Weekend Wrap-Up

We had a very quiet weekend after returning home from our trip to Callaway Gardens. On Friday evening, we just hung out with the girls around the house. It is amazing how much they can drive me crazy, but yet how much I miss them when I am away from them, even for one night. Gracen was so clingy with me Friday evening and all day Saturday, which wears on me after awhile. She was my little shadow every single place I went. Even shutting the door to the bathroom made her whine incessantly until I came out. Reagan made it clear that she missed me too, but she is a Daddy's girl and was very clingy with him.

On Saturday, we tried to clean up a little bit, doing laundry, some housework, and washing the cars. Saturday evening we ordered delivery pizza and settled in to watch the Alabama game. Gene loves some AL football, and I must say, I am coming around to his way of thinking. I have always been an Auburn fan, only because my family was Auburn, but it has been a few years since I have watched an actual Auburn game. It is so much more fun to cheer together as a family, that is for sure. During the game, Gene would clap and say "Touchdown" when the team scored, which made Reagan cheer and get excited. She asked for some pom-poms and a cheerleader costume. I told Gene how expensive those little outfits are and he said that was fine, as long as it was an Alabama outfit. Long story short, I guess we are officially an Alabama family. It only took 15 years of marriage to completely "leave and cleave" and submit to Gene's leadership in this area....LOL! It really wasn't much of an issue until we had children, and I tried to dress Reagan in Auburn shirts. Gene didn't really care for this at all. I cannot say that I was a die-hard Auburn fan anyway. So, sorry Daddy, I love you, but "Roll Tide!" Wow, that felt really weird! Alabama isn't down in my heart yet, but I guess Auburn isn't either.

On Sunday, we headed to church, and I know I have said it before, but I just love corporate worship. Our music program at EMBC is amazing and I get lost in the worship music. It just gives me goose bumps sometimes. I look forward to going and being with God's family. Bro. Glenn preached an awesome and truly convicting message on Stewardship, and the words brought tears to my eyes about 4 different times.

Every September our church teaches on tithing and what it means to be a good steward of everything that God has given us...our money, our time, and our talents. The sermon was an introduction to the month's topic and focused on this question...

"To whom do you belong?"

I am not my own. What I do with my money, time, and talents should reflect that ownership. I was redeemed and bought with a price. I was purchased by the blood of the lamb, Jesus Christ. My stewardship should reflect that I am His slave, obedient to everything that I see in the Word of God. Stewardship, or the lack thereof, basically boils down to two issues....ignorance or illegitimacy. If I cannot give Him what is rightfully His, it is either because I haven't been taught what the Bible teaches about it or He doesn't truly have my heart, which will cause me to horde all my belongings, not trusting Him with all that He has given me.

Gene and I have tithed faithfully for 15 years. The tithe is 10% and we give that cheerfully. We also give above that at times, helping with different organizations and situations that come up. I was convicted by Bryan Easley who shared his testimony of increasing his tithe every year by 1%. He and his wife Beverly, who recently passed away from breast cancer, were giving away over a third of their income. God has been faithful to them. Bryan shared that he just received the statement from their 11 day stay at the cancer treatment center in Illinois where the bill totaled over $100,000. At the bottom, it said balance....$0. Through insurance and God's people, he doesn't owe one dime. What an amazing story of God's faithfulness, and what we can watch God do when He truly has our heart.

Like I said, Gene and I give faithfully, but I do want to trust Him to give more, and I also want to make sure that I am giving Him my best in all the other areas as well. As a mom, Reagan and Gracen get the BEST of me. I feel like most days I serve them until I am exhausted. Gene, and many days, God, get the leftovers. I do not want that to be the case. I am struggling with how to balance everything, and to do well in each area of my life. The girls are literally in my face demanding to have their needs met and Gene and God are not. I was really convicted about my priorities.

I know that as I start my day with Him and seek His face through Bible reading and prayer, He will help me figure it all out.

Until next time...