Have you ever just had something hit you so hard...literally (well, actually figuratively) like a ton of bricks? I have...many times, but especially tonight (or rather, this morning). I mean, why else would a mommy of 7-month-old twinsies (who are both asleep) be awake at 2:00am, you know, when sleep is so hard to come by these last few months (not even taking into account pregnancy sleep woes)? Can I get a witness, anybody? Again, it has been a minute since I have shares...yada, yada, yada. I could give you the same old excuses every time I post what seems like my few-and-far-between blogs. However, I feel so strongly right now to put this out there...here it goes!
Our little family has been sick going on a week now. We made our second ER trip since the girls have been home; our blessed Nana has come to stay the week with us (don't get me started...I could blog for days on her virtue alone); we've missed work appointments; etc. I am sure many of you can attest to this, but it is SO very frustrating, especially for little miss Type A over here! But in the midst of it all, my precious Lord has given me a knock-you-down kind of revelation...1) SHUT UP and LISTEN, STEPHANIE! 2) PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST 3) CUT OUT THE DISTRACTIONS! I mean, He has been incredibly patient with me...um, my entire life, with my headstrong disobedience, but tonight, for whatever reason, it has become painstakingly clear that I have been forging my own path for so long that I have gotten ridiculously off course...which (full circle here) comes back to this little family of ours. I have let so many things (television shows, social media, etc.) take precedence over all of the most important things in my life...my relationship with Christ, my relationship with my husband, my relationship with my daughters. It's funny how things seemingly so innocent can be such a vice for some...mine: Days of our Lives (not ashamed to admit it), Pretty Little Liars, Instagram, Facebook...the list could go on and on. All pretty innocent, right? Yet, when those things become the majority with which you fill yourself, the overflow isn't too pretty. God makes it very clear in Proverbs 4:23 "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." (NIV) Could it be any clearer??? First of all, how do you miss the phrase: "ABOVE ALL ELSE"? You may not, but I sure do! He says "above ALL else." Second of all, He proceeds to say "EVERYTHING" you do flows from it. Wow! Now, do not get me wrong...all of my aforementioned vices can be perfectly fine in moderation, but when you let them consume your time and focus for as long as I have, then it can become a problem. It can weaken your spirit, strain your relationship with your loved ones, and get you distracted enough that the enemy can creep in and cause some damage. Only you can decide what you can handle, and please, know there is no judgment coming from over here. I just felt this on my heart so strongly to share tonight (this morning, HA!) because maybe, just maybe, there is someone else out there that has the same struggle as me. I am not saying that I am through with social media or those silly television shows, but what I am saying is that I am going to guard my heart a little more closely and do my best to stay in tune with what the Lord is speaking to me.
Thank you for joining our journey!
Stephanie
