Saturday, December 1, 2007

What A Blessing To Meet You

Thank you for visiting Pearls and Grace! I am a stay at home Mother of five children whom I refer to here very often as my gifts. I have been parenting for nineteen years and have loved every minute of it. Even the difficult times. If you read this blog for more than five minutes you will also see that I love the Lord with all of my heart. Mainly because it took me more than half my life to realize that He loves me and most importantly that I am His Pearl.  My years of parenting my oldest daughter as a single Mother would have gone a lot smoother if I had known those simple truths. But not knowing coupled with a lot of adversity is what gave me my testimony.  Looking back now, I am so grateful. It's what motivates me to edify, lift, support and encourage others. A tremendous honor in this life I call my own.
I started this blog as a way to encourage others. I also started it as a place to write. I love to write. I mean I love it. I also love photography and love to encourage God's precious women!
My passion for those three things allowed me to give birth to Pearls and Grace. I thought if I could encourage even one -this blog was worth my time. If even one gets the revelation knowledge of who she is and how much He loves her then this blog is worth my time. If even one woman turns her heart back toward Him again- then it's worth it. If even one would be inspired or encouraged - then it's worth it. I never dreamed that it would actually happen. I just so desperately wanted to share what I have learned so that others would have a source of encouragement.  I also wanted to share what He has done in my life. It is really something.
Most would never believe the adversity that I have lived through.  I am full of gratitude for it.
You will see that for yourself while visiting here. I write from the heart. My prayer is that you would find hope, encouragement and inspiration here but most importantly that you would
find Him.
You are His Pearl.....walk in that truth.
Blessings,
Pearls and Grace

Monday, November 26, 2007

Today is a gift, that's why they call it the present.

What is today kids? "It's a gift!" "It's a gift Mommy!" And isn't it though? This is the first thing I ask my precious pearls every morning when they wake up. Some mornings are stressful- (I have four children!) some mornings are beyond stressful and other mornings just flow beautifully. But I make it a point each and every morning whether at the breakfast table or while driving to nursery school to ask them this all too important question! What is today? It is a gift. I want them to know that we cannot take each day for granted and neither can we take the people in our lives for granted. When I get overwhelmed at times because I want things to be perfect or special or whatever beautiful vision I have drummed up in my thoughts... I try to remember myself that today is a gift. Tomorrow may or may not come... And I try not to overdo it. I try to let things go. I try to be still and know.... that no matter what, today is a gift from God and I must take the time to enjoy the present that is TODAY.

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Forgiven.....for all of it.

The Lord gently reminded me this morning that I am forgiven. We all are. Forgiven? Really Lord? I am forgiven for missing it? Forgiven for blowing it? Forgiven for losing it? Forgiven for taking so long to begin to know you? Forgiven for failing to be a good witness? Forgiven for not taking time and care with others? Forgiven for being selfish and wanting my own way? Forgiven for expecting others to meet needs that only you can meet? Forgiven for not loving the unlovely? Forgiven for harboring unforgiveness toward others? Forgiven for harboring unforgiveness toward you Lord when life has been beyond difficult? Forgiven for blaming you Lord for being absent from my life, when in reality I was the one who was absent from a relationship with you? You were always there. It's too much. It's all just too much to comprehend. He is such a good Daddy and so unlike many earthly Fathers we have known. His love is not conditional. God doesn't love us on Tuesday and then on Wednesday stop speaking to us. Then Thursday love us again and then Friday, Saturday and Sunday write us off. These are the things of man. God is love. He is forgiveness. He is Mercy. He is Grace. He is the author and finisher of our faith. He is most importantly and above all else waiting for us each day to know Him, to sit with Him , to talk with Him and to listen to Him. If you so choose to sit with Him this morning I am sure you will hear Him gently whisper .........forgiven.

Monday, November 19, 2007

Spiritual Fragrance

Today I am reminded of this incredible gift that Our Father will work in us if we allow Him. I am reminded of this truth as I sit and soak in just such an experience that I had recently. One could go on for days on a ten minute encounter with someone who exudes the fragrance of Christ. What is it exactly? "It" is this incredible aroma, this beautiful aura, a light from within, a heart that wants only to give and expects nothing in return, the gift of being a great listener, to hear the unspoken hearts desire of another and to speak it forth, the ability to bring out the best in another person and leave them wanting whatever "it" is that you have. I recently encountered someone like this and she left me literally speechless. I felt that I was in the presence of greatness. Greatness in God and the most spiritually fragrant woman I personally have ever met. My prayer is that I would allow Him to work in me each day so that I would exude my own spiritual fragrance. Becoming more and more like Him each day. Choosing to see and bring out only the very best in those around me and looking for an opportunity to be a blessing to others each day. The opportunities are always there. Sometimes we push them aside. We are too busy. Sometimes we ignore them. We have our own needs. But if we are willing and if we will listen to the still, small voice inside us. He is always speaking, always prompting, gently suggesting ...........opportunities to be more like Him.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

An Attitude of Gratitude... I am thankful that God is so ever mindful of you and of me. My cup runneth over with gratitude as I sit in all humility and pour out from my heart about all that He has done in my life and the lives of those I love so much. My prayer is that it would inspire you, that it would stir you and that it would point you into a real relationship with the one who created you. Let this day be the beginning of something beautiful...