Counting the Cost

I made a life changing decision recently that I knew I would one day make but had no idea I would get the opportunity to make so soon. It all started after a conversation that I had with a coworker. We were talking about the things in life that people want and how it often it takes you sacrificing something to have what matters the most to you. Something clicked at that moment and it was then that I realized that God was finally revealing to me what I had been so desperately asking him for-wisdom. So I sat there and considered the cost of making a big decision that I desired to make but it was up to me to decide if it was worth the sacrifice that it was going to take.

You're not always going to get what you want-take this as a blessing and not a curse. If we had everything we wanted, we'd be in some serious trouble. But think about your dreams, your call, your desires. In order to achieve them it is going to take sacrifice. The question is, is what you are hoping for, dreaming about, desiring, worth losing the time you spend with your spouse and your kids, worth losing friends and sometime family over, your favorite car, the large house you live in, etc? It comes at a cost-but so does anything worth fighting for.

Really gets me thinking about God and the sacrifice he made for us, his son. He sacrificed him knowing what they would do to him, knowing that there would still be many who would reject that very sacrifice/that gift. But he loved us so much more. He loved even the few of us that would receive him so much more that he said -you are worth more than the sacrifice. Wow! What love!

To my son Israel who will hopefully get to look back at this post and smile and feel the love that I have for him so much more. My son, you are worth more! Mommy and Daddy love you!

John 3:16

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Stop Fighting Them!

There is one thing that I have struggled with while working in the childcare field and that is this Passion to see children become their best. It is a struggle because as a childcare provider, I can only do but so much for each child. It is really up to their parents- they are the ones who ultimately set the foundation for these children. There have been so many who do not give their child/their family their best effort and they refuse to see the truth that they are broken and that their children are having to suffer because of it.  It finally got to the point where I would go home crying because I couldn't get these parents to see that what they were doing/not doing. I was tired of seeing children become the broken people that their parents were.

So, what did I do? I asked the Lord for wisdom. Why did it bug me so much and why am I in a place were I can do nothing about it? I asked the right question because a day later God so plainly spoke to me and said
"it's because of the lack in your life as a child. You feel you didn't have  the great examples of a Godly marriage, Godly parents, etc." "You care so much Angelina because you want children and their parents to walk in truth, the truth that has been made so plain to them but that they refuse to follow."

So, my next question for God was-What then do I do?

God's Answer-"Be the example. Be me. Be my light. Embrace your place and STOP FIGHTING FOR YOUR WILL TO BE DONE. It is up to them to choose life or death, truth or lies."

"TRUST ME ANGELINA!" So, I stopped fighting them and began the fight against sin in my own heart and through prayer in theirs. It is not easy to keep quiet, to sit back and watch as people choose to disobey a God who only wants their freedom But I have great confidence in knowing that my God is an all consuming fire and that in the end, his plans are far better and his ways are far better than my own.

One more thing, I will speak up when God allows but until then..to all of the Parents out there that settle for mediocrity and for the temporary pleasures of this sinful world, I will fight for you in my prayers.

Thank you Father for Passion!

Amen!




Security in life is not the promise of another person but the promise of God