Serious business

***Just a quick update on my mom. So far, all of her test have come back normal - thank you Jesus - but they're still having difficulty controlling her BP and with her history of stroke they're reluctant to let her go home. Your prayers have been answered and I thank you for each of them, however please pray for wisdom for the Dr.'s as they change and adjust her meds. Thanks!!


My devotion this morning led me to James 4:8. Here's what the NIV says. "Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." Ouch. Double-minded. However, I looked at The Message translation and listen to this. "So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet." WHOA!!! The fun and games are over!!! Get serious, really serious!! OUCH!!

I think about things I've taken seriously in my life. I'm not proud to say that college wasn't one of them. I did what I had to do to get by. Now, when I went to work and actual people were in my care, THEN I took what I learned seriously. I applied the things I learned to those people I was caring for. I think about preparing for motherhood. Girl, I read every book out there. I thought that this was something I had REALLY get prepared for and since I'd learned thru my college days what a struggle it was for me to apply the things I didn't take seriously in the classroom I studied!!! I remember thinking as I checked in to the hospital to be induced with my first son, 'I AM READY'!!! (ok all you mothers better stop laughing right now, you know you did the same thing!! haha) Not 26 hours later (yes I was in labor for 26 hours!) I was lying on that hospital bed with my son in the crib beside me and we both were crying! I had no idea what I was doing! I was T-TOTALLY unprepared for this! Those books didn't know what they were talking about! Can I get a witness?! haha

Anyway, after they kicked me out of that hospital - and believe me I went kicking and screaming - I realized this was IT! I had no choice. It was time to grow up, put on my big girl panties, and get serious!! (hope that didn't offend anyone! haha) I was a medical assistant with a family practice. I was the go to girl that new mom's called with their 10,000,000 questions. I was the one who gave advice to them, yet as I held this amazing little boy in my arms, I HAD NO CLUE!!! (My hubby still laughs about that one!)

So I think about my walk with God. How many years did I do what I had to do just to get by? How long did I take Him for granted? How often did I open the Word just to check it off my to-do list? OUCH! The fun and games are over, get serious, really serious! I'm so glad that I did hit bottom, not to say I won't ever go there again, but I PRAY now that he'll keep me from that. In fact, my God Calling (I know, here I go again with that book! haha) this morning reminded me that "the powers of evil watch you as a besieging force would watch a guarded city - the object being always to find some weak spot, attack that, and so gain an entrance. So evil lurks around you, and seeks to surprise you in some fear. The fear my have been but a small one, but it affords evil a weak spot of attack and entrance and then in come rushing despondency, doubt of Me, and so many other sins." Does that sound serious to you? Sure does to me!

In The Message James says "Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field." Sweet sisters, I love each of you who have popped onto this blog, but if you're not already, it's time to get serious! It's time to quit playing the field, quit being double-minded and really get serious! I can't tell you how my life has changed! It seemed for so long I lived from tragedy to tragedy, drama to drama, and now...peace, joy, hope and yes, calm! In the midst of a 10, 8 and 5 year old, calm. (on the inside anyway! haha) In the midst of my mom in the hospital and not being able to get to her to know what's happening, peace. In the midst of job insecurities, joy. That's serious business sweet friends!!!