Have you ever wondered if God speaks to you? Have you marveled at the thought that God actually wants to communicate through you and even more so, with you? As wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, friends, employees, and servants, there is always so much going on around us and with us.

It is hard to hear the voice of God in a world that overflows and fights for our attention. We allow distractions, busyness, duties and so many other things to cloud both our thinking and dull our listening skills. Before we know it, we have tuned God out and can no longer hear from Him adequately.

You see, it’s not that He isn’t speaking to us or because He stopped speaking through us, but rather because we have not learned or disciplined ourselves to hear His voice consistently. So many outside influences cloud out His voice and before we know it, we feel all alone and at times, completely overwhelmed and lost. This isn’t God’s desire for His children.

John 10:4 says “When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.”

Learning to know and listen consistently for God’s voice is key. So how do we train ourselves to know His voice? It’s rather simple actually. We first need to know how He speaks to us. God speaks differently to each person based upon their personality and individual needs.

For some, the Lord speaks to them while out in nature and appeals to their visual senses. For others, He uses music and words in a song while speaking through their ability to hear rhythm.  There are also the creative type of people. For these people, He usually will use artistic measures in order to appeal and reach out to them. For the studious type of people, He speaks to them through books, and structured learning.

No matter How He speaks, we cannot deny the fact that He does indeed speak and wants to always have an open line of communication with us. If you haven’t heard from Him lately, try the following ways to hear His still small voice once again.

(image via: vineyardcincinnati.com)

1. Start by tuning in. Quiet yourself by getting rid of all the outside distractions.

2. Pray and let Him know that you are listening and that you want to hear His voice again.

3. Look for all the similarities going on in your life at a given time. This is usually Him trying to get you to hear and recognize His voice.

4. Get away and spend some alone time with Him. Whatever modality He uses to speak to you, make sure that you are doing it in your alone time with Him.

5. Take some time to write down (journal) what you hear from Him. This will allow you to be in-tune with His voice.

One thing is for sure, we can always depend on Him to speak to us through His Word. We can trust in Him and know that He has already spoken there. All we have to do is meet Him at His Word and follow His voice.  

#HearingTheVoiceOfGodAgain #TrainingOurselfToListen #KnowingTheShepherdAndHisVoice

Have you ever read something and instantly thought about how it could help someone else if they heard or read it also? Yet, you know deep down in your heart that it was meant to be read by you. Well, this happens to me steadily and more often then I would like to admit. Once I embrace the mindset that the message is in fact intended for me, I then have to contemplate and put into action next steps.

This past week, I attended a writer/speaker conference. I learned so much from the speakers and other women writers in attendance. Upon returning home, I began to think “now what?” I’m not going to try and mislead you, I came home feeling over-whelmed and with a sense of there is a lot of work to be done. Writing and speaking is not as glamorous as it can seem to be. At least to me, it’s not.

I keep thinking, I have a lot of work to do! I mean if I am going to answer this call on my life to write, then I better prepare myself for a lot of work ahead of me. And for someone who is already overworked with being a wife, mother, daughter, teacher and friend, I have to be honest with you, this just doesn’t feel worth all the extra effort of adding one more title to the already over-packed job description. While keeping this in the forefront of my mind, I come across a memento this morning that said “there will always be work to do.” 

I mean, as long as the Lord still has me here on earth and not in heaven yet, I have a purpose to fulfill, a call to answer, work to start, tend to and finish with character. If I’m going to accomplish bringing glory to the ONE who called me in the first place, then my initiative is going to have to start with putting in the work required regardless of if it “feels like” work.

Initiative causes us to see a need, reach out to it and respond to that need with all the love of Christ in us. Really, this is the only responsible thing to do with all that I have learned and been given over the past year. James 1:5 says “If anyone lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” For the next steps of writing, I have asked God for wisdom. He has been faithful to give it through #SheSpeaks15.

Since my call to write just became even more clearer, it is time to remember that as long as I am still here, have breath in me, I will take initiative, serve, put in the work required and seek wisdom from the One who gives it freely to all those who ask.

God is faithful to call us while reminding us of our purpose when we ask Him. Our job is to remember and answer the call, always believing that something amazing is about to happen.

~Misty Ann~

#ThereWillAlwaysBeWorkToDo #AnswerTheCall #SeekWisdomFromGod #BelieveSomethingAmazingIsAboutToHappen

Hello Family and Friends! Late this evening I am heading out to a Women’s conference in North Carolina called She Speaks. It is put on by Proverbs 31 Ministries. If you are not familiar with this women’s ministry, please take some time to check it out.

The sole purpose of this conference is to help beginning writers and speakers grow in their skills. This conference also helps writers and speakers connect with other fellow writers and speakers in the industry. Some people will be meeting with publishers in the hopes of finding a publisher for their new book proposals.

The conference will also have lots of praise and worship with over 800 women in attendance. For many of the women attending, this will be their first time stepping out in faith and putting themselves out there in terms of sharing their calling to speak or write with others.

I am extremely excited and feel privileged to be attending this conference. I almost feel unworthy to go. However, I am not going to allow myself to believe the lie from the enemy. I will be learning from writers that I have admired from a distance for a very long time. Remembering that they two were once in my shoes. I am thankful that they are willing to share all that they have learned along the way with the rest of us in attendance.

I am excited but also extremely nervous. Could you pray for my family and I as we travel out east.

1. Pray for safe travels and traveling mercies.

2. Pray for me to learn lots and to not fall into the comparison trap.

3. Pray for the journey of meeting other women and making friends with those who have a heart for Jesus like I do.

4. Pray for my husband who will be taking care of the kiddos by himself while I am at the conference for three days.

Thank you so much! Your prayers are welcomed and appreciated! :o)

Because of His Mercy and Grace, 

Misty

#SheSpeaks15

Every now and then, it is good to be reminded of the things that makes our heart full and filled with happiness, joy, beauty and contentment. Since the Lord has made us all uniquely different, those things look different for each person. A simple reminder allows us to feel connected and closer to God and it gives us the encouragement we need in times of doubt.

A few nights ago, I was watching a show that had just came back on after a nine month hiatus. The first new episode was an extension and a reminder of the parting show last season. Since the last show ended in Autumn and the first show was a recap so to speak of that episode, I was instantly reminded of all things Fall. My heart instantly began to jump with delight. You see, I love Autumn. It is my favorite time of year. School starts back up after a long Summer break. We begin to see pumpkins, apples, harvest, and the fruits of farming come to life. We see bundles of hay, corn, sunflowers, acorns and the changing of leaves on the trees. The air becomes cooler and crispier. Lots of time is spent watching football. Moms and wives are in the kitchen making their family’s favorite homemade soups, baked breads, cookies, cider and Thanksgiving meals.  People begin to look inward and thank the Lord for their many blessings. September comes in as a harvest reminder. October brings a time of dress up and we see the changes in full effect. November brings feasts, family gatherings, hunting, camping trips and the beginnings of preparation to celebrate the Coming King.

Although it is a little early to be thinking of Autumn, I cannot help but to reminisce and be inspired by what season is to come next. A time to reflect and be thankful. A time to gather and slow down. A time to eat and share with others. A time of heartfelt praise to the ONE who made us all different and unique. Not to mention, also a time of thanking God for His beautiful creation, His artistic display of color and His ability to make things change regularly.

So let’s start preparing our hearts for the season that is to come. It will be here before we know it. It’s never too early to thank God for the the many blessings we have. Be inspired. Be encouraged. Give thanks.

“To every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

 

image via jorgeschulz.wordpress.com

#AutumnBliss  #GiveThanks  #StartPreparingYourHeart

A couple years ago I was participating in a Bible study written by Priscilla Shirer. In the study she mentioned about a camp that she had spent her childhood summers attending.  She made so many fond memories at this particular camp that she had to take her own family back after she got married and began having children.

Of course, I had to check out this camp that she so lovingly wrote about and so I did a search and immediately found it. Our family just so happened to be moving to Texas where the camp is located. So I prayed and asked God to make attending family camp the following summer a reality. We signed up in late August and had to wait a whole year to attend. After waiting, the day to leave for family camp had finally arrived.  We packed up our van and headed towards Tyler, Texas to attend Pine Cove Family Camp in the Woods.

Upon arriving at camp, we didn’t know what to expect. We were greeted with lots of love, college age counselors sold out and serving Christ, lots of cheering, hospitality, outdoor activities and also with meeting some of the nicest people we have ever had the opportunity to meet. Each activity at camp was a surprise to us. We didn’t know what to expect next, we just went along with the schedule and enjoyed our time spent as a family at camp.

We could immediately tell that our children were enjoying every moment of camp because they kept saying that they never wanted to leave. When we got home from camp, they immediately watched the camp video and our youngest child has watched the video every week since we got home last year. Each time our children watch it, they talk about how much they miss camp and can’t wait to get to go back someday.

Unfortunately, last August, we were unable to sign up to come again in August of 2015. We just didn’t have the resources to plan a year ahead. So we waited until we could make a commitment to camp and tried to sign up at a later date. Pine Cove Family camp was all booked and telling our children that we would not be able to come back to camp this summer was hard to do. We were put on a waiting list and several times throughout the year I called the camp office to see if there was any room for us yet. The answer was always no, not at this time. So we went ahead and planned another family vacation centered around a writing conference that I would be attending.

However, last Friday we received a call from the Pine Cove office stating that there had been a cancellation and that there was room available for us if we still wanted to attend. We were overwhelmed with joy at the thought of getting to return again this summer. We are so looking forward to coming back again this year. At this time, we’ve decided to not tell our children and to surprise them with a early morning wake-up call on August 9th. This is a summer to surprise them. The van will be packed again, the windows will say “Pine Cove here we come!” and we will head towards the woods. We cannot wait to video the response and all their excitement when they finally find out that we are indeed headed back to camp.

Every so often, we still ask our children questions like would you rather go on a Disney Family Cruise or go to Pine Cove? Before we can even finish asking them, they blurt out PINE COVE! We try and get even more extravagant with each probing question and all the time the answer still remains hands down PINE COVE! Our time spent at Pine Cove last summer really made an impact on our family. We can now see why families choose to attend camp year after year. Praying that Pine Cove Family Camp becomes a Keith family tradition for many more years to come!

       

 

@PineCoveWoods #PineCoveBound #TheUltimateFamilyCampExperience #SuperExcited

In today’s culture everything seems to be a game of hurry up and so we don’t know how to wait for much anymore. I use to think that it was childish to be impatient and that only children struggled with the waiting game, but this is simply not true. In fact, I think the waiting game is harder, the older you get. Especially if you have not disciplined yourself to wait patiently with joy.

In her book entitled Choosing Joy, author Angela Thomas reminds her readers that once you have done everything that you can do, then stand and wait to see the glory of God. Keeping in mind always that whatever battle you face this day, it cannot have you. You belong to God. Even in the waiting, we are to look to God with joy.

I am not sure about you, but at times, I find it hard to wait for something that I want to happen or to have with joy. I have to make a concerted effort to choose joy in the waiting. This requires focus and discipline. I am not going to lie, I am not very good at waiting with joy but I am learning what it looks like and the Lord is sending lots of opportunities for practice my way.

As I write this blog post, I am waiting for answers to two separate prayers. I have no idea what to do next, but as my act of complete trust in God, I have decided to keep sitting and waiting with joy until He reveals to me which steps to take.

As I wait, I am also reminded of the many people throughout Scripture who had to wait before me. People like Jacob who waited 14 years to marry Rachel and Moses who waited forty years to enter the Promise Land to which he never did get to enter into it. Or how about Mary and Joseph who waited three days until they could find Jesus as he was sitting in the temple and learning about the Father. One could only imagine what these people must of felt like and gone through as they waited.

Corrie ten Boom said, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” So as I wait for answers to prayers, I wait patiently, choosing joy in the waiting and knowing that the Lord holds my future in His hands. He loves me like no one else can or ever will and I don’t have to hurry up and try and force the outcome before it’s time to be revealed. Waiting patiently is evidence of trusting in a sovereign and loving God. Waiting with joy is a sign of growing up and becoming mature. I welcome this process and the refinement that comes along with it. How about you? How well do you play or participate in the waiting game?

image via www.michaelkaulkin.com

Have you ever found yourself playing ball or batting in the big leagues while you were only a youth T-Ball player? Suddenly, feelings of how did I get here or where do I belong on this team flood your thought process. There is an overwhelming emotion or sensitivity that creeps in and you realize you are at the wrong ball park, on the wrong field and not good enough to be on the winning team. The playoff game that is currently being played and cheered for by all the adoring fans has your concerted effort and full participation, but you are afraid to swing at the curve ball being pitched to you. You want so badly to hit a home run so that you score one for the team. The wait and anticipation of connecting the bat and ball overwhelm you and you begin to lose focus, then acquire strike after strike. Until, the perfect pitch comes your way. You wait patiently with fortitude. Scared out of your mind of the unknown. Hard thrown ball then meets the bat and sends the ball rocketing into outfield. The short stop, second basemen, and center fielder all run aggressively after the ball hoping to catch it. As they look up, they realize that it is too late, the ball has been hit out of the park and you have brought in players, scoring three runs for your team. As you cross home base, the entire team is waiting for you with high fives, pats on the back and words of affirmation. You are now on cloud nine because you didn’t think that you belonged on the team playing in the big leagues in the first place. Well, that pretty much sums up my current stance in this game we call life.

Back in January of 2015, I went to the Lord in prayer and asked him to give me a word for how 2015 would pan out. On January 11th, I could not sleep and found myself awakened with a prompting to grab my journal, a pen and head for the living room where I could sit, write and turn on the lights. So obediently I made myself a cup of coffee and sat down. What now Lord? Why am I awake at 12:24 AM? Through prayer and Bible reading, He gave me “wild and full of faith.” Not one word, but five whole words. 2015 would be wild and full of faith. What does this mean Lord I asked Him. He didn’t answer right away. Instead, He sent me on a journey of reading several books, making choices to step out in faith and to be brave. Braver than I ever imagined being. This year is only half way finished and I can say with a reverberating resonance that He has been true to His word. 2015 has brought about change, unbeknownst adventures, walking through uncharted waters and feelings of not being good enough to play on the team. At the same time, there has also been unexpected friendships, words of encouragement spoken and affirmation that I am on the team. I’m in the big leagues baby! I play for Team Jesus.

Through thoughts focused on God, lots of prayer and godly women like my friend Punki Greene, I have come to realize that God not only wants us on His team, but He wants us dependent on Him for the coaching as we get up to bat and round the bases of life. If we don’t listen to His teaching, or prompting as we run full speed around the diamond, we may get tagged, slide unnecessarily too hard or find ourselves in a force out. You see, God wants us right where He has us because then we are reliant on Him to communicate His message. This means that there has to be less of us and more of Him. Once He has made eye contact with us, He can coach us to hit any ball that comes our way or round any base and not get called out. Our job as the player on the big league team is to listen to the coach and allow Him to teach us all the plays.

I am not too sure how the rest of 2015 will will go, but I am sure of one thing, Romans 8:28 says “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Those He calls, He also equips. No matter how crazy and free-falling life appears to be, brave is where I will remain. He chose me for His team and I accepted.

 

 

For quite some time now, I have felt the call to write deep down in my soul. I am not really sure why the Lord would choose me or give me this calling, but He has. I have had to accept the calling by moving forward, which means instead of putting off starting this blog, I have had to come to terms with the discipline it takes to write or be a writer.

For the past few years I have been writing curriculum for a University and have had the pleasure of co-authoring a few new courses, but never did I imagine that I would write to inspire others.

So here it goes: introducing beYOUtiful Mom. It is a blog set up for the purposes of sharing inspiration and for reaching others with the message that we are not born to “fit in,” but rather with the call to stand out. The Lord has uniquely designed each of us with God-given gifts, and He wants to use those gifts to further His Kingdom, for His glory, and in His time.

I am not sure what He is going to do through this blog or with me as I pursue writing, but I am going to trust Him and finally move forward in obedience. It is my prayer that this blog will bless those who read it, and that it will inspire others to be obedient when the Lord speaks to their heart.

Faithfully,

Misty

 

image via: http://www.minterest.org