It’s Monday! Time to run, right? Why I am going to STOP?

It’s Monday, which normally means running like your hair is on fire until you get to (maybe) sit down at 10:00 p.m. to watch the evening news…which is completely depressing.

Running from dropping the kids at school, work, errands, grocery store, dinner, homework, laundry….the list never ends. And all the while you hear these voices screaming in your head that you need to move just a little faster because whatever you’re doing right now…there are 100 things lined up right behind it that demand your attention.

Can I get a witness?

Today is the Monday to STOP! Whatever it is can wait. I remember when I was getting ready to give birth to Chloe Grace 2 years ago, I was worried about being gone for 12 weeks because of my current work load and upcoming projects. The struggle for working mothers and the heartless bosses. The pressure was on! Sad😔😟😏 which had me in a situation to debate whether I should only stay home for 8 weeks with my new born baby or whether I should just stay home with her longer. Really? Shouldn’t being with my new baby be the priority here? Seriously!! People and things in this fast microwave world will run your life and even ruin it if you don’t you know how to and when to say NO or STOP. It’s not always easy but I’ve learned to say NO without an explanation. In the end, I took the 3 months off to be with my baby. Guess what? I found out that indeed the earth did not swallow my office work whole. Although, things were not handled nor turned out like I expected or planned but so what? The world continued to rotate on its axis and the birds continued singing without further direction.

Some things can wait. Seek out the priorities in your day (faith, family and loved ones) and put your house in order. Yes, it’s important to get things done, but sweating the small stuff will never get you anywhere but in a panic. And when you’re worried about everything else, what you are doing right now isn’t getting the attention it deserves.

So, take a deep breath and enjoy today. It will all get done in due time. Smell a few roses on this Monday instead of just mowing them down on your way to the next big thing. Have a blessed and wonderful day!

Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

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Be in good courage….and He shall strengthen your heart

Are you in that place where you feel like you’re barely hanging on by the thinnest possible thread….just waiting for it to snap in half? I have this verse for you today:

Psalms 31:24, “Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”

If you are in THAT place, hang on. Call upon the Lord and he will not only send you the help that you need, but sustain you while you’re in the valley. You’re not alone in the fight. The battle belongs to the Lord. Let him fight it for you. Let go of the reins for a minute.

Whatever you are facing today, if it is taking you out of your comfort zone, know that adversity always allows room for personal improvement. You do not have to live in the valley, but you can certainly grow while you’re there. Instead of thinking “woe is me, nothing good ever comes my way,”….roll up your sleeves and head straight for the fight. Take the upper hand, because it is yours for the taking. You are more than a conqueror, and cannot be defeated unless you allow the enemy to win.

Today might be a day filled with pain and sorrow, but joy comes in the morning. Every day isn’t perfect, but every day can be filled with perfect peace if you will cry out to the Lord and allow him to come in and take over.

May the God of all hope grant you peace in your own personal valley today. May he restore your soul. Whatever giant you are facing, may the battle be yours. Know that God has not lost sight of you, but instead he is simply watching you grow.

– Flore❤️

Why are we not content?

I was thinking this morning how it is so ingrained in our human nature to lament what we don’t have. Why is that? Why are we not content?

We see someone with a bigger house, a nicer car, a newer phone….and we wonder why we are “stuck” with what we have. Why can’t we win the $567 zillion lottery and just while away the time? I picture Tevya in my mind (Fiddler on the Roof) dancing and singing, “If I Were a Rich Man…”

But if you think about it, most of the improvements you have made in your life have come because you were uncomfortable, because you needed to make a way to obtain something you didn’t have.

You have heard it said that ingenuity is the mother of invention. Think about the times you had to put things together in order to reach a goal where you really had to work at earning that finished product. Did you enjoy it more in the end, have a greater feeling of satisfaction than if it was just handed to you?

I dare to say that in the United States (and many, many places around the globe) we are blessed beyond measure, and certainly far beyond our deserving. We take many things for granted.

Do you have good health? You are indeed wealthy. Did you sleep last night in a warm home? Many are losing their homes all across the US…while abroad many are living on the ground or in tents, if they’re lucky. Do you have enough food for today? Many do not.

The Lord’s Prayer says, “Give us THIS DAY our daily bread.” I have thought about that many times, as often it seems like I have enough to meet every need for just that day, just that moment in time. I’m not sure if I will have the things I’m in need of tomorrow, as God only knows what will happen then. But for THIS DAY…I have what I need. (Maybe not what I WANT, but certainly what I need.)

And for that I am grateful.

Philippians 4:1, “Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.”

Signed,

– Flore’s Grateful Heart

Have you ever wondered why bad things happen to good people?

Have you ever wondered why bad things happen to good people?

Matthew 5:45, “…for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

Trials, tribulations, challenges, storms, obstacles, tragedies…whatever you want to label them…they happen to EVERYONE. So, if you’re smack dab in the middle of a huge problem right now, you’re in good company. We have ALL been there at some point. If we aren’t there right now, a new challenge is probably just around the corner. Hang on!

I have heard many self-proclaimed “saints” (and I use that word very loosely here) say throughout the years that you must have done something wrong or somehow angered God if bad things are going on in your life. NOTHING could be further from the truth.

God doesn’t get angry and strike you with lightening bolts because you missed the Sunday church service or you didn’t bring an extra casserole to the church social. He loves you.

Can he become disappointed with us? Of course he can. Let’s face it. Sometimes we disappoint ourselves. But he is quick to forgive if we will only ask.

So, if today it is raining all over your parade…run to the front of the line and beat your drum loud and proud. The rain doesn’t last forever and at the end is a brilliant rainbow just waiting for you, filled with the promises of the Lord.

Walking With PEACE,

– Flore❤️

http://www.floremusic.com

Feeling lonely….Where is He?… Is He there? You asked?

Are there days when you feel lost and alone? While perception tends to be 99% of our reality….the truth is that you are NEVER alone. There is no place that you can go where you are separated from God.

In the midnight hour when you feel as if all hope is lost…He is there. When you receive a diagnosis from the doctor that is a death sentence…He is there. When the dearest on earth turn their backs on you…He is there.

Whatever storm you are facing, He sees. Whatever is causing your heart to feel like breaking, He knows.

All you need to do is be willing to invite Him into your situation and take the very next step. God will point the way, you just need to be willing to follow him.

Don’t give up! Push forward. Everyone has a bad day, a bad week, a bad month and sometimes a bad year. But if we didn’t have the bad days, how would the great days be so wonderful? Remember, every living thing needs rain in order to grow.

There is no shame in falling down. We all do it. The Bible says there is a time for mourning and a time for gladness. If right now is your time for mourning, know that joy comes in the morning. God sees you right where you are, and his arm is reaching down towards you to lift you out of the place of deepest sorrow. Be willing to grab hold of his hand and be lifted to greater heights.

Psalm 139:7-10, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.”

Flore❤️

….A life worth living

I keep hearing these phrases: BE STILL and FOCUS…definitely two things that are challenging for me. I often said these phrases to myself to avoid distractions, negativity mainly to encourage myself but it’s not as always easy as it sounds.

Working full time and taking care of two little girls can be very challenging. There isn’t enough time in one day to completely fulfill the mommy duty call, to finish all the tasks and meet all the needs and wants for my home. How do I do it? Sometimes, I wish my children came each with a personal instruction manual where I can learn things about them, read there mind and see what’s coming up next in their little world. Hah!! 😃

They truly made me appreciate life more, though me how to be patient, how to love and appreciate my Momm even more because I don’t know how in the world she gave birth, loved selflessly and raised 9 children. Always caring, loving and praying for her children and grand children. You are the greatest Momm I know!❤️

Everyday is a miracle to me! I take it day by day with God and I am thankful for He orders my steps daily and guides me through the ups and downs every second of every day. So, I carry a smile and a great attitude no matter what because I know who’s leading me.

When I wake up everyday, first thing first! Knowing that I can’t do it on my own, I surrender it all by putting God in charge of my day! “Put God in charge of your work, then what you’ve planned will take place”. (Prov. 16:3 MSG)

As soon as my alarm goes off in the morning, my brain becomes a free-for-all with ideas and “gotta-make-happen” thoughts streaming full-steam ahead. I need to get my kids dressed for school. Did we finish all we were suppose to do last night? Are all the books back in the book bags? Do I have everything Chloe (2yo) needs in her bag for the next day? Did I send money for the school field trip? Do I lunch ready in Heidi’s (6yo) lunch bag?

What’s coming my way at work? Do I have any errands to run at lunch, before or after work? Who’s Doctor’s appointment coming up next? Oh Gosh! When it comes to Birthdays, sadly, I am not always good at remembering, fulfilling my duties nor meeting the expectations. I have a 2 brothers, 5 sisters, Momm and Dads, 5 nieces and my 2 girls, close friends….Who’s Birthday coming up next that I need to buy a gift for? My budget? What bill is due and when to pay it? Whose wedding, who’s event and where am I singing next weekend? Did I miss something? Did someone have a birthday that I forgot about?

After working outside of home them there is work inside of the home that never ends. Laundry? Do I need to pick up something at the grocery store or pharmacy? What’s for dinner? How was your day? Checking homework? Reading notes from teacher? Parent/teacher Meetings/teleconferences? Respond to the teacher’s note? Play time? Family time? Prayer/quiet time…then comes 7:15 bed time for the girls. Hah!

Does your brain sound like this five seconds after your alarm goes off (while you’re still hitting the snooze button)? There are so many things fighting for our attention and yet God is saying in a still, small voice…FOCUS on me and all of these things will just fall into place.

David tells us in Psalm 37:25, “I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread.”

I’ve learned that God wants to meet all of my needs: physical, emotional, financial…ALL of my needs. If it’s important to you, it’s important to him. He will move heaven and earth for you to get to your day to day tasks if that’s what you need today. I’ve leaned to put my Trust in Him in ALL things and he will direct my paths and yours too.

BE STILL and FOCUS. As we head towards spring, let it be a time of complete renewal (heart, mind, soul and body) in him where we focus on what is TRULY important.

Colossians 3:2, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Flore❤️

http://www.floremusic.com

Hello Spring!

There are four seasons that God has given to us. Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter, but there are many, many, many seasons of life. Each of us in this open air ampi-theatre this morning, are going through different seasons in their lives.

You may be in one season of growth, and family members or friends in another season. Sometimes that causes real tension and difficulty. You see it helps to understand when they’re going through a different season from you.

If you’re working with somebody, and they’re going through a certain season of life, it helps you to understand as you work with them why their attitude is like it is.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, to everything there is a season. “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under 2

heaven.” Another translation says, “Everything on earth has its special seasons.”

I’m thankful we have the Bible to help us understand how God works in all the seasons of life to help us find faith and grow and mature. It reminds us how God works through the providences of life and fulfills His purposes in ways that at the time seem so mystifying. It calls us to examine our lives in the light of eternity.

God uses every season to teach us something, to communicate to us something about Himself, something about His faithfulness, something about His love in sending His Son, something about His strength, something about His power.

I have often wished that God would just give me a post-it note filled with upcoming events. “Be careful! Today you’re going to be in a car wreck. Tomorrow your friend will gossip about you and next month you will break your leg skiing.” I wish I could just have a heads up on a few of the harder things that are coming my way; but God never works that way, does he?

He wants us to have complete faith in him. This is how we grow as individuals and how we develop a relationship with him. And faith can move mountains.

It is certainly not fun while you are facing Goliath, but when you have that AHA moment and the stone from your slingshot hits the intended target….EUREKA! There is no better feeling!

Today, if you are facing the greatest battle of your life…have faith that God sees you right where you are. You are in the palm of his hand, never alone or deserted in your hour of need.

Reach out and grab hold of the hem of his garment as he passes your way. When you reach for him, he will unleash the power of heaven on earth and ONLY great things can happen.

Isaiah 55:9, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”