Are you conforming?

So, this post has been swirling around in my head for a while but I wasn't sure how to write it down in a way that makes sense, so here goes!

I often hear people say that they would not want to be a "Christian" because it means they would have to follow a strict set of rules. They would have to "conform" so to speak to live life a certain way. It has come up a LOT lately and being the person that I am, I never have the right thing to say in the moment. However, it has led me to spend quite a deal of time thinking, praying, reading and listening on the subject.

The thing is, believing in the one true God is freeing. I don't and never have felt trapped in some sort of world that doesn't allow me to think or act freely. But I have grace that no other religion out there offers.

God gave each person a conscience to know the difference between right and wrong. Being a Christian doesn't make robbing a bank any more or less wrong. Being a Christian doesn't make murdering someone any more or less wrong. Wrong is wrong. Sin is sin.

I find more and more that NON Believers are the ones conforming. Trying to be accepted by this world, their friends and family.

Romans 12:2 says " Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

You want to fit in. You want to be loved and ultimately, you want acceptance.

So, why does Christianity take all of the slack for following a set of rules? As a Christian, I actually think the goal is to be set apart. Different from anyone else. So....why in this world full of people claiming to want to be different, don't they turn to Jesus?

And besides that. I have yet to meet another Christian who sees eye to eye with me on everything...we are not all the same. haha.

The Bible has been the most freeing thing in my life. It teaches me and is a resource for me to turn to for guidance. I have never felt stuck in a set of rules, but more guided and protected from things that could hurt me physically and emotionally.

If you are reading this and don't know who God is, I urge you to check this out.

I mean...what is the purpose of life without Jesus?

Ok...end of rant.

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Grace flows down

I have been trying to put into words how I have been feeling lately. Overwhelmed is an understatement. I am still adjusting to so many aspects in our lives. Having a 4th child. having a 19 month old who looks for trouble...for real...she does. Moving in 2 weeks. Having a husband who is out of the home a LOT very suddenly...doing things that he needs to do right now which will benefit the whole family. It's all good...it's just a lot.

I am blessed that when the hubby is here, he is a hands on daddy. Last weekend, he allowed me the time to go and hear Lysa Terkheurst speak. For those of you who do not know who she is, she is an author and works with Proverbs 31 ministries. I have read a few of her books and am now currently reading "Am I messing up my kids" by her. It is hilarious and so full of God's truth.

I digress. Lately, I just felt completely crazy. I feel pulled in every direction and have really been having a hard time with discipline in our home. The kids are still adjusting to not having daddy home all of the time too and it is hard. Sometimes, I feel like going into the bathroom (only room with a lock) and just staying in there all day. No worries...I don't! In fact, I usually don't even get to shower or use the bathroom by myself these days! haha.

So, tonight, as I was doing the dishes and listening to worship music, Keira decided to climb INTO the refrigerator...yes...into the fridge! Why...I will never know, but of course she fell out...landed on the floor (she was fine) and I lost it. I should add that this came after Libby fell down the stairs because she was climbing on the railing and Levi pooped all over himself, his clothes and the car seat. Yep, just one of those days....but seriously I just started crying. And then I started praying. and then I started singing along with the music on the radio.

After about 10 minutes, I heard a quiet voice say.."mommy, can I get out of time out yet". Ooops!
We talked together and we prayed together and I apologized for screaming at her.

I know that this won't be the last time that I feel bad for the way I react to her but as I went back to washing the dishes, a song came on that spoke volumes to me.

Grace Flows Down. I highly recommend listening to it. But  the words are so simple and true. His grace covers us. We do not have to be perfect. We just need Jesus. We need to be so full of Jesus that is spills out of us. But when we do mess up or have a bad day, a bad attitude or just plain don't like the cards we've been dealt that day, we have Grace. It covers us. And I am so thankful for that.


Amazing Grace 
How sweet the sound 
Amazing Love 
Now flowing down 
From hands and feet 
That were nailed to the tree 
As Grace flows down and covers me 
Chorus 
It covers me 
It covers me 
It covers me 
And covers me