Exciting News: Part II

Hello Everyone!

Remember the post I wrote a few weeks ago with the picture of an NFL gift bag and a Tampa Bay Buccaneers cap? And I asked you to take a guess as to why I was so excited about it? Well, some of you guessed correctly!!!

I am thrilled to share with you that I will have the honor of singing the National Anthem at the September 26th Tampa Bay Buccaneers game!

I have never been to an NFL Game. So I'm even more excited that not only do I get to experience that for the 1st time; but I get to be there, on the field, doing what I love to do: SING!

When I think about the fact that I don't have an athletic bone in my body, yet I get to participate in America's Favorite sport, using the talents God has given me... WOW! Jesus blows my mind!!!

Never underestimate the power of your heavenly father! The doors he has opened for you to walk through will be greater than any you have ever dreamed of!

Thank you Jesus!!! You are GOOD... ALL THE TIME!!!

GO BUCCANEERS!!!

The Friend Chamber

I used to be boy crazy as a teen! I'd always be crushing on some boy. I'd obsess over him, pray over him, stalk him... You get the picture! God was always my priority, but boys were a close second! So at that age I imagined that when I got married someday, my heart would be full and everything in the world would be complete! Boy, was I wrong!!!

Being married is amazing! Especially if you are married to a God loving man that loves you for who you are and respects you and cheers you on and supports you and is the Spiritual head of the house as he should be and... I could go on and on bragging about my hubby, but I'll stop there! ;o) Yet, after almost 6 years of marriage, I started feeling a lack in my life. I was happily married - check. I had a beautiful baby - check. I have a dream that I'm working towards and see God blessing - check. So, what's missing. Why does my heart feel partially vacant?

This got me thinking about the heart. When we feel, we point towards our heart. In reality, we process our feelings in our head, not our heart. So, why the heart? My mind instantly went down this rabbit hole and it made me wonder. Huh... the heart. In it, there are different chambers. And we know God doesn't make mistakes. So, why is this vital organ that we assimilate with our feelings split up into different parts. All crucial to it's correct functioning. If one is not working well, you will surely be rushed into an ER to get that fixed, right?!

So, if the heart has different parts that help it work correctly, what does that say about the heart we "feel" with? And I got this visual: My heart is held by Jesus! He owns it! It is HIS! He is literally holding it with his hands. On the inside, however, there is room. Room for my husband. He owns a pretty large chunk of it! Then, there's my little guy. He's got quite a bit of the rest of it. But there were still holes left to be filled.

I had been feeling the effect of these empty "holes" take a toll on me lately. Not too long ago, I was longing for some solid friendships. Life had gotten so busy with family life, work, ministry, travel, that this part of my life had been neglected. I had been praying for God to bring people into my life that would fill this void. But for a while there, I didn't feel that prayer being answered.

Then, out of the blue, God starts sending people to me. Not tons of them. But a select few that have been surely filling those "holes" in such a good way that I am feeling beyond blessed! These girls have been GOOD friends! Lending a listening ear, sharing a good laugh, encouraging and sharpening me and I'm sure eventually we'll even have a good cry!

My friend chamber is being filled!!!

I am so thankful for my new friends! They are a blessing to me more than they will ever know! I encourage you to remember that even though there might be things in your life that are taking over the majority of your heart- may it be a passion, a dream you are working on, a boy...- that you be sure to leave room for those special people in your life that will lift you up and be there for you when you need them the most.

God gives us many gifts. One of the most precious ones is the gift of godly friendships! Cherish your friends! Don't take them for granted and let them know how much you appreciate and care for them!

Lord Jesus,

Thank you for holding my heart and for gifting me with the gift of friendships. Bless these ladies who are so precious to me! Protect them, keep them safe and help me be as good a friend as they have been to me!

In your name I pray, AMEN!