"Do Over!"

Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek HIS will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5,6 (Emphasis mine)

I remember the days back in college park playing an intense game of four square. Oh I could hit a cherry bomb to make your head spin and quickly work my way up to FIRST square! Often someone would make a mistake when it was there turn to serve the ball and that person would yell "DO OVER!"

Life has been a bit interesting for our family as we have grown by leaps and bounds very quickly! We found out how bad growing pains really hurt! Every time we think we had things functioning perfectly something comes along to burst that prideful bubble and we have to start all over again. In so many recent conversations, the Commander and I have been shown that PRIDE has been the problem all along! We thought we were the exception to the world of people with everyday problems. We had it made! I mean we were doing things with 5, 6 and 7 children that many could not do with one. We lived lavishly to an extent and although we have never been selfish, we weren't humble either. We had worked our way quickly up to First Square and became very comfortable there.

God once again has burst our bubble but this time He has been seriously working in us the characteristics needed for kingdom building and Pride, Sensitivity, Moodiness, Selfishness and Lack of Discipline fits nowhere on that list. We fell very quickly all the way to the back of the line. Forget the fourth square, we couldn't even get back in the game. We would try and try and try again once we got our hands back on the ball but because it was of OUR OWN WILL, we failed every time. It had gotten to the point where the Commander and I hated each other, the children seemed to be an inconvenience and life was meaningless for me. Then to top it off we received orders overseas and quickly the Commander deployed to Afghanistan. I was alone with seven children in a foreign land living far from most of my American counterparts.

Things spiraled viciously out of control for almost a year before we both yelled out "DO OVER!" It wasn't until that time that we truly humbled ourselves and allowed God to work in us and what a work it has been! It's been baby steps, but we are allowing God to guide our every move back to level ground. I remember the first month we had extra money at the end of the month to get groceries after going months where all our finances were gone before the end of the first week. WHAT A BREATH OF FRESH AIR AFTER THE STORM!!!!! 

This past month has been exciting for us as a family! We have spent SO much time just enjoying each other and basking in the happiness God has restored in us as a result. Family hikes, bike rides, game nights, and just vegging out have become the norm again and it feels so great to see the smiling and hear the laughter that has filled the house. The Spirit of the Lord has definitely filled this place and I am SO GLAD ABOUT IT :D

 

Stay tuned as we share what God has been showing us about communication, humility, selflessness and being good stewards of our time, children and our finances. God Bless!