THE LIST

Okay, life rolls around again to THAT time.  We all take a self-inventory through negative lenses.  The questions to answer: What have I not accomplished yet?  What changes will help me reach nutrition goals?  Why does the bank account keep running low?  Why does social life keep the calendar empty?  How can marriage get easier?  How can I become a better parent?

The list goes on and on and on. . .none of which look at positive progress in life.  We berate, condemn, shame and guilt ourselves into making a fluffy list of changes required to become someone other than the current reflection seen in the mirror.  Sounds like fun times, right?

A new year approaches with parties planned all over the world.  The first day of the year consists of creating THE LIST based on results of the above process.  Why succumb to such torture?  How can one day transform our thoughts to focus on taking the steps on the BETTER path in life?

Our flesh nature falls into the trap of saying NO.  No more alcohol.  No more lying on the couch.  No more unhealthy foods (broad statement).  No more resentment.  No more. . .

What is your No more statement?  What if we transformed the statement and erased the No?  Shifting the statement to positive will encourage change.  Plus, keeping thoughts on a ‘I can do it’ path rather than such restrictive mindset will produce greater results than ever seen before. 

Let us begin to search our soul, ignore the flesh and make a list based on deep, lasting changes.  These will help you continue one step at a time down the path planned for YOU!  It will also avoid a reoccurring resolution list.  Quit saying NO and start saying YES. . .

Yes to slowing down and relax from all the brokenness of this world.  Yes to choosing nutrients the body craves.  Yes to time with others.  Yes to giving back to others in need.  Yes to volunteering, expecting no praise in return.  Yes to smiling at the world.  Yes to. . .

Yes to delving into His Word for guidance, leaving the world to follow in example.  Once aligned with Truth, all and any resolution you could conjure up will fall into place.  God created YOU at this very moment, just the way YOU are and for exactly what YOU are doing!  Does He want us to remain, quit, give up in this world?  ABSOLUTELY NOT!  He does not condemn where you stand at this very moment; but, on the same note, He does not want you to remain.  He has plans for you, a future full of prosperity, void of harm.  This world gives us trouble, tribulation and trial beyond what we see bearable.  Take heart my dear friends – He has overcome ALL of this.  This is not our home (praise be to God!).

Take the Christmas Truth. . .implant it on your hearts never to forget that God so loved YOU, He sent His Only Son to save YOU!  There is more than living in this world.  There is more than this moment right now.  There is more reason we are created than to be a __________ (fill in the blank with career/job/title).  Every step taken matters to Him.  Every day lived provides one more opportunity to share Truth and build His Kingdom.  You matter in this world.  You have a purpose – not to fulfill a list based on the world’s standards; but, to live according to His Will and walk proudly in God-confidence.

Turn to Him for New Year resolutions, not this world.  Say YES this year!  With love to each of you. . .    

    

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 

Sheree Craig 

  

Can you Imagine?

From a young age, parents chose the one with whom their child will marry.  Time passes and love begins developing between two strangers.  Parents stand in content watching two hearts grow to one.  Prior to the actual ceremony to claim one another as spouse, the young woman appears with child.  No contact between the two could explain such results.  How could this be true?  What has this woman done?

Nowadays such behavior causes the man to leave and never look back.  The woman left to raise the child alone.  A young woman without proper training, skills or knowledge left to care for a baby.  The young man, knowing the baby does not belong to him, runs for the hills.  Can you imagine?

Reverse time thousands of years ago. . .such moment described above would result in the young woman stoned to death and the young man losing his betrothed.  Heartache, anger, confusion and turmoil consume a time such as this described.  Can you imagine?

One story shined through such detrimental situation.  One woman said yes in obedience.  One man complied in love, obedience and honor.  One story brought forth the grandest results in history.  Can you imagine?

This story brings hearts together every year.  All because two people said yes in obedience when the world condemned such situation.  Every year, thousands gather across the country to hear the beauty behind the Christmas Truth.  The world yearns to hear of the Good News; yet, in the mundane, everyday coming and going, we forget this beautiful Truth.  Our Heavenly Father, Creator of ALL things, sent a baby to us on a cold night in a barn to save us from ALL our ugliness.  He loves us that much!  He wants to spend Eternity with you and with me; the only way to offer such opportunity was to send a living sacrifice.  He chose His Only Son to die a brutal death and bury ALL sin. . .that whosoever believes in Him, understands the love behind such brutality and takes Him as Lord and Savior, will have Eternal Life with our Creator.

It all begins with two individuals saying yes in obedience.  Thank you to Mary and Joseph for listening when God whispered through an angel. . .while the world screamed condemnation.  Thank you to Mary and Joseph for keeping God at the center of marriage, defying all odds and binding a love so strong that the devil stood no chance to destruct.  Thank you to Mary and Joseph for fulfilling the purpose God planned before birth.  Thank you to Mary and Joseph for becoming Earthly parents of our Savior.

The first person, after embracing my Heavenly Father of course, I would like to meet in Heaven is Mary.  I imagine her and I sitting over coffee (Starbuck’s of course) :-) and just talking the afternoon away.  Some questions I will ask:

How did you keep such strength during such a time?
How did it feel to bear the Lord’s Child?
Did joy overpower the hiss of the enemy?
Did you feel the Lord’s power the moment you held sweet Jesus?

Oh, how I cannot wait for Mary to fill me in with all the details of her life.  Yes, the Bible explains the Truth well and various authors write about it; but, none can know exactly how she felt through it all.  Can you imagine?

A Christmas Story for all to enjoy?  No, it is the time of year to understand the Truth behind how we were saved!  It all began the moment Mary said yes in obedience to God’s calling.  There is so much more to the Truth than the actual night of His birth and the Nativity Scene.  Mary acted in obedience.  Joseph complied in love and obedience.  Two individuals stuck together in love through the worst of situations in the eyes of the world.  They each knew where to look for guidance. . .NOT this world, but to our Heavenly Father.  Can you imagine?

Let us be inspired by Mary and Joseph.  Don’t give up on your purpose when life gets a little rocky.  Don’t deny your plan because of fear; yet, walk boldly with God in fear.  Don’t allow the hiss of the enemy to overpower the Truth softly spoken by God.  Be a Mary and Joseph today. . .say yes in obedience!
 
Live life. . .One Day at a time!
Sheree Craig  

Passing Time

24 hours – we each receive such a gift over and over and over. . .

How do you spend the 24 hours given daily?  Do you see each hour, minute and second as a gift?  What attitude appears throughout the time given?  Who feels love radiating from your heart during this time?

Tough questions; but, important to approach when recognizing our impact and fulfillment of purpose while living each day.  While answering, you may find areas for improvement.  You may find slight adjustments required to get back on the straight path.  You may realize that some relationships have fallen to the wayside.  Or, you may completely be satisfied with each hour spent daily!

Regardless, take time to assess your 24 hours.  Approach each day as a gift.  Love others with every opportunity.  Live with a smile, knowing all this brokenness is temporary.  Share life with another.  Look to the One Who holds all the strength to accomplish the purpose for your life.  

Easier said than done, right?  The world consumes, demolishes and works diligently to remove joy.  The world is broken; but, here is the great news, we can be whole while walking amongst such brokenness.  God promises much greater than all of this. . .we need to share such Truth with as many as possible so we may spend Eternity with them in Heaven.  

I will not lie, the way I spend each 24 hour time frame provided may not be the prettiest.  I spend way too much time. . .

-Striving for perfection

-Consumed with shame/guilt

-Fighting myself in thought after thought

-Taking for granted the relationships given

-Striving for perfection

-Saying ‘not right now’, when the task I choose to do is not as important as the interruption in front of me

-Looking at the sawdust in another’s eye while avoiding the two large planks sticking out of mine

-Comparing my faults/failures to another’s outward perfection

-Reading of other’s joy on Facebook and condemning self for not experiencing the same

-Striving for perfection

-Taking out physical/emotional exhaustion on the one’s I love the most

-Striving for perfection

-Simply surviving

-Avoiding relaxation in order to ‘get everything done’

-Cleaning the house (which is just fine the way it is)

-Did I mention – Striving for perfection!    

THIS IS INSANITY!  If I took all the energy spent on the laundry list above and put it towards my purpose here, I would bring much more to His Kingdom.  But, He knows I am human and all these above bring closer relationship with Him; for, I know I cannot overcome any of this without His strength.  Does everyday look like what I just described above?  Thankfully, NO!  But, it is only through imprinting His Truth on my heart, singing louder in worship than the devil can hiss at me and reaching out to others when I struggle that I can continually find joy, peace and purpose each 24 hour period.  I am a work in progress. . .

    

Live life. . .One Day at a time!  

Sheree Craig    

The Memory will not Fade

The following text reveals a deep, difficult and delicate subject.  Sit a spell and listen closely.  Most, if not all people around me, know I suffered years with an eating disorder.  Come December 18^th, it will be 12 years since I faced the demon consuming every inch of my body.  The day will never leave memory. . .

I walked into Vanderbilt hospital in Tennessee frail, broken, depressed and near death.  Two loving individuals, busting at the seams with care for me, escorted my sickly body into the waiting room.  Little did I realize how determined these two were to save my life.  The eating disorder hijacked every thought, movement and decision.  Looking back, I still cannot fathom how I functioned daily. 

We entered a room and the nurse took all vitals – which were nowhere near normal limits.  I cannot remember every detail of that day; but, I clearly remember the doctor presenting an ultimatum of admission to the hospital or allowing the eating disorder to win the final battle.  The demon of Anorexia Nervosa fought extremely hard at the sound of the doctor’s voice.  I ran to the restroom to escape the tiny room threatening to take my only means of survival in this broken world.  Looking in the mirror, I did not recognize the girl staring back. . .

I returned to two individuals with scared faces and sad hearts.  They prayed with and over me.  In that moment, I felt the demon lose.  Where two or more are gathered in His name, He will show up in mighty ways.  I was admitted later that evening and spent Christmas in the hospital.  I watched the ball drop with a wonderful nurse and saw snow falling outside my window.  Memories that will remain.  A team of individuals cared enough to show up for work every day, even through the holidays, and keep me from dying.  I met lots of people throughout recovery in Vanderbilt. . . 

Once stable, I moved into a recovery center in Wisconsin.  Again, another day that will never leave memory.  My dad drove me, sat with me through admission and then we entered the scariest place on campus. . .the dining room!  First thing asked of me was to eat!  A buffet spread out for me to choose a certain number of carbs, fats, fruits, veggies and protein to fulfill some meal plan based on the weight gain required for release.  I continued being fed via feeding tube 24/7 as well.  All control removed, I freaked out on the inside.  I complied to the meal plan because I am a people pleaser (which helped in this situation) and I wanted to go home. . .

I eventually went home and continued in this broken world.  I have learned so much since that day.  With a few backslides here and there, I am still kicking!  I now have a strong relationship with my Father whom provides the strength required to defeat the enemy.  See, just because I reached a healthy number on the scale, realized the worth of life and attended countless therapy sessions, I am not immune to the enemy’s evil tactics.  The enemy works diligently every moment to keep me from my Father.  Every day, Every hour, Every minute!

Recovery gets ‘easier’ as I recognize triggers and learn to run to my Father quicker; but, the everyday events most people just do without thinking, remain a battleground for me.  I want to throw a few tips out this holiday season, for we never know what battleground lay in front of another or the pain deep inside! 

SHINE on others today!

Seek to understand

Hand out prayers NOT opinions

Invest your time in another

Nurture lost souls

Encourage daily

Remember, the action of others often covers a deep wound the person buried year after year.  Festering wounds, broken hearts, lost souls and emptiness result in sinful actions; whether it reveal a sin towards self or a sin towards others. . .sin aides in dealing temporarily with the emotion attached to the wound.  Hate the sin, NOT the sinner.  For we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of our God. 

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 

Sheree Craig   

The Centerpiece

It’s all over. . .life goes on and the hustle and bustle begins.  That awkward moment at the dinner table remains in memory until meeting again around the Christmas tree.  The food eaten completely digested, the joys of having a break from work end as the alarm rings on Monday, the sales diminish as all items found a home on the dreaded Black Friday brawl – I mean shopping – family ventures safely back home until next time.  Preparation begins for the endless holiday celebrations; this includes baking, wrapping, packing and cleaning.

Why do holidays bring such stress, regret, dread and sadness?  Why do we subject ourselves to such negativity around a beautiful time in the year?  Why does the resentment box open wide when family time rolls around?  All this should be joyful, memorable and desired.  How can we shift gears and cherish this time?

C’mon, let’s think Hallmark movies, cozy nights on the couch with loved ones, smiles on children’s faces, lights, décor, ice skating, football, basketball, etc.  I truly believe there is not a thing wrong with looking forward to all this worldly stuff.  BUT, the focus must remain on the true meaning of it all!  If we can’t get that part right, nothing else matters.  The centerpiece of EVERY moment must be the One Who created all to cherish and care for while our short time here passes.

God strengthens my spiritual health as each day comes, making holidays easier.  He does not remove the triggers. . .He helps me recognize them and defeat the enemy with Truth.  I realize the true purpose for each moment.  Stress over imperfections, regret of past choices, dreading any event revolved around food and sadness due to disappointment in others. . .all worldly things, all joy stealers, all leverage for the enemy to place a wedge between my Father and I.  I lay it all at the cross.  And, here is the important part. . .I WALK away with the Truth of Scripture written all in the deepest portion of my heart.  I do this daily, hourly or even by the minute.  Whatever it takes to keep focus on His Truth must be done!  Stress, regret, dread or sadness cannot arise when speaking the name of Jesus while holding arms open wide.

Each year gets a little easier than the last.  The enemy still enters the scene working diligently to plant regret, guilt, shame and sadness in my mind.  How does it get easier?  Well, my dear friend, reliance on His strength and wisdom keeps me focused.  Let us take this year together and make steps toward a closer relationship with the One providing strength to enjoy the journey while also fulfilling our purpose here.

Smile more:  This is my son’s motto in life.  He puts it on everything and every email sent states this simple idea at the end.  It drains more energy while frowning than offering a beautiful smile to another.  The emotion behind the frown can process better through a smile.  Others need more of it; God desires it and you benefit from it.  Smile more this season!

Open hands:  Close-fisted hands cannot offer love or share joy to another.  Today is not about you!  Today is about what you can do with the skill/talent given at creation.  God uses open hands to embrace a saddened heart, offer a gift, share love and display care to another.  God cannot help or guide a close-fisted hand.  This does not mean draining the bank account to help another; not everyone needs money or items.  Most just need someone to care.

Teamwork:  When two or more are gathered in His name, He will shine through in mighty ways.  The enemy stands no chance against our God.  Stick close together in faith, spreading hope to another and loving as God loves.  Embrace the true meaning of the season with loved ones.

Eternal eyes:  Eyes focused on Eternity keep a peaceful perspective.  All this is temporary; BUT, all this is important for Eternity.  Our actions here, responses to situations, words used daily and thoughts filtering through our mind play a role in Eternal life.  God perspective uplifts when the broken world disappoints.  God perspective forgives when choices take us off-road.  God perspective catches every tear that falls, bringing good from every situation (though it may not come instantaneously).  God perspective washes peace over any anxious thought.

Lay it all at the Cross.  Remember the reason for this season.  Fill with joy because God loved us so very much that He sent a Savior!  To top that love. . .He sent His Only Son to be our Savior.  Let that Truth sink to the deepest part of your soul!

   
Live life. . .One Day at a time!
Sheree Craig