1 Thess. 5:16-18

About a year and half ago, Bro John was giving a sermon (as he usually does on Sunday mornings) and he used a verse I had read many times over but for some reason this time when he read it was like suddenly yellow light bulbs were circling around this verse and angels were singing on the page.  It instantly became my life verse. 


'Be joyful always. Pray without ceasing. Be thankful for all circumstances in your life, for they are God's will for you.'  1 Thess. 5:16-18. 


When I read it, I was like DUH!!!  I mean how much simpler can it get???
1) Be JOYFUL, All the time! 
*Joy is one of my favorite words. When a person has true JOY in their heart, it just shines, its contagious, its not just being happy, its being radiant! JOY is a word that I want my children to use to describe me....(I gotta get to working on that!)   Joy is one of my favorite words!! 


For the record, Stellar is another favorite word!


2) PRAY endlessly!  I admit, my prayer life is a WIP-Work In Progress. I am what I call a shooting star prayer.  I say itty-bitty prayers almost all day.  When I see Chick-fil-A I am instantly reminded of Witten and his love for food, so I'll ask for protection over W while he's away from me.  You get the idea??  But I admit, I am terrible at slowing down enough to really pray.  I try to every morning and at night, but I do have to battle my ADHD during it. 


3) Just be THANKFUL for every event that takes place in your life.  Right now, I'm struggling with contentment with my job.  It is so great for me. I get to work with THE cutest boy in town plus I have the most flexible boss a girl could ask for. But I miss my friends, the kids I worked with, the great parents I got to know and love.  I miss seeing God at work in little kids hearts! But I am just thankful to have a job, a job that is such a huge part of my family.  I am learning new things everyday.  And for that, I have been humbled (Which needed to take place)   But my new job and life IS God's will for me and my family.  We were seeking His will when we were praying for this change in our lives and I am following His path.   And for that, I am grateful! That He would even love me enough to care, to show me the path to follow.  
Today I was driving down the road trying to organize 3 kids at 3 different schools.  I just said Out loud "Lord, take me back to my normalcy!"  And He replied with "This IS your new normalcy. Deal with Tracey!"    


Oh My Gluesticks!!  You're so right!! This IS my new normalcy!!  Ok, I'll deal with it. 
And so I am trying to deal.... trying to grasp how I will pick up E, drive to town to get W, just to turn around and drive right back to Benton to get home before B gets off the school bus!  
Whew!! I'm exhausted already!!  But I'm gonna deal with it, because my babies need me to! 


Thank you Lord, for your unconditional love. A love that is so undeserving.  When I fail you, you are still there, walking with me, guiding me and comforting me.  I find rest and peace knowing that you are in control.  And in that, I can have true JOY in my heart!!


Peace Out Hommies!