Slow Down with your life

Slow Down with your life......


Sometimes with the hustle and bustle of our everyday life we forget how gifted our life is. Sometimes we get so busy with work or everyday activities we forget to stop a minute and hug our loved ones. Actually taking the time to affirm just how much those around us actually mean to us.


"The child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him." (Luke 2:40)


God wants us to hold our children and love them every single day. Bringing our children up in this world is extremely hard, but knowing that we have grounded them in God’s faith will help smooth each day to come as our children focus on Faith. God shows us every day just how precious we are to so we should in turn show our children a Godly reflection.


As I sat in church on Sunday a phrase that my pastor spoke about really hit me hard, “Would you be happy if your children led the life that you have right now.” Would you be happy if your children were doing everything you are doing or have done? Thinking about our children and what will do in their future is a scary thing, but thinking about them living the same lives as us can sometimes be even scarier. WE have to set an example of Christian living for our children. WE have to be held accountable for who and what we are. Remember that sometimes the only Christ that people will ever see is the reflection you have of your Savior. People are scared away from God because they feel that they are not good enough, or strong enough, or sin-free enough. God knows that we sin every single day; however it is how we react to the sin in Gods eyes that matters. God wants us to rely on him fully, to cling to his wisdom and flourish in his Faith. Living each day as God as the center of our lives is the answer to having eternal life. We can be good, we can be nice, we can do this and that to climb the ladder, but if we do not have everlasting faith in our Father Jesus Christ and submit our lives to him, is that going to be enough? When you invest all your time and money here on earth, on this temporary life, what will God have to say, “Yes, you really did prepare for me?”


In Hebrews 10:22 God reflects on “Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
God wants us to whole-heartedly cling to him. Rely on God. An area of struggle that I have found that is really hard when you cling to God is having family members or close friends that do not “walk the walk.” We love those dear to us and we always will, but when you are guiding your life towards God’s will, sometimes we feel bad about ourselves for associating with those that don’t seem to follow his direction. I have learned through reading that we cannot change those people, we can only pray. God tells us not to judge, only to love.


Psalm 37:4-7  “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass ... Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.”


Believing and following Christ is very easy to say, however it takes you making a life changing commitment to take up your cross and follow God. Love God and love others, get your life where God wants it to be and never waiver in your faith. Days will be easy, days will be terribly tough, but God’s everlasting faith will carry your through the times that seem so unbearable. Trust in God, when your heart seems broken. Remember to think with your head when you heart is not clear. God will strengthen your heart along the way.


“…let us stop just saying we love people; let us really love them, and show it by our actions.” (1 John 3:18)


Remember following God is the ultimate path that leads us to righteousness.


“Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as garbage. All I want is Christ and to know that I belong to him.” (Philippians 3:8-9)

I decided to slow down with my life over the weekend.  I went into my daughters room, I pulled up an excel program and designed a little bookstore template where she could play bookstore, it was great.  She laughed and I did as well.  It was a moment where I stopped being so consumed by everyday life activities and just took time to enjoy the little things.  I also spent time with my boys this weekend, playing ball all over the house.  Last night I had the opportunity to help my daughter finish her science fair project, just she and I after the boys went to bed.  We had a great time and even made a happy dance video all over the den when we were done.  We posted it on Facebook to share our laughter.  Then to top it all off, on the way to school this morning my daughter (age 9) asked Jesus into her heart.  I have to tell you leading someone to Christ is one of the greatest moments in your life, but when it is your own child, words cannot describe the feeling.  I prayed with her and she prayed for Jesus to cleanse her of all her sins and come into her heart to live forever.  I was so overjoyed; tears were coming to my eyes.  It was the most remarkable gift I have ever received, knowing my daughter is safe, and has a place in Heaven one day. 

So just stop, look around and take those moments to spend quality time with those in your life that need you.  It doesn’t take all your time and the laundry and house cleaning will be there when you are done.  I have always been the type of person to get everything done first and play later, but what if we are not fortunate to have the later?  What if we are not guaranteed tomorrow and tomorrow is the day we could start regretting our today’s decisions?  I won’t take that chance any further; I will take the time now to focus on the importance of the now and those in my life right now.  I will make sure my children know before the house is clean how much I love and adore them.  I will make sure before the laundry is folded and put away how much my husband knows how much I appreciate him.  I will no longer neglect the things in my life that I expect to be here tomorrow for today’s tasks at hand.  I will focus on the ones that need me, that love me and that help me grow spiritually.  I will be reminded every single moment that God called me to be a wife and a mother and that job comes first before all of the other material things that don’t really matter.  I will put my family 1st and make sure at the end of the day when I lay my head on the pillow to talk to God that he is pleased with my daily decisions.  I want to make sure that my children get the love they need and deserve at home.  I want to make sure my husband knows how important he is and build him up as I learn to reflect more on being a Proverbs 31 wife.  I will respect my husband and love him all the days of my life.  My family is what matters most and my God is number one in my life.  Serving God first, being a wife second, being a mom third and serving my God through devotions are the rest.

All I need is my family, but my family needs to know that in the end all I needed with God & them.

Re-evaluate your life and what you place your importance on and SLOW DOWN.

God Bless you all,

KD

http://thedentedbucket.blogspot.com                                 dentedbucket@charter.net


NOTE:  I will be adding the Dented Bucket email users to my blog, so in the future you will start receiving your weekly devotions from my site (The Dented Bucket).  You may receive an initial email from my site asking you to just verify your email address, all you have to do is click the link and it will add you, takes less than 30 seconds.  If you do not receive them for a day or so check your junk mail, it might accidentally go there.  If you still do not receive them send me an email.  I have found this is easier, so that when I upload my devotion it will automatically send it to you.  Happy Monday, God Bless you all!