Practice What You Preach

I can hear her now, "Anna, you better practice what you preach talkin' to your sister that way." That's mama getting on to me for telling Abby, the younger version of me, what to do. 

If you have a younger sibling then you'll immediately know what I'm talking about. For those of you only-childers out there, play along with me.

Having once been in her shoes just a few short years ago, I find myself more often than not trying to steer Ab clear from the temptations and mistakes I found myself making at her age. Some might say that's only natural, but deep down in my heart, I feel like the Lord has been telling me, "Anna, it is better for you to be an example rather than be a mother..." which she already has (and one of the best, I might add!).  But it's just so hard when you feel like you've got the answers to prevent the heartache from coming later on down the road. Insert my sometimes stubborn and controlling personality here.

But once again, the Lord knows what He's talking about here. My way of thinking, even with the best of intentions, is just down right wrong. At any time in life, we must not ask others to do things that we ourselves wouldn't do. Sure I want Ab to be better than I ever dreamed of being, but I cannot hold her to a higher standard that what I hold for myself. It's not fair. Insert poor example here.

By stepping out of the way, like I spoke about in my last post, and letting the Lord take control of our life... can we lead by example and better follow His commands. Only then can others see Him in what we do!

Gosh, what a weight is lifted off my shoulders as I type this! I don't need to try so hard to tell Ab what she should/shouldn't be doing. Rather I should simply wake up each morning, asking the Lord to take control of my life today and let HIM work in HER life through how He uses me in that day!

How wonderful it feels when things start finally clicking together!

Grab your Bible and read a bit of Matthew 23. I want to highlight verses 3 & 4.

So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don't follow their example. For they don't practice what they teach. They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden.

Let's remember these verses when we go out into the fields and harvest God's crop. Be the example to those you love by remembering to let the Lord take control.

Father, help me to lead by example. I don't want people to fall away from You because of my poor leadership. Teach me and guide me to follow the best example of all, You. Thank you for your love and willingness to take control over my life. -Amen.

Until next time :)
-A

Wake Up Call

God allows different seasons in our life to happen that will literally wake us up from the lax lifestyle we find ourselves leading. 

I'm beyond blessed to be blogging with you today and so sorry several days have gone by since I've been back. The truth is, the same day I began this journey with you, I had the worst accident of my life. Even now that a few days have passed, I still find it hard to talk about it... but hey, isn't that what this blog is all about?

You know that feeling when you first open your eyes after a nights sleep? It's all blurry and you're rubbing your eyes to truly wake up and see your surroundings? That's how I've been feeling these past few months. Just idling through life might be a better description. I've found myself between semi-trying to find a job after graduation and holding on to every childhood memory while living at home. Not really submersing myself in the Word like I should.. Making excuses not to workout and eat healthier.. You get the picture.

But God opened my eyes Tuesday afternoon. Something only He could do.

I was driving down the interstate heading to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned. I was near my exit so I merged into the right lane, quickly checked the time and adjusted the air, then BAM. I ran into the back of a truck traveling much slower than I anticipated, with my cruise on 70 mph. The impact sent me spinning into the median and totaled my car.

Talk about a wake up call!! Everyone, myself included, came out with minor cuts and bruises. Talk about a miracle. I tear up just thinking about it, but God was watching over my little Murano and the other cars involved...no doubt in my mind. And for that, I am forever greatful.

My tag and a couple of decals, along with two little boxes of the car essentials.. cotton bowls my sweet man gave me not long after we first started dating, 30A coasters, Lysol wipes (because I'm a germ-a-phob ha.) and a mountain of cds, was all I had left. Talk about depressing.

But sometimes we need a good jolt to knock us out of the lax frame of mind we sometimes fall into. It took this accident for me to realize that I am truly not in control. Let me say that again, I am not in control! I've prayed many times, "I want to hand the reigns over to you now..." or "I'm gonna step out of the way.." but it took this accident for me to realize my life is 100% in God's hands. What a blessing that is!

Our Father loves us so much that He took on the weight of the world...every worry, every stress, every insecurity, every sin... and simply put, took control. He only asks that you step out of the way and let Him take it from here.

Now if you're anything like me, that might seem near impossible. You see, I'm a plan-ahead-er. I like to plan accordingly so no unexpected surprises come along. So I'm ashamed to say when I asked this of God, to take the reigns over my life, I never truly let Him. It took the Lord's intervention on my heart (and psych to be honest), in the midst of the worst accident I've ever been apart of... to open my eyes and realize how important it is to let the Lord take hold of my life.

My friend, won't you do the same? Won't you join me in this new season of life? Let's together die to our old selves and wholeheartedly, let go!

Isaiah 40:29-31
He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Thank you Lord, for letting us enter into this new season with you. I pray that you be with us now as we let go to our old selves and be reborn in you. Father, I pray you give us new eyes to see, just as you see, and new hearts to love others, just as you love us. As we get ready for this day, let it be a constant reminder to us to step back and let you take control in all that we do. -Amen.



Until next time :)
-A