Are they Pains or Blessings?

We've all asked, "Why me, God?" At some time or another, most of us have wondered why bad things happen, why we get hurt, why we suffer, and we sometimes even question God's timing.

A recent song gave me a new way to digest these thoughts, and I hope this will bring you comfort too. Please consider this ...

"What if your blessings come through raindrops?

What if your healing comes through tears?

And what if a thousand sleepless nights

are what it taks to know YOU are near?

What if trials of this life ... the rain, the storms, the hardest nights ... are YOUR mercies in disguise?"

(Taken from Laura Story's song "Blessings")

What if our greatest pains are disguised by God's greatest blessings? Something to think about ...

"Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song."

Psalm 95:2

When we praise HIM -- especially in the bad times -- we ensure our victory!

I Am Back God

I have been busy. But who hasn't been??

Why is it that when I am busy, I tend to forget about God? I just can't seem to find time for Him. There is always something that seems to be just a little more important.

I am ashamed.

After a wonderful evening with a very dear and special friend, my priorities have shifted. I am so thankful for the Godly women in my life that constantly and lovingly and without even knowing bring me back to where I should be and to where I want to be.

I am back God.

The Gift of an Ordinary Day

This is well-worth your time ... hope you take from it as I certainly did. (Remember to pause my music playlist at the bottom of my blog)

Is it my life to live ... or His?

I let worry and stress consume me. What I too often forget is that these are all sins. Why am I so quick to forget God? These sins imply that I don't fully trust that God is BIG enough, POWERFUL enough, or LOVING enough to take care of what is happening in my life.

I have thoroughly enjoyed taking some much-needed time to read an awesome book that is helping me grow in my relationship with God. In doing so, I was recently reminded that this is not my life to live! I don't think I have ever really stopped and taken that in fully until now. This is HIS life. I am here, able to enjoy so many pure moments -- Godly moments with my children, amazing sunsets, answered prayers, a life of love and happiness here on earth -- only because GOD has given me this life to live. And when I let these sins -- worry, stress, negativity, discontentment, anger, fear -- consume me, I am not living my life the way HE wants me to.

Ephesians 2:8 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is a gift from God..."

By letting these sins consume me, as I too often do, I am not shining for Him, and glorifying Him in the way that I am living my life. I am not to live the life that I want. This is not the life He wants for me.

1 Corinthians 10:31 says, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

That is what my life should be. It should be about Him. Not my stress, not my worries, not my fears.

Although it is extremely hard at times, I realize that as long as I put my trust in God and make my life His, then I have no need for these things that are bringing me down because I know that God loves me so very much, more than I love my very own children, and He will take care of me, protect me, and guide me down His path to life Eternal -- a life where there is no pain, no fear, no worries, no sadness, no sickness.

I can let go and just be happy.

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Galatians 2:20

God's Home

Tonight, while saying her prayers, Ella said, "God we are coming to your home tomorrow."

I love how going to church is so much a part of her life. She knows that every Sunday, we go to "God's Home". She expects it. It is part of our life together as a family.

One Sunday we missed church for being out of town, and I overheard her telling God that she was "so, so sorry for missing His day."

I tell Ella she can pray or talk to God about anything she wants to. We do not say a memorized prayer at night. I tell Ella that all God wants from her is a relationship -- for her just to talk to Him. Some nights her prayers aren't very typical and some nights they make perfect sense. But that doesn't matter. At the age of 4, she gets it. She knows God is listening and that He cares about her -- He cares about every hair on her head. And that it does not matter if your prayers and needs are big and important, or just tiny little random thoughts. There are no right or wrong things to prayer about. He just wants us to talk to Him, and Ella does just that.

It is never too early (or too late) to start instilling in our children the importance of going to church and of spending time with God each and every day.

Shop My Store

I have started a site where you can now easily, conveniently & finally shop for:

AFFORDABLE

COMFORTABLE

HIGH-QUALITY

100% COTTON

ADORABLE

COORDINATING

SIMPLE

MONOGRAMMABLE

Children's Play Clothes!!!

Nothing over $28!!!

Visit my new website for more information

or to place an order!

http://www.shopbrittonsappletree.blogspot.com/

And let us all be reminded that ...

Only God Knows How Many Apples are in Each Seed.

What a Blessing!

A beautiful new blessing joined our family 10 days ago and he couldn't be any more perfect! I love him so much already and am so proud of him. What a little miracle! I just don't understand how anyone can see a baby and not believe in God.

I thank God each day that my entire family is healthy. Too many babies and children are really sick and have too many burdens at too little of an age. I am so, so thankful.

My brother and his beautiful son, Carter. A perfect baby boy. We look forward to watching and helping you grow into the wonderful, confident, loving, hard-working, loyal & honest man that we know you will be -- just like your daddy. Please know how much we love you and that we will always be here for you and your sister.

Believe

I was struggling. I turned to God. He answered.

I needed Him, and I called out to Him for help. And He was there. It has never been more clear to me. I cannot describe the feeling of complete relief and comfort. I knew that I was not alone.

I have always known that God answers prayers, and that we need to turn to Him in all times, but I am in complete AWE of how present He was during this particular cry out for help. I am so thankful He showed me His power and might, and He showed me how to be more aware of His works, because it absolutely strengthened my relationship with Him, and I walk away from this experience a much stronger Christian. I have more faith than ever before.

Amazing and wonderful things happen when you ask God into your heart and allow Him to be in your life... better yet, be in control of your life.
His presence is all around us. Sometimes we stray and it just takes a little more for us to see it. Please believe in Him. Have faith. And trust in Him.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Joshua 1:9

My New Business

Cute, Soft, Comfortable, High-Quality Children's PlayClothes that are priced reasonably and affordable are very hard to find.

So ... I am making it easy on you!

Taking Orders Daily!

Email me if you are interested in any products.

Can also set up wholesale accounts.

BrittonsAppleTree@gmail.com

"Only God knows how many apples are in each seed"

Something To Make You Smile

This was recently posted on YouTube and I had to share it with you in hopes that it would bring a little extra sunshine to your day!

Revealing a Little More ...

I promised to reveal to you a new product of mine every few days. I am thrilled with my new business and cannot wait to see where it leads.

Imagine a red monogram (will be offered) on the plain white tee, with the matching girls A-Line Dress (to be shown soon). One-stop shopping for your convenience!!!

These adorable,very inexpensive, high-quality play clothes will be available to YOU in about a week, so keep checking back! And I'd love to hear what you think! More revealing again soon! View another practical product here.

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith."

Hebrews 12:2

How is Salt Like our Hearts?

The Bible is a map, a guide that gives us direction in the way in which we live. I can read it all I want, and I can be a diligent church go-er. But that's not enough. I need to constantly be feeding my soul, growing in my heart, my love for our Almightly God.

I love the example I heard in Sunday School today. You know how salt, if left too long in a salt shaker, becomes lumpy and hard and dry? We have to USE the salt shaker to keep the salt fresh. You know how if you miss a few consecutive weeks of church, or a few days of your personal growth with God, it becomes a lot easier to miss more and more? If we don't feed our souls with the love of Jesus, even if we attend church regularly, we become dry and hard and absent in our spiritual walk and growth.

 

When I get out of my daily routine of praying regularly throughout the day, and sharing my heart with Him, and learning how to deepen my faith each and every day, it becomes so much more difficult to get back to where I should be. This simple little example made me realize that my soul can so easily become dry and hard and I WILL feel empty. I know how much I need and want God as the center of my life and my children's lives, and I won't get there by doing nothing. I must constantly be feeding my heart with Him.
 
 

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith"

Hebrews 12:2

(I love this verse and am repeating it over and over until I learn it and remember to use it in my life.)



A Sneak Peak

I am excited to be starting my new business selling

adorable,

high quality,

practical

children's clothing

at exceptional prices!

Here is a sneak peak of my products.

I will share a new item every few days.

What do you think?

If you would like to place an order, you can email me at

BrittonsAppleTree@gmail.com


"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith."
Hebrews 12:2

Save the Date!

I am SO excited ... My friend and I are hosting an Extreme Couponing Workshop sponsored by Southern Savers at our church. We would LOVE to have you join us for some time of learning and fellowship!

In today's economy, pinching pennies is becoming increasingly important to many of us. And since the grocery bill is one of the largest expenses every family incurs, saving money on food is quickly becoming a focal point for families wanting to spend their limited incomes more wisely.
 
On Saturday, April 2 at 10:30 a.m., First United Methodist Church of Myrtle Beach will host an Extreme Couponing workshop lead by SouthernSavers.com frugal blogger, Jenny Martin, from Columbia, SC. Come and learn how to save 50% or more on all your grocery, household and personal care items. It's not just about cutting and handing over coupons! Learn how to use coupons effectively to save hundreds of dollars a month. Shop at your regular stores, buy the food you normally eat and pay half of what you normally pay. Using coupons effectively, the average family of four can save $250-$400 a month. To register for the workshop, go to http://www.southernsavers.com/. The cost is $10 per person and is payable by cash or check at the door.

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith."

Hebrews 12:2

My New Love

Since we moved into our home, the formal living room has been completely empty. I took my time and finally decided on what colors, fabrics, overall look and feel I wanted for that room. I was so excited when the lady called me yesterday to tell me she had finished making my drapes and pillows. Jason and I spent the evening hanging them, and I have to say I am IN LOVE with my new room!!

We also recently bought a sleeper sofa for the playroom, since we don't have a guest bedroom. We thought this would at least give us an option for having overnight guests, which we don't have often. The walls are a pretty khaki color and we have a lot of white woodwork/wainscoting. I decided on a plain chocolate sofa and found these pillows that I am very pleased with. I want to recover our loveseat in the playroom a robin's egg blue. I love the color combination. It's all a work in progress, but that's how I like it!

Simplicity

I had planned to post today, and after 2 hours and 56 minutes of being on the phone trying to fix my computer (while also being a parent to 2 active children), I have

NO

 MORE
   ENERGY.

I will, however, leave you with some pictures from our New Year's Eve. We spent the evening with some very special friends and had a great time just being US.

This friendship is just simple. Don't you love that?!