Thursday, January 29, 2009

When God Does A Floor Move

shabby chic couch : google image

I worked in retail for years. The best part of my job was the creative outlet it provided. I am creative and need an outlet. I must create. It's my thing. I always loved shipment day. To open those boxes and see all of the new sweater sets and spring merchandise was just more than this girl could handle. Shortly thereafter I would get a vision. I loved turning the store upside down, changing the store set as well as creating new pause points and t-stands. Not to mention switching out the front feature table and creating a major floor move. Now keep in mind that the company only sent directives for a new store set once a month. But I think my amazing, real life friend Kellie can give you a very loud "Amen" here that we were creating floor moves once a week or more. We also had something called "Sunday Night Store Set", the only night of the week the store closed early so we could freshen things up a bit! We were witnesses to how things would just fly out of the store and off the shelves as soon as we did something new. We could take shirts that were not selling and move them to the front of the store and style them in a new way and would sell out completely. We could move around suits and dresses and crisp white cotton shirts, put jeans and t-shirts with pearl necklaces on t-stands and move cashmere sweaters to another table and it felt like we had a new store. Our sales would sky rocket and things that weren't previously selling were suddenly selling like hot cakes! In this case-change was a good thing. It was to increase sales and to keep the store from looking stale and boring. I was never afraid to put the sleeveless dresses out front in the middle of February or to display a pink sweater set in December. I just loved to have everything fresh , new and looking really beautiful. 

So today, this ex- retail girl still uses those same skills. Only I use them in my home. Yes. I still create "Sunday Night Store Set" only it's in my home. Remember me telling you that I need an outlet? Yes. Almost every Sunday night I change the furniture around in my home. You can take it to bank. If you come by for a visit- the table where we last had coffee together could very well be in the nursery by now. It depends on how many weeks have gone by. Oh yes, just in case you were wondering- my husband has put up with this for years. Mr. Pearls and Grace is in agreement and will cheerfully and sometimes not so cheerfully shimmy a table up several flight of stairs to help with my need to create or give a few visual directives. The man is a saint. I have even moved furniture around by myself while I was pregnant. Even 7, 8 and 9 months pregnant- every pregnancy. I love it. I change out the area by the front door sometimes even twice a week. And I love to have seasonally appropriate decor on that table! I move mirrors and lamps and tables and dressers and couches and any and everything. I do not follow any rules and do not care what other people think- so my creativity is always in full swing. However, when we have visitors, sometimes the very first thing they say is "Where is the table that was in the kitchen?" "What happened to the ottoman ?"  They know that I create and that I am constantly changing things, but they are still looking for what used to be. Others come in and say  "Ooooh, nice floor move!"  I just love it. I am shocked at the folks that say their furniture has been in the same spot for years! Come on. Let's move some things around......

But what about God? Did you know that God creates floor moves? He does. And when He does we can find ourselves looking for the thing that used to be and He is trying to give us something brand new. It is human nature to dislike change. We get comfortable. We like routines. We do not like surprises- especially when it comes to a cut in our finances. We want the familiar. We cling to it and wear it proudly. We can expect that pay check to come every week or every month. But what if it stops coming? What if suddenly we find ourselves unemployed. Without a pay check. Without insurance. Without any help from anyone. What if God allowed this to happen in our lives? What if you received a transfer and had to sell your home- in this market? What if you were transferred overseas? Where is God in life changes like this? As I continue to grow and mature in the Lord there is one thing I have noticed about Him. God loves a good floor move. He loves to bring about change. He loves to allow certain things in our lives. Not to harm us. Not to cause suffering. But to help us or sometimes to force us to grow, develop and change. He brings about these floor moves and turns our world upside down so that we could possibly see Him in a new way. So that we could see God in a different area in our lives. He wants us to know Him in every way. That has been extremely hard for me to learn. I had a view of God that if He loved me- then why would He allow this or that to happen? If you love me then why would you allow this level of suffering? If you love me then why would my husband lose his job? If you love me why did I have another miscarriage? If you love me then why was I betrayed by family members? If you love me God why is this relationship so broken? It has been a hard lesson for me. But as I have spent more time with Him and have come to know Him in knew ways, it is never more clear to me than now, that above all else, He has the master plan. He holds the big book of visual directives.

On more than one occasion- read many, I have offered my creative abilities up to God in this department. I have made multiple suggestions to my personal Chief Imagination Officer and most often- he completely ignores my ideas. His ways are not our ways after all.  He always knows what is best for us, regardless of what the situation is. Regardless of whether or not it seems fair. Regardless of whether it hurts like nothing we have ever experienced before. His word says that He will use every single thing for our good and for His glory. I am sure that each one of us could sit down and write out a list of "Why God?" questions. I think if He could write us back He may simply write these two words. Floor Move.

What does that mean? Quite simply it means that sometimes the only way He can get us out of the dark ages and into the light is by moving things around in our life.  The only way some of us will ever come to know Him is if He uproots our entire life and shakes everything we call comfort and familiar and favorite. It means that there will be times that He doesn't answer when we expect Him to or how we expect Him to. I know for me personally, the past two years have brought about more change and more uncertainty than I could handle. It was more than I could bear- or so I thought. It was during those times of desperation that I have grown closer to Him and relied completely and totally upon Him in new ways. There was no help or support from others-He was it for our family. Those "floor moves" in my life brought me to my knees- in brokenness and sorrow- which in turn allowed Him to set my feet on solid ground. His ground.  What a blessing it has been to endure two years of personal floor moves and come out better off for it. I am forever grateful.

So today, if things begin to move in your life. If things begin to change, or if everything just begins to fall apart at the seams- know that the Master has you in the palm of His hand and He is just getting you ready for the spring floor move.....

"You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest regions, and said to you, you are my servant. I have chosen you and have not cast you away; Fear not, for I AM with you; Be not dismayed, for I AM your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous hand." - Isaiah 41: 9-10

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Miracle Baby

Ephesians 3:20

Look at this miracle. Yes. That's right. A miracle. This beautiful gift is fresh from God and is healing and getting better with every day! This is Kelly and Scott's brand new baby girl Harper Brown! Isn't she gorgeous? We are still praying for her complete and total healing and that she will be home with her family soon! Please visit Kelly and send her your love and prayers and congratulations! She was able to hold Harper for the first time today! You have to see the pictures. Get the kleenex. You won't be able to stand it.

WE PRAISE YOU FATHER!!!!

Friday, January 23, 2009

Happy Birthday Sweet Friend!

photo credit: Martha Stewart

Happy Birthday to Granny Smith Green!

This amazing blogger has become a friend to me this past year and I truly believe that it is a God ordained friendship in every sense of the word.  Ours began with a prayer. She e-mailed me a prayer request for someone special in her life and God used that as an avenue for a special friendship to bloom. I am so thankful that she did e-mail me that day. My life has been so enriched by this precious woman!

She has a beautiful gift of encouragement that is rarely found in others. She is genuine. She is sincere. She is true. She is full of love, kindness and goodness! She is a tremendous blessing!

I could not let this day go by without honoring you Granny Smith Green!

May this be your very best birthday ever and may there not be room enough to receive all that He has in store for you this year. I pray beautiful birthday blessings over you on this, your very special day!

Please stop by for a visit and wish her a beautiful birthday!

Friday, January 16, 2009

Prayers for Harper

Please pray with all of your heart for our beloved blogging friend Kelly and her precious baby girl Harper. Kelly just delivered Harper tonight and she immediately went into the NICU. Since then they have moved Harper to another hospital and from Kelly's report Harper is having trouble breathing. Please storm Heaven tonight for this family!!! 

You can check Kelly's updates at www.kellyskornerblog.com

God you are more than able. We love You and we trust You and we pray that you would put your hand upon precious baby Harper and that you would heal her in every way in the name of Jesus. We lift this family up to you Father and cry out for mercy Lord. Oh Father that you would pour out your healing power from Heaven and let it fall like rain upon this testimony that is sweet Harper Brown in the mighty name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Dressed Up

My favorite girl Audrey all dressed up
photo credit: google image

Pearls and Grace has been to the Beauty Shop! I hope you like her new look as much as I do. She is so fancy now. I figured after blogging for over a year it was about "high time"as we say in the South. She has her very own button and menu bar and a new side bar. Crowns and pearls and oh my goodness,  lot's of pretty jewelry. I feel as though I need to wear a pair of white gloves while writing my posts from now on!

A great, big thank you to my new friend Darcy at Graphically Designing! She is incredibly talented and super smart. She also has the patience of a Saint - I am not kidding. Stop by for a visit should you need anything at all. She is truly wonderful to work with!

Here's to the start of a great new year!

Monday, January 5, 2009

Empty Or Full

google image
I just love a cup of tea. Or coffee. Or hot cocoa. I love tea cups and coffee cups. I also love serving others . Especially when it comes to my children.  However, I have been feeling especially empty lately. Drained rather. The demands of motherhood have been taking over and I haven't felt that I have been flowing in my parenting. I have felt more like I have just been treading water trying to stay afloat. This is expected to some degree with a new baby in the house and the recent holidays. But I have felt extra drained. Maybe it's all catching up with me after months of running on adrenaline. I wasn't sure. Until recently when the Lord began to minister to me while I was up with one of the children in the wee hours of the morning. I recall saying something to the effect of "I'm exhausted". I wasn't talking to anyone. Just thinking out loud. The Lord responded. Right there in the middle of the night. Right there with a baby in my arms. He ministered. He spoke to me. Great wisdom. Great insight. He even brought correction. He told me to take out the tiny cups that the children use while brushing their teeth. There must have been 70 or 80 tiny cups. He told me to line them up on the bathroom floor. I did so. He then told me how each one of those cups represented a request that would be made of me that day times five. Each one represented a need, a want, a desire. Not just from my children- but from my husband, a friend and so on. A request could come without a moments notice. He told me how I would want to fill the need. He also shared with me how I could do so but that I would be doing so in my own strength which would always produce the same result. Exhaustion. He reminded me of how I hadn't spent much time with Him alone at the start of each day recently. He reminded me of how He is the One who fills me during that time so that I can then go out and fill all those tiny cups each day. He is the One who pours from the pot that never runs empty. Not me. How true. How can I possibly do it all apart from Him?
Quite simply- I can't. I repented for putting the children before Him. I repented for putting family and friends above Him. He was right. Beautifully right and I knew it. I have been so tired lately that I haven't started the day alone with Him. Since Thanksgiving this past year I haven't stopped. When Bennett was diagnosed with pneumonia again . All four of the children had one virus after another. Macey needed a dress custom made for her sorority initiation. Back and forth to the airport. Birthdays and Christmas planning. Birth announcements and Christmas cards. The never ending household chores. Each days tasks seemed to just multiply like mountains before my eyes. I have been a little overwhelmed.  I usually spend time with Him at nap time or late at night. But by then, I am already exhausted.  I think there is something so peaceful and so fulfilling about that quiet time early in the morning each day and it is so much easier to hear Him at that time.  By 1:00 in the afternoon each day I am already feeling the pressure. I can be easily distracted. The phone is usually ringing. The doorbell too. Cell phone is usually ringing as well. Someone may wake up early from their nap. Dinner needs to be started. I still need to clean up lunch dishes. The laundry is beeping. The list is endless. I could see clearly how at 5:00 a.m. none of this is going on yet. The birds aren't even awake at this time. My heart turned toward Him in a new way and for that I am so thankful. I don't have any New Year's resolutions except to sit with my empty cup and be filled in His presence at the beginning of each day this year.  May you find the same remarkable moment each morning to share your cup with Him and be filled in supernatural ways......

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Get Ready

Get ready. Get out your best dress. Get ready. Set your hair up in rollers. Put your pearls on. Get ready. Spray your most fragrant perfume. Step into your favorite shoes. Get ready. Get your good coat out. The one you never wear. Get ready. Buy yourself a new purse. Get ready. You have someone special you have to meet. Who you might ask?
 Your destiny. That's who.
Are you ready to meet with her? This is it. It's your turn. It's your year. And it is time. Enough with the old you. The old ways. The past that loves to peer it's head into the beautiful present. Say goodbye. You have an appointment to keep. And she won't wait. You must be prepared to meet her. Divine appointments will not wait. You must be ready. Have an ear to hear what He is speaking to you. Listen. Pay attention. Not to the things of this world. But to the things of His world. He will speak to you about your life. About your destiny. About your inheritance. His word says that "the sheep know the Shepherd's voice. " He is the Great Shepherd and He longs to speak beautiful and wonderful things to you. He wants you to get ready. Some of us are so stuck -we couldn't be ready if we tried. Some of us are too afraid. Fear has it's hold on us. Some of us are simply too wounded. We can only hear things out of brokenness. Some of us are just trying to breathe. Trying to keep our head above water. Trying to hold pillar and post together at home. Trying to keep a job. Feed a family. Pay the bills. Much too busy with these types of things to be bothered with .....destiny. Can destiny pay the bills? The answer is yes. She surely can. Destiny can turn your life around - if you're ready. She can introduce her friends to you. Their names are purpose, health, healing, blessing and wholeness to name a few. Get ready. Many of you will meet her this year. For many of you it is about to rain in your life. Not the kind of rain that catches you off guard and without an umbrella. But the other kind of rain the scriptures talk about. The rain of recompense and the rain of abundance. Two of my personal favorites.  Oh yes there is nothing like recompense. Recompense is when God settles the score. Recompense is when God makes a feast before your enemies. When He causes even your enemies to bless you. Recompense is when you get what you had hoped for, wished for, dreamed for and deserved long, long ago but never got it- until now. And then God gives it to you but instead of just giving you what you've wanted and prayed for. He simply gives you double. There is nothing like restoration. Restoration surpasses forgiveness. Restoration means forgiveness has taken place. Trust has been reestablished. Reconciliation has happened and now God puts his hand on your family. Your friendship. Your marriage and He orchestrates restoration. It is a beautiful thing.
The word says to be ready in and out of season. I believe this to mean- get ready and stay that way. Get ready for a divine appointment. Get ready to practice hospitality on a moments notice. Get ready to take a new job. Get ready to sit next to the president of a book publishing house on the train. Get your proposal ready. Get ready to meet your new spouse. Get ready to see a positive pregnancy test. Get ready to finally laugh instead of cry. Get ready to finally hold the baby you've been waiting on for years. Get ready to say I do. Get ready- he is going to propose this year. Get ready to finally have a best friend- who's worthy. Get ready to reconcile. Get ready for a raise. Get ready to sell your house. Get ready to move. Get ready to step into your inheritance. Get ready to walk with great purpose.....
Take the rollers out. Put on your lipstick. Grab your bag and get ready. It's your year. Don't forget your umbrella. It's getting ready to rain on you.
May there not be room enough to receive all that He has for you in 2009. 
Get ready.
Matthew 25 :1-13: and those who were ready...
2 Timonthy 4:10-Be ready in and out of season...
1 Peter 3: 13-17- Be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in you....
The rain is coming.
Duet. 11:14- And I will give you the former rain and the latter rain faithfully...
1 Kings 18:41- The sound of abundance of rain...
And my personal favorite. Joel 2:23-26
Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God;
For He has given you the former rain faithfully, and He will cause the rain to come down for you- the former rain and the latter rain in the first month. The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil.  So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust, my great army which I sent among you, you shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; and my people will never be put to shame. Then you shall know that I am in the midst of you.