Changing the way we think......

I use to see people standing on the side of the road holding their cardboard signs and I would think "it's their own fault, there are plenty of resources to help them" But then one day God got a hold of my heart, and I suddenly thought "what if they really don't know about the resources available to them?!" I felt embarrassed that I had just been assuming and judging, I was not acting as a Christian should. Now I understand some people are aware and just want a free hand out, but is it fair to punish and judge everyone standing on the side of the road because of something a few others do? The next time I saw a gentleman standing on the side of the road I bought him some water and bananas, he was shocked and so appreciative! I felt so guilty that I had been saying such unkind things, what a wake up call it was for me! What if we all made up little brochures with information about resources for the homeless and handed them out with enough change for a pay phone, some water and fresh fruit? What a difference we could make with one simple act of kindness!

God Bless, Allicen

Getting closer to God

The beginning of this week, I was so exhausted, I was drained emotionally and very irritable. I felt overwhelmed with house work, even though I started cleaning when I got up between 6-7am and continued until bedtime I felt like I was accomplishing NOTHING! The kids moods and attitudes were sour and whiny most of the time and I was constantly losing my patience with them. On Tuesday, I just couldn't do it anymore I felt like I was falling apart, I just started crying to God, and then for the first time I just really waited and listened for his response. He had a question for me, why do you spend more time cleaning your house than you spend with me? That's when I realized my priorities needed to be changed. I took the entire day off from house work and worry, the only thing I did was spend time reading and listening to his word, praying and spending time with my children, I have now been doing this for 3 days and it has been AMAZING! I finally decided to live by the conviction to only wear skirts and dresses(which I had been ignoring for a few years) and after a lot of reading and prayer I am now also covering my head. I have never felt better! I feel free, like the world has been taken from my shoulders! I have patience with my children again, and they are in good spirits again! And you want to know the funny thing? I am spending a lot more time with the Lord than I spend on house work but my house is actually cleaner :) I cannot wait to draw closer to him still and see what his plans are for my life!