TGIF

"Thank God it's Friday!" According to Wikipedia this is a common U.S. expression of relief at the end of the work week and anticipation of  the weekend. It has come to have little meaning other than "I'm glad it's Friday!" or "It's the weekend, let's party."

Take a closer look. It says THANK GOD it's Friday. Have you ever literally thanked God for your Friday?Why not pray to God right now praising him for today...and then if someone says to you "Thank God it's Friday" you can say "I already did!"

Isn't it ironic how we take sayings such as this for granted? Our money is printed with the phrase "In God We Trust." Do we? Economic times are hard right now, when you are paying your bills are you saying "God I trust you" or just "Oh my god."

The Battle Hymn of the Republic is a popular military anthem. We sing, "His truth is marching on." That line is referring to God. It says HIS truth is marking on. Is it? Are we marching in the truth, passing it on? One of the verses says:

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,
While God is marching on.

It is suggested that if you are not military you change the lyrics from "let us die to make men free" to "let us LIVE to make men free."

I hope I am living to make men and women free. Free to live a life for Jesus, to praise him and thank him in all things.

Thank you God, it's Friday! 

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

God Picked You!

I didn't get the job. And at the time to my 24 year old self,  it seemed earth shattering. Another rejection. I did get a lovely rejection letter, but I was still rejected.

Then almost one year later I got another letter. The person hired for the job didn't work out, and would I consider interviewing again.  I would, and I did, and I got the job! I worked at that job until the birth of my first child. I also learned a valuable lesson.

I didn't get that job, but I was in fact the best person for the job.  The employer selected the older candidate, because she had more experience than 24 year old me. But she didn't last a year.  I was the best person for the job. But I still wasn't initially picked.  Because that employer wasn't God. He made mistakes.

We will get rejected in life. Sometimes even when we don't deserve it. Truly, we aren't always the best person for the job, but even if we are that is no guarantee. There is only one guarantee in life, and that is that God picked you! He picked you! He loves you and wants you to be His. In God's family you are never second best. You are never over looked. You are never left behind. God picked you. 

I didn't have to take that job when I was offered it, but I did, and it was a good decision. You don't have to take God's offer either. But if you do, I can assure you it will be a good decision. God picked you. Now pick him back!  It's not just a good decision. It is a match made in heaven.

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

Mices, Lices and Vices

Mouse poop could only mean one thing.  We had mice.  And of course I didn’t want anyone to know. What would people think if they knew I had mice?  Would they think I had a dirty house?

A visit from the exterminator helped the problem.  We had an opening in the garage that allowed the mice to gain entrance into the house.  Once we plugged up the opening, the problem was solved. No more mice.

Several months later I received a phone call that no mom wants to receive. “My daughter had such a fun play date at your house earlier this week.  You know they played hairdresser? I found out my daughter has lice and probably gave it to your daughter.  You better check her.”  What? Sure enough, my daughter caught head lice.

And of course I didn’t want anyone to know. What would people think if they knew my child had head lice?  Would they think my child was dirty?

A call to the pediatrician helped the problem.  Lice actually prefer clean hair. And with the window of opportunity open (a shared hairbrush), they easily entered my daughter’s scalp.  Once they were there they were not easy to get rid of.  It took lots hard work.

After the lice incident, I forwarded a funny blog post I’d found on head lice to the mom of the other girl.  The post was laced with profanity, and we were both Christians.  But I found the post amusing, so I joked, “I think profanity is allowed in cases of head lice.”

The mom responded to my email.  “It was cute but no swearing - that means Satan has a hold of my mouth/heart” Then, as if to soften the blow she added, “Trust me I have plenty of other vices.”

Vices? It’s embarrassing enough to have mice or lice.  But now someone knows about my vice! Of course I don’t want anyone to know.  What would people think if they knew about my vices?  Would they think I had a dirty mind?

Like with the mice, an opening allowed sin in my heart.  Like with lice, an opportunity (such as a bad attitude) allowed the vice to easily enter my heart.  And as in both situations, vices are not easy to get rid of! It requires lots of hard work.

In this case, we need to focus on God. We need to pray for forgiveness for the vice.  We need to find Bible verse to support us.  Finally, we can enlist the help of an accountability partner.  Like the exterminator or pediatrician, having another person involved can help keep us on the right track and encourage us.

Whether you have mices, lices or vices, I encourage you today not to feel overwhelmed, or concerned about what others might think. Instead focus on getting rid of your problem, and enlisting the help of a support system.  

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com