Do for 1 What You Wish You Could Do for 100

"Who You Become is Determined by How You PRAY."-Circle Maker

So I need to take back the words I said in an earlier post... Now I wasn't telling a story when I said "Life is HECTIC" but I had no idea how non-hectic my life was, compared to TODAY! 

Ever feel like your To-Do List keeps growing faster than you can check things off the list?

BAMM.. That's where I am today.

Boy, I had NO IDEA how many details there are to pulling off a wedding!

In the midst of feeling overwhelmed, I've become so extremely grateful for my family and the company of good friends who remind me of the importance of this union. It's not about the flower arrangements, the color scheme, or the weather that day...

September 20th, 2014 - (Yeah that's right.. WE SET THE DATE!) is about only one thing. Proclaiming the love of God to everyone we know, by promising with all our hearts: to care and support one another till the end of our days... To love one another selflessly, lifting the other up to stay strong in our faith.

Gosh, I'm so overwhelmed (in an VERY good way!) by just HOW GOOD God is... That He would make someone so wonderful, for someone like me.

I'm reading several books simultaneously right now, on top of the mountain of other things going on, that are helping me build a more solid foundation as I prepare my heart for this next year:

1. "Sacred Marriage" by Gary Thomas 

This book is centered around this one question : "What if God designed Marriage to make us Holy more than to make us Happy?" Sometimes we get swept up in the whole "Romantical" part of being married that we get a blurred depiction of the real reason God gave us marriage.. I'm only two chapters in, but I can already this book is going to be GOOD!

2. "The Circle Maker" by Mark Batterson

This book is helping me to understand the importance of intentional prayer. I started this post off with just one of the MANY awesome quotes from this book.. "Who You Become is Determined by How You Pray." 

What a convicting message! 

How do you pray? I know personally I kind of use the sandwich system when praying.. 

I say thanks for things going on in my life right now, I talk with God about my concerns, I pray for Jordan and then I sandwich the whole thing by saying either "I love you Lord & help me do what you want me to do today" or "help me get some rest and get ready for what's in store for tomorrow". 

While there really isn't anything wrong with this prayer style, its not INTENTIONAL... I'm not being BOLD with my prayers. 

Another awesome quote from this book:

"Bold prayers Honor God, and God Honors BOLD prayers."

There is nothing God loves more than keeping promises, answering prayers, performing miracles and fulfilling DREAMS.

God is for you, not against you. Let me say that again.. 

God is FOR YOU, NOT against You!

Let's plan on working on two things next week:

1. Share with God your Thanksgivings AND your Biggest Dreams. 

Tell Him your heart's desires and ASK for them to come about..not for your glory but for His. That you can turn around and share that Good News with others, "Hey look what's happening in my life! I asked God for this to come about and He DID IT!" 

2. Define the Foundation on which You are Building Your Relationships.

Are you making the most of the time with you friends and family? Are you telling those you love just HOW MUCH you love them, and as often as you can? Guys, life is short and there isn't time to lose. Set aside the To-Do Lists and pick up the phone and tell someone that you might not have told in awhile how much you appreciate them in your life. Get in your car and drive to meet a loved one that you may have lost connection with for whatever reason and tell them how much they mean to you.. that you're ready to break down the barrier and start something new.

I know that I've not been so intentional these past few years with my time with friends and loved ones. I've let life and all the hectic-ness that comes with it get in the way. I'm making that a personal goal to not let the stresses of life, wedding planning, To-Do lists get in the way of telling someone on a daily basis how much I need them in my life, how much I want them in my life, how much I love them.

How uplifted would our spirits be if we just took those couple of minutes every day to send that message of love and support to someone else? And think about the impact it would make on their life as well.

Christ showed us the greatest example of love the world has ever known by enduring the cross. He laid down His life for the sake of all. 

This quote has really impacted me this week and might be something good to remember and keep on your heart:

"Do for 1, what you wish you could do for 100." 

That number may be 100, or 1000, or one million..

Make a difference in one life what you wish you could do for so many!

Father, Help us to be intentional with our time in this life. Help us to not take for granted the time we have to share love with friends, family and even strangers. It is through love that we can truly become closer to You because we know Father, that You ARE Love. Thank you for our many blessings and help us to not be fearful of sharing our hearts desires and biggest dreams with You. We sometimes forget just how mighty You are Lord, and how so desperately You want a relationship with us. Let us be BOLD with our prayers and the relationships we have here on Earth. We love you Lord. -Amen

Start praying BOLD prayers and keep on doing good, friends.

Until next time,

#futuremrsbell :)