*Good Gravy

If we think about something and talk about it constantly; we tend to make it way bigger than what it really is. Have you ever done that? Sometimes when I make gravy I will add too much flour and then in an attempt to even out the proportions I will add too much milk which in turn leads to more flour....does anyone know what this is like? I end up with a large pot of gravy instead of a pan! haha. I have been known to use almost a whole gallon of milk making breakfast for 4 people. Even despite my cooking mishaps; my family thinks that I make some really goooood gravy....and that is a great thing because can anyone say...breakfast for days??? One thing that I know really well is if we aren't careful....our troubles or a situation – can get really out of control.

I don't usually get hot and bothered about things...in the past I have ignored stories that circulated about me or my family...can you imagine? I am sure you have been there. You know...the complications of life, church and family. It is the things that you just have to deal with and try your best to not let it get to you. I thought and thought about this one situation for days and the more I thought about it – the more upset I became. My chest even hurt and I felt myself think bad thoughts about these people and even felt myself pick them apart. Who are they to say these things? I was feeling justified. I mean...how in the world do people come up with this stuff? It is quite creative for sure!

The point is...I let it get to me. I tried to think and analyze and try to figure out how I could go around and squelch the situation and make it all better. I could go talk to so and so and find out who she talked to and then maybe go to those people. I mean...I can't have this stuff out there, right? So I went to bed with a heavy heart and even took some Benadryl to make sure I slept because my mind was revving like a race car. I woke up late the next morning and as soon as my eyes opened I realized that it was a new day and God gave me new mercies....and a new revelation.

God is going to fight for me! Yep...we have all heard it and I know ALL about it but I had been focusing on how I was FEELING and not on the bigger picture. I had thought so much on trying to defend my character and my family that I forgot about WHO I am in Christ.

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

"The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." Exodus 14:14

I woke up hearing the echoes of the scripture in Exodus, "Jonna I will fight for you and your family. You just be still." God will take care of His people!  Now the previous evening I was making plans and schemes and trying to figure out how to defend myself and prevent my "reputation" from getting smeared and stop the slander! Now today I can actually say that I don't even care. Let me tell you what God will do if you will let Him. He can give you this thing called PEACE...that even you cannot understand.

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 4:7

The most important thing we have to do to stay right with God and relevant is to guard your heart. Kind of like making gravy...if you don't stand there and pay careful attention and stir it then you might just suffer from over-boiling which will cause it to get too thick and then you will have to add milk...well...you know the rest. Our hearts have to be watched. We cannot afford to get bitter and be upset about things that aren't eternal. A really good indicator that Don has had in the past when he talks to the boys about issues they bring up is this..."Son, Is this issue a heaven or hell issue? If it isn't then you need to let it go." Those are wise words.

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." Colossians 3:15-16

So remember today to guard your heart with a watchful eye that it stays sweet, kind and loving...it is the best way that people will know who you belong too....is by the love you have for one another. I want to love people and not speak evil about anyone...I will be a truth teller and that isn't ABOUT people but about God and who He is in my life. Create in me a clean heart oh Lord, and renew a right spirit in me.


You are Graciously Adorned
❤ Jonna

*Excuses

There are many mornings when my Fitbit alarm vibrates endlessly and I sleepily turn it off....and do it 3 more times. Yes...I have multiple alarms. I might need to add a 4th actually. Do you ever just "talk" yourself out of doing what you really want to do? It is just like there is another person inside of you that is the rebellious one that continually talks you into making bad decisions! I have for years blamed it on my "Fat Cells". I would say that my fat cells are in cahoots with sabotaging me and they just do NOT want to leave my body! So they wreck my diet and my exercise plans so they can stay on my hips and thighs! Let me tell you...my Fat Cells are strong! haha

In reality and if I am going to be honest...I just really do NOT want to get up early and exercise. It just sounds like a lot of work and it definitely doesn't sound fun. When I have thoughts about exercising it is generally when I am eating something bad and I make a decision to 'start tomorrow'. Can I get a witness from somebody??? I tell myself "tomorrow" or "Monday"...that sounds like a great starting day BUT something always happens and my schedule and life gets in the way. Yes I have great excuses; in fact if I wrote a book on really good excuses...it would be a BEST SELLERS! I have came up with some doozies!

Now what I do know is the truth to all of this and I even know how to get myself in shape. I have a church full of fitness fanatics so knowledge is just a phone call away! Unfortunately the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Heard that one before? This kind of mindset translates over from the physical to your spiritual life. I have noticed that when I make excuses for doing anything that calls me out of my comfort zone in the natural....I most definitely will not do it in the spiritual. I KNOW the truth in all of this but yet like you I am sure....we all have to start applying it.

We are the ONLY ones who have control over setting priorities in our lives. I have had work out partners and exercise buddies but I have found that when they stop...so do I. I have to make the decision to do it and do it for ME and not for anything or anyone else. Just like being fit in our bodies is so very important to our health and wellness...our spiritual man has to be just as fit to stay on course and fulfill the calling that God has placed on our lives!

The key I have found is setting our my exercise clothes, finding my cute and matching socks and my tennis shoes and getting them all ready for the morning. If I do this then I will be successful...I have prepared myself for the task and when I start to think of excuses...well half of them are eliminated because of my preparation! Just like with exercise your devotion time needs to be carved out of your day and be set out in advance for you to be successful. We will NOT reach our goals if we do not prepare ourselves and our hearts for it. And I have noticed that once I have had a few days up and exercising and doing my devotions....you won't believe this...I actually like it! I am starting to process the "pain and agony" as results that I can see and that I can feel inwardly and outwardly. Don't let the enemy sabotage you the happy and healthy life that God wants you to have!


I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me Phillipians 4:13

You are Graciously Adorned
❤ Jonna

*Overwhelmed

I overslept. I somehow didn't hear three alarms and woke up an hour late for an appointment. Then I got up and stumbled around not able to decide what direction to go. I got in the shower and someone just used the last of the shampoo. I was out of dog food. I didn't have any coffee. I had decided that I was too tired to go grocery shopping the previous night and now I regretted it. I forgot to turn on the dryer and the outfit that I was going to wear was still damp. At this point I just sat on the couch in my robe and hair that I just washed with dishwashing liquid...and make the genius decision to just get back in bed....wet hair and all. I know that sounds extreme...and pathetically enough...it is all true! Sometimes things just get bad and yes and when we aren't organized; it can lead to chaos and add to anxiety. 

Let's look at the word overwhelmed according to Dictionary.com: "to turn upside down, to overthrow," from over- + MiddleEnglish whelmen "to turn upside down" (see whelm ). Meaning "to submerge completely" is mid-15c. Perhaps the connecting notion is a boat,etc., washed over, and overset, by a big wave. Figurative sense of "to bring to ruin" is attested from 1520s. Related: Overwhelmed; overwhelming ; overwhelmingly. 

When we are constantly in a state of being overwhelmed we are actually in ruins spiritually! As the definition explains it is like you are washed over by a big wave and turned upside and in ruins. That is  exactly how I feel on the "high stress" days! Now I don't think that a child of God can have a good testimony if they are always in ruins! There is a time when we need to look up and say, "Jesus take the wheel!" and let go of it all. God has given us the power to take control of our emotions and our day...we just need to bring Him into the picture. I have noticed that when I do not start my day with some Jesus time that the busy days gets a little out of control. 

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful Colossians 3:15. Let us not forget the amazing time when Jesus in Mark chapter 4 spoke to the storm and said "Peace be still." We need to speak into our day, into our calendar, into our homes and our jobs. We will NOT be ruled by the craziness of schedules and expectations and we will not live in stress and worry but we will be people of PEACE. 

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Jesus didn't say that He was "overwhelmed by the world"...He said that He OVERCAME the world. So because He overcame it...you can be an overcomer as well THROUGH the work that He already completed just for you. 

So look up today in the middle of your mess and speak peace...you know...that peace that passes ALL understanding that only comes from your heavenly Father and then do your part!



You are Graciously Adorned

❤ Jonna