God is in control

My azalea bushes have been blooming for almost a month now.  I researched bloom times and discovered that what is considered an early bloom occurs in February.  My azaleas missed that memo.  They began blooming when the weather was in the high 40's.  They look beautiful and continue to bloom daily.

My azaleas are ultimately controlled by God.  He decides when my particular bush will bloom.  This is true with every part of our lives.  Regardless of what books, doctors, friends, family members, and we think, God is in control.

Proverbs 19:21

Many are the plans in the mind of the man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. 

Psalm 115:3

Our God is in the heavens; He does all that He pleases.

One of my friend's daughters was diagnosed with brain cancer a few years ago.  I did not know her at the time, but she has told me stories of the pain.  She watched her sweet baby undergo surgery, chemo, and radiation.  She watched her fight for her precious life.

Her beautiful daughter is now a first grader.  Yep, she beat the pants off of the brain cancer. 

Yesterday, my friend had to take her daughter for her yearly check up to make sure the cancer has not returned.  She has been complaining of back pain, so my friend was concerned.  Actually, more than concerned.  She was sick to her stomach.  She was flooded with emotions almost too painful to bear.  She asked if I would pray for them and, of course, I said I would.

I actually had been praying for her sweet baby girl ever since I was told her appointment date.  I pleaded with Jesus to keep her healthy and for those around her to see His glory and love.

I texted my friend throughout the day to let her know I was praying.  I prayed for her, her sweet baby, and the entire medical staff all day.  As I was on my morning walk, she texted me that they had finished with the sedation and were about to start the MRI.

Here is what her text read:

"She did wonderful with the sedation!  We snuggled nose to nose as I sang to her while she fell asleep."

As I read her text, I had to stop walking.  I wanted to cry my eyes out.  It hit me that the love that she so unselfishly offered her daughter is the kind of love our Father offers us everyday.  My friend was beyond scared, yet she placed her fear aside to comfort her baby girl.  I am crying while I write this.  What a brave and wonderful woman God blessed this little girl with.  She is so strong and amazes me with her strength.  She knows her strength comes from her sweet and loving Jesus.

Praise God.....

She is cancer free!!!!!!!  

I cried and cried when I found out last evening that her body is healthy and she gets to be a little girl who can play and pretend without any sickness in her body.  My daughter asked why I was crying since she is cancer free.  I told her that I was just so filled with joy for my friend and her family and their sweet baby girl.  Sometimes joy comes in the form of tears....lots of them.

No matter what the statistics and percentages read, GOD IS IN CONTROL.  HE decides what will happen.  He doesn't consult doctors, books, or people.  He is KING!

2 Corinthians 5:7

We walk by faith, not by sight.

If you are facing something that feels hopeless, know that GOD IS IN CONTROL.  May we praise Him for that wonderful fact!

Be careful little eyes what you see...

(I found this on Google Images)

My husband and I try and teach our children the ways of the Lord.  We talk about Jesus and try and model behaviors that He instructs His children to do.  Often, we are very much in the minority, but we stick to our guns because we know at the end of the day, it is Jesus that matters.  People have told us that we need to relax our ways a bit so our children will fit in and not feel left out.  We want our children to stick out for Christ!  We NEVER want to go against Christ so our children will fit in with the world.  

Our diligence in Christ is certainly beneficial for our children.  They do not feel they have to have a significant other to be worthy.  They are secure in their worth in Christ.  They are not worried about fitting in or going along with the crowd.  We have had teachers and adults tell us what leaders our children are and how polite and respectful they are.

Our oldest son will leave for college in a year and a half.  He is already looking forward to joining a Christian fraternity.  He knows he must surround himself with believers in Christ and those who want to further God's kingdom.

I tell you all of this not because we are perfect.  We are anything but perfect!  We mess up and ask for forgiveness often.  I tell you this because I am heartbroken and a tad angry at what my children have been telling me lately.

Did you know that the movie Pitch Perfect is the rage among children and teens??  

I will be honest, I haven't seen the movie.  I haven't had the desire.  Here is a portion of what I found on www.pluggedin.com....

These a cappella competitions aren't just about singing. There're also about dancing, with some of the moves falling into the bawdy/suggestive category. One oversexed Bella is particularly fond of running her hands over her breasts and toward her crotch, but she's far from the only one guilty of suggestively touching or gesturing to certain areas of their bodies. Amy, during one dance number, rips open her shirt to reveal the undergarment beneath.

Lyrics, too, can stray—particularly during one "riff-off" where contestants are asked to sing songs explicitly about sex. The tunes range from Foreigner's "It Feels Like the First Time" to Rihanna's "S&M," which includes the lyrics, "Sticks and stones may break my bones/But chains and whips excite me."

Beca is solicited for the group while taking a shower. We see shoulders and backs; we hear discussion about covering "junk." Leader Aubrey initially hopes to sign on "super-hot girls in bikini-ready bodies." A woman's nipples (comedically enlarged) are visible under her shirt. We see girls in bikinis and guys in Speedo-style shorts.

One of the Bellas is a stereotypical lesbian who sometimes ogles or inappropriately touches her fellow singers. Another singer is known for her promiscuity. And much is made of Beca being visibly attracted to a guy in a rival group. Three of the girls are kicked out for sleeping with them.

Many more references are made to either having sex and not having sex. We hear about herpes, body parts, confused sexuality and "sluts." Beca is given a rape whistle when she arrives on campus. "Don't blow it unless it's actually happening," she's told. A girl's breasts are (lightly) punched. A female announcer says of an all-female a cappella group, "Those girls could turn me."

No need for perfection

Psalm 119:96
I have seen a limit to all perfection,
but Your command is without limit.

Do you struggle with perfection?

I do.  I want everything I do to be perfect.  If I don't think I will do it perfectly, I often won't even try.  I don't want to experience the f word....failure.

I received a wonderful camera for Christmas.  It is so neat that I'm certain it could probably fold my laundry if I programmed it correctly. 

The problem...I don't know how to use it fully.  I became frustrated yesterday because I want to know it all...NOW.  I want my pictures to be beautiful and crisp...NOW.

If you notice, the picture I posted is not clear.  I wanted the beautiful yellow tree to be in focus.  Instead, the green tree closest to me is focused and the yellow one is fuzzy. 

I will have to read and practice for my photographs to become what I want them to be.  They are not instantly perfect. 

As I was reading through my devotional this morning and praying I came across Psalm 119:96.  It hit me like a ton of bricks....I DON'T HAVE TO BE PERFECT AND NEITHER DO YOU.

I realized that perfection doesn't matter.  It is the journey that does.  God has never called us to be perfect.  He knows it is impossible. 

Matthew 22:37
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.

God has called us to love Him with everything we have.  He has called us to rely on Him for everything. 

I can not find one Scripture that tells me I have to be perfect and that is so refreshing. 

Yes, we are to be hard workers.  We will not gain what we do not strive for.  However, perfection is not what God is looking for and neither should we.  He wants us to relax and love Him with all we have.

I will continue to study and practice with my camera, but I will remind myself perfection is not required.  Focusing on God and living for Him is.