You shoulda had a V8.

We heard a message about tithing in church Sunday. We have been giving 10% of our gross for a while now, so I listened but nothing really "hit home." We're already tithing.

As we were driving home from church, Philip asked me if I heard God at all during the message. I told him, not really... we're already giving 10%. He said he heard the Holy Spirit telling him we should give 20%. 
 
Whoa. I immediately starting thinking of all the reasons we shouldn't give that much.... thinking of our financial goals and how much longer it would take to hit them if we were giving 20% instead of 10%. God reminded me that every time we increased our giving, He was faithful.


We crunched the numbers in our budget that evening. Thinking, praying... how are we going to do this?

For the purpose of this blog, let's say the amount we were going to increase our giving was "$200."

I went out to check the mail.
Inside there was a check. For... exactly "$200."

I was in shock. I couldn't believe God! I was doubting His faithfulness. He is so merciful! I am such a fool. It's like God smacked me on the head and said .... "You shoulda had a V8." How much more plain could he have been? A check for the EXACT AMOUNT we had been discussing increasing our giving by.

I tell this story not to brag or seem arrogant, but to show how amazing our God is!! I couldn't wipe the smile off my face for the rest of the day.

Fasting from sweets

I have an awful habit. I always want something sweet after dinner. I've tricked my body into thinking I HAVE to have this treat every.single.night.

In church this morning, during the prayer, my mind started to wonder. Before I knew it I was saying to myself "Fast from sweets this week to pray about xxxx." Whoa. Where did that come from? I knew immediately the Holy Spirit was telling me to do this. It was so completely random and obviously from God.

I have probably thought about some sort of chocolaty goodness at least 15 times today. Lots of praying going on over here.

It's a lot easier to stick to something when you promise it to God. I would have caved tonight if I'd made the promise to myself and not Him.

Here's to a week filled with no sweets! Hopefully I can "untrain" my body this week! 

I need God like crazy right now! I really almost had a baby panic attack today. ("Baby" meaning small... not Cooper, lol) I'm just flooding with awful things right now. Philip's ridiculous work schedule which continues to be a struggle, his school load is becoming more intense also. It's not like I'm doing these things... but when he is stressed and gone all the time, it takes a toll on me too. The Infinity when ka-poot today too. Now we're down to one car again. The ONE toilet in our house is clogged and not functioning (no, not thanks to a TT). I forgot at the last minute today I was supposed to be in Norman tonight, so I was scrambling trying to find someone to watch Cooper. And, I've been at my grandpa's all day.... which in a of itself is mentally (and somewhat physically) exhausting.

As I was driving to Norman tonight, I was praying for God to help me. I know I can't do this without You, God. The stress of life is just too much. I need You to help me and guide me. I asked Him to encourage me with music on my drive. I turned on my iPod and hit "shuffle." The first song it chose was "Burn for You" by TobyMac. I was listening to the words and I realized.... I need to burn for You! You lift me up! It's so hard to not look within ourselves when we're struggling. I was really humbled tonight God... I can't do life without You! Thank you!

I feel so much more comforted and at peace now.