The God of all comfort

Well, we are back in the swing of things in the Harris household. The lazy days of summer have come and gone. The kids are back in school and this house seems extremely quiet.
Starting the new school year is always difficult...for me! I think the kids handle it better than I do. I am like a mother hen, I want my babies under my wings and in my reach at all times. I don't think anyone can take care of them but me! Crazy, I know. It seems especially hard this year because my "little girl" started high school! Monday when I dropped them off at school and returned to an empty house, I did a little crying and a lot of praying. And in the quietness, the Comforter reminded me that these precious children that I call "mine" and that I think "I" have to take care of, are not mine at all. They are His. He has been gracious enough to allow me to be their mother on this earth. And as hard as it is for me to wrap my mind around it, I have to remember that God loves these children more than I do. Yes, He loves them and He is going to take care of them!
"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of ALL comfort." 2 Corinthians 1:3

Get creative, ladies!!

After my father-in-law passed away, we inherited his dining room suit. I did NOT like it, but I knew it was important to my husband and it was well built furniture. So I decided to paint it and now it has become just about my favorite furniture that I own. I don't have before pictures, but I do have a picture of the inside of it so you can see the color of the wood before.

I wanted to share this so that you can see how easy it is to make something pretty with a little bit of paint. I want ladies to understand that anyone can make their home look good, without having to put alot of money into it. After all, if we want to be like the Proverbs 31 woman we must be industrious and thrifty(Pr. 31:13,14).

I made a vow...

I read this today and I just had to share because it goes hand in hand with everything that I want this blog to convey...what it means to be a Proverbs 31 woman.
"She rewards him with good, not evil, all the days of her life" Proverbs 31:12
When I read this verse in my devotion time this morning, I knew I had to share it because I think this is something that every one of us struggles with. Have you ever thought about the vow that you made to your husband, before God? Have you ever realized that next to your vow to God, your husband is the only other one that you have made a vow to? A vow! Yes that means God first, husband second. It's tempting to let other people and things get ahead of this vow. Your children "need" you, your job "requires" your attention, your friends & parents "want" your free time. But you haven't made a vow to them! In Genesis 2 when God made Eve, he made her to be Adams "help-meet". The translation for the word used for help literally means "physician", to meet a need for someone that they CANNOT meet for themselves. Ladies, when God gave you to your husband, he had a plan. It wasn't for your fulfillment, but for his help.
I challenge you today to think about what it means to make a vow, and ask yourself the question "Am I helping my husband"? "Am I being true to the vow that I made"?  Remember that this is what God called you to do and he WILL equip you for whatever you need to do to be your husband's help-meet!

Frugal fru fru

I enjoy pretty things. Anyone who knows me, knows that fact. I especially enjoy making my home pretty. And I've learned to do the best I can with what I have. I think any woman can make her home pretty with little money. It just takes a little work and a little creativity, which is my specialty. I love to get my creative juices flowing. I like to change things up a little bit, so I thought I would share a few of my ideas.
I have played around with some different looks for my living room by trying different pillows on my couch. I prefer warm colors so that is all I have, but you could just about use any color combination if you have a neutral couch. I also like to mix patterns, as you will see in the pictures.
CLICK ON THE FRU FRU PAGE TO VIEW PHOTOS

The sights and sounds of freedom

On this 4th of July, I sit on the lawn at the park. I can hear the band in the distance, children running and playing, people laughing and enjoying themselves. I'm sitting here with my family, sipping on my Mello Yello, waiting for the fireworks show to begin. What a relaxing, wonderful time! As I sit here, I can't help but wonder why I was blessed enough to be born in America. There are so many things we take for granted, everyday. I want to soak it all up...all the sights and sounds that so many people would love the freedom to enjoy. But most of all, the freedom I have in Jesus. Because even with all the freedom that I can experience as an American, Jesus gives me a peace that only he can give and freedom from the condemnation of my sin that only He would give!

The things kids say...

A church in our town has a sign that reads "You don't need twitter to follow God". As we rode through town the other day my 11 year old son, Hayden, says "And you don't need facebook to like Jesus!" I thought that was pretty good! My kids never cease to amaze me by the things that they say. Isn't it good to know that our relationship with God doesn't require that we have technology or be computer savy? If that were the case I would just now be catching up. He loves me, just plain 'ol, sometimes slow me. I follow Him and I love Him and if he had a facebook, I would definitely "like" Him!

In the beginning...

Well, here goes nothing. I've decided to start blogging. Why? I don't have a good answer for that. I just have alot to say, so I'm gonna say it. I've been doing a personal study on Proverbs 31 and the Lord has opened my eyes to some things. I've shared my thoughts with the ladies in my church via e-devotions. But I got to thinking, maybe there's more the Lord wants me to open my eyes to see. And maybe there are more people who might want to hear what I have to say. In my study I have become more aware of how I spend my time, money, and resources. So I want to share the word of God through my blogs but I also want to share ways to be more efficient and thrifty. I want us to learn together how to be trusted with all that God has placed in our hands. There's a huge "coupon craze" going on, and I must say, "I'm in!" It's actually kinda fun, and it has saved me some money with little effort. I am not, however, planning to become a hoarder, like the ones on tv! I just want to do everything that I can to be a good steward.