Proverbs 6:6 (KJV)Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise
I will be consistent in doing what I know to do! However, I will not just stop there
I will also be consistent in trying to learn better ways of doing what I do, this is knowledge! But still I will not stop
there, because I need to know how to apply the knowledge that I gain, this is called wisdom!
Building a Wall
A Stone Wall
I have just recently been reading in the book of Nehemiah in the Bible about how he was to build a wall to fortify Israel from the enemies that had already burned cities, destroyed the previous walls as well as sepulchers. Nehemiah found favor with the King and was permitted to go with all of the supplies he needed to go and build the wall. He did not build it alone. He directed many helpers from all of the regions that the wall would protect in order to help him build the wall.
Nehemiah 4: 6 (KJV) So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
I love this scripture! It really encourages me as I’ve been really feeling like I’ve put in a lot of work without seeing a whole lot of fruit of my labor! I am building a strong wall ! It is a structure that is long lasting, but most importantly it is what I am called to do! It is and will continue to be strong enough that when the winds come and the storms of life come, it will not fall or fail.
I believe that anything that a person is called to do, in order to do it, you to have to have a made up mind. A mind and a heart to work! Everything that is worth having we all know is worth the effort we put into it! In the story of Nehemiah’s building of the wall, he did not just go and build without opposition! Absolutely not, he had two that strongly opposed the building of the wall and so they would mock and taunt Nehemiah and the others for building the wall. Their names were Sanballat and Tobiah. These two would try to convince Nehemiah that he needed to come off of the wall and meet with them over this thing or that thing. However, Nehemiah knew what he was called to do.
Nehemiah 6:3 (KJV) And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?
When you know that you’re doing what you are purposed to do, you will have opposition, just like Sanballat and Tobiah. Unfortunately, there will always be people who want to question your motives, or your reasoning as to why you are doing what you are doing. Some may even say that they “feel like you need to be doing something else.” I will answer just like Nehemiah, “I am doing a great work!” It may not be something they understand. It may not be something that I always understand, but I am not quitting on my wall. I have also found that I am not alone in my building. The Lord always has people that are for us that will come along beside of us to help us build or show us favor by helping supply what we need to build!
Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
I encourage you my friend, if you left building of your wall because of discouragement that it is never too late! Get back up and start building again! God is for you! He wants to help you get back up there! He wants you to have a made up mind to work at your dreams and your purpose. God has created you with an expected end. He wants you to discover that the greatest joy in life is doing what you were created to do. Build your wall, go and do a “great work” and let it be a great witness of what the Lord has co-labored with you to build!
As A Writer/Author, I wrote a list to remind me of why I write! I use this list as a tool of encouragement for those times that it seems that nobody is interested in what I have to say as a writer!
Paying Traditions Forward!
Blackberry Cobbler
In the fast paced society that we now live in, I as a parent want to leave something to my children and to their children’s children that money cannot buy! My husband and I want our children to know that we believe that the Lord provides us with all things, but that it is up to us what we do with the provision! In my family, I am really trying to keep some past traditions alive! Both of my parents were from large families and so was I as there were eight of us which included both my parents and six daughters. We grew up on farms in Lewis County, Kentucky. I treasure the memories of growing up as a little country girl, but also the traditions that were passed down to me.
Proverbs 13: 22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just
Because we lived on a farm, we raised huge gardens and other crops that helped to sustain us throughout the year or years. Of course we raised our own meats as well. A cellar was a valuable thing for families to have as it was an ideal place for root crops especially. My mother knew how to preserve foods by canning or freezing them. She taught us by observation how to cook, run a household, and how to preserve foods as well. I regret that when both my parents were alive that I didn’t pay closer attention. I sure wished that I would have known to jot down little shortcuts that my mother made up on her own to help her feed not only her own family of eight, but usually hired hands who helped work our farm as well. My Mom would sling some of the best food on the table without a recipe and do it so quickly, but it tasted as though she spent hours on it! I’ve learned so much from her, as I am a decent country cook, and thank the Lord I am trying to preserve many of the traditions that I have kept in my memory by watching Mom and my grandmother! Also my Dad prepared the grounds for the crops, raised animals for sale as well as for our own use. He also hunted and would take us fishing which we loved to do. He taught us how to use common sense to be self-sustained.
I remember as a child that we always had some kind of berries at our house. One of our favorites was Blackberries. As a family we loaded up on the back of an old Ford pick-up truck with baskets, buckets and pails to go pick berries! We picked on our own property, but a lot of folks that we knew also had berries that never used them, so we would pick berries on different farms all day long. My Mom would then make jams, jellies, cobblers, and yes even Blackberry dumplings which were my favorite. She would also put a lot of them in the freezer as we would pick huge containers full of them!
Recently, at the edge of one of our own fields in Georgia, we have had several Blackberry bushes to begin to produce. My boys, ages fourteen and ten had discovered them several years ago, however this year was the first year that we have had enough to actually preserve some by making Blackberry jelly and freezing some of them to make cobblers or homemade ice cream! The first day they picked them I made a Blackberry cobbler just to reward them and let them know how precious their find was. I also told them about their Granny, which was my Mom making these when I was a child. I love baking the cobblers because it really makes me feel like I am connecting with my parents and especially my Mom. I also get to pass down a treasured tradition to my own children. As we ate the warm gooey cobbler with a big dollop of whipped topping, I found myself smiling as it brings back such sweet memories of my family gathered around each other enjoying my Mom’s sweet creation!
As my children are getting older, my hope is that I am instilling traditions from past generations. Although my children may not have gotten a chance to meet their ancestors I want them to appreciate the valuable gifts that were passed down from generation to generation. My hope is that they will continue to pay it forward to future generations!
My Lord has a Sense of Humor!
My Miracle Boys!
Below is an excerpt out of my book “Tell the Enemy to Scat!”
Please note that I am not trying to promote my books. My desire is to use this excerpt to encourage those of you that may need to be encouraged today!
Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick : but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
I believe the number one reason that many Christians do not see God’s word being fulfilled in their lives is discouragement. If the enemy can get you discouraged and cause you to stay there, you will think that God has denied you your promise and give up. Sometimes we have to look for encouragement. Sometimes encouragement comes in ways that you’ve never imagined the Lord would send it. God will send encouragement to you and show you little rays of hope along faith’s journey to help you if you truly believe him. I must also say that sometimes, God expects us like David to encourage ourselves as well, but either way, God wants us to receive his promises and not draw back in our faith.
I remember one morning very distinctively as I had awakened early. I always loved to either sit at my kitchen table so that I could stare out through my kitchen windows or I would usually sit on my front porch to pray and worship the Lord. This particular morning I was sitting on my front porch. I was really feeling very discouraged. I remember simply reminding the Lord what I had been believing him for and how long I had stood in faith, as if he were not already aware of it. I specifically asked him that morning for two babies, after all he had promised me children and I desired them so very much. After I had prayed that prayer I then began worshipping the Lord and thanking Him for the answer as I went inside the house for a moment to refill my coffee cup. As I was pouring my coffee into my cup, I glanced out of my front bay windows in my kitchen and noticed something very strange. A huge clump of brown leaves had fallen down out of a large hickory tree into the driveway. I thought to myself that it was really early for the leaves to be that brown as it was very early into fall. I proceeded to pour my coffee and I was still looking at the leaves when all of a sudden a cat appeared and was at the clump of leaves. She was wiggling her tail and hopping from side to side and suddenly, it dawned on me. All of the leaves must have been a nest of some kind, so I ran outside to scat the cat away. I looked inside the leaves to see two tiny baby squirrels. They were only about an inch and half long and were the cutest little things. I picked them up and took them to the vet to make for sure that they were not hurt from falling such a high distance. The vet was a sweet little old man and he said something I will always remember.
“Well, It looks like you have you two little babies!” he said as he smiled at me.
Then suddenly, I remembered my prayer to Father God that very morning about wanting him to give me two babies. He knows how to encourage us and to let us know that he hears our prayers. He also knows that when we stand in faith for a long period of time that we can become very discouraged, but do not give up, his answer to you is on the way or perhaps at least a little encouragement to let you know that he hears your hearts cry and has not forgotten you.
That was many years ago. My husband and I were married twenty years before I had I my first child. Four years later I had my second one. These are my two children, (pictured). These are the two babies that I’ve asked the Lord for. As I’ve waited upon the Lord it wasn’t always easy and sometimes I became very impatient. However, The Lord is so faithful and His word is always true. I hope, like I did, that you find the Lord has a sense of humor and that just when you are at a point of possibly giving up on your promise, that He will send you encouragement. He may not send you two baby squirrels, but rest assured if you will honestly look, He will send you something to cause you to hold on tighter until His promises manifest in your life!
Authorartistmomof2 
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