Its honestly taken me a few days to really process and articulate this into words. An event that happened 20 years ago yet still feels like yesterday when the images are tattooed in your memories as a growing anxious and awkward middle school adolescent. September 11, 2001- a day many people will never forget if you were old to remember it all unfolding. I was a lanky, gangly, shy, anxiety ridden eleven year old. I had just started sixth grade, that day was our fall picture day, sadly no one felt like smiling for their yearbook photo unless it was a halfhearted nervous easy smile, because we were confused and not really sure what was going. When the announcement came on from our principal that some planes had crashed we didn’t really know what was going on, until our teachers turned on the TVs in our classrooms. I was in my art class, and my teacher Mrs. Crenshaw The images were hard to watch, but hard to look away from in shock of what was happening. Then they said those words most kids had never really heard of thought of: terrorist attack. Sure it struck terror to anyone who saw it, but what does that even mean? We thought someone unfortunately crashed a plane on accident, but then TWO planes and then MORE in other places, you mean someone strategically attacked on purpose with the sole intent of fear and terror in the hearts of thousands and millions of people?! Yes, that’s exactly what happened.
Now, to an eleven year kid who just lost her grandpap earlier that year, watched these terror attacks unfold, been diagnosed with asthma while at a doctor appointment with a sprained ankle from basketball conditioning and tryouts, a retainer and glasses, already diagnosed with anxiety in elementary school…my little sheltered world was not all blue skies and sunny days. When I was a young girl fear, faith and fall all used to collide. Anxiety and depression are real. As a little girl who dealt with fear constantly, October was a time when everything scary and frightening came to reality…even if was fake. Scary movies, costumes, ghost stories all of the above made their debut in October. I dealt with anxiety, shyness (that was a very brief season in my life), nervousness crippled me at times. I would find excuses and let things hold me back. When I was a teenager, the anxiety had weakened but depression was more on the forefront. I would get nauseous at the thought of getting up to speak or even sing in front of an audience. Fast forward ten years later, I speak and sing and teach all the time now. It’s as natural as breathing. God conquered my fears and doubts with growing my faith. Fear and faith can’t exist in the same dwelling place. God has been teaching me throughout the last few years that change is a normal part of life. In the past few years, I graduated college, changed careers, lost loved ones, and blessed with a beautiful relationship, laughed, cried, struggled and became more brave. Life is full of change. How we adapt to change is how we learn and grow.
Pause for a REFLECTION QUESTION: What point or events in your life have changed or challenged your perspective whether for worse or for better? If worse, how can you change your perspective?
Fast forward a little over a year and a half later our country goes to war in March 2003. In my lifetime I’d never seen a war. I was too young to remember the first Desert Storm in the 90s. The recent events in the past month our troops have come home but there is still turmoil in the middle east and there’s still work to be done. The world is full or fighting- alot of it fighting over things that don’t matter. Fast forward to 2020, a global pandemic called COVID-19 the coronavirus. Business and school shutdowns, social distancing, sanitizer, cleaning products, stay six feet away, virtual learning for schools, no social gatherings, economic struggles, etc. Then things started to get back to a new normal and a vaccine came into the scene. Then recently the COVID delta variant emerged far worse than its predecessor. Here is a list of what people fight about to this day: Pro Gun/Anti Gun, Pro Life/Pro Choice, LBTQ+ , the Vaccinated and the Unvaccinated, Wear a mask or don’t wear a mask and the list goes on and on increasing more trivial as we go. All I want to say is do you remember SEPTEMBER 12, 2001? The day after the attacks where it did not matter what state you were from, what neighborhood or socioeconomic class you were, what color your skin is or what religion you are, whether you’re a Democrat or Republican, at that point we were and are all Americans hurting and embracing each other in the midst of tragedy and crisis. The world not just our nation is facing a crisis and people want to fight and cause more distress? What happened? This is a time we need to examine our hearts and motives, our own personal convictions and relationship with God our creator. Give yourself grace, and show others grace. Put down your weapons for a moment because you’re fighting the wrong enemy: when the enemy can cause division amongst a connected group or body of believers he’s made a civil war amongst them. Recollect yourselves, bear one another’s burdens, pray and then pick up your sword to fight the real enemy.
Joshua 1:9 the Lord says to Joshua “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” The Lord said I commanded you not to be scared, it wasn’t a suggestion to be strong. Sometimes being strong is the only option you have. Joshua had no choice but to move on and prepare to conquer without fear, but in full faith. The only other choice would’ve been to back down and quit.
It’s time to change the narrative, flip the script and do better. Get back to the basics y’all. Wake up people. Seek Him. I leave you with this verse and prayer from 2 Chronicles 7:14 “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV https://2chronicles.bible/2-chronicles-7-14
With hope for a better kingdom, Heather H. Carnley
Beautiful art print from my cousin at Bridgett Kay Designs, go check out her custom work!
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:12-15 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/jhn.15.12-15.NIV
Jesus was the ultimate example of pure friendship. His disciples weren’t just His followers or students, nor were they just servants and Him- the Master in fact He took it upon Himself to serve them. If you love someone, whether it’s a friendship, marriage or family relationship or school or work relationship- you seek out ways to help serve and care for others just as Jesus did.
Let’s think about Jesus’s beloved besties here: We got a list of the 12 disciples “the crew” or “the squad” if you may. And of those 12, Jesus had 3 inner circle “ride or die” type of friends Peter, James and John. Some say Jesus greatest miracle was still have close reliable friendships in his 30s. They are hard to find and keep the older you get sometimes. Jesus had other friends besides the chosen students of His: the female disciples such as Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Susana the ones who found the empty tomb! Then there’s Mary, Martha and Lazarus of Bethany. Also, His own biological immediate family, remember Jesus was Mary’s firstborn her and Joseph had many more children (approximately 6) after baby Jesus including James (James the Just), Joseph Jr. (Joses), Simon, and Judas known as Jude, he also had sisters but they were not named (Matthew 13:55). Jesus was and in indeed unlike anyone else, but He was and is the most approachable, gentle, humble, loving and perfect individual to ever walk this earth. Those He loves, (all of us) He loves with passion and unconditionally. He still does.
Jesus, friend of sinners. That is something He is often referred to. He was never afraid to befriend and reach out to the outcast, broken, left out misfits of society. Some of these people were outcasts because of circumstances beyond their control like sickness and disease and some were outcasts because of bad reputations like harlots and tax collectors. He is a restorer and mender of brokenness and a healer of all emotional, spiritual and physical sicknesses and diseases. Like I said unconditional and without limits, He had boundaries just like we need to but loving others to show them the way, teach them about the Kingdom of God. To seek and save the lost.
Jesus did all things: teach, lead, challenged leaders and anyone with hard questions that opened not only their minds but their hearts, heal the sick, perform amazing miracles, delivered people out their own bondage and vices, cast out demons, he served meals, he cooked, he fished, he built things, he read, he spent quiet time alone in prayer with the Father, he taught and lead by example, he loved and gave His life for His friends. Let’s live and be like Jesus. He is still alive and would love to be your best friend, if you just let Him in.
Love in friendship and grace,
Heather H. Carnley
“What a Friend we have in Jesus”
What a friend we have in Jesus All our sins and griefs to bear What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer
Oh, what peace we often forfeit Oh, what needless pain we bear All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged Take it to the Lord in prayer
Can we find a friend so faithful Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness Take it to the Lord in prayer
Peace vs. Chaos. Justice vs. Injustice. Fear vs. Faith. Freedom vs. Captivity. July 4, 1776 and June 19, 1865…dates that represent freedom. One for the birth of a country breaking away from a tyrannical ruler, the other for people the first time being called free and not someone else’s property. Rewind centuries earlier, thousands of years earlier: a dreary Friday, a silent Saturday, and a glorious Sunday where death had been defeated…the day where true freedom began.
In the world as of lately, it was and is in an uproar let’s be realistic. A global pandemic causing death, everything to shut down and people living in fear. A battle against racial tension and injustice, inequality. Politics. Economic crisis. A coin shortage. Churches under attack from the enemy. And so much more, it will make your head spin if it’s all you consume yourself with. You will drive yourself crazy if it’s all you see and hear and let yourself think about. Step away and look at society, and look at it a little more personally: Who is in control of your actions? Who is in control of your thoughts and opinions? Who is in control of how your feelings and emotions cause you to react? Who is in control of the choices you make? The answer to all these questions is the same…YOU. God is in control of all things in the great big world and universe, but He gave us the ability to think, know, grow, live and make our own choices…good ones and bad ones. Freedom of choice. Freedom of opinion. Freedom of assembly. Freedom of speech. (Scripture says to be careful with our words because the power of life and death is in the tongue) We live in a country where we can do just about anything that is legal of course. You even have the freedom (free will) to go and make bad decisions (remember to everything there is a consequence). You sadly can oppress your own self by choices you make, in the form of addictions or vicious cycles if you so choose. You can work, you can dream, you can have a family. You can go into your church and worship freely. We have those rights. In the Declaration of Independence it states these three main points: All men (and women) are created equal. They are endowed by their Creator with certain Inalienable Rights including Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness. Individuals have a civic duty to defend these rights for themselves and others. You have been given LIFE by the one who created YOU. You have been given LIBERTY, freedom by His Son Jesus on the Cross. You have been given the pursuit of happiness by the JOY that He brings you…anything else you chase and pursue you won’t always catch. This world cannot steal away what it did not give you to begin with. What is given by God cannot be taken away.
Let’s go back to that last part, no one can steal your joy or your peace, because no one in this world gave it to you. But freedom now, no one or no thing can hold you captive unless you let them have the keys! What freedom feels like is walking in your calling. What freedom feels like is knowing you are protected and loved. Freedom feels like a safety net and leap of fearless faith all in one because His arms will catch you. Freedom to fly and soar. What freedom feels like is walking into the sunlight. What freedom feels like is breathing in new fresh air in lungs once suffocated by panic. What freedom feels like is a new life. Where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom! Jesus sets free every captive. He has the key, let Him in. Every chain can be broken or if it has a lock, you know there’s a key to it somewhere! Stop letting other people’s opinions, choices, words and actions determine you and your choices, opinions, words and actions. We often fall victim to our own thoughts, we create our own prisons of doubt and fear. Y’all, who the SON sets FREE is FREE INDEED! Stop letting others opinions and choices effect and dictate your life! We are called to live in freedom.
When you were little, were you ever afraid of the dark? I had a Barbie nightlight when I was about 5 years old. As an adult I still like to have some type of light, so I don’t trip, fall, or bump into anything if I have to get up in the middle of the night. The dark itself is not the scary part, it’s the uncertainty of what the darkness beholds. Not being able to see what is there is what scares most people. For a small child, they may think there are monsters lurking and waiting in the dark. Can you imagine being born without the ability to see or living in complete blindness and uncertainty? Never being able to see your loved ones faces, let alone know what you look like. Never being able to see the beauty of creation or the magnitude of the sunset or sunrise. Fear of the unknown is what holds many people back. Fear of not being able to see what lies ahead of them, but my dear friend isn’t that what faith is? The ability to trust and believe what you can’t always see despite the uncertainties.
How often in our lives do we walk around with spiritual blinders on? Sometimes we get tunnel vision and only see what we want to see, or what is directly in front of us. But how often do we really look around us at our surroundings, the physical and the spiritual? God gave us peripheral vision for a reason, when we get distracted we can’t see what is around us. For example, when you are driving a vehicle, you have a rearview mirror to see what is in front of you without looking back, a windshield huge window to see ahead of you and two side view mirrors to see what’s beside you. But you have this thing called a blindspot where you’re side view mirrors cannot reach. You have to physically look and make sure your surroundings are safe. Spiritually we forget to check our blindspot sometimes, the things that we allow to catch us off guard but if we had took the time to look could’ve been avoided. Did you know that when you lack one of your five senses that most of the time the other senses are heightened and even more in tune with surroundings? There is a thing called spiritual warfare. What we can’t see but feel in every fiber of your being. The invisible enemy, if we were to put on spiritual glasses we would be afraid. Scripture says we fight the principalities of darkness and evil. Scripture also says that “the angel of the Lord encamps around those that fear Him.” The world is full of darkness but as children of God, followers of Jesus the one true light of the world- we must be the light. We must not walk around in spiritual darkness and blindness.
Scriptures: Mark 8:22-25, John 9:1-7
Jesus Heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida (Mark 8:22-25)
22 And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. 23 And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” 24 And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” 25 Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.
Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind (John 9:1-7)
1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.
When we pray and seek for Jesus to open our eyes, just like Bartimaeus and the other blind men He healed-our spiritual eyes are opened to see the needs of other, the eyes of your heart are opened to compassion, your spiritual eyes are sometimes opened to the unseen battles that are around you. Eyes that see not only the flaws but the beauty that everyone is made in His image. We must see others as He sees them. Also, we can no longer be blind to the evil around us, nor should we be afraid.
Prayer for you today: Dear Lord, open my eyes to see Your glory, power and honor in everything. Help me to see You are in control of the seen and unseen. Thank You for fighting my battles. Thank You for Your angel armies standing guard over me. Remind me daily, of Your beauty in creation in every little thing. Lord, open my eyes to see the needs of others, to see selflessly instead of selfishly. Open my eyes to my heart Lord. Amen ❤
Lightning crackles across the darkened sky and thunder rolls bursting forth together in a duo of calamity. Gray clouds hover where sunlight once peaked through to warm your face. Sometimes these storms send fear and distress, others they send anticipation of a cleansing and awakening to the soul. There’s something beautiful about the rain some days but it will always come when you need it. But on the flip side of that, rain comes and sometimes ruins an otherwise perfect day. Have you ever watched a storm on the ocean? It’s sometimes scary but it is magnificent and thrilling to see in its roaring power!
Have you ever felt like a wave tossed about in a storm? Have you ever faced a tremendous and torrential amount of rain in your own personal life? They say “when it rains, it pours.” Have you ever had a day like that? Have you had your own personal hurricane brewing in your heart or a storm of the soul? An Emotional Rollercoaster. One day you’re climbing up the hill to top and the next you drop so fast your stomach in your throat. Maybe you feel like you’re safe and secure, buckled in and have control other days, it’s like they forgot to lock down your harness and you’re hanging on for dear life. Let’s face it, some days are up and some days are down. Some days we feel like we are in control of our emotions and some days may feel like your emotions are in control of you. It’s life. Life happens. The tide is ever-changing and it flows within us-part of us but not in control of us, we can tame the tide.Emotions are not always a bad thing. After all, God created us with emotions. You have every right to feel the way you feel God put those things in our hearts and minds. Emotions are a complicated and simple thing all at the same time. Can all my ladies who deal with hormones on a regular basis say amen?! It’s normal! You simply just feel something and sometimes it’s deeper than words can articulate. Emotions range from anger, grief, joy, happiness, sadness, pain, envy, and everything in between. But in all actuality, what we need and seek is peace. A peace that passes all understanding as Scripture says in Philippians chapter 4.
Philippians 4:4-7 Paul tells us “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand, do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Let’s pull out some key phrases and elements of what he is saying to the people of Philippi:
Paul starts with “Rejoice always…” (verse 4) yes he means even in the midst of hardship (and quarantine). He says it twice, he means it.
We see several interchangeable words in the next verse (4:5) based on which translation you use ESV says “reasonableness”, NIV says “gentleness”, CSB says “graciousness”, and KJV says “moderation” in times of trouble or hardship we must let grace and gentleness show forth more than anything else. We must remember to be reasonable, submit to authority yet not worry or fear but to be wise and cautious in the midst of it all.
Verse 6 addresses worry and anxiousness head on like a warrior. It says “The Lord is at hand. Do not be anxious about anything but take everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Our antidote to worry is prayer. Why should we worry about things we can’t control when we already know the One who is in control. We are responsible for how we react, but we can be proactive through prayer and supplication. Supplication simply means the act of asking for and knowing that He will supply our needs. But we can’t go asking the Lord to grant our needs without being thankful, hence why it says “supplication with thanksgiving.” Then Paul says let your requests be made known to our God. See, this is a reminder because we know that God knows our hearts and minds and every thought in them, we are to use prayer as our way of talking with Him about it instead of worrying about it.
Now here is one of my favorite parts of this passage in verse 7: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” That means peace that baffles others. When the world looks at you or me, as a follower of Christ and wonders “why are you at peace and so calm in the middle of crazy chaos?” or “why are you not worried or freaking out right now?” It’s because they don’t understand. Peace that even when we don’t know how or why, it washes over you. The peace that passes understanding comes from Christ. So taking all the fear, worry, anxiousness and anxiety and trading it for His peace that He gives us when we pray.
When Jesus calmed the storm, He told the disciples not to worry. He was in control. Peter had to have faith to walk out of the boat and step out onto the waves and take Jesus’ hand. When Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and focused on the storm, he started to drown and sink. We have to have faith to embrace the storm and listen to the peace.
So, I hope this spoke to your heart and soul today- sometimes the storm is around and we learn how to brave and weather it together, holding secure to His hope as an anchor for our soul (Hebrews 6:19). Sometimes we have to drown out the lightning, thunder and waves and listen to Jesus’ voice saying “Peace, be still”. Sometimes the storm is not around us but in us, we are sometimes the storm. Storms can cleanse and clear paths for something greater. What kind of storm is brewing in your life? Find the peace or embrace the rain.
Have you ever just stopped to think about nature and all its beauty? God created everything just as it should be. Think about how tall the majestic mountains are and how the valleys provide cooling shade amongst the canopy of trees? The intriguing and mysterious depth of all the oceans. The warmth of the sun, it’s strategically placed to maintain enough warmth to keep us from freezing and far away to keep us from burning. The detail and function of every plant and animal in the kingdom, every living organism. God created science and the building blocks of life. Lifegiver. Creator. Sustained. Provider. Father. His plan unfolded in a miraculous way.
Jesus came and showed God’s power in human form. Divinity in the flesh. He came to earth just like me and you, a baby from his nurturing mother’s womb. From the beginning conception was even miraculous, a young virgin. His birth was just like any other child, except in a barn because the inns were crowded. As a child, his wisdom grew as he learned and taught in the synagogues. Wise beyond his years. A normal kid and teenager with his parents and younger siblings. A hardworking carpenter’s son like his dad Joseph who loved to fish. He grew up into a young adult, and started his ministry at age 30.
His first miracle was at a wedding of some family friends, Mary his mother was with him. They had run out of wine, and all they had were pictures and jars of water. Jesus, provided the wine. Wine was symbolic of joy. Jesus brought wherever he went. He calmed the storm by saying peace, be still. He walked out of the water and called one of his beloved disciples to join him in by doing it too. He fed thousands with just a little snack of a lunch meant for one little boy. He can multiply even the smallest of things in our lives if we have faith to just let Him work! He healed the blind, and opened their eyes to wonders they had never seen before literally and spiritually! He opened deaf ears and the first thing they heard was the voice of truth, the Son of God! He healed the mute, their first words were praises to Him! He healed the sick and hurting from all ailments and afflicting diseases. He helped the lame to stand and walk in truth and life! He spoke the truth and changed lives for the better. He brought a dead man, who had been in the grave for four whole days, back to life! Can you imagine?! Everything he did struck up wonder and amazement!
What are some examples in your life or in the lives of others around that you’ve seen His power and glory displayed? Are you in need of a MIRACLE? Ask Him! Seek Him!
Here are two song links and MEMORY VERSES for you to study and ponder on your heart:
“Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.”
Luke 5:26 (ESV)”And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.”
In the last blog, “Know Your Roots” in the I talked about ancestry and genealogy, why it’s important to know where you come from and your heritage. Family history is not such a new found hobby or science, people have been studying it for years. In the medical field, its important to known your family medical history to look any genetic markers or heredity diseases or disorders. Those who have been adopted into a loving family, still yearn to learn about their biological family. That is completely normal. When you get married and start building your own family like I am, its important you and your spouse look at your family trees as you continue to grow the branches and leaves. I’m gonna “retweet” myself here a line from my previous post “Learn the past, but don’t you dare stay stuck in it-move forward! If you don’t know your history, you may be bound to repeat it. If you don’t know your past, how will you truly have a future?” In bible times, they felt the same way about remembering their roots but forging their own path in God’s call. Let’s look at some biblical examples of ancestry and good ole fashioned family trees: after all we all came from Adam and Eve, [The Genealogy of Adam to Noah is found in Genesis 5, Noah’s Descendants are found in Genesis 10, and Abraham is a descendant of Shem’s tribe found in Genesis 11] but let’s fast forward…
Abraham: Father of Nations- In Genesis, Abram was a faithful servant of the Lord. God called him to go from his country away from his father’s land, the place he called home for most of his life. He was starting new, uprooting and replanting somewhere else. God calls us to bloom where we’re planted, sometimes He calls us to pick up roots and replant in order to grow. Abram had an encounter with God, so amazing that God changed his name to Abraham. He and his wife Sarai, her name became Sarah. His name Abraham literally means “father of nations” and her name now meant “princess”. Our names, are part of our story and identity, who He made each of us to be. When God changed someone’s life and their situation, He also changed their name. Abraham’s very name included the words father-something that most men among to be. Now you see, Abraham and Sarah loved each other and the Lord very much. They had been married many years and were very old in age. The thing is, they had no children. God made a promise-a covenant that included land, descendants that would outnumber the stars in the sky and build a nation that would be a blessing to the entire earth. How was the father of nations to be a father when he had no children? No son to call an heir or to teach him how to be a man. And for Sarah, this was extremely heartbreaking because she was barren. The heaviness of not bearing children for her husband weighed on her. One day, Sarah had a plan. Her plan included another woman, her servant Hagar.
Issac: The Chosen Child- A child born late in life to happy parents who waited his miraculous arrival and the older half sibling born of a compromise and agreement-created a blended family dynamic. Isaac was the promised child, Ishmael was the compromise child. As mentioned above Sarah thought for sure that she would never be a mother naturally so she decided to become one on her own terms, through her trusted maidservant becoming a surrogate. Sarah became jealous once young Ishmael was in the picture and when her pride and joy Isaac was born she made Abraham send Hagar and Ishmael away. A true example of a blended family and half siblings. I, too was a late in life baby born to much older parents with much older half siblings. Miracles happen, Sarah was 90 years old and literally laughed when the angel told her she would have a baby, I mean I would too! Isaac’s name literally means “laughter”. Miracles happen because this is still family. Even if its messy. I come from a blended family with half siblings too.
Jacob & Esau: Sibling Rivalry & Stolen Inheritance – Isaac grew up and married a beautiful wife named Rebekah. They were thrilled at the idea of becoming parents-and guess what it’s TWINS! God gave them a double portion of blessings! Esau was the older twin, debuting first out of the womb and Jacob was clinging to his heel on the way out. They entered this world in a wrestling match and they struggled with each other the rest of their lives. Esau was a strong rugged outdoorsy man, he was a hunter gatherer and provided food for his family. When Isaac was old and well in his years, his vision and cognitive awareness wasn’t what it used to be and Jacob took advantage of that with the help of Mama Rebekah. Esau was outraged, and rightfully so-his own twin brother AND mother betrayed not only his trust but their own father. Remember this is not the first example of sibling rivalry (Cain and Abel) and won’t be the last in the Bible, Jacob realizes later that picking favorites causes dysfunction and hurt.
The 12 Tribes of Israel (aka the sons of Jacob) – After Jacob fled to the land of his mother, to stay with relatives his Uncle Laban. Laban was Rebekah’s brother. Laban had many sheep, a lot of land and two daughters- Leah the eldest and Rachel the younger. It was love at first sight for Jacob when he saw Rachel. Laban made a deal with Jacob to work for him SEVEN years just to marry her. Little did Jacob know his former deceitful and conniving ways were catching up with him. When that seventh year was up and the wedding day and night came, Laban sent Leah his older daughter in the wedding chambers to lay with her new husband Jacob. Jacob was alarmed when he didn’t wake up next to his chosen and beloved Rachel. He had been tricked! He then had to turn around and work SEVEN MORE years to marry Rachel. So 14 years later, 2 wives and 2 concubines later (he gained their maidservants Zilpah and Milcah as well) Jacob began to start a family. Jacob’s twelve in birth order were Reuben (by Leah), Simeon (by Leah), Levi (by Leah), Judah (also by Leah), Dan (by Bilhah Rachel’s servant), Naphtali (by Bilhah), Gad (by Zilpah Leah’s servant) , Asher (by Zilpah), Issachar (by Leah), Zebulun (by Leah), one daughter named Dinah (by Leah), Joseph (by Rachel) and Benjamin (by Rachel) whom she died giving birth to. Jacob grieved his beloved Rachel. Two sisters who loved the same man. One big family with alot sibling rivalry. Joseph’s brothers we know were very jealous of him and you can read the rest of Genesis to find out his story of redemption and forgiveness. One man, Jacob- became the father of a nation just like his grandfather. Jacob had a dream and was visited by an angel. He literally wrestled with God, He touched his hip socket and he was never the same! The point being- when you have an encounter with God you won’t even walk and talk the same as you were before Abram became Abraham, Sarai became Sarah, and Jacob became Israel! He went from being “deceiver” to “He who strives or wrestles with God”. God changes things, circumstances and you!
The Lion of Judah: the unofficial “Royal Family” Just before Jacob/Israel passed away and all his sons had made peace with each other and their brother Joseph, he prayed and blessed each of his sons as well as his grandsons Ephraim and Manasseh-Joseph’s two sons. This was more than just a prayer and farewell to his beloved sons, it was him prophesying over his sons as tribes of a great nation: He knew that God has something great for the future regarding his legacy of sons. He said to Judah – “Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down before you. Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. Binding his foal to the vine and his donkey’s colt to the choice vine, he has washed his garments in wine and his vesture in the blood of grapes. His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk.” Genesis 49:8-12 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/gen.49.8-12.ESV. (Judah must’ve have been what we call “tall, dark and handsome”) Judah’s family was not by any means perfect or special in any extraordinary way but God chose his descendants to be the royal bloodline. Judah himself was not a king, neither were his sons. In fact, Judah’s sons were actually pretty wicked. Judah himself didn’t always do the “honorable” thing either. But God honored the same covenant He had with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and now Judah…your people, your family will be a blessing to all the people on earth. Jesus is called the Lion of Judah, the lion has and always will represent the King, a symbol of power and royalty. The scepter and ruler’s staff would never depart from his descendants nor would the throne ever leave the family. I think of the depiction in C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia, the beautiful King Aslan-is to be a parallel representation of Jesus. Let’s go further and look at Judah’s descendants that almost never existed but God had a plan…
The Women Who Birthed the Mighty Men: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba & Mary- one by one these women and the offspring of their wombs impacted the prophecies that were to be fulfilled!
Tamar- Let’s look at Judah’s immediate family and in laws for a minute. This family story is about to get a little crazy. Judah married a Canaanite woman and she born him three sons: Er, Onan, and Shelah. The lovely Tamar was married to Er, he was dishonorable to God and died because of his wicked ways. She was then to marry his brother, fulfilling the levirate law of marriage if there is no heir of the deceased, she must marry the brother to conceive a son for the deceased brother. So she married Onan, who was also dishonorable and wicked, he failed to impregnate her and he died also. Lastly, she was promised and betrothed to Shelah the youngest son who was far too young for marriage and he had to become an adult before she could marry him. Her father in law Judah promised her his youngest son to produce heirs. She was a widow twice and now barren and childless yet she had to patiently wait. Years had passed, Judah’s wife had died and he grieved her accordingly. He was out hanging with one of his old buddies at a sheep shearing and was trying to low key find him a new wife in the same place he found his first wife. (Cue music “Looking for love in all the wrong places…”) Judah had not kept his promise to Tamar and neglected to fulfill his father in law duties because Shelah was now an adult. Tamar heard that he was in town and took matters into her own hands, she disguised herself pretended to be a prostitute and Judah had relations with her. Judah offered the “harlot” a kid (goat, not human) as payment and she asked for collateral until he was to pay her. She asked for his seal, cord, and staff. When Judah’s friend Hirah brought the kid, everyone said they didn’t know a town harlot. They found out it was Tamar and wanted to have her executed for breaking her marital vows with her in- laws, little did they know that was indeed about three months pregnant with TWINS! She said the man who these items belongs to, is the father of my unborn children. Judah then came forth confessing that he had slept with Tamar unknowingly. He let his bad decisions take control and she proclaimed what was rightfully hers in a somewhat scandalous way. She had finished her task and put back on her widow’s clothes. She had been forgotten and rejected, and now redeemed. She bore him twin sons Perez and Zerah. Talk about some soap opera family drama! And people think the bible is boring!!! She Reads Truth author Melanie Rainer puts it this way “That is a lot of background to unpack a story that is, at its root, a story of God’s faithfulness to a family. God had made a promise to Abraham. He made a promise to Isaac and to Jacob. And at so many turns, the promise appears threatened by someone’s sin. Judah almost destroyed what he should never have had in the first place: the blessing of the line of Christ.” God used Tamar despite the sins of the family, He kept the covenant from Abraham, Isaac, Jacob to the fourth generation Judah. From Perez, the family tree continues….he is the ancestor of King David but let’s see how. Let’s fast forward the Abraham through Judah links we already know and read Matthew 1:3-6a “and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, Matthew 1:3-6 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.1.6.ESV
Rahab- Another somewhat scandalous woman with a town reputation. Rahab was indeed a harlot. She actually married Tamar and Judah’s 5th great grandson Salmon! Let’s look at Joshua 2, enter the land of Canaan the Israelites were promised, but they had a slight inconvenience, people already inhabited their promised land so they sent spies to check it out before they went to conquer, “And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” They found refuge and a willing aid in an unlikely woman– “And they went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there.” They were being hunted and found safety in Rahab’s home along the city walls…“And it was told to the king of Jericho, “Behold, men of Israel have come here tonight to search out the land.” Then the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land.” But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. And she said, “True, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. And when the gate was about to be closed at dark, the men went out. I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them.” But she had brought them up to the roof and hid them with the stalks of flax that she had laid in order on the roof. So the men pursued after them on the way to the Jordan as far as the fords. And the gate was shut as soon as the pursuers had gone out. Before the men lay down, she came up to them on the roof and said to the men, Rahab had heard stories of who their God was, she wanted to be on their side and find out more about the God of the Israelites “I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction. And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath. She made them promise to protect her and her family to preserve them, she wanted to join in their faith! “Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father’s house, and give me a sure sign that you will save alive my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.” And the men said to her, “Our life for yours even to death! If you do not tell this business of ours, then when the Lord gives us the land we will deal kindly and faithfully with you.” Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was built into the city wall, so that she lived in the wall. And she said to them, “Go into the hills, or the pursuers will encounter you, and hide there three days until the pursuers have returned. Then afterward you may go your way.” The men said to her, “We will be guiltless with respect to this oath of yours that you have made us swear. Behold, when we come into the land, you shall tie this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and you shall gather into your house your father and mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household. Then if anyone goes out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we shall be guiltless. But if a hand is laid on anyone who is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head. But if you tell this business of ours, then we shall be guiltless with respect to your oath that you have made us swear.” And she said, “According to your words, so be it.” Then she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window. They departed and went into the hills and remained there three days until the pursuers returned, and the pursuers searched all along the way and found nothing. Then the two men returned. They came down from the hills and passed over and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and they told him all that had happened to them. And they said to Joshua, “Truly the Lord has given all the land into our hands. And also, all the inhabitants of the land melt away because of us.” Joshua 2:1-24 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jos.2.1-24.ESVRahab was a woman who had a reputation and she was also a Canaanite, they believed in idol worship of Baal. She also had a hunger and yearning inside of her for something that she was missing, that was God. She had heard the stories of the God of the Israelites and how He sent plagues and parted the Red Sea while delivering them from Egypt. She wanted to know that same God and His power. So she befriended and aided the men, learning more about their God while she hid them from her own people. She promised them protection if they did the same for her. This was her escape, her way out of the ways of life she knew-a new beginning when she and her family left and went with them. Rahab later married a young man named Salmon from the tribe of Judah. He was in fact the descendant of Hezron one of Judah’s twin sons by Tamar. Salmon was their fifth great grandson! God is always working! No matter what the family circumstances, God uses it all for a greater purpose! Now let’s meet Rahab’s future daughter in law…
Ruth: A Beautiful Love Story of Patience & Redemption- (personally one of my favorite characters and books of the Bible). Ruth was not an Israelite. She was a Moabite woman who married an Israelite man Mahlon the son of Naomi and Elimelech. Elimelech and Mahlon and their other son Chilion all died leaving Naomi and her daughters-in- law Ruth and Orpah widowed. Naomi told Ruth and Orpah that were free to leave and go back to their homeland and their families, Orpah went on and moved on with her life. Ruth decided to stay with her dear devoted mother in law, she couldn’t leave her in her time of need and grief. She had no family and no one to take care of her. Plus, Ruth had grown well acquainted and accustomed to their way of life, their religion and way of worship. Their God was like no other god, at least any she had heard of in Moab her homeland. “When Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there. With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah. Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me. May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.” Then she kissed them goodbye and they wept aloud and said to her, “We will go back with you to your people.” But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands? Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons— would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord ’s hand has turned against me!” At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her. “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.” But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem.” Ruth 1:6-19a NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/rut.1.6-19.NIV
Bathsheba: A scandalous story of adultery, heartache and God’s redemptive power of His covenant. Y’all if you think the Bible is boring or full of perfect people, you’ve been not really reading or paying much attention yet. No matter how broken and messed up we are in our own sin and choices, God loves us enough still to forgive us and redeem our story for His glory! Even a “man after God’s own heart” King David made mistakes, but God is so loving to forgive! Bathsheba was married to a mighty soldier named Uriah. David was the King at that time and his troops were at war. One day King David was walking his rooftop terrace of his palace and his eyes landed upon a beautiful young woman bathing on her rooftop. The seeds of lust had been planted, he could’ve looked away and went on about his day but he let his thoughts get the best of him. He sent for her to come see him. Then began a love affair with a married woman. She became pregnant, while her brave husband Uriah was away so the child she was carrying couldn’t possibly be his! David arranged for Uriah to come home on leave to spend time with his wife so the pregnancy could seem legitimate. However Uriah did not want to abandon his responsibilities during war. David then plotted to have him killed in battle. King David then married Bathsheba and they lost that child, but later had more children together including the wise King Solomon. From Solomon’s lineage came many good and bad kings, and Joseph came from the “house and lineage of David”.
Now let’s really fast forward several generations (approximately 14 generations from Abraham to David, 14 generations from David to Exile and 14 more generations to Jesus’s birth, roughly 42 generations equaling a few thousand years maybe, you do the math) from the Old Testament branches to New Testament branches of Jesus Christ’ family tree. The plan had been prophesied years before He came to earth! Read here in Matthew 1:1-17 “This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife, Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa, Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram, Jehoram the father of Uzziah, Uzziah the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon. After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abihud, Abihud the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Akim, Akim the father of Elihud, Elihud the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah. Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah.” Matthew 1:1-17 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.1.1-17.NIV
Now let’s pick up with Mary and Joseph…
Mary: The Favored Young Maidservant of the Lord, mother of the Savior-A young woman betrothed to the love of her life, an older man who loved her and dreamed of taking care of her. The were making plans of their future together. One day unexpected visitor came and changed their lives one visit at a time. That same heavenly visitor saw her dear cousin Elizabeth months before. That visitor was an angel named Gabriel. Mary, so young and a life full of love and marriage as a new wife ahead of her…was about to become a new mother as well. Biologically and physically speaking that was IMPOSSIBLE, she had not been with Joseph they were waiting until they were married to have relations. She had never been with anyone else, she was a virgin. What would people think of her? An unwed mother? Most importantly what would her dear Joseph think of her? Her mind raced to many things in that moment. She couldn’t fathom how she could be carrying a child. The angel Gabriel sensed the sudden distress on her face and told her to not fear. Not to fear because the Holy Spirit would plant a seed in her womb that would bring forth the Savior of the world. Not to fear because she had been chosen and favored. The angel told her specific details even what to name her son, his name would be Jesus.
Joseph: The Unexpected Earthly Father- Hardworking, rugged, God fearing man with a plan-that was Joseph. He was engaged to the woman of his dreams who loved the Lord and family. Together they would one day create a family of their own. Years of carpentry and woodworking as a family trade, he couldn’t wait to build a home and life with Mary and teach his future sons his craftsmanship skills. Fishing together, all the memories a father wants to make with his children. He was quite a bit older than his young wife, so they definitely wanted children. Little did they know how soon that dream would be a reality. That beautiful, glowing, unexpected heavenly visitor named Gabriel was almost finished fulfilling his earthly assignments-Joseph was the last one he needed to see to complete his mission. Joseph wasn’t last simply because he was the least important…in fact he was a vital part of the plan. Joseph’s faith in the Lord would be needed to manifest his faithfulness and trustworthiness of his wife to be, Mary. He knew she loved him and here she was pregnant to surprise. He had not only an important holy duty as a husband but now as a father. A godly father to raise the earthly SON OF GOD, talk about quite a task! The boy who he carried on his shoulders and played with, would soon carry the weight of the world at the Cross. Mary, the chosen pure maidservant of the Lord…young and innocent could not raise this child on her own. That is why God chose and created them to be a family. Family is not anything to be taken lightly. Marriage and family was instituted and created by God. Joseph could not abandon and divorce her at a time like this just because what other people may have thought of their “illegitimate and out of wedlock” child. This was no mistake. This was God’s plan. After all, Joseph himself was indeed the descendant of the tribe of Judah…a descendant of King David just as the prophecy had been told. Gabriel even told Joseph just like he did Mary, what exactly to name their child…Jesus.
You see now how it all connects, one continuous thread, a tapestry woven by different individual stories and their families creating one bigger picture of one beautiful family. God delights in what He created: He created humanity and He designed the idea of family. So with that being said, go do some digging and researching on your own roots and heritage and spend more time with your family: your actual family God put you in, and your spiritual family meaning your brothers and sisters in Christ. I encourage you to study your bible-God’s Word, your history, and in the words of Dolly Parton find out who you are and do it on purpose!
I love people, and try my best to see everyone through the eyes of love and grace, as Jesus calls us to “love thy neighbor as thyself”. The greatest commandment, aka number one life rule “Love God. Love People.” simple as that.
What is love? I don’t mean the mushy gushy, fairytale, timeless love we see in Disney, Lifetime and Hallmark movies or read about in novels. Real love, the kind that struggles through every mountaintop and every valley. The kind of real love that rescues hearts from deep despair. Webster defines love in several ways: a quality or feeling of strong or constant affection for and dedication to another, or an intense feeling of deep affection. Today, I want to challenge you to take a different look at love through Scripture. Let’s see what the Bible says about love.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 “Love is patient, love is kind, love does not envy, love does not parade itself, it is not puffed up. Love does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in truth, bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”
Okay so here’s the thing, each time you see the word “LOVE” when reading this passage, replace it with GOD (example: God never fails) then the second time you read it, replace the word LOVE with JESUS (Jesus is long-suffering/patient…) then the third is the hardest to do because its a reality check. Since we are supposed to follow Christ’s example, replace the word LOVE with YOUR name…Are you patient? Are you kind? Do you not get jealous, or become puffed up and self-seeking? Do you rejoice in the truth? Just a little awesome reminder of LOVE is becoming more like HIM.
Journal Prompt 1) Put God Jesus in the blank spaces and reread it. _____________ is patient, ___________ is kind, __________ does not envy, _____________ does not parade itself, it is not puffed up. ___________ does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in truth, bears all things, hopes all things, endures. __________ never fails.”
Journal Prompt 2) Now, put Jesus in the blanks and reread it. _____________ is patient, ___________ is kind, __________ does not envy, _____________ does not parade itself, it is not puffed up. ___________ does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in truth, bears all things, hopes all things, endures. __________ never fails.” (Except- we do fail simply because we are human. God in us does not fail when we submit to His will for us).
Journal Prompt 3) Lastly, put your name in the blank spaces and reread it. (Heart check?) _____________ is patient, ___________ is kind, __________ does not envy, _____________ does not parade itself, it is not puffed up. ___________ does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in truth, bears all things, hopes all things, endures. __________ never fails.” So let’s take a closer look at some more verses that point to what true love really is:
John 3:16 “For God so LOVED the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but eternal life.” {He loved us so much that He sacrificed His beloved Son. True love is sacrifice. True love is eternal. This is a verse many people know by heart; this exemplifies true unconditional and sacrificial love.}
1 John 3:16 “This is how we know what LOVE is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our life for our brothers and sisters.” {He loved us unto death and into eternity He still loves us! Love is something we must give away. Once again, love is sacrifice. This explains how we are to love others just as Jesus did, sacrificially loving others. Think about our military and first responders: everyday their life is on the line, risking it all to save lives. Sacrificing can mean that things that may inconvenience you and your comfort, are making a way of love to help someone else, or better yet let’s go further than that: if someone was with you and you know they are not a believer and you know where you will be when you die, would you willingly die knowing that you had the chance to save their life from hell?}
Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” {Before we even knew Him, yet while we were out still being natural born sinners just ignoring His love and affection for us, He fixed it. Even before we existed He loved us. He went ahead and took the penalty and met the needs before we even realized that we needed it}
1 Corinthians 16:14 “Do everything in love.” {Well if that ain’t plain and simple itself. Everything little and big thing you do: all of your thoughts, words, deeds, and actions…do it in love. Even speaking the hard truth and hard decisions, consequences and sacrifices- every little thing should be coated and covered with love, not out of ulterior motives or spite.}
1 John 4:9 “We love because He first loved us.” {Love must be given away, not selfishly gripped in our own needs and wants. It must be freely given like His unconditional love for us. This is the only way that we know how to love is by His example not the world’s viewpoint of love on a superficial and conditional basis}
John 15:9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” {Jesus’ love note to you, abide in MY love He says. Staying in His love, reminds us that even when you may feel lonely, lowly, like no one loves you, or that we are unworthy- His love is our safe haven when the world is harsh.}
1 Peter 4:8 “Above all, love each other deeply because love covers a multitude of sins.” {Deep love is rooted in forgiveness. Love covers sin. It did at the cross and it does still today. Love doesn’t forget, but love does forgive, it keeps no record of wrongs. Grudges/Hate and love can’t exist together just like faith and fear cannot.}
Hebrews 13:1 “Let brotherly love continue.” {Simply put: Love others, never stop spreading and giving love. When love stops everything does too.}
Don’t forget to spend time with the one who gave you life, the breath you’re breathing right now, and the heart that’s beating in your chest, GOD. He loved us before we even existed. He created to love and be loved. The one who knows you better than anyone even better than you know yourself. I’ll leave you with this: Celebrate with random acts of kindness. Or better yet if you are still searching for love; look no further. Love doesn’t come in a heart shaped box, it’s at the cross. True unconditional love, came with blood, sweat and tears and the words written in red are proven love letters. Don’t forget to spend time with the One who gave you life. The breath you’re breathing right now. The heart that’s beating in your chest. GOD. He loved us before we even existed. He created us to love and be loved. The One who knows you better than anyone. Better than you even know yourself. I’ll leave you with this: Celebrate with random acts of kindness. Or better yet, if you are still searching for love, look no further. Love doesn’t come in a heart shaped box. It’s at the cross. True, unconditional love, came with blood, sweat and tears. Jesus meant every word that He said and every action of love that He taught. Scholars and theologians who translated the Bible to what we have today, that Jesus’ words are typed in red. The words written in red are proven love letters. Red the color of His blood that flowed from the cross. Let your heart be captivated by the One who created it. Love is at its finest moment when it’s given away. One kind word or act of kindness can change someone’s day or even save a life. Give love away. I’m not perfect, but I know the One who is. Perfect love casts out all fear. His name is Jesus.
“Not all who wander are lost…“. A common phrase many post of their wall or have it tattooed. But few actually go wandering off the beaten path…and as Frost would say take the road less traveled. Adventure is out there, go find it. Life is too short to be bored or be boring!
Travel, conquer fears, try new things, do things you never dreamed you could do or would do AND do the things you have always dreamed of doing…then do it again just because you loved it. If any of you know me well personally or spend just a short time around me you know I have a pretty extensive bucket list (and always adding to it!). I started making it and writing it down probably since 2012 when I was 22, and it has ever evolved into many drafts on handwritten notebook paper with purple ink that now faded to pink graffiti, or the notebook I have that I journal about my life and story that I’ve kept since about 2014, or the list making and note taking app I have on my phone that I use for just about everything, but my absolute personal sentimental favorite is the “Our Bucket List” journal that my then boyfriend now husband got me for Valentine’s back in 2018, with tickets to Biltmore Estates and the date marked for the day after my birthday March 10, 2018 THE DAY HE ASKED ME TO MARRY HIM! As you can see that’s my favorite bucket list because it’s our adventures and dreams together. So, there’s more to the proposal you see, one of our favorite Disney/Pixar movies when we were dating was the movie UP. Carl and Ellie and their grand adventures and adorable romance. The book was part of Wes’ proposal “Our Adventure Book” filled with pictures and ticket stubs and mementos from our few years of dating and even our just friends years in college. The page said “Life is a grand adventure, I could not think of anyone better to be on this journey with! Will you continue our adventures as my wife?” What a perfect proposal in my opinion! Five years together, two years married and the adventure continues!
A few weeks ago my husband Wes and I just completed the Ultimate Outsider Challenge for South Carolina State Parks. This challenge means you have visited and explored all 47 state parks in our beautiful Palmetto state. We have 46 lovely counties full of small town charm and lots of historic sites. We started in 2017 when we were just dating and leisurely completed the challenge on January 13, 2021. We have camped and stayed at several and even visited a few of the closest ones more than once. Long ago before we ever dated and were just friends in college, our senior trip for an actual course credit was a mission trip to Costa Rica back in January 2014. Our honeymoon was a cruise to the Bahamas back in January 2019. Every year on our anniversary so far we like to take some trip and explore! I have only flown in a plane once and cruised on a ship once, but once you do it- you’ll want to go somewhere over and over again. On to the next adventure!
You can break down your goals, dreams, journeys and adventures however you want: by decades, by year, by career, by travel, by stuff you do as a couple, as a family or gal pals. It doesn’t matter where you go, or what you do it’s what you want to do in heart that sparks joy or something big that you know God has called you to do. It can be short and sweet or long and ever evolving. Life isn’t always about the destination but the journey! Who you’re makes it even more fun and memorable! Together is a great place to be, or somethings are more a solo trek! Whatever speaks to your heart!
Here below is a copy of my bucket list: and I’m always adding things to it!
[ ] 1. Be a better wife, daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, niece, friend, leader, teacher. Be a better me, a better Christian, a better witness, a better heart attitude. [ ] 2. Lead more people to Jesus Christ, make an impact. [ ] 3. Become a godly wife and mother. [✔] 4. Get married to the love of my life one day. God sent my Prince. (January 5, 2019 Wesley Alexander Carnley) [✔] 5. Get married in the church I grew up in. (January 5, 2019) [✔] 6. Be kissed in the rain/dance in the rain [✔] 7. Watch the sunrise, wake up to see a new day begin. Watch the sunset. [✔] 8. Go on a mission trip (January 9-20, 2014 with CIU youth min) first but definitely won’t be my last! [✔] 9. Fly on a plane (January 9, 2014) [✔] 10. Visit Costa Rica (January 9-20, 2014 CIU mission trip) [ ] 11. Visit Puerto Rico [ ] 12. Visit Africa, safari [ ] 13. See Victoria Falls in Africa [ ] 14. Visit Europe, everywhere. France, England, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, etc. Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, Arch de Triumph, Buckingham Palace, Stonehenge, Ireland, castles old churches. All of it. [✔] 15. Walk on the beach early enough to watch the sun come up over the ocean. (in Jaco Beach Costa Rica January 2014) [✔] 16. Ziplining in the mountains and rainforest (January 19, 2014-Costa Rica) [ ] 17. Visit Rupp Arena & Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, KY. GO CATS! [ ] 18. Visit Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY. Home of the Kentucky Derby. Visit Louisville Slugger Museum [ ] 19. Visit Nashville and soak in all of Music City. Visit the Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium, sing on that stage once in my life. [✔] 20. Go to a Clemson game at Memorial Stadium in Death Valley, SC (September 15, 2012) [✔] 21. Go whitewater rafting (June 26-27, 2013 with youth group) [ ] 22. Go ziplining in the Smoky Mtns AND at the Riverbanks Zoo (“Zip across the Zoo”) [V] 23. Go iceskating (every year at Accelerant from 05) take Wes iceskating [ ] 24. Go skiing (attempt) [ ] 25. Swim in all 4 oceans: ✔Atlantic, ✔Pacific, Artic, Indian. [ ] 26. Visit the Holy Land. Jerusalem, Israel. Bethlehem and all the biblical places where Jesus was. Tel Aviv. Galilee, Nazareth, Bethlehem, Gethsemane, Jerusalem, etc. [ ] 27. Swim/float in the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. [✔] 28. Read the bible more than once cover to cover. [ ] 29. Travel, go on a cross country road trip. [ ] 30. Write and publish a book or a few. (Working on it started in March 2020) [ ] 31. Pay off my student loans [✔] 32. Get my driver’s license (November 22, 2014) [✔] 33. Graduate High School (May 29, 2008) [✔] 34. Graduate College, obtain at least 2 degrees. (Bible Certificate, Youth Ministry & Family Culture BS) (May 17, 2014) [ ] 35. Earn my Master’s degree, attend grad school. Pursue higher education [✔] 36. Own my own truck. (bought and paid for, title and all) June 29, 2015 [✔] 37. Become first aid/CPR certified. April 15, 2016 and Sept 16, 2016 [ ] 38. Get my CWP, own a handgun and a rifle. [ ] 39. Learn to ride a bike. [ ] 40. Go to the Carolina/Clemson football game (Palmetto Bowl) [ ] 41. Ropes course at Riverbanks Zoo [ ] 42. Indoor Rockclimbing…may be real Rockclimbing too. [ ] 43. Read all of C.S. Lewis books [ ] 44. Get my hunting license-DNR course [✔] 45. Get my official fishing license (March 2015) [ ] 46. Take photography classes and become a licensed photographer [ ] 47. Visit Memphis, visit Graceland [ ] 48. Visit Atlanta-Go to a Braves game. [ ] 49. Visit Charlotte and all the fun things to do there [✔] 50. Visit Billy Graham Museum and Library in NC (May 2009) [ ] 51. Visit Chick-fil-a corporate home office in ATL. Also visit the original Dwarf Grill [✔] 52. Visit the original KFC, Sanders Cafe in Corbin, KY (Labor Day Sept 7, 2015) [✔] 53. Visit Cumberland Falls, (National Park in KY) September 7, 2015 [ ] 54. See the Moonbow at Cumberland Falls. [✔] 55. Go on a cruise, Bahamas (HONEYMOON January 6-12, 2019) [ ] 56. Visit Hawaii [ ] 57. Go to Disney World, visit Cinderella’s castle [ ] 58. Go to a NASCAR race [✔] 59. Go deep sea fishing (Freeport Bahamas, honeymoon Jan 8, 2019 caught Mahi Mahi and had it for lunch) [ ] 60. Horseback riding on the beach at sunset. [✔] 61. Own my own small business (Mary Kay income to grow H4HH) [ ] 62. Helicopter ride [✔] 63. Own my own home one day [ ] 64. Visit NYC, see the Statue of Liberty at Ellis Island, visit Rockefeller Plaza especially during Christmas/NYE, iceskate at Rockefeller Plaza…would be super cool [ ] 65. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC [ ] 66. Visit the Smithsonian Museum of American History, National Archives, Monuments at Washington DC [ ] 67. Visit Grand Canyon, Arizona [✔] 68. Visit Savannah (Tybee Island) July 31-August 2, 2015 [ ] 69. Visit New Orleans [ ] 70. Visit Niagra Falls [ ] 71. Visit Italy -all the cities, art, culture, food, architecture. Throw a penny in the Trevi Fountain, see the colesium. house of Montague and Capulet of Romeo and Juliet in Verona. Tuscany. Milan. [ ] 72. USMC mud run [ ] 73. Run a 5K (at least one) [✔] 74. Learn to play guitar (started in 2005…sophomore at AC Flora) [✔] 75. Learn to play piano (started when I was 11…quit and then fell in love again with it at 16) [ ] 76. Learn to play banjo, fiddle and drums too [ ] 77. Richard Petty Driving Experience at Lowes Motor Speedway in Charlotte [ ] 78. Eat at Lady and Sons restaurant in Savannah (Paula Deens) Meet Paula Deen [ ] 78. Hot air balloon ride [ ] 79. Carolina Adventure World, mudding [ ] 80. Read more often, especially literary classics [✔] 81. Get second hole pierced in my ears [✔] 82. Eat at Bubba Gumps Shrimp Co restaurant (twice in Gatlinburg once in Charleston) [ ] 83. Learn sign language (ASL) [ ] 84. Go to a pro game (NFL, MLB, NBA) [ ] 85. Go to an NCAA Championship game. [ ] 86. Learn to speak a foreign language fluently (Spanish first, Italian or French maybe after that) [ ] 87. Go to a concert Meet Dolly Parton [✔] 88. Go to DollyWood (Pigeon Forge TN) (family summer vacation in July of 02,03,04) [✔] 89. Meet Billy Graham ( not applicable. He passed away in Feb 2018) [✔] 90. Go to a Hillsong United Concert (July 18, 2016 @ Colonial Life Arena with Lauren Daigle) [✔] 91. Go to a Chris Tomlin concert (November 2012 Florence Civic Center) [✔] 92. Take self defense classes (for women) April 27, 2019 [ ] 93. Learn to be a better swimmer [ ] 94. Go to real Broadway show [ ] 95. Hike the Appachalian Trail [ ] 96. Hike the Palmetto Trail [ ] 96. Conquer my fear of rollercoasters [ ] 97. Ride a mechanical bull [ ] 98. Go to a rodeo [ ] 99. Take horseback riding lessons [ ] 100. Start a nonprofit organization/ministry [✔] 101. Start a blog ministry (Hope For Her Heart: June 22, 2015) [✔] 102. Set up a 401K or some type of retirement fund or IRA (the week of my 30th Birthday) [ ] 103. Visit the American Girl Store (finally one day get a doll!) [ ] 104. Go to a Reba concert [ ] 105. Learn to line dance [✔] 106. Buy a nice pair of cowboy boots, a leather belt with my name on it. [ ] 107. Go to drive in movie [ ] 108. Learn to translate Hebrew and Greek [ ] 109. Be able to afford to take my parents on a real vacation one day. [ ] 110. Be able to thank and repay my parents for all they’ve done in my life [ ] 111. Own my own family farm one day. [ ] 112. Own a few horses [✔] 113. Visit all state parks and historical sites in SC, especially Columbia, Charleston, Camden. [ ] 114. Read all Nicholas Sparks books and see all the movies [ ] 115. Volunteer more time at various local charities, ministries and non-profit organizations [ ] 116. Be a “big sister” through Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization [ ] 117. Become a licensed counselor [✔] 118. Become a teacher (hired at Adlerian Child Care Center in Irmo January 27, 2016 preschool…Creative Beginnings Christian Child Development Center December 28, 2017- Assistant Director both centers) [✔] 119. Become a children’s pastor, youth pastor (Children’s Director April 2, 2017) [ ] 120. Sponsor a child through world vision or compassion international [ ] 121. Go on a mission trip to one of the orphanages through world vision or compassion international [ ] 122. Volunteer with Operation Blessing with CBN The 700 Club [ ] 123. Sleep on a blanket under the stars one summer night [ ] 124. Grow my hair long enough to chop it short and donate [ ] 125. Collect a family recipe cookbook, research our family tree ancestry and create scrapbook [ ] 126. One day become either a foster parent or adopt a child, give hope of a better life [ ] 127. Raise our future children to follow Jesus [✔] 128. Be someone’s crazy awesome aunt (my real nephews are older than me more like brothers…first great nephew in 2004-added 3 more sweeties when I got married…we have 10 nephews, 5 neices) [✔] 129. Be a bridesmaid (Bridgett and Justin’s Wedding 12.31.15, Cam and Kate’s Wedding 11.17.17, Bobby and Colleen’s wedding 12.8.18) [✔] 130. Create intentional random of acts of kindness [ ] 131. Be a nanny [✔] 132. Catch lightning bugs in a mason jar [ ] 133. Go to a shooting range (an indoor and outdoor) [ ] 136. Meet Tim Tebow [ ] 134. Go hunting [ ] 135. Go sailing on a beautiful sailboat [ ] 137. Meet Luke Kuechly [ ] 138. Volunteer for at least a week or two with St. Jude Children’s Hospital [ ] 139. Meet Wendy Griffith of The 700 Club [ ] 140. Meet Mandy Hale, blogger and author The Single Woman [ ] 141. Travel and Train Compel Writing Workshop with Proverbs 31 Ministries. Meet Lysa TerKeurst and Renee Swope [ ] 142. She Speaks Conference through Proverbs 31 Ministries [ ] 143. Volunteer or be on staff for She Reads Truth [ ] 144. Meet and sit down with our lovely former Governor Nikki Haley and shake her hand, thank her for her diligence and hard work. [ ] 145. Pursue more higher education: maybe an additional bachelor’s degree, quite possibly an associate’s, definitely some certifications [ ] 146. Go on the tour of historic homes (Robert Mills District) in downtown Columbia [✔] 147. Hold baby wild animals…like a tiger cub, joey(baby kangaroo), a wolf pup, a kinkaju, and lemurs! (Zootastic Park in NC March 19, 2016) [✔] 148. Get over my fear(more so “nerves”) of public speaking [ ] 149. Write a letter to myself and open it in 10 years and repeat. [✔] 150. Visit The Biltmore Estate in Asheville and other fun things to do there. {March 10, 2018…the day I said YES to Wes, the best man I’ve ever known!💍} The day after my 28th birthday [ ] 151. Visit Greece. Greece-all the cities, art, culture, food, architecture. Athens. Sparta. Santorini. Thessalonica. Crete. Corinth. [ ] 152. Visit “Pretty Place” the chapel on the mountain at YMCA Camp Greenville in Cleveland SC [✔] 153. See Kari Jobe in concert (Accelerant Conference 2014, Gatlinburg TN) [✔] 154. See Lauren Daigle in concert (July 18, 2016 @ Colonial Life Arena opened for Hillsong United) [✔] 155. Earn more certifications and credentials (college courses) [✔] 156. Go kayaking, and canoeing. (June 3, 2017 Broad River with Wes) [✔] 157. Enter my art/photography in the state fair or any contest. (October 2019) [✔] 158. Go Hiking [✔] 159. Ultimate Outsider Challenge all 47 SC State Parks with the Park Passport Plus (June 17, 2017 & COMPLETED January 13, 2021) [✔] 160. Go to a Carolina football game at Williams Brice (September 16, 2017 vs Kentucky with Wes) [ ] 161. Swim with dolphins [✔] 163. Tropical Kayaking Adventure {Half Moon Cay Bahamas Carnival Island…January 9, 2019 honeymoon…Bonefish Lagoon saw starfish, conch, sea cucumbers, and jellyfish} [✔] 164. Put a love lock on Lake Murray Dam with Wes (July 20, 2018) [ ] 165. Slow dance in the headlights on some back country road [✔] 166. Go snorkeling {Half Moon Cay Bahamas Carnival private Island January 9, 2019} [✔] 167. Watch all Star Wars movies in order. Fill in missing pieces of story line. [✔] 168. Take Dad to see Air Force museum in Savannah [ ] 169. Watch all Marvel movies in order. Fill in missing story line pieces. [✔] 170. Be an entrepreneur (started Mary Kay June 2019) [✔] 171. Adopt a puppy (Sept 26, 2019 we brought home our Beagle/Labrador Ginger) [✔] 172. Mount Airy (Mayberry) NC home town of Andy Griffith -birthday surprise trip March 9, 2020 [ ] 173. Dahlonega, Georgia at Christmas time [✔] 174. Buy a lottery ticket [✔] 175. Diamond Hill Mine in Abbeville SC [ ] 176. Visit Brazil. See the Amazon. Experience Rio de Janiero [✔] 177. Go to a tea room with my mom, my sister’s, my aunts and my closest girlfriends (definitely will be going again) [✔] 178. Take pictures in a sunflower field and pick some 6/28/20 [ ] 179. Meet Ree Drummond and go to the ranch and Mercantile in Oklahoma [ ] 180. Meet Joanna Gaines (and Chip) and visit the Magnolia Market at the Silos in Waco, Texas [ ] 181. Be on Wheel of Fortune [✔] 182. God’s Acre Healing Springs, Blackville SC [✔] 183. Eudora Farms drive thru safari [ ] 184. See the Great Sequoias and Redwoods National Forest [ ] 185. Visit all the National Parks [ ] 186. Biltmore at Christmastime [ ] 187. Stay in a cute little bed and breakfast [ ] 188. Guardian ad Litem (GAL) [✔] 189. Cake baking, decorating side business (November 2020) [✔] 190. Watch all The Chronicles of Narnia movies [✔] 191. Brookgreen Gardens at Murrells Inlet
So I say this with a big heart full of hope and wonder, get out there! Find things you are passionate about and do them! Find curiosity and wonder and go explore! Got questions, go find answers! Want to learn something new? Go try it out! There is no harm done in trying something different! Life is way too short to be boring or full of what ifs and the “shoulda-coulda-wouldas”. If anything 2020 taught us all, things can change faster than you think. But I leave you with this heartfelt YES, the very best decision you could make and greatest adventure you’ll ever take is to follow Jesus. Let Him be your compass to whatever roads you take. Life is not always about the destination but the journey, bumpy roads often lead to beautiful places and the most beautiful destination awaits with Jesus: Heaven. Let life here on earth show no fear of the unknown. “Blessed are the curious for they shall have adventures”
A Day in the Life of Preschool and Early Childhood Development
I began this journey almost five years ago this January… to think my babies that I started with are now “big kids”…
Laughter. Tears. Hugs and boos boos, high five and time outs. Wiping little noses and little hineys, changing diapers and changing lives. There is a well known saying that goes like this “It takes a big heart to shape little minds.” This is the absolute truth. Childcare and early childhood education is not for everyone, teaching is not for everyone. That has shown more true this year, when teachers everywhere showed up and showed out when it came to virtual teaching in a global pandemic. Teachers are SUPERHEROES. Whether you teach K-12, or preschool…you are still a teacher through and through. They may have went virtual and shut down, but our doors stayed open and never closed- who do you think helps care for the babies of essential workers like doctors, nurses, police and fire and emts, pharmacists, lawyers, restaurant workers, grocery store clerks, truck drivers, etc. (thank you first responders) for all your hard work- we got your most precious ones taken care of!
I began this journey FIVE years ago today. I worked in the restaurant world with a dash of marketing (Chick-fil-a) while I was in high school and college, retail and ministry (Family Christian) after graduating college and then in January 2016 I entered into the whimsical wonderland of crayons and fingerprints, ABCs and 123s: early childhood education, childcare. I have learned so many things over the years. I had no education experience officially but years of babysitting and children’s ministry experience and a degree in Youth Ministry- a related field. I started as what we call a “non stand-alone”, a rookie to say the least-someone who is brand new, inexperienced and has to train with another more experienced teacher for at least six months until they can be by themselves. After that I was the toddler teacher, then a year later I became Assistant Director. I have worked at two different childcare centers: one secular psychology based and one Christian based non denominational.
In early childcare (now I don’t say these things to toot my own horn or pin a rose on my nose) but for everyday people to understand the hard work and dedication that go into the career field: Contrary to popular belief we are not “glorified babysitters”, we are educators, teachers and administrators. Yes, we are not your typical K-12, teaching reading, writing, math, science, history, art, etc. But we are nurturing, caring for basic needs of food, bottles, changing diapers, wiping noses, washing hands. We are still teaching even though it may look different: reading books, memory verses, bible stories to act out, letter recognition, sights and sounds, phonics, self help skill, fine motor and gross motor development, sensory science and art activities, memorizing things through music and song, learning to share, talk and use your words rather than hitting, biting or tantrums. Learning to crawl, walk, talk and be kind to others. Writing accident reports for every bump, fall, bruise, cut, scrape or bite. Ice packs, band-aids, tears, stitches, and hugs and everything in between-been there done that. Potty training and all the messes that come with it. Learning ABC’s, 123s, and Jesus loves me. Basic building blocks of life and fundamental things that adults even have to be reminded of. Children are children, don’t expect them to react and act as adults. The most fundamentally developmental early years are spent with us and their parents, grandparents, etc. We are not to replace or tell you how to parent your child or the choices you make in raising your children, but we are here to come along side you to help you and guide you- to celebrate the milestones and be there on the hard days of parenting.
The amount of training and education courses we undergo is quite extensive. Some have a four year degree (Bachelor’s), some have a two year degree (Associate’s), some are working on credentials, some are brand new 18 year old rookies with a big heart and while some are working WHILE in college, some have been doing this 20+ years, 10 or 5 years (longer than some of you have been parents!), alot of our teachers are parents too! First aid, CPR and AED training, Bloodborne Pathogens, Health and Nutrition, Gross Motor and Fine Motor Development, Curriculum, Social and Emotional Development…just to name a FEW of the extensive trainings we undergo. Each year continuing to pursue more to make sure every child is happy, healthy, safe, loved and cared for all while they are learning. Most of us wear many hats: my director and I run both ends of the day open to close quite often. Administrative paperwork, balancing schedules, supervising teachers, lunch breaks, balancing numbers for ratio purposes, policies, DSS and DHEC standards, making sure parents and teachers follow proper protocol, administering medication, cooking, cleaning, lesson plans, time cards, training, stepping up and staying calm in emergencies, projects, tours, answering phones and emails, communication, knowing the needs of every family and getting to know and love every parent, child and teacher. I am also our chapel director, responsible for our Bible story curriculum and fun activities for summer and holidays. It’s all in a days and weeks worth of work. To every parent that has trusted us with your sweet babies throughout the years, thank you. You are family. To those that make the choice to not put your children in childcare and stay home with them-that is perfectly okay too. Just know you got a village with you either way. Just because I’m not yet a mother, doesn’t mean I don’t understand. Little ones have big emotions like grown ups but don’t know how to articulate and process them. They need guidance. Little hearts and little minds needs lots of patience and grace (yes somedays just like most mamas can agree they drive me nuts too). Grown ups need grace too. Spilt milk and potty accidents are not the end of the world, most crayon marks come off walls with a magic eraser (and don’t be afraid to make them clean up their messes if they are big enough how else will they learn), tantrums won’t last forever, glitter is impossible to get rid of, and broken crayons still color. The laughter, tears, silly jokes, holding hands and snuggly big hugs are all worth it.
In grace, Heather H. Carnley (teacher, minister, educator, administrator, and chaos coordinator of littles and bigs)
Hope For Her Heart 