Live, Laugh & Love

Friday morning, I was going through some old files Friday morning and came across the theme of one of our family reunions I planned. Live, Laugh & Love. I was reminded to live every moment, laugh everyday and to love beyond words.

Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage. Ecclesiastes 5:18 (NKJV)

Later that afternoon, our nation was rocked by a horrible act of violence at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. I was reminded that life is a vapor.

 “whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. - James 4:14 (NKJV)

Today, I encourage you to live, laugh and love. Live every moment. What have you been putting off? Celebrate each day with your spouse, children, family and friends. Make plans and keep them.

Laugh everyday. Just look around you. If you look, you can find humor in your life everyday. Kids making silly faces, embarrassing moments or even talking with a friend.

Love beyond words. SHOW people how much you love them. Make a card, bake someone cookies, or any random act of kindness.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, show us how to live every precious moment You have gifted us. Let us enjoy this earthly life, until You bring us home. Please forgive us for any time that we have taken for granted. Lord, help us to be light hearted in this fallen world. Help us to laugh at ourselves and bring joy and laughter to others. Show us how to love beyond words. Use us Lord to accomplish Your holy will. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

"ME" Time - PART TWO- Girl Time!

Last week's blog talked about what we can do in our spare time to bless our husbands.


Side note: Single moms - you do have a husband - his name is Jesus. He looks for you to pursue ways to please him as well. He loves for you to seek out time to be with him. To exercise and be in "shape" for those moments HE wants to use you in ministry.  Keep your face towards Him and watch how he puts those opportunities in your path, which allow you to feel close to Him. Allow Jesus to be your perfect husband right now in this season.


This week we will explore the importance of having "girl time" scheduled into our week.

Many times as moms we are the last person on our list. We seek to serve others and forget to plan some "me" time into our schedule. I am hoping you will see the importance of friendship and how it's something we need to cultivate and encourage in our life. The impact is life changing.

We should have at least one day per week that we get out, for ourselves, with no responsibility, and just enjoy the sweetness of friendship. Get refreshed. Rejuvenated. Ready to face the week ahead! Ready to share the struggles of the week that just passed. I need to be intentional about getting together with friends and have learned in my life that if I am not... than unfortunately those friendships will suffer. 

I LOVE Starbucks! Yes I enjoy their Frappacchinos but I love what their store represents even more. Starbucks symbolizes sweet times with girlfriends. Sharing life. Doing Bible studies. Catching up. Reminiscing. Making new friends. Relaxing. Gleaning. Laughing. Enjoying great coffee.


Scripture reminds us of the importance of friendship in our life...


Proverbs 18:24 NIV
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.




Proverbs 13:20 NIV
He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harms.




John 15:13 NIV
Greater Love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.




Proverbs 27:17 NIV
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another




Proverbs17:17 NIV
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity




Proverbs 22:24-25 NIV
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared




Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NIV
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work; If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!




Proverbs 15:22 NIV
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

When is your "girl time" scheduled this week? 


I once had a friend say that in order to start something new you have to let go of something old. So elementary yet so profound. What, in your schedule, do you need to let go of to make some room for girl time?


 If it is not on your calendar yet then plan to call up a friend and get some coffee together. Mark it down. Get a sitter if necessary. Then share. Cry. Laugh. Enjoy. Pray together. And then repeat all of the above on a regular basis and watch how you will be refreshed, challenged, encouraged and ready to face the world! 


Life is busy. Make time for friends!


You might just be surprised @ the ministry opportunities HE allows you to be a part of as you get out :)