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

Right Here, Right Now

Why do multiple country songs refer to ‘the good ole days’?  Why do we like to reminisce, bask in how things ‘used to be’?  What memory takes you back to a place of comfort, joy, peace and warms your heart?

Adulting does not come easy.  No handbook exists for instructions on specific situations you will face as an adult.  Google cannot provide answers to the struggles existing in parenting.  Facebook will not ease the sadness and pain consuming us when life overwhelms or disappoints (though it tries).  Numbing out with alcohol, food, drugs, internet, social media, etc. will not erase the damage done.

Countless events occur during life, many never imagined possible back in ‘the good ole days’.  Our hearts break seeing the ways of the world and yearn for how things ‘used to be’.  Is peace possible once leaving the innocence of childhood?  Can comfort exist outside of a momma’s hug or a dad’s pat on the back?  How can we laugh when so much stress sits on our shoulders?

Maybe childhood was not easy for you.  I am sorry to hear that my dear friend.  But, even so, the world continues to increase in speed, demands and challenges.  The tragedies of today supersede the past generations.  Healthy coping mechanisms fade with each generation.  Comparison overwhelms our children through social media, following them into adulthood.  Around every turn, society seeps into our thoughts to challenge our character.  We begin berating ourselves and ultimately criticizing God’s creation.

Being forced to slow down presented multiple lessons in life.  Explanations arose to why life remained difficult.  God revealed the lack of faith, the clinched fists holding onto the past and my stubborn attitude of “I got this”.  I longed for the days before life got tough.  I longed for someone to take the pain, difficulty and lack of confidence away.  I longed for comfort, euphoria and the world to slow down. 

Well, the world continues fast pace; but, I slowed down.  I stopped to ‘smell the roses’.  Sounds cliché, I know; but, stopping to smell the roses is a must.  If we fail to slow down, we miss God’s presence.  He appears everywhere to assure peace, comfort and that He has our back! 

The world demands answers, repairs, comfort, etc. like yesterday.  The world cannot wait for anything.  The world runs 100 MPH to get nowhere.  The world ranks by success, judges by outward appearance and refuses to surrender due to pride.

God answers in His most perfect timing.  The answer to a concern may not reveal immediately – in comes faith.  “¹Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”  Hebrews 11:1

God repairs your broken heart.  He takes each piece and begins to use it for His good.  He wants your past hurts, mistakes and burdens.  He uses each as weaponry against the enemy and to shine His light.  “¹⁷ The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.  ¹⁸ The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”  Psalm 34:17-18

God provides lasting comfort.  A comfort that consumes every fiber of our being.  God catches each tear and replaces it with purpose.  He reveals His power, glory and presence through comfort.  He works good out of unimaginable situations.  Words may not be available in troubling times; but, God knows what we need and provides as we trust Him.   “²⁷ And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.  ²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a] have been called according to his purpose.”  Romans 8:26-28

We need not long for the ‘good ole days’.  We need not escape in a memory to find peace.  Slow down, enjoy this moment right here, right now!  God is walking alongside, seeking a relationship, asking to take the burdens of today so you can stop and smell the roses.  No, seriously, stop and smell the roses!  The beautiful scenery provided in this world was created by our God.  Even more so, He created the beauty seen in a reflection.

Slow down today, enjoy the moment and laugh.  Yes, let’s laugh today!  God bless each of you today! 

  

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 

Sheree Craig

A Criminal Revealed

I am a thief. . .

As a child, a colorful tiny piece of candy caught my eye while shopping.  Back in the day this candy sold without wrapping to cover it.  I had never tried such candy and the irresistible, sugary, colorful goodness lay there before my eyes.  Impulse took over any morals established thus far in life vanished.  My tiny hand swiped a piece of button candy right off the shelf. 

The candy tasted like sugary cardboard.  The crime occurred with an unsatisfactory result.  The thief never revealed; but, a child rightfully purchasing the candy strip shorted one piece due to my impulsive nature. 

I am a thief. . .

My sister dressed in the best of styles.  She left the house in beauty and remained popular throughout school.  I envied my sister in more ways than one.  We shared a room; therefore, her array of wonderful clothing hung right at my fingertips.  As she left the house to hang with friends, I “borrowed” clothes for a while.  I placed everything back in its place before her return.  I did get caught on this one from time to time. . .but not always!

I am a liar. . .

A recent tragedy resulting in the death of my favorite teacher/coach brought back quite a few memories.  One revealing a liar.  Idle time before basketball practice one day left a dear friend and I to dabble with cigarettes.  In comes the thief thing again – we stole one from her mom.  We shared a few puffs back and forth (on school property mind you) and then took it in and flushed the butt down the toilet.  We wreaked of smoke and the bathroom carried the scent as well.  When asked as a team if the smoker would come forward or if any knew details of the situation. . .my friend and I remained silent.  Worst part, I believe the coach knew in her heart it was us.  Shame overtook due to disappointing her with lies and hiding such actions.

I am a liar. . .

Years filled with lies to hide bad decisions from my parents.  Lies continued to hide an eating disorder overtaking my thoughts/actions.  Lies led to convincing me that I am fine using things in this world to find comfort, bury any emotion and continue living in sin. 

Anyone confessing crimes of youthful years right now?  We make thousands of decisions daily; from what time to wake to outfit design to how to discipline a child, etc.  Small decisions that really do not alter much in our story.  Big decisions that shift the entire plot of our stories.  The weight of choosing the correct pathway, open door or leader to follow in life rests on our shoulders.

The above scenarios depict a child choosing incorrectly based on impulse, desire to fit in this world, survival from pain and numbing from discomfort.  I am not alone in such lifestyle.  Granted, most of these were made as an immature child; but, such pattern developed a character within which continued in adulthood. 

I am a liar/thief. . .

I have been lying to myself and hiding from others.  I hung on to eating disorder patterns to survive stress in life.  I hid behind the lies of my eating disorder.  I stole joy, peace and laughter from my life.  The decisions made daily led to out of control thinking, living in the extreme and hiding any emotion. 

I lacked character.  I became lost in lies.  I remained hidden in sin and suffering. . .

Then, came Truth.  Then, came open arms waiting for me to surrender.  Then, came Hope. . .READ Romans 5:1-11!

I am redeemed.  God continues to build my character, remind me who I am and guide me with Truth.  It is available for you as well – NO MATTER THE PAST – will you seek Him today?  Begin building character that will develop you for an eternal life in Heaven.

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 

Sheree Craig