My love for edamame is now over

I fixed myself edamame for lunch. I added tuna and a few sun chips to the plate. Healthy and yummy right? I ate one or two edamame a few bites of my tuna and as I went to pick up another edamame  I couldn't finish it. I thought to myself I love these. As I sat dumb founded I remembered the last time I had eaten those were the night I came down with the horrible puke virus a few weeks ago. I had attached that virus with the very taste of the edamame and I no longer wanted it. So I put them in a bag for my kids to eat later. Our senses are so fascinating to me.  Because we can take something we have seen, heard or tasted and attach it to something that stirs either pleasant or unpleasant and sometimes horrifying memories. Just like with me I attached a bad memory aka throwing my guts up with the taste of what use to be my favorite snack. The enemy uses the senses to gain control and to attack in those vulnerable moments with the hopes of making you feel shame and guilt. I work with teenage girls who have been rescued from human trafficking and their triggers are things such as pizza places, white sheets, to smells of cologne and for me those are normal things but to them its a horrific nightmare.  I pray for the day they no longer see images that haunt them. I

believe God can and will not recondition but make NEW those places of shame for not only them but also for those of who you are reading this who walk in constant regret.  I was thinking about my dad the other day and I thought and thought of my last memory that I had of him and sadly I can't bring up any other image beside the one of him laying lifeless in the hospital bed. That image is forever burned in my brain and it makes so sad.  Every time I return to the hospital which is hardly ever that's the first thought always. When  I hear certain songs or see certain things that image is what I see.   I recently began praising God in moments where pain surfaces or guilt moved in to my mind because I know that the Creator of the universe wants to set the captives free.  For some of you it's a sound, a smell or just driving by something that stirs things in you & today I pray that God pours new thoughts into your head and into your heart to counteract the enemies plan to keep you from walking in the redemption He has for you.  Today choose to see God first before any other thing in your path. I am reminded in Psalm 34:8 that God wants you to use your senses to gain more intimacy & security in Him. It says this "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him."  Today don't hide from the shadows of your past instead take refuge.  Gods love for you is lavish it heals, redeems and what the enemy meant for bad God will make good! Be set free today! 

What is that you think you need?

Have you ever wanted something so bad you could taste it? I remember back in my prego days how badly I would crave certain foods. With Rebekah it was HOT wings, fried fish and anything sour I could get my mouth on. For Rachel it was Bojangles seasoned fries & green beans. The one thing I craved with both of them was crushed ice. I mean I couldn't get enough of it. I would send Richard all over Gastonia to get it.  I found out later that it was a sign of low iron. My body was craving something I was running low on.  I am convinced that our souls long for Jesus in ways we cant even attempt to understand yet every fiber of our being is crying out for completion. I recently read in Matthew about Jesus in the wilderness and how the enemy tempted Him not once, twice but three times. In that moment of hunger Jesus saw the enemy for who he was and chose to embrace truth to counteract the lies. We tend to live our lives moment to moment intentionally trying to fill this deep soul craving.  When we become tired, weak and just can't seem to have the strength to stand It's in those places of desperation we have to intentionally choose God over any other source of superficial "must have" fulfillment. The other night at our dinner table I knew Richard was almost home and so I plated our food and told my girls not to start eating until their daddy was home. They sat there at first so patient but after the smell hit their noses they started with one bite then it was another bite until Richard walked in and Rachel had finished her plate. She laughed and said "mom I couldn't take it because it smelled so good and I was so hungry".  We empty ourselves out all day everyday and because we have a constant craving for more we often choose what we see in front of us to complete us. What I realized about this passage of scripture is that the enemy didn't stop. He challenged Jesus and didn't back down in fact he came at Him where weakness was present. Whether it's physical, emotional or sometimes both the enemy has NO power over the outcome. It's our obedience and surrender that positions the Creator to act on our behalf. He fights for us.  Today you may be in the wilderness thirsty, hungry and feeling so needy but remember that you have been chosen and equipped for such a time as this. No matter the results your filling begins with emptying out anything that doesn't line up with the truth of Gods word.  Embrace His word and walk fully in the confidence that He is your only source of completion.  The enemy will come and he will dangle the very thing you think you "need" but know that in the end dark can't exist in light and the enemy will flee. Our hearts divide daily between embracing the beauty of Gods grace and the lies of the enemy - today choose this truth- YOU ARE FREE! :)

Matthew 4:1-11

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: "He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone." 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test." 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only." 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him