "This is a time in your life when you must learn to let go of loved ones, of possessions, of control. In order to let go of something that is precious to you, you need to rest in My Presence, where you are complete.
Apparently I am a slow learner!
Yet equally apparent God is not giving up on my lack of ability to catch on. Thankfully!

In case you too are feeling apprehension, worry, fret, anxiousness, here are some valuable verses to help ease your angst...


Psalm 28:7
Matthew 6:34
Psalm 56:3-4
Genesis 28:15
Psalm 89:15
Hebrew 13:8
Isaiah 41:13


I pray that as you go into this day, the day the Lord hath made, that you will find your strength and courage in the God who made you!!! Seek Him, seek His peace amidst the darkness, the struggles and trials. He is the light and the life!!!


God Bless you...and MUCH LOVE to you!!!
XOXO
Sherry

Monday, July 14, 2014

YOU ARE ENOUGH!

Here I am doing what I do best.
 The dance of avoidance!
It is not because I do not like what I need to be doing, or that I do not have PLENTY to do!
 That certainly  is NOT the case!
 Yet sometimes I simply find myself unable to focus on the task at hand with a torrent of other things running through my mind.


I am always drawn to post here because, even though I do not have a large following, the ones I do have are so sweet to let me know they are encouraged and inspired. Which happens to be my main goal in life.... to encourage and inspire others!




So now that I am here, what is the one thing I would like to tell you on this sweltering hot California day?  That's easy....I definitely want you to know that......


YOU ARE ENOUGH!!!


God made you just as you are and He longs for you to rejoice and celebrate who you are!!!!


If you can just soak that in and feel it to the depth of your being you will be moved to a whole new level of confidence in Christ! A whole new level of validation and peace about who you are, who He created you to be. That is the most important thing! To have a strong, deep rooted faith and confidence in Christ!


Read Psalms 139 and insert your name...He made YOU wonderfully, beautifully, with a plan and a purpose. He loves you, treasures you...adores you and He says...........


YOU ARE ENOUGH!!

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

What's Your Name?

HELLO MY NAME IS....

Have you heard the amazing song "Hello My Name Is" by Matthew West? 
(if not check it out)
It has made a profound effect on my heart and the hearts of the women at a retreat I was blessed and honored to speak at over the weekend.
In the first session I asked them to identify with the negative connotations that rang in their hearts and minds as they listened to the song play and jot down the name that they are calling themselves.

You see we all tend to fall prey to negativity and either repeat or create negative names for ourselves.
 I struggled for years to squash down the nagging voices of negativity. Some days I still struggle with their ability to creep into my subconscious.
Can you relate?
What name have you been calling yourself?
Play the song and see if there are words/names you can identify with.
You don't want to give power to the enemy by saying them, but in identifying these destructive words we will learn to reject them as soon as they appear on the horizon.


After a weekend of enlightenment and discovery we played the song again and this time they were instructed to write the name that they NOW call themselves.
 The positive one.
What an amazing transformation happened in hearts of women who trust God with their identity.

The song says we are identified as A CHILD OF THE ONE TRUE KING!!!

I want to remember to believe THAT!
I want to find my identity in the way HE sees me and not in how I see myself or how I think others might see me. Nothing matters except the way my God sees me. Since He is the one who created us, He is the One who knows our worth.

I pray that you will find your name, your identity in the One true King, the one who knit you together in your mother's womb (Psalm 139).

Find your name, your identity.
If you need help I would happily help you come up with your "new name"!
Try these on and see which one fits you best  ;)

 Redeemed, saved by grace, blessed, beautiful, amazing,  treasured, loved, healed, brave, strong, victorious, gracious, kind, loving, peaceful, set free, happy, favored, cherished, beloved, wanted, worthy, precious, valuable, important, priceless, extraordinary......

Love & Blessings to you!
XO
Sherry



Sunday, April 27, 2014

Life Is Tough...But...God is good!!!!

It's been a trying time. A trying time indeed.
More things have happened in a short period of time than usually happens in a long stretch of time.


God has been faithful through it all.
It has not been easy.
The days have been tough.
But never, EvER has hope been lost!


I am so thankful for the faith in God that lies in the center of my being. It has not been there my whole life, but once I accepted Christ at the age of 23 (ish) He has made Himself real to me in every way, every day. Praise God for His presence!
 Praise God for GOD!!!!


Life is tough people! I know I don't have to tell you that!
Can you recognize His presence amidst the chaos and confusion? Are you able to hold on to the lifeline of a God who will never leave you nor forsake you!?


That is all we have my friend....HE is all we have!!!!!


Hebrews 13:5 says "I will never leave you nor abandon you!"


That is the lifeline we hold on to as the rest of the world and life threatens to fall down upon us! As we find ourselves being swallowed up by the huge pit of quicksand that longs to over take us!

Sunday, April 13, 2014

I BELIEVE!!!!

My heart and soul have been absolutely consumed lately. Rather than give you a laundry list of ALL that is going on in my head, home and heart I thought I would just see if I can somehow express some of my feelings and emotions in hopes that I can bring light to someone else.




Life has been full, overflowing actually, with a lot of BIG stuff.
The big things that only happen once in a great while, if EVER!
Those kinds of things that are the high scorers on the score sheet of stress levels.


A very dear friend of mine who has been going through a very trying time once told me that "You never know desperation, until you have been desperate"
She certainly knows desperation!
I am pretty sure I know desperation.
But that is not where the story ends.
The story goes on to the one who holds the hope and the future.



"BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS, DO NOT BE AFRAID OR TERRIFIED
 BECAUSE OF THEM, FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD GOES WITH YOU;
 HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU."
DEUTERONOMY 31:6



I am thankful to be able to put all of my faith and trust into a loving God who cares for me. Who will never leave me nor forsake me.
He is right there beside us, helping us walk through this journey we are facing.
He carries us when we cannot take another step forward.




We go through seasons...
Some seasons are filled with cold, dark days.
Some are full of flowers and rainbows.
All are important and necessary.


We must remain in faith when we cannot see through the piercing darkness. It is easy to take the next step or to sing the hallelujahs when we are seeing rainbows and flowers.
Faith calls for us to do so even when we cannot see the future, when it does not LOOK as if it could ever work out.




Who ever thought when Jesus was placed in the tomb after dying a gruesome death on the cross that three days later that huge stone would be rolled away and the tomb would stand EMPTY!?
 That Jesus would be ALIVE!?!?!? 
That there was a power THAT strong!


THAT is the power I am putting my hope in.
The resurrection power!!!
I BELIEVE!!!!
Do you believe?
Is your hope in the One who holds the future or only in what your mind can comprehend?


I want to encourage you to put your hope and faith in the ONE who holds the future. The One who died upon the cross to save us from our sins and then surprised everyone by rising from the dead!!!!!




"MAY THE GOD OF HOPE FILL YOU WITH ALL JOY & PEACE IN BELIEVING,
SO THAT BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT YOU MAY ABOUND IN HOPE"
EPHESIANS 15:13


Whatever you are facing today, whether it be desperation or simple exhaustion and frustration...hold on dear one to the perfect promises of our faithful and loving God! All He asks you to do is to BELIEVE!!!!


XO
Much love to you!
Sherry

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

The pain of a friend....

So....when I posted here the other day I noticed several "drafts" that had been saved. This one jumped out at me and I feel as if it needs to be posted. I don't think I had felt finished when I wrote it months (maybe a year or so) ago. I was probably "flitting" around that day too!!
 ;)


Here it is.......


As I drove away I immediately began asking God to forgive me for failing a friend so deeply. Yet, as soon as the words came out of my mouth I knew that I did not want God to patch this one up and make me feel all better. NO, I deserved the pain that had pierced my heart because a lesson was here to learn. I knew it immediately.
One thing about getting older is knowing and fully understanding that it is necessary to own our mistakes, even when they are invisible ones that we could easily get away with.

The reason I knew how deeply I had hurt my friend is because every word that came out of her mouth could have just as easily came out of mine, had I the guts to say them. She wasn't speaking to me directly, she was speaking to the five of us girls sitting at a sweet little bustling Italian cafe' over dinner and tiramsu. We had failed her. She was not pointing a finger or speaking an ounce of judgement, just simply speaking with open honesty. Her world had crashed down around her and none of us had a clue. We didn't have a clue because we were so wrapped up in our own little lives that we failed to see the veil of pain and deep heartache that was stretched over her world. Here we were sharing small talk not even noticing that her heart was bleeding.

We get so caught up in our own worlds, there is much to get caught up in. We are busy, we have our struggles, issues, situations, heartaches, things to do, errands to run, jobs to go to, things to accomplish, our daily lists go on and on and on...... In that, we fail desperately to be there for one another. God in the flesh. There to comfort and just BE with those who we love and are hurting.

I'm not sure how we fit it all in sometimes, it just seems to be too much. People to love on and enjoy, relationships to deepen and nurture. All while juggling every ball in our own lives  (work, errands, housework, kids, parents, laundry, illness ...)
Living in balance seems to be the biggest juggling act of all time.
How do we do it?

I don't have the answers, you can rest assured I will be seeking them. I will be trying my darndest to hone my personal juggling skills. I am not interested in learning how to juggle as a hobby, but as a way of life, a way of keeping the things, the people, that are important to me from falling and crashing to the ground.

I hope I never forget the lesson I learned, because for far too long I have felt as if everyone one else needed to learn it, HA! the joke was on me! I was just as desperate and in need of such a valuable lesson.

Here's to lessons learned and that we might never forget the impact of them upon our hearts and lives. As you go out today, be the blessing so many need in this busy, hectic world.

XO
Love & Blessings!
Sherry

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Flitting and Trusting

Have you ever found yourself in a dance of avoidance?  When you are supposed to be doing one thing but you keep on flitting and doing OTHER things? It seems like your mind cannot focus or that you have too much inside and you have to get it ALL out?


Well, that seems to be where I am today!


I am supposed to be preparing for a retreat I am going to be speaking at, yet I am finding myself suddenly wanting to create a blog post!  Not sure where this is even leading, I am going to discover it along with you  ;)


I have so much on my mind and my heart. As we all do at any given time.


The retreat message I am preparing does not come difficult to me, only the thought of "speaking" does...I can write all day long and feel fine about people reading what I have to say, but when it comes to standing in front of sweet gals and trying to eloquate the message in my heart, I struggle BIG time!


My heart is also being pulled by the vortex of a huge life event that is in the wings.
 My son and his wife and two little girls will be leaving in two weeks for three years to Japan. That is a whole lot of ocean between this mom/mimi and my precious ones!
For years they have lived 7 hours away which was inconvenient but oh so doable! Now I cannot just jump in my car on a whim and go hang out with my loves. They surely will not be able to come home either.
So, my heart is left to ache this difficult time and I feel like a bucket of tears, spilling over at the tiniest bump. That bump can be just a thought, a word, a song, a sight, a text message, a photo...you name it!


Life is full of struggles and challenges.
  Many of you are going through some pretty tough times.
 You wonder when the fog will EVER lift!
 Seems like some days you just feel so weighed down by all that is on your "plate" as you hope for brighter days ahead.
When will you be able to rest peacefully when you lay your head on your pillow at night.
 When will the lonely feeling ever end.
 When will you receive the answer to that prayer that is ever on your lips.
 How can you keep on going like this?
 How can you make it another day?


God holds every answer. He is also the source of our comfort and joy as we find our footing in this often treacherous world, as we navigate through our struggles and anguish. He is reaching out to hold our hand and guide us through any struggle we find ourselves in.
He loves us more than we can ever imagine.
He knows the outcome and He wants us to be reassured that in the end, it will be okay. 
It really will.
Not everything is perfect or easy, but He is almighty and will never leave you nor forsake you.
He has the whole world in His hands and He wants you to find comfort and peace in the fact that He wants nothing but the best for your life.


I am going to remember that as I kiss my sweet boy, my darling daughter-in-law and my two little grandangels good bye. As they fly off to this new adventure in their lives. I KNOW that God has great things for them, I just also know that my heart is in knots at the very thought of missing them!


I want to encourage you today in anything YOU are going through, that you know God has YOU, He has your loved ones and your circumstances. Relinquish all the control and worry over to Him. He has never intended for us to worry and fret, but to think on good things!


I am going to leave you with the verse that has been my great companion through many a tough time. It has helped me keep my focus when my son was deployed, or when I feared the worst in a diagnosis or just had a time of anxiety that I could not get a grip on.
I would encourage you to write it upon your heart as I have...so you can pull it up when you are feeling those moments of overwhelm and anxiety.


"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be you."
Philippians 4:6-9


Let's focus more on HIM and less on our circumstances! By doing so we will feel the peace of God that SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING!


Love and blessings to you on this beautiful day that the Lord has made! REJOICE and be glad in it!!!


XO Sherry

Saturday, January 18, 2014

TIME

Time is the equalizer of all mankind.
No one can obtain more than another in any way. Even the rich cannot purchase more.
 We are all given the same 24 hours a day. 1,440 minutes a day to use to our best ability.
Yet have you ever found yourself feeling as if you do not have enough time? Do you ever find yourself looking at the lives and accomplishments of others and feel as if somehow they must have more time in order to do all that they do?
I suppose some of you are like me, wishing for more time in a day. Wishing for more time to accomplish the things on our lengthy lists.
I have some pretty big goals and aspirations this year so I know I must figure out how to conquer this time machine issue.
How does one fit it all in?
Maybe that is part of the issue right there. Maybe it is not possible and that is part of the problem. I try to fit more in than I should, more than is possible.
Don't we all?
I do want to do it ALL. I want to go everywhere and do everything I can. I want to be at every event, take every opportunity I can. How does one choose which ones are better than another? Which ones are more important than another?
I think part of the answer lies in finding our gauge in which to measure things by. Measuring the importance and value of the decisions of which things matter most.
But how do we do that?
How do we come up with a gauge, a standard, a guide?
I think it lies in the things that we value, what matters most. We make room for the things that are important, the things God wants us to squeeze into the nooks and crannies of our 1,440 minutes of each day.
One of the ways I have practiced for the past few years as a guideline for measuring the ways I should use my time and energies is to choose "a word of the year".
This word is used as a focus, a source of encouragement a rudder and guide in my daily life.
This word is something I keep at the forefront, I make it present in my life so I am reminded of  my intentions.
I spend a lot of time coming up with my word each year. This year I thought I had my word figured out only to discover that this word I had chosen was causing me more frustration than encouragement.
 I had chosen the word DO.
 I had good intentions, pure motives when I chose the word. Yet as time goes by I find that this word causes me to feel the pressure of doing more than is possible. I chose it because I am trying to accomplish some things that have been on my heart for a very long time, things that keep on getting put off because everything else in life has a way of trumping these things I want so desperately to do.
So I am back at the drawing board.
Maybe my word is ACCOMPLISH? I need to focus on accomplishing the dreams God has placed in my heart. I want nothing more than to finally be at a place of accomplishment. I want to achieve my goals! I am ready for God to use me the way I know He wants to.
What about you? Do you have a word of the year? Did you choose one only to find that it caused you more struggle than encouragement? If you did, you can re-think it. It does not matter what month it is. You are not stuck. God has great things in store for you, for your life. Open yourself up to Him.
I would love to hear about your word for the year.
How you came up with it and how it has served you.
I know it will take more than one little word for me to find the time I need to, to keep myself focused, but it is a start. I pray daily that God will lead me and direct me every step of the way, each of those 1,440 seconds of every day.