I Love Hugs!

This morning when I went in to get little Chloe up, she smiled, then wrapped those sweet little arms around my neck in such a wonderful, warm hug, I nearly had tears in my eyes. As I was basking in the glow of her hugs, I thought how wonderful it is to get such love just because my baby loves me.

I wonder what our Father feels when we come to Him just because we love Him. Is a simple act of sincere worship a hug to our Father? Does He thrill at the warmth of it? Does He smile to Himself? Does He feel such genuine love right down to His toes? Does His heart rejoice at such a simple act? I think the answer is an absolute YES to all of the above! If we love our children so much, how much more does our Father love us? Oh what a wonderful thought!

"The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing."
-- Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV

You are God's Masterpiece

A Sweet Fragrance

Now thanks be to God who always

leads us in triumph in Christ,

and through us diffuses the fragrance

of His knowledge in every place.

For we are to God the fragrance of Christ

among those who are being saved
and among those who are perishing.

--2 Corinthians 2:14-15 NKJV

Have you all looked around lately at the faces people are carrying around? Somber faces... frowns... irritated brows... sullen eyes...what's wrong? Have you ever been guilty of carrying around any of these? Not too long ago, my daughter said to me, "Mom, why don't you ever smile, anymore?" I said, "I smile! I smile all the time!" She said, "You used to, but not very often anymore..." I said, "Really?" She said, "Yep," and went about her day. Huh? What? I smile. Don't I? I thought I was carrying around a happy demeanor. Haven't I been? Apparently not.

It's funny how many things we do that we don't recognize. We get so caught up in the busyness of our days that we don't always take the time to think how others interpret our body language. Oh my goodness, the conviction I felt when my child said this to me! Sometimes it's the smallest voices that we hear the loudest. All this time, I thought I was a fairly happy person, quick with a smile. Maybe not as quick as I once had been...maybe a little too busy...a little too caught up in the doings of every day to smile. Oh gracious...have I really forgotten how to smile? Sure enough, that blue-eyed genius of mine is on to something.

I recognize it in myself because I see it in others. The man who pushes past me at the department store, mumbling under his breath...the woman that cuts me off in traffic...the teenager that doesn't even look me in the eye at the drive-thru...the cashier who speaks to me as if she's a robot, not really caring to hear my answer...do you recognize these people? Of course, I noticed it in others. I have moaned and groaned about how rude and uncaring others are. It really bothers me because in them I see myself. "Yeah, hon, it's a really cute drawing...now let me finish what I'm doing...," I say with barely a glance at my child. "Uh-huh, uh-huh, really, huh...," I say to my husband as he's telling me about his day, not caring to listen. "I don't have time for that." "I'll read you a book later." Oh, the Holy Spirit is speaking right to my heart. I am those people! Why would anyone want what I have? I never have time for anyone else. I'm too busy carrying around my own burdens. I display my frown like a trophy for all to see. My bad mood shows in every wrinkle between my brows. Where's my smile? My laughter? My joy? Who would want my Jesus? Could they tell a difference in me whose hope and faith is in Jesus and someone without that hope? Where's the difference? Can they see the difference?

God certainly used my sweet girl to call attention to this matter and it needs to be corrected, immediately. Yes, times are hard. Yes, suffering and heartache abound. Yes, there is hurt and loss. Yes, there is stress in every day. Yes, people are sometimes mean and unkind. However, this world is not the end of me! I know Jesus. I know Who holds tomorrow. I know there is rest in Jesus. I know there is a land of Living Water. I know Him! Oh my soul, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and present your face forward with a smile! We have Hope! Everywhere you go, show those pearly whites with joy in your heart. Laugh. Have a good time. Breathe in Jesus and breathe out His sweet, sweet fragrance. Oh, the sweet fragrance of Hope, Joy, Peace, and Salvation! Leave that fragrance behind you every where you go, so that others will want what you have. They will want joy because of Jesus. They will want hope because of Jesus. They will want peace because of Jesus. They will want salvation because of the sweet fragrance of Jesus. They will want what keeps you going with a smile. Oh, it's bottled up in you already if you know Jesus as Savior, but you have to take the cap off, pull the tab, push the button, and release the sweet fragrance of Jesus!

Made for More

I wonder if Joseph always knew he was made for more. When his brothers dropped him in the pit, I wonder if he knew he was made for more than pit-dwelling. When his brothers sold him to the Ishmaelites, I wonder if he knew He was made for more than slavery. When he became the overseer of his master's home, I wonder if he knew he was made for more than seeing over another's property. I wonder if he knew he was made for more. When he was cast into prison because of a lie, did he ponder his purpose? I wonder if he knew the Lord was with him during the good times and during the bad. I wonder if he could see the Lord's hand in all that transpired. I wonder if he knew he had a purpose so complex that he couldn't grasp it while going through his trials. I wonder.

I wonder if you know you are made for more...more than this world has to offer. I wonder if you know that you are made for more than living in the shadows. I wonder if you know you are made to live in the Light. I wonder if you know that you were created for a purpose...a purpose that is yours alone. I wonder if you realize how complex the mysteries of God are and if you realize He's working this all for your good, for your purpose, for the glory of God. I wonder if you know He loves you. I wonder...

Beautiful Scars

Hi there! Sorry it's been so long since I posted. Being a mom of three sometimes keeps me so busy, I don't know if I'm coming or going. And, sometimes being Mom doesn't leave me much time for blogging. I know you all understand.

We have been doing Beth Moore's Believing God bible study at church. It is so powerful. If you ever have the opportunity to do this study, I highly recommend it. Anyway...in the study it talks about Rahab. (You can read all about her in the book of Joshua.) I am captivated by Rahab, the harlot. I'm sure you all know how Rahab hid Joshua's men from the soldiers in Jericho. She bargained not only for her life, but also for the lives of her family. God used Rahab, a harlot to fulfill His plan. Because she was faithful, God spared her life as well as the lives of her family. He used a broken woman...a scarred woman...a defiled woman to fulfill His purpose. She wasn't perfect. She wasn't a member of the PTA. She wasn't Supermom. She hadn't done all the right things. She hadn't said all the right things. She didn't know all the right people. She allowed herself to be used by men. She wasn't a perfect, neat-as-a-pin, pristine, innocent woman. She was a prostitute. A harlot. A woman with scars. Yet, God found her and used her for His purpose. God loved her so much that He sent His men to her house so that she would be saved. It was no mistake or coincidence that they showed up on her doorstep. It was God orchestrated. God had His eye on Rahab's heart. He loved her. He loved her so much that she was chosen to be in the lineage of God's precious son, Jesus Christ. Oh yes! Check out Matthew 1 and see Rahab's name listed. Oh, yes, ladies! God redeemed Rahab and used her in the lineage of my Savior, Jesus!

Oh, ladies, doesn't that give you hope? Our scars do not make us ugly to God, not by any means. It's our scars that make us beautiful. It's our scars that God uses to redeem others. Surely if God could use Rahab, He could use me. Could it possibly be that our scars are what render us useful for God? I think so, too.

Dear Lord,

Thank You for loving us when we are unlovable. Thank You for seeing us as treasures when others deem us worthless. Thank You, Father, for Rahab. Thank You for showing us that scars are beautiful...that they are redeemable through the blood of Jesus Christ. Thank You for teaching us that no life is hopeless. Thank You, Lord, for showing all of us that we can be used, no matter our past or circumstance, to glorify and further Your kingdom. Thank You for second chances and broken dreams. Thank You that we are all a continuous work in progress and though we may not have it all together, Father, with You we really do have it all!

Amen.

:) Becky

Yes, Lord!

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days. Last week, I was enjoying A Woman Inspired Conference. I just have to say that if you are ever given the chance to participate in one of these webinars...they are fabulous. I believe God really moved in that conference and touched so many hearts, including mine. It was fabulous, just wonderful! Can you tell I enjoyed it? :) This week I've just been busy. I don't really know busy in what exactly, but I just couldn't find the time to blog. Please forgive me.

I do have news though! My husband and I have been praying and searching for a church, where we could serve God. Well, Sunday, we joined a small church in the next town over. I didn't know we were going to join, mind you. We had visited there several times and always enjoyed the service and fellowship. However, Sunday was different. My husband and I hadn't made up our minds where we would spend Easter Sunday until the family was in the car and we were headed out. I believe that God sent us there. The pastor preached a wonderful message and the Spirit was stirring my heart. During prayer before the invitation, my husband said to me, "I think we need to join this church." If you could have just seen the look on his face, you would know he was hearing from God. And, if you knew my husband, he doesn't make such monumental decisions in a snap. I knew God was speaking directly to his heart. I was astonished. "Today?," I asked. He nodded his head...and I said "Yes, Lord, use us here." And, again, I feel like I'm walking on sunshine. Our entire family has been changed somehow since Sunday. I can't really put my finger on it, but changed nonetheless. So, please pray that we will serve the Lord with our whole hearts in the new church where He has placed us. God truly does work in mysterious ways.

I just want to say how thankful I am for all my bloggy friends and my real life friends that visit Everyday, A New Beginning. You will never know the encouragement and support you bring to my heart. If I'm having a bad day or great day, for that matter, I know I can pour my heart out here and you will prop me up with your prayers. I pray God blesses each and every visitor to this site and that He plants a seed of love and hope in each heart. Yes, Lord, use me here!

:) Becky

**A little side note: Barbara at Beyond Still Waters has honored me with a Sisterhood Award. She has a precious heart for others and you know by her words that she loves Jesus. Y'all should stop by and say hello. You will leave there refreshed. And, Barbara, thank you so much, and I promise to pass the award along soon. :)

A Grateful Heart

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. -- John 3:16 NKJV

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Happy Easter, Jesus! Words can never express the depth of Your love, nor the price You paid on Calvary -- for me. I am not a perfect woman, of course You know that well. How many times have I fallen on my face before You, only to have You pick me up again and set me on my feet? You knew the sins I would commit against You. Still, You chose to walk the lonely path to the cross for me. You knew how grieved Your heart would be to have me reject Your ways time and time again. Still, You love me. You carried my sins upon Your back to Calvary. You allowed my nails to be driven through Your hands to the cross. You allowed Your blood to spill from Your side, so that I may be covered in Your everlasting Grace. You could have called ten thousand angels but You didn't. You chose to die for me. There is no way I can ever repay You. There is no deed I will ever do that will be enough. Yet, I will be with You through eternity because You love me that much. How blessed am I to have a Savior like You! From a humble, undeserving, but oh so grateful heart, thank you Jesus, my Savior forever!

:) Becky