The Glory is His....

So... today was interesting.
I've always seen people in our ministry as "extraordinary"... they live right, speak the word of God, and pave the way for people like me, regular people with "regular" issues... so I thought.
Today, a close friend of my husband (and I), someone he grew up with, actually his childhood best friend, introduced himself as "Pastor Maxile".
Now, some may say "so what"... but the magnitude of this didn't hit me until I saw him at that podium....this was a huge wake up call for me and I'm very grateful for the expereince. Aside from the great word given by Pastor Maxile and guest speakers I sat and had so many thoughts running through my mind.
One: Pastors are human, they are just like you and me. They are called to lead and guide people to Christ... but they aren't Christ. They can't MAKE you love, obey, or even follow Christ. Seeing someone we grew up with, someone we know, become a Pastor actually made me really proud. It's admirable to lead a life assisting others in getting to Heaven, Glorifying God, and devoting time away from family and home to minister God's word to others... and all for His Glory, not your own.
Two: People are placed in our life for a reason.... Before you reject what your pastor and leaders tell you, think about this: When you die and meet God as we all will... and we answer for things we have done or not done--- He will remind you of the people He placed in your life to HELP you, to guide you, and make sure you know the word of God... such as Pastors. When I ask my Pastor questions I real answers, not what I want to hear, what I need to hear... I am the one who is typically broken or confused... I need to know what's real. So far I've had some very real expereinces with my Pastors and I'm so grateful for them.
If Damon, or any pastor for that matter, questions or doesn't fathom the impact pastors and leaders do and will have on lives let me break some of it down for you.
People who are lost, you help them get found... people who don't know Christ, you introduce them and change where they spend eternity... addicts, you bring them hope telling them that Christ is bigger than any addiction or any giants we face in life... in home life- marriage and family, work-- you teach us that no matter how hard we work, how rich we become, how many material things we aquire, the Glory goes to Him and Him alone... it actually has little to nothing to do with us. :) This is hard for me to accept sometimes because I work really hard... but it's all possible thru Him-- NOT me.
These lessons, the few of many that pastors teach, are HUGE. Your average person---- expereinces adultry in their marriage, some are abused, loss of faith, death of loved ones, financial hardship, expereince hatred and bittness in their heart, battling the enemy (satan), so when you bring the hope and glory of God to ONE person you are successful.
Example: two people who didn't even know me basically saved my life.
2 years ago I lost my mother, lost and broken I almost gave up on life and God- literally. Had it not been for my daughter and partly my husband... I'd be in a grave with her. I am almost ashamed to say it but losing my mother has changed my life in more ways than I'd like to say. Depression wasn't the word, I didn't step foot in church for a year, and I was so bitter with God I carried a chip on my shoulder about life in general. He wouldn't tell me why He took my mother and my heart grew hard, rather than turning TO Him i turned AWAY from him. I was officially lost, living daily with no purpose other than my daughter, sad, crying, and really broken. With the help of my pastors, I was found.... once was lost but now I'm found. Restored and renewed, God gave me another chance at happiness, life, and faith. His picture became clear, Broken I came to him at an all time low and literally got on my knees, threw up my hands, and said do whatever you need to do to me to get me right, I'm desperate and I need you. Today, I'm a Christian woman in prgress, with a acceptance of my mother's death, and a sincere love for Christ. He is my backbone and I know without Him I'm nothing. Nothing. Nothing.
Another: Less than a year ago my marriage was a mess... close to failure... and we all know I don't fail! My husband was lost, I was lost, and together there's no way we could find our way... almost called it quits... with the intervention of our amazing pastors we were... FOUND. I realized that the only person who could take my marriage and my ability to love my husband God... no one else. I needed Him and had to relinquish control to Him and accept His will... this situation was far to much for me to handle alone... I needed guidance, love, and understanding.... today, we are strong, we are FOUND, and we are united as husband and wife should be... all because of God, and God alone. My marriage is a result of His glory.
Lesson: Pastors have very difficult jobs, people depend on them, and WE need to pray for THEM more. We attend Our Saviors Church in Lafayette, and they have been life changing to me and Byron and I pray for our pastors.... I can't express it in words what they have done for us....
Again, to see someone I know so well give his life to Christ and devote life to spreading the word is amazing. I pray for him, his beauitful wife Casey, and their kids. I pray they be blessed, in abundance, and that they always have the courage and strength to lead. Like it or not, you're an example now, to people you don't even realize. I'm so happy for you and I will definitley be praying for you. We love you very very very much!
Thanks for everyone who put service together today, hope there are many more to come, and I'd love to be involved if I'm needed. God wants to do big things for all of us...
Casey---- btw-- don't forget, we need to start a women's ministry if possible!!!! Women need so much help, single mothers who do it all alone, wives of successful men who fall down the priority list- it breaks their spirit, I work on a daily basis with people with tons of money--- but lost souls, successful women who need to balance work and home, broken females who have been abused and thrown away, female addicts of young children (I was one of them)-- repaired mother daughter relationships,women who have been cheated on and hurt by their husbands, young women who need to know their worth, if momma won't tell them ministers need to before the first boy rolls along and does so. I have a dream about this, I really do... because women old and young need to know that God doesn't forget about us, He isn't far away, and people like you (and me) have been through so much,and can bring hope to them....
May God bless Damon and Casey's ministry and I love you all very much!
Rachelle

Thank You God... I haven't said it enough!

So today I'm sitting in a class with about 15 peers... and something took over my mind, made my stomach turn honestly. I look around me and see people who have been working for our company for 25-30 years... and I'M on the side of them, interacting with them, learning with them, and working with them. What they have done in 20 years I have been able to do in 5 (work related), what a blessing. At that moment I became really humble... thinking to myself "Really Rachelle... why do you not realize how truly blessed you are. How often do you thank God for your career?"My career, your talents, your motivation... all given to me by Him... and I don't thank Him often enough.

I've learned over time that being an over acheiver has it's good and bad... for one you work your tail off, constantly, to get where you want to be, then when you get there you decide you want to be elsewhere you start busting tail to get somewhere else... and at the end of the day you are rewarded with self satisfaction, the position you want, maybe even the salary you want... but the cost is lots of stress, hard work, time away from your family, ect. The problem comes when you and I fail realize who has given us these blessings,we think they are simply a result of our hard work right? Wrong... God alone.... has blessed me/you in my/your career and my/your heart will be empty regardless of how far we/I move up without acknowledging where it all comes from. So when I looked around me and saw people twice my age I had to feel pretty rediculous that I haven't recenently "thanked Him" for my career and opportunities and that I've actually complained about working so hard at times. At 27 years old I'm taking college courses, almost have a Bachlors degree, I work for a very reputable company, I'm an Assistant Manager of a very successful branch, working toward being a manager, and I work with some amazing people who show me, teach me, believe in me, guide me, and above all know my potential.
I haven't sat back in a while and actually thanked God for my opportunities, my job, for the talent He's given me, for my mentors, for my family support, for my position, and for my career. I tend to take credit for it because I work hard and acheive things... but really it all comes from Him. It is only through Him that I am where I am, can get where I want to be... my hard work must not be done in honor of money or pride or self satisfaction.... but in honor of Him. I need to be thankful EVERYDAY for this. The Glory is His, not mine, for without Him I'm just a flawed person with a title. Ephesians 6:6 says it all... Work hard, but not just to please your masters when they are watching.  As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with  enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for  people.Fact: all credit and honor go to God and God alone. Thank Him, over and over again. Apologize for taking credit, strive to serve Him, and turn to Him in your times of needs, in tough decisions, in career moves, in everything--- the answer lies in Him. All success, hard work, all pay checks, all promotions, mean absolutley nothing if we don't aknowledge the source of it all... God.  In closing, You true "promotion", the biggest of all, comes when you go from visiting Christ occassionally in times of need to leaning on Him in every aspect of your life (including your pareer) and embracing His truth and mercy.... You are promoted from a person-- a hard worker with a title, to a man/woman of God with a purpose (to serve) .Have a Blessed Night! Rachelle

This thing called Life...

You see, everyone has people who are out to get them, everyone. You can single yourself out... none of us are that special. I've learned over time that GOD and GOD alone puts people in your life, some you like and some you don't. Without them where would you be?
The hard part, recognizing His work in the midst of struggle.
I've been married for 4 years, known my husband for 16 years... and I've been thru hell and back with him, but honestly I wouldn't know how much I love him if it weren't for those hard times. This man and myself, as anyone who knows us knows this is real, have expereinced anything you can possibly think of, and still love one another... how does that happen?
Society tells us to leave imperfect people, to find something better, to be "me-centric". Is that easy to do, of course, in the moment... I'm sure it causes future pain. Am I saying remain loyal to a man who treats you like you don't exist, of course not... be reasonable. What I'm saying is that any married couple is obligated to love one another until they don't have the power to do so anymore... where does that power comes from--- your friend, your neighbor, your mothers... No--- God and God alone.
I've been there, turn to people around me because I was lost. Now, I look back and laugh thinking... who has better advice to offer than He who created me? What was I thinking turning to someone who is so screwed up, did I do that to make myself feel better about my situation?People test you, some of them could really care less how you end up. I've learned that No one determines the fate of my relationship with my daughter or my husband... they may test it--- but they don't determine it.Stop seeking approval from those who haven't figured out their purpose on earth, focus on your purpose. Focus on why you are here... what does He need from me today? People will snatch happiness and faith from you without thinking twice... don't let that happen.  When you find something special embrace it, embrace happiness and maintain it at all cost... nothing worth having comes easy. Nothing. People who break you, pray for them and watch your life go from brokeness to bright. Hard part, praying for rediculous people who can't see past themselves... the outcome-- peace. See He gives us all peace, but we have to sometimes battle our own demons to find it, whether it be selfishness, misunderstanding, greed, pride, ect. Open your mind and your heart... His love is matchless! It's not a matter of IF society will test you, especially when positive things are happening... it's WHEN. Situations can define you, decisions you make can create you... but at the end of the day He is there... especially when you are at your lowest, broken, and willing to admit it. He doesn't shelter the proud, He doesn't bless the greedy... He welcomes those who need His grace.  At my weakest I always remember I am nothing more than who He sees, people around me don't even matter. He knows my heart, my motive, I can't hide from Him--- neither can others. There are no free passes. Whatever you need to do to rid yourself of demons who consume your soul and cloud your mind, do it. Stop blaming Life, Life is easy--- we complicate it.Love yourself, respect yourself, respect what and who you love, enjoy your relationships- they are a gift- and defend what's right until you are powerless--- to Him and Him alone. When you don't focus on The Man (Chirst)-- ANY man becomes good enough.    Thought: Hate is Easy, Love takes Courage. Have a blessed day!    

Finding Christ amongst things of the World...

I decided to shed some light on a battle we face in life.. Worldy things Vs Him.I've often wondered what it would take to become a "christian woman", you see I have such a strong past, good and bad, for years I didn't even feel worthy of being a woman of Christ, I didn't even live life by His word... I lived by my own rules. I had a child out of wedlock, drugs, drinking, partying, denied Him, ect... how could I now claim to walk with Him. I've often had trouble defining things of this world verses Him. See, I really enjoy things of this world... television, entertainment, music (especially hip hop)... and I couldn't draw a line between how important those things were verses my future, my eternity
For a long time after losing my Mom I didn't go to church, in fact I shook my head and agreed when people told me how she was in a better place... but the fact is I didn't even believe it. My worldy emotions blocked what was real. I was so haunted by things that I had done to her and myself, I was broken from the inside out. Faith, lost- love, hard to accept- life, what life?
Finally I came to terms with my feelings and admitted to myself that I was so wrong--- God DOES love me, He would NEVER abandon me...I had abandoned myself... but how do I find my way back. I've gone astray for so long, does God even want me back, does He even know where I am and what I need, am I worthy of His love and forgiveness? I've always found that the harder I search for Christ the further away He seems, when I'm not aware of how much I need Him I almost take Him for granted I guess--- but when it's bad and I search for Him, He seems so far away. At this point, there is nothing to lose, search for Him and don't stop until you find Him.
Things of this world blur our vision, they cloud our judgement, it's like a dark cloud hovering over us when we are vulnerable, satan hard at work. When we are at our best, confident and proud, dark clouds seep in and drown out the light we have.... and it's hard to find Christ in the dark, especially with all the worldy things around us... drugs, music, tv, friends, negativity, ect.Through this I've learned how to find Him and how things of this world can create a barrier between me and my eternity, my beliefs, and my pureness. For instance, I love music, hard core rap music (I know I'm flawed right)... the lyrics, the hype, the excitement, I enjoy it. Television, I like it, movies are my thing--- both are things of this world. When my faith, my eternity, and my sanity are at stake I have to let these things go if I want to find Christ. I have to focus my attention on what I NEED, not what I WANT. God doesn't want to come second to your lifestyle--- he should be our lifestyle.He doesn't need our opinion, He KNOWS what we need and commands that we live through Him... but we don't. We live through our own eyes, our own heart, our own emotions, our feelings, our expereinces, our desires.... and when it all fails--- we look to Him for help to pick up the peices. See this isn't judgement, this is a way of life... I've lived it too. So many times I see people lost, unable to find their way to Him, to salvation, to happiness, because they have a wall--- a wall of worldy things that clouds the truth, clouds His promises. Again, I'm flawed, I get caught up in the moment and enjoy worldy things a little to much... but I'm very blessed to have been given the chance to know the difference between the life that Christ promises me and the misery Satan offers. Eternity verses this world. I'm writing this blog for people who have the same problem finding light when it's dark, finding Him when He seems so far away... drown out the worldly things and He is right there... very close. When I question whether or not I'm "worthy" I open the good book who gives me PROMISES, not ask others who offer an "opinion" on who I am and where I'm going. I drown out pain of the world, promises of the world, and I focus on Him and what He says. The devil lies, all the time, and he will tell you what you want to hear to get you as far away as possible, believe that and stay aware of it.  Example: It's so important that we distiguish between Lil Wayne's lyrics and the truth God gives us... if you can't- get rid of Lil Wayne until you can-- it's entertainment and should never be your way of life. My lifestyle, my thought process, my choices, my pride kept me so far away from God for so long, I didn't think I was coming back--- after all it was easy to give up, finding hope and love took courage. I had to drown out people, activities, and entertainment- worldy things- to find Him... today I know what worldy things are, and they are temporary. My future is my eternity and focusing on the big picture rather than momentary satisfaction is critical in finding Christ. Although I still feel "unworthy" of His love, I believe Him and all He says... and I've learned through the rain and pain I still have to seek Him and believe Him... and it never fails--- through all the worldy things in my life, I find Him. I'm confident that as long as I can distinguish between the world adn eternity I will always find Him, He's never lost, I am.  Have a blessed night! Rachelle     

Baby Girl

Baby Girl.

A girl meets a guy- both are really young, she takes his heart right out of his chest and he is so into her… he will never let her go.

They have a child… A girl is born to two people who love her so much, they look at her and think “wow, we did this”.
They vow to do the best they can with her life and agree that changed need to be made, after all they brought her here.
He works, hard labor, driving across the country, gone for weeks at a time, she stays home with the baby girl.
The baby girl, a hand full. Doesn’t sleep much, in fact hardly at all. She’s full of energy, sassy, and hard headed.
Momma is exhausted, all of her family is out of state and his family isn’t really into her. Sometimes she feels alone, really alone.
Daddy, doing what men do, thinks it’s ridiculous to be an exhausted “stay at home Mom”… all you do is stay home! (right)
“I work, I bring in the bacon, I’m the breadwinner, I’m gone 80% of the time, when I come home things should be in order”… why aren’t things in order. Money’s low, bills aren’t paid, vehicles broken, house is dirty, fridge is empty. What’s going on?
Mom is doing the best she can with what she’s given, for it isn’t until a man SEES the action behind the scenes that he truly understands
what it takes to raise a child.
Although love is important, there is also affection, time, dedication, selfless acts day after day after day.
Momma stresses Daddy out, Daddy stresses Momma out, everyone is stressed out.
Momma picks up a bottle to cope a little, to get a good nights sleep, all she needs is one good nights sleep--- but one night turns into five. Daddy, on the road, he does his own thing to release the tension, pain, and negativity. He falls into pits of darkness finding it hard to crawl out.
He calls, they fight, she drinks, he smokes, she blames, he blames, there’s infidelity, bitterness, aggravation, and tension… but they have one connection, one thing worth fighting for, the beautiful daughter, baby girl, they brought into the world.
Questions arise, “should we even be together, how is this supposed to work, I thought you loved me”.
Mommy seems miserable, the baby/child can sense it. She sees Momma cry most of the time---Daddy sheds his tears on the road, away from home. He doesn’t allow people to see his pain, he hides it. Holidays come and go, around everyone it’s all smiles, when they get home all hell breaks loose. Momma has secrets, Daddy has secrets, they are broken individuals who are even more broken together.
Momma tells her daughter several times, “I’m staying for you, I want you to have a family.” Daddy explains “It’s a grown up thing, you
Wouldn't understand. Your Momma doesn’t know how hard I work for this family.” They fight, oh they fighting, the screaming, yelling, breaking, throwing, violence, drugs, alcohol, again—the yelling.At one point her and Momma leave to get a loaf of bread at the grocery store… and never return home. They drive 14 hours before stopping. Momma cries the entire way there, she’s scared. It will be okay, I trust her, I really trust her. She explains that she and daddy need to be apart to make things better. Daddy finds out they have left town and is enraged, “you will regret this.”
The daughter—confused—she just wants permission to love both of her parents, nothing more nothing less. She hates being away from her father. In fact as an adult, when she is mad at Daddy, Momma explains how much she hated life without him during the time they were gone.
Eventually, a year later, Momma goes back because she sees the pain in her daughter’s eyes, her daughter wants her father. Her daughter doesn’t understand what she escaped; she doesn’t understand what the price of returning is… she just wants her father.
Upon return to Daddy, the situation was sticky but baby girl was happy to be a family again. Her family, one again… behind the scenes, arguing, misunderstanding, aggravation. To the world, it was good, inside it was tense.

Baby girl is growing up, seeking truth, seeking love, she knows a lot, she sees a lot. She’s misunderstood, she’s different. She likes challenge and victory, she’s head strong, determined to get her way, she’s a bit on the spoiled side. Little respect for herself or others, she’s headed down a bad path. Baby Girl, questions her worth, her position, and whether or not she should have even been born. She doesn’t understand why Daddy hits Momma when Momma always says Men should never hit women. She doesn’t understand why Momma drinks, what’s in those bottles and forgets everything she said the night before. She makes promises, breaks them, Daddy says things that are very hard to believe about Mom, but would he lie?

As a teenager baby girl doesn’t understand the true place of a woman in the world. She doesn’t know what true family structure is and she actually thinks life is supposed to be chaotic. If there isn’t drama, something isn’t right. She thinks whoever “works” in the home has the power, the authority, and when others don’t listen—she should smack them around until they get it.The tension began to take over baby girl…. Mom and Dad’s problem became her problem… she now numbed her pain, clung to anyone who told her she was pretty. And Baby girl, at one point, thought about taking her own life to ease the tension. What does she have to lose, she’s not a contributing member to society yet, no kids, no responsibilities, others have everything to GAIN… they can move on- guilt free, nothing holding anyone back from happiness.

See that was baby girl 11 years ago… lost, confused, and questioning existence. Baby girl today knows the value of a parent, the struggles we face, the stress, the pain, the ups, the downs… she understands the road to salvation and the power of a praying mother--- her mother NEVER stopped praying. She now knows parents are human, they fall, they rise, they fail… but they are our parents. I’m positive God gives us experiences- good and bad- for a reason… He will get your attention, at all cost. I see things now through His eyes, through prying eyes. I get it, I understand how my Mom felt when I considered her weak, how my Dad felt when I saw him as a failure… I get it. You HAVE TO be able to see past your own opinion and envision what’s inside others… because we ALL fail. Not one day do I dwell on my Mother’s failures, never, I see her faith and strength. I see her for her, her heart. I don’t see my Dad as the violent or angry person he was at one time, he’s my father- he’s always worked hard and I admire his determination to feed his family.
Why do I see them, the real them? Christ showed me what I could not see with my own eyes.

 I wrote this because it’s a true story. Kids see all, they hear all, and they are a lot smarter than you think. EVERYTHING we do as parents affects our children… our attitude, our demeanor, our responses, our faith, our failure, everything.

I’m praying that parents stand up, rise above addiction, and above issues, and see past their own weaknesses.
No One has the right to judge you……………………….. except your children.  
Love yourself, respect yourself, and they will grow up and bring the same pride and respect into their own family and relationships. If you don’t like who you see in the mirror--- what do you think the kids think about who they see.
Being a parent is a blessing, but it’s a difficult task.

***I can’t tell this story without mentioning two life saving women in my life- my Nanny and my Grandmother. Through all of this, and I mean all of it, they kept baby girl grounded, they kept her happy, and t blessed her in many ways. These two women are my source of energy today and I love them both very much, they saved my life.***

 
This blog dedicated to my parents, these two people mean the world to me and I’m glad God chose them for me. See love shines through failure, love doesn’t fail. I see love when I see them, everything else fades away. Although they had hard times, my parents loved one another, a deep love that was able to see through all the bad things for over 20 years… a love that never died. It’s beautiful to me.  

 
Have a blessed day! Rachelle

 

Smallness.

Smallness.

To an untrained eye or someone who only sees things for the way they look and/or sound, this won’t make sense.

We go through life and judge what we see and hear. We like the sound of it, the like the sight, we enjoy the moment.

We judge people and their decisions, we criticize their lifestyle, we joke about their struggles, so all humans go through life with strong senses… very strong senses.

What does that mean? When you see someone, when you look at their life-- their marriage, their family, their lifestyle, their belongings, their religion, their past, their position--- you need to be able to see the history, the battle, and the story behind it.

I find so often people are quick to say, “she acts funny” or “she’s not real”--- when they have no clue what her definition of real is and the pain, struggle, and past she has been through. Success always comes from somewhere… it doesn’t come from nothing.

Don’t base your perception on what you see or hear… both can be deceiving.

 

I call this smallness, people who can’t empathize or understand until they are backed into a corner and forced to do so.

Small thinkers are selfish, they see things through their eyes, no one else’s, and think that life will be fine as long as they do so.

They speak about Suzie down the street and her issues because they can’t stand the thought of their own problems at home, they undermine people who are good to them because they know they could never be the same to someone else, they destroy friendships and marriages because they know they will never posses relations of their own. They really can’t stand to look INSIDE so they turn their focus OUTSIDE.

IF you aren’t careful you will become this way, it isn’t hard to get caught up in smallness, in fact it’s everywhere- family gathering, grocery store, work, ect. So I wonder at times, is this a test of my Faith, is God testing me with smallness, to see if I can avoid it at all cost…? Hhhmmm…

 

It’s important to know that some people can’t see and hear beyond what’s in front of them, they are shallow… and you can’t change that.

I watched an episode of Dr. Phil the other day with women “proud to be mistresses”---- and all I could think was “how shallow can you be”?.?.? To be unable to see anything but what is in front of you must be a miserable way to live. I began to feel really sorry for them rather than mad because what a sad way to exist, to be enclosed in a box unable to see or hear anything past your selfish mind frame and your cold heart. Unable to feel real feelings. Some people are stuck, they aren’t happy- period. They haven’t figured out why, if they have they are too proud to change it or they simply can’t change it. Seeing others sad or mad may even make them feel better about their position….. SMALL THINKING.  

The saddest part, if people can’t hear and see things of this nature, like feelings, emotion, love, empathy, hurt, pain---- they probably can’t see and hear Christ either, pray for them. It’s important to go past what you see and hear, put yourself in the place of another, love yourself enough to love others, so that you can get out of that box. God didn’t create you for a box, He created you for the world.

 

Sometimes, people are too big for me--- I have to let them go. I can’t handle them and the hardest thing to admit is when you can’t handle something, so you hold on it to because you are determined not to fail, one more chance, then BAM--- you’re hurt. Seriously, let it go. Anyone who loves you will do just that, LOVE YOU. It’s not losing to let go, it’s a decision that you make in order to keep your sanity and freedom (don’t go to jail). J Really, how precious is your sanity, what’s it worth to you. Again, it’s seeing someone for who they truly are, not who they say they are. It’s okay to let go, God gives us the power to do that when the time is right… some friends aren’t meant to be forever, period. They served their purpose in your life….Accept that and move on. This isn’t EASY---- but it’s NECESSARY.

Get away from small thinking, small living, and small understanding. Small natured people never fulfill their purpose, they never step out of the bubble--- meaning they can see things going on around them and they are miserable because they don’t UNDERSTAND it. Their hearts are cold and their emotions are numb, they are bitter and hateful, because they are stuck in smallness. Smallness is like being stuck in this trap that only allows negativity and selfishness, it’s failure in the highest degree—you fail yourself and people you love.

I’m no saint, I’ve lived small before, I’ve been confined to my own opinion--- but it doesn’t work for me. I realized I can’t lead, I can’t learn, I can’t succeed from inside a box. I have to see people, understand them, empathize with them, and above all forgive them. I literally have to place myself in the shoes of others at times, as much as it kills my pride!  Over time I’ve looked at people in my life and realized-- they are like the Dad on Honey I Shrunk the Kids… small. If I am around smallness, I am small too… it’s not a matter of being better than someone else- because I’m not----------- it’s a matter of evaluating where I am in life, where I want to be, and doing what’s necessary to get there. I don’t want to be small, I want to be as big as Christ needs me to be. Listen to your heart cry, if it’s dying to get out of a box, get away from smallness--- set it free.

 

I pray today that God takes us out of the box, the smallness, and bring us to big things…

 

Have a blessed day!  Rachelle

Marriage---Ride or Die?

Decided to blog about marriage today…

I’ve been married for 4 years, 4 interesting years.

I married someone I’ve known since the age of 14, my child’s father, my best friend, and honestly someone who knows everything about me.

He is the only person on earth who knows that much about me. (Dangerous)

He is the only child by his mother and I am an only child so our household is pretty funny at times as we are both brats.

 

The best advice on marriage, if you aren’t ready, don’t do it!

I am in love but I wasn’t fully aware of the responsibilities that come with marriage. It requires attention, time, patience, devotion, love, and above all prayer. It isn’t good all the time and you have to learn to work through differences in a very unselfish way… you need to know HOW to do this. You also have to learn that marriage is between you and your spouse, no friends, kids, or family should be allowed in your business. No matter how mad, upset, or angry you get you have to seek out the best in your partner and for your partner.

Marriage gives new meaning to the term “ride or die”. LOL

 

It’s a big step and it can be a disaster if you aren’t prepared and ready for it… but it can also be beautiful. To share your life, good and bad, is fun. You have someone to walk with you through things, to make you smile, and to just be there to make you feel safe.

The Key: marry a GOOD MAN.

What a good man is not----- PERFECT. I find it funny when I hear women “search” for the right man yet they aren’t the right woman for anyone…? Don’t search for someone who doesn’t exist either. If he’s fine, rich, kidless, big home, nice car---- he ain’t SINGLE.

 

All jokes aside, marriage is a partnership. Satan works in marriages everyday… but together you have to overcome that. Be with a person who picks you up and makes you smile… someone who leads you to Christ and away from harm. Don’t settle for less than you deserve, he doesn’t need to be perfect but he needs to be smart. If he’s into other women, let him marry another woman. A man should have his mind and eyes set on you and you only. I’m not oblivious to male tendencies however I am convinced that real men, once they give their life to Christ, are able to battle any demons set before them.

As I said Satan works hard, you have to be able to walk with a man through hard times… he’s a man and WILL have them. The end result: a marriage stronger than you ever pictured, a family with a solid foundation and Christ as the head of your household. Christ put women in a man’s life for a reason, we are the emotion, the thinkers, the feelings… we lead them in areas they lack… but you have to be willing and able to do that.

 

Corinthians speaks well about marriage, I’ve read it a thousand times… here are some of my favs---

 

“Love is not self seeking, it’s not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrong.” (1 Corinthians 13:5 )

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for each other.” (1 John 3:16)

1 Corinthians 13 that “love is kind,” “does not delight in evil,” and “is not self-seeking”

1 Corinthians 7:27-28, that “those who marry will face many troubles in this life.”

I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. (1 Corinthians 11:3)

 

My husband, good person, good man, good father, and good husband… not perfect but good to his family. I don’t regret sticking by his side one day and I’m grateful that he and I have been through so much, there’s history and we are strong because of it.

Satan works, but he never wins. Never. I’ve enjoyed my journey with my husband and I know we can do anything through Christ. Good times, bad times, hard times, we are one… we do whatever necessary, forsaken ALL others, and make things happen. A bond no one can break, blessed by God, and supported by people we love… it won’t fail as Love never fails.

God first, family second, everything else after…………….

Thought of the Day: If you aren’t a strong woman you WILL NOT stay married. Period.
Key: Any man can love a million girls, but only a real man can love one girl a million ways.

Have a blessed day, Rachelle