Good Morning Girls!  You know, it has taken me a long time to accept the following truth.....We have control over very little in life.  It is both liberating and somewhat scary to realize that.  It is liberating because once we realize it, we can let go of the wheel, and quit trying to make things happen.  It is scary because once we accept the fact that we have very little control, we have to let go of the wheel.  Period.  Before I get into today's message, let me make a side note.  Since there is very little we have control over, take advantage of the things you can control.  We all have self-control, even if we are not using it.  It lists self control as one of the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22.  We all have it.  We are not all using it.  You can control what goes in your mouth.  You can control what comes out of it.  You can control whether you get off the couch and move that body!  So, take control of the things you can.  Let go of the things you cannot.  One of the biggest things we struggle to control is our future.  "If I go to this school, this will happen", "If I follow this persons advice, this will happen." "If I do everything right, this will happen".  Sorry.  That is not how it works.  I've known those who have done everything right, but have gone to be with the Lord sooner than what we thought they should.  I've known those who have done everything wrong, and seem to get every promotion and blessing there is.  For most of us, we fall in the middle.  We are doing the best we can.  We purpose to make the best choices.  We desire right living.  We are also still human.  We sometimes allow our flesh to take the wheel.(my flesh is a very bad driver.....it usually lands in the ditch....or straight into a tree).  We are doing the best we know how.  The problem is, even when we do all we know to do, things don't always go our way.  Sometimes it is the enemy of our faith.  He is trying to take you away from your goals and dreams.  He wants to derail you.  When the devil attacks you need to stand on your faith and know that God has your back.  That is when you have to give a big "ha-ha".  Laugh in his face.  Tell him you are not afraid.  Tell him you serve an awesome God who is faithful.  Tell him you are more than a conqueror.  You are the head, not the tail.  You are above, not beneath.  You are blessed in the city, blessed in the field. Everything you set your hand to will prosper!  Then dance on his head a little as you sing praises to the Lord!  Now, the devil isn't always the cause of your turmoil.  Sometimes an unexpected situation comes into your life.  A situation that is clearly not from the enemy, but nonetheless not one you desired.  You may even see the good in the situation, but still it causes you feel like "Really, God, this is the plan.  This isn't how I saw all of this going".  It's okay to struggle for a moment with a situation that is out of your control.  It is ok to have an emotional reaction.  However, you need to do the same thing with this curve ball as you do when the enemy strikes.  You need to stand on your faith, and know that God has it all worked out.  You need to laugh and say "wowza.  I did not see that coming, but I serve a mighty God who has plans and dreams for me bigger than I can see or even imagine.  This is not how I thought it would end up....but I have faith that in the end, this will be awesome!"  Then dance around your kitchen singing praises to the Lord!  If you feel the fear rising up give a big "ha-ha", and praise the Lord.  If you get a list of "what if's" running through your head, it's time to give a big "ha-ha", and praise the Lord.  If you feel your faith slipping, get on your knees and ask the Lord to give you another "ha-ha" to get you through the day....then praise the Lord!  Remember Girls, God is good.  He is faithful.....and He loves you!

Proverbs 31:25b and she laughs without fear of the future

Love you all-
Jen