Received Free, Give Free!

I just love Beth Moore. She is spunky, she is southern, a woman of God, and she tells it like it is! A few weeks back, I sent out an email to some of my friends and family about some exciting things God was teaching me. It was actually through publicly sharing my quiet time with the Lord that I decided to start this blog. I couldn't have others possibly miss out on a really cool discovery in the Word of God! Sometimes we can read something and read right over an important message from the Lord. Well, I'm sure that I had seen the following verses before...but, prior to today, they were nothing more than words I skimed over with no known depth.

So, because I have been thinking a lot about "heart change" and giving, I thought I would post a summary of the email I sent (it's so good to have a refresher):

Read thsese few verses below and get ready to jump into some Greek study!
Matthew 10:8 "You have received free of charge; give free of charge."
John 15:25 "They hated me without reason."

The word "freely" and the phrase "for no reason" both come from the Greek word dorean. And Beth Moore states..."We have received freely from God in ways we can't begin to count, but has that unreasonable grace caused you to freely give of yourself to to others recently"?

Ouch!!! Doesn't that make your stomach turn! Wow, if only we freely give. And what is freely giving?

So this is what the Lord taught me that day and is reminding me TODAY -
I have received FREELY, FOR NO REASON, and UNDESERVED. Lord help me to give FREELY, FOR NO REASON at all, even when I think others DON'T DESERVE IT.
I just love digging deep and really grasping even a small understanding of scripture. Greek translations ROCK!!!

Blessings,

Jaime

A Practical Step

I have really been trying to take all practical steps towards making life more simple. It's not until I started throwing things out and giving things away that I was really seeing how much we have and don't need. As much as I think I could have more, there are so many less fortunate than me. It's sad that I have whined so much about things I thought were necessary to make life work. But once I have acquired some of those "necessary" things, it has only seemed to complicate life even more. There are more things to put away, clean, pay for upkeep, and simply stress me out!

A few weeks ago, Annalise and I decided to go through her playroom and decide what could be given to other kids who don't have much. Normally, I would fill bags and run them down to Goodwill or the Salvation Army. Yes, those are great organizations, but this time I wanted it to not be so "easy" for me and harder for the less fortunate. It doesn't take much heart work for me to bag up items and drop them off in a container. I wanted a family to not have to pay for used items, even at a thrifty price. Through a friend of mine, I had known of single mom that had several kids with birthdays coming up this month. I got her number, called her, and asked if she would be interested in several bags of toys and baby clothes. She was so excited to take them off my hands and be able to supply a good birthday to her children.

Now let me say that this was NOT easy for me. It was COMPLETELY out of my comfort zone. For one, I would classify myself as a little shy at times. I don't typically call strangers. Also, this single mom and I carry much different lives. Usually, I tend to keep my distance from people who are "different" from me. But the Lord has taught me so much lately about loving others and having compassion. He has broken me and given me a great desire to help those in need. It was such a humbling experience as I walked to her door and saw her smiles as I brought each bag in. She was overwhelmed and said that she could now take care of birthdays and Christmas! It was a sweet moment.

Now my next challenge I feel being called to is building a relationship with this mom and loving her beyond material giving. Hold me Accountable!

And for those times when I think I have failed miserably as a mom, I think of these sweet words my daughter continually prays at night. It sounds a little like this "Dear Jesus, please help kids in other countries get money to buy food and toys. And help the kids that don't have mommys and daddys get one!" I love that!

Blessings,

Jaime

Journaling

What is a journal? Well, for me, my journal has been a personal collection of thoughts, prayers, and/or daily happenings.

Journaling rules - Ha! The great thing is that there are no rules to journaling. At least I don't have any! All I do is write like myself. I define the length, the form, the language, and the attitude. No one complains about my grammar (at least when it's a private journal and not a blog). A journal does not need to satisfy anyone other than yourself.

How often do I write? My goal is to write daily, but I can tell you plainly that I have never measured up to that goal yet. Writing regularly is not easy, especially with a busy schedule. But since I have decided to also journal on my blog, I hope this increases my chances at journaling more often. I do tend to type faster than I write. And I enjoy blogging and reading others blogs.

Benefits of journaling - I will speak for myself on this one. I typically journal a prayer to Jesus. My prayers are conversations to the Father as if he were sitting right in front of me listening. Journaling is an avenue where I believe the Lord speaks to me. There have been so many times when I would write my frustrations and questions to God. And while my pencil is still in process of completing my feelings, the truth from His Word comes to life and teaches me. I think by writing my thoughts instead of always talking them out, has helped me slow down and process what the Lord might be whispering to me. And then writing the truth down has been such a powerful thing in my life. When I'm struggling, I can refer back to what the Lord has taught me and then speak it out loud and claim it yet again!

So, one day Annalise and I were spending some time together reading books when I decided I would share a journal entry with her. Because this particular entry was about the news of having another baby, I thought it would be fun to share. My joyous emotions were told. Her name was mentioned. And I even documented her excitement!

Annalise decided that she now wanted to keep a journal. What a wonderful habit to start at 5 years old! We went off to the store and picked out a special journal and let the memories begin! How fun this will be for her to read in years to come!

So, I highly recommend picking up a pen and documenting life! You will cherish it for life.

Blessings,

Jaime

Simplifying - Part 2

Another area in my life that needs "simplifying" is in my perfectionism. I don't have to "do-it-all." I am not perfect and I was never created to be perfect. There is only one that has ever and will ever achieve that goal. So I am constantly asking myself, "why do I keep trying so hard to be perfect?" It is an impossible task!

My perfectionism has lead me to fear, doubt, anxiety, insecurity and even physical pain. The Lord has been tugging at my heart for a very long time to slow down and focus more on what He has purposed for me. I know I need to listen and fully surrender, but control feels so right. And guess what? Can you believe that my way is not... sometimes... wrong, but ALWAYS a complete disaster!!!

Shouldn't this be easy? I have taken many steps towards simplifying my life. And they are good things (I'll be sharing those in a future post). The Lord doesn't want us to sit on our hands. We do have a part in this. But, am I allowing God to be the Pilot? Is he even involved?

Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23

The Lord wants me to have this kind of life. God stir up in me the courage to truly deny myself. I am not my own authority. Help me let go. Take control. I want this to be more than words but a soul changing event! Order my steps in Your Word.

"Knowing your purpose simplifies your life. It defines what you do and what you don't do. Your purpose becomes the standard you use to evaluate which activities are essential and which aren't."--Rick Warren, The Purpose-Driven Life

"Live life one surrendered day at a time. Eyes to the East. Hands to the cross. Feet to the path." --Beth Moore (speaking of Luke's message of denying self)

"The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak. "
--Hoffman, Hans

I have been blessed! My passion is to learn to not make life so complicated but to simplify it and savor it.

Blessings,

Jaime

Simplifying - Part 1

In the past several months, I have been felt called to "simplify." Many areas in my everyday life need simplicity. In a recent series called "Mystuff," taught by my pastor, I was reminded of how much we, as a society today, want more. I seem to struggle with satisfaction. Why is it that complaining has been at the forefront of my mind lately?

My house could be bigger. I want a more modern kitchen. I would like to stop eating Spaghetti 3 times a week. I wouldn't mind a new wardrobe. As a matter of fact, I need a bigger closet to fit the clothes I currently own. Florida water tastes bad to me. A big fenced in yard would be great. And obviously this list could go on.

And have I been keeping this ungrateful attitude to myself? Of course not, I make it quite clear to my little girls how much life could be grander. Well, to be honest, I thought that I have done a great job at teaching them to be grateful for what they have. The problem is that their mommy, the example and teacher, is not practicing what she preaches. Some of these "I want" statements are kept from my kids and are just strong desires inside. But I must say, it's pretty difficult for me to hide the attitude of my heart.

"For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." - Luke 6:45

It's time for change! I have failed time and time again. I have tried to tell myself that I am now going to choose to give to others and put me last. But, as I was reminded once again yesterday, I can't change myself. I can't just call myself "generous" and "thankful." I must have the desire from deep within the depths of my soul. I must ask God to change my heart. My actions will only be "good fruit" if God has produced it within me.

"Oh, God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.

I have seen you in the sanctuary
and behold your power and your glory.
Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you."

-Psalm 63:1-5


I pray that this blog will be an avenue for me to share my journey of what I have learned on this road to a more simple life.

Blessings,

Jaime