Now What Was My Post About?

I had this idea for an incredible post. It was filled with great scripture references and meaningful life application. I couldn't wait to hunker down and write it out.

Then I forgot! ha!

Why? Because life happened! Because I'm a wife. Because I'm a mom. Because I forget everything!

Our weekend went a little like this:

Friday!

We started with a 5 hour day at the water park. That will wipe anybody out! Why 5 hours? We purchased season passes and we are going to go until they drain the pools and dry the slides!

I even came home and grilled burgers and hot dogs! (insert applause here!)

Kids took a quick nap and then they were off to football practice with their father, better known as "Coach Poppy."  After a long practice, we couldn't end a 100 degree heat day without a trip to the local snow cone shop. That was dinner. No one complained!

Saturday!

I worked an 11 hour day while my man worked and shuffled kids for mariachi and cheer. With my aching feet, we took the 6 year old to the toy store because his gift card was burning a hole in his pocket. BTW...That $15 gift card cost me $25 when it was all said and done! Yes his smile was worth it but blah blah blah! He's getting a limit. His adorableness will lose power one day. Not anytime soon though.

Because this Proverbs 31 woman wasn't cooking, we had family dinner at an Asian restaurant. My two older children were happy to eat out of course. Noodles, chopsticks and a 6 year old means he was hungry an hour later! He enjoyed his microwaved corn dog. (No guilt here)  Momma was TI-RED.

Sunday!

Sunday we worshipped. My sweet girl and I went to see her friends praise dance at their church. It was Youth Sunday! So a normally 1 1/2 hour service ended up being 3 hours long. The boys ate without us and we didn't mind at all. We went to a nice restaurant and treated ourselves to a girls only lunch. Of course, we ordered dessert to go! I couldn't pass up the four layer red velvet cheesecake. Amen and Amen again!

On full stomachs and a rainy day we took a nap, read books and played with that $40 toy.

As I recall the details of our weekend, I didn't include the cleaning, cooking, arguing, playing, spilling, breaking, crying, stomach aches, scrapes, hair combing, ironing, phone calls and running. I'm sure I left something off the list!

And that brings me to now!

Now what was my post about?!

I can't even begin to recall the particulars of it. It was going to be wonderful and insightful. I promise it really was!

Today I only have this...

My weekend was busy like most days during this season of my life. But it didn't escape me that He kept us, covered us and protected us. He put clothes on our backs, food on the table and a roof over our heads. These things may seem simple and insignificant until the day you don't have them. (Did I just sound like my Momma?!)

God's grace in our everyday lives is overwhelming. The small things we take for granted daily are completely because of his goodness and mercy! We are drowning in His love! How He love us...

This was my weekend song. Enjoy!

Anthony Evans "How He Loves"

Blessings!

copyright 2013 www.shundriariddick.com  All Rights Reserved. Photos for blog only.

THE MIDDLE!

Sorry this is another running post. :-)  I 'm training for my fourth marathon and I'm spending a lot of time running. I promise it won't happen every week but today...hang in there!

I actually made it to my first group run this weekend. It was incredible. I was able to be with my people! It was a 6 mile run and I was a bit worried because I didn't get all my runs in during the week.  I really don't understand how the other running moms do it. I can't. Mariachi, competition cheer, and football always seem to happen during the time I'm supposed to be running. I could get up at 4am and run like my other running friends BUT that's not what I'm hearing in my inner man! (old school church) Only thing happening at 4am is my nighttime hot flashes! That's another post!

6 miles apparently is a walk in the park for my running group. They sailed right through. I, on the other hand, had forgotten how long 6 miles actually was.

Mile 3: I was questioning my decision to train again.
Mile 5: I was questioning my decision making skills and purpose in life.
Mile 6: I was trying my best to cross the finish, not pass out, and at the same time act like it was a piece of cake!

After running three marathons, I forgot about this part. I forgot about the pain of training. I didn't remember that as I ran with my group, it was my legs that I felt get tired. I forgot about the loss of toenails, blisters and injuries.

I only remembered the start and finish!

 Marathon 2009

It's such an incredible feeling to stand with thousands as I began on the day of the race. It was even more fulfilling to run across the finish line. Seeing my loved ones at the finish line waiting to embrace me and the feelings of actually running 26.2 miles were overwhelming.

But the MIDDLE...

I forgot about the running part! I actually forgot about the time between the start and finish. That's where we all are. You and I are in The Middle. It was great starting out with fellow believers and you can only imagine what it will be like to spend Eternity with the One whom you love most. But now it's your legs that you feel getting tired. It's your child who's walked away from the faith. It's your home that foreclosed. It's your marriage that's in trouble. It's your life that you feel is falling apart.

There are neither training sessions for the start of a race, nor sessions for how to cross the finish line. But the whole training group is dedicated to getting through the middle.

The Holy Spirit reminded me that the Bible (God's Word) was given to us to get us through the middle. From Genesis to Revelation, the Lord uses his word to encourage, instruct, heal, nourish, mend, and deliver while we are in the middle. We can't run a race and not get direction and instruction about the course.

He is our Guide:

"I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you."  Psalm 32:8

He is strengthening us:

"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance." Romans 5:3

He knows our pain, We must accept His help:

"Now that we know what we have - Jesus, the great High Priest with ready access to God - let's not let it slip though our fingers. We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all - but without sin. So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help." Hebrews 4: 14-16.

We can't stop. There is a finish!

"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."  James 1:12

I keep trying to end this neatly. I keep writing and rewriting my close. But the Holy Spirit keeps reminding me that it's not over. He has more for us. We're still in the Middle!


Blessings!

"Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us."  Hebrews 12:1

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Position or Love?

I wanted to write something meaningful and informational regarding current events. I did my due diligence in researching opinions, articles, and blogs. I just couldn't come up with anything that would be different than what's already out there. It's been said countless times what God is for and against. The Church's position has been blogged, argued, and challenged. I'm sure I could continue to lament about the state of our country. I could complain and shake my head in disgust.  However, I decided that there is enough of that going on. I didn't need to add anything to that pile. It was large enough!

It would be easy to continue the angry rants and condemnation that we so self righteously articulate and justify with scripture. Although the Bible is very clear and does not waiver, we must not engage in rage and ostracize those we are trying to reach.

We were commanded in John 13:35 to love:

"Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples-- when they see the love you have for each other."

Let us not forget that we are saved by grace! Ephesians 2: 8-10

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

It's easy to get lost in what's right and wrong and forget that we have a mission. We are to show the world the love of Christ and tell them the good news of Christ.

Don't misunderstand. I'm not discounting that we have an enemy. I Peter 5:8

"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."

However, we can stand firm in God's Word with the humility of Christ.

Matthew 5:9 reminds us.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."

Issues are becoming more complex while politics and opinions fuel division. We are to be careful and not take the bait of discord, condemnation and hate.

Have you searched your heart? Are you recognized by your love or your position? Is your goal peace or to perpetuate the dialogue of anger and hate?

Don't forget that we are all in need of a Savior. The ground is leveled at the foot of the cross.



Blessings!

copyright 2013 www.shundriariddick.com All Rights Reserved.

Run Anyway!

I showed up to meet with my running group bright and early Saturday morning. I was so excited. It's been awhile and I was ready to be with my people. I'm a runner. I started running 10 years ago. I fell in love and I haven't stopped. Well, not all together anyway. There have been periods of time when I took breaks. Having a baby, raising kids, and life in general have made me park my shoes. But this Saturday I was ready to get back. I left home early because I knew it was going to be crowded. I was a little anxious because I hadn't run with a group in awhile. As I arrived, I noticed that it wasn't as crowded as I had anticipated so I got a great parking space. This day was starting off wonderfully. I jumped out of my car and there they were!  My people! Tables and Tents were waiting to welcome me and check me in. Wait! Why are they sweaty and stretching? It's 7:45am and the run starts at 8:00am. I saw an old friend and he asked why I was there. "To Run" I responded. He said "It started at 6!" WHAT?! Surely he was mistaken. I immediately checked my email on my phone and it was right there in black and white "Starting at 6:00 am..."

I WAS TWO HOURS LATE!

My excitement quickly turned to disappointment. I actually missed the run. My people had that after run glow and were already gathered in small groups. As I walked by I heard them talk about their pace and their plans for their next run. Ugh! I looked around and began to notice how fit everyone was. They had the latest running gear. They wore great shoes, the latest dri-fit clothing, race watches/heart monitors, ear buds (bluetooth of course) and running sunglasses. These people's shoes haven't been parked! They've been running and they are much further ahead than me. I wanted to get in my car, drive one block and let Starbucks "Soy Triple Venti Hazelnut Macchiato with Whip" take my troubles away! (Don't judge me!)

I frantically searched and found the person in charge. She listened, consoled and said "Run Anyway!" Those words reached down inside, grabbed my spirit and shook me to my core. Her mouth was moving but it was definitely the Holy Spirit speaking to me! "You've felt that it was too late for you. You've been disappointed and felt that others are achieving their destiny and you've been left behind. Study Anyway! Write Anyway!

RUN ANYWAY!" 

So I began my run alone. I ran the same route as the other runners and was reminded that in our walk with the Lord, we compare ourselves to other believers. We are often distracted by their "gear" and become discouraged that we are not as "spiritual" or as close to the Lord as they are. They seem so much further ahead. For those of us who haven't been walking closely with the Lord, this can be especially daunting when we decide to start again.  At that time, He reassured me!

REASSURANCE!

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. (Isaiah 12:2)

During the run I noticed that the hydration stations were still available. The same way He provided for the earlier geared up runners, He provided for me!

PROVISION! 

Therefore take no thought saying, What shall we eat? or, what shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. (Matthew 6:31-32)

The run confirmed that I am definitely out of shape. I couldn't help but think of all the junk I've been eating lately. None of which sustained or provided me with the nourishment I needed to make it through this difficult run. Yes, all the quick prayers and missed or shortened quiet times will not sustain me through tough times in my life. (I know right! The Lord spoke the WHOLE time!)

As I ended my run, an older gentleman was running my way. His pace was slower but he looked steady and strong. He must have noticed the agony on my face. I was out of breath and about to pass out! He looked at me with a huge smile and said "You look great! Keep going!" 

ENCOURAGEMENT! 

He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.   (I Corinthians 1:8-9)

Let the Church say Amen!

I finished my run and went home in awe of God and His timing. I thought I went for a run with others but the Lord wanted me alone so that He could speak and I could listen. I am grateful. 

Do you feel like it's too late? Do you feel left behind? Do you feel ill-equipped or out of place? Do you feel that everyone else is either living in their destiny or closer to it than you? 

He is your strength. He is your salvation. He is your provision. He is your encouragement. 

RUN ANYWAY!

Blessings!

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
(2 Corinthians 3:17)

copyright 2013 www.shundriariddick.com  All rights reserved.  

Black Fathers are Home!

Common stereotypes portray the Black father as missing. In researching statistics on fatherhood, it was common to find books and articles based on this phenomenon. Startling statistics report that 2 out of 3 African American children are born to mother only families. A book title even depicts black fathers as vanished. As I read these staggering facts, I became saddened by this reality. But as I scoured through recent studies, I found it difficult to find adequate positive research regarding African American fathers who are home.

This is not a post about those who are absent. It's to celebrate those who are present. It's not to say that they have "stepped up." These men regard their roles of being fathers as intrinsic, belonging to their essential nature. They esteem their imprint on their children and willingly embrace their responsibility. They understand that they are building purpose and Kingdom in their children as well as strengthening a society.

I begin with my own father. I am a girl who is completely in love with her Daddy! He was there everyday. He demonstrated love by loving my mother, my sister and me. He prayed for me. He taught me to change the oil, change a tire, mow the yard and use duct tape in 1,000 ways! Hearing his voice saying "Hey Baby Girl" makes me melt to this day! I love him so...

Daddy!
The righteous who walks in his integrity
blessed are his children after him!
Proverb 20:7

Chris
A father has compassion on his children so the Lord has compassion
so those who fear him.
Psalm 103:13

Because my Daddy taught me love, I chose a man who does the same. My husband works hard and loves harder. He wipes our children's tears and celebrates their victories. We are grateful for him. Our children are strong and confident because of his daily hugs, many kisses and never ending "I love you."  He prays for our children and teaches them to pray. He loves us and we love him!

I have collected the faces of very few of the many African American fathers who are answering the call. These  are men of valor and vision. They are KINGDOM MEN as described by Dr. Tony Evans in "Kingdom Man: Every Man's Destiny, Every Woman's Dream"  They are dedicated to their families and are intentional in their purpose. I wanted others to see that they do exist. They have not vanished. They are not missing. THEY ARE HOME!

They are living the blessing  in Psalm 128 and Psalm 127:3-5:

Joe
How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,

                                                           

Eric
Who walks in His ways.

Jessie
When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands,
You will be happy and it will be well with you.

                                                     

Jonathan
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house.

 Brendan
Your children like olive plants around your table.

Jeff
Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed, who fears the Lord.

DeLario
The Lord bless you from Zion

Larry
And may you see prosperity of Jerusalem,

Anthony
All the days of your life,

         

Aaron
Indeed, may you see your children's children

Kevin
Peace be unto Israel!

                       

                                                                                                                           

Darrell
Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him.

Trent
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.

Jonathon
Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.

Kedric
They will not be put to shame

 

Randal
When they contend with
their enemies at the gate.

                                             

There is only room for a few but they represent many.  HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to the men who live beyond the world's expectations. Thank you for standing with your family regardless of misrepresentation in the media, alarming statistics, polls, and political agendas. Thank you for follwing passionately after God's own heart and living out your purpose.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HOME!

Blessings!


copyright 2013 www.shundriariddick.com All Rights Reserved. Photos for this blog only.

Mariachi Momma!

Praying for children and receiving that blessing has been a great joy and one of many reasons to constantly say "Thank You Lord."  But never in all my days did I expect to experience this!

Mariachi Los Reyes

Yes you are seeing clearly! My sweet boy is in Mariachi and he is absolutely in love with it! On my best creative day I could not have imagined that this would be my reality. He plays the violin, guitar and vihuela. How did this happen? Two years ago I didn't even know the word "Trajes." (That's the uniform worn by Mariachi.) Today, I traveled three hours to purchase one!

When my 12 year was just days old, my husband and I had a conversation. It went like this:

Me: So glad we have a boy!
Hubby:  He's going to be a football player!
Me: Wait! What if he doesn't want to play football. What if he wants to play the violin?
Hubby:  He can do whatever he wants AFTER practice! 

Of course my husband was joking! (kinda) We still remember that conversation and are amazed at how life has unfolded.  I cannot believe that I actually spend my days listening to Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan. That's a long way from Kirk Franklin and Hillsong. Trust Me on this one!

I shake my head in disbelief as I hear him singing in Spanish! Is this my life? This has seemed so random but it reminds me of Ephesians 3:20.

 Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams. (Amplified Bible)

When we pray we often limit God to our requests. Our expectations are far below his ability and often don't leave room for a "superabundantly" response from an All Powerful God.  There are no limitations with Him. He has no boundaries!  His abilities are limitless! He wants so much more for us than we could ever ask. (Let the church say Amen!)

I am overwhelmed by God's hand in my son's life. Making new friends, speaking a different language and appreciating that God is bigger than he could have imagined is carrying out purpose in him. I am looking forward to how the Lord will use this in his life.

My husband has enjoyed my son playing football. But it cannot be compared to the joy on his face when he sees him playing Mariachi! He's a proud Papi!

When I prayed 15 years ago, I did not think that I would be a Mariachi Momma! Far more than I could have ever asked...

Bendiciones!


copyright 2013 www.shundriariddick.com All rights reserved. Pictures for this blog only.

Answers and Side Effects: Be Careful What You Pray!

When I was in my early twenties (in dog years that was only 2 years ago), I wanted to get married and have children. I would pray often for this wonderful blessing. I fasted. I cried out to God. I attended singles conferences just to get a head start on what I needed to posses in order to be a great wife and mother. As I sought the Lord to drop this husband and kids from the sky, I often saw images like these:

photo by godaddy.com

Don't they look happy?  Look at this family.

photo by godaddy.com

This is what I wanted! They are so perfect. These images screamed Ephesians 5. They all looked so clean. The kids are definitely well behaved.  Of course these couples are madly in love with each other and they communicate effectively. Come on now! Every perfect family has a beach vacation!

My prayer was answered. But I got THIS:

photo by allyou.com

And THIS:

messy youngest son at age 3

When I prayed, this was not included! I checked those loving images and there was no fine print.I think photos like the ones above should come with side effects and warnings!

These images may include and are not limited to side effects like fatigue, weight gain, insomnia, dishes, laundry, science projects, PTA, midnight feedings, thoughts of fleeing, chore lists, cooking, cleaning, ironing, packing, pampers, potty training, 2am stomach viruses, intense times of fellowship with spouse, puberty, tweens, tantrums, daydreaming about sleep, dance fees, football fees, library fees, lost homework, carpet stains, etc.

Unfortunately they do not. As a result, we are then left in a state of blissful unawareness that suggests we complete these images with our own delight and satisfaction.

I enjoy this life. But recently, I found myself upset about all the things I didn't have enough time to get done. As I complained and lamented about my life, I heard a voice inside say:

 "Everything you are complaining about is a direct result of answered prayer."  

(BOOM! Are you as blown away as I was?!) 

Immediately I repented! I began to thank the Lord for provision for the clothes to fold, food that needed to be cooked, kids to raise, a house to clean and a husband to share life. Regardless of our place in life, it's easy to forget as daily tasks become overwhelming, that we prayed for this!

Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live..    I Thessalonians 5:16-18 (The Message)

Blessings!



copyright 2013 www.shundriariddick.com  All rights reserved. Personal images for this blog only.