Paid It All

Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

Our worship team has been knocking it out of the park the past few weeks. They recently blessed us with an awesome rendition of this traditional hymn. How blessed we are that He sent His only son to rescue us from the sin of this world! It was through this ultimate sacrifice that were saved.

I cannot put into words the joy that pours from my heart with this song. The first time I heard it was at our old church in Raleigh, and it immediately spoke to my heart. Since then, every time I've heard it I am filled with such love for the Lord and His unending love for us. 

 This is a great version of this beautiful song. . .

What's your favorite hymn?

The Power of Prayer

I believe in the power of prayer.

When people said they were praying for us after we lost Emerson, I felt full of hope and love. I knew we had an army of people behind us pleading to God for our healing. Each week at the end of our community group discussion, we listen to each other's prayer requests and praises. It's amazing to check in and see the needs of your church family, and the growth that can come from it.

There is something incredible about knowing people are praying for you. When people say they are praying for me, I genuinely hope that they are. I believe the outcome of prayer is something wonderful. I love when people ask if they can pray over me, or if I need prayer. I believe God is using the people around us to comfort us and to build us up through these prayers.

I was once guilty of telling people I was praying for them, without actually following through with the action. I am ashamed of this. How immature of me to claim something so special, but not complete it. I don't think I truly believed at that point, but now

I believe in the power of prayer.

Now, when I tell someone I am praying for them, I mean it with all that I am. I am genuinely curious if their prayer requests are fulfilled. I hope with my heart that what comes of it is truly from God. 

 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

-Mark 11:24 

God of Hope

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit

-Romans 15:13

Hope is something that I did not have for a long time. I felt crushed and defeated following the loss of Emerson, certainly not hopeful. Hearing these words was very difficult in the first few days. I could not fathom having hope at a time when I was just trying to get by. I continued to turn to God for refuge, but there was no moment when I felt hope for the future.

Days passed and things got better. I began to open up about it more with others. I started to leave the house. I ventured beyond my comfort zone. Each little step helped me heal. Every day held a challenge for me to overcome. Yet I still did not feel hope for what's to come.

I'm finding hope.

It was first felt when we were out running errands. For a brief moment I felt hope for our little family. I felt it again one morning at church as we were worshiping. He filled me with the hope that He promised. More and more little moments began to penetrate my life. Now, I am to the point when I have more moments of hope than of despair.

This benediction is uttered over us every Sunday as we leave church. It used to be words I heard, but did not process. I now soak in every word of truth as they pour over me. What an amazing promising He is fulfilling in my life!

Filling Up Your Bucket

I worked as a nanny for a wonderful family the summer before I began my teaching career. All four children were full of love and grace, and I wish they were closer so we could continue to see them grow! Anywho, they had this book about "filling up others' buckets". The premise was that with each kind thing you say you are filling up someone's bucket, or heart, with good things and with each bad thing you say you take something away. It was a very sweet book that taught a great lesson.

Sitting in church a few weeks ago it hit me that Jesus calls us to continually fill buckets, and to resist the temptation to take from a bucket. By doing as we are called to do by Christ, we are filling up the buckets of those around us. Whether it's listening to a friend going through a tough time or preparing a meal for a sick neighbor, we are filling buckets. It's when we gossip with that friend or prepare the meal in hopes of getting one in return that we are taking from their bucket.

Like any other person, I struggle to fill buckets. I'm not purposely malicious, but in the haste of day-to-day tasks I get caught up and forget to minister to those around me, or fill their bucket. Thinking of my students, how hard is it for me to pause and compliment one when they do well on a weekly quiz? It's not hard, but I don't always do it. Or, is it really that tough for me to turn off my computer and phone and really listen to someone who just needs an ear? It's not tough, but I don't always do it.

Now, that my eyes have been truly opened to my selfishness I am going to work to fill others' buckets. What's stopping you from doing the same?

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

-Ephesians 4:29 

Your Love

Your love never fails
It never gives up
It never runs out on me.

Though I had heard this song on the radio a few times, our church has recently started singing this beautiful song of Christ's love for us. The words of His continual love through all situations speaks right to my heart. 

It reminds me that without Him we can never find our way out of the dark this world brings. It reminds me that His love is always with us, even when we feel most alone. It reminds me that no matter how how much we feel like we are drowning, His love will rescue us if we only accept it.

Someone told me the other day they don't know where I find the strength right now. It's an easy answer-His love. My being able to return to work and my routine activities has nothing to do with me, but everything to do with Him. I've always been one who tries to take it all on myself without asking for help, but I quickly realized I could not survive without His rescuing love. 

It never fails. It never gives up. It never runs out on us.

I pray that others find their strength in His love and realize it's saving power.

Call My Name

This song came on Pandora this morning, and it was at a perfect time. I wrote earlier this week how a song can hit you at just the right moment. Well, God spoke to me this morning through this song.

 When you feel like you're alone in your sadness
It seems like no one else in this whole world cares
And you want to get away from the madness
You just call My name and I'll be there
You just call My name and I'll be there

It started on Friday, the loneliness. For no particular reason at all, it just kind of hit me all over again. I was at school, and there were no triggers, but I just felt sad. I could feel myself slipping into the despair that I knew all too well a month ago. The sadness was magnified by the lack of hope I felt. For the first time in a while I was struggling to find hope. So, I did the only thing I knew to do and I prayed to find the hope and peace that kept me going.

The pain inside
Has erased your hope for love
Soon you will find
That I'll give you all
That your heart could ever want
And so much more

Then, yesterday we were at Target and I almost lost it as I walked past the baby section. The last time we were there we were updating our registry for our sweet baby girl. I saw a couple picking out bibs and it about killed me. I just kept walking, praying to God to give me the strength to take those steps. 

You just call My name
You just call My name
Call My name say it now
I want you to never doubt
The love I have for you is so alive
Call My name say it now
I want you to never doubt
The love I have for you is so alive

 

Yesterday evening I received a facebook message that threw me off a bit, but as I reread it I recognized God speaking to me through it. He wanted me to know that He was there. He was right next to me the entire time. At school, at Target, and there as I read that message. He was telling me there was hope. He was telling me that if I just continued to call His name He would never leave me.

The love I have for you is so alive
You just call My name

 

 

 

Not For A Moment

A few weeks ago a dear church friend sent me an uplifting email letting me know she was praying for me. She also mentioned that she heard a song that reminded her of me in this situation. I started crying the moment I heard it, and have every time since then. Monday marked a month since she was born, so this song has meant even more to me this week.

It is a beautiful proclamation of the Lord's grace over our lives in all facets. He is faithful and will not forsake us. There may be dark times in our lives, such as the one David and I are in, but He is constant. He has not left our side one step of the way and because of His love we are able to take steps closer to healing every day. How fortunate we are that He is the light in the dark! 

Please take the time to listen to these touching words of worship by Meredith Andrews...

A Season of Solitude

A few Sundays ago our pastor at Hope Church preached the benefits solitude has the potential to bring. This sermon spoke to me because of the season of solitude that has been forced upon me. 

I am a "doer", an action-taker in all situations. Any time a project was assigned at school I wanted to know the due date so I could begin planning how I would split it up to complete it with plenty of time to spare. I was the bossy one who insisted on doing the whole group project to ensure it was done how I thought would be right. In short, I've never been one to take well to seasons of solitude and rest.

David is quick to call me out and tell me I need to relax, and I am quick to tell him that to-do lists and a full calendar do relax me. So when a season of solitude and rest was forced on me, you can imagine how difficult it was for me to let go. It was only made possibly by others who stepped up and allowed me to take a step back.

Solitude can be just as dangerous a place as isolation, unless you are conscious about how you use that time. Our pastor warned against being one who constantly seeks that time of quiet and alone time. Someone who instead of filling their time caring for others with the occasional period of recharging instead does the opposite and rarely cares for others more than themselves.

Taking time to recharge and listen to Him was exactly what I needed, only I didn't realize I needed it so badly. I needed to take a step back and "refill my bucket" in order to pour out on others again. I'd become so focused on my job and ministries that I forgot to find Him in them. I was just going through the motions. 

While I wish it could have come in a very different way, I am thankful for this season of solitude. I have been able to journal through my emotions. I have been able to have as much time for daily prayer and meditation on the Word as I want. I have been able to step back and refocus myself where I need to be-in His way. 

I have been stilled and reminded that He is God.

Word of God

The Power of Prayer

This morning I was sitting in my classroom trying to get organized for the shortened day (they sent us home early because of foul weather!) when a sweet teacher friend of mine came in. She said she had an odd request and asked if she could pray for me. She said the Lord had placed it on her heart as she was walking past my classroom. I was so overcome with emotion I could barely stutter out a yes. This wonderful lady prayed beautiful words over me on a morning a really needed them.

Yesterday we got a baby magazine in the mail. I managed to get off all the email subscriptions, but had completely forgotten about the two magazines I had already signed up for in anticipation of Emerson's arrival. I didn't get the mail yesterday afternoon, so I found it this morning waiting for me. All I could think about all morning was how much I missed her. My friend's words were exactly what I needed to hear.

This morning was an amazing reminder of the power of prayer. God knew in that exact moment exactly what I needed to hear so he placed it on her heart to comfort me. I am constantly in awe of the wondrous way He works.

Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You're in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak

-Mercyme

First Place

Give Him first place in your life and live as He wants you to.

-Matthew 6:33

This came from a daily devotional The Momma gave me a while back. I wish I could say I read it daily and spend time in prayer over the verse, but that would be lying. I do read it, but sometimes it's in a hurried rush out the door on my way to work and other times I actually get to think it through. Today I'm thinking. 

I've been doing a very bad job of this recently. It's actually kind of ironic because I have more time to devote to Him now that school is out. I can honestly tell y'all I have not been doing this. Instead of carving out time each morning (like I had intended to) I am instead filling my time with other tasks. I have noticed my faith wavering and faltering because of it as well. I have noticed my patience is shorter and the grace I typically see covering situations is not there. I have no one to blame but myself.

When I do give Him priority over all realms of my life I am a much stronger person. I find that learning opportunities surround me and I can handle much more. When I live as He wants me to, I find that my heart is more open and troubles just roll off my shoulders. If these things happen, why am I not giving Him first place? Because it's not easy; that's the answer. 

Giving Him first place means shutting down my own selfish wants. Giving Him first place means not always doing what I want, but doing what He wants. Giving Him first place requires me to squash my plans and accept His. Giving Him first place also means overwhelming love and grace, and that wins every time. 

So, I'm shutting me down. I'm doing what He wants. I'm accepting His plans. 

Are you?

Quiet Take Two

One year ago today I wrote about wanting to rid my life of many of the distractions that exist in it. Instead of giving something up for Lent like chocolate or fried foods, I chose to give up distractions. I turned off my radio in the car and shut down many of the distractions that keep me from communicating with God. The purpose of the Lenten season is not to deprive yourself of everything you love and go mad because of it. The purpose is to remember the sacrifice He made for us on the cross and draw closer to Him through that.

In our community group we've been talking in recent weeks about listening to God. I often find myself doing much of the talking and not doing much listening. Think about any solid relationships you have with other people. Are the successful ones the ones that you do all the talking, the ones that you do all the listening, or the ones where there is a balance? I'm going to go out on a whim here and say they're probably the ones with the balance. I need to find that balance in my communication with God.

I am going to be shutting down all distractions again. I will be turning off the radio, my cellphone, and anything else that may cause a distraction. I think these next forty days are going to aid in the growth of my relationship with God in a beautiful way.

What are you doing to draw closer to God in this time?

Drawing Lines

Yesterday our church was fortunate enough to have Dr. Paul Alexander come speak to us (sermon found here). He challenged our church to do more than just go through the motions. He asked us to look at the world around us, feel for the people we see, and then do something. God really spoke to my heart with this sermon.

It seems that I am great at going through the motions. I go to church every Sunday. I volunteer with our kids' ministry, I participate in a community group each. But after Dr. Alexander's sermon I asked myself, "am I just going through the motions?". With each story he told, I began to question how I act and respond in my every day life. I realized after more reflection that I seem to be drawing lines in my life.

What I mean by "drawing lines" is a bit complicated. It doesn't have to be, thought, I just seem to be making it complicated.  Instead of opening all aspects of my heart and life to God and His works, I am living my life like I can handle it all. Yea, I go through the motions of praying and reading daily, but I don't actually open my life to God to work in. Is this confusing? It's confusing to me too.

For example, each morning I pray for God to work in my classroom. I pray that He moves within me to reach my students and coworkers. Well then I walk into school and I don't think twice about that prayer. I don't later reflect on my day, or how I handle things. I don't revisit that prayer in the evening to thank Him for what He has done even though He is clearly working. I draw lines. I do the same thing in our marriage. I pray daily for Him to work within our marriage, yet I don't actually search for ways to invite Him in. Instead, I draw lines.

Now that I have realized this I am going to open my heart and mind to Him. Instead of just saying a prayer and then living life as if I am in control, I'm going to work to put Him in total control. I'm going to start looking for Him in my life, feeling for the people around me, and doing something about it!

Reverse Engineering

Before David and I graduated and "grew up" we were part of a great church in Raleigh, NC. That church, Vintage21, was a Jesus-centered place where our faith was challenged, and grew in leaps and bounds! We are both very grateful for our time there and all we learned from our experiences. One of the things we learned while we were there is something called "Reverse Engineering". If you're anything like me, you hear the word "engineering" and you turn to the math-minded person in your life for explanation. Lucky for us, there is no math involved! The concept of Reverse Engineering is prompts us to take charge of our lives instead of just letting it all happen. We are challenged to be more missional and purposeful in all that we do so we are constantly glorifying God. Sounds like a pretty stellar plan to me!

One of our goals of this Christmas break was to reverse engineer 2012 in the Mobley house. If you know us, you know we're not "by the wayside" people. We don't typically sit back and let things happen. But in our young marriage we've taken some time to figure out who we are and what we want from each other, our marriage, our faith, our families, etc. We figured we figured out the growing pains (for the most part) and it was time to be more purposeful with all that we do. We reverse engineered our lives when we were engaged and still in school, so we knew a bit about what we were in for, but man-oh-man things have changed!

There were many different topics to consider from the template. To name a few: guiding principles, guiding practices, marriage, family, friends, health, financial, learning, ministry, changes, and people. I told you it was detailed! We knew it was going to take a while so we made a date of it and headed to a local coffee shop (love supporting the locals!) and settled in.

We went through each category question by question. It seemed tedious at first, but we kept reminding ourselves of the importance of it. If we didn't write it out, would we really stick to it? So, we kept at it and almost three hours later we finally finished. It felt so good to have a plan in place! A plan for our house (yay for listing out new projects!), a plan for our budget (essential in a marriage!!), a plan for our future family (keyword: future), a plan for our ministries, and plans for so much more. This Type-A organizer was over the moon (and very jacked up on coffee, I might add).

Would I call our reverse engineered plan for 2012 a success? Definitely! Will it change? Possibly, but at least we have a place to build from. Too many relationships get away from putting God at the center and instead focus on worldly things. Today, David and I were challenged to put him at the center of everything we do and I am super excited to see what comes out it! How are you planning for 2012??

If you're interested in seeing the template shoot me an email, I'd be more than happy to connect you!

Thankful Thursday-I'm Gonna Love You Through It

 When you’re weak, I’ll be strong
When you let go, I’ll hold on
When you need to cry, I swear that I’ll be there to dry your eyes
When you feel lost and scared to death,
Like you can’t take one more step
Just take my hand, together we can do it
I’m gonna love you through it.

-Martina McBride

This post is coming to you a day late because I had so much to be thankful for I was too busy to write it! We've been fortunate enough to get to spend time with both of our amazing families these past few days. How many people can say they actually enjoy seeing their families AND their in-laws during the holiday season?! We sure do! Here are a few things I am thankful for today:

 husband

(he really is a rock star. No other way to say it. He is better than the prince charming I dreamed of as a little girl)

family/friends

(we may be busy this time of year, but we are fortunate enough to be busy with incredible family and friends)

delicious food

(from the steak dinner with the Mobleys to a massive Thanksgiving with the Wards/Metzgars, I couldn't ask for a better few days of pigging out)

freedom to worship and celebrate

(we are so blessed to live in a place that we can freely worship the one true God who gave us all we have!)

"filling my bucket"

(these few days off have been the perfect opportunity to "fill my bucket"-a concept I learned from a children's book when I was nannying. The time spent with family and friends is the perfect way to "fill my bucket" and rejuvenate me)

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving weekend??

Thankful Thursday-How Great Thou Art

Oh Lord my God
When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds
Thy hands have made
I see the stars
I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout
The universe displayed.

-Christian Hymn

I have SO much to be thankful for these days that I may actually have trouble narrowing it down to a few. It's been very easy for me to get caught up in what has been going on these past few weeks and to really get down about it. The hard part is staying positive. Whenever I want to dwell in the negativity I snap right out of when I look around at all that surrounds me-I am so immensely blessed!! Alright I'll stop ranting and give you a glimpse at some of the awesome I get to experience.

*co-workers*

(holy canoli did I win the jackpot here! I cannot express to you how truly wonderful these people are. From sending me messages checking on me to covering my class and taking care of my kids. Seriously they are awesome sauce and deserve WAYYYYYYY more credit than they ever get!)

*family*

(our families have really stepped up in this time to help us. My mom and sisters came to take care of me for a bit, and David's family visited me at the hospital every time. I am so blessed by their proximity and their kind hearts.)

*modern medicine*

(I heard so many times that it's all treatable, and for that I am grateful. David and I were talking one night about how a hundred years ago that would not have been the case. As much as some of us complain about all the medicines out, at least they are there for us!)

*caring medical workers*

(I didn't have the best experience at the hospital with doctors (David keeps reminding me I'm not the only sick person in the world. . .), but the nursing staff and my primary physician are stellar! I have been so blessed by people going above and beyond their call of duty to help me)

*my kiddos*

(my kids have been so sweet during this time! They constantly check on me and make sure I've snacked and am resting enough. How many people can say that about the 8th graders they know?)

 *my sweet husband*
(David has been absolutely amazing during all these. He is conscious of how much I can do, but he refuses to let me get lazy and dwell. We keep teasing him that he was supposed to have gotten the "healthy Wardlet" and he can still trade me in. He just laughs and takes it all in stride. So grateful for the rock that he is in our family!)

Lazy Days

This has been a lazy weekend for the Mobleys. Well at least a lazy weekend for this part of the Mob Squad. David, on the other hand, has been working his booty off for the past three days beautifying our garage. I know some of you may be wondering what exactly the point of beautifying a garage is (yes, this is the same garage we park our cars in), but I was corrected pretty quickly by both my beloved and my father that this was an important project. Have at it fellas, I'll just enjoy my few hours of solitude.

And did I ever enjoy it. Friday evening we had some friends of ours over to touch up the paint in the garage (again, don't ask me) before we had an awesome evening of games, drinks, and laughter. For those of you that are not aware, we're big board gamers. If you ever need another couple for a game, we're your peeps. Anywho, a few hours of painting combined with all the fun of having them over knocked us out and we slept til 9am the next morning. Bliss.

Saturday morning kicked off with a run and an almost two hour trip to the Teeter. It was well worth it though! I spent $67, but saved $73! Nothing like the couponers on TV, but still pretty impressive. I owe it all to the Teeter and their triple coups. The rest of the day was spent tidying up the house and puttering around. After a quick trip to AC Moore to stock up on supplies (see previous post) I decided to take a bubble bath in our giantic garden tub. Best decision ever. Two hours, and 124 pages of my book, later and I am VERY relaxed. The evening was spent relaxing with my love and watching college football. Wonderful.

Sunday kicked off with a great morning at Hope Church with all of our amazing volunteers giving it their all. Then, we were fortunate enough to join another couple (and their sweet baby boy!) for lunch. Gotta love spending time with your community. After lunch we were too full to do much more than loll about on the couch and watch more football. Oh, and take a nap. A very glorious nap I might add.

I'm pretty sure no other weekend is ever going to equal this one in awesomeness.