Media fast.

Everything inside of me is telling me "put it down", "live the life that is in front of me, not the life that's behind the screen". No matter how hard I fight it, it fights back harder. It really feels like a trap.

 

The other day someone said "I have seen on Facebook what you've been up too Landen". There is a lot about that statement that stirred a fire in me. Especially the look of confusion on Landen's face. He was wondering how they knew what he had been up too.

 

When I was growing up, when someone saw what we had been up too, they were either a part of the event or they knew us. I want that for my son. I have to hold my self accountable for plastering his face all over Facebook and Instragram with all the things that we do.

 

I spend my time and attention away from my family and activities on Instagram looking at pictures that people put up. Some who I know, some who I 'kinda' know and some who I don't know at all.

 

I have said that I need Facebook because "my family is on Facebook" and that is how we "stay in touch" or "how am I suppose to see my friends that live far away". The Lord has made it clear that is clearly just another excuse, another strong hold in my life.

 

Just because it is a good picture, doesn't mean I need to share it. How about I share it on my walls or to my family!

 

Just because we do something cool or fun, doesn't mean I need to share it. I love what my friend Meagan said "If I didn't post a picture of it, did I really go?" Did we really do it?

 

The Lord is pressing hard for me to do something about this. I started writing this blog last night and I woke up this morning with it on my mind. All morning I have pondered on it. We are trying to get ready for a party and I can't stop thinking of it. I need to get this out there, of my chest. (If any of you truly care.)

 

When I get off of Facebook and Instagram, how will you see my pictures of our swim parties, how the Lord is working in our lives, when I speak in from of the church, our craft times, my boy's sweet face, our home building progress, our vacation, or all the fun times we have..... Well you will all just have to believe that our life did not stop! {Shocker!}

 

I will still be taking pictures because it a passion of mine. But I will keep them for my family. They will be our memories. Maybe I will start a photo album, like my mom did. Something that I can keep, pass to Landen! Not in Instagram.... man I hate thinking that many of my photos are stored nowhere but on Instagram. "Sorry Landen, if you want to see your childhood pictures, go to Instagram." No thank you. Makes my stomach turn.

"Bacon Horns"

 

I do love seeing my friends pictures but I would really rather have a personal relationship with my friends. Lets work on that shall we?

 

Maybe this will be for a month, maybe longer. I don't know.  Media had gotten out of control! It will be hard for me, really hard! I already want to post this picture of Landen and Zebb for the world to see! I think I may have a problem and that is how I know it is a problem and time to stop the problem.

 

If you need me call me, text me, email me, write me!

 

See you on the bright side!

 

Be Blessed

 

In Christ

Miranda

 

(And yes, I checked Instagram one more time before I posted this! Lame and shameful!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Live with the End in Mind

Have you ever gotten to the end of something and said to yourself "If I only had known"? I sure have. I said it today in my last MOPs meeting when my table did a questionnaire about knowing me. "Man, I wish I would have told them all those things!! If I knew that questionnaire was coming at the end, I would have prepped them." It was a fun little game and I have no knowledge of a questionnaire at the end. But as I was driving home I thought back to what my mentor once told me, "live with the end in mind".

 

I think my life is wonderful now but let's say that I woke up tomorrow and said "today I am going to live with the end in mind", how different do I think my life would be?  (I predict it would be extrawonderful.)

 

I would wake up earlier and thank my God for that day and give extra time to Him.

 

I would never let a moment slip by with out actually living in it fully.

 

I would always love and serve my husband with humility and a open heart!

 

I would never say hello to a friend when they crossed my mind no matter what the past says.

 

I would teach my son about humility, love, grace, commitment, service and how to have fun.

 

I would search out others who never ask for anything in return and serve them more.

 

I would dance in the rain with my son instead of watching him.

 

I would continue to seek the Lords will for us and not get lost in the world.

 

I would not check my phone when I have a second of free time, instead I would find some one to hug.

 

I would spend more time dancing in the kitchen with the music up way to loud with my boy....because he just loves it!

 

I would take time to really delight in the hardships.

 

I would be weak for Him, when I am weak HE is strong!

 

These are just a few of the things I would do.

 

One day, the end will come. It will be a glorious day! I want to be able to fall at His feet and say that I fought a good fight and persevered with faith!

 

I want to be remembered as a wife, mother and woman who fearfully loved the Lord.

 

The Lord gave me the word 'seek' for 2014. I am seeking His face and He is showing up! It is remarkable and just lovely! These verses sum it up for me.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.

    - Lamentations 3:22-26

 

'Live with the end in mind'

Bless someone and be blessed friends

-Miranda

 

 

 

 

 

 

All I need.

The past few days I have been in a slump. Not really sure why. Just a slump. My patience is thin, and my joy is sparse. I don't like it, I don't want to be in it, but here I am there.

 

This morning Landen's class was scheduled to go to Gator and Friends on a field trip but the weather said 50% chance of rain. Landen was praying for no rain (he is an optimist) I was praying for rain, I mean "God's will" (I am tired folks and wanted my kid free day!). And the trip got canceled. :) 

 

On my way home from dropping him off at school I was thinking about our evening last night. How I was short with Landen and how I told Brandon "I just don't want to....." "I am tired of fighting with him about it..." and feeling defeated. All because of dinner. Me trying to "win".

 

At that moment I was listening to the Feminar cd from my friend Laney Wootten. "All I Need".

 

The lyrics go like this:

 

All I need to do is worship
All I need to do is say His name out loud
All I need to do is lift my hands, surrender
And bow down
All I need to do is find Him
All I need to do is let His presence fall
All I need to do is worship
Worship the Lord

When theres no way out
Except through a miracle
When theres no way up a mountain
Except to climb it
When everything you hope for
Seems gone
And every dream you've dreamed
Is so far away, thats when I say...

 

Can I just say that I could hardly drive because of the tears in my eyes.  The answer is right there. My answer. I don't have to feel defeated, because ALL I have to do is worship, say HIS name out loud, LIFT my hands IN SURRENDER and bow down to the Lord. That is ALL I have to do, HE WILL DO THE REST.

 

I was wrestling with flesh. My flesh, Landen's flesh and Brandon's flesh. But the Spirit has been here all along to free me from that burden.

 

When Landen's ADHD seems like to much for me to handle, all I need to do is worship. Say His name out loud and lift my hands in surrender and bow down.  When my marriage gets tough, all I need to do is say his name out loud and worship the Lord.  When the world threatens to take us under, all I need to do is say His name out loud!

He not only gives us the answer! HE IS THE ANSWER!

Let us bow down friends and be bless by Jesus.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frLqx993A3c (Its not Laney, but it is good!)