"For better or for... Now" (marriages beware)

I wonder how often God watches a wedding with intense pain in His heart. I wonder if he looks at that day and says "How I wish this moment of love and happiness would last from this day forward, like you promised." I wonder if He sees the expiration date we stamp on our divorce papers and weeps. He has the ability to see through all the love, laughter, and amazing memories made that special day into the future of what is now two indifferent people going through a bitter divorce. The laughter has long since vanished, the smiles turned into tears, and the love that was once so precious to this beautiful couple has been turned into intolerance for one another. The words that once ringed with affirmation and affection have been exchanged with cutting words of hatred, discontent, and bitterness. On the day when they exchanged for better or for worse was hidden deep within... "I meant only for the better, I can't handle your worst." Two people who once would have laid down their lives for one another, will not even lay down their phone to see the other person struggling. When indifference and unimportance fills a home it becomes Satan's playground... "Did you see that girl? She understands you better than your wife, maybe you two should have coffee and discuss your problems further?" Or "Your husband is so caught up in his girly magazines he never takes the time to appreciate you, but your boss always values your work, maybe you should go on the business trip he mentioned to you."
Lack of communication with your spouse and sharing your intimate shortcomings at home with the opposite sex is a DANGER ZONE. Long before our thoughts become actions we rehearse the scenes in our minds, beware our thoughts are powerful tools for success or destruction. I wonder if God sees those first stormy nights that divides our hearts against our spouses and wants to yell, "Don't let the sun go down on your anger, don't let the enemy have any territory in your home or your hearts!" I wonder if God tries to whisper to your harden heart, "Remember how beautiful she looked coming down the aisle, remember when she made you laugh and your heart surged with so much joy just seeing her took your breath away?" Or "Remember the first time he told you he loved you, or how he proposed, remember the dreams you had for your future? Don't throw them away." Maybe instead of the traditional, "From this day forward I do... We need to change our vows to from this day forward we chose to remember our love we have for one another." I often encourage couples to each make a list of 25+ things they love about each other and place them in the back of their wedding photo. (so you can find it) Add to it and update it every couple of years, because no matter how good of a marriage you may have, they all will go through intense trials because life happens and this is something you can reflect back on. It helps you to remember why you first said I do. Maybe even included, as a couple, a few dreams you have for the future (a bucket list so to speak of for your marriage) so you can see that you are moving forward together to reach your dreams as a couple. Make a resolution together of why divorce should never be in your vocabulary or future and keep all these things in the back of your "always and forever" wedding photo. Treasure deep within your heart the person God has given you to do life with, because life can beat us up from time to time and what a blessing it is to have someone to share the heartache as well as the joys of life with. From this day forward I choose to be thankful for who you are and love you despite of your failures.

Oh to Have Eyes of a Child Again

I love how resilient Children are. They don't let things like the weather get them down, they look out in wonder and amazement "Look mama!! It's snowing!!" They don't let the circumstances around them overwhelm them with fear, they look for the best in all things. Simple things like balloons, bubbles, cardboard boxes, and crayons bring so much joy and fill their minds with limitless imagination. It's no wonder Jesus said to enter the kingdom of heaven you must come like a little child. Lord renew my heart to be like your little children again. Remove the scars that time inflicted on my perception. Amen

Do you have the faith it takes to be a hero?

As for you, you meant it for evil against me, but GOD meant it for Good. Genesis 50:26  Friends write this scripture on your heart!! I LOVE the life of Joesph in the bible and how God used the hardships he suffered for the saving of many LIVES!! Darkness can not win over the goodness of God and HIS plans. Now darkness does exist and bad things do happen, however, God is able to use all events in a believers life and turn it into something good. God is able to use our most painful events for the saving of many lives. The human (fleshly) part of us does not want or like to suffer, we don't like to see the ones we love dearly hurting... However God never wastes our pain, he hurts along side of us and says "Oh child, if you only knew the amount of lives that will be saved because of your story. It is because of your testimony, faith, and devotion to me even during the hardest times of your life that others came to know, trust, and have faith in me." Many of us want to be a hero and save lives or make a significant difference in others lives; but did you know that real life heroes lay it all on the lines, laying down their own lives if nescarry for the saving of many lives. Do you have the faith it takes to be a real life hero? Has your faith in God carried you through one of life's hardest trials and left you with a stronger resolve, that yes even this can be used for the saving of many lives? Keep the faith my friends, stay in God's word, trust he has a plan, that he loves you, and he is able to work all things for our good.