Addictions Are Hard....For Everyone

I come from a family that has lived and survived addictions. 

I also come from a family who has those who still struggle with their addictions. 

It is a heart breaking, gut wrenching, tear jerking pain to watch those I love struggle. 

For a person fighting the demons of addiction, telling them to just stop is not the answer. 

If a person does not know the pain and hardships of fighting one, we have no idea the battle that rages within. 

A battle with one purpose... to kill and destroy. 

The world condemns and judges the addict harshly. The world screams to them they are nothing and are without value. The world will put them on blast for all to see their failures never with the thought as to why they are living in a bondage of destruction.   In turn, the addict uses more to numb and hide themselves from the cruelness of the world. 

It is their escape from the brokenness of their reality. 

 In their mind, facing their giants and admitting to their shame is purely and simply unbearable. 

Reliving the nightmares of their world is something they have yet to find the strength and courage to do. 

For the family of an addict, we beg, we plead, we try, we stand, we give, we love, we cry and we pray. We will empty our heart and soul to save the one we love. 

And then when we have poured out everything we have, the hardest choice we make is tough love. An unfailing love that tells our loved one we have done all we can to help you, now you have to make that choice. You have to decide if you want to rise up and beat this or lay down and succumb to it. 

A heart shattering choice for a parent, a spouse, a sister/brother or friend.

Sometimes our love for them will enable them to continue the vicious cycle of addiction. 

It is when we must realize our actions have now become a stumbling block and a harmful effort. It is in total surrender to our daddy God, HE is able to do the healing and the restoring. I have learned over time and the hard way, my love can hinder God's plans to restore my loved ones.  When we over compensate, take control and push hard for them to come to grips with their need for help, we do more harm than good. 

Our " I can fix this" syndrome gets in His way and ties the hands of the only one who can save them.....The Lord himself. 

It is never easy to tell the one you love " I am done" , It's all on you now" 

We fear the worst and pray for the best. 

We push our on pain to the back burner and try to see the pain through the addicts eyes. 

We see who they where, who they can be and the potential their lives hold. 

 We want to justify ever wrong they have done in the hopes it's not our fault. 

We shift blame and seek reasons that we ourselves can live with. 

We become emotionally weary fighting this battle in the flesh. 

It doesn't matter what type of addiction our loved ones are battling....

Addictions are hard....For everyone

We can't make the choices for our loved one. It is a choice only they can make. A choice to live, a choice to heal, a choice to live a life of abundance. 

But we can go to battle in the way our daddy God calls us to do. 

PRAYER!!!

2 Corinthians 10:3-4

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,

John 14:14

If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. 

1 Thessalonians 5:17

Pray without ceasing 

Though I do not suffer with a chemical addiction, What sits in my heart with such passion is the realization that I too struggle in life and God has no grading scale on our struggles. 

He does not judge me for mine nor the addict for theirs. 

I am no better than someone who battles addiction. 

My battles may not be as hard, my battles may not be as public nor may they be  physically dangerous. 

The bottom line is our daddy God cares for each of our battles as if it was the one one raging. 

He loves us all unconditionally and desires for each of us to be made whole. 

We all have value and are precious in the eyes of our daddy God.  

Today and every day I stand in prayer for the ones I love, the ones who are so very precious to my heart, believing their lives will be restored and a victory is in the making. 

This battle, in it's attempt to a wage war of final destruction, will not become victorious. 

I can say this with truth and certainty for my daddy Gods word tells me...

Isaiah 54:17

No weapon formed against you shall prosper,

The weapon may be formed BUT it will not prosper!!!

If you are fighting an addiction, I encourage to keep fighting, don't give up. You are not hopeless!! You are loved and you are valued!!!!

You matter!!! You are worthy!!!

You are important!!

If you are standing for a loved one, keep standing!! Regardless if you are in the middle of the battle or you have had to step back......

I encourage you to stand through prayer, believing God has you all in his hand!!

Your prayers have not gone unheard nor has your tears gone unnoticed. 

There is a victory in the making!!!

xoxoxo

Stacey

E- Encouraged When Broken

I misplace my glasses constantly. 
They have been found on counter tops, bed side tables, my car, window sill, back patio and even  in the freezer. 

 I have been told many times to purchase a chain to keep them securely around my neck. However I just can't seem to bring myself to buy the "granny" chain.  

I do not see it as being vain, I see it as a woman who has not yet reached that status in my life. 

I am a grandmother, but I am a young grandmother. 

I lost my glasses again over the weekend and sadly I am having to use my broken pair to work with until I can get a new pair. 

( It was a time issue this morning and I just didn't have it )

They are a little crooked on my face, fall off if I bend down to far, but they are getting the job done for now. 

The lenses are still in great shape and the missing arm tends to be the only blemish . In spite of their brokenness, they are still usable; They still have value. 

This morning as I prayed, my daddy God showed me, even in my brokenness, regardless of my blemishes, I am still of value. 

He uses our circumstances and failures to shine forth his glory and power of redemption. 

 He allows others to see exactly who He is and just how big He is in the midst of it all. 

He not only sends others to encourage me through my trials, He also extends love and grace through it all. 

This morning I read a devotional that encouraged me tremendously. 

" God found Gideon in a hole. He found Joseph in a prison. 

He found Daniel in a lions den. 

He has a curious habit of showing up in the midst of trouble, not the absence. 

Where the world sees failure, God see future. 

Next time you feel unqualified to be used by God, remember this.....

He tends to recruit from the pit, not the pedestal. "

"Where the world sees failure, GOD sees FUTURE!!" 
Such awesome encouragement!!
I am learning there is never total brokenness in life. 
What the enemy means for evil and destruction , God always  turns to good and restoration. 

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 

Isaiah 54:17
No weapon formed against you shall prosper, 
And every tongue which rises against you in judgement
You shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, 
And their righteousness is from Me,
Says the Lord. 


As for me and my broken glasses, they have already been replaced. 
I was blessed to have a precious friend drop me off a brand new pair. 
Notice the bling on the side? 
My glasses have been restored and with a much better pair. 
Yep I am doing my happy dance !!
And possibly thinking about a granny chain purchase. 
Maybe ......



My lesson today came from a broken pair of glasses. 
My daddy God used to speak to my heart and reminded me our value does not diminish in the brokenness. 
 It increases as He works through us. 
It is Christ within that does the molding and changing

No matter the brokenness in your life right now.....
You are valuable....
Your circumstances are usable for the greater purpose......
He will raise you up and out....
You will be redeemed and restored.....
In doesn't matter if you are in a hole, a prison, or a lions den.....
Your "pit" will be a testimony of Gods tremendous love for you!!

Be encouraged today. 
Keep believing.
Look beyond your brokenness.
Feel His love.
Accept His grace.
Receive your blessings!!


E- Encouraged When Broken~

Xoxox

Stacey

Keeping Josey's Legacy Alive

 It's been several months since this beautiful and extraordinary young lady left this world and stepped into the presence of the Lord. 

I first met Josey when she was 4 years old. I never though I'd meet another little girl with the same "no fear" of life attitude as my daughter, Chelsea.
But I did and I am so blessed to have known her. 
 She would become one of Chelsea's first friends when we moved to Texas and to watch those two together always left me guessing what would they get into next together. 
They were some mischievous, happy, full of life little girls!!

Josey, however can not be describe in just a few mere words. 
She was bigger than life it self. 
Her laughter was contagious and heart felt. 
Her smile would light up the darkest of rooms. 
Her determination was a strength  others would envy and long for in their lives. 
Her spirit was one of sweet, unfailing, unconditional love. 
Her loyalty for those she loved was fierce and without reserve. 
Her honesty was met with brutal truth and wrapped in compassion. 
Her love for God was without compromise. 

 Sadly Josey was taken from this life on February 10th, 2015. 
In a senseless tragic act, as she took her afternoon run, Josey was hit from behind by a driver who due to his impairment of his choice was unaware he had just taken her life. 
Left in a ditch to be found by a loved one, Josey's life ended on that country road. 

The over whelming emotions flooded her small town community as well as the surrounding areas. To have a life taken at such a young vibrant age is unimaginable and heart shattering to say the very least. 
Josey had just begun her life and just as any young woman had many plans to accomplish...
Many dreams to full fill.....
A life of abundance to live. 

I have no answers as to why Josey's life ended the way it did....
Or why she had to go.....
What I do know is our daddy God knew her beginning to her end and welcomed her into  eternity with open arms. 

Psalm 139:16
Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. 

And neither has he left those left behind to mourn....

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 
In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths. 

Psalm 147:3

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. 

Josey left behind a legacy of love, strength, honesty, and determination.

She taught so many how to stand for what's right and never back down. 

She instilled perseverance in the heart of her family and friends.

She set the bar high when it came to integrity.

 And a huge purpose in running our race here on earth. 

I believe Josey is now a part of our great cloud of witness; those who have finished their race here on earth and are cheering us on to finish ours. 

Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith......

I believe when the wind blows...

That is her love covering all she loves. 

I believe when the sun rises....

That is her beautiful smile radiating from above. 

I believe in the soft whispers of night fall....

She is sending the comfort of peace to shelter the many broken hearts.

I believe when the storm clouds of life roll in....

Josey is there in the midst, cheering for all.... "Do not give up, Keep going"

And on days when the memories are too hard to bear, she is there calling all to celebrate her life, giving hope and reassurance all will see her again in the Father's house. 

Josey's family and friends have set before them a race to add to her legacy. 

For her death to not be in vain.....

And for others to not suffer the same.

As they stand and fight for "Justice For Josey", they are fighting for stricter laws on hit and run fatalities. 

Please join me in covering the Scott family and friends in prayer as they continue to fight for due justice for their daughter, sister and friend and many others who have been affected. 

Keeping  Josey's Legacy Alive. 

God bless you all~

Stacey

**I have attached the petition for Hit and Run Awareness, please feel free to click on link and sign. Every signature counts!!**

Petition For Hit And Run Awareness

When I Choose Truth, I Am Choosing Freedom

There has been times in my life when I did not want to face the truth. 

It was scary.....

It was messy.......

It was fear based from my own insecurities......

It was reality I did not want to deal with........

And it was freedom I had yet to embrace. 

Someone once told me, if I did not stop and face my giants in life, they would continue to chase me. Over time my giants grew, overshadowed me and consumed every area in my life. 

I had no peace.....

I walked in false happiness.....

I believed if I ignored them long enough they would just simply disappear. 

I lived in a bubble of false pretenses.

A bubble I created on my own. 

Over time I have learned truth is not the enemy. 

Truth may be scary....

It may be a little messy when I am getting to the core root of an issue, however there is so much restoration waiting for me once I get there. 

I am living proof to walk and abide in my daddy God's word, truth is my freedom.

Recently I had a hurtful issue within my family. It was a truth I did not want to deal with much less bring it to light. I saw myself steps away from shutting down and choosing to ignore it in the hopes it would just disappear as though it never happened. 

The more my thought process went in the direction of ignore and pretend it isn't so, the more I became ill on the inside. 

For truth to have it's rightful place and give me the healing peace I need, I had to face this new giant in my life. 

Sometimes I find it amusing how the enemy will try his best to take me back to my old ways.

The days when I ran and hid from truth.

He knows when I stand in faith and lean on the one who will never forsake me, in turn others will see the healing love of God and hope will prevail. 

I may still have my moments when I just can't deal per say, ignore it for a short period of time but the goodness of my daddy God gives me the grace to turn and face it head on even if I am kicking my way through it. 

As I reflected today and sought my daddy God for his wisdom once again he speaks to my heart. He gives me instruction and wisdom.

John 8:31-32

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Proverbs 12:19

The truthful lip shall be established forever but a lying tongue is but for a moment. 

Truth is meant to deliver us not hold us hostage in fear. It may hurt initially but the truth of God's words heals the heart. 

I choose to abide in His word....

I choose for truthful lips to forever be established.....

I choose peace.........

I choose freedom. 

When I choose truth, I am choosing freedom

xoxo

Stacey

Linking With The Beauty In His Grip

Partly Cloudy With A Little Sunshine

Over the last several days here in the south we have had rain, rain and more rain.
Thunderstorms whose powerful winds and heavy down pours have sent many scurrying like ants for shelter.
Morning showers that have lingered to the noon time hour and stretched through out the afternoon with the sun only peeking out occasionally.....
 A reminder there is light behind the clouds. 

There are times in life when our world as we know it becomes covered by the clouds....
When the rain pours.....
And the thunder rocks our very being. 
When everything that can possibly happen, happens all at once....
 STRESS Storm.

Stress storms unfortunately are a part of life.
Some will rage through quickly......
Some will come in like a hurricane and sit over us for a brief period of time......
Others will just linger.
My latest life storm has lingered, bouncing between partly cloudy with a little sunshine.
I've had my moments when my heart has broke into pieces....
Moments when hope has lifted me up....
Moments of frustration.....
And moments of encouragement.
( For those who have encouraged me daily with your unfailing love, you are a blessing to my heart......
Ecclesiastes 6:14
Agrees that a faithful friend is a sure shelter, whoever finds one has found a rare treasure. A faithful friend is something beyond price. )

 I am finding, no matter my age, there are still lessons in life I am to learn. 
This lesson (storm) is teaching me what it truly means to allow my daddy God to be my rock.
To put my trust so deep within his hands that it can not be moved.
To hear his voice above the storm....
To heed to his wisdom and not the worlds chatter...
To be still and know that He is God and will calm me, his daughter through the storm.

Stress storms are not always things that are out of our control.
There are those I know I bring upon my self.
I am discovering there are some things in life I  try so hard to hold to that God himself is trying to remove and for that reason, he will allow a storm to come. 
It is through the storm I am pushed from my comfort zone and into the place of trust He is calling me to.

However, whether it is a storm that is out of my control or one that is sent to get my attention, 
God's word tells me....

Isaiah 41:13
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not be afraid; I will help you. 

He has taken hold of my right hand and with that, I am learning a greater trust....
A better peace.....
 I can hear wisdom speaking over the doubting words of the world.....
And a whole new level of His unconditional love. 

Regardless of life's storms, it is when I heed to His voice and his direction not the words and actions of man, I can see the light behind the clouds. 

My daddy God never leaves me without hope.
He faithfully puts others in my path to encourage me and nurture me through my storm.
He, without a doubt, showers me with His grace to overcome and see victory in my life. 
His mercy delivers me on the days I can't see past the clouds.
His words are the balm of Gilead that soothes my heart. 
His love embraces me when I feel all alone in my trials.
He carries me when my weariness is too great to continue. 
He is my light in the darkness of the clouds.
He is my redeemer!!

My stress storm is running out of punch...
The clouds are parting....
And the sunshine is making it's way through.
Today I was reminded, there is always sunshine after the rain...
And for that I am forever thankful. 

Partly cloudy with a little sunshine.....


xoxoxo

Stacey