The Fish Tank

"Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." Hebrews 10:25 I sat at the island in my kitchen listening to Grandma Fish share stores of her adventures with Grandpa Fish. What a cool experience! She had quite the life with him and while her stories made me miss him, I relished in her listening to her talk. We all have stories to tell, life lived, scars to explain. Many times we are too hurried or rushed to hear the fullness of someone's life. We think we know someone's story because we read about it on Facebook or Twitter or heard about it from a friend. We know in our hearts, however, that the stories portrayed on the internet aren't our full life or even our real life. God, the author and perfector, creates beautiful, magical, crazy stories in our lives. He does this for us to live a fully abundant life but also that we may share with one another how we are journeying th...

Instant gratification. Fast. Hurried. Rushed. Five minute meals. Eight minute abs. Click one button and receive the answer now. Earn quick cash with little work. Order something on-line with one click and get it the next day. Take a pill and get skinny. Don't have time for God? I have a five minute devotion for ya. Shall I continue? We all know we live in a day where quick is our normal. There are countless blogs, commentaries, articles, interviews, and research based upon our society and our need to have things now. If someone doesn't instantly respond to our text or email we go into a frenzy wondering why-are they mad at me? Are they hurt? I believe quick is becoming our enemy. "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10 We don't know how to live. We really don't. We know how to hurry. We don't know how to enjoy a sunset or the beautiful long eyelashes on our precious child's face. We are too busy finding out how to do something faster. Too dist...

17 years ago I walked into the kitchen at Chevy's Mexican Restaurant crying over the break-up of my high school boyfriend and I. Little did I know I would walk right by my future husband. He a busser; me a hostess. I was a young 17 year old. He was fresh out of the military a clean shaven 23 year old. We would talk over the "chipper" by the hostess desk becoming fast friends. We began talking over the phone having those three hour long conversations talking much about nothing. Man, I miss those precious moments. I remember checking the schedule at work to find out this handsome man's last name. Fish. How could it be Fish. I knew in my heart at that moment I would one day take on that name. With that thought I wondered how I could become Mrs. Fish knowing I was going to teach elementary school. I also wondered how our children would fare. I cannot imagine carrying on with any other last name. I take pride in this name hoping I walk in grace with it. I am privileged to...

'Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.' 1 Chronicles 4:10 The prayer of Jabez became a national best-selling book when Scott began his career. I have prayed this prayer over him on and off for years. When we began building the house I knew this was the verse I would write in his office. I came to the house often and would kneel in each room and pray. I remember being in the office writing that verse praying over Scott and having an overwhelming sensation to not pray that prayer unless I was ready for God to make a move, a big move, in my husband's life. I kind of shrugged it off and continued praying anyway. We have been in our home for about four months now and God is already moving in Scott's career. I prayed believing the prayer of Jabez for Scott but never thought God would move this fast. ...

"Just because someone has more followers than you doesn't mean they're better than you. Hitler had millions. Jesus had 12." Funny how God works sometimes...well, all the time. I often forget that He knows my thoughts and ways before they even happen. I woke up this morning to my daily verse, devotion, and the quote above all saying the same thing. I, like you, have struggles. I, like many women, have insecurities. In this day and age where status has meaning and how many followers you have on whatever social media you fancy is important. I struggle. I say I don't but let's be real, subconsciously someone out there has convinced us this stuff matters. I know I am only 35 (even thought I cannot believe it), but I have learned through my growing up that more friends or "followers" doesn't mean a more fulfilled life. Being invited to every event isn't the end-all-be-all. Being included in every play date isn't the most important thing. What...

"Let Me help you get through this day." Jesus Calling Sometimes I look for the big blunders or problems when I hear Him tell me to let Him help me through the day. I am wondering when the life-altering event is going to occur forcing me to my knees in pure abandon because I have no where else to go and don't know what else to do. I forget the little things; those moments when I am exhausted and can't move another muscle but have three hungry boys to feed. Those moments when the laundry is STILL in the washing machine and I have already run it twice because I left it the first time and didn't want it to start to smell. Those moments when I really desire to be slow to anger but my patience was tested all day. There was shaving cream all over my kitchen and the kids but we were laughing and letting chaos be chaos. We went outside in our close and danced in the hose enjoying the moment and Texas heat. And then it happened. In between popsicles and running around the...

"Mary sat at the Lord's feet listening to what He said. But Martha was busy with all the things that had to be done." Luke 10:39-40 I am a busy-body. I have to be on-the-go constantly and cannot comprehend relaxing or taking a nap. There are things to do; people to see. If I don't complete the tasks now they will pile up into an unmanageable pile of overwhelming chaos. My husband, however, knows exactly how to relax. Sometimes I get mad when I see him napping in all his splendor of peace while other times, I envy him. I am always telling the boys to rest their bodies because rest is good for their souls and helps them grow. Yet, I don't follow my own instructions. Too many demands. Too many texts and emails to respond to, pictures to upload, meals to prepare, laundry to fold. Summer began a week ago in our home and I am completely and utterly in heaven having all the boys home with no real agenda. I felt free that first summer day. It got me to thinking about h...