I was holding my baby in my arms when the lights went out. I called my husband and said, "Honey, did you forget to pay the bill? The lights went out." He shockingly reported that there was just no money. "Until when?" I asked. He reluctantly responded that he wasn't sure.

We have our own business. We had to pay the installers, buy equipment and supplies. Then, we had what was left. The economy had just begun to slide and this month, nothing was left. I cried softly, so as not to scare the little angel that God had entrusted to us to provide for. I prayed inwardly so only God could hear my fear. I felt disrespected and lost. I was mad... That was 6 years ago. Everything worked out. My parents came to our rescue. But what really got worked out through that season was a lesson in communication.

My husband felt obligated to handle all our problems on his own.  He felt it was his role to keep me safely "in the dark". Some men feel they have to guard us. What must be guarded is every conversation, every emotion and every decision. So we walked and talked. We concluded that we had to be completely transparent going forward. We had to trust each other with 'the real' and insist that information would never be misused. We vowed to pray and be patient and understanding with each other.

Here's the challenge ladies--When your man says you can't afford that new pair of shoes this week, how are you going to respond? Before the work-out comes the stretch. Your reaction may determine his level of disclosure in your relationship. We cringe, but responding calmly and with a heart of understanding should be our favorite thing to do. The more understanding you are, the more he'll ultimately want to gift.

I know through weakness we become strong. I know through vulnerability we are protected. I know the willingness to be exposed assures that we will be covered. I know the more we give the greater we prosper. I know that what we air will be illuminated. Initially, we think the challenges to overcome in marriage are finances, fidelity, commitment. One of the problems is that satan creates confusion. The solution is God-nurturing knowledge. When the lights go out, do not turn on each other--turn ON Jesus. Let Him right in the middle of your mess. He will shine beams of Heaven into your situation. Jesus said it himself in John 14:6, "...I am the Way and the Truth and the Life..." (AMP) and in John 8:12, "...I am the Light of the world." (AMP)

Copyright © 2011 by Michelle Isaac. All Rights Reserved.

"Be still, and know that I am God..." Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

I think about this scripture verse more than any other. As I get older, I recognize the importance of being still. Time spent in prayer, reading the Bible and thanking God for the many blessings in my life have become immensely important to me. Time spent just "talking" to God about my thoughts, my hopes, my dreams... I really do talk to God as I would to a best friend. This time for me is usually at night when my kids are sound asleep, and I am lost in thoughts about the day.

Anyone who knows me, however, will tell you I am anything BUT 'still'. If there is a show on TV that I want to watch, I hop on the treadmill or elliptical to watch it. If the kids are upstairs playing, I am downstairs sharking (steaming) my wood floors. If Robby is out of town, he comes home to a living room completely rearranged! I can't help myself. I feel like there is so much to do and so little time to do it! I could spend lots of time trying to analyze myself (I majored in Psychology at UT), but I have decided to just find the humor in my little quirks.  This one in particular.

This summer is an interesting time for me. The kids are all out of school and out of camps--they are home with me 24/7. They are no longer at an age where they take naps--they are going full speed from the moment they wake up until the second they fall asleep. It's an exhausting and exciting time of year in the Shimanek house. But before school let out this year, I made the conscious decision to stop all of my busyness and be more present in the day-to-day of my family life. You see, this upcoming fall semester will be the first time in 7 years that all 4 of my children will be at the same school full time! "What?" "When did that happen?" Listen, when you hear other parents say, "Enjoy it, the time flies by" they aren't kidding.  It feels like just yesterday I heard the words, "You're having triplets!" Now they are kindergartners! And my Jaxson, well, he will be in 2nd grade! Look, I know I've got many, many more years to go, but these fun and cute years have meant so much to me--and they seem to be slipping away faster than I'd like.

So now, I find myself swimming a little more. Playing more Marco-Polo than mopping floors. Jumping on the trampoline more than hopping on my treadmill. And watching more Shrek and Kung Fu Panda than catching up with friends on Facebook. And while this may mean that the laundry isn't put away every Friday morning and my house isn't Pottery Barn Magazine-ready at all times; I find that I am more at peace. I'm closer to my kids and more thankful than ever for my family. When I was 26 years old, I prayed every day that the Lord would bless Robby and me with kids. I shed MANY tears over countless negative pregnancy tests. I hid from girlfriends that were pregnant because it made my heart hurt that I wasn't pregnant, too. Now fast forward 8 years and I can see God's hand on my entire life. His endless mercies, His countless blessings, His Love and Favor. I think I forgot a little bit about the days of praying for this life I now live. So I recommend to everyone, be present in your life, and be still and know that He is God. 

Copyright © 2011 by Alex Shimanek. All Rights Reserved.

SHINE 2011

Extra, extra, read all about it!!

Yep, it's true!  The SHINE 2011 party is about to begin!  And to kick it all off is the SHINE Brochure debut!  In just a few days - Mother's Day! - you can get your copy at church!  All campuses - even online at Shinewomen.com.  We want you to have lots of time to get this year's theme in your heart...  CONNECT - COMMUNITY - CAUSE!  And for you to have plenty of time to invite all your girlfriends, co-workers and fam chicks to join in on the fun!  This Epic event we call 'SHINE' began over a decade ago, and it is a life-changing gathering of women who simply want to strategically live out our part in God's big beautiful story for this world He loves so dearly!  Frankly, we want to bring as much Heaven to earth and as many earth(lings) to Heaven - ha! - as we can!  So, on Mother's Day, pick up your 2011 SHINE Brochure, and get in on the SHINE journey!

Shine On!
- Pastor Laura and the SHINE Team