Mamaw's Favorites

10/20/2024

Forgiveness is mandatory, a command from God. Reconciliation, however, is not. God does not require us to return to situations where we are used, abused, or mistreated. Forgiveness is not a free pass for someone to continue their toxic behavior. It’s an act of grace but doesn’t excuse ongoing sin or allow abuse to continue.

Trauma has two distinct parts, fact and impact. Forgiveness often follows the same pattern. We can forgive the fact of someone hurting us, as God commands, but the impact of that hurt takes time to heal. We may think we’ve forgiven, moving on with life, but suddenly, a trigger brings all the pain rushing back. In those moments, we may doubt if we’ve truly forgiven. But Jesus, in His deep compassion, understands this struggle. His blood covers not only the fact of what was done to us, but also the lingering impact, the ongoing waves of pain and emotion.

As Matthew 6:9-19 reminds us how to pray and forgive, remember, forgiveness is not just for the one who wronged us, but for our healing. God’s command to forgive is His gift to free us from bitterness and the weight of our hurts. Galatians 6 speaks to bearing one another's burdens, and Romans 12:19-21 assures us that justice is in God’s hands, not ours. He calls us to forgive, not to allow continued harm. By forgiving, we release ourselves into God's healing grace, without allowing others to diminish or abuse us again.

Don’t shrink yourself down by living in the shadow of hurt. God's plan for you is to be whole, to live fully and freely. His gift of forgiveness is the doorway to your healing, while His justice guards your heart from further harm. Healing from the impact may take time, but every step you take is covered by Jesus’ love and sacrifice. Continue to trust God’s plan for your wholeness, knowing that forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting the hurt, but it does mean releasing its power over you.

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10/12/2024

In a world that constantly demands our attention and approval, it’s easy to feel pressured to chase after the validation of others, whether it’s in our relationships, work, school, or even daily life. We often find ourselves striving to meet someone else’s expectations, hoping for acceptance, affirmation, or recognition. But as Christians, we are reminded that our true identity and worth are found in Christ alone.
The Bible tells us in Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." This means our efforts, whether in relationships, work, or school, should not be for the approval of others but for the glory of God. When we center our lives around Christ, we realize we don’t need to chase after others for their approval. His love is enough, and His grace is sufficient.
You don’t owe anyone your time, energy, or validation. Your worth is not determined by the opinions of people around you. You are already valued and loved by God. When you focus on seeking Him, everything else falls into place. As Matthew 6:33 reminds us, "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Stop running after fleeting approval, and rest in the truth that God has already called you His beloved. Let your relationships be rooted in Christ, your work be done to honor Him, and your life be a reflection of His love and grace. You don’t need to prove your worth to others, you are already enough in the eyes of the One who truly matters.

10/02/2024

Let’s talk about bullying. When we think of bullies, our minds often go to playground name-calling or the movie "Mean Girls." We tend to recall our teenage years when we were teased for our appearance, the way we spoke, or maybe even the old "hooptie" we drove. We don't always think of adults as bullies. However, the reality is that adults can be some of the biggest bullies known.

We look on social media and read more negative comments on a post than positive and encouraging words. With women especially, we hear the same comments we heard back in high school. The jealousy of women insulting other women for what they wear, the way they do their work, or even how they parent. These remarks can be subtle, often masked by a seemingly polite tone, but their impact is just as painful.

From a psychological perspective, bullying often stems from low self-esteem, a lack of empathy, or elevated anxiety, depression, or anger. While these underlying issues might help explain bullying behavior, they don’t excuse it. In fact, the Christian perspective is that it is an attack from the enemy, spreading negativity and hate. The Bible warns us that the tongue is fire, as Chapter 3:8-10 reads, “ But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessings and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not be this way.”

God never intended for us to treat each other with such cruelty. He calls us to love one another. While we can’t control the words of others, we can control our responses. As hard as it may be, we can choose not to be offended and not to retaliate. By choosing to respond with love, we can create a ripple of positivity that counteracts the negativity.

(Photo from the web)

09/27/2024

Day 2 and I am absolutely having a blast. I just love this cup!

09/26/2024

First trial using the new machine. I am loving the earring designs. I was also able to practice personalizing a photo taken of me.

09/15/2024

Every stitch tells a story. Just like in life, when things seem tangled or out of place, with patience and care, we can create something beautiful. Keep going, keep believing, and trust the process.

'And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.'
– Galatians 6:9

09/11/2024

Well hello sunshine’s! ☀️

Anybody else having an absolutely crazy week at work. I know I have been for a little while now. So today let’s all take the time to appreciate those slow lazy days. Filled with love and family. We get so busy sometimes we forget to appreciate those little bitty moments you have right in front of you.

09/08/2024

Good Morning! ☀️😃

Don’t forget to get you some breakfast before church this morning! Happy Sunday Yall!

09/06/2024

Good morning sunshine🌞☀️

My name is Kristen. I wanted to take the time to introduce myself. I am first a child of God. I am a wife. I am a mother. I am a friend. Currently, I am a Hospice Administrator. At the age of just 13 after a revival, I decided to become a nurse. The calling was so strong that I hit my knees and sobbed. We had just lost my aunt to ALS. I didn’t understand what a hospice nurse was at the time. Years later, while in college, I found myself spending a lot of time with my Mamaw. We would spend our days cooking, talking, and cleaning. She taught me so much in those few short years that I unknowingly had left. Just before graduation and after her passing in 2017, I was reassured that nursing was the route God wanted me to take. It didn’t take long and God pulled me into Hospice. No matter how many times I tried to give up He has kept me there. Hospice is rewarding but pulls at your heart in a way that’s difficult sometimes. Sometimes your view of God as a hospice nurse becomes clouded by the emotional roller coaster of attachments you obtain. This week God has been guiding me to remind myself to look to Him for guidance. “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Psalms 32:8

I am also reminded this week just how special it is to have a sister like Kimberly Nicole Danforth. In 2014 I thought I had lost my sister. And in 2020 while on my way to a patients house I received the call to go and get her. I had told my mother that I would never let her go again. Family is Gods gift to you and should be cherished.
Psalm 133:1 says, "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!"

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