Am I Love?

Am I love?

I heard this question in passing on the radio the other day. Read this part carefully. It was not, "Am I loved" but rather, "Am I Love?"

I have to confess that I knew the answer to the question immediately.

No. In that moment, I was not love.

That morning my husband sent me a quick reminder text. As I was typing my smart aleck response, I could hear the still small voice telling me that a simple "OK" was the appropriate response.

I ignored the voice.

My remark was not taken well and it began our day together with tension rather than peace.
Was my remark worth it? No.
Did my hubby feel loved? No.

Could I say, "yes, I am love?" No.

I have been chewing on this mentally for a day or two now. "Am I love..."

The truth is that only Jesus personifies love.  But if I love Him shouldn't I be a channel for love?

Jesus said, they would know that we are His disciples by our love.

How about you. If you asked everyone in your life, "Am I love?" How would they answer you?

I am challenged by this today!

Blessings to you and yours. Share your thoughts in the comments below!

I’m linked with http://www.HolleyGerth.com for “Coffee for the Heart.” 

3 Questions I Ask Myself a when I feel Like Quitting Homeschooling

Yes, sometimes I feel like quitting.
Sometimes I look around and question my ability to educate my children.
Am I doing enough?
Are they learning anything?

Kristy at Little Cottage did an excellent job describing what I do when I am on the verge of quitting.

3 Questions I ask Myself When I Feel Like Quitting Homeschooling


What do you when those days or weeks cause you to doubt yourself?

Confessing the Sin of Bah Humbug!

I really struggled stirring up Christmas cheer this year. I had a horrible attitude. I pouted. I grumbled. I complained. This whole Christmas thing is so much work. Christmas tree, lights, nativities, gifts, wrapping, baking, events.

I was full of my bah-humbug self when I just "happened" to hear another mom talk about the same thing. Honestly, I wish I could tell you where I heard her. I think it was a radio interview, but while her identity is lost to me, the words she spoke and  the truth she shared is not.

This young mom expressed the same things I shared in the beginning. She was doing all the "Christmas things", but she was grumbling, whining, and complaining the whole time. She shared that in desperation she turned to the Lord. I love this next part.

God spoke to her heart and said, "in all this Christmas business, you have forgotten me." She confessed that she realized that she had not opened the gift she had received from the Lord; the gift of that precious baby born in a manger.

Sure, she has a glorious tree, beautiful lights, mountains of gifted wrapped presents and a home smelling of the holidays, but she had neglected her Jesus.

I realized in that moment that I too had neglected my Jesus. I had not spent any time reflecting on the truth that, this tiny little baby laying in the manger was God made flesh. This little baby was born to save me from my sins. This little baby would nurse, learn to walk, do his chores, master carpentry, and obey his parents all so that he could one day hang on the cross to save me from my sins. This little baby, God become flesh was knocking on my heart saying "remember what I have done for you..."

After repenting of my current list of sins: selfishness, unthankfulness, and wretchedness I began thanking Him for blessing me with a way to remember how His journey to meet me on earth began (ok, it really started in eternity past, but you know what I mean). His journey to my heart began on Christmas morning. He breathed the same air I breath today. He looked up and saw the same stars I made wishes to as a little girl. He too celebrated his birthday, but with a greater understanding of what that celebration really meant.

When I blew out the candles on my cake when I was a little girl, I would wish for new toys. If Jesus blew out candles on his cake he would not have wished for anything for his own selfish pleasure. Actually, he would not have wished at all. He would have prayed. I believe He would have been quietly praying for each of us, you and me, by name.

I found my Christmas spirit, laying in a manger, growing up in Nazareth, praying for me thousands of years ago, hanging on a tree, and now living in my heart.

We all grow tired. We all grow weary. We all can lose sight of the reason behind the season and honestly life itself. Just remember, It is all about Jesus.

He loves you, He loves me, He loves us. My prayer for you this crazy Christmas season is that you see Jesus in the middle of it all. If you have never met him, You can begin your journey in Luke 2 of the Bible. As You read ask God to show you the gift that the little baby came to bring you specifically. If like me, you know Jesus, by have been looking at the gifts and lights rather than the Giver of Life... Turn your eyes back. Refocus. Repent. Receive His joy.

Merry Christmas!
May the joy of The Lord Jesus Christ fill your heart and home with his unfailing love!
In His Love,
Bekki

The Glad Game

I sat and watched Pollyanna today. My goodness its been forever since I watched that feel-good movie. (In a house full of boys, it is rare that I ask to watch a girl movie, but today I couldn't resist)

                                                    
Remember the Glad Game?
Whenever something bad happened, Pollyanna's father had taught her to think of something to be glad about. Like the time she had prayed for a doll, but the missionary team sent crutches instead.
Pollyanna's father invented the game in that moment. What is there to be glad about in receiving a pair of crutches rather than a longed for doll?
Pollyanna cheerfully exclaims, "That we do not need the crutches!"

My Father has similar advise. In Psalm 118:24 He says, "This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it."

Pollyanna also wore a locket with an inscribed quote from Abraham Lincoln. It read,

“If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will.”

This sweet little movie reminded me of two amazingly simple, yet life changing principles:

1. There is always something to rejoice in this day that The Lord has made.

2. I would rather spend my time looking for the good in people, because I am confident I will find it!

What are you Glad about today?

I am glad that I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel; that my body is healing; and that I will have my entire family under my roof tonight!

Exactly What Does it Mean to Send Positive Thoughts My Way?

                                                              

When I interact with people on the Internet, sometimes I ask for prayer. 

When people say they will send positive thoughts my way I am often left scratching my head.

Exactly what does it mean to send positive thoughts my way? Do they think of butterflies and chocolate dipped strawberries? If so, how will that impact my life?

I am sorry, but sending positive thoughts to someone is not the same as sitting at Jesus's feet talking to Him about what is on my mind.

Don't get me wrong. Butterflies are good. Strawberries are only made better by that wonderful coating of chocolate. But let's be real. They will do nothing for me.

Jesus on the other hand, is not only positive- He is real and ready to handle whatever I bring to Him.
I have seen Him answer prayer.

 Its not just a coincidence. there are countless examples of answers to prayer, but here are a few:
 Prayed my sons surgeon would have renewed strengths and wisdom during one of of his surgeries.
-doctor shared afterward that half way through, our son had begun to bleed I expectantly, but after the bleeding was controlled the surgery went better than they expected.

Prayed for mercy during a very difficult pregnancy. Baby was in an excruciating position
-baby turned sideways for the duration of my pregnancy and relieved much if my pain.

Prayed for clothes (knowing I needed maternity clothing and could not swing a new wardrobe at the time)
-received 2 huge boxes of maternity clothing unexpectedly from my mother in law ( who lived 2,000 miles away and did not know I needed them). She said she walked into a store that was having a blow out sale and couldn't resist. **she had never sent clothing before or since**

Prayed with young son that God would help people in our neighborhood to stop hanging a scary skeleton from a tree because it terrified him.
-that year, they cut down the tree and never hung another skeleton.

These are just a few answered prayers off of the top of my head. Again, I say I scratch my head when someone thinks of puppies for me when I ask for prayer. Why? Because its so beautifully obvious that there is a true and living God. He not only created us, but He loves us. He cared for us. He wants us to talk to Him, to trust Him, to rely on Him.

Do you know Jesus? If you have any doubt about whether He is real, take the time to ask Him to show Himself to you. Then: wait, watch, and listen.

This is one of those prayers that is always answered.


Your turn: share an example of answered prayer. Please;).