Giver of Life...............

This weekend I had the privelege of going on a women's retreat with some wonderful women from my church.  There were 8 of us, including a precious 3 1/2 month old baby, that attended the entire weekend.  The speaker was Great and she had such a sweet spirit that shined everywhere she went.  She shared with us about leaving a life-giving legacy and what that means.  How are we as mortals, life-givers?  Isn't God the only one that gives life and takes it away?  As women we are bearers of God's image, we are made in His image and isn't God a life-giver?  In order to give life, we must be willing to be a HELP and better understand what it means to be a HELPer. 

H=hedge of protection 
E=empathizer
L=lifter
P=preserver of life and hope

A hedge of protection simply means offering a safe place for others to come into.  Do you feel as though others can trust you? Do you give off the feeling that people can share with you and feel protected?  An empathizer needs to try and understand where someone is coming from.  Can you try and remember what it was like as a teen, or a young adult, to be single, divorced, or struggling in a marriage?  At least try to understand what someone else is going through even if you haven't yourself experienced it.  Be a lifter.....lifting others in prayer, lifting their spirit when they are sad or down.  Just giving off a smile instead of a sour face can lift someone else's darkest day.  Are you lifting others?  Be a preserver of life......give hope for the future generations.  In order to preserve life we must share the good news of Christ!  It is our calling form the Lord!  The next generation is all we have left...if they don't know of Christ how will the good news be told??? 

Where are you today?  Are you giving hope, life, and preserving the future?  Our speaker posed this question to us...............If God plucked you out of your family, would anyone notice?  Would you be missed?  If God plucked you out of your church, would anyone notice?  Would you be missed?  If God plucked you out of your neighborhood, would anyone notice?  Would you be missed?  I'm sure that many of us mothers feel like our families would certainly notice and miss us, but what about our churches?  Are there ministries that would notice you were no longer there?  Are there neighbors that would wonder about you?  Would they miss your sweet spirit?  Your trust? Or would life go on without a hitch?

Today I am trying to live my life as a HELPer, an image bearer of Christ, and encourager, a lifter, a preserver.  How then, will you live yours?

So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.  1 Thessalonians 2:8

Retreat.............

Sorry it's been so long.  You know life with 5 kids is never boring and there is always much to do!  We have been on field trips, to soccer practices and games, catching up on well checks, getting eye glasses fitted correctly, homeschooling and living the good life.  God is good!  All the time!

Today I am leaving for a women's retreat!!  I am excited and sad.  I am looking forward to the time with my Lord, but I will miss my family too.  My dearest husband is such a blessing.  He is taking over the mom duties and taking all the kids to 3 soccer games this weekend.....all so I can go relax, learn, and get closer to God.  I will not say I don't need this break, but I wish he had the same oppurtunity.....he needs a man retreat.  : )  I will return on Sunday and look forward to hearing all the fun things that the kids get to do with Daddy....you know they will do something spectacular!

To my Hubby....thank you with all my heart!  I am blessed beyond all measure to have such a Godly Husband, Friend and Father for our children!  I thank God for you, I pray for you daily, and I love you more than you will ever know.  THANK YOU for allowing me this oppurtunity!!

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!  Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!  Psalm 34:8