Hope

Are you facing a difficult time in your life?  Do you have even a spot of hope?  If so, don't give up - give it to God.  God promises He'll never leave or forsake us.  Because it's in His Word, He has to do what He said He'll do.  He truly is incapable of lying to His children.

Life is cruel sometimes and people we love can be just as cruel but often times it's because they are fighting something on the inside.  Maybe they don't know what it means to trust and hope in something greater than themselves....don't try to change them or their mind, give them to God.  God is the miracle worker and He is so patient, gentle and kind...never will He lash out in anger, say things He'll regret, belittle or hurt you....He will only love, love, love you.  So place your HOPE in God.  He is there to see you through.

#startingover15 is just my way to share with you how God is with me and has been with me over the last 6 year journey and counting.
From one woman to many others like me....it's okay, you'll be okay.  We will be okay...just continue to place your situation in God's hands. 

I am what I choose to become

Reflecting on our past can sometimes be a good thing...but also hurtful.  I know I am not the only one out there with a past riddled with ups and downs, hurts and disappointments, life altering instances.  Nor am I the only one who's chosen to stand up and move forward.  It's not always easy for us to make the choice - but we must if we ever want to be more than the circumstance dictated.

Be in control of YOUR OWN life...not your spouse's, not your children's...YOURS.  Do you want to be happy?  You can be happy.  If you want to be a college graduate, BE ONE...don't let anything stand in your way - you choose your destiny.  Do you want to lose weight?  Make the choices for your own body to help yourself lose weight!  Don't wait for someone to help or encourage you - you've got to take the first, the second, the third steps and never stop - but you CAN do it!

If I'm learning anything in this life right now, I'm learning that I have wants, and basic needs that must be met for my internal happiness and I have to take care of those myself, regardless of my marital, career, friendship or parental status.  I have to find the way to fulfill those basic wants and needs all on my own - becoming empowered to do that - means taking a step in believing in what I can become!

Here's to all of us - men, women, married, single, widowed, young and old...it's never too late to choose your path to happiness!  #startingover15 with a new frame of mind!!

Forgiving without an apology

Forgiving without an apology - is the greatest gift you can...or shall I say, we can give ourselves.
It seems life has a way of throwing us into situations where this handy tool must be used time and time again - and we are better for it.

I have some very personal situations in my life that have caused some deep pain for not only myself but others who are very dear to me...we've all had our turn with sleepless nights, upset stomachs, hurt, confusion, brokenness...but one situation in particular has really caused some deep soul searching.  To ignore it, is foolish.  To act out in anger, foolish.  The only solution has been to pray about it.  There is nothing too big for God.  So with each action - we give it to God and forgive.  We love, we keep pressing forward trusting He has it all in control.  What we don't do is get so wrapped up in it that we lose our peace.

Today if you have something troubling you I encourage you to let go of it, put it in God's hands and forgive the offender.  You need peace in your life, just as I do.  Don't go around gossiping about it - take it to the Lord, your hurt is safe with Him.  In doing so, you will become stronger.

Each day is a gift and a new chance to begin fresh...#startingover15
Here's to forgiveness!!  May we all freely give and freely receive!!

Living with purpose

It's an incredible realization...to find your purpose.

Each of us have to search that out.  I don't believe we should be like leaves in the wind being tossed about and then left to be walked on.  I believe we should seek to discover...  Who am I?  What do I want to do?  How can I leave a positive mark on the lives of those in my reach?

So many of us spend years looking for ourselves.  We never quite figure out who we are or what we want to be until something major happens in our life.  It may be the birth of a child, the death of a friend or loved one, a marriage or divorce...whatever it is - it causes us to take a serious inventory of our life and decide if we really know and like who we are, and do we want to change?

For me - it seems like life has taken so many twists and turns that I've had to truly learn to look to God for my identity.  For years I was...Roland and Margie's daughter, Jamie.  Then I was Jamie Lynn, then I was Staci's little sister, then I was Jamie...or Stowell...then I became a wife...then I was Kaitlyn and Aubrey's mom... then I was single again and became a "single mom"....then I became a gramma....now I am my most favorite version of myself... I am Jamie Baker....wife of Greg, gramma, mom, friend...and daughter of the King of Kings.

No matter what happens in life - that's who I am!  I am blessed...I am favored.  No part of my identity can be taken from me, those titles will forever remain!!

My job is to love, encourage, support, create, pray for and cultivate good memories for the remainder of my years on this earth....What an incredible position in life! Such purpose!!

As we #startover15 let us remember if we have God on our side, love in our lives....everything will work out for our good!

Search and rescue

Don't give up praying for the things have been broken, may lack or are missing from your life! 

 God is in the business of restoration, healing and blessings!!!

There's that old song - that says...

 You may be down today, just look up - help is on the way!  Dark clouds may dim your skies, but He will answer you by and by!!

I am seeing God's healing in my own life.   I can't tell you all the ways He's healing my life's brokenness - I can just tell you He is.  My husband told me last night that he's seeing a bit of the Jamie he's missed come back and well, I am trusting that to be true.  Each day I pray for God to heal me from the inside out.  I've been praying that prayer for as long as I can remember now and little by little the evidence is there to show me just all He's doing on my behalf.

He doesn't just heal one part - He heals it all.  We just have to be patient, have faith and know God is our greatest advocate, healer, physician, counselor, friend and loving father.

As you take on your day, with all the ups and downs, 

just keep telling yourself that God is on your side.  You too, will start to believe it and receive it.

#startingover15 #healingcomes #recovery #restoration

Taking a time out

Don't you wish you had someone telling you that you need to go take a nap?  Or maybe you've been inside too long and you need to go outside and play for a while?

We get so wrapped up in our lives sometimes that we forget to slow down and take some time for ourselves and our loved ones.  

I recently took a new position for a company that has me away from home far more than I or my husband likes.  I'm up early, on the road for close to an hour, at work for an 8 hour day and then traveling home again.  It takes my time and my energy just to keep the pace up and if I'm not careful it will rob my time and energy away from the ones who really matter.

As I was driving to work this morning I began praying that God would show me how to balance it all and not lose myself in the midst.  Making sure I give the proper time to God, my husband, my family, my job and myself.  It's not always easy - but it is possible, and sometimes - we just have to make the time.

He tells us in Hebrews Chapter 4 that He's made a way for us to enter into His rest.

When I trust Him to meet my needs - I am able to take some time for my family, my husband and myself.

I am looking forward to this weekend, where I can recharge my batteries, enjoy my husband and enter into His perfect rest.

Here's to #startingover15

Don't give up...

I want to send you a note of encouragement.  Don't stop praying for whatever need you have in your life.  I actually did give up for a time...you know?  I settled for less than I deserved and was never satisfied with my life or relationships.  What a terrible waste of time and energy.

So for those of you who read this little blog - please don't make the same mistakes I did.  Don't settle for less in your job, in your relationships and your friendships.  If you aren't getting out of it what you're putting into it - pray, pray, pray!!!  God does answer  prayers and He does provide.

I'm not telling you to ask for a divorce or quit your job.  I'm saying pray about it.  Give it to God and let Him work things out for your good.  Don't rush it or make decisions based on feelings.  Let God open and close doors for you.  Let Him heal your broken spirit and bring peace in your life.  Let Him calm the storms and carry the burden.  I know from experience - prayer brings change.  Just don't give up!!

Some days I feel like I need to pinch myself.  I know I cried many tears, prayed an endless prayer of thanks and gratitude for my "single" life and cooked more than my fair share of dinners for one over the last 6 years...but as I sit here and type my heart is full with gratitude to God alone for providing me with such a gift as I've found in my husband.

My thoughts are with you - with all of us that we be consistent in our prayers.  That we exercise our faith and keep believing that God can and will!!

#startingover15 #dontquitbeforeyourmiraclehappens