Mini-Me

I received a phone update.  Well beyond my technological needs, this phone offers convenience and security.  One feature requires the owner’s face to unlock and open full access to the phone.  Setup of such feature demanded a small session of me looking into the phone, turning my head in specific ways and allowing the phone to capture every detail of my face.  I did not see a need for such convenience. . .

. . .until, I started using it.  I love the feature.  Call it lazy or just advanced technology; but, all I must do is look at my phone and it unlocks.  This prevents any other to open and have access to my personal settings/apps/information.  Innovative, yes!  Brilliant, yes!  Flawless, maybe!

One day, my daughter picked up my phone to text her dad.  The phone being locked, she should not be able to enter due to the feature described above.  In comes the questionable perfection of the face recognition feature. 

She was able to unlock the phone with her face and proceed with desired task.  Crazy!  Does she really look that much like me?  If I had a dollar for every person that said, “There is your mini-me,” I would be rich.  Well, guess here is proof.  She continued to test this, and every time unlocked the phone with her face. 

²⁷ So God created man in his own image,

    in the image of God he created him;

    male and female he created them.  Genesis 1:27

Hmmm. . .Do you bear His image?  Through the imperfections, does His character shine through you?  Would others recognize Him in you, deeming you a mini-me?

God, our Creator, touched every fiber of our being while in the womb.  He is in us.  We must choose to accept Him, learn about Him and follow His ways.  Doing this daily, we bear His image. 

My daughter looks like me; yes; but, after 10 years by my side, she also reflects a few of my characteristics.  Her dad would say she reflects too many of my characteristics :-) .  She looks like me, acts like me and even displays the same emotion in situations.  Not all these actions can be learned.  She is a part of me.

We are a part of God.  He dwells in us.  Allow Him to work through you and shine in this world.  The world needs more of His image spread around.  Reflecting His image allows full access to joy, peace, love and comfort.  To reflect His image requires small sessions of reading His Word, praying, listening and learning about Him.

Remember this season, God provided His Only Son to enter the world and offer a gift – Salvation.  Believe in Him.  Accept Him.  Reflect His image today and every day forward.  

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 

Sheree Craig

Take that Old Record off the Shelf

I possess expert skills in memorization.  I possess proficient skills in observing.  Both these can be positive attributes; but, with the power of the mind added with stubbornness, the enemy can use these to destroy. 

Rewind back to the dreaded years of middle school/high school.  I received excellent grades, worked hard in school and proved great work ethic; but, my brain used the ability to record information received to ultimately tear me down.  Any negative comment heard, recorded, placed neatly into my thoughts to remain.  Any rejection received, recorded, the image captured in my mind forever.  These accumulated over the years like algebraic formulas or the knowledge of riding a bike. 

Our brains hold onto important information, knowing we will need such in the future.  As the future became the present, I had a lengthy record that played continuously in my thoughts.  With every opportunity, the record played, “You are not good enough”; and, attached a vivid memory, “Remember failing to make the basketball team.”  With every relationship, “You are not worthy of love.”; and, proceeded to list those loved ones that walked out of my life or hurt me.

Reject.  Worthless.  Unattractive.  Overlooked. 

The record played over and over, creating a tainted lens which to view the world.  I wanted to hide, to avoid adding painful memories that fed those beliefs.  The mind overpowered and I followed the path defined by lies. 

There is One stronger than our minds.  There is Truth to create a new path.  There is Hope in life.

One day, the record stopped playing.  A hand reached out and began replacing each lie with Truth.  Again, the mind is powerful, and remember we are working with a stubborn woman here.  But, Truth overpowers stubbornness.  Truth overpowers trials in this world.  Truth overpowers tribulations.  In the end, Truth wins. 

I am approaching my 15^th anniversary of that moment I surrendered.  My hands raised in defeat.  I was done living in lies, drowned by my own thoughts and physically dying as a result.  I wanted to live. . .

Little did I know the work required to change a stubborn woman’s 20 year record of thoughts.  One memory at a time, Truth changed the lens which I viewed life.  I began to forgive the little girl for making the decisions which led to nearly killing this grown woman.  I began to forgive those attributing to the record.  I began to live.

Are you stuck in a record of negative thoughts?  Do you view the world through a tainted lens?

My dear friends, I still struggle with lies creeping into my every day thinking.  The enemy works diligently to replay the record of the past, hoping to destroy my present and decide my future.  The record doesn’t totally dissolve away this side of Heaven.  It takes work to remain focused on the Truths God provides for us to live by here on Earth.  It takes an angel army to combat the negativity thrown at us by the enemy.  It takes work.  Work that is well worth it! 

You are worth the work!  When I was in a rehab facility for Anorexia Nervosa, we would say at the end of each session, “It works if you work it and you are worth it!”  God is always there, waiting for us to take hold and display His power in our lives.  We only must accept it and use the Truth provided.  He, then will work all things out for the good!  He never leaves our side. 

God understands imperfection.  He created us.  He knew what He was getting and still created you and me.  We have a purpose here dear friends.  And I can guarantee the purpose is not to sit and replay an old record the enemy produced.  Trust me, I have tried to go back and listen to the old record multiple times since that day I surrendered.  It just doesn’t sound the same.  My mind now holds a louder record filled with Truth!

³¹ To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. ³² Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  John 8:31-32   

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 

Sheree Craig

An Answer to Multiple Problems. . .

I slept for 10 hours solid.  No sleep aide required.  My body yearned for the rest.  I failed to realize this was the factor preventing peace.  Rest; a simple fix to thousands of concerns plaguing this world.  Our physical bodies just can't take anymore.  God planned for rest at creation.  God Himself provides the example.

² By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. ³ Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.  Genesis 22:2-3

Today’s world pulls us in all directions, physically and emotionally.  Trials and tribulations consume our thoughts, leaving us running after anything to escape the rampant emotions.  We do not rest.  We do not seek peace from the one True source of comfort. 

Just as our physical bodies require rest to function, our souls require rest to carry out our purpose here.  Though storms of this life will not cease until we meet our Heavenly Father in Eternity, we can stand firm on His Promise and remain peaceful. 

Let us take a moment allowing His Truth to sink deep into our soul, finding rest in His Promises. . .

¹ Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.
² Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.  Psalm 52:1-2

He is a solid foundation on which to stand.  This world will struggle to shake our faith when our feet plant firmly in Truth.

¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  2Corinthians 4:16-17

Perseverance will accomplish our purpose.  We are working for God, not man.  God does not need us, He WANTS us.  He desires to use us as vessels in this lost world.  Focus on His light, purpose and plan for your life and your soul will find rest.

¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  Colossians 3:16-17

Thanks be to our God, Who loves us enough to send His only Son to die for our sinful nature.  Redemption, followed by filling with the Holy Spirit, allows God access to shine through us.  He will provide the words needed to sharpen one another as Christians, to keep each other accountable and on the right path.  Listen to one another, build one another up and pay attention to the prompting of the Holy Spirit within.  Do everything in His name and for His glory.

²³ Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.  ²⁴ Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.  ²⁵ Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.  ²⁶ Give careful thought to the^[a] paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.  ²⁷ Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.  Psalm 4:23-28

Have a blessed day my dear friends!

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 

Sheree Craig

Piece by Piece

I went through a hobby phase of puzzles.  Piece by piece I completed quite a few puzzles.  I came across one that halted the successes of puzzle completion.  Day after day, I found it difficult to find even one piece to fit.  I found any excuse to avoid the area the puzzle lay; for, each attempt left me a failure. 

After months of battling the 1000-piece puzzle, I did complete the border about an inch into the middle.  I knew what image the pieces should reveal.  I knew each piece had its place.  I just struggled to find matching pieces to fill in the image.  I gave up! 

Trial and tribulations may cause life to shatter in 1000 pieces right before your very eyes.  After the dust settles, you work diligently to pick up the pieces, one by one.  Frantically placing them to your best ability, each day seems to fall short of completion.  Not giving up, you reach for a few pieces and place them to fit ‘pretty good’ with the surrounding pieces.  Walking through the darkened days, the pieces slip, falling amongst the others.

Efforts fail to pick up the pieces of life.  Emotions run rampant, leaving no place to find peace.  The lack of solid ground to stand brings us to a point of giving up.  Reaching for anything to numb the feelings of failure; we succumb to addictions, running away from the shattered life, hiding out, etc.  We gather all the pieces in a pile and shove them deep down.  It is just too much to handle.  We put on a fake smile and hide the shattered life inside.  We give up! 

While I continue writing my story, I come to portions that reveal a little girl looking at the shattered pieces of a life once known as comfort, joy, peace and love.  The little girl remained empty, void of any emotion. . .except one.  The little girl felt anger.  The anger dwelled inside and grew with each attempt to put the pieces back together.  She remembered what the image looked like from all the years prior; but, continued to fail in efforts of putting it all back together.  Energy poured out of the girl to fix the broken life.

As the days of failure passed, the image began to fade.  The little girl could not see comfort, joy, peace and love anymore.  She gave up and anger intensified.  The little girl numbed out in any way possible from life.  Feeling alone with the shattered pieces of life, she just went through the motions expecting the worse out of all situations. 

My dear friends, if you feel like this little girl explained above, I am here to tell you there is Hope.  I continued to hold on to the faded image of the life once known.  In efforts to get back there, I missed out on a lot in life.  I exhausted myself reaching for a life I would never attain on my own.  I shoved pieces together just to feel like I was on the right track or that I knew how to fix it.  Repeatedly, I was wrong.  This left me with more anger and in a deeper pit of darkness.

In writing my story, I have realized the image once known as a ‘good life’ or ‘perfect family’ does not exist.  The reliance placed on others for comfort in this life cannot be my ‘go to’ in times of trouble.  I cannot fix life’s problems and it is not my job to bring peace amongst the chaos of life.  I pour all this energy into putting the pieces back together of a puzzle that is not my own.  I remain exhausted sitting in front of the unfinished puzzle.

God knows the end image of our puzzle.  He holds the next piece.  We must look to Him each day as He hands over another piece that will continue maturing our walk with Him.  Without the piece He holds, we remain at a standstill, feeling failure and eventually quitting.  Don’t quit my dear friends.  Take a deep breath, ask Him for today’s piece and trust in the beautiful image to come.  He will not leave nor forsake.  He will never disappoint.  He knows the next piece; quit searching for it on your own.  Trust Him.

The puzzle remains unfinished as does my own life puzzle.  I know, piece by piece, it will eventually become complete.  I know deep in my heart, God will do the same for you and me.  He will make us whole, mature and complete piece by piece.       

          

 

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 

Sheree Craig

It is Just a Movie

Okay, I need you to sit down for this one. . .

I have heartbreaking news.  Hallmark movies are not real life scenarios.  IKR, heartbreaking.  I absolutely love a good Hallmark movie.  I escape in the beautiful stories depicted in the lives of each character.  I enjoy the amazing scenery, displaying whichever season the movie takes place. 

None begin with ‘based on a true story’.  The screenplay veers from reality quite a bit.  Don’t get me wrong, I am thankful for Hallmark movies.  I am slightly addicted to them.  But, this everyday real-life stuff does not mirror Hallmark movies. 

Romeo doesn’t always chase after Juliet.  Life isn’t sunshine and rainbows every day.  Good people don’t win in every situation.  And, most important (don’t miss this one). . .we may never get that passionate, loving embrace from another.  Oh yeah, and the kiss that happens at the end of EVERY. SINGLE. MOVIE. 

The movies bring about emotion each time.  Why?  I think we long for the quiet, joy, peace and belonging displayed in these movies.  We were created with a desire for more than this life can offer.  A void exists that cannot be filled with anything the world provides.

Relationships are scary, complicated and disappointing at times.  Life is messy, difficult and doesn’t make sense on most occasions.  Often, when we need it the most, no person in flesh can love away the pain felt inside.  No person in the flesh can heal a wound.  It takes more. . .

If we ground ourselves in this world, we continue to walk on shifting sand.  Unsteady gait leads to falls, which leads to wounds.  If we fall without the proper tools to stand back up, we lay there only to be buried by life and all its circumstances.  The darkness will overcome.  We are left to reach for anything just to survive; even if the survival tool handed to us only helps temporarily.

Okay, so what does all this have to do with Hallmark movies?  They are just movies, right?  Well, yes!  But, if we get caught up in comparing our lives to those in the movies, those depicted in pictures on Facebook, the scripts read on Twitter or the scenes played out on Snapchat, we lose sight of the blessing in our own lives.  We lose sight of the One Who offers Truth to create a solid path on which to walk in life. 

God offers the tools required to survive.  God fills the void.  The Holy Spirit is our guide.  God will not disappoint, leave or give up on you.  God provides quiet, joy, peace and belonging.  He is your one true Savior.  His Way is everlasting.  The temporary in this life will never satisfy.  His love will bring indescribable comfort.

When I open my eyes to Him, I can see clearly the blessing provided in this life and remain hopeful for the place He saves for me in Eternity.  God gave me a loving husband who adores me even with my messy baggage.  God gives me opportunity to love others daily and shine His Light onto them.  He blessed me with two angels; one to encourage and take care of me and another to keep me filled with joy and love me like crazy.  God is good.  The world tries to mask His goodness, to veer us onto sandy ground. 

Choose Truth today.  Choose reality.  Embrace the blessings amongst the messy life you experience.  Know that this life is not all that He has planned for you.  He wants your help in this life to show others Him.  He wants you to encourage others to come to Him, meet Him at the Cross and give their lives in surrender.  Will you help Him today?

Oh yeah, I think He may like for you to watch a Hallmark movie, or two, or three. . . 😉      

          

 

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 

Sheree Craig

Life Isn't Easy

Raising kids isn’t easy!  Amen to that, right?

If I say pick up your clothes from the floor one more time, I may scream!  If I remind them to shut the door behind them one more time, I may shut it for them and lock them out!  After all, we are not heating/cooling the outside, right?  If I turn off one more light, I am sending them out to get a job so they can pay the electric bill!

Or, maybe it is the phase of. . .

If I tame one more temper tantrum, I may throw one myself.  If I need to remind them toys are not food one more time, I am eliminating all toys from their presence.  If I mop the bathroom one more time due to excessive splashing during bath time, they are going to get hosed off every night instead.

Whatever the age of our children, their brilliant little minds cannot retain rules put forth by parents.  Maybe they tune us out or they fail to believe the seriousness in our voice.  It seems they can make straight A’s in school but cannot remember to brush their teeth at night, wear clean underwear, clean up after themselves or avoid dangerous objects (such as hot stoves or busy streets).  Parents constantly discipline, teach and exhaust every rule known to man. 

To extend grace to our little blessings; growing up isn’t easy either!  The pressures in this world is outrageous.  Survival day to day can be difficult.  By the time parents get to them, the world may have beat them down or an impending decision may consume their thoughts, preventing absorption of any other information.  A dirty room may be their way of rebelling from demands of perfection.  Leaving doors open may be a result of a jam-packed schedule, keeping them in ‘hurry up mode’.  They may leave lights on for fear of darkness.  Parents have no clue what kids experience and kids have no clue what parents experience. 

I would like to combine the two phrases above. . .Living within a broken world isn’t easy!

 ³³ “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

God understands.  God knows.  God sees.  God loves.  God restores.  God provides.

Like a child constantly being reminded of basic rules as mentioned above; God reminds me daily of the simple fact that He will never leave me nor forsake me.  Like a child being tamed in a tantrum; God provides the deep breath required to calm down during an emotional storm.  As a parent warns a child of harmful actions in this world; God speaks loudly when harm enters my pathway.  He steps ahead, fighting off whatever may be the source of harm. 

My dear friends, God understands the pains, struggles and worries in this world.  He sent His Only Son to experience this world.  God knows the solution to every situation.  God sees the bigger picture and holds the ultimate prize at the end.  God loves you from the moment of creation.  God restores any past. . .ANY PAST!  He provides the straight path filled with peace.  He does this for everyone!  He will repeat this until it sinks deep within our soul! 

One example:  just the other day, while writing a chapter in my book, a flood of emotions arose due to the portion of my past I depicted.  I went straight to the Cross with all this junk!  God listened and began speaking louder than the lies of the past.  First in a sermon I watched before heading out the door.  Then, later in a Podcast.  And still even again with His constant Romans 8:28 reminder He provides to me.  He knew it would take quite a few times/ways for me to hear the peaceful Words He had to offer in this situation. 

I am still processing through the emotions; but, now with my faith as a shield protecting from the devil’s schemes and the Truth to disintegrate the devil’s lies.  The devil wants nothing more than to tear us down.  He uses our past mistakes, present hurts and future thoughts to place distance between us and the Cross.  Stand firm on His Truth today and leave the devil in the dust. 

It is okay if you need reminded, like 100 times a day, of His presence.  He will remind you 1000 times over if needed.  He cares for you.  He will protect you.  He will see you through this life.        

          

 

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 

Sheree Craig

It is Time to Start Dating Again

Have you ever been on a porch date? 

My husband and I long for date nights.  We venture to local restaurants, parks or unique places to spend quality time together.  This time is vital to our marriage.  Time alone away from stress in this world allows opportunity to grow closer in love.

We remain diligent in scheduling dates each month.  While finances strain in response to kids involvements increasing in cost, we spend lots of dates at home.  We kick the kids out to my in-laws and spend the evening at home ALONE!  After a long week of working and running here and there, I will take a date night (in) where I can sip my wine in my pajamas!

The older the kids get; the crazier life becomes.  This leaves little room in the schedule to date.  Again, dating is vital to marriage; therefore, something must be done.  I discovered porch sitting shortly after surgery.  Two beautiful, inviting chairs positioned perfectly on our front porch desire to be used.  I would sit and read while the kids played out front.  I enjoyed watching the birds, waving at the neighbors driving by and soaking in the sun.  One day, my husband joined in on the fun.  With a glass of our favorite beverages, we sat together for well over an hour. 

Thus, began porch dating.  I long for the moment my husband asks me on a porch date!  We grab our beverage, head to the front porch and solve all the world’s problems.  He listens while I share the day’s woes.  His demeanor displays a desire to be right where he sits.  He shares his day with me as we both enjoy the fresh air.  We offer a priceless gift to one another at each porch date. . .attention.  We focus on one another, leaving all the stress of the world on the front porch once we head back in the house.   

Each date binds our love a little stronger.  The time shared together keeps us encouraged to face the world.  We are a great team in this whole adulting thing. 

Though my husband helps me solve problems, loves unconditionally and adores me; I must have another kind of date DAILY.  A date at the Cross.  Such a date is vital to my faith.  It strengthens, guides, protects and fills a void only Jesus can fill.

Have you ever attended a date at the Cross?

As children of God, we long for meeting Him at the Cross.  This time is vital to strengthen our relationship with our Creator.  We leave the itinerary behind and approach the Cross.  The busier life becomes, the harder it seems to escape for time alone with God.  The increase in technology creates a barrier to intimate time with God. 

The awesome feature of attending a Cross date. . .it can occur anytime, anywhere!  Jesus waits eagerly at the Cross while watching the ways of this world.  He enjoys seeing all of creation, motioning for God’s children to come to the Cross.  He longs for the moment we ask Him for a date at the Cross!  He will listen as we share the woes of this world.  He will display a desire to be exactly where He sits.  He offers a priceless gift at the Cross. . .redemption.  No matter where we have been or what we have done, He waits with open arms at the Cross.

He loves you, desires a relationship with you and takes the burdens off your shoulders.  He wants to fill you with peace, encourage you to face this world and walk alongside you each day. 

Will you join Jesus for a date at the Cross today?  Then, go and sit on your front porch with your favorite beverage and take in the beauty of this world.  Ask a good friend or spouse to join you!  It will be rejuvenating!   

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."  Matthew 11:28   

  

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 

Sheree Craig