And Just Like That...

Have you ever felt like your day was God-ordered and "in line" with His plan for the day? AND THEN...something happens? And just like that - you're out of His will.

This morning was great. Matt has been out of town for 4 days and today he's coming home! Anticipation of his return energized our house as we prepared for school. The kids dressed quickly, excited about the "we can wear jeans" day. Normally they wear khaki bottoms with their uniforms everyday. Sam dressed quickly and put on his usual uniform-approved black shoes. In an effort to be a "fun idea" mom...I suggested he wear his "cool sneakers" today. After all - he was already in jeans!

During our ride to school, we had a great talk about doing the "right thing" and being kind to one another. "Things happen everyday and we have a choice of how to react," I inspired. After dropping them off EARLY (kind of a rare occasion), I motored on home feeling like I had really been a great mom today.

Entering the house I began praying for the family and focusing on getting a "word" from God today. My lesson lead me to the state of a heart. This was going to be a GREAT day in God.

In the middle of my really spiritual moment - the phone rang. It was Sam's teacher letting me know that those "cool shoes" I suggested did not meet "uniform standards" and I needed to bring different ones. And just like that...

I love his teacher. But just like that-my spirit of mercy, love and kindness left me. I took the shoes but I was NOT happy about it. I didn't do anything externally-but my heart was huffing. The "reaction" lesson I just spoke about less than an hour earlier was MY lesson for the day.

Sometimes the "word" from God isn't in the scripture...it's in living. How I am living day-to-day shows whether the scripture is sinking in beneath the surface layer of my heart. My prayer today is to be so full of God's love that my reaction matches God's heart.

Worship

Today I heard a great quote:
"Worship is the only activity we participate in that will be carried over to Heaven".


Think about that: Not committee meetings. Not dressing nice for church. Not job status. Not anything else...worship.

"Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength." Luke 10:27

"The hour is coming, and now is, when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those that worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." - John 4:23-24 NKJV

It's easy to say, "put God in the very highest place". But what does that mean and how do we do it?

Personally, when my focus is somewhere other than where it on the Lord, I try to redirect my focus through gratitude. I begin thanking Him for all I have.

If you feel you've "lost" so much (and in this economy - that is definatly possible), thank Him for what you have left.

You don't have to wax poetic in perfect rhyme and meter. Just tell Him just how much He means to you. Tell Him how much you love Him. Tell Him just how much He is WORTH to you. Is He more precious than silver? Is He more precious than Gold?

You don't have to walk around Wal-mart with your hands in the air singing hymns (unless the Spirit leads). In your everyday, mundane activites just start thanking Him.

*Unloading the dishes..."thank you for the food You provided".
*Folding the clothes..."thank you for each member of my family and for safety and health"
*Cleaning the toilet..."thank you for indoor plumbing."

For 2009, I want to be more consistant in my worship. Not just Sunday morning - daily. After all, when we worship Him, He comes near (Psalm 22:3). Then, it's Heaven on Earth!

TSMS-Red Wing

Today, my TSMS post is a little different. It's about a song...but as stirring as any lyric. Suzanne Gaither-Jennings wrote and read a poem called "Red Wing" at one of the many Homecoming videos hosted by her parents, Bill and Gloria Gaither.

If you will hang with it...and have children...especially little boys...I think you won't regret the few minutes it takes to hear it.

With two children of my own, who are growing up before my very eyes, I was moved by the perspective Suzanne offered as a mother. One day my children may turn away from all I've tried to place in their hearts...but I pray that wherever they are - they remember songs we sang and stories they heard and feel close to God.



More Then Sings My Soul with Amy at www.signsmiraclesandwonders.blogspot.com

Just a Cool Picture

This picture was taken at Bradley Falls in NC during a Geocaching adventure. Matt included his dad and a few of the cousins this time. I just thought it was a cool picture.

Just a Few Family Pictures

For Such a Time...

This weekend I returned to my hometown of Hartsville, SC for a special event - the 70th Anniversary of Miss Hartsville. While returning as a former Miss Hartsville/Miss South Carolina is an honor, this day represents much more.

Thirteen years ago, in a hospital room less than a mile from the location of tonight's program, my mother went Home to be with the Lord. I was Miss Hartsville that year. I must admit, when I was first asked to come back to emcee on THIS date, I nearly declined. However, God has used the time leading up to the event to point out parts of His perspective.

*Without the loss of my precious "Mama", there would have been no Legacy ministry message.
*Without the title of Miss Hartsville, there would have been no Miss South Carolina.
*Without the title of Miss South Carolina, there would have been no exposure and platform.
*Without the exposure, there would have been no invitations to share my message.
*Without the opportunities to share, there would have been no leading to write songs to incorporate that message through song.
*Without the leading, there would have been no music project.
*Without the music project, there would have been no "For Such a Time as This" confirmation in my life.

God truly does "align all the lines"...but only the passage of time gives us the vantage point to appreciate it.

Tonight I will share a short explanation of this event before I sing "For Such a Time as This". My prayer is that God would use the message of the song to offer hope and healing to those who may not understand what is happening in their lives right now...but still fully Trust the heart of God.