Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Looking Back...Way Back!

First Things First:
Please pray for our new president...President Obama today and every day. I was listening to K-Love yesterday and DJ, Lisa Williams was talking about getting ready to go on a trip, packing, praying she wouldn't get stressed out and forget anything. Then she began to think about the stress, pressure and responsibilities of President Obama will be facing over the next 4 years...our military, our protection against terrorist, economy, education, health care and so much more...he holds the United States in his hands. Yes, Jesus Christ truly holds us in the palm of His hand but I am speaking about the power and responsibility that the President of the United States has on his shoulders. We need to lift him up in prayer daily as God has told us to do regardless of our politial view, beliefs or opinions of our new president...nothing changes what God's word says:

I Timothy 2:2
Pray for rulers and for all who have authority so that we canhave quiet and peaceful lives full of worship and respect for God.


I love Facebook! I really didn't see what all the hype was about earlier this year when I created an account. I have since then...seen the light.

What has made Facebook so special for me is that recently, I have reconnected with former schoolmates that I haven't seen in 28 years.

Carl, who moved to Oregon 20 years ago, started posting old photos from school or better yet...that era! LOL! Boy, oh boy...have we changed and have things changed.

Long went the simply things in life, no responsibilities (except to clean your room), no bills to pay, no meals to prepare and you weren't responsible for anyone other than yourself.

The style of clothing, the hair styles and the make-up...has had me laughing today. It is amazing to see how much we all have changed when it only seems like just yesterday. The adventures, twist and turns that each one of our lives have taken. The different paths that we have taken since we graduated high school. Some have been married for years and years and others have married, divorced and remarried...others are not married or no longer married. Some have grown children, young children and some don't have any children. Some have made good career choices and other have "wasted" their lives with drugs and alcohol. Some have moved across the country, some just across the state and some haven't move very far from home after all these years. And sadly...some have lost their lives several years ago. One girl that I went to school with died with her two children in a house fire about 10 years ago and a guy that I graduated with died of a heart attack just past his 40th birthday.

When I think about been a teenager and living at home...the freedom, carefree life that I was living and for the most part....responsible free and all expenses paid...I ask myself from time to time when I reflect back to 1981...what was I thinking? All of that changed when I got married 3 weeks after I graduated from high school.

For me, I have been responsible for another human being (my son, Brandon) for 22, almost 23 years. Regardless, of how old they get...you are still responsible for them in one sense or another. Then, I became a step-mother of two daughters ages 12 and 10. After that, I became the mother of another son, Tyler, who is now 14 years old. Seven years ago, I became a grandmother to Mason.

During my first marriage, things weren't like God intended a marriage to be and even though, I was responsible for my husband as his wife but it never felt like it. I did every thing that I knew how to do to be a good wife so that he would be faithful, devoted and love me in return. It just didn't happen.

It wasn't until nearly 18 years ago that I married the man of my dreams and prayers that I understood what being responsible for a husband was all about. It is my honor and privilege to be responsible for and serve each one that God has so graciously blessed me with.

I love reflecting back over my life, seeing all that has happened in my life and how God has kept His hand on me each and every step of the way. Just as one of my favor scriptures so beautifully states.

Hebrews 13:5 (The Message Bible)
..."I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,"


Have a wonderfully blessed day!

9 comments:

  1. I will be praying for our new president. Facebook is amazing isn't it. Reconnecting is so fun and looking back is a hoot at times. I am not into it much, but when someone writes on my wall and finds me...I love it.

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  2. Jennifer,

    My son keeps trying to convince me to open a Facebook acct and I keep saying no because I don't feel like I have the time and I don't want to get bogged down...but when I read stories like this it makes me want to! That is really amazing!

    I'm so encouraged by your testimony of God being with you. He is so good! Praising Him with you today!

    Hugs to you, sweet sis!

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  3. Brilliant minds think alike, huh?? ;) God is good!

    I agree on both accounts.--Pray for our leaders AND Facebook is awesome! :)

    Have a wonderful day.

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  4. I just realized that you have the song "In Christ Alone" by B.Littrell.
    This song always (and I type through tears now) brings tears to my eyes. The first time I heard this song, we had EARNESTLY been praying for a baby.-- After 9 years of infertility, I had just found out that I was pregnant. This song was on the radio (k-love) and God gave me a gentle reminder that once again.... that GOD IS GOOD!

    * You don't have to publish this. I just wanted to share a testimony with you. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Amen about praying for our new president. God help him and us.

    And yes, facebook is truly addicting!!!

    I'm glad you are reconnecting with some old friends.

    Bless you!
    Beth

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  6. Amen on praying for the president.

    Glad you've enjoyed facebook and have reconnected with some friends. I ended up deleting my account because between blogging, emailing and working, oh, and twitter, I just couldn't keep up!

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  7. I miss visiting with you more regularly, but it really has been good for me to disengage from the computer a bit. I'm getting lots more done in my home.

    I wanted to comment about our need to pray for President Obama. First of all, God has commanded us to pray for our leaders, so it is non-negotiatable. And, frankly, I think that many Christians (myself included in that number) ceased praying for George Bush long ago. I feel like we took the attitude that since he won the election (in 2000 and in 2004), he could do the job on his own, without the help of the Almighty. (Meaning, we pray when things are looking bleak, but when things are going well, we fail to pray). And since we Christians had "our guy" in the White House, we figured it was okay not to pray for him anymore. But you know what, without God's enablement and wisdom he was bound to make mistakes. Now, we Christians have another chance. Let's pray for our new President. REgardless of whether we voted for him or not, he is the man God chose to lead us. And, therefore, he deserves our respect. (I took my NOBAMA bumper sticker off my car this morning, because I dont' want to be disrespectful towards the man God has put in leadership). He needs our prayers.

    Blessings to you,
    Patti

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  8. I have recently become a facebook addict as well. Several folks had tried to talk me into it for a while but I was sold out to myspace. Since getting on facebook, I have all but ditched myspace! lol I've been able to reconnect with a bunch of folks from high school too. It is a great network!

    I always enjoy your blog, and I love your pretty blue layout!

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  9. Praying and facebook is awesome

    I love your reflection!!!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for stopping by today and sharing your heart felt thoughts with me. As we ride "Through the Storms of Life" together, chances are...your situation is different than mine. However, we serve the same awesome God, King of Kings who is in complete control and it all belongs to Him anyway...He wants to give you the very best. Be encouraged my friend, God loves you!

Thank you again for taking the time to visit me at "Through the Storms of Life".

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