Sorry about the length, but if you have always wanted to see a real-life example of God humbling someone, then this is it!! God sure taught me a hard lesson today! So, be prepared to laugh at my expense as you read my humbling and embarrassing tale of what was metaphorically "a good sober spanking" from God. ;) I share because I care; even if it's uncomfortable. This is for you!!!!

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A downpour of rain can serve many purposes. Beyond the very purpose for watering the earth (that we most desperately need in our area right now) is a chance to realize and understand the deeper meanings behind the acts of nature God creates.

Such was the case today as I walked up to the new and improved public library; tugging the kids behind me in the wagon. Not only were the kids enjoying the wagon ride, but I was getting the benefits of exercise. Two birds with one stone! A big plus for stay-at-home mommies trying to get multiple tasks accomplished. Add to that the bonus of a milder day without as much heat, and it made for a great stroll.

So, Casey enjoyed a story and craft time while Gianna and I browsed and got some more books for them to enjoy later. The day was going pretty well. I guess I hadn’t really realized that today had the potential for storms. We have been a little low on the rain, lately, and I wasn’t expecting it. I didn’t even seem to notice the clouds and the dreariness as we departed the library and headed for home.

A couple blocks into our journey, I thought of going to one of our friend’s houses to visit and see their new adopted baby. But, I was tired and opted to keep trudging along home. I would soon come to regret it, because I began to hear thunder. “Oh boy,” I thought. “Not that I am opposed to the much needed rain, Lord, but I pray that you will protect us and keep us safe and wait until we are home before the downpour comes down and drenches us.” I almost thought of turning back, but by that time, it would be almost the same distance back to the library as it would be to home, so I kept moving forward.

Then, it started to sprinkle a bit. “Ok, I can deal with this. Please, don’t let it get much worse than this until we get home.” However, this was not to be. I could smell the rain and tell that the clouds were really starting to cover the sky above us. I feared we wouldn’t make it home before the flood gates were opened. I was hoping, if need be, that I could find a place of shelter to wait it out if I had to.

Presently, I realized that the downpour was inevitable and that even at my fastest pace, I wouldn’t make it home in time to avoid a good drenching. So, I took out Casey’s hearing aids and put them in my pocket for safe-keeping. Hopefully, that would provide a little protection for them. I also began looking around to see if there was some place of refuge for me to wait it out.

As the rain began to quicken, I passed by a house where there was a man and his young child outside. I saw him look up at me, and with genuine concern and compassion in his voice, he asked if he could give us a ride home. Now, I don’t know what was wrong with me, but I told him “No, I’ll be fine.” I guess I had that “don’t accept rides from strangers” mentality, even though in my heart I felt that it would be. The man asked me again and I said, “No, I got this big wagon and the kids would need car seats. I’ll be ok. It’s not much further.” Again, he assured me it wouldn’t be a problem, and I thought I heard him say something about car seats (after all, he did have a young child). I picked up my pace and walked past voicing all my excuses of how I would be “just fine.“ Why wouldn’t I let him help me? Why hold onto that pride? If it were just me, that would be one thing, but I had the kids to think about and those library books, that I had nearly forgotten about, to keep dry.

Well, not more than two minutes after I passed the kind man’s house did I see a great wall of rain quickly approaching towards me like a tidal wave. Gianna had a look of terror and discomfort on her face as the rain started pelting down on her. Sometimes she’s like a cat in a bath tub.

As I watched her whimper, I kicked myself in the pants for being so stubborn and prideful and several verses came into my mind to affirm how stupid I was:

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
- Proverbs 16:18. “

“He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.”
- Proverbs 3:34.

“For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
- Matthew 23:12

With a scrunch of my nose and a roll of my eyes, like a child does to his parent, I pouted at the fact that God was right; as always. I just felt as if God was saying “Why didn’t you listen to me and accept the help you prayed for?” Well, I didn’t exactly pray for shelter. In all actuality, I prayed to get HOME before I had to resort to this. But, my will isn’t always his will, and I did pray that he would watch out for us and keep us safe and that was what he tried to provide for me with that kind man. But, I thought I could do it on my own and beat the storm (even when I KNEW it wasn’t likely). I only kidded myself with thinking it wouldn’t be “that bad” and that a few sprinkles would be all that would come.

So, when the next opportunity for shelter came, I had to swallow my pride and make myself approach a house where a man and his two sons were standing outside. The man had no shirt on, and he had a goatee and a big belly. The sight of him really turned me off, but it was no time to think of myself when I had two wet children; one who especially hated water. I asked if we might stand under the shelter of his porch and wait out the storm, and he said sure. He and his sons made room and I pulled the wagon in and thanked him for his kindness and apologized for the intrusion. As much as I deserved the consequences of my pride, the children didn’t, and that might very well be the reason God gave me another chance at refuge from the storm. Which, in so many ways, was now “my storm.”

The man and his kids proceeded to step inside and invite us in. I wanted to just stay right there and wait it out, because who knows what condition their house was in and I already felt like a heel for imposing myself on them because of my own stupidity in the first place. But, I once again had to swallow my pride, because the look on Gianna’s face was saying “Mommy, I hate it out here! It’s wet and I’m scared!! Rescue me and take me somewhere where I feel safe.” So, I unbuckled them from the wagon and proceeded to enter the house.

I felt like an even bigger idiot when I entered the house because I could tell that it wasn’t an ideal place. I caught a glimpse of a puzzle that had astrology and zodiac symbols on it, a mask of some foreign culture on the wall, and items with the names of alcohol on it. The place also smelled of cigarette smoke. While it was uncomfortable to me, the kids didn’t even seem to notice. They thought we were just visiting someone’s house, and they proceeded to pursue the family cat. I had to continually get them to stay with me by the door as I eagerly awaited the end of the storm. The man had the weather channel on, and it looked as though the storm was small and would be passing soon.

All the while as I stood there, I realized that if I had just taken the help God had offered me, I would have been home by now and not in the big mess I was in and in a place that was obviously tainted with bondage and negative influences. I prayed that God would keep me safe from any evil spirits that might attack me and the kids, and that He would deliver the family from any bondage that they were under.

When the storm passed, I got the kids in the wagon and thanked the man once again and said, “May God bless you and your household.” And he uttered with a somewhat start of surprise in his voice, “Thank you.” It was almost as if he had never received a verbal “blessing” of that sort and didn’t know how to respond. But, I hope that his family will be blessed indeed!

As I left, I felt the ever so awkward and humble feeling that a child has after he gets a spanking. I was trying not to despise the Lord’s discipline; because He loves me and I truly needed to be taught that lesson. I just never realized how stubborn I still am, sometimes, and learned that you really do need to accept help in the midst of your storms in life.

You really can’t expect to be able to journey alone and go unspoiled by the rains. You have to have God as your refuge and accepts His answers to your prayers and realize them as His answers even if they aren’t the specific ones you prayed for. You especially got to be humble and not prideful, because your choices affect EVERYONE!!! If you choose to be stubborn and think “I can do it myself. I don’t need your help,” all the time, you will find yourself getting a big wake-up call in the midst of an unpleasant circumstance. Accept help before it gets worse. Don’t wait until it gets so bad that you have to eat more humble pie than you care to have. Walk in humility and submission, and keep your ears and heart open to the direction of the Lord and he truly will direct your steps in the way you ought to go. But, if you choose your own way, you won’t be happy with where you end up and will have no one to blame but yourself. But, even then, God is so merciful and compassionate and will give you another chance.

I‘m glad that I had a place to ride out the rest of the storm, even if it wasn‘t the place I would have liked. I wanted to complain and ask him why he would “allow“ this to happen to me and send me to a place like that. However, God says “I didn’t send you there. You did!” It wasn’t God’s will for me to go there, but because I chose my own way, that’s where I ended up. I sent myself there because I refused the better refuge that he first offered to me. Yes, I am grateful for the second chance, but the second chances aren’t as great as the first ones. You can’t get back those missed opportunities.

Well, even through all of this, Romans 8:28 still rings true: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” God can do anything He wants to do. He could have prevented this storm from even happening, but that would have deprived the grounds from getting the rain it needed. Also, where would my growth be and who would have missed out on learning from my stupidity had I not gone through this test and been able to share it? I didn’t listen to God first hand, so he had to teach me the hard way. So, this truly has worked out for the good of me and for my purpose (writing) so that someone else might learn and be blessed as well.

There will be many more “storms” in my life. Some will be avoidable, should I take note of the signs and refrain from going on my own way. I need to remember Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” If I truly grasp hold of the fact that “my way” will only lead to trouble, and sufficiency on my flesh instead of on God will lead to destruction, I will be able to avoid more downpours in life.

Things have been really busy lately, but even with everything going on, I guess I haven't had much to really report. Or, when I think of something to say, I forget it by the time I want to sit down and blog it. LOL

Anyways, I doubt anyone minds. One less long lengthy blog for people to read. Ha ha! But, I do have a little tid-bit to share (while I'm thinking about it).

For Mother's Day, my Grandma sent me some money. So, I decided to use it towards my very first pedicure. I had never had one, but always wanted one, so I finally got it done!

Before you roll your eyes thinking, "I don't want to hear about her stinky foot bath" let me explain why it's significant:

There is a lot of purpose in having someone take the time to care for your feet that way. Maybe that is why Jesus washed His disciples feet. It's humbling for both parties, and really helps one understand what it means to have a servant's heart. These are the things I pondered as I watched this beautiful young woman take care of my feet as I sat in a massage chair with a bubbling foot bath.

One of the most amazing things for me was when she took a special tool and actually took the calluses off of my feet. I didn't know you could actually take away that toughness like that. It was even more surprising to hear her talk of how it was her favorite part and how she enjoyed the satisfaction of a job well done when it was all over. I was just amazed when my feet felt so much smoother and so "new" again.

I just got to thinking how our hearts get calloused. We become tough and numb. We have no tenderness or sensitivity to the Lord, and so we become dull to His voice and we don't hear Him as well. This whole world (especially in America) is so selfish and "all about me" that we forget that we are supposed to love our neighbors and care for others the way Christ does for us. Just as Christ wasn't beyond humbling himself to serve his friends, so it should be with us.

So, if you feel as though you are hardened, numb, desensitized, and dissatisfied, come to the Lord and ask Him to remove your calluses. I have on many occasions, and he really does soften my heart and make it new again. The lady at the pedicure place expressed that she doesn't think enough people take the time to take care of themselves (or their feet) and so the calluses build up and our feet are neglected. She's right. I had no idea how nice my feet could be until I came to someone who could make them new again. So, in the same way, we need to come to God to become new again. We need to ask him to tenderize our hearts and remove our calluses so that we can hear His voice and be sensitive to Him, and the needs of others, again. We do that through confession and repentance.

God wants us to have servants' hearts. Jesus demonstrated that clearly. I pray that America, and the world, will be sensitized by the Lord again. Lord, I pray that we will leave our self-centered attitudes behind and repent. Lord, let us be a people who love and care about others and put their needs first. Make us new again. Renew and refresh us. Amen!

Ok, the complaints and sorrow of the previous blog is past me now. I get that way occasionally. But, the good thing about me is I get over things quickly (most of the time). LOL Anyways, there really isn't much to be upset about. Everyone just needs to vent every now and then, and then let it go. So, going going gone!

 

Speaking of getting over things, I wish Paris Hilton would get over it! We all have to deal with the consequences of our actions, whether good or bad. And hopefully, she can get over her pity party as quickly as I can get over mine. God reminded me that no matter how bad things seem, we can either be bitter or better. I chose to be better. The longer I choose to whine about things, the worse I'm going to be. So, I just got to pick up and move on, because in all truth, I am so very blessed. After all, I got to wake up another day. For some, there is no waking up at all. Or, they wake up and have to face even tougher challenges; like an illness or some kind of loss, stress, financial trouble, hunger, or something else.

 

I think that is why God wants us to be thankful, because that is the key to joy. If Paris Hilton appreciated ANYTHING, she wouldn't be wallowing in misery right now. Better yet, if she had been disciplined when she was a child, maybe she wouldn't be in the fix she is in. She is acting so childish, and she has finally got to learn that breaking the law has consequences. She has slid by for too long, and now, it has finally caught up with her. There is no reason why she should be exempt (even though she thought somehow, she could manipulate that way once again), especially after coasting for so long. Maybe this could be the very wake-up call she needs to start valuing her blessings and quit being so spoiled, shallow, and material. Let's all pray for her.

 

I can only hope her "rock bottom" as she sees it will get her to a place of calling out to God and not on her money and creature comforts. I pray that she will learn the lesson of the exalted ones being humbled and the humble ones being exalted (Matthew 23:12, Luke 14:11, Luke 18:14) .

 

Maybe Paris should see this video of my friend Susan Stafford. Years ago, she was in the sex industry. She got arrested for prostitution and when she got arrested and put in jail, she had her "rock bottom" moment. She cried out to God and God answered her prayers and transformed her mightily!! She inspires me so much and when she showed me this video, when I met her on vacation, I was just so moved!! I happened to find it online yesterday, and I wanted to make sure people had the opportunity to see this!! You will be amazed at her story!! Please take the time to watch this short video!! Click on this link and on "watch now" when you get to the page!

 

 

So, we got to choose what kind of person we are going to be. Are we going to call out to God, surrender to Him and have a truly better life like Susan Stafford did? Or, are we going to cling to our own creature comforts and refuse to be a better person with joy in our hearts because of the transformation of Christ like Paris Hilton does? It's not too late to choose! I hope Paris, and the rest of the hard hearted out there, will cry out to the Lord for peace and salvation. The "stuff" of this world can't save you, and if Paris thinks jail is "hell," she's really going to be whinning when she experiences the real thing if she doesn't accept Christ.

I know I am usually on the more "positive" side of things, but right now, I'm not. God helped me through my strength training that I just finished, but I'm just not in a good mood. I am trying hard to enjoy working out, but I don't anymore. I have reached full scale boredom and rebellion. I tried changing it up today, but even then, that didn't work. I did some DVDs that I haven't done in a while, and it's still no newer to me. Gosh, is that bad? Is it REALLY bad when something has to be BRAND NEW for me to get excited about it and enjoy it?

I don't know what to do. Maybe I could enjoy it a LITTLE more if I felt it was getting anywhere. I know I got to be patient, but I have already been patient for the last couple months. I was having two pounds loss per week, or at least one. Now, I just stay frozen; even despite the fact that I am eating more fruit and getting better nutrition than I had been. What is going on?

I am commited to staying the course, but truthfully, I so badly want to give up. I am in tears right now because I am just so "blah" right now. I don't even care that I got my workout done and out of the way. It just doesn't feel satisfactory.

Ok, reality check. I just now realized that it is PMS again. Duh!! I guess time goes so quickly that I didn't think of it being "that time" again. Ok, people, that is what it is. Pay no attention to maniac Melissa. It's just "her time of the month." :P

Not only is it "that time" but these last few months have been so radically different. Maybe it's age. I'll be 25 on 07/07/07. For the first time in my life, I feel like I am getting old. Pretty soon, I will be on my way to my 30's. I feel like my youth is dwindling away. I can already tell in my eyesight, even. I am going to have to make an appointment because I haven't had them checked in years, and I have been squinting a lot and getting headaches. I have a weak perscription pair of glasses, but they aren't cutting it, and I don't like them either. I don't want to have to wear glasses, but I know my sensitive eyes probably won't tolerate contacts.

If no one reads this, that's ok. I talk way too much and I don't blame anyone if they get scared off of my blogs because of it. I know I can't shut up. As much as I pray to be able to writet better and more concisely, I just can't seem to do it very well. I always have to explain everything in detail and I feel I can't leave anything out. I am such a screwball!

So, who knows how long this blog will go on. I am just watching myself think as I type, right now. I am thinking that I am a sad case. I am a pre-menstrual mess. I don't know how to cope with it. It NEVER used to be this way!! I never got mega PMS or extreme moodiness like this before. I feel so weird!!! For the first time I truly do feel like I'm becoming an "old fart." My teen years are gone, and my 20's almost are too. I just don't know how to feel or where I fit in. I don't have any friends in my age group around here. My best friends are "computer" people whom I never get to see, and I feel I don't belong anywhere.

I'm lonely. I'm angry. I'm frustrated. I keep watching as my spark calculator keeps pushing me further and further away from my original goal weight date. It was in Septemer. Now, if I lose 2 pounds a week, it will be October. But, since I haven't been, if I only lose one pound a week (which hasn't been happening either) it's going to be until around this time next year!!! Well, I suppose I should be grateful that I know I will get there eventually, bu t sometimes, it just doesn't seem like soon enough - especially when people say I look so good and want to know about my progress and all I have to say is that I'm still at 189. What is it going to take to get past this?

I'm trying to be grateful and not pout. It's just so hard right now. I feel like I don't have the strength to keep trying. I know you can't always expect to see the fruits of your labor sprout overnight, but it has been "many nights" and nothing has sprouted.

Everything just seems boring and old - including myself. I need something new and fresh. I need a fun change in my life that won't stress me out. I want to go out and have fun, hang out with good friends, be girly, go shopping, have time just for me, but I can't. I don't have the finances to spoil myself, I don't have any friends "in person," and I have kids tying me down who are going through their own stages, and I'm just trying to get through it all and wonder what to do. My husband has his own attitude to deal with, and he doesn't seem to understand how hurtful his behavior is to all of us, or to himself. (If you're reading this, Mitch, I'm sorry...but it's the truth of how I feel right now and in this kind of vent, I don't care how it sounds. I'm hurting). And, I feel like he doesn't understand me either. I don't feel appreciated by anyone. I just wish I had someone to hug me and comfort me and tell me that everything was going to be ok. I have faith that it will be, but at the moment, it just hurts too much to hope.

This is from a forward I got from my mom entitled "BIBLE SCHOLARS." I can't remember the last time I laughed so much over a forward! I HAD TO SHARE THIS ONE!! LOL Hey, we all need to laugh!! Laughter is essential to life! You got to love good humor!! ;) Maybe I will start posting some of my more "light-hearted" poems and writings from time to time. I can be silly ya know. LOL Anyways, this inspired me to spread the laughter!

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Pay special attention the wording and spelling. If you are even remotely familiar with Holy Scripture, you'll find this hilarious! It comes from a Roman Catholic elementary school test. Kids were asked questions about the Old and New Testements. The following statements about the bible were written by children. They have not been corrected. Incorrect spelling has been left in! Can you imagine yourself being the nun that is sitting at her desk grading these papers all the while trying to keep a staight face and maintain your composure?

1. In the first book of the Bible, Guinessis, God got tired of creating the world so he took the Sabbath off.

2. Adam and Eve were created from an apple tree. Noah's wife was Joan of Ark. Noah built an ark and the animals come on in pears.

3. Lots wife was a pillar of salt during the day, but a ball of fire during the night.

4. The Jews were a proud people and throughout history they had trouble with unsympathetic Genitals.

5. Sampson was a strongman who let himself be led astray by a Jezebel like Delilah.

6. Samson slayed the Philistines with the axe of the apostles.

7. Moses led the Jews to the Red Sea whre they made unleavened bread whis bread without any ingredients.

8. The Egyptians were all drowned in the dessert. Afterwards, Moses upto Mount Cyanide to get the Ten Commandments.

9. The first Commandments was when Eve told Adam to eat the apple.

10. The seventh Commandment is Thou Shalt Not Admit Adultery.

11. Moses died before he ever reached Canada. Then Joshua led the Hebrews in the Battle of Geritol.

12. The greatest miricle in the Bible is when Johsua told his son to stand still and he obeyed him.

13. David was a Hebrew king who was skilled at playing the liar. He fought the Finkelsteins, a race of people who lived in Biblical times.

14. Soloman, one of Davids sons, had 300 wives and 700 porcupines.

15. When Mary heard she was the mother of Jesus, she sang the Magna Carta.

16. When the three Wise Guys from the East Side arrived they found Jesus in the manager.

17. Jesus was born because Mary had an immaculate contaption.

18. St. John the Blacksmith dumped water on his head.

19. Jesus enunciated the golden rule, which says to do unto others before they can do one to you. He also explained a man doth not live by sweat alone.

20. It was a miricle when Jesus rose from the dead and managed to get the tombstone off the entrance.

21. The people who followed teh Lord were called the 12 Decibels.

22. The Epistles were the wives of the Apostles.

23. One of the oppossums was St. Matthew who was also a taximan.

24. St. Paul cavorted to Christianity, he preached holy acrimony which is another name for marriage.

25. Christians have one one spouse. This is called monotony.

Today, we sang the classic hymn "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." I must say, it has never blessed me more than it did today. I took in every word and it was speaking right to me. The whole song speaks about how is always there listening to us and waiting for us to tell us all our cares in prayer. This song basically says that Jesus is our best friend and our counsellor. He is just waiting to hear about all our joys and sorrows. Anything we have to say, we can say it to Him. Are we burdened? Are we happy? Are we worried? Oh how much we bear ourselves and overwhelm ourselves, just because we don't come to God and tell Him all about it!!

 

This song really emphasized the privilege and joy of prayer. I mean, WOW! He is there 24/7 for us!! He's our 1-800 hotline! We can call Him up anytime! Shouldn't we be grateful and take advantage of someone so loving, wonderful, powerful, and caring?

 

I'm posting the lyrics, here, because they just spoke to me so much. Take in every word. So many times, we sing a song and don't give much thought to the meaning. If you know the song, sing it to Him today and just soak in the awe of the fact that He is our 24/7 Savior!! He's our refuge and safe place. He's our comforter and healer and Almight God! WOW!!! HE REALLY LOVES US DOESN'T HE?!!! :)

 

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

 

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilage to carry
Ev'rything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Ev'rything 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.

Are we weak and heavy laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Saviour, still our refuge;
Take it to the Lord in prayer:
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
In His arms He'll take and shield thee;
Thou wilt find a solace there.