#StillinMyStory

I must say that I am starting this post with a convicted but absolutely thankful spirit. I was brainstorming some hashtags for an upcoming campaign (keep your eyes peeled), when I decided to revive the hashtag from the beginning of this year #Fight4U. For some reason using the hashtag again bothered me. I couldn't figure out why so I said maybe it's being used by somebody else...So, I googled it. Sure enough my search yielded a number of responses. I tried a different variation #fightforyou, tons of stuff a gospel singer, fitness people and a bible verse. I said okay God let's see what you got for me...of course, God would give more than expected and not necessarily what you expect.

You see the whole idea behind #Fight4U was to be empowering, to encourage us Moms/Wives/Women that we can achieve our dreams and that we don't have to sacrifice them because we are Moms, Wives or Women. That we should fight for those dreams. Well, here is what God says:

Exodus 14:14 The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.

Deuteronomy 1:30 The Lord your God who goes before you will Himself fight on your behlaf, just as He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, 

Deuteronomy 3:22 Do not fear them, for the LORD your God is the one fighting for you.

Joshua 23:3 And you have seen all that the LORD your God has done to all these nations because of you, for the LORD your God is He who has been fighting for you. 

Nehemiah 4:20 At whatever place you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.

Yep, verse after verse! Then God led me to this thought. This year has been especially tough for me and I spent a lot of time praying through situations that I had no control over that seemed to arise one after the other. Many times I wanted to crawl in bed and call it a day but God! I can only think, if I had to fight these battles alone. Hello...a couple of times I had that white flag pressed and ironed, ready to wave. I say again but God! Sometimes I went still because that I was all I could do. But there he was fight after fight slaying and moving as I followed behind when the coast was clear.

So today I officially bury the hashtag #Fight4U because I now realize that at the end of the day, there is no possible way I could ever truly fight for me alone. Instead I choose to be #StillinMyStory because I'm still here thanks to God and I ain't fighting no more because I don't need to and neither do you!

Stay Fruitful,

Renee

Life Ain't A Movie: End Comparison

We've all been there, especially around this time of year. Scrolling down our timelines to a barrage of vacation pictures. As the Spring season hits, people are bit by the travel bug, and head off to places of sandy beaches and sunshine.

Sometimes being overexposed to other people's lives can cause us to drift into the dangerous territory of ungratefulness. Envy is a totally normal emotion of the flesh but it is important for us not to allow that emotion to consume us to the point that we become dissatisfied in our own lives and act in a way that is unpleasing to God. That is the time to pray, to detach from social media/TV and to ask God to remove those feelings and just help us to be thankful where we are.

As wives' and mothers' it's not easy for us to take off and go on a girl's trip or even to just head out to brunch with friends, but it's important that we are serving a grand purpose to be available to our families. We all have that one friend in our timeline who's "life is a movie". She's headed out to live it up, every time you turn around, she's shopping, she's jet-setting and all while looking good.  It's totally normal to have overwhelming times that cause us to want to break-free but that's when it is most important to capture our grip on reality and delve into God's word and really do some introspecting.

There is a season for everything and although it may not be your "care-free" season at the moment. It is important that we not compare our lives to others. 2 Corinthians 10:12-14 says:

"12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you. 14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you:"

It's not always easy to be obedient but having a will to do what's pleasing to God, praying and reading his word gives us the strength we need in weak moments to make it to those times of abundance.

Thank you for reading & Stay Fruitful!

Your Dreams are Non-negotiable

So you've strategically laid out your dreams (you Jot Down Those Goals), you think you have a winning plan whether it's a business idea, a desired degree, a promotion or professional achievement but you can't bring yourself to take the next step, why?

Society has programmed women to believe that having ambitious career goals somehow makes us selfish and unfocused on "what's really important". Women of power fight everyday to negate these negative stigmas associated with successful women, by proving we can in fact have it all, the husband, the kids, the career, even hobbies and a social life.

It's not just you, there are countless women who feel that by going after their own endeavors they are being:

   A) Selfish

   B) Greedy

   C) A fraud

   D) Guilty

I think that as women we take on so many "I ams" (I am a mom, I am a wife, etc), that we forget that most importantly we are individuals, separate from our families and friends and communities.

As individuals, born in this world with a purpose it is our right and job to figure out what we are meant to achieve, that "thing" that fulfills us as a person.

Don't let other people's ideals snuff out your chance to live fruitfully. Living fruitfully includes going after your goals and you deserve to love yourself that much!

#Fight4U

Be Fruitful,

Renee

Jot Down Those Goals

Storm the Brain 

This article is going to start out with a reality check! Wa are now more than half-way through the year...where do you stand with your 2016 goals?

Did you start this year out with your eye on a couple of great undertakings, and all of sudden realize you haven't even started on them. It could be because you failed to do one very important thing when setting goals...write it down!!

You can have the most amazing (and possibly, profitable idea) in the world but without writing it down and working out a strategy it's just that...an idea.

So here's a quick way to jump start this process, grab a piece of paper and I want you to write down whatever it is you want it achieve no matter how big it is. Remember this is the year that we Head In Bold! Under your goal I want you to write 3 things at the moment that you would need to achieve to bring your vision to life.

Wrangle the Masterminds

Once you have tasks, write the names of at least 3 people you can ask for help with your project. If you're like me you probably just cringed and I get it as women we have a tendency to have an "if you want something done, do it yourself mentality" which is often damaging and counterproductive because the truth is we can't do it all and we don't know it all. Only a fool would fail to make use of the resources around them and the choice is yours.

Be Bold and Be Fruitful,

Use Natural Time to Set Your Goals

Use Natural Time to Set Your Goals with our 6 Month Moon Phase Planner! Great new way to set both short-term and long-term goals, from New Moon to Full Moon!

Download for Free!

Head In Bold

I personally love this quote by Les Brown and it never rings more true than at the closing of a year and the beginning of a new one. In the weeks to come we'll begin to (hopefully) hear resolutions and goals shared by our family and friends for the New Year. Some may even be taking huge leaps of faith on some grand ideas that could leave you feeling stagnant but don't be discouraged...even slow progress counts as progress.

Keep Your Nose To Your Own Road

The best thing to do is to keep your nose to the road that you are traveling. Take time to really do some introspecting to figure what you need to work on or would like to work on for the new year. Social Media has made it so easy for us to get caught up in the lives of others often causing us to feel like we aren't where we should be in our own lives. A sure fire way to kick that feeling is to set goals and intentions for yourself. If you haven't set or brainstormed any goals or resolutions, today is the day! You don't have to necessarily become President but something as small as getting more exercise or eating less red meat is a start.

Be Bold

Even just declaring that "this year is my year" and believing it with all your might raises your vibrations (or spirits, as some say) and sets you up for blessings. I say set some intentions and make them big and bold! I attended a seminar one year on the importance of living the life you want. The speaker instructed us to introspect and think about one great thing that we wanted to accomplish in life and then make 3 lists - they read: 3 days, 3 weeks, & 3 years; each with 3 things to be accomplished within that time to move us closer to that goal. I tried it and have used it from time to time when moving towards those goals that trigger fight or flight, or that run for the hills feeling.

Give Her A Black Eye

DON'T NEGLECT SETTING GOALS OUT OF FEAR!!! (Yes, I'm screaming here) Fearing that we won't or can't accomplish something, fearing that we'll hate ourselves after we fail to accomplish something, or fearing what other people will say is no way to live. It is the exactly opposite of being fruitful. Fear is the greatest weapon used against us and sadly, it's used against us by our own minds. It's been said that "your greatest enemy is that person staring back at you from the mirror". This year, shoot for the moon and give that scary chick the black eye she deserves.

Be Fruitful,

Blessed In The Wait

This week we conclude our study of the book of Acts and I hope you were all able to take something away from it. In my reading I found that a section of the book lingers in my head, that is Acts 16:25-40. Let's take a look...

 ²⁵ And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.²⁶ And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.

Let's pause here! I don't know about you guys but I would have taken that as a sign from God to RUUUNNNNN!!!! But they don't...

²⁷ And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.²⁸ But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.

Huh??? 

I paused and sat there for a minute shaking my head and began to wonder, "Did Paul suppose the guard would be killed had they escaped?" "Did Paul just want his say in court, he was a Roman that was treated badly according to the law?""Was he afraid someone would snitch?" I couldn't believe they just sat there!

²⁹ Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,³⁰ And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?³¹ And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.³² And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.³³ And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.³⁴ And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house. 

Talk about conversion! 

I realized had Paul and Silas taken their opportunity to escape those people never would have been saved! That guard would have ended his life leaving his family devastated and possibly making Paul and Silas fugitives, accused of murder. I mean who would have believed those gates just flew open and that guard killed himself!

How many times have I done this in my life? 

Felt like "now is the time for action" and ended up screwing things up because I didn't wait for God's timing? Yes, it takes a lot of faith and patience but in the end we come out blessed beyond what we can even imagine. As I continued to read it states, Paul wanted his say in court he wanted to address his mistreatment as a fellow Roman to the judge. But look what God did...he took even that (what I would call a slightly selfish) moment and used it to bless a whole family and keep Paul and Silas with their good names.

At the end of this chapter, Paul has his say with the magistrates and he and Silas are released and sent away in peace. Again, not how it would have gone had they taken that chance to run earlier. It's important that the next time we see our chance to run, that we take a minute and pray, ask God for insight to really see the consequences of our actions!

Thanks for reading and as always Be Fruitful!

Are You A Christian Tiger Mom?- Pt. 2

By Renee Jamerson

This week I finished reading Amy Chua's book, Battle Hymn of A Tiger Mom. If any of you remember, Chua's book gained notoriety due to her "strict" and sometimes seemly "authoritarian" parenting-style. Chua however, described herself as a typical Chinese mother...a "Tiger Mom". None of us are strangers to the stereotyping that occurs with people of Asian descent (mostly Chinese and Indian), of them being brainiacs and wiz kids. I began reading this book because I wanted to look into the stereotype for myself and (to be truthful) pick up some tip to help my children amazing grades for the upcoming school year. What I found was that besides traditional family beliefs, there was also the idea of training the child as opposed to raising the child (which according to Chua is a Western ideology). Many of the Asian familial and child rearing beliefs are founded on the ideas of Confucius' Chiao Shun (training) and Guan (govern and love). These concepts have been described as strict by a lot of parents others have viewed them as just a difference in culture.

This got me to thinking about what the bible had to say regarding a mother's attitude toward academic success for her children. Should I, as a Christian, be a "Tiger Mom"?

 For the first half of our list, check out Are You A Christian Tiger Mom?- Pt.1 with that said let's get into the second half of our list. 

7. When a child continues to disobey you, he/she deserves a spanking- Despite popular belief spanking is actually in the bible and is an acceptable discipline when administered with patience, control and explanation. There is actually a manual on the Focus On the Family website on how to administer a proper and biblical spanking. The book of Proverbs is full of scriptures on spanking.  

Biblical Support: "Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them"- Proverbs 13:24 

8. Mothers primarily express love by helping children succeed- I think this goes above with #7. You disciple out of love and the need to teach life lessons to help your child succeed. -see Proverbs 13:24

9. A mother's sole interest is in taking care of her child- While it is impossible for child-rearing to be your only interest, it should be one of your most important interest.

Biblical Support: "Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure to be busy at home..."- Titus 2:4-5

10. Child should be in the constant care of their mothers or family- We can only imagine the trouble an unattended child could get into or even the poor result in the life of a child not properly raised.

Biblical Support: "The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame."- Proverbs 29:15

11. Mothers should do everything for their child's education and make many sacrifices- Any parent knows that the decision to be someones mother or father is a huge responsibility that requires great sacrifice and selflessness. Little people depending on you night and day, your eyes the first to open and the last to close with no days off.

Biblical Support: The whole entire chapter of Proverbs 31. 

It looks like despite how "strict" the ideologies of traditional Asian child-rearing may seem it appears that Chiao Shun and Guan fall in line with God's idea of what a devoted mother should be...a Tiger! Anyone else feel a roar coming on?!? Being a parent is not easy but it sure does help when you at least have guidelines for what you're supposed to be doing. 

Stay Strong Mommas and as always Be Fruitful!

1 Chao, Ruth K. Beyond Parental Control and Authoritarian Parenting Style: Understanding Chinese Parenting through the Cultural Notion of Training. Child Development, 1994, 65, 1111-1119

Are You A Christian Tiger Mom?- Pt.1

by Renee Jamerson

This week I finished reading Amy Chua's book, Battle Hymn of A Tiger Mom. If any of you remember, Chua's book gained notoriety due to her "strict" and sometimes seemly "authoritarian" parenting-style. Chua however, described herself as a typical Chinese mother...a "Tiger Mom". None of us are strangers to the stereotyping about people of Asian descent (mostly Chinese and Indian), being brainiacs and wiz kids. I began reading this book because I wanted to look into the stereotype for myself and (to be truthful) pick up some tips to help my children get amazing grades for this school year. What I found was that besides traditional family beliefs, there was also the idea of training the child as opposed to raising the child (which according to Chua is a Western ideology). Many of the Asian familial and child rearing beliefs are founded on the ideas of Confucius' Chiao Shun (training) and Guan (govern and love). These concepts have been described as strict by a lot of parents, while others have viewed them as just a difference in culture.

This got me to thinking about what the bible had to say regarding a mother's attitude toward academic success for her children. Should I, as a Christian, be a "Tiger Mom"?

 According to a study conducted by Ruth K. Chao of the University of California (1), there are 13 training items to this concept; with the exception of 2 (which involve parent/child co-sleeping) we will discuss 11 and how they correlate with the Bible.

1. Children by nature are born good. - While some may say that no one is born good because we are all born sinners, this statement is referencing a child's way of thinking and seeing life.

Biblical support: "But Jesus said, Suffer little children and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven."- Matthew 19:14

2. Parents must begin training a child as soon as their ready- This one maybe a bit tricky because who's to say what is ready for anything. But I think its safe to say us parents kind of get a discernment for when our children are capable of learning new things and we should support that ability as soon as we see it.

Biblical support: If you remember correctly David was a young boy shepherding his father's sheep, he stood up to Goliath with great faith (1 Samuel 17). Jesus himself was a young boy of 12 years old when he stayed behind in Jerusalem to hear the teachers and then soon left to be about his father's business (Luke 2:41-52).

3. Children can improve in almost anything if they work hard- We are constantly called to practice righteousness throughout the bible, this just goes with the adage that "practice makes perfect" no matter what it is your practicing.

Biblical Support: "Those things which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you." -Phillipians 4:9

4. Mothers must train children to work very hard and be disciplined- Of course we all want well-behaved and responsible hard working children.

Biblical Support:  "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men" - Colossians 3:23

5. Mothers teach children by pointing out good behaviors in other people- I don't know about you but I do this all the time. Most of the time I use biblical figures as examples.

Biblical Support: Aside from the fact that Jesus referenced people from the Old Testament all the time. There are so many examples: need bravery (David), a lustful son (Samson), unconditional love (Jesus), Jealousy (Cain and Abel) and the list goes on and on.

6. The best way children learn how to behave is to be around adults- Let alone the fact that we all read about Never Never Land and the lost boys. Parental presence is all too necessary in the proper raising of a child, even Jesus needed a mother and teachers while he was here on earth.

Biblical Support: see again Luke 2:41-52

Who knew right?!? It's look like according to our list so far, those Tiger Moms maybe on to something...check back next week for the second half our list and your finally decision on whether you should be a Christian Tiger Mom!

Jump into Are You A Christian Tiger Mom?- Pt. 2

Be Fruitful!

1 Chao, Ruth K. Beyond Parental Control and Authoritarian Parenting Style: Understanding Chinese Parenting through the Cultural Notion of Training. Child Development, 1994, 65, 1111-1119

Fruitful Organizing

I don't know about you guys but some of my biggest stresses in my week as a working mom comes from those unorganized or unexpected moments in my life. Nothing causes me to lose my sanity quicker than some impromptu issue popping up. While I know I can't plan everything in life there are great ways to give yourself at least a little room to maneuver when issues arise and I'd like to share some with you.

Here's are some of my weekly strategies to combat the insanity of pop-up issues:

Get Those Priorities in Check

I start off my week (usually on Sunday) by figuring out everything I have to do or think about for the week ahead. Of course as a Mom I feel my biggest responsibility is parenting so I finish each night by checking my kids' backpacks for any flyers or permission slips. I gather them all up on Sunday, along with our family planner, my cellphone and a fresh copy of my "Peek At The Week" (a handy tool I found for FREE on iHeart Organizing) and the process begins. I fill in our family planner with the dates of trips, school events, doctor's appts., work meetings and my Husbands meetings (that I know about in advance). I then do the same in my cellphone calendar, because this is the one I carry all the time and the family planner stays in the kitchen. By combining all these items I am able to spot any schedule conflicts and make adjustments or prepare to weather a storm. I then proceed to fill in the "Peek At the Week" which also includes a section for "To Do's", "Grocery List" and a meal planner. After I fill in the items that are most important and number them from highest to least important, I fill in my (as Stephen Covey calls them) my "Sharpen the Saw" items. The things for the week that I want to focus on physically, emotional/socially, spiritually and mentally just for me, as a person. This may seem like a lot but it helps me to keep balance and focus and allows me to squeeze in "me-time".

Draw Near to God 

We all know what they say about cleanliness and it's really true. I find I have more time to focus on my relationship with God if I have less to do around my house. Managing a home of 6 people can be quite challenging, especially when 4 of those people are under the age of 12!  But I do try to implement some basic rules that I learned over time.
   
     A. Involve the kids- while it would be great to be supermom and not have to feel like I'm depending on others for help the reality is, we all have a responsibility to keep our home clean! I was able to find great age-appropriate chore charts for my little ones, even down to the 3 year old. Throughout the week they have basic chores that keep our home "maintained" until the weekend, when we can really get down to the nitty-gritty of things like the laundry and bathrooms (which thank goodness can wait a little since we don't have aiming issues).

     B. Don't sleep on dishes - I try not to go to sleep with dishes in the sink or trash in the house. I know, it can be sucky having to wash dishes after dinner and being at work all day but it is much better than having them pile up!

     C. Monthly Cleaning Calendar- I found a great gem on The Peaceful Mom that breaks down a schedule for cleaning household items such as appliances and upholstery into certain days. It is a really great way to get to everything in your house evenly without spending all day Saturday cleaning like Rosie the Robot.

     D. Bless Others- It's always a good idea to hand-down or donate winter clothes you know your children won't be able to use or fit next year. This is usually when my family experiences the "sweater wars". Every girl has that one sweater they just can't part with and little girls are no different. While it's usually rough for them to let go in the end it benefits us all.

Love You, Mind, Body & Soul

Mind, Body and Soul- Another great thing about spring is that it's a time of blooming and rejuvenating. This spring I decided to start my mornings out with 15 minutes of yoga and I have to admit it has really given me a jump-start to my day.  It's a great time to detox and clean out our systems and prepare for lighter eating with the hot weather soon approaching. I also make it a point to examine myself for any old built-up emotions and get 'em out or over, whether via journaling or meditation and prayer, It's great to detox yourself of old feelings and welcome optimism and freshness!

As always Be Fruitful!

Renee

Get The Best Return With Your Tax-Return

It's that time of year again, time to pay the piper and I've spotted multiple posts in my news feed lately regarding people's anticipation of their recently received or impending tax returns ($$)! Many of them joking about their once again "hood rich" status. For those of you not privy to this term, it's the state of mind when you have a large sum of money just long enough to look the part of nouveau riche to only end up "broke" in no time (at least that's my definition).

For those of you looking to make the most of your tax return in a responsible way, I have some suggestions that I have actually partaken in myself.

Tip 1- For those living Paycheck to Paycheck- Try taking your return and getting ahead on some of your fixed expenses (ie. an expense that costs the same every month) such as rent, car payments or life insurance. You'll see that by eliminating some of the pressure from bills and allocating a set amount you can put to the side monthly you actually end up with more money for the fun stuff.

Tip 2- For those with kiddies- Unfortunately, I know tons of parents out there that see that extra dough (child earned credit) as some form of payment for taking care of their kids throughout the year.  I suggest you do the smart thing and invest it in your child's future. College is only expected to become more expensive and the job market more competitive. Another option is to put it aside for an extracurricular activity that your child may want to engage in. Certain activities like ballet, football and gymnastics can really break your pocketbooks if your not prepared when your little one gives you those puss in boots eyes because she wants to be a "ballerina princess".

Tip 3- Think Long-term- If you've been getting by fine on your paychecks put it towards an asset. Who says you have to be married before you entertain the idea of owning a home or even an apartment. You'd be surprised how fast you could own something in just 4-5 years of stashing those returns. Another option is stock. You don't have to be Jane Wall Street to invest in a brand that you are loyal to, especially with sites like E-Trade. While you probably won't become Warren Buffet you'd be surprised that your money can grow if you make a good choice. If your not the risky kind you could always stick it in a retirement plan, after all who knows where Social Security is bound to end up.

Tip 4- Make it worth the loss- If you must spend your money on something fun I say make it an experience and take that dream vacation.

While I'm no Financial Expert, I do know from experience that these tips definitely won't leave you with buyer's remorse or even have you saying "if I had that money again...I would..." 3 months from now. So spend wisely or don't spend at all and as always...

Be Fruitful!

The One Thing I'm most Thankful for...

God has blessed my life so much and there are a million things that I can tell God "Thank you" for, but one of the things this Thanksgiving that I have to say I am most thankful for is God's Forgiveness. I thank God that he is merciful despite that a lot of times, I am not deserving.  I am sure that there are many of you out there that feel the same way! What a mighty God we serve to be able to love us enough to give his only son and then still have us fail often enough at being obedient to his word and still he loves us; still he forgives us and wipes the slate clean as if it never happened. Isaiah 43:25 says:

I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

His love for us is so deep that he chooses not to remember our sins.  If that's not saving grace...I am so thankful for God's mercy this year because I have been trying to be more vigilante in those things that the Holy Spirit has convicted me about and many days, have fallen short and gotten down about it, but I know that is exactly what Satan wants. Those are the days I know I need to pray a little harder and read the word a little longer because Satan will try to convince us that all is lost. He will make us feel it is too tough, that you can never measure up, but I guess that's why God is so forgiving.  He knows that we will never measure up.  Jesus said (to paraphrase) that the student can never be greater than the teacher! And there you have it! We can strive and work our hardest but will never reach perfection the best we can do is try! That's all God asks, is that we try, and with that he leaves it up to us to say "yes, I will try or no, I won't try" and if your answer is the latter...all i can say is "how ungrateful"!

Happy Thanksgiving and as always Be Fruitful

Renee

Seasons & Reasons



Recently, the changing season has been a frequent topic of conversation and literature for me.  It seems like every week there is something new in my eye or ear on the changing season.  One conversation I had was about how the changing seasons effect people's moods; another on how to continue healthy living and eating despite the onset of cold weather. Along with the change in weather there has also been a lot of change in my life; a change in friends, a change in responsibility, a change in my personal goals, and change in my ambition. 

As you can imagine, at first, i didn't accept all of these changes with open arms.  I began to wonder just what all these changes meant, what was God trying to say, were they good...were they bad?  So I took to my Bible, but where would I look. So I put it down. And it's funny how God will answer you if you are sincere. I was about to wash the dishes and decided to catch up some episodes of Joni Lamb and as I was searching through the pre-recorded shows there is one within the past couple of weeks called "Seasons". I thought to myself "here we go again with the seasons, let's just go ahead and watch this, God is obviously speaking to me".

Sure enough the message, questions and scriptures were right on point! Before this, I'd been feeling a sense of stagnation in life. As a wife and mother it can get pretty routine and when you throw in the day to day sacrifices we make for our families, we aren't exactly living la vida loca.  The fun times can be few and far between as a night with friends or romance is bumped for a night filled with homework, crying, cleaning and refereeing.  After listening to that broadcast I was able to realize that I myself am in a season of life.  That is season is motherhood, full on motherhood, with 4 under the age of 10, motherhood! 

I never really viewed this as a season of life. Aren't seasons more about personal growth and development?  Boom!!! That's when the Holy Spirit spoke! Every impatient moment and overreaction I ever had with my children began to play in my head and I realized somewhere in my checklist of things to do, I had lost focus that the most important thing I have to do is to help my children grow into the people God wants them to be.  My ambitious entreprenerial tasks that often ended with me upset with one of the kids for "distracting me from something important" didn't seem all that important anymore. I realized that in this season, God is working in me on my patience and faith, that I don't always have to know where it is all headed.  And most importantly enjoy the ride until I get to a new season.  When in doubt it's always wise to consult God in prayer and turn to his word.
I was able to an abundance of scriptures in which seasons of life are mentioned all throughout the bible!
http://www.openbible.info/topics/seasons

Feel Free to indulge and as always Be fruitful!

Renee



Those "Well I've Never..." Thoughts

By Renee Jamerson

(Photo Credit: Scene from the movie Saved!)

Yesterday, our Asst. Pastor preached his sermon on Sin, of course giving examples of sin.  As he spoke one after the other my mind started to say "well that's not me and never has been."  After church I meditated on the message and like a light bulb the Holy Spirit convicted me!  Sure...I wasn't guilty of those sins but did that make me sinless? "Absolutely not", I thought, "no one is sinless" and then it hit me.  How many of my sins do I partake of on a daily basis and never pay attention to.  For example, judgemental thoughts, entertaining gossip, and etc.  The funny part is some of these sins I have endulged in my entire life out of sheer upbringing.

How many of us were raised to be careful of the company we keep, usually coupled with the saying "birds of feather flock together"? What I realized in myself, was that it created in me an introverted attitude, not one created by shyness but one based on my judgements and sometimes, prejudgements of others. This gave way to another thought...am I at times self-righteous? So, I took to the bible. Using the table of content, I found my way to Luke 18.

In this chapter, Jesus gives a parable of two men, one a pharisee and the other a tax collector.  The Pharisee began to pray saying I thank you Lord that I am not this and that and that I am definitely not like this tax collector (of course this is me paraphrasing but this is the jist of it), while the tax collector silently prayed saying Lord forgive me for I am a sinner. Jesus then states "for he who exalts himself will be humbled and he who is humble will be exalted." Wow! Wow! Wow!  I, in that moment at church and so many others was that Pharisee. I had thanked the lord on my pedestal while half-knowingly condemned others in my pride.

If you find yourself guilty of this fret not!  I am thankful to say that we serve a forgiving and merciful God who allows room for error as long as you repent and work on it.  Therefore, I know where I need work and I hope you can find some too, after all as Christians it is our life-long job to strive to be more like Christ.

Be Blessed!

A Woman of Divine Purpose

by Renee Jamerson

I was scrolling through my newsfeed a couple of days ago and was floored by how many people's status' read "depressed".  I know from experience that one big factor that can bring a person down is lack of direction.  When there is lack of direction there is usually lack of motivation which can lead to feeling lost, especially with Social Media and reality tv around.  A woman can begin to feel like everyone else is moving while she's just standing still sinking.

So, where do you find your purpose? How do you know what you're supposed to be doing with life?  Well, I started by reading the bible.  God gave lots of instructions for life but one chapter that stays in my heart is Titus 2, it reads:

" ³ the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— ⁴ that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵ to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed."

This speaks to both young women and old women, just find your age range and season of life in this scripture and you're sure to find your way.

As older women it is your job to help encourage the younger generation and lead by example and in case you find this to be cliche it's backed by Galatians 6, which reads:

^"2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

It's a big job but it's your job!  There also must be an attitude of grace. A lot of times we get the older generation offering their opinions on the younger generation but without the grace and care that is required, which then comes across as being hypercritical or even judgemental.

As younger women it is your job to learn to be either the best wife, mother, or individual you can.  Depending on your season of life whatever you do should be to God's glory and honor.  It's your job to work on you, while working on and for those around you. 

Whatever your age, we are all in this together and our God given purposes depend on each other.  The Christian walk is not one that should be taken alone.  Galatians 6:6 says

"⁶ Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches."

So encourage your fellow sister and always be Fruitful!

When Will You Be Worthy?



You may have noticed that there has been a change in the name of this community to Fruitful Nurturing.  For some of you this may sound unusual and for other you may totally understand, but one day God spoke to me as I was trying to come up my next post.  It was just after Easter and all of my devotionals led up to Jesus' Ascension, before he ascended he met with the disciples and explained to them that he wanted them to be 'harvesters for the Kingdom'; that verse continued to ring in my heart and made me wonder...was I fulfilling my God-given purpose? For years now I have been asking God to reveal my purpose; I had grown so tired of my yearly routine, feeling unappreciated and lack of fulfillment.  I now realize that this feeling of failure and complacency was due to unpurposeful striving, it was not centered in God but in my ego and MY ideas of success. I longed to be an entrepreneur but for the wrong reasons.  I realize that it is not to just reap from your hard work but to the plant seed of Christ in others and to help them sow their seeds to improve the Kingdom's harvest.  So I got the idea to transform this vehicle of information-sharing into a vehicle to share the love of Christ and to help myself and others along their Christian journey. 

After meditating and confirmation that this was from the Lord and not of my own ego.  I said "okay" I need a name for this community, and God gave me "Fruitful".  The bible does tells us to be "Fruitful and Multiply", so I said... that works.  I was all set to launch and then "IT" happened.  The ego as big and self-absorbed as she is, jumped in!  So, I got down on my knees and I said (and these were my exact words) "Lord, I heard you talking to me but I have to admit I don't feel worthy to do this, I definitely ain't Preacher material and sure do still struggle daily to be virtuous..." All he said was "Well, when will you be worthy?" AHhah! He had me, when in this life am I ever going to perfect and clean enough to do his will...for salvation is a daily struggle for everyone.  I sat there and in that instant I thought of Moses.  I have to admit I am always hypercritical of Moses. God showed him many signs and he still needed to take Aron with him to see Pharoah. Well, there I was Moses...

Never the less, here we are Fruitful Nurturing aiming to do the will of God and help others along the way. I have no idea where this will eventually lead, I just hope that you continue to support our community, comment and give an encouraging word as we strive to fulfilling our God-given purposes!

Thanks,

Renee