Are Your Trials Making You Bitter or Beautiful?

Trials are part of the Christian life.  We were so encouraged as Lisa shared in this week's Real Life With Lisa.  We hope you will be as well.  

http://club31women.com/are-your-trials-making-you-bitter-or-beautiful-encouragement-for-when-youre-in-a-hard-season-real-life-with-lisa/

How to Enjoy Perfect Peace No Matter Your Circumstances

Another fantastic Real Life with Lisa video!  What a timely blessing this was in our family!  I hope it will be to some of you also.  All too often life gets chaotic and full of busyness and just anything and everything that feels like anything but peace.  But Mrs. Jacobson reminds us that we can ALWAYS have peace and that it's not really about what's going on AROUND us at all, but it's what's going on INSIDE of us that makes whether we have peace or not.  I hope you'll be blessed!
Just a note, Lisa Jacobson from club31women.com, is posting a weekly on Wednesday video series called Real Life with Lisa.  This is the third video she's done.  We've greatly enjoyed each one already. 
~Breanna

http://club31women.com/enjoy-perfect-peace/

How to Find Courage When All You Feel is Fear (Real Life with Lisa)

Last week we posted a video by Lisa Jacobson from Club 31 Women speaking about hope in the new series she is doing called "Real Life with Lisa".  Her topic this week is

How to Find Courage When All You Feel is Fear

 What a blessing and encouragement this video was to me!  I don't know why fear is something we as human's tend to struggle so much with, but I am so thankful that in Christ we can have peace, confidence and courage in the Lord!  I hope you will also be blessed and encouraged to be courageous!

~Breanna

 http://club31women.com/how-to-find-courage-when-all-you-feel-is-fear-real-life-with-lisa/

Hope

My precious daughters sent this message of encouragement to me this morning.  How blessed I am!  I am so hopeful, as it was such an encouragement to me, that it might be also be to someone else out there.  ~Karen

How to build up your home and family...one word at a time

Another timely and powerful encouragement from Lisa Jacobson at club31women.com!  The power of our words...this one so hits me!  I frequently stand amazed at how much effect our words have, for the better and for the worse.

 I'm sure many of you have heard this saying, but this is a favorite one in our home, especially with such a cute little rabbit as Thumper saying it. :-)...

 

It also reminds me of the prayer in Psalms 19:14

Also the prayer in Psalm 141:3

Oh that the words that proceed out of my mouth would be that which is good to the use of edifying, that it would minister grace unto the hearers! (Eph. 4:29)  I know this is the desire of all of our hearts.  May the Lord help us to set a watch over this unruly member of ours (James 3:8) that our homes, families, churches, etc. would be built up...one word at a time.  It starts today.  Each word that comes out of our mouths is an opportunity to build up or tear down. What a challenge to take into each day!



Okay...on to the article! :-)
~Breanna

How to Build Up Your Marriage, Child, and Home . . . One Word at a Time

You wouldn’t think a word could make such a difference.
But it does.
On some days, all the difference in the world.
The difference between tears or a smile.
Between slumped shoulders or a hug.
Between healing or hurt.
Between building up or tearing down.

Funny, how only a few words can turn around an entire day. Even turn around an entire heart.
I know. Because I’ve seen it happen right before my eyes.

I’ve heard my husband say to our youngest son, “I like the way God made you!” and watch that boy stand that much taller.

Then not too long ago, I told that same Man, “You are such a good daddy to our boys!” Something I figured he knew. But he almost seemed surprised to hear it. Like it was a new revelation. I guess it’s one of those things I’ve thought for a long time, but never got around to saying. Until last week.

And you could tell it meant the world for him to hear it. Coming from me. Maybe especially coming from me.

But then it was my turn to be on the receiving end.
And that really did it.

It was a weekday and I was dashing between the laundry room and the kitchen. Chopping vegetables, then sorting dirty clothes. Slicing sausage, then changing out loads of laundry. Stirring the soup, then folding clean clothes.
Back and forth. Back and forth.
He was working on his computer downstairs, but watched me from his chair.
Even in my hurry, I could feel his eyes on me.

Then I heard him say it.
He simply said, “You are amazing.” Followed by, “Do you know how amazing you are?”

And I answered him honestly, “No, Honey. I don’t feel very amazing at all.”
“But you are.” Then he went on to list out a bunch of things that he appreciated about me and, quite frankly, several things I had no idea he’d even noticed.

And I smiled.
And I hugged.
And I stood that much taller.

So yeah, our words matter. Because a kind and loving word can make all the difference in the world.
At least they do in our little world around here.

So we’re working on building up our home, one word at a time. 

Lisa Jacobson

Motherhood: What Every Woman on a Mission Should Know

To especially encourage the mamma's!  :-)  But also for any gal, big sister, etc., busy in her home and serving her family, these are great reminders and encouragements from one of my favorite authors, Lisa Jacobson.  :-)

~Breanna

The Lord has given me a calling.
 
A high calling, really.
A high calling that requires a woman to stoop low.
To scoop up babies, to pick up toys and to clean up messes.
To wipe runny noses and patch up scratched knees.

It’s known as Motherhood and there are times when it doesn’t feel like all that grand or glorious of a calling.

And there are times when it does.
Like when the little ones snuggle into my arms, or the older ones look to me for answers. When I’m needed to comfort their hearts or speak truth into their young lives.
Then it’s nearly breath-taking.
All this because God has made me their mother.

He has put these children – and these challenges – in my life as part of what He is doing in this world.

Rather amazing.
So when I consider the wonderful privilege of motherhood, I feel blessed beyond words. And I know you do too.
But when I don’t stop to consider?
That’s when I can feel overwhelmed by its dailyness and the seemingly smallness.
Then I experience frustration. Defeat and discouragement.
On those days it feels like we’re going nowhere.

I have to stop and remember I’m a woman on a mission.

And as a mission-minded woman I want to be prepared for the important work that’s before me.
It’s not enough to merely muddle-through motherhood, I want to embrace it and make the most of it.
As do you.

Embracing the Mission of Motherhood

 

Scripture-Filled.

When a mother is pouring out all day, she needs to be filled up too. Spending time in His Word is essential. If hours of uninterrupted time aren’t available (right!), try posting Bible verses throughout the house – in the kitchen, laundry room, bathroom and other popular places – to memorize and meditate on throughout the day.

Sift Through Priorities.

One of the challenges of motherhood? EVERYTHING is  important. Meals, cleaning, organizing, driving . . . Oh yes, and caring for their hearts. But there are times when we have to let go of good things, in order to get best things done. We might have scrambled eggs for dinner because I spent the afternoon helping two sisters learn to love each other. No need to be hard on myself – I’ve chosen the better part.

Seasons of Life.

Much frustration can come from bucking up against this reality of life. A new baby puts us in survival mode. Sleep, food, and basic hygiene is often all that can be achieved in such a season. Sickness can be a similar experience. A loss or a move can set us back for months. But if this is what The Lord has brought into our lives? Then this is what He intends for us.

And so . . . .

 

Soften Your Heart.

To the lessons the Lord has for you and your family. Don’t merely try to “get through it”, but desire all that He wants to do through your circumstances and trials. Then you’ll grow – and your children will grow right along with you. Much is gained, even if little is accomplished.

Stop Sighing.

It’s so easy to slip into the unconscious habit of sighing. A small set-back. Sigh. More work to be done. Sigh. So much training left to do. Sigh. Not only does this defeat your spirit, but that quiet sigh communicates your discontent to your children far too loudly.

Instead . . . .

 

Savor the Sweetness.

Of this precious time. Look for and enjoy the bright moments. Laugh at the funny antics of your children. Listen to their creative ideas. Kiss their darling cheeks and help them see God in the small things. Pour His love into their lives while you have the chance.

Let’s set our sight on this high calling.

It’s when we get to looking down at all the sticky spots and work left undone that we get discouraged. So let’s keep looking up.  Looking up to the God who gave us this beautiful gift called motherhood.
Yes, we are truly blessed with a high calling.
Women with a mission.

Her children rise up and call her blessed (Proverbs 31:28).

In His grace,

An Uncommon Love: Lisa and Matthew Jacobson's love story- a story of encouragement and the faithfulness of God

I don't know about you, but I love reading stories about how God miraculously brings two unique people together as one in marriage.  Because really, it truly is a miracle.  I was...well, let's just say more than a little excited when two of my favorite blog writers announced that they were going to be sharing their love story!  Yay!  Well, the anticipation has been tortuous waiting each week as they post another piece to their story each Wednesday, going back and forth between them, bringing their readers along for the ride as they share what they were thinking, learning, and going through with God directing each step in amazing ways to bring them together.  Truly a precious and amazing story!  I have been so blessed by reading their blogs and it is sooo obvious that they are still in love with each other after all these years!  They were both a little older when they married, a testimony to us young people to wait on God for His best!  It's worth waiting for, as Matthew and Lisa Jacobson so beautifully describe in their story.  God works in amazing ways!  So, without further introduction...below is the introduction to their story and the links to the first 7 chapters and I'm joining you in on the anticipation of waiting for chapter 8 to be posted on Wednesday!  :-)  Hope you enjoy! ~Breanna

An Uncommon Love: How We Met and Decided to Marry in Six Days

Matthew and I have shared our story many times over the years.  

Late into the evening with old friends. Over a cup of coffee with new friends.  At a Valentine’s Banquet. With singles who needed encouragement. With couples who could use a good laugh. And with our son’s college friends across the country.

We always tell our story together—him and me.

I think it’s mostly because he doesn’t really tell it right. He gets people to take his side in the story, but that’s just not fair. So I have to get my word in there too (and I’m already counting on you to take my part in this, okay?). I wouldn’t want you to get the wrong impression!

Maybe it’s not all that unusual of a story.

Single girl meets single guy.
Starts with a letter.
Ends with a kiss.
Just another love story.
Except maybe for the part where we decided to marry six days after we met.
And that we’ve been loving each other ever since.
Maybe that’s not quite so typical.
Uncommon. 

An Uncommon Love.

Yeah, that’s what he called it. And I always liked the way that sounded.  So that’s what I’ve called it too.
And that’s the story we’re going to be sharing over the next few weeks.  Him and me.

About how we knew we wanted to get married only six days after our first date.

And how before that, I declared that I wouldn’t go out with him “If he was the last man on earth”. Yet somehow ended up in his arms in the end.

It’s a  story about an ordinary guy and an ordinary girl.  A story about falling in love.
About insecurities, miscommunications, self-doubts, wonder and a kiss.
Two people looking for love and waiting on God.
In true life.

 

*Chapter One: If He Was the Last Man On Earth

*Chapter Two: Where Is She? Searching for My Forever Girl

*Chapter Three: What Happens When Mr. Right Walks Into the Room

*Chapter Four: What A Smile Can Say to Him

*Chapter Five: The Best Answer If You’re Ever Invited on An Adventure

*Chapter Six: The Night I Fell In Love

*Chapter Seven: 1,000 Ways to Win Her Heart

Embrace Your Marriage: A Virtual Marriage Retreat...enjoy for free from your home!

I am so excited about this series!  6 bloggers, including one of my all time favorites Lisa Jacobson, joined together to do a Marriage Retreat to encourage women in their marriages every Monday of each of the 5 weeks in the month of September.  Total there will be 30 posts this month on marriage on these 6 ladies blogs. 

Every Monday in September, each of the following blogs will be offering a word of wisdom and inspiration to encourage you in your marriage.

• Darlene Schacht of Time-WarpWife
• Courtney Joseph of WomenLivingWell
• Ashleigh Slater of AshleighSlater
• Jennifer Smith of UnveiledWife
• Sheila Gregoire of ToLoveHonorandVacuum
• Lisa Jacobson of Club31Women

And here’s what you have to look forward to!

• September 1 – Embracing Grace 
• September 8th – Embracing Change  
• September 15th – Embracing Your Differences  
• September 22nd – Embracing Unity 
• September 29th – Embracing Friendship  

To read week one posts, click on the links to the 6 bloggers websites.  :-)

Sorry that I'm getting this out late...I just read the post this morning and then read all of week one's posts.  I hope you'll be blessed and encouraged!   And for the young single gals like me...we can consider it part of our learning and preparation for our, Lord willing, future marriages.  :-)  And actually, when you look at what the heart of what these ladies are saying, the focus is really to become more Christ-like, and one of the big ways that the Lord sanctifies us is through relationships, whether it be a spouse, siblings, or even a friend.  When developing more Christ-like character is the focus, there's something for all of us to learn from it!  So I hope you find that true of these posts.  :-)  A word of caution for the singles...Shelia Gregoire of ToLoveHonorandVacuum tends to be very frank and open and not as discreet in what she shares, so you may want to be careful there.   Happy reading!

~Breanna

Strong-Hearted Women and the Men Who Love Them

This blessed me beyond words!  ~Karen

April 14, 2014 by Lisa Jacobson

I’m not sure what started it.
But I suspect it had something to do with this one book I’d read a few years back. I’m not saying the author intended to communicate this message, but it’s certainly what I concluded.
If I wanted to be a a good wife – a biblical wife? Then I needed to tone it down a bit.
Okay, a lot.
I needed to swallow it, hold it back, and keep it down. I was far too intense for my own good. Or at least for my husband’s good.
So I started this new, radical campaign. I didn’t even tell my husband what I was up to, but decided that from then on, I was going to mellow out. Keep it quiet.
Now for those of you who know me, you probably find that rather funny. You can’t even hardly picture it.
But I really did try.
And I kept it going fairly well . . . until one day when we were discussing a certain subject while standing by the piano—a subject that I felt, ahem, passionate about. And suddenly, I couldn’t take it any longer.
I nearly shouted, “I JUST CAN’T DO THIS.”
Do what??” his eyebrows raised.
“I can’t simply keep my mouth shut and not express all that I’m thinking or feeling!” I was practically shaking with frustration.
Then – being the sensitive soul that he is – he burst out laughing.
I resisted the temptation of throwing the old red hymnal at him. But only barely.
I’m glad I did though, because I might have missed what he said next . . . .
“But, Baby, I don’t want you to ‘zip it’. I married you because I appreciate your strong mind and passionate heart. Don’t you see? I love that about you.”
Oh. You do?
And at last I was able to reconcile being a strong-hearted woman and being a biblical wife.
Now some of you might not see the struggle here. What? What’s the issue?
Well, the “issue” is that Scripture talks about the “beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit” (I Pet. 3:4) and I truly wanted to fit that description. But I wasn’t so sure that I did.
So maybe you’re a strong-hearted woman too. You don’t give up, you’re willing to stand up for what you believe is right, and you’re passionate about your family and the world you live in.
Boy! do I get that.
And guess what? It’s okay.
So all my strong-hearted friends, be encouraged.  Here are some  beautiful truths for you:
A Strong-Hearted Woman can keep a quiet heart. She’s not agitated in her spirit, yet remains strong in her convictions. A lovely example of this is Elisabeth Elliot – one of the strongest women of my acquaintance and also the author of Keep a Quiet Heart.
A Strong-Hearted Woman draws her strength from Christ – not from herself. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13).  Always remember the true Source of your strength.
A Strong-Hearted Woman readily respects her husband. She uses her strength to support her husband. Not to go up against him (Eph. 5:33).  (More here: The Highly-Rated Habit of Respecting Him)
A Strong-Hearted Woman cultivates a sweet spirit. Sweetness and strength are not opposites. These two qualities actually can - and should - go hand-in-hand.
A Strong-Hearted Woman walks in humility. She knows that just because she might feel more strongly about something doesn’t necessarily make her right (and you know what I”m talking about!).  Don’t let your intensity triumph over all.
God gave you that wonderful, passionate heart and, as long as you’re submitted to Him, then you’re right where He wants you to be. Not only that, you’re right where your husband  wants you to be.
Yes, your man loves that about you.
In His grace,

What My Husband Needs

Inspired by a series that Matthew and Lisa Jacobson are doing on marriage over Club31Woman.com here is my newest poster that I am seeking to keep before my eyes and applying to my life.

What My Husband Needs

Trust him.  Somehow a man instinctively knows if you believe in him–or not. For instance, how you respond to his decision-making speaks powerfully to him. Is your first response to question him? Challenge him? Or do you save that “coupon” carefully? He needs you to trust him and his final decisions.
Admire him. He’d like to know that you are his biggest fan – hands down! No one should admire him more than you do. My personal goal? I never want anyone who works with my man to think more highly of him than I do. I want him both to see it in my eyes and to hear it from my mouth.
Be loyal to him. Fiercely loyal. You’ve got his back and he knows it. Your children should know it too. In fact, there should be no doubt in anyone’s mind where your loyalty lies. No one would dare say anything disparaging about your man in front of you because that is simply not done.
Honor him. Both in private and in public. So that he doesn’t have to concerned about what you might say to him or how you’ll represent him in front of others.  You never want to demean him or bring him down a notch. Quite the opposite. He can even be confident that you’ll respect his wishes when he’s not around—your regard for him goes that deep.

Choosing Kindness in Marriage

We have been so blessed by Matthew and Lisa Jacobson as we have been following their blogs.  They are doing a series called The Seven Habits of a Highly Fulling Marriage currently.  As we have been so encouraged, we thought we would share with our readers as well. 

 

For The Wives

I was always so happy to see her.
Whenever she dropped by – I dropped everything. Smiled and gave her a hug. Suggested that she stay awhile and made her a cup of tea.
They were just little things, I know. But it was my way of saying “I care about you” and “you are dear to me”.  Simple, small acts of kindness offered to a friend.
My husband watched it all from the other room. I think I’d forgotten he was even home that day. Observing it all from his favorite chair.
Then I noticed a rather melancholy look in his eyes. Sort of sad with a bit of regret. And so later I asked him about it.
“What? What were you thinking while Susan was here?”
He shrugged, but I wasn’t about to let him off that easily. I had to know. Please tell me. Even if hurts.
He started out slowly, “I couldn’t help wishing. And wondering.”
Yes….I urged impatiently.
“Well, why you wouldn’t smile like that at me. You know, drop everything and give me a big hug when I walked through the door. Offer to make a pot of coffee. Things like that…things like you did for her.”
He was right. And it hurt.
My husband – that man I love – was only looking for a little kindness. Small gestures of thoughtfulness. From me. His wife.
You might say it was a turning point for us. Before that I considered kindness as something you “felt” toward someone – more like a sentimental impulse. I didn’t understand that it was something you could simply choose.
And I certainly didn’t understand that this was something my husband needed from me.

A Kind Wife Who…

Smiles warmly. She lights up when she sees her man.
Looks up lovingly. When he walks in. Sure, she’s busy, but always has a moment for him.
Replies graciously. She doesn’t snap or snarl. She saves her sweet tone for him.
Offers thoughtfully. She looks for those little ways to bless him.

And on her tongue is the law of kindness. Prov. 31:26

Admittedly, this took some effort on my part. I’m sorry to say it didn’t flow naturally from me, but at least it came more easily as time went on.
And now it’s just my way of saying “I care about you” and “you are dear to me”. Simple, small acts of kindness offered to a friend.
Who also happens to be my husband.
That man I love.
In His grace,



Club31Women

For The Husbands

I never meant to be unkind but there I was, getting dressed as her words stabbed me deeply.
Why do you leave your dirty laundry all over the floor? Do you want the maid to pick up after you?
Maid? I don’t treat you like a maid.
Really? Then why can’t you carry your dirty laundry ten feet to the laundry basket, instead of throwing it on the floor? You’d never treat someone else like this.
Ouch . . . it was true, I never would. When I’m in a hotel, I even hate leaving the towels on the floor. So, what was I thinking? . . . was I thinking?
Or take the exhausted wife with young children whose husband regularly kicks back after work but rarely thinks of giving her a break.
Or the husband talking with me while keeping his back to his wife the entire time.
How about not considering her needs and desires when we’re being intimate?
There are a lot of ways to be unkind.
Choosing kindness in action, word, or tone communicates: I care deeply about how you feel. When a woman knows . . . feels . . . she is deeply cared for, she finds herself in a safe place where giving of herself becomes a pleasure. Without kindness, the habitual kindness, the highly fulfilling marriage you desire will remain a desire, nothing more.
There are plenty of good reasons to develop the habit of kindness but there’s one reason that trumps them all: God commands it:

Be kind to one another, Eph.4:32

There is a great deal of power in your possession – power that is unleashed to envelope your spouse with love when you learn the habit of choosing kindness in the many everyday moments that make up a marriage.
And, it is a choice – a choice for you and for me to make every day. And, yes, it flows both ways but, men, we are the initiators (or should be if we’re not).
If you need to know specifics, humbly ask your spouse where you need to change. And if being made aware isn’t enough, ask God to do His work in your heart and head.
Embrace the Habit of Choosing Kindness and you’ll be in fellowship with God, with your spouse, and on the road to a highly fulfilling marriage.
Please be sure and leave any questions or comment you might have. We’d love to hear from you!


matthewljacobson.com

Confessions of a Yelling Mom (now reformed)

What an encouragement and challenge this post by Lisa Jacobson from Club31Women blog was to me! Very convicting, but also encouraging.  I hope you will be blessed by reading it.

 

Nobody would have pegged me for a yeller.

Actually, I wouldn’t have guessed it either. Maybe my memory is faulty, but I don’t remember ever having shouted before – except maybe at a college football game or catching a friend’s attention across the parking lot.

Other than that, I’d say I’m a fairly soft-spoken person.

But something seemed to have happened once I had small children. Yeah, it’s like something snapped!

I became a yeller.

A yeller? Me??

At first I blamed it on all kinds of things. Hormones. Stress. Sleep-deprivation. But after a while, I had to face up to the facts. No matter what the cause, I’d turned into a yelling mom.

And I hated it and wanted to change.

I cried out to God to miraculously overcome this awful struggle, secretly hoping for some kind of instantaneous healing. But it turned out to be more of a journey – by His grace, in His strength, and with a lot of determined effort on my part.

One of the first steps of my journey was to start an anger journal. I wrote down each time I lost my cool. I recorded the time of the day, the setting, the person, and the circumstance – much like you would in a food journal. Then I looked for patterns. When did I most often lose it? Under what conditions?

I tried to identify the specific situations I could do something about. For instance, I often unraveled in the late morning and much of it was due to being HUNGRY. A mid-morning snack went a long way toward that trouble. Also, I found that taking a short nap after lunch helped me better handle our afternoons. Setting up a basic routine with our young ones reduced the general chaos which made it a bit easier on my nerves too.

Now those were some problems I could address. But what about those things that I couldn’t control or anticipate? Spilled cereal bowls. Poopy diapers. Arguing children. Seemingly incessant demands on my time and body all day long. Yes, what about those?

Next step….

Unknowingly, I’d always orchestrated my life around what I wanted out of the day. As a single woman, I’d set out goals for myself and then I accomplished them. But my life changed dramatically when I had children. It was no longer all about me and what I thought a day should look like.
So a change was needed – a change in my perspective. It wasn’t merely about what I wanted anymore. My goals. My purposes. My life.

My question needed to be, “Lord, what do You have for us today?”

What if He wanted me to learn “serving” by cleaning up one spill after another that morning? Then I could view the disaster as more of “an opportunity” than a “trial”.

What if our children ruined our trip to the library because of all their bickering? Hmm…looks like The Lord wants us to learn more about loving each other than about reptiles and kangaroos.

When I began looking at our day in this light, that “snappish” feeling wasn’t nearly so strong. And, even if it was one of those terribly trying times, I could ask, “Please, Lord, help me to see what You want for us here?”

While this was a slow, and sometimes painful, process, I eventually got better. Quieter and calmer. Peaceful.

And if you happen to be on just such a journey? Here’s what I’d say:

• Don’t listen to the Enemy that you can’t change. Because you can.

• Don’t be overly hard on yourself if you mess up. Simply start anew the next day. Or  even the very next moment. (On occasion, I’d stop mid-yell…then say aloud, “Nope. I want to try that again.”)

• Don’t attempt to overcome this in your own strength. Rather in Christ (Phil. 4:13).

• Do ask for support and prayer from people who love you. While rather humbling, I’m thankful for a couple of close friends and a husband who stood with me on this one.

So, yes, by God’s grace I’m no longer a yeller.

Well, unless my kids do something really wonderful, that is. Then you’ll hear me shouting as loudly as the next mom.

Yelling and cheering.

And I’ll be cheering for you too.

In His Grace,
Lisa Jacobson

~Posted By Breanna

Thoughts on the Hopes and Dreams of a Single Young Woman~Lisa Jacobson

I have been very blessed by Lisa Jacobson's blog, Club31Women, and was especially encouraged by this post!  I hope you precious single young ladies that read our blog will be as blessed and encouraged as I was! 

Dear Mrs. Jacobson,
I follow your blog because I  ”share a passion for husband, home, and family”. With only one challenge – I don’t have a husband or a family (at least not yet?).
I’m 28, single and, in all honesty, get pretty discouraged at times. I’d really like to be married, but haven’t met the right guy. Sometimes I wonder if I ever will. What should I do while I’m waiting? Is there anyone out there for me? What do I do with my hopes and dreams?
From a Single, Young Sister

My dear sister,
So you are single. And no longer a girl, but a woman who has hopes and dreams of your own. You long to marry and have a family. But for now, that doesn’t seem to be what God has for you. Perhaps you’re 20 or 25, or maybe in your 30′s.

And you find yourself waiting…and wondering.

Where is that man of yours? (Does he even exist?)

What’s a woman supposed to do? Pine away? Pretend like you don’t care? Is there really any point in hoping?

I was 26 – and a dreamer – when I met my husband.  He was 31. We decided we wanted to get married three days after meeting (I’m going to tell that entire story sometime!) and our wedding took place a few months later.

But where had he been hiding all those years before? Where was he when I was crying alone in my room – desperately missing someone I’d never even met?

His answer: “You wouldn’t have liked me back then. I had a lot of growing to do.” (Hmm…Maybe I did too, come to think of it).

And that’s my basic story. I don’t know what yours will hold.

But here are a few thoughts….

It’s not wrong to want to be married. I sense this growing trend that today’s young woman should not admit she longs to be a wife and mother – that this is somehow less godly? Yes, we need to be content with whatever God has for us, but there’s nothing against wanting something very good and natural. How is it considered more “spiritual” to suppress those feelings? Rather than deny them, you can trust Him with your heart and lay it all at His feet.

God does not guarantee that you’ll get married. Yet, at the same time, we need to be careful we don’t “demand” marriage from God – just because we want it so very badly. Although I sincerely desired (and prayed for) healthy children, He allowed our fifth child to be born with life-threatening health issues. While it was not a situation I’d hoped for or anticipated, God gave what I needed to walk through that time and she’s a sweet blessing. You can be confident He’ll give the grace necessary for what He has in store for you as well.

You only have to be single today. If your heart’s desire is to be married, then the thought of being single “for the rest of my life” can be very discouraging. But as far as I can tell, God’s only asking you to be single on this day. You don’t know what tomorrow holds. So simply rest in what He has for you right now.

Try to be open-minded. I wouldn’t get too specific on what this guy will be like and how you’re going to meet him. Remember, God has far greater resources and abilities to bring about what He has for you. So let Him do the planning and keep your palms open and outstretched for whatever that might be.
Confession: I’d briefly met my husband eight months earlier, but announced to my friends, “If he was the last man on earth, I wouldn’t go out with him.”  I was later convicted by my declaration….gave him a chance…and you know how that ended up.  

Pray and let others pray for you. Personally, I’m extremely grateful for the mutual friends who prayed us together. I’m thankful for their determination to bring the matter before the Lord, as well as to introduce us. Why not let the people who know and love you join you in praying about this thing that is close to your heart?

Live your life fully each day. Make the most of the time you have. Seek to grow in godliness, in serving others, in knowledge and in skills. After I became a wife and mother, I could appreciate how the various ministries, experiences, and jobs I’d held previously had equipped me for what lay ahead. I could even see how “practicing contentment” helped me after our marriage – when I had small children, my husband traveled, or we were in a tough season. Far more was happening in my “single days” than I ever realized.
Well, I think I’ve touched on all of your questions, except one. Is there anyone out there for you?
Of course, I can’t say. Only God knows the plan He has for you. But I’m sure it’s a good and perfect plan.
And I know that He cares deeply about your hopes and dreams.

That He cares deeply about you. 

In His grace,

Everyday but Amazing Heroes!

This is truly a precious post written by Lisa Jacobson from Club31Women!  

And I can so testify about my Dad that he is one precious guy and 100% an amazing hero and so are my brothers!  I don't know where we would be without them and all that they do!

I hope you all are blessed by reading this post and encouraged as ladies to appreciate and show that appreciation for your heroes and that all of you guys will be encouraged to know that you truly are appreciated and though not usually recognized in the world, you truly are heroes and we are so thankful for you! 

(Make sure you listen to the amazing song by Paul Overstreet at the end of this post!)

 

 The Lone Ranger lives on.

No, really he does.

I know this because most every weekday our little boys run next door and watch him save the Western Frontier over at Grandpa's house. It's 3:00 in the afternoon and the whole house shakes as they come pounding down the stairs and go flying out the front door.

Slam! Slam! Slam! Three boys. Three slams. Without fail.

And even though this event takes place nearly each day, it's still a special occasion. The Lone Ranger. Grandpa. And Fruit Snacks. Our boys' world filled with goodness and heroes. Just the way it should be.

But boys aren't the only ones with heroes. Girls can have them too.

It's a fact. Because this girl is married to one.

Oh, I'm not saying that he can leap buildings in a single bound or save the big city from an alien invasion. He's more of an everyday hero. An ordinary, hard-working, honest sort of guy. Taking care of his wife and looking after his children. Standing up for what's right and watching out for those who are in need. Following God.

If you ask me, those are the best kind of heroes.

And probably the kind you married too. Simply doing what must be done. No one would ever guess that he's actually a superhero in disguise.

Even he might not guess it - but it's evident to you. So it might be about time to reveal his secret identity. He's your hero.

You might as well let him know....

You need him.
Like I need mine. Not too long ago I was looking for a rescue. It's not that I couldn't handle the situation on my own; it's that I didn't want to. Some guy went on the internet and started flinging insults. Against me. Personally.

So I brought my laptop over to my husband and showed him what he'd written. In his opinion, the whole thing was rather ridiculous (not me, the guy's accusations), but he went out there and defended my honor. I loved what he said and how he said it. But mostly I loved the way he protected me from this big Internet bully.

My hero. Girly sigh.

You lean on him.
And why not? It might sound out-of-step with today's independent woman, but - as capable as we are - I'm thankful to have a man I can rely on. He's the first one I'll call if there's an emergency or disaster. He's slain mice in the pantry. Mopped up overflowing toilets. Calmed down an out-of-control neighbor. And he's held me in his arms while I sobbed my heart out over a deep and devastating loss.

A true hero. Quietly loving me.

And you'd be lost without him.
Maybe this feels a bit over the top? It's not. My oldest daughter would likely have died if it wasn't for him. When she suddenly stopped breathing miles and miles away from any medical help, his quick thinking and fast action kept her going until LifeFlight could arrive. I could see it in the headlines:

DAD KEEPS DAUGHTER BREATHING. While Mom Watches and Weeps.

He never made it into the papers that day. But he should have.

A great hero. On the front page of my heart.

So in this day when the world is desperate for goodness and heroes, make sure your husband knows he's just the kind of guy for the job. Doing what he's doing. Honest. Hard-working. Looking after his wife and family. Standing up and watching out. Following God.

An everyday hero.

The kind you and I need. And certainly the kind this world could use right now.

He's a real hero.

In His grace,

Lisa is the happily-ever-after wife of Matt Jacobson, literary agent and writer, and together they enjoy raising 8 children. Please join her over at Club31Women, a blog for any wife, mother, or sister who is looking for Biblical encouragement and inspiration. 

 Visit: Club31Women.com

Find her on facebook: Club31Women

~Posted By Breanna