Dear longsuffering sisters,

You always hear people insinuate women are the creatures that God created with an abundance of patience. As though we have been biologically wired with this super human ability to wait, wait and wait some more. To endure all that is thrown at us, regardless how we feel. This is so not a natural ability I was born and wired with.  Not even an ounce of it.  I know listed in Galatians 5:22-23 it says "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there no law." 

When I read this I was like, "Yeah, patience isn't listed! So, boom!" Yes, I admit I do live in my own little world where I have these conversations with myself. (Shhh! don't tell). I had once read to always read/study your bible with a dictionary, just in case, and I do!!! It is a good thing. I always find a deeper meaning to words I know or thought I knew. If you look up the definition of longsuffering it says:  

long-suf·fer·ing

adjective

adjective: long-suffering; adjective: longsuffering

1. Having or showing patience in spite of troubles, especially those caused by other people.

"His long-suffering wife" (love this! Yes, it was their example. Not mine)

synonyms:

patient, forbearing, tolerant, uncomplaining, stoic, stoical, resigned

 

After reading this I thought good God almighty, love a duck! Are you serious? To suffer a long time with troubles even caused by others. So, not designed for this. You have got to be kidding me. This is NOT ME, AT ALL!

 You would think as a mother of five blessings. I'd have the patience of a rock. Um, nope! Not even close. I openly and shamefully admit it's my weakness. Well, that and coffee.  I am sure, I am not the only one.

Well, one afternoon at work, okay I am a Clinic Coordinator for a Family Practice Clinic. Where everyone is sick. All feel bad. All think their problem is my only problem form 7:45-4:30. All are demanding and all want to feel better now. No! I don't blame them.

However, some days...... LONGSUFFERING for sure. Then with five kids. Dogs, cats, and fish. Oh, heavenly father!! Oh, how I do need you!!

I do, I do, and I do love my job. It is AWESOME!!!

So, don't get me wrong. Okay, Monday mornings not so much!  I am so THANKFUL for it. But, every other day.... AMAZING! My boss, a sweetheart and well my co-workers they rock! Anyway, this one afternoon at work (which I'm sure was a Monday) It was insanely crazy. I am talking full moon stormy weather, forgot their medications kind of crazy (medical field well they KNOW).  I seriously wanted to run to bathroom. Fake a sickness and abandon ship. Just for the day. But..... I didn't! I pulled up my Jesus girl bloomers and stayed professional did what I was paid to do. Yes, I was in constant prayer for help. Help to deal. Help to lighten that day’s load. Just HELP! Pray without ceasing, YEP, that was me!!! Then out of the blue. One of my "trouble" patients called. This person I will call Jack Doe (of course this is not really his name). Jack had PROBLEMS! Ones which made everything in my life seem like a slice of Apple pie alamode. Not just any apple pie alamode. The warm apple pie alamode with caramel drizzle, a dollop of whip cream with cherries on top. I have always fought to show an ounce of  patience with this man. To the point in my mind asking for forgiveness. Forgiveness for the thoughts I had towards this him. Well, I answered the phone that particular afternoon, and he said and I quote (he was crying) "Ms. Hollie, I don't need anything. I just wanted to thank you for always being kind to me. You are always have so much patience with me. You always treat me like I'm human, you have no idea how much that means to me." BAM......Jesus, spiritually slap yo' face at work moment. There was that word P-A-T-I-E-N-C-E!  

Believe me, I DO NOT possess the virtue patience. I do not think I could have it or keep it, even if I carried in bottle in my back pocket. See, I always thought patience was a big never have a bad thought. Never have a bad moment. Never show any emotion endure it all thing. Guess what!!!! That is the lie the enemy tells us. So, we are overwhelmed with the guilt of not having patience. Then we lose focus because were failing at such a small thing God has called us to do. Satan has slimy little devious tactics to make us lose focus.... Keep in mind Satan is the father of all lies. I can prove it…..

 In John 8:44 it tells us

 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5, "(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds ;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."

 When you begin to believe the lies and deceit Satan throws your way. Is when you’re in trouble? I know I’ve been there; more than once! Yep, me this Jesus girl right here.   I can speak from experience. That small lie. I have no patience, put me in a place spiritually I didn’t need nor want to be in. I lost focus. I let my guard down. I allowed the enemy to swoop in and let me think I wasn’t good enough for the rest of what God has for me. If I was unable to show patience how was God going to use me in the bigger picture? That one lie led to a whole basket of negative thinking. All this feeling of worthlessness. I took a social media hiatus. This is big, I am a social media junkie. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat.... Guilty right here. I can't help it LOVE them all. I checked out in areas of my life at church. And, I have an absolutely AWESOME church. In ministries God called me to. Such as Life Group Leader, Connect Kids, and Switch Leader. This one little simple lie affected me in such a way spiritually I could no longer work for God. I could no longer focus on his promises. Sounds overboard right? No, not really that is just another lie that trickled down from the first lie I let Satan tell me. See when we embrace that very first lie. Satan assumes he has the authority to continue to lie to us. I promise you whenever he gets that chance he will take it 100% of the time.

So, the lesson I learned that day in one simple phone call. That I truly believe was God ordained. Broke something in me spiritually that shattered Satan’s little glass box of lies he had me in.

So for all my readers, friends and followers who believe the lies of the enemy that lead you to spiritual blocks. Take heart, don’t give up, and don’t feel guilty. We have all been there.  That one little lie whether it is a lie about patience (longsuffering), your weight, your abilities, your parenting, your ministry or your health. It can affect all aspects of your spiritual life. Hinder you and disable you. Listen to the voice of truth. Sometimes it’s a still small voice. Other times is a loud earthquake. No one is perfect. We all make mistakes daily. Do not let the guilt take you away from what God has in store for you. Simply ask for forgiveness. Start over and know God isn't looking for perfection. He is drawn to imperfection and brokenness. He is looking for willingness. He is looking for worshippers. He is looking for the unqualified. Guilt is the lie of the enemy.

 

Bottom line:

Do this:

Hebrews 10:22, "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water."

He Will:

Psalms 103:2-4, "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;"

Then do this:

Philippines 3:13, "...this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before."

2 Corinthians 8:12, whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don't have.

And HE WILL DO THIS:

Ephesians 2:10, for we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

The sit with a willing heart. And, watch what God can do through your willingness. BOOM, it’ll happen. In his perfect timing.

Remember life is good. God is great and coffee is your friend.

 

Hollie Kate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Faith over Fear

I am a control freak when it comes to my daily life. This is not a secret to those who truly know me. I like stability, schedules and consistency. I love knowing what time were going to bed and getting up. I even love knowing what nights we will be watching a particular television show. I love knowing at 630 every evening my 12 year old daughter and I will compete solving puzzles on Wheel of fortune. I do not like surprises in any way shape or form. I contribute my almost OCD level of this to my childhood. As a child there was so much chaos, instability and uncertainty in my world. It always left me feeling confused, tired, fearful, unfocused and without peace.   Even now when things get chaotic I get anxious. Something as simple as cutting my hair, having my nails done or uninvited guest cause anxiety attacks. Yes, this is something I've dealt with for years. I've turned it over to God and I've let him or so I thought. I live a peaceful life in Waco far from family. I do have a few select friends here. I have a daily routine and it's the same day in and day out. I love it this way. Well last Friday my boss and owner of the company I was employed at informed me the doors would be closing Monday. Yes, in a brief forty-eight hours. This was completely unexpected. At that moment my peaceful scheduled life was thrown into a downward spiral of chaos. I was in shocked, anxious, nervous and worried. And that is just the tip of the ice berg of emotions.

I had to stop and calm down I vowed I would prayerfully fast and read my bible. Along with applying for position in various cities and states. Appling for unemployment.  I even have gone as far as purchasing a new bible, which I've been wanting for a while. I bought new pens and took out an old empty journal. I've jumped head first into prayer, fasting and studying. I know there are times throughout the day when I feel overwhelmed by the circumstance or fearful of the unknown God has shown me in scriptures he is still here. He has not left me, nor will he. He will not forsake me. I am reminded in Ecclesiastes 3:1  " To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven". I've been sure this is just a season and this too shall pass.

Then this morning I check my email and there is a message stating I don not qualify for unemployment. I didn't make enough. Very frustrated I drove to the Workforce office to inquire about this decision. I was given a paper to apply for appeals. The sweet elderly man who helped me said it may have just been a typo or error entered on either end. So, I asked how long the appeals take. His reply "if all goes well or as planned it'll take five to six weeks".  Another spiral of chaos in my new world of uncertainty. I felt the fear, anxiety, frustration and tears starting to overwhelm me. I called my mother who immediately calmed me down.  As I drove home I was quickly reminded by God the bible says in  Isaiah 42:16 "when God says he will, it's a guarantee he will". I have been faithful to turn to him and his word he is working on my behalf. See a few years ago I would have immediately  look at the situation and reacted out fear. And, yes usually making the worst decision possible. Causing the domino effect to my circumstance. So, I sit here today with uncertainty in my future employment and residence. But I chose to put my faith, hope and trust in God. I chose to not let my circumstance pull me away but drawn me closer to God. No, I am not perfect and I do have those moments in which I stand and say "God I need you to take over". And guess what he does, EVERY TIME!  And I challenge you today. If you are facing uncertainty have faith and let God work for you.

Sin is sin bottom line.

 

 

 

I usually don’t post anything regarding homosexuality. For several reasons. First, one of my sisters is gay and I tremendously love and adore her and her partner. You couldn’t ask to know two people who are any funnier, sweeter and have biggest hearts. Two, they know where I stand on gay relationship/marriage. I do not need to rub it in on a daily basis. Three, the bible is clear love the sinner h...ate the sin, correct?!? (To be clear, I am not calling anyone a sinner) The bible says your salvation is between you and God, not between me, a neighbor and God (Philippians 2:12). I am not condoning, nor am I judging anyone who lives a lifestyle different than what I believe is right or wrong. Four, I have my own skeletons. They may not be the same ones but they are there.
The following scriptures say the following six things are things in which the Lord hates. So, therefore you must have a soap box for each one of these subjects, right?
Proverbs 6:16-19
King James Version (KJV)
These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
A heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Then it tells us, if we say we’ve not sinned were liars.
(1 John 1:10 - If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us)
Then it tells us if we know the good and do not do it were are sinning.
James 4:17 - Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth [it] not, to him it is sin.

You cannot force someone else to see you point of view. Your beliefs or how you feel. Constant preaching (drilling in) will not get you anywhere. Expressing scripture calmly, with love, and understanding. Then just pray for them. With any and all sin, not just what “you” consider the big sin.

So, with all that being said. Does it mean we are supposed to distance ourselves from people who shed innocent blood, lie, have a proud look, have wicked imaginations or cause problems? Give off a judgmental attitude towards and constantly give our biblical and/or political opinion on their lifestyle? No, we are not. We are to embrace with love. Not the lifestyle but the person. We are all born into sin (Romans 3:10). We all fall short (Romans 3:23). The bible gives the biblical definition of marriage yes of one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24). It also says he hates divorce times (Malachi 2:16). I’ve been divorced legally three times. In my past, my relationships involved pre-marital sex. I’ve told white lies to spare someone’s feelings. What does that say about me? I am a sinner.

Bottom line:
Yes…….we do live in a country where we can and will practice freedom of speech. And as your right you can say what you want. Quit being judgmental idiots about it, let he who has not sinned cast the first stone (John 8:7). The sin factor is not multiple choice. All sin is wrong, murder, lying, adultery, homosexuality, divorce, wicked thoughts, a proud look (haughty sprit), spreading rumors. They are all sins. The bible does not say there is a degree of sin. Like burns first, second or third degree. Sin is sin!!! It is not your place to judge another persons "sin".