Cell Phone Madness

How did I go from, "I dream of having a cell phone some day," to "I left my cell phone at home. I'm having withdrawals, and it's only been two hours?" Seriously, I have major issues these days when it comes to "being connected."

I took my sister-in-law to the airport and as I was running out of the house grabbing diapers, children, shoes, and such, I left my precious cell phone lonely on my dresser. I didn't even realize I forgot it until we were sitting down to grab a bite to eat. Oh no! I forgot my cell phone. How will I make it to the airport and back without it? What if something happens, what if someone needs me? I asked my sister-in-law to text my husband telling him I forgot it and he shouldn't worry if I don't answer my phone.

I was doing fine without my phone, until, of course, I dropped her off. I waved good bye and drove off wondering "What do I do now?" I always talk to someone when driving a long distance or I might listen to a Bible study. All of my music is on my cell too. My adorable little boys were in the car, so I put a movie on for them. Listening to Toy Story 3 for like the 50th time would have to do for now.

That drive home was the longest I have ever experienced...even though it really took 35 minutes for me to make it home. I know that someone called me and I missed it. Someone texted me and I couldn't respond. Someone probably emailed me, and now I can only wait to see who was in need of me.

I think the reason why it was difficult to endure those 35 minutes (I know, pathetic) was due to the fact that I felt disconnected from the world. Technology has advance so greatly, that now we stay connected with people through our small cellular devices. I don't even have to speak a word to someone and I can be having a long conversation with them. At this moment I felt disconnected. I felt like so many people must be missing me and needing me and I had no way to help them! Will this drive go any slower!!!

I did make it home...alive. Ha! I pulled our boys out of the car, ran inside, straight to my cell, and sure enough...not one person tried to contact me in any way! Am I not that important? No one needed me. No one wanted to talk to me. And then, Jesus whispered to me:

"I wanted to talk to you. I needed you. You are so important to me and you ignored Me."

Gosh, a little humbling...or a lot! It is so easy to allow our devices to control us and keep us connected, but really how easy is it to put it down and give a little time to our Creator? I didn't. It wasn't easy for me. But now I know that next time, I will remember this and spend time connecting with Him first.

Pursuing Purity

"How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments." ~Psalm 119:9-10

We've all been told how to pursue purity: wearing a purity ring, signing the commitment card, drawing the line on how far is too far, not developing relationships with boys, and I recently heard how a group of young girls each received a tiny box that they wrapped ribbon around and sealed with a bow. The girls were told this is their purity that they have now wrapped up and will save for their future husband. Ha! That last one was my favorite. (notice my sarcasm.)

Psalm 119:9 makes it so clear for us. How do we pursue purity? By following God's commands. By being drenched in His word and being obedient. We pursue purity as we pursue Christ. As you deepen your relationship with our Creator, purity becomes the by-product. Seek Him with your whole heart. Refuse the passing pleasures of this world.

I love having a plan. I need to know every detail about what I am doing, how it will work, who is involved, what they will do, and how my plan will succeed. I think that many of us think we need a plan when it comes to purity. We need it written out in easy step by step instructions. We need to know where I should draw the line and what is ok. Simply saying purity is the byproduct of a right relationship can be difficult for a planner to understand. You think "What does that mean??"

Well, I love how in Psalm 119:9 it makes it so clear. It gives us a plan and a simple one. "How do I pursue purity?" Read your Bible daily, follow God's commands, worship Him, pray fervently, be in fellowship through church, serve at your church, and focus your life on furthering the Kingdom of God.

Pursue Christ, pursue Purity

My Testimony

If you would like to read a large portion of my testimony, I wrote it out on the "About Me" page. God always does an amazing work in our lives when we simply surrender to Him!

Handling Fear

"You can lie down without fear and enjoy pleasant dreams...for the Lord is your security." ~Proverbs 3:24,26

Fear is my biggest weakness that just cripples me. It is so easy to let fear grip me and choke the life out of me. Whether it is the fear of the unknown, fear of the dark and "What was that sound?" or fear of something that's not real but I believe it could be real, so I fear it might happen. When fear has taken over, my thoughts spiral out of control and before I know it, I have let go of God's promises and begin to tremble.

So one of my friends told me that whenever I begin to fear, let that be a reminder to pray for someone. Like if you fast from food, when your tummy grumbles, use that as a reminder to pray or read the Bible. That made so much sense to me. So the next time I was fearful, it was like a little alarm went off as a reminder to pray for someone. So I prayed for my friend that told me this useful advice and I am telling you, that I believe satan hates using fear on me now.

I'm serious. Next time you fear, pray for someone, and watch how quickly fear leaves and how often you won't fear anymore. I use fear as a reminder to pray and I have found I don't fear much at all these days. Anytime we take one of satan's tactics to give God glory or run directly to Him, it infuriates satan and he quits using that. So try it and let me know how it goes!

I Refuse

"Therefore the Lord God sent him [Adam] out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life." (Genesis 3:23-24)

God created us by Him and for Him. We were created in His image (Gen. 1:26-27) and He created us all with a purpose. God created this beautiful garden, Eden, perfect, sinless, and ageless. He created a man and a women and placed them in this amazing garden as its protector. He created man and woman and then gave them a purpose. He always gives us purpose. Adam and Eve got to be in constant fellowship with God. Walking with Him and taking care of this unbelievable place. What a job!

But of course as we all know, Adam and Eve disobeyed God's simple command. They were then banished from the garden. You know we really have two choices: to obey God or not. He gives each and everyone of us a purpose, but that doesn't mean we have to do it. It is easy to give in to the deception of the enemy. He whispers, "Did God really say?"

Here is where I am amazed with this story: When Adam and Eve sinned and were forced to leave the garden, God put someone else there in their place. He placed an angel with a flaming sword to guard Eden. When we refuse to do what God has asked, He will find someone else to do it. Check out the chorus to this song:

"I Refuse," by Josh Wilson

‘Cause I don’t want to live like I don’t care.
I don’t want to say another empty prayer.
Oh, I refuse to
Sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself.
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse.

I want to be that person who says yes to the purpose God has specifically called me to. I refuse to let someone else do the work that God has called me to do myself!

Not Everyone is doing "It"

So I want to let you know that 63 people from all over the world have signed their name on our "Not Everyone is doing it" page! If you have made a commitment to walk with Jesus and are saving sex for marriage, then we want to encourage you that you are not alone. We hear people say "Everyone is doing it" to pressure us, but in reality not everyone is doing it. So this page is to encourage those of you who are waiting that many other girls are too and you don't have to fight alone.

Take a moment and add your name to our list by clicking here.

Be encouraged that Jesus is always fighting for us and that you don't have to give in. You can stand and it's not impossible to stay sexually pure until your wedding day. Wait on Him, surrender to Him, and be blessed!!!

For those of you who have not waited and have given in to the pressure and temptations, DO NOT be DISCOURAGED! God has such an amazing plan for you! I hate satan and how he lies so frequently to us. TRUTH: Know that you are created with dignity, value, and worth and that no matter what, you can give up to Jesus and His plans; which He specifically has for you. Know that you can decide right now to commit to Jesus and you can live the rest of your life building a testimony of walking with Christ from now until you go to be with Him.

Blessings!

www.waitingfortheone.com