~ Sweet Blessings ~

Letter & scripture card from my sweet Callie tonight that blessed my heart: 


Dear Mommy, 


I'm sorry you had a rough day at work.  I've had a day like that, but at school.  You just need to rest.  You are the BOMB, the most beautiful mom, the best foot massager, the best cook, baker, and the best mom in the whole wide world!  I wouldn't want any other mom!  I get to talk to you that some people wouldn't understand.  You are a woman for God and he made you just the way you are! Please don't change yourself.  I love you so so so so so so so much! 


Love, 
Callieboo 


P.S. You are the best shopper, you have a heart to share, you love Starbucks, you are very special to me and I'd do anything 4 you!  You are one of my special treasures! I love you!!!!

~ Sitting At The Feet Of Our Master ~

One of my favorite summertime activities is sitting on my front porch early in the morning and reading God's Word.  God has blessed me with a beautiful view and amazing sounds of his creation which all make the perfect setting for alone time with him.  With no school bells ringing, I look forward to these early morning rendezvous at my Master's feet. There is just something about those quiet morning hours with Jesus that I can't get enough of.   

Even my four-legged friend, Louie, looks forward to these mornings! I know it sounds crazy to you but Louie knows that when I pick up my Bible and cup of coffee that I am going outside. He starts to spaz out a little until I open the door, sit in my comfy rocking chair, and put my Bible on my lap.  Then he takes his place right at my feet, or right on my feet as he is doing this morning (you can see in the picture).  He knows there is comfort at his master's feet. He is at peace at his master's feet. 

When I think about all the times in scripture when Jesus was teaching, so many people were there in his presence to hear him teach.  I wonder, did they realize whose feet they were sitting at?  We know from reading, that there were those who actually grasped the moment of being at his feet.  Recall the story of Mary and Martha in Luke chapter 10, as they were hosting Jesus in their home.  Martha was in a tizzy because she was doing all the work and her sister Mary was being "lazy" just sitting there listening to Jesus speak.  But notice where Mary was....

"She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said." Luke 10:39 

She was at his feet! That is my girl! She knew the amazing opportunity that was in front of her and she seized the moment! Did you get that? SHE SEIZED THE MOMENT OF SITTING AT HER MASTER'S FEET! Oh my dear friends, how many times do we miss those opportunities to sit at Jesus feet and listen to his words? We have them right in our hands.  There will always be things and tasks that need to be done, but don't ever miss the incredible moments you can have when you pause to hear him, feel him, in his very presence.   

As Jesus answered Martha's whining and complaining that day, he did so with such grace.  He said to her, 

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42 

Jesus longs to spend this time with you.  The Savior of the world wants to spend time with you! Seize the moment! 

I urge you to take some time today and "choose what is better".  Take your Bible and find a quiet place to sit at his feet.  There is peace, there is comfort, and there is joy at your Master's feet!  

Blessings at HIS feet today, 

Allison

~ A Contagious Spirit ~

Wow! That is the only way I can describe the last few weeks!  Things have been pretty busy but more than that, I have spent so much precious time in the Word that sometimes I stand in awe while I watch my God unfold his plan in my life.  If you read nothing else from my post today, I hope you understand that a relationship with God is better than ANY relationship you will ever have on this earth.  Yes, you read that correctly!  Now, I love my husband and children so much it physically hurts sometimes, but that does not even compare to the love I have for my Lord.  If you don’t understand what I’m talking about then, my dear friend, you can understand it and have it too.  Where do you start? Well, open your Bible and start talking to your Lord.  The more you do, the more you will crave!  So amazing!

My kids have been out of school for two weeks now, but we haven’t slowed down yet.  The first week out, Callie and I had a summer cheer clinic at the school, then my sister came in from Georgia and we had our annual “sister getaway”, then Ben left for basketball camp and now we are packing Ben up for another basketball camp to Tennessee for the week, and Callie, Caleb and I are gearing up for a fabulous week of VBS! Shew!  Let me take a deep breath!  Lots of amazing things in there!  After this week, we have some down time and I am looking forward to spending time with those awesome children of mine and also more time in God’s beautiful Word!

I know that I haven’t been keeping up with my blog as I usually try to do.  I can assure you that it is not from lack of “teachable moments”.  On the contrary, I have had many teachable moments and the growing pains to prove it! Haha!  About a month and a half ago, I began taking some online classes.  Now, from someone who was so excited to finish her schooling and never wanted to go back there, I entered the online classroom yet again, and a little nervous too.  This was something I never intended to do, but as I’ve shared before, my hands are up and I have said, “yes”, to whatever God would have me do.  A while back, he began burdening my heart for women and leading them deeper in the Word.  As I was praying about where he wanted to me to go with it, I felt led to begin some study into women’s leadership and Christian life coaching. So, I just finished one class, with an “A”, and I’m in the middle of two more classes.  What a blessing to sit and listen to lectures from some amazing men and women of God.  This journey has also led me to facilitate a ladies summer Bible study that began a couple of weeks ago.  It has been incredible!  God is teaching me so much about him that sometimes it is hard to contain myself! 

As I watch women around me catch the same desire to know more of him, it just ignites the fire even more.  Now, I have always loved my time with God, but through my journey these last couple of years, this time has become so much more precious to me that it is hard to describe.  It is my heart’s desire to be contagious in my love for God and that those around me catch it as well so that the desire to know our God becomes an epidemic! That’s the kind of outbreak we need in this country, isn’t it? Hallelujah!  Ok, let me calm down a minute! Lol!  Now, you know why my blog has been a little silent lately, but I will try to stay in touch.

In all humility, I do ask you to pray for me.  Pray that my eyes stay fixed on my God wherever he leads me.  As I take these classes, lead these studies, and whatever God asks me to do, pray that I have the courage to go where he wants me to go.  Pray that I grow stronger in him every day and that my heart will never be settled, that it will always be growing in him.

As I said earlier, if you get nothing else out of this post, I pray that you understand that the relationship you have with God is the most precious relationship you will ever have.  Don’t take it for granted.  Grow in him.  You won’t ever regret drawing closer to the One who gave his life for you!

Thank you, in advance, for your prayers and encouragement! I need them!  The enemy does not want us growing closer to God.  He wants anything but that.  So I covet those prayers as I continue this marvelous journey.  It’s all about HIM!

Joshua 1:9

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

All for HIM~

Allison