Relationships...

Question of the day:: How important are relationships to you?

My amazing hubby & me

I'm talking about all kinds of relationships-- husband & wife, mom & daughter, brother & sister, best friends, dad & son... so on and so on... there are a thousand combinations here...  no matter how you put it, they are all important... right?

Dad & Me

I'm gonna chat with you about friendship relationships. My dad used to tell me "Shelly, you think you have ALL these "friends"- most of them are just acquaintances"- (& of course me and my young rebel self- was like NO NO they are NOT!! They are my true friends dad! You don't know them!) lol you've heard the saying "Father knows best" --you guessed it-- he did!! All of those "friends" dropped me like a hot potato!! He also said "Shelly, you can count your real true friends on one hand- and if you are lucky you will be able to fill it up" Well, he was so right!! Over the years, "friends" (acquaintances) have come and go- I'm 30 now, and I thought that I would have a solid group of friends by now-- you know like the TV show Friends-- they are so close and are just perfect all together; or like the show Sex in the City-- all 4 gal pals livin' it up in NYC- depending on one another to pull through the craziness of life. YEAH OKAY!!! Nothing has proven to be THAT perfect. lol

There comes a time in your life I think that you hit (or at least I have) where you are done "playing around" trying to find a friend to be there no matter what- it's kinda a feeling like when you decide to find a guy to settle down with- that "I'm done just dating for fun" feeling- you crave a more serious, dependable, honest, trustworthy person. 

Do I sound crazy?

Let's compare a friendship relationship to a marriage relationship... 

Well lets face it-- don't we all deserve a REALLY GOOD friend? "Oh yeah, yeah, I have good friends Michelle..." Okay awesome-- 

Well let me ask you... What is a good friend?

• Someone who when you are stuck on the side of the road with no gas or car problems- will jump and come rescue you- nothing like "well I really don't have the gas money.." or guilting you into paying them to come get you
• Someone who when you need prayer- will cover you
• Someone who you can call or text at 2am because you can't sleep- and they actually care to call or text back
• Someone who when you are sick- comes and takes care of you & calls you daily to make sure you are doing okay
• Someone that YOU are willing to drop everything for and ask/expect nothing in return
• Someone who lifts you up and encourages you and tells you the hard truth-- even if it hurts.

These are just some for instances. 

~Ang & Me~

I am so overjoyed to say that I have found the ultimate friend -- she is my best best friend and God placed her in my life, and me in hers! I am just so, so thankful for her and the precious life God has given her!!! Her name is Angie- Thank You so much God for her!!! Man, it has taken YEARS of my life to find her!!! 

Do you know anyone like this? Married folks are like "um yeah... my spouse" --well think about this... If you are married... do you know anyone like this BESIDES your spouse? What if your spouse is like mine and out of the state most days... then what?

What about God? Just a thought... How is your relationship with Him? 

• Do you talk to Him? --Just talk regular as if He was standing right beside you. Like "Hi God, I'm feeling ___________ today. Thank you for being with me." That's it- doesn't have to be anything fancy. 
• Do you read the bible?-- Doesn't have to be for hours-- just spend some time reading with Him. I started in the New Testament- not in the gospels but after-- like after Romans. I actually started in 1 Timothy. Pick somewhere and start. Just read a chapter or a few verses and make that your uninterrupted time with God.
• Do you pray/meditate (thinking on good, praiseworthy things)? Again, no need to be all elegant and fancy here- just speak from your heart. Just talk regular- as if you were talking to your spouse or family/friend. 

Just a little something to think about- yesterday we were talking about "de cluttering" your life and letting God organize it-- relationships go with this. Evaluate your relationships... think about your relationship with God. 

Also remember that you can change a relationship with your words-- that can be a positive or a negative statement-- be careful here. Make it an effort to encourage not discourage!!

Some of my important relationships...

Bro in law Justin & My sister Christine

Mom, Andy & Me

Take Care of you :)

A hair in a biscuit?

I am so over tired!! Tired of being sick-- it's one thing after another it seems.


Being stressed out and over worked led to Bells Palsy- which led to Prednisone- which led to being on too high of a dose-for too long- which led to weakness, fatigue, swollen neck and face, and very high blood sugar- which led to more medicine & more rest. Okay-- so not to mention... finances and separation from Andy is SOOOO hard!! Can you say OH MY GOODNESS?!!!!

Lord Jesus SAVE ME!!! 

What happened? I thought the hard part was over. Dealing with the Bells Palsy was so difficult- but now... finding out I was on too high of a dose for WAY to long and now bad side effects set in... HOLY COW & how can I not blame myself for checking sooner? 


Well, now... I can sit here and say... I CANNOT keep looking backwards... there is nothing I can do about it... the only thing I can do is KEEP MOVING FORWARD-- & trust God and keep my spirits up. I won't lie and tell you that it is easy because IT IS NOT-- it has been emotional and just down right lousy. It's so hard to keep looking up when it's so easy to look down. I cannot sit here and blame myself- I cannot go in a whirlwind of "If only... or what if I". I CANNOT CHANGE THE PAST-- & stressing about it has NO positive effect on my life. It doesn't bring honor and glory to God when I get anxious and stress out. It DOES please Him for me to hand it all over to Him and let Him takeover the situation.


You know, the devil constantly moves around you like a roaring lion-- he wants to destroy us and everything we believe in and hope for. 1 Peter 5:8 niv: Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Crazy right? But have no fear because Jesus is here! He came and saved you!! He rescued you! Isaiah 41:10 niv: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Encouraging right? Much better than the alternative!! 


Please don't be fooled here... talk to Andy or one of my best friends-- I have had SUCH A not good week... this is a lot for me to sit down- get near to God- and share this with you all. I needed SO much encouragement this week- and then... TA DA!! There goes God showing off again. He brought different people into my days to brighten them up- or a phone call from someone asking how I was & them loving on me- or a sweet smile from a cashier- just the little things that are SO BIG. 


So, what am I saying here? Let me break it down...

• Even though things seem tough now... keep moving forward- God is carrying you.
• When you feel like you are down to nothing, list out loud things you are thankful for... 

• Im thankful that my bells palsy is clearing up, thankful I am weening off the nasty medicine, thankful that I have Daisy to lift my spirits up, thankful for the love my husband shows me even when he is far away, thankful the swelling is going down- slowly but it is, thankful for no nasty side effects of the new medicine- even when some people have them, I'm not in Jesus name, thankful for friends that lift me up when I can't seem to lift myself. 

• In Galatians 6:9, Paul simply encourages us to keep on keeping on! Don't be a quitter! Don't have that old "give up" spirit. God's looking for people who will find the courage to rise above all the negative and pursue the positive. (From Joyce Meyer devotions)
• When your mind is full of positive things, it helps to make you have a more positive day.

Hang in there like a hair in a biscuit- whatever you bake in the oven- whether its a cake, muffin, cupcake, biscuit-- get a hair caught up in it-- it is not coming out peoples!! So just like that hair is holding on for dear life- baked in that batter- you hang in there!! Don't let go-- God isn't.


Take care of you :)