The Center

DNA contains the biological map creating each individual, setting one apart from another.  All the information remains tightly bound in the tiny portion of a cell called the nucleus.  The tightly bound package is called a chromosome.  Together, chromosomes provide the makeup which enables a species to develop, survive and reproduce (MUCH LATER IN LIFE). 

I believe something went haywire when all the chromosomes began gathering in each cell, mapping out my makeup.  A dominant gene rampaged and overtook each nucleus.  Taking each chromosome hostage, this gene began instilling irrational thinking, construing the fight or flight mechanism and eventually shutting off the fight switch.  Remaining in flight in any and every situation from the get go dug a hole deeper and deeper to hide out.

The gene has a name: FEAR!  Since I can remember, fear wedged its way into each chapter of life.  A few situations topping the list: darkness, spiders and tornadoes.  The dark blinds, allowing ‘things’ or ‘people’ to sneak up without invitation.  Spiders are just hideous little creatures serving no purpose as far as I am concerned.  And, tornadoes rampage the Earth in unpredictable patterns. 

Let’s talk about tornadoes.  These storms create legitimately real fear among many.  I remember mom gathering us in the hallway bathroom as the sirens blared and dad chose to watch the storm.  Dad remained adventurous, while I held onto a pillow for dear life (like a soft pillow would really blunt the impact of the ceiling).  Mom also supplied a Bible as we curled in the bathtub and near the toilet.  Seeing the Bible actually increased my fear as a child due to the fact that prayers usually meant something bad was about to happen.  I remember prayers only lifted to plead for safety in tough/dangerous situations. 

The sirens blaring indicated the need to seek shelter.  Forewarning allowed preparation for impending storms.  The plan included finding the center most portion of your home where no windows exist or the basement located underground and wait the storm out.  Mom created a bag prepared with food/water/necessities in case we ever had to remain in our safe haven for extended periods of time.  We were ready!

Are you ready?  Not for the storms occurring in nature, but the storms occurring spiritually.  These storms outweigh any that Mother Nature can construe.  You know the storms: bad report from the doctor, words spoken in anger, divorce, death of loved ones, overwhelming stress, addiction, etc.  In this world we will have storms BUT, take heart, God calms the worst of them. . .

God gathers all tools required for survival.  He stands waiting, arms open wide.  His angel armies provide a protective barrier from fiery darts.  His Word clears away the storm, keeping focus on purpose and meaning. 

Sometimes in life, storms come full force without warning.  No siren blares.  No time exists to run for shelter.  We must be ready at all times.  Preparation is key. 

What does the center of your ‘home’ look like?  Is there still a vacancy deep down, leaving you helpless in the storm?  Build your toolbox today!  Fill the vacancy with God.  Find comfort in Him, peace in His Word and guidance through the Holy Spirit.  No storm can withstand His power.  Pray without ceasing!  Don’t wait until the storm is full force to seek God through prayer.  Pray daily harder than the devil can work. 

With Love     

Sheree Craig    Live life. . .One Day at a Time

The Root

The birds chirping, longer evenings, sun shining, fresh air and wardrobe change all indicate newness.  A new season approaches.  New flowers begin to bloom.  New sports rev up for the season.  New outlook from those hibernating in cold months.  The list can continue. . .

With the new comes on tedious chore I actually LOVE to complete (yes, I have issues).  As the flowers bloom, providing beauty to the eye, weeds come alongside working diligently to choke and steal all nutrients required for floral beauty.  I step in and battle this endless chore.  It relieves any stress/emotion brewing inside as I pull with all might at each weed.  I enjoy finishing, looking back and admiring such clean flower beds. 

Like I said. . .issues!

Think about this chore.  Recall the time when reaching to pull that hideous weed that suffocates the most beautiful flower in your garden.  When pulled, the dull, boring, colorless top comes up easily. . .yet, below the ground the root remains.  The very lifeline to support such a useless weed still waits and steals nutrients from the garden. 

The root must be extracted in order to remove all chances of the same weed returning.  I know, not rocket science, but stick with me.  Think about pulling the weed, leaving some of the root visible.  You can see it, touch it and know full well it must come out!  But, with each touch, fingers slip and no grip can be established.  Working to rid of the suffocating portion, emotions develop and frustration sets in. 

You could grab a shovel and show that root who’s boss.  You could grab the spray and give the root a bit of its own medicine, suffocating the existence of it.  But, what pride would come from simply using such tools to eliminate this root.  Pulling it out of the ground, viewing all the holds it had underneath and pitching it in the garbage brings a sense of victory and power.

Do you have a root planted deep in your life?  Is it time to dig out the very thing suffocating your life?  Are you working diligently; yet, slipping further away with each effort?

Frustration sets in as my eye sees the root established at the core extending deeper still causing struggle to digest life.  Without proper nutrients, life situations overwhelm and processing such seems impossible.  The root steals nutrients, kills joy and destroys me.  Day by day I work to pull it up and pitch it for good; but, day by day pride weakens the grip, leaving the root embedded.

Proper tools must come on the scene and overpower.  The strength deadens as Grace covers the surface.  Suffocation vanishes as Love sinks down deep.  The vacancy of such a root fills as Freedom pours out.  It is then, true beauty shines, peace felt and purpose fulfilled. 

Sound good?  Sound possible?  It is, my dear friend!  Let us tend to our garden!  Be certain to get to the root, stand up to it and show the root Who is in control.  Shine your beauty today.     

With Love     

Sheree Craig    Live life. . .One Day at a Time

Let’s PLAY this Year?

It’s a brand new day.  Wait a minute. . .it’s a brand new year!  What are you going to do?  What did last year teach you about life?  What steps may need to shift in order to begin a different path?

Finances, health, attitude, status, etc.  Most people pick 1+ from this list.  We tend to reflect on the past year with negative perspective in order to condemn and berate self into becoming a “better” person the upcoming days.  We give power to each goal, thinking it will bring happiness; then, place large amounts of pressure on self each day to attain lofty goals.  Envision what life would look like if that goal were reached. . .

Would you truly be happy?  Or, would you just be a smaller size with a heavy heart?  Would you be out of debt but swimming in pain?  Would you be smiling on the outside while burying discontent with self?  The list can go on and on and on. . .

I think I am going to throw away all of that stuff and PLAY this year!  Finances, let them go.  Health, it will all be good.  Attitude, which will come.  Status, no worries there.  I have been observing over the holiday break, especially since life knocked me down with a virus.  I watched my children run around, laugh hard enough to bring tears, rest and enjoy every moment given.  How can they have so much joy while this life brings much trial, trouble and tribulation everywhere you turn?

They play.  They hold responsibilities, get chores done, help whenever asked and take care of their health each day; yet, never lose joy.  They play.  So, I am going to mimic them and PLAY this year.

Pray with focused purpose.  I am going to diligently lift up individuals with exact purpose.  I am going to place all the worries of this world, the troubles in my heart and the emotions stirring in His hands.  He wants them anyway.  He does not intend for us to face any of this alone.  When trying to go at this world under fleshly strength, failure will always result.  Choosing goals to attain this year under fleshly perspective lead us to overwhelming pressures our shoulders cannot bear.  No more of these games.  I want to ask Him the path to take each day, everything else OF this world will fall into place.

22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.  Luke 12:22

Learn something new each day.  Not necessarily a life changing fact; but, just learn something each day.  Maybe a fact that will assist me on the career path.  Maybe an idea that will provide a connection to a loved one.  Maybe a skill that allows me to engage in activity with the kids.  Who knows?  But, I want to learn something new each day.

5 let the wise listen and add to their learning,
    and let the discerning get guidance—  Proverbs 1:5

Act on the Scriptures read daily.  I can read the Bible until I am blue in the face; but, lack of action keeps a Christian lukewarm.  God does not accept lukewarm.  I want to live it out.  I want no doubt as to Who I serve when I walk into a room.

16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Revelation 3:16

Yearn for each moment.  No more dread, regardless the situation.  Every moment happens to benefit my life.  Be it stormy, sunny or just a cloudy kind of day; each serves a mighty purpose in the story written for my life.  A lesson needing learned, faith needing growth or pure enjoyment needing experienced.  Whatever the case, I want to yearn to live it, not dread.

1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God.  Romans 5:1-2

And, each moment. . .Keep praying harder than the devil can work!
Sheree Craig

The One Piece to Living

Think about the following question for a minute before continuing to read.  What does it mean to live?

Some may correlate the word with alive.  In that case, the answer arrives simply by checking the function of lungs/heart.  Is that it?  As long as breath enters and blood pumps throughout the body, we are living?  No, no, no, go back to the original question:  What does it mean to live?

I can tell you that the body given, organs placed strategically by a Mighty Physician, features aligned just so to provide a unique and beautiful vessel and all this working together daily does not sum up living.  That equates being alive.  I want to talk about living.  See, I spent 6+ days alive (at times I was not so sure), but not living.  My lungs worked (the continuous hacking confirmed that), the heart continued to beat (at times boiling blood confirmed by the thermometer displaying triple digits) and each system kept trucking along fighting off such a terrible virus.  But, no part of those 6+ days I would consider living.  I existed, as a lump on the couch whose presence was known by random moaning and hacking so loud the neighbors could hear. 

I sat and watched the other members of the home live.  The scenes were difficult to watch as I knew I could not play a part.  The laughter beautiful, but brought jealousy due to lack of energy to join.  The peace filled home continued just as is without any contribution from me.  The sad part about the whole situation: had I not been down with the virus, I am not sure I would be taking part in such fun, laughter and peace anyway. 

See, I have been alive for 30+ years, heart beating and lungs breathing; but, I can count on one hand how many of those years I actually spent living.  I have been too caught up in society to live. 

¹⁰ Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.  Galatians 1:10

Yep, win the approval of human beings hijacked each day.  Therefore, I worked diligently to clean the house spotless daily (endless job with kids), place exercise as a requirement in order to eat, spent time nitpicking in front of the liar of a mirror, put everything in its place and worked with all effort to look perfect on the outside.  Meanwhile, my children wanted to play Legos, show mom their newest skill, color together, watch their favorite movie together and just get a hug.  My husband wanted attention, to talk about his day, a kiss from his wife and to relax in our home.  I had this living thing all wrong.

Coming down with the virus is not something people desire.  But, I will say I am thankful for every lesson learned while caught up in this storm of pain, weakness and suffering.  It brought humility, reality check and a stronger faith.

Humility in the form of allowing others to do something for me due to the fact I could not even make it to the restroom without crawling (slowly at that).  Reality check in the form of watching what goes on in the home whilst I would have been cleaning, organizing and stressing about preparation for the following day.  Stronger faith in the form of feeling the arms of God hold me tightly through each moment of healing.  God and I held many conversations pertaining to the steps required for healing.  He provided encouragement, strength and hope while providing many lessons along the way.  God is good ALL the time!

So, back to the original question. . . What does it mean to live?

Are you living or just alive?  Take a moment and check on that answer.  Living involves loved ones surrounding, embracing, laughing, helping and loving as God intended.  Living involves purpose, focus on serving and caring for the body provided.  The Mighty Physician provided all needed to be alive in the womb; but, left one piece open which is required for living.  The Holy Spirit fits perfectly into position and living can begin.  We must invite the Holy Spirit into our lives.  And. . .

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.  

Sheree Craig

He Understands

40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.  Luke 2:40

As you come up from the waters of baptism, you rise cleansed, refreshed and renewed.  No more sin, difficulties, temptations, sadness, anger, harsh words or unclean hearts, right?  All is good, the flesh is dead and the Holy Spirit awakened.  True; but, the world did not make the same decision that day.  The world will bring trial and tribulation upon flesh.  The flesh will fail; but, take heart God is strength.  The Holy Spirit activated within provides guidance, sustenance and joy.  

Jesus, born a child in flesh, required growing.  Scripture tells of His growing time in order to become strong, filled with wisdom and receiving the grace of His Father.  Why would the situation be any different for us?  Arising from the waters of baptism, life here on Earth continues.  We must grow in wisdom in order to be strong and courageous Christians.  God’s grace is present and offered to each of us; but, we must persevere in a relationship with our Father.  

52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.  Luke 2:52

Jesus, born a child in flesh, required growing.  Scripture tells of His growing time in order to receive more wisdom, respect, a voice amongst man and recognition as Son of God.  Why would the situation be any different for us?  We must continue growing daily in His Word to receive more wisdom.  Learning to shine His Light to others by becoming a vessel requires gentle boldness.  We need not beat others over the head with Scriptures; yet, walk as Jesus did in love for all.  It is then, we will be heard, respected and the recognition will reveal as being a child of God.  

21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

23 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry.
Luke 3:21-23a

Did you catch that?  Jesus was baptized.  Why would Jesus require baptism?  He is the Son of God, directly from Him.  My dear friends, the account of Jesus sets the example for our lives.  He knew no sin; yet, received every temptation, grew in wisdom, drew strength from God, went to the waters of baptism, received the Holy Spirit and found favor with God and man.  It took Jesus thirty years to begin His ministry.  He understands patience, difficulty, rejection, perseverance, pain, sadness, etc.  He understands what YOU are going through right now.  So, why not turn to Him for guidance, love, support, comfort and joy?

My dear friends, take this time of year as opportunity to learn about Him.  Watch throughout the Bible as His story unfolds, from birth on that cold, scary night until death on the cross.  He began life in rejection and left the same way; yet, remained focused on His mission.  He kept His eyes pointing to our Father.  He lived daily with the Scripture ringing loudly in His mind: 9 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

Emmanuel!  Emmanuel!  Emmanuel!  

If God is for and with us daily, who can be against us?  
Keep praying harder than the devil can work.  Sheree Craig

Stain Guard Your Spirit

Each day goes by involving a new outfit.  Not sure about you, but my favorite part of the day includes changing into pajamas and comfy socks.  Dependent on the hours and activity, the first outfit lands in the dirty clothes hamper.  

My children bring in even more dirty clothes to the mix.  My husband drops quite a few as well into the hamper.  Amongst all these clothes, each piece tells a mighty story.  The red marking on my daughter’s pant leg reveals the secret that lunch landed in her lap.  The ink line across my son’s shirt exposes the mistake of not clicking the pen in while putting away other items.  The stench (God love him) from my husband’s workout clothes displays the hardship of such intense work done earlier that day.  The mystery stains appearing on my pants explains the lack of patience to reach/find paper towels.

All this exemplifies life experienced each day.  The difficulty/frustration comes into play when clothes run through the washer without treatment.  Stains can easily be missed, especially when little ones tend to throw clothes in hamper inside out and wadded up like a basketball.  Yes, they are still young and I cannot place full blame on them for missing such stains.  But, really, how am I supposed to keep nice clothes in presentable order if I cannot see stains or have no idea they exist?  -Rant over-

As I dwell on such thoughts, a correlation to my spiritual life surfaces.  See, each day involves new mercies; but, that does not erase sinful actions hidden in the day prior.  Every circumstance, word, action or thought tells a mighty story.  Days come and go that my spiritual life looks like a pile of stained up, filthy clothing.  The word spoken through a frustrated mouth reveals lack of peace.  The drawn mouth displayed for all to see exposes failure to experience joy.  The blank stare displays the absence of love.  The slamming of items, stomping of feet and tensing of muscles due to ‘stress’ explains the lack of maturity in my Christian journey.

The struggle is real.  The battle occurs daily.  The stains appear before I can catch/prevent them.  Be whatever the trigger, temptation or trial; we all experience the moments when a stain clings tight to our spirit.    

Thankfully, God offers grace.  God reminds us to daily clothe ourselves in clean spirit, remembering the new creation has come.  Leave the old, tattered and stained up spirit behind.  Pray fervently and God will reveal the sin binding your life.  One sin at a time, God provides strength to overcome sinful nature.  He knows just the most perfect time for cleansing to take place.  He carefully exposes the words preventing peace.  He peels back the hidden memories stealing joy.  He lathers each moment in love and matures our spirit each day.  He keeps us clean and looking snazzy!  

No stain scares Him.  No stench prevents Him from drawing near.  He will bring peace, joy and love into every moment.  Daily clothe yourself in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.    

 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.[b] 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  Colossians 3:5-14

Dressing for the occasion keeps stains at bay.  Be ready my dear friends, for the enemy prowls around looking to overtake a situation God has planned to benefit His Kingdom.  Stain guard your spirit by living out Truth, keeping your eyes on things above.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.  Sheree Craig

One Question

That time of year rolls around again.  You know, full bellies, empty bank accounts, increase in travel while decrease in relaxation.  Stress builds when family gatherings fail in expectation.  Frustration enters the scene when that one special gift sells out.  Depression can seep into the season as darkness sets in earlier and thoughts of loved one’s absence due to various causes.  The holidays do not always bring joy, laughter and peace to everyone.

For some, the struggle is real.  Whether it be loss of a loved one, loneliness, eating disorders, depression, alcoholism, etc.; the holidays can trigger so much pain, difficulty and anxiety.  How can we overcome such inevitable triggers?

One question rings loudly in my ears.  It was asked at church during the children’s Thanksgiving celebration.  The question takes focus off self and destructive thinking.  The question begins the season on the right foot.  The question is deep; yet, one heard every year. . .

What are you most thankful for?

Seems pretty trivial, huh?  But, what if we took this question into account EVERY day?  Before stepping foot on the floor, we answered this question and praised the One that provides. 

I found it difficult to answer such a question that day.  Again, the question arises every year and I can easily ask others for an answer; but, I could not narrow it down. . .

My job – I cannot describe in words the thanks felt for the current position held.  It provides all I ever desired in a career and I look forward to going each day.  My family – well, that is a given.  The three individuals that put up with me daily are amazing.  My health – definitely.  I never imagined such healing that has taken place over the last year. 

All these items rank highly on the list.  To be honest, I hid my true answer due to fear of judgement.  My true answer to the above question may seem cheesy or basic to most.  Over the years I have come to realize what really matters most in life.  I have quite a bit to go in maturity; but, here are a few points to keep in mind when observing thanks.

In the morning, take a moment to look at the sky.  Go ahead, look at it!  Beauty is available to us at any moment of the day.  Thank You God for such a peaceful picture.  Before getting out of bed, take a moment to breathe.  I mean it, take a full complete breath!  Life is given freely and another moment available to impact others.  Thank You God for such an opportunity as this.  While driving to a destination, turn the radio off and prepare yourself.  Though we know not the exact details which lay ahead, the place holds purpose in our story.  Thank You God for trusting us to serve in such a mighty way.  At the next meal, take a moment to chew and allow every taste bud to participate in the activity.  Seriously, enjoy the food!  Thank You God for such nourishment provided daily.  Then, when lying down at night, close your eyes and breathe deeply.  Another day written down in your story; whether success or failure fill the pages, purpose exists.  Thank You God for working all this stuff here on Earth out for good for those loving You!

Now, had I answered the question as such, the kids would have looked at me as though I had three heads.  But, I can tell you that remaining focused on these things keeps the devil at bay.  The triggers of this season hold no power against a thankful heart.  Filling thoughts with Truth guards and protects the mind from toxicity.  Adjusting the eyesight from worldly things to Eternal treasures keeps purpose in the center of every scene. 

Triggers hold the ability to come full force blindside.  I promise you, beginning the day in thanksgiving and praise will provide a solid ground with which to stand and strength to overcome those sneaky triggers.  Will the pain, difficulty and anxiety appear?  Yes; but, with solid ground, clean hearts, protected mind and clear eyesight, processing through and healing from such moments comes quickly.  The Holy Spirit, activated within, arrives just in time to wield off the enemy and his schemes. 

Will you join me and begin today living in thanksgiving?  It need not be just one time a year.  Let us focus on one thing every day and be in continual praise to God for such a beautiful life.  Remember, we are not Home yet and do not belong here.  Keep focused on Eternity – our true Home.

AND. . .Keep praying harder than the devil can work. 

Sheree Craig