Christina Speaks

I’ve had a very challenging first week at my new job. So, I really didn’t feel like writing anything at all today. I’m exhausted. I was just going to tell you guys that I’m taking a break. However, you have become a part of my life, and so I’m going to share this part of it with you. Much of the difficulty came in the form of a young girl. I won’t go into all the details, but she is troubled. She struggles with authority and unfortunately disrespected the wrong person yesterday. They were going to send her right back home to finish school online for the rest of the year, and believe me, the thought of it excited me a little bit. I wouldn’t have to deal with the energy or my sanity sucked out of me each day for 3 class periods! I could breeze through the day with the others who do just what they are asked to do, when they are asked to do it. But I think God may have tapped me on the shoulder and said something like, “Check yourself before you wreck yourself. You are not any better or di...

A few weeks ago I shared with you that my husband Ozzy lost his job. I want to give you an update.   Let me start by saying, the Lord is faithful.  When we put our complete trust in Him, when we believe He can do more than we could ever dream for ourselves, it gives Him room to show up and show out.   The day he lost his job, a friend of mine sent me a video of a woman with an encouraging word... something she felt the Lord was speaking to her. Part of the message explained how God will often give you “double for your trouble.” Ozzy and I got excited. We weren’t sure if that word was for us, but we sure hoped so.   Close to a month went by before Ozzy got any calls for an interview. When he finally did, it seemed obvious which job God had for him. There were some things about it only God could orchestrate, and the same day he interviewed, he was verbally offered a job. He accepted. Such a blessing!   Then, ON THE SAME DAY I was offered a full-time (with benefits...

The change of culture this pandemic has caused, has many of us discombobulated. Roles have changed, fears increased, much has been lost, and we all just really need a hug! If you are wondering, or have wondered what your place is in all of this, or if you even have a place let me ease your mind. You have a place here. God has plans for you. You are not a mistake. You are right where you are supposed to be, at just the right time. I want to share a thought with you that I got from Priscilla Shirer last week. Your limitations, weaknesses, and emotional quirks don’t scare God off or disqualify you from serving Him in a mighty way. God knows all of the tendencies in you. He factored all of them into the unique plan He has designed for your life. He will not ignore your needs and neuroses. He will work with them. He will continue showing what He can accomplish in you despite your human imperfections. I don’t know about you, but that gives me so much comfort and confidence. Think abou...

I don’t know if there’s anything in my life that turned out the way I had planned years ago. Thank God! I definitely would not have chosen the path that He put me on, but I can’t say I would change anything. Though I did try to go my own way many times. I don’t think I can count how many times I exercised and used my “free will” as an excuse for disobedience. Have you ever done that? I have literally thanked God for the free will, reminded Him that He gave it to me, then did what I wanted to do. I essentially blamed him for my disobedience. The gall! It can be so hard to trust God, because all we can see are all of the circumstances right in front of us, and we worry that if we don’t take immediate action, all will be lost. It’s important for Christ-followers especially, to remember our struggle is not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12), it is spiritual. The battle belongs to the Lord.  And here’s the thing... God sees EVERYTHING...past, present, and future. He knows the whol...

  We have got to be the most impatient people. Well, I can only speak for myself, but I am confident I’m not alone in that.  That’s got to be frustrating to the One who created us. I can’t help but think of my kids when they ask me for something I have already planned to give them.  I can’t always give it to them at the exact time they ask, or maybe I am waiting for a specific day, or time, or occasion. They will often ask for something again as if I didn’t hear them the first five times.  It can be frustrating. In my opinion, it shows a lack of trust. Maybe they think I didn’t hear them. Maybe they think they can wear me down. Sometimes, I don’t give any kind of hint that I am considering honoring their request. So they have been known to formulate a whole plan on how they will get what they want or need without me. Somehow they think they can take control of the situation and make it happen sooner. Don’t we do that to God? If we trust Him enough to bring our needs ...

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.   Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 This kind of peace is a true gift, and it’s ours if we choose to take it.  This is the peace I held onto when I believed my son would die. This is the peace I grasped when my husband lost his job. This is the peace I choose to live in each day. Having this peace is like a warm blanket in the middle of a cold night. When it’s wrapped around you, there is joy to be found in the midst of any situation. I know it can be difficult to trust God so immensely, but it can be done. You must choose it. He will not let you down. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” ‭‭John‬ ‭14:27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

  So I was thinking yesterday. Shocker I know. I was thinking about how I never run out of things to talk about each day. That gives me a chuckle, because since elementary school, just about every teacher would write on my report card something like, “Christina is a good student, but has trouble not talking to her neighbors.” Ha! There was also usually at least one teacher every year, I would have an issue with. Part of the problem was, I was quite observant as well as introspective, so I always had “thoughts.”  Sometimes I recognized when a teacher was not being “fair” in any given situation, whether it had to do with me or even another student. So I would (respectfully of course) share my thoughts and feelings about said situation. Generally speaking, those thoughts were not appreciated, and it would create, well...problems. Sometimes I would need to bring those things to the attention of my parents. My mom was usually the one to handle it. She taught me at a very young age,...