FEAR

Today seemed to be one of the longer days of my life, partly for the fact that I sat in worry about my husband during his mediation and that the lord would give us the answer for all parties. Secondly, I am burdened with something in my life that is forcing me to face my fears. It is hard to understand why the mistakes of your past never seem to disappear, but continue to taunt you forever. Today, was a mountain I am facing with my daughter Sarah. It is up to me to ensure that I don't look back as I am climbing. Some of you who are familiar with what is going on with my little girl, know that I am faced with huge decisions concerning Sarah's future. Pray that I will make the right decisions for her and my family. She is such a beautiful spirit and a joy in my life.

Though a mighty army surrounds me,my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked,I will remain confident.Psalm 27:3

MY BABY IS ALL GROWN UP

Tonight I went to see the Birdsong family at church and had the privilege of holding baby Elly through the concert. She is the most adorable baby and just seeing her sweet little smile brought a flood of memories back to me of the first time I saw Tyler Steven and the nurse placed him in my arms. My how time flies and before you know it, your little one is all grown up. Little Elly was kicking and squirming around, especially when the crowd would clap... her little feet would just get going. It feels like yesterday that Tyler was squirming around on my lap sitting on the church pew. Last night I watched my little one get all dressed up and head off to the Sr. Prom. I was fortunate enough to have the first dance at prom with my son during the mother, son dance and what a handsome man I have raised. I could barely hold back the tears as he looked at me and said, "momma, I am all grown up." I think it was that moment I realized that I could no longer protect him and my prayers will never end for health and well being of my children. I am not sure as a mother we ever stop worrying about our "babies" and I can't imagine every losing any of my children. I stay in constant prayer for the Dossett family and the loss of their son Tyler Steven.

The Lord is really working in Ben and my life these past few weeks and we are about to take a step closer to the next chapter of our life. I am uncertain what God has in store for us, but I am sure that as we leave Clarksville he will use us as ambassadors for his will.

We will walk in faith and wait on his guidance.

Guidance might be summarized by three verbs: Going, Growing, and Waiting. Loving God, others and living in God's direction mean going into the world as Jesus did (John 17:18), growing into the character of Christ (Eph. 4:13), and waiting on Christ's return (Heb. 9:28) and these three verbs, describe our willingness to serve though his guidance.

This reminded me of how it is difficult to get through each day with all the stress in our life right now, however, we have a choice to praise Jesus for all he does. I will continue to rejoice, even when I feel burdened by the stress of my every day life.



The Choice to Rejoice

Habakkuk 3:18......."Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." During Habakkuk's life he faced a time when he stood to lose everything. We see this in our society today....right now......with our failing economy. We also stand to lose what little we may have on this earth. Habakkuk was about to lose his crops and livestock, which was his means of making a living.

These words "I will" shows his belief that he could "choose" his response to the approaching loss. He could either sink into despair or rejoice in God's redeeming power. Although his decision was not a denial of his pain, it WAS a decision of his trust that God would stay with him and be his strength and enabler.

We also have this same choice every day. Refusing to choose is also a choice. It's an unconscious consent to be "overcome" rather than to be an "overcomer." Loss and pain will happen in this life........but we CAN choose to REJOICE!!

When rough the path from day to day,
When sorrows fill our eyes with tears,
Our choice to find our joy in Christ
Can soothe our soul and calm our fears. (D. DeHaan)

Today I am soooo sad and is one of those days where you ask God why?!?

Carla Dossett lost her son in a car accident this morning I was in the middle of a major meeting with a vendor that our company is going to work with, when I was told and could hardly hold my composure.



I left the room immediately to try and process what I had just heard. I immediately started thinking back to the first day I met Carla, she was a "prospective student" at Draughons and came in to meet with me. She came to the appointment just to tell me that her husband had been laid off work and she couldn't attend school, but needed to find a job. I contacted my Director to help her get on with us and eventually she did. After beginning her career with us, she lost her father shortly after. Now more tragedy comes her way with the loss of her child.



I can't pretend to imagine how she is dealing with this loss, I only can think to pray and know how lucky I am to have my children safe for the moment. This has been such a humbling day for me and I pray for my friend Carla and her family for their loss.

Please pray for the Dossett family as each day will be a struggle for them.