LiveFreeLoveHard

  So, what are the things that are necessary?   Because I refuse to do busy work.   Many have fallen prey to the belief that as long as I’m busy doing things, I’m actually getting things done.   Not true.   And painfully so because most of us live on the brink of exhaustion.   To think that more than half the things we spend time doing is a waste of time and getting us no closer to our goals is heart wrenching.   My sleep is so sweet when I hit my pillow because I feel like I’ve done well, the things God has desired me to do.   And when I was a poor steward of my time, I toss and turn with a to-do list in my mind of things I still need to do. I pray, “Lord, turn my eyes away from worthless things and preserve my life according to your Word.” Psalm 119:37. Why?   Because it’s so easy to lose hours on social media, reality tv, daydreaming, starting and quitting projects before they’re completed, etc.   Anything can be busy work. ...

Lord, I pray I can run with fervency the race that you have set before me.  I know that there are worldly pursuits that I will miss and things that I won't experience, which are fine with me.  I want the life that you have designed me to have.  And I don't want to be moved or tossed to and from by what others are doing and pursuing.  Place your desires for me ground in my heart.  Grant me a solid vision of the life you have for me that I might find my delight walking in step and in tune with that vision.  Your Word has said without a vision, the people perish.  I'm thankful that you've answered my prayers on my relationship with Riley.  I still don't know what the future holds but I know that above all, you have heard me. And no matter what the answer is, I know that you have answered.  And you continue to be faithful in my life.  Thank you for stooping down to make me great and endowing me with splendor.  All that I am and can do...

Reading "Gracelaced," by Ruth Chou Simons, I identified with one of the struggles she mentions about our salvation..."How is it that we fall at His feet when we first come to Him for salvation but then try to lean on our own worthiness to bring us back day after day?" Being saved at a very young age, I have had all my ups and downs after being saved.  I should be stronger by now; I should be wiser by now; I should have more power; more faith.  Why am I not moving mountains, yet? How many times does God have to forgive me for this?  How can I still be making the same mistakes?  I struggled with heavy drinking in my past.  Heck, if you've been around me lately, you might say, I still do.  But I experienced a freedom from alcohol that I didn't have before, when I finally allowed God to get a hold of it.  Before, I protected it from Him, because I wasn't sure I wanted to be healed.  I thought, it's not that bad and I love going to different lounges ...

I admire so much my mother and father.  It was ingrained in them that we must work.  And it wasn't so much make sure you make a lot of money as much as it was to make sure you stick with something, persevere, do good, spend right, and save.  I admire my husband's work ethic.  I know his daughter is his motivation and strength.  I'm in awe at his dedication.  He's spent the last 19 years of his life building his career.  If someone looked at me the wrong way at my job, I'd be like, "I don't have to be here."  "I can find another place to work where they don't look at me crazy!"  It's an exaggeration on why I would leave but I'm certain it was just as petty.  I've lost out on a lot of great opportunities just because I didn't know how important is was to stay, to fight through the rough patches, in order to build something worth anything.  Wherever you are, I encourage you to stick with it.  It may not be the best situation,...

Welcome! I have always enjoyed writing.  It is therapeutic to me.  It allows me expression and an avenue to get my thoughts out of my head and onto paper, so I can be free of them.  I have years worth of journals that I have kept, for some reason - not every single journal, just the ones where I saw a lot of God and a lot of growth.  Things I learned that I valued precious to my maturity.  Things that I didn't want to have to relearn.  So, it has been put on my heart to share these precious things that I have learned throughout the years and give some insight into how journaling has helped me throughout the years, work through some difficult times.  I reflect on things I've read and sometimes add their quotes to my journal because I want to remember it; I quote lots of scripture that helped me in particular moments; and even sermon notes that I've taken in church from my pastor.  Some of the material I'll be going through for the first time in...