Guard Your Dreams

Recently I self-published a book called “Bear the Mouse with Allergies and Asthma.”

It’s been a dream of mine to write for as long as I can remember. I’ve always loved letters that make up words, word games, the library, and bookstores. I used to write stories as a child. I would proudly show them off, only to get made fun of.

In third grade my teacher asked us to write a book report about a hero. I wrote about my dad, the only hero I knew at that time.

I’ll never forget the embarrassment and confusion when I received the report back with a big “F” across the top of the page written in red pen and many exclamation points “THIS IS A COP OUT!!!!!!!!”

Being a third-grader I had no idea what a “cop out” was – I just knew it was something not good.

I remember in 10th grade English class I squeaked by with a D. Every paper I wrote was not received well.

I gave up writing after that. Although I still loved to read, and read everything I could get my hands on, I stopped writing stories. I was confused on how I could do so terribly at something I loved.

Fast forward many years later and I was sitting at a women’s conference. I heard the speaker say “Good readers make good writers.” That planted a seed in me, and I actually started to entertain the idea that I could possibly write.

After that conference I felt I was in a funk. I had no creative outlet, whatsoever. I felt frustrated and stagnant.

I decided I would do some life coaching with someone who was objective, and didn’t know me on a personal level. After asking me what I did as a child that made me happy, he suggested I start a blog. That suggestion gave me hope, and something to dream about. I decided I would start that blog.

What I learned along my journey is people will have something to say if you share your dreams with them. Even your closest friends may have something negative to say.

When I shared my book idea with some friends I had a lot of unsolicited advice. I had my own visions on how things should look, and they had theirs. Some people even made negative comments about my story.

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Tell God all your dreams and ideas. He’s waiting to hear from you. After all, He is the one who put those dreams and gifts in you, and He has great wisdom.

Protect your ideas and gifts at all costs. Don’t second guess yourself. Don’t let people talk you out of your dream. What area have you struggled in, or people have come against? That may be the area you are called into.

1 Peter 4:10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

Finally, don’t wait any longer. Someone else needs what God created you to do.

New Children’s Book Out

Hi All!

My dream of writing a book finally came true!

“Bear the Mouse with Allergies and Asthma,” a children’s book is on Amazon in paperback and e-book.

It has always been a dream of mine to write a book, and I hope to write many more.

I’m so thankful to God for giving me this story, and I’m hopeful this book will bring a bit of joy to each child’s life that reads it.

Whatever your dream may be start small if it seems overwhelming, but just take the first step. Make time to do it, maybe put a Do Not Disturb sign on your door. The world needs your creative idea 💡

See you in the next post. 🐻🐭

Bear the Mouse with Allergies and Asthma: Bear the Mouse https://www.amazon.com/dp/1737966301/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_9XKD89XAB5FK7MMFWW1J

Bear the Mouse with Allergies and Asthma

Stuck In a Season

     What do you do when you feel like you are stuck in a season? 

     In my case, I feel like I have been stuck in a season for quite a few years now.  A season of sicknesses, excruciating back pain, a much needed surgery, marriage break down and divorce, financial struggles, family issues, and a pandemic.

As much as I wanted to hit the fast forward button, there was no getting out of it. At times I had a full blown pity party, and cried, wanted to faint, curl up in a ball, and at other times I was thankful and cognizant that God was carrying me through the long days.  There are many people that are dealing with lifelong disabilities, and sicknesses, and when I saw people that were worse off than me I was ashamed of myself. Life is hard, but how do we deal with things when life is tough?

What does God’s word say about times and seasons?

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: 2 A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; 3 A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; 5 A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; 6 A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; 7 A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; 8 A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace.

Galatians 6:9 ESV

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

As nice as I think it would have been it not to go through these challenges, where would I be, spiritually, had I not faced these obstacles? Will you still stand, and believe in God when things get rough? Or, do you only love Him when times are good? 

I know what has carried me through these difficult times is being in a prayer group.  Praying with other believers, and having them pray for you.  Exercising, taking a walk, or sitting outside with a book.  Other things that helped me was rearranging my furniture, getting a mani/pedi, and simply trying new things.  I recently took an overnight trip, and drove a couple hours away, which doesn’t sound like a big deal, but it was scary for me without my husband there to do the navigating.  I recently wrote a short children’s story which is something I have always wanted to do.  As soon as I self-publish it, I will let you guys know.

Even though I can tell the tide is shifting (after all, nothing ever stays the same) I have to consciously practice self-care, and take control of my thoughts.  What would life be like if everything was good, without its challenges? How would we be able to help and encourage others if we couldn’t empathize and know what their pain feels like? After all, one of life’s purposes is to help others.  

No matter what, God will use every bit of bad that we have gone through for His purpose and glory.  So wipe your tears away, take a deep breath, and thank God for all the good things you have and that are coming your way.

The Hardest Decision I Ever Made Was to Follow Jesus

I look at the title of this, and I cringe.  Following Jesus should be fun, and easy.  You would think everything in your life would get better, your bank account would be overflowing, and all your problems would go away.  That didn’t happen when I made my decision to follow Him.  

Matt 16:24 ESV Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

What does this mean? For me it means when I want to give up I remember the scripture  Philippians 4:13  NKJV “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  When I look at my bank account that says I have .67 cents in it, I trust His word  that says Philippians 4:19 “And my God will supply all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

When I get sad and depressed and I don’t want to get out of bed, and I think about my husband sleeping in his new bed, in his new apartment, I give the situation to God, and try not to do what I would have done in the past which is try to get back at him, or make him jealous.  I remember when I told God that He could have my marriage, and everything I had was His. Even when my heart hurts so bad and I cry until I have a hard time breathing, and my eyes are puffy I recall Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.”

God has a plan and a hope and a future for me, and you too. 

Following Jesus means that I get to witness his goodness in situations.  Everyday, I see His hand in my life, and the lives of others around me.  I see His goodness when I only had a few dollars in my bank account, and the person at Chick-fil-A  told me she paid for my food.  I see His beauty in every sunrise, and sunset when I marvel at the beautiful golds and reds, and different shades of pink.  I see His goodness when I get to pray for someone, and they have hope in their eyes, and look so much more hopeful than when I first saw them.

Every single day I have to make decisions in the little things like holding my tongue when I really want to tell someone what I REALLY think,  when my alarm goes off in the morning and I have to decide, am I going to sleep in, or am I going to spend some quiet time before the kids wake up and read God’s word?

Following Jesus doesn’t mean everything in my life got easier, and I don’t struggle.  But following Jesus gives me a hope that I didn’t have before. It means that His Mercies are new every morning, and forgiveness is always available for me.  Following Jesus means that everyday is a surprise, and I get to see His hand in my life, and the lives of those around me, His Goodness, Grace, and Love, and that is why I wake up everyday hopeful and press on, and why I made the decision to follow Jesus.