remembering to forget . .I have forgotten. . . .

Oh ---this was too too too good to pass up as it spoke VOLUMES to me today . . . .

(This is coming from Sharon Jaynes, but . .towards the end . .it is me that is talking . . thank you Lord, for using other Godly women to minister, may this post minister to another in need. . . )

Forgetting what is behind and straining forward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (phil 3.13, 14, NIV)

From Sharon: As humans, we tend to remember what we need to forget and forget what we need to remember. God on the other hand, forgets what He promises to forget and remembers what HE promises to remember. God said, "their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more" Hebrews 10.17

Paul tells us one of the secrets to his success as a Christian and in life . . ."But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (phil 3.13, 14)

There are many events in the Bible that begin with the words "God remembered". God remembered Noah in Genesis 8.1 and He remembered Abraham in Genesis 19.29 and God remembered Rachel in Genesis 30.22 and God heard their growning and remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob in Exodus 2.24. In each incident, God's remembering meant that HE was about to do something -- God was about to act.

Therefore, if God's remembering means HE is about to act, then God's forgetting means that He is not going to act. "For I will forgiven their wickedness," He says, "and will remember their sins no more" (Jerm 31.34). He forgets out sins -- He is not going to act upon them. Likewise, while we cannot physically forget the details of the wounds of our past, we can choose not to act on them. WE can choose to forgive the person who has hurt us and not allow the memory of the offense to control our lives. In that sense, we can forgive and forget.

When Paul talks about forgetting he does not mean that he will or even can wipe an incident from his memory .. "forgetting did not mean obliterating the memory of his past, but was a conscious refusal to let it absorb his attention and impede his progress" ( Zibdervab NIV Commentary)

But it is too hard . . ok - NOW it is time for Michelle to speak -- it can be very hard -- very hard to forget . .but the easiest way for me to forget the past . . is when I am reminded of how I idolized the world and placed so many other people and things in front of my Lord . .when I think of that - when I stop and allow the pain of that to really sink in, I am ashamed and so so so sorry -- that I want Jesus to forgive me and I want to forget that and so I can sort of understand HOW God can forget . ..and think of it no more. I mean - the wound is healed, but the scar is still there -- I will never forget what I did nor what was 'did' to me . .but, it is in the past, and it does not haunt me, it does not control me and it has been healed. I am most grateful. Now when I speak to a young woman or anyone God brings in my path and I can hear her pain - the pain of unforgiveness .. I can tell her how God healed me. I can tell her how HE does restore and I can assure her that one day, the pain will heal, the scar will be there, but the pain will heal.

Oh Lord, thank you for this today. Your timing is perfect and I know that I know - you HAVE it all under control. I will press on, this is YOUR word for me today - YOUR truth. I can see and hear you speaking it to me as if you were audible .. thank you Lord.

Oh Lord, You continually amaze me. Continually amaze. Now, go ahead and work your LIFE in my family and others .. .I know you are, may they see and hear you today too. I am believing. Amen

Your beautiful and highly favored daughter - michelle

PS Lord, Taylor gets pretty frustrated with the way I type .. . .putting in the dots and so forth, I am going to try and curb that habbit . .until then, just remind her to honor her mother. Amen!

I love you TP.

comfort . . . . . .

Comfort . . ..Comfortable . . . easy . . . what is comfort? Comfort can be a mother soothing a baby as she has hit her head, or wants her bottle. Comfort can be a grandmother telling her young grandson that 'this too shall pass'. And comfort can be a BIG box of vanilla ice cream with caramel all over it . . what is your comfort?

Life is not comfortable. It just is not. Life is not easy, but then again, how can we expect it to be. Does it not seem like the people who are 'living' for the Lord . . have the MOST uncomfortable situations and the most uncomfortable stuff in their lives. ?? Many times, I find myself saying, GOD's will is NOT a penalty. God's will is NOT a penalty. Why does there have to be hardship? . . Because Jesus is not the Prince of this world .. yet. However, eventually God wins.

Comfort -- Comfort is working in a GREAT county for some great administrators and mentors for the past 23 years. I have been in Okeechobee since Roland Clericuzio hired me back on Spring Break in March of 1988. I won't forget, I was wearing a gray pencil skirt and a white shirt and was VERY hot as he walked me around the brand new North Elementary School. I was hired to teach 2nd grade. Brendan made contact with the High School and the County Administrator at that time, Bill Owens, but was unable to get a job -- as he did not have a teaching certificate as of yet. I had graduated in December and was now subbing in Wisconsin. Brendan was still Student Teaching, but we had faith and knew we were headed to Okeechobee no matter what. Young love. Young dreams. Young faith - or we just had no other choice. Comfort. I have worked at 3 schools. My first year at North in the am and Everglades in the pm. First lesson learned - don't count your chickens before they are hatched. By July, I was now the ART teacher and had $3000.00 to spend on ART supplies .. yep, that much - but it did not go far! I had to buy for the ENTIRE school. I did. It was a great year. Then a year of 4th grade at North with Ann Logue as my Principal and then Gans Earnest. By my 3rd year, Brendan was now at the High School, and I was moved to Central Elementary -- which became my home for the next 21 years. Mr. 'C' was my Principal again, and then Jean Dilsaver and eventually Randy Paulson. All 21 years there - were great. Happy, filled with work, frustrations, changes, test scores and above all -- comfort.

However, things change, and all of a sudden, you find yourself . . .. thinking .. God, do I need a new beginning? God did orchestrate this move and I have complete and total peace and after 21 years in Okeechobee County, I am took a position in Glades County. It will be a challenge. I will be learned a new grade level and a new culture. I will be working at the Rez School, I would post the name, but I have no idea how to spell it or say it -- guess that will be lesson #1. I had a meeting out there already and was so so so welcomed and I get to be in a 'new' room again. God is so good. So good to me.

Phil 4.19

And my God will supply my every need according to HIS glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Prov. 19. 21

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.

Isaiah 43. 18-19

Forget about what has happened, do not keep going over the old history. Be alert! Be present. I am about to do something brand new. It is bursting out! Don't you see it? There is is! I am making a road through the desert and a river thru the badlands.

Provers 3. 5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge HIM and HE will make your paths straight.

God's word is comfort. I know that I know, HE has me in this next adventure. Change is change, and many say it is good -- it can be good if God does it. And even if we push forward, HE makes a way and brings beauty out of our ashes. This move was orchestrated by my loving and perfect Daddy. I am willing and able to serve HIM and I am so blessed.

I may be a 'bit' uncomfortable that first week when meeting new people, and learning a whole new routine . .but I know that I know - God's will is NOT a penalty and being in the center of HIS will for my life (even when other parts are still not settled or comfortable ) . .being in that center is the BEST comfort of all.

I love you Lord. Thanks.

PS, I love my new room too, and my assignment, and the people there have made me feel so welcomed . .. .this is a true circumstance of blessing. Thanks! You are the giver of perfect gifts.

- your grateful daughter - chell

This young man is 16 today. 16 years ago, I was sitting, no laying in a hospital bed worried. Hunter was born 'blue' and I had not had the chance to see or hold him. I had gotten up out of bed, and was able to hobble to the nursery to watch Taylor look at him for the first time. She had NOT sucked her thumb in years .. and she did that night and a few weeks after that .. well, not really sucked it, more like chewed it. She took her anxiety, and relieved it by chewing. I did not realize that at the time .. . but, later chewing her nails would be something we would see here and there when she was anxious. But . .this is about HELP .

Hunter Edwin Lowell Pritchard

He was born blue and needed extra oxygen and the next day was taken by ambulance to St. Mary's were he got the nic name - "whimpy white boy". Now, it seems like just a bad dream but that 2nd night of his life, knowing he was there and I was not -- was one of the most hardest nights of my life. Since then, I have had a few more hard nights -- but, when a mother can't see her newborn and hold him . . . ... .. . .the world becomes very hard.

He needed a few extra days and got the label RDD Respirtory Distress Disorder . .I got a few stories from others, how they used to call these babies 'blue babies' .. basically their little hearts would pump and pump but their lungs just did not take in the oxygen, therefore their blood did not get the oxygen. I remember becoming an expert on Co2 levels and heartrates, and then the % of oxygen that was in the blood . . . ..seems like most of those memories have passed. Anyway, many prayers went out and were answered. He came home a week later, not the 10 days they prepared us for.

I had -- well, we had already picked out the name Hunter Edwin and added Lowell . .little did we know he would need some literal help as a child!!

But don't we all? Need a little HELP?

I do - anyway, Happy Birthday to my 'man' who came to me last night and asked me to check how much 'fuzz' was on his face. He is a hairy beast!!

Happy birthday to my 'boy' .. who used to crawl up on my lap and seek me out for hugs and loving .. . now I have to ask.

Happy birthday to my 'boy' ... who was potty trained in the grass and still is found doing 'that' here and there.

Happy birthday to my 'boy' .. .who would make up words and use them and then make us new words ...and still does.

Happy birthday to my 'boy' who couldn't stand broccoli and now goes for sushi? Raw fish? Really?

Happy birthday to my 'boy' who loved and still loves his buddy Diego.

Happy b irthday to my 'boy' who wanted a truck so I found one for him - it cost me $2.97.

Happy birthday to my 'boy' who will soon be a man . . . too soon.

Lord, bless him, keep him. May he seek the plans YOU have for him. May he look to YOU for everything and may he love you more than he ever loves me or anyone else -- as YOU Lord, have given this 'boy' to me. I pray and say, "he is yours".

Amen.

Happy Birthday HP -- I know you hate that -- label - but, hey -- I am your mom. I 'brought you into this world . .I can take you out' . .ha ha ha hah

I love you Hunter.

I love you -- ter ter man!

A message from GOD . . . .

"No man can ever claim you, unless he claims you from ME. I reserved a man for you, he has My heart and he loves ME more than he will love you. He will not have you unless he asks of you from ME. Soon you will know him. I have the perfect time. YOU are My Princess, My Daughter, let no Prince claim you unless he asks for your hand from ME. For I AM your Father, the King of Kings, and you, My Princess are worth loving".
God


A thank you to Daniel Kidd . who posted this the other morn -- it was a direct answer to prayer for me and I knew that I knew - it was something I was to share with my 'girls' -- The Daughters of the KING . . .

If you are reading this -- join us, we meet Tuesdays at Pritchard's Ins. Office - 6.15 - !!
Come and join us.

- Michelle

. . .I am rubber and you are glue . . .

So . ..remember the old saying . ...sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me. Yeah right -- words hurt ..words really can bring one down . . .and words can tear at a soul but the beauty in this .. is that words can heal . . .words can bring one up . . . and words can rebuild you.

But, it needs to be God's words. God's. HIS alone.

In the past few days, the Enemy has been able to take me to a place of self-doubt, frustration, and defeat and yet the Lord, in HIS timing and perfection allowed this and has brought beauty out of the rubble -- again, like a good DADDY always does. I am so humbled.

HE has. I am so humbled.

This am, I got this illustration ... . with Christ in me, I am filled -- nothing should be able to penetrate that armor and get to me . .and yet, those closest around me seem to know exactly what to say or what to do and wham . . . .defeat ... sadness . . . frustration.

So, why not be like 'rubber'? Let that BOUNCE off !! Yes. Bounce off. And then think of the one who said the words . .think them to be . . .. 'glue' .. I mean. . . .. now return the crud with some of God's good prophetic words .. speak life into that person and pray your words STICK like glue ..even if they seem to jump off them or bounce off -- God's word does not go out void and you have planted seeds. You have.

God's word says: Isaiah 55.11 So will my word be whick goes forth from MY mouth, it will not return to ME empty.

Don't be discouraged. Don't.

Last night - around midnight - God gave me this:

I am so humbled -- HE gently reminded me to HOLD on . . . things seem darkest before the dawn and HIS timing is perfect. OK, Here it is:

It is from the Living Bible: Habakkuk 2.3

But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!

Oh Lord, thank you .. . . . This is an answer to my pleas of the past few days -- asking you for some sort of 'understanding' . . well, YOU know. This is also an answer to his prayer, he prayed that I would get that glow and happiness back from the Encounter experience .. .it is here again -- whoa -- watch out Enemy - you are being defeated. Period.

Lord, for all of my prayer requests today . .may each one of those ladies . . see how wonderful you are and may they too - get a direct word from you. May whatever comes at them, bounce off like rubber and as they speak into the lives of others -- YOUR words .. may they stick like glue. I am humbled Lord, I love you.

-- your Priceless daughter -- your beautiful servant .. michelle

aka

chelly

to not fear this day

My dear sweet Michelle,

My dear sweet Darlene,

My dear sweet Bernice,

My dear sweet Debi,

My dear strong Brendan,

My dear daughter Taylor,

My son Hunter,

My beloved Marilyn,

My storm trouper Lowell,

My sweet ones that call Michelle a sister in Wisconsin,

My special ones that just know Michelle here in Okeechobee,

My precious one Sandy,

My warrior for Me Beth,

** Can you tell . . I believe this is God speaking to all of us today . . . I should start it --

Dear Beloved:

If you learn to trust Me-- really trust Me -- with your whole being, then nothing can separate you from My Peace. Everything you endure can be put to good use by allowing it to train you in trusting Me. This is how you foil the works of evil, growing in grace through the very adversity that was meant to harm you. Joseph was a prime example of this divine reversal, declaring to his brothers: "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good." Do not fear what this day, or any day, may bring your way. Concentral on trusting Me and on doing what needs to be done. Relax in My sovereignty, rememberting that I go before you, as well as with you, into each day. Fear no evil, for I can bring good out of every situation you will ever encounter.

- Jesus

Genesis 50. 20 Psalm 23. 4

Dear Lord, thank you!

an historic day . . . . Bin Laden . . dead ..

What a day -- to stop and think about the 'end' of this era and yet we are still in 'war' times. I remember that day -- September 11th. I had taken my students to Computer Lab. The lady there was in tears, as her son was in the military and she had been alerted to turn on the news.

Was it the end of the world?

I walked to the office where my Principal quickly had the Media Center turn 'off' the news access and I walked to a TV - away from kids. And I watched .. I actually saw the 2nd plane hit right on the TODAY show. And I sat there - asking? Was it the end?

I called Brendan and asked, what he thought -- I don't remember what he said, I remember I was not 'very comforted' by his response but I was not upset either. It was a time to pray.

Was this the end. And for the next few days, we lived by the TV.

I can see what I was wearing -- my blue, long jumper from Talbots with a white crisp shirt under it . .that was one of my 'favorite' teacher jumpers .

Anyway, today was an historic day.

It is hard to 'celebrate' a death. Some feel justice was served. There may or may not be some closure now.

It seems funny that a few days ago the military was getting its budget slashed . .and yet . . how much was spent for this event.

God knows.

I can't say I am 'happy' that a man entered hell and I do believe that is where he went. But, now there will be something else to talk and chat about.

One person posted on FBook that hell got a little hotter today -- interesting.

I know one thing - I am not going there.

What an historic day.