As I put my son down to bed last night I was contemplating Proverbs 3:5,6: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Several years ago, I can remember leading children in worship to this verse/song. It was a wonderful upbeat song that they loved to sing. I loved singing it with them also. Since then this verse has never left me...
As I sang the song in my head tonight I heard "How is your lean Tami?" I first said, "WHAT?" Then I sang it again and stopped at that part in the song and went, "OHHHH!" The first part of this verse says to trust in HIM with all your heart. Not with some of your heart, but ALL of your heart. The next part of the verse states that we are not to lean on our own understanding. I believe this is a reminder from our Father that if we are truly trusting in Him with our all that there will be NO lean in our stature. When we trust in Him we have to have His foundation under our feet and we are confidently standing up straight in our walk.
The next verse tells us to acknowledge Him in every way. He already knows the decisions that we will make before we make them. He loves us so much that He wants us to submit all our ways to Him. When we trust Him with all our heart His promise is to make our paths straight! WOW, if I just trust him with everything He will make my paths straight and not so bumpy.
If we truly abided by this verse life would be so much easier! We, as humans, enjoy control over our lives and our loved ones. He wants us to give ALL of this to HIM so we have no lean in our stance.
I don't know about you, but I have adjusted my lean tonight. I am standing a little more straight and tall so He can make my path straight!
BE blessed & BE a blessing!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Educate, Educate, Educate!
Educate, Educate, Educate! This cheer has been in my heart and my mind for many years. I went to college to learn how to be an educator. I have an incredible passion for educating others and being educated myself!
In December 2009, I was released from my position as a teacher because of health reasons, I felt my life as an educator was finished. I was devastated, at first, realizing that I may never be able to be in a classroom again. The last ten years of teaching definitely had there up's and down's but I can honestly say I wouldn't have it any other way. However, all my dreams and aspirations of teaching generations of students was soon evaporating in my mind.
I began to ask serious questions of why did this have to happen to me, can I truly live out my purpose if I am not teaching children,?etc. Of course, now I know that this is not the truth. God has had big plans for my life for long before I was formed in my mother's womb.
In 2004, at a Youth Retreat the Lord began to reveal a taste of the plan's he had for me now and in the future. After the altar call for our teenager's I felt a strong urgency to get on my knees. The Holy Spirit began to speak to me in my heart and mind about his calling for me to pastor's wives and women. He showed me a vision of myself in front of hundred's of women bringing encouragement and preaching the word to them. He told me that I was going to help Him show women how to take off their mask's /veil's and reflect Him. At the time I was overwhelmed and wondering how this was all going to happen. My husband and I were serving as Youth Pastor's at the time. We loved pouring into students and seeing their lives transformed by the word of God being sewn into their heart's.
Also, at this time I had an amazing job teaching Kindergartner's and I loved it! I saw myself as being GREAT with kid's but adults, especially women, scared me to death. I could not see myself as a motivational speaker to women. This was not in MY plan for my life.
Throughout this last year the Lord has really shown me that my career is not over! He has been showing me that my life as an educator has only just begun. I realize now that I had put God's plan in a box to fit my unperfect plan. I am so grateful that he loves us way outside of the box that we try to put Him in! He dreams much bigger dreams for us. We just have to be willing let Him paint the picture for us to follow and then take the painting and apply it in our life.
So, my life as an educator and lifelong learner is just beginning. I feel God is stirring something in me right now to educate, educate, educate women around me to live beyond the veil. So ladies, I am educating myself and seeking His direction for this next step for my life. Ladies I encourage you to continue to educate yourself daily with the word of God. Make sure that you are seeking His plan for your life. He has only just begun His work in you. Be willing to let Him shake stuff up in you to be all that you can be for Him! Be Blessed and BE a Blessing!
P.S. Ladies of DAG... Get ready, because I am stirred up to Educate, Educate, Educate!
In December 2009, I was released from my position as a teacher because of health reasons, I felt my life as an educator was finished. I was devastated, at first, realizing that I may never be able to be in a classroom again. The last ten years of teaching definitely had there up's and down's but I can honestly say I wouldn't have it any other way. However, all my dreams and aspirations of teaching generations of students was soon evaporating in my mind.
I began to ask serious questions of why did this have to happen to me, can I truly live out my purpose if I am not teaching children,?etc. Of course, now I know that this is not the truth. God has had big plans for my life for long before I was formed in my mother's womb.
In 2004, at a Youth Retreat the Lord began to reveal a taste of the plan's he had for me now and in the future. After the altar call for our teenager's I felt a strong urgency to get on my knees. The Holy Spirit began to speak to me in my heart and mind about his calling for me to pastor's wives and women. He showed me a vision of myself in front of hundred's of women bringing encouragement and preaching the word to them. He told me that I was going to help Him show women how to take off their mask's /veil's and reflect Him. At the time I was overwhelmed and wondering how this was all going to happen. My husband and I were serving as Youth Pastor's at the time. We loved pouring into students and seeing their lives transformed by the word of God being sewn into their heart's.
Also, at this time I had an amazing job teaching Kindergartner's and I loved it! I saw myself as being GREAT with kid's but adults, especially women, scared me to death. I could not see myself as a motivational speaker to women. This was not in MY plan for my life.
Throughout this last year the Lord has really shown me that my career is not over! He has been showing me that my life as an educator has only just begun. I realize now that I had put God's plan in a box to fit my unperfect plan. I am so grateful that he loves us way outside of the box that we try to put Him in! He dreams much bigger dreams for us. We just have to be willing let Him paint the picture for us to follow and then take the painting and apply it in our life.
So, my life as an educator and lifelong learner is just beginning. I feel God is stirring something in me right now to educate, educate, educate women around me to live beyond the veil. So ladies, I am educating myself and seeking His direction for this next step for my life. Ladies I encourage you to continue to educate yourself daily with the word of God. Make sure that you are seeking His plan for your life. He has only just begun His work in you. Be willing to let Him shake stuff up in you to be all that you can be for Him! Be Blessed and BE a Blessing!
P.S. Ladies of DAG... Get ready, because I am stirred up to Educate, Educate, Educate!
Friday, February 25, 2011
PRECIOUS...
This evening as I was climbing out of Josiah's race car bed I took a minute to gaze at his precious, little, sleeping face! The red light from his Lightning McQueen lamp was illuminating his sweet face. His eyelashes looked like they extended half way down his cheeks because of the shadows that the light was casting. His lips were pursed as if he was in deep thought. His little fingers were holding tightly to his brand new Thomas the Train toothbrush that he got at Wal-mart today!
I kind of laughed inside as I began to walk out of his room. I then began to think about how every night he chooses something to hold tightly to as he goes to sleep. I might think his things are so insignificant, but to the Si-Guy they are precious. One night, it is all of his trains, when he was about 2 I can remember him sleeping with a dinosaur card he received from his Aunt Tracey. The many things that he has slept with have been cute, funny, sweet and very sentimental to my precious boy. Golf clubs, dinosaurs, shoes, books, Blue, cars, rainbow colored bear, cereal bowl, etc are just to name a few.
We may think that these things are not important enough to sleep with, but to him they are his livelihood. He really thinks that if he doesn't take it to bed with him he might not have it in the morning. Of course, I know that they will be waiting for him in his bed every morning. It has become tradition for him that the thing that he is gone to sleep with one night is the 1st thing he looks for in the morning.
As I walked out his room tonight, I felt strongly that the word precious was laid on my heart to share tonight. Webster's Dictionary defines PRECIOUS as:
Precious:(adj)(high price or great value; very valuable or costly: precious
metals. Highly esteemed for some spiritual, non-material, or moral quality:
precious memories. (noun)Dear; beloved: a precious child. A dearly beloved person; darling.
As I read the definition of precious, I couldn't help but think of my precious little one sleeping soundly in his room. He is my precious boy that has great value in my eyes. He is more precious than any metal or memory that I have in my past. He is my now but he is my future. He is my dear one, my precious child, my darling. He is my miracle baby that I was told that I would never have. I esteem Josiah very high in my eyes.
However, as I think of my precious husband I see how he fits the exact definition of precious to me also. He is my beloved and one that I highly esteem. Of course, the list can go on and on of my family and friends that I consider precious in my life.
Then I began to think about those "things" that I have that I hold precious... such as my wedding ring, my many bibles that have been given to me, pictures, anointing oil bottle, blankets made by my grandma, hankerchiefs from my great grandmother, the vanity in my room, my journal and so many more "things" that I could name off that are precious to me.
I can't help but think about what our Father says about us...
*Psalm 19:10
They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb
*Proverbs 3:15
She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
*Proverbs 8:11
for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
Our Father compares us to the most precious stones that we have on this earth. He tells us that none of these can compare with us! He tells us that we are sweeter than honey! He looks upon us as his most precious, prized possessions. These "things" that we have on this earth cannot compare to the precious future that he has in store for us. He watches us everyday and takes note of those things that are most precious to us. He cares for us that much! You are truly precious in His sight! He holds us tightly when we are going through the toughest trial in our life. He rejoices with us when we rejoice. He mourns with us when we grieve. He delights in us. We are HIS precious!
Be encouraged tonight that you are precious in His eyes even in the midst of your sorrow, grief, anger, joy, etc.
...And my precious still holds his Thomas toothbrush tightly as I close... His precious...atleast for tonight!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Is the Son shining in Your Storm?
It was a beautiful, crisp morning in North Georgia! Frost was covering the grass and trees outside for the 1st time this year. The weather was beginning to take a drastic change in Georgia. The season felt like it had changed from Fall to Winter in a 24 hour period! The sky was a beautiful bright blue and the clouds were fluffy and full! The sun was shining in all of it's glory on this beautiful day.
On this glorious day I had to run the normal errands to the grocery store, bank and to the Christian Book Store. Josiah was in his car seat acting out Toy Story 3 and singing along to "You got a friend in Me!" When all of a sudden, out of nowhere this beautiful day changed for a moment.
Something that resembled rain, sleet, freezing rain and snow began to come down very quickly! Josiah even commented, "What happening Mommy?" What was so strange was the sun was still shining, the sky it's beautiful blue and the clouds fluffy as ever. But the storm was raging on my windshield as I drove down the road to complete my list of to-do's for the day. In less than two minutes the storm had left and everything had returned to it's brilliant beauty.
We completed all of our errands and started the trek home to take a nap, when all of a sudden as I approached Sawnee Mountain it began to storm so bad that I had to pull over to the side of the road. The same storm that hit my windshield earlier in the day came down in sheets in front of me. At that time I looked at the other cars coming towards me and they strangely looked dry! Was I the only one experiencing this odd storm? During the storm the sky was bright and glowing. In less than two minutes the sky was clear and we were on our way. In a few moments we were home and ready to take our afternoon nap.
Josiah settled in for his nap and the Holy Spirit began to speak to me about what had happened on our routine day out running errands. He said "Tami, in the midst of your storm is the SON still shining?" You see the storm was raging on that brisk afternoon but the sun was still shining on! He wants us to remember that in the midst of our storm He is still shining for us. He wants us to remember to keep His SON shining in our storms of life. The storms of life rage, come quickly and they come when we least expect it. We can soon be overwhelmed with the storm in front of us and forget to look to the Son. He will hold us when we shiver in the storm. He will make sure that we make it home after the storm. His SON will keep shining through the storm. Are we willing to give Him the glory during our storm? Do we take the time when the storm is raging to look to the one who can turn our mourning into dancing?
This week you may have a storm that is stirring, you may have a storm that is pounding you so hard that you want to take cover or you may be on the virge of the storm lifting...I urge you to look to the SON! Let Him shine in YOU! Be BLESSED and Bless OTHERS!
On this glorious day I had to run the normal errands to the grocery store, bank and to the Christian Book Store. Josiah was in his car seat acting out Toy Story 3 and singing along to "You got a friend in Me!" When all of a sudden, out of nowhere this beautiful day changed for a moment.
Something that resembled rain, sleet, freezing rain and snow began to come down very quickly! Josiah even commented, "What happening Mommy?" What was so strange was the sun was still shining, the sky it's beautiful blue and the clouds fluffy as ever. But the storm was raging on my windshield as I drove down the road to complete my list of to-do's for the day. In less than two minutes the storm had left and everything had returned to it's brilliant beauty.
We completed all of our errands and started the trek home to take a nap, when all of a sudden as I approached Sawnee Mountain it began to storm so bad that I had to pull over to the side of the road. The same storm that hit my windshield earlier in the day came down in sheets in front of me. At that time I looked at the other cars coming towards me and they strangely looked dry! Was I the only one experiencing this odd storm? During the storm the sky was bright and glowing. In less than two minutes the sky was clear and we were on our way. In a few moments we were home and ready to take our afternoon nap.
Josiah settled in for his nap and the Holy Spirit began to speak to me about what had happened on our routine day out running errands. He said "Tami, in the midst of your storm is the SON still shining?" You see the storm was raging on that brisk afternoon but the sun was still shining on! He wants us to remember that in the midst of our storm He is still shining for us. He wants us to remember to keep His SON shining in our storms of life. The storms of life rage, come quickly and they come when we least expect it. We can soon be overwhelmed with the storm in front of us and forget to look to the Son. He will hold us when we shiver in the storm. He will make sure that we make it home after the storm. His SON will keep shining through the storm. Are we willing to give Him the glory during our storm? Do we take the time when the storm is raging to look to the one who can turn our mourning into dancing?
This week you may have a storm that is stirring, you may have a storm that is pounding you so hard that you want to take cover or you may be on the virge of the storm lifting...I urge you to look to the SON! Let Him shine in YOU! Be BLESSED and Bless OTHERS!
Monday, October 25, 2010
He makes ALL things POSSIBLE!
Tonight, I am feeling very reflective, grateful and pensive as I write this blog entry...It is so hard to try and describe all the feelings that I have been feeling over the last several days since my Handsome Nephew Christian Thomas Hall has come into this world. My Beautiful sister Tracey gave birth to him on October 2oth at 6:44pm. He weighed in at 11lbs 22.5 inches long! A big blessing in my eyes, just proving how great and faithful our God is to us. He is my sister and brother-in-law Ryan's 1st baby together.
Nearly 13 years ago this November 11th my sister gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Dara! At the time, my sister was in high school and wanted to make the best decision for her baby. Early in her pregnancy, she made the decision to bless another family through adoption. I know this was a hard decision for her but she was focused on what was best for her baby. We all read the profile of the adopted family and felt it was a great fit for her.
During this time lot's of emotions were running wild in our family, as to be expected. Questions like: Is this the right decision for us? Mom & Dad can raise her, right? If I would get married this summer before she is born Gabe & I could raise her as our own, right? Is this really going to be the best thing for her? BUT...GOD had Great plans for HER! Little did we know that he was going to make ALL things POSSIBLE through adoption.
When the adoption was final, emotions continued to rise...Sadness, grief, hurt, pain and so much more! There was a slight glimmer of hope that was received from the adoptive family that they were open to having an open adoption. My sister was not for it at first because she was still dealing with the grief. Over the course of the 1st year of Dara's life God began to show her/us that He could make ALL things POSSIBLE if we would let Him!
Right before Christmas of 1998 our families met for the 1st time! Gabe and I were not able to be there but they met and it was a wonderful time! We got to meet Dara and her precious family at my sister's graduation in June 1999. Gabe & I had just gotten married the weekend before her graduation. This meeting still proving that He makes ALL things POSSIBLE in His time!
When the adoption became final the thoughts of ever seeing Dara or having a relationship faded. We thought that could never be a possibility. The dreams of seeing her grow up, celebrate birthdays, graduate from high school, go to college, get married and have her own children were all just a faded dream.
In December of 1998 those dreams started to become a reality that we never thought would come true. As the months and seasons began to unfold so did the visits, memories and pictures with Dara and her family unfolded. We not only got to be a part of Dara's life, we also were blessed with an amazing family, an extension of us!
Throughout the years my sister has been blessed beyond measure with a wonderful job & career, an amazing husband and now their first son! God continues to make ALL things possible through the birth of their son. On Saturday, October 23rd Dara and Christian met for the 1st time! A Sister and a brother exchanging hugs and kisses for the 1st time. A picture that we thought we would never have...A biological mom and an adoptive mom witnessing the beauty of His possibility together! This is one thing that in our eyes was impossible 13 years ago but God saw fit to make it possible for our family!
I am so grateful for Dara's family. They are such a big part of our family now! I don't even want to consider what life would be like without them. They are wonderful, loving and fit with us like a glove.
I am so proud of my sister for making a decision that would affect all of us for the rest of our lives. At the time she had no idea what was going to happen or if she would ever see her daughter again. She may have not seen the possibility 13 years ago but I know for certain that she sees what God is capable of now! He took in what her eyes seemed impossible and He made ALL things POSSIBLE and then some!
This is dedicated to my sister & Dara's Family! WOW! ALL things are POSSIBLE with GOD!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
My 1st Post
Well, here it is...I have officially entered the bloggers world! I am kind of excited and a bit nervous as I walk into this unchartered territory for me. I believe that God has a special purpose for me to encourage others. I believe that this blog will be a small tool in doing just that.
I have entitled my blog "my unveiled journey." This verse says it all for me, "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:18. I was given this verse several years ago when the Lord was birthing a new ministry in me. It has become my life verse.
My purpose for this blog is for anyone(particularly women) that read's this to see that it is okay to live a transparent, unveiled life. I think as women we can get caught up in playing a role and hiding behind our issues. I am a wife, mom, pastor's wife and one that is struggling with illness right now. I am a normal person with normal issues that just happens to be under a microscope for others to analyze everyday. My husband & I made the decision early in our ministry that we would live a life of transparency. We chose to not be the pastor's that would try to hide their issues & put on a fake facade at church. We want to be pastor's that our congregation can relate to & feel comfortable that we understand what they are going through.
I ultimately want to be a woman of God that lives a life unveiled so I can reflect His glory! I want my son to see the same mommy at home that he does at church! I am striving to be a woman that is okay with living beyond the veil!
I will be using this blog as a voice for myself to express my daily shortcomings and successes! I will use it as an encouragement to women and pastor's wives. I will be sharing very openly about what God is transforming in me so I can better reflect HIM in my life. Please feel free to comment on my posts openly. Looking forward to walking this unveiled journey with all of you! Good night!
I have entitled my blog "my unveiled journey." This verse says it all for me, "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:18. I was given this verse several years ago when the Lord was birthing a new ministry in me. It has become my life verse.
My purpose for this blog is for anyone(particularly women) that read's this to see that it is okay to live a transparent, unveiled life. I think as women we can get caught up in playing a role and hiding behind our issues. I am a wife, mom, pastor's wife and one that is struggling with illness right now. I am a normal person with normal issues that just happens to be under a microscope for others to analyze everyday. My husband & I made the decision early in our ministry that we would live a life of transparency. We chose to not be the pastor's that would try to hide their issues & put on a fake facade at church. We want to be pastor's that our congregation can relate to & feel comfortable that we understand what they are going through.
I ultimately want to be a woman of God that lives a life unveiled so I can reflect His glory! I want my son to see the same mommy at home that he does at church! I am striving to be a woman that is okay with living beyond the veil!
I will be using this blog as a voice for myself to express my daily shortcomings and successes! I will use it as an encouragement to women and pastor's wives. I will be sharing very openly about what God is transforming in me so I can better reflect HIM in my life. Please feel free to comment on my posts openly. Looking forward to walking this unveiled journey with all of you! Good night!
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