Recently, I have been feeling the urge to let go of commitments and things on my to do list that are distracting me from these precious ones during the day. I’d like to look at this as not, “Letting go,” but, “Making room,” for the more important.

The first thing I’m letting go of in order to make more room is Bible study. Although this is a very wonderful thing, and I benefit greatly from it, this is just not the right season for me. Between taking care of my husband, taking care of the kids, homeschooling, and managing my home its easy to feel overwhelmed at times. I feel God leading me to focus my strength and energy on one place and to do it well. I have been feeling like I am merely running here and there to lots of good things, but I am doing them below the potential God has given me. I am going to be trying an online Bible study and see how that works. I’ll let y’all know how it goes!

The second thing I plan on letting go of in order to make more room is my Iphone. Dont get me wrong, its helpful, amazing, and convenient. But…its also a nuisance, distracting, and aggravating. From phone calls, texts, email alerts, Facebook alerts it’s just another one of those things shifting my focus from where it needs to be. Boundaries is the key word here. I am feeling bombarded by this world with every little sound it makes. I am going to attempt to go back to my sweet little flip phone. I’ll let y’all know how that goes as well:)

I am hoping these two small changes will make a difference in some of the clutter in my mind and put it back to an eternal perspective. My goal is to slowly start adding to my list to lift this burden that was never intended to be there. This job God has given me must take priority.

In what ways are you making room for the important in your life?

Ever wondered why you are the way you are? What is it the way you were raised, temperaments that were passed down from generations past, or people who you surround yourself with? The older I get the more I am seeing that God gave me this personality for a reason. He does this for all of us in order to weave together His perfect plan, from the perfectionist all the way to the laid back procrastinator.

I would describe my personality as goofy, laid back, and rebellious. I know that these were God-given to tailor to my family and their specific needs, just as my husbands and children’s personality were meant for my needs. I have not always been so laid back, but I think God has formed this out of necessity for not going insane when things don’t go my way. As far as the rebellion, I’ve always had that. God is using it in greater ways for His glory than the, “Not listening to authority,” idea you get when you hear someone is rebellious. Instead, He is showing me not to follow crowds and basically do the opposite of the world.

Today, let’s stop comparing ourselves to others we wish we could or should be like. We have these God-given personalities for purpose. Let’s use them for His glory!

As I go through this life and am faced with the ups and downs that come along with it, I have realized that this here wife and momma needs to become a fighter! Not only for myself but for my home and family. It is no secret that the devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy. You better bet that the more you love the Lord then the more he is waiting to pounce at any opportunity he can get. I have gathered five different ways to bring out the fighter in me so I can stand boldly and protect this sweet family of mine.

The crazy crew I’m fighting for.

1. Be a prayer warrior. Honestly, I’m always a little leery of this phrase. After all, we should be praying all the time any ways. This isn’t just some spiritual gift that some have and others don’t. This is a command and it is for our own benefit. What I mean by the phrase prayer warrior is to pray with a vengeance like you and your family’s life depends on it, because in actuality it does. I often struggle in this area. I’m slowly trying to train my mind and heart to pray throughout the busyness of days. Even simple words directed to God amidst chaos do not go unheard. When we are talking to God, rather it be thanking Him for a moment, or asking for help, our hearts are directed to Him. There is such power behind that, and most of the time we are never even aware of it.

2. Surrender no opportunity. We have all heard Christians and non Christians say, “Never go to bed angry.” This is a statement that holds true, however the reasons go very deep. This not only means to fix problems with your spouse before the next day. This also hold true to any offense that has been made our way. It delights satan when we have been offended. He would love nothing more than for us to harp on words that were spoken by whomever they may be. He is the one in our brain replaying the tape recorder over and over again and laughs as we get madder and madder. Let’s stop this in its tracks and give over no opportunity to weaken our spirits. He wants us weak so he can take his chance to pounce on us or our family. Solve your issues with anyone right away as if you and your family’s life depended on it, because in actuality it does. This will not only form a hedge of protection for your family but will influence the offender and your children.

3. Gather your army. I heard a phrase at Bible study, “Run to the throne and not the phone.” I 100% agree with this. When issues arise we should run to Jesus and not the first person we can think of to call. However, every good strong fighter knows they need other strong fighters around them. They need the accountability, the trust, and someone to help them up when they’ve fallen. We all will fall, so we need our armies close. Surround yourself with them like as if you and your family’s life depended on it, because in actuality it does. This also means that we pick up other members of our army when they fall, or perhaps fight alongside them as well.

4. Look at the big picture when the little one stinks.  Oh man… this one gets me. In the middle of those crazy, hectic days when the kids are fighting, your running on little sleep, and everyone and their brother wants to call ya, it hard to keep your boxing gloves on. Most of the time I want to throw mine out the window. When we look at our current situation instead of the big picture of God ordained interruptions its easy to grow weary. In all this, we are not praying, and we are giving the devil major opportunity to succeed. We must keep our vision. Someday, the vision might be to simply keep everyone alive, fed, and make it to bed that night. Even in that, there is hope to make it through those tough days. Other days your vision may go further into the future of the kind of people you are trying to train for God. Either way, when things are tough, look up to God and ahead. Do this as if you and your families’ life depended on it, because in actuality it does. When things are easy remember to look down at those sweet faces and enjoy.

5. Be determined, not overtaken. We must wake up each day with war paint smeared on our faces in determination to rise above, receive grace, and give it.  Do this as if you and your families’ life depended on it, because in actuality it does. Rather we want to believe it or not, we are in a war zone. This could be with the world, or even our own flesh. The best news of all is that we are not alone in any of this. We can feel undertaken at times, but we truly never are because God has already won the victory. He is on our side and is whatever we need Him to be at any given time. Some days he may be our revolver to blow satan’s head off. Other days He may be our bullet proof vest to protect us from blows from the enemy. There may even be days where He is simply are place of rest and refuge to recuperate from the battle. He is so good to us.

Never give up when things look hopeless, others are in the same battle. You never know, there may be someone in your army praying on your behalf 🙂

Sharing this with: The Prairie Homestead,  A Mama’s story, Raising Arrows, The better Mom, The Modest Mom, What Joy is Mine, Far Above Rubies, Growing Home, Heavenly Homemakers, Time Warp Wife, Thankful Homemaker, Mamal Diane, Teaching What is Good,  A cat like curiosity, Mom’s the word, conerstone cofessions, A proverbs 31 wife, Some of the best things in life are mistakes, Let this mind be in you, A Wise Woman Builds her home, CSAHM Parenting Linkup, Deep Roots at Home, Graced Simplicity, Raising Homemakers, Women Living Well, Hope in Every Season, Jill’s Home remedies, Little Natural Cottage, Our simple country Life, Raising Mighty Arrows, The Purposeful Mom, Consider the Lillies, Happy and Blessed Home, Homemaker by Choice, Your Thriving Family, My Joy Filled Life. New Life Steward, Hometead simple, Christian Mommy Blogger, Let this Mind Be in You, Heart Reflected