Stephanie Shott

I'm so excited to annouce the Top 20 Blogs for Women! There was a GREAT response from women everywhere who nominated their own personal favorites and I can't tell you how encouraged I have been by the diversity of blogs out there to minister to women in different arenas and seasons of life! I wish i could list just about every one of them, but I limited it to 20...so I need to stick with that for now. Many are listed as "FAVS" because they offer resources that help women in this journey called life, so I hope you'll check them out and see what they have to offer. It may be just what you need!

Now I have a job for each of you. If you find your blog on my page and you would like to include a short little ditty about your blog under the link, please email your info to me at eternallyHis@mail.com. If you know someone who has a link here, please contact them and tell them how they can tell us a little more about their blogs my emailing the information for their sites.

By the way...my list is in no particular order. Just random blogness that I hope will encourage you!

1. http://www.taramcclenahan.com
My passion is to press through all the craziness that surrounds us everyday, to plug into God and then turn around and share with my son all that God is and why we live to honor Him. I want to share this passion with you too! I struggle everyday with this because of all the pressures and demands of everyday life and because of the simple fact that I am human and therefore, not perfect (umm, GULP! Did I just write that for the whole world to see?!!?). I do not have all the answers but I know the One who does! I am daily learning that I have to rely on Him to be the woman and mom He wants me to be in order to bring Him glory. In the pages of my blog, I simply desire to share with you what I am learning about God and what He desires of us as mommies and to equip you to be able to impact your children for His glory.

2. http://tolovehonorandvacuum.blogspot.com Sheila Wray Gregoire
To Love, Honor and Vacuum: For all those women who feel more like maids than wives and mothers! Updated daily, this blog delves into the nitty gritty of our lives, tackling housework, chores, the media, parenting, marriage, and more, looking at ways we can make God real in our lives—even if we’re folding underwear! Every Wednesday is Wifey Wednesday, where we tackle marriage (and often sex!). Come on over and link up your marriage posts on Wednesdays in the Linky!

3. http://lifeoflisasmith.blogspot.com
Lisa shares what can happen when an ordinary life intersects with an extraordinary God. Glad Chatter is a place where the average life can take on super powers when controlled by the God of the universe. Lisa loves her life, her husband, her four young children and mostly her God and she loves sharing it all with you. Currently, her ordinary life involves fighting cancer.

4. http://myhomesweethomeonline.net Dawn Camp
As the tagline says, My Home Sweet Home is decorated with family, faith, and Photoshop. I am a Christian homeschooling mother-of-8; Photoshop and Lightroom enthusiast; photographer; Southerner; web designer; and "evangelist" for NAPP (the National Association of Photoshop Professionals) for my demographic of stay-at-home moms, bloggers, designers, digital scrappers, and homeschoolers. Popular topics include photography, homeschooling, and parenting. I also write for (in)courage, The Homeschool Post, Blissfully Domestic, and The Heart of the Matter online.

5. http://jenniferdeshler.com/
Life’s a Dance. Each day holds a new adventure and on this blog, Jennifer attempts to look at life with transparency and laughter. A mommy with a busy home life and career, posts range from work/life balance to parenting to her honest challenges with being the woman God created her to be. You can follow Jennifer on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jendeshler

6. http://thepioneerwoman.com/ Ree Drummond

7. http://www.relevantblog.blogspot.com - Mary DeMuth
Relevantblog is where author and speaker Mary DeMuth gives authentic, raw snapshots of her heart, her desire to follow Jesus. She helps readers and listeners turn their trials into triumph. After the release of her memoir, Thin Places, Mary’s shifted directions to help folks find healing from their pasts.

8. http://www.kathyhoward.org
Kathy Howard encourages women to pursue Christ with passion and purpose by openly sharing her own spiritual journey. She challenges them to fully yield their hearts and lives to God so they can experience everything He wants to give them. Kathy’s transparent style of writing and speaking puts women at ease. Her site includes lots of free discipleship tools and leader resources.

9. http://blog.kathilipp.com
Kathi Lipp’s Project Blog is all about those little projects that make life worth living. From your relationship with your husband to planting a salsa garden to going deeper in your time with God, if it’s important to your life, we’ve got a project for you!

10. http://www.comehaveapeace.blogspot.com
As much I love to nurture my "nest," I've gone around the globe to learn this world is not my home. My earthly home is hared by my hubby and 2 children, and we've enjoyed the adventure of pastoral & missions ministry together for 20 yrs of marriage. I'm a coffee drinking, herb growing, history loving, bread baking kind of gal who resists ironing but loves getting caught up in God's Word. Showing how real life displays God truth & how His truth changes real life is my joy & the heart of my blog. Every Monday I focus on the miracle & mystery of two becoming one in "Marriage Mondays." I can't help loving to alliterate, & my kids would confess I also love to rhyme. It is my joy to use words to share God's truth & extend His invitation to a worn out, confused, & anxious world ... "Come, have a peace."


11. http://www.krististephens.com
Kristi Stephens is a wife and mom of little ones who loves the Lord Jesus! Kristi has been equipped and called to teach women the Word of God – she loves to teach Bible studies in her local church, in her living room, and would love for you to join the journey from her “virtual living room” and run in the path of His commands together! His Word is rich, our God is awesome, and connecting with sisters in Christ along the way refreshes our souls.

12. http://www.brighterwalk.com/ Karyn Brownlee
Encouraging brighter minds, brighter steps and brighter reflections of God. BrighterWalk.com is the hub of the teaching ministry of Karyn Brownlee, a former public school administrator turned Christian communicator, called by God out of the schoolhouse into America's classroom to promote God's heavenly curriculum. Karyn writes cultural commentary, examining today's headlines through a biblical lens. She also writes Christian reflections. Karyn is a Bible teacher and inspirational speaker for women who lives with her family in the great state of Texas.

13. http://www.thispastorswife.com Amy Waddell

14. http://lynnmosher.blogspot.com
Devotionals from the heart to offer hope, encouragement, inspiration, and impart insights from the Word of God.

15. http://exemplifyonline.com

16. http://internetcafedevotions.com

17. http://www.girltalkhome.com/

18. http://www.pleasingtoyou.com/
Pleasing to You: Teri Lynne is "just a girl" … wife to an amazing man, mother of a beautiful daughter, and follower of the Risen Lord. In between laundry, volunteering at the crisis pregnancy center, and watching the world go by, she writes at Pleasing to You about everything from lessons learned from moldy shower curtains to the beauty of knowing our identities rest in Christ. She’s learning lessons about giving up good things to live in God’s best and enjoys sharing the journey of life with friends – both inside and outside her computer. You can find her tweeting@TeriLynneU and on Facebook. And she’s got a Blog Frog community where she likes to ask questions.

19. http://heart-and-home.net/

20. http://www.likeawarmcupofcoffee.com Sarah Mae
Like a Warm Cup of Coffee is a place where you can curl and begin your day as you seek to find the eternal value in who you are and in all you do. The gal behind LWCC is Sarah Mae, a Jesus-follower, wife, mother, homeschool teacher, home-keeper, blog-writer, wild blue dreamer, and Java-hugger.
She also writes for the DaySpring website, (in)courage, as well as the soon-to-be launched Raising Homemakers site. She is Co-host of the Relevant Conference and founder of Getasponsor.net.

On your mark, get set, go! Find out which one is your favorite and let me know why. If you know of another great blog for women, please share it with the rest of us! Can't wait to hear from you!

The lessons of life come in all shapes and sizes. My last one came in the form of an inch worm. Small, sort of cute in a wormy-kind-of-way, and nothing I would normally stop and notice. Well, maybe I'd stop for a second and smile, but then I'd keep walking with my to-do list weighing heavily on my mind.

But this was different. This time my trip from one building to the next would be completely halted by an inch long worm. My mind was whirling with thoughts that turned into prayers as I was desperate to see God move in a specific area of my wee little world. Anxious for answers and wondering if God even noticed, I was feeling much like Job who said, “I cry to you, O God, but you don’t answer.I stand before you, but you don’t even look."

Have you ever felt like that? I know we know God is faithful and that He will never leave us or forsake us, but we all face seasons of silence when we're desperate to hear God's voice. To see Him open doors and move mountains. This was one of those times.

My problem is I grew up in a Burger King world where we learned to want it now and to want it our way. So, while I tend to have a drive-thru mentality, I have something more like an inchworm reality. And on my way down the breezeway that day, the Lord got my attention and answered the cry of my heart.

I watched as wasps flew quickly from one place to the next and butterflies carelessly...almost effortlessly flitted on their course to no where. "Why can't my life be like that? Why is it that others seem to soar through life as if a red carpet of answered prayers was placed before their every step, yet mine come painfully slow?"

The answer came in the form of inchworm making its way along the paved trail of concrete leading to its long awaited destination. Quickly making my way back to the office I looked down and noticed this cute little creature moving in slinky-like motion. I was busy and wanted to hurry on my way when I sensed the Lord stopping me in my tracks to take note of the little guy on the ground. It's as if He spoke to my heart and said, "Stephanie, when's the last time you saw an inchworm? You want things to happen fast, but your path is to be more like an inchworm's. Little by little. But just like the inchworm...you'll get there."

It's funny how the Living God delights in speaking to our hearts when He seems to be silent in our circumstances. It's even funnier how He chooses to stop us in our tracks to teach us life lessons from something as simple as an inchworm.

Oh, how I love how He loves us! I'm so thankful for His still small voice, His unconditional love and the lessons He taught me that day from an inchworm.

"Speak, LORD, for Your servant hears." 1 Samuel 3:9

I battled whether or not to combine "The Impact of a Leading Lady" and "The Legacy of a Leading Lady" since both are very similar in concept. Because our legacy is determined by the impact we have, I decided to converge the two together. To be honest with you, it was a difficult decision because I feel like I've just spent the last few weeks sitting around the table, drinking coffee with some girlfriends talking about our similar passionate pursuit of glorifying God in our journey of becoming who we were created to be. So although drawing this series to a close is a little like saying goodbye to an old friend, we still have this final post together and I intend to enjoy every letter of it with you girls. :-)

There's something beautifully profound about the word "legacy." It somehow stirs the heart with visions of grandeur and lives of lofty significance. But legacies aren't only found in the lives of those with extreme impact of heroic proportions. More often than not, they're built one simple choice at a time. You see, the reputations we are building today are the legacies we are leaving tomorrow and each choice we make along the way determines what kind of legacy that will be.

While preparing for this post, I was reminded of brownies and broccoli. I love the smell of brownies baking in the oven. There's absolutely nothing that says sit and stay awhile like the aroma of this chocolate delight. In fact, if you're in real estate, you know one of the tricks of the trade is to bake brownies or chocolate chip cookies before a showing. It's a strategic plan to make the potential buyers feel at home...to leave an inviting and tasty imprint of the house on their heart.

The recollection of broccoli creates a completely opposite effect. In fact, I remember a time while playing the perfect hostess for some friends that a strange stench permeated the place. It was then that I realized I had left the broccoli on the burner a "tad" too long. (Note to self: Never burn broccoli before guests arrive!)

Those sweet people made light of the odiferous haze that hovered through the house. But needless to say, it didn't leave the best impression. Perhaps that's why our meals together have been relegated to the nearest Chili's. :-)

Legacies are a little like brownies and burnt broccoli. They leave impressions- footprints on your heart that either make you want to delight in their presence or flee from them.

If our legacies only equaled the lasting effects of brownies and burnt broccoli, then they wouldn't be so important. But we leave behind pieces of who we are in the hearts of who we know and the implications can be eternal.

Benjamin Disraeli once said, "The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example.” And Ecclesiastes 7:1 says, "A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume."

What kind of legacy do we want to leave behind? What choices are we making today that will secure the kind of legacy we long to leave? When we really think about it, these questions are quite sobering, aren't they?

In our last post in the "Leading Ladies" series, I'd like to offer some questions to filter our choices through that will help us leave a legacy that will leave beautiful footprints on the hearts and lives of those who know us.

1. Does what I'm getting ready to say really need to be heard? When I was a fairly new Christian, I sat beside a lady at church who opened her Bible to the blank page on the front cover. On it was written this - "Does what I'm getting ready to say really need to be heard?" Although I haven't fleshed it out as perfectly as I'd like to have, I've never forgotten that precious lady or the admonition she so sweetly passed down to me. A legacy of learning to guard my tongue. Oh be careful little mouth what you say...for the Father up above is looking down with love and little eyes are watching every day!

2. How can I make a difference in someone's life today? Recently, I've been more aware of the needs of those around me. Emotional, physical and spiritual needs. We walk by people every day who are desperate for someone to help them over emotional hurdles that seem to prevent them from making progress on their journey. People who are suffering from physical addictions, illnesses or ailments that capture their attention and leave them feeling helpless. People who need someone to show them Jesus is real as He lives in and through lives that will touch these people with His mercy, His grace and His unconditional love. Can you be that person today? Can I? Can we leave a legacy of His love flowing through us - or are we just too busy with life?

3. What will the consequences be if I do or don't do this? So much of what we do and don't do in life is without the thought of consequences. Yet every action and even every non-action have consequences. If I don't help my neighbor in need, I hurt my testimony - I lose opportunities I will never be able to recapture. If I lose my cool and make a fool of myself by making much too much of something, I leave an impression like that found on the pages of Scripture in Proverbs 3:35 which says, "shame shall be the legacy of fools." That's not the kind of legacy I'm anxious to leave. I'm sure it's not the kind of legacy you want to leave either.

Many have left footprints of their own legacies on my heart. Some have been good...others-not so much. Probably the most profound leading lady in my life has been my mom. Perfect? No. But since they day she left the hospital with her four day old newly adopted bundle of joy, she has loved me as if I were her own. She didn't care that I was a result of a rape. She was just glad to call me hers.

My mom has left a legacy of strength, courage and perserverance. And as I've watched her in her battle with cancer I've found that her current circumstances don't change her character - they only validates it. Strength and honor clothe her and her children rise up and call her blessed. Perfect? No. Blessed? Oh, yes! Yet, even as she prepares to transition from this life to the next, I know she wishes there were some things she could do differently.

You and I still have time. Time to make a difference today. Time to develop a legacy that will linger throughout eternity. But in order to do that, we must choose to live intentionally. We must filter our lives through the questions I posed earlier. We were all born for such a time as this. May we be Esther-like in fulfilling our call and leaving a legacy that lasts throughout eternity.

What about you? Have you ever really thought about the fact that the decisions you make today determine the legacy you will leave tomorrow? Is your legacy more like brownies or burnt broccoli? What footprints are you leaving on the hearts of those who know you? Do you have anything to add to this post that can encourage women to leave a legacy that matters? I'd love to hear from you!

When I was in high school, I tried out for the track team. Unfortunately, I was much faster and more agile in my mind than I was in real life. After acing the relay race and the long distance run, I thought I had a chance to garner that coveted position on the Forrest High School running team. However, my dreams were dashed when the coach put something that looked like a saw horse about every fifteen feet apart right in the middle of the track.

I wasn’t completely ignorant. I knew what they were - obstacles I had to hurdle if I wanted to be on the team. But I also knew my pint-sized legs didn’t measure up to the 33 inch high jump.

The path of a leading lady is chock-full of hurdles. Some test our strength, some test our endurance and others test our character. In today’s post, we’ll look at some very real and common obstacles each of us must hurdle if we’re going to be the leading ladies God has called us to be.

Feeling Inadequate - Hurdles, by their very nature, often make us feel like we don’t measure up. I remember when the Lord led me to organize a women's ministry event. I had every thing organized, but when it came to the details of decorating and developing a menu I was totally ill-equipped. A domestic diva, I am not. I realize there are times when I'm not capable of accomplishing what others do so easily and it often makes me feel "less than." Like I don't measure up.

God often calls us to accomplish that which is far beyond our own abilities. If our hurdles were only ankle high, we wouldn't see His hand so clearly lifting us beyond them. We wouldn't see the need to strengthen certain areas of our lives in preparation for God's call. Yes, we are all inadequate. But admitting it and wallowing it are two entirely different things. Admitting it is a catalyst to call on God's intervention; wallowing in it is an incentive to make excuses.

If you feel inadequate, that's good. But Christ has given us precious promises of victory over ourselves. We are "hyper-nikes" - more than conquerors (Rom 8:28). He has promised that we can do all things through Him (Phil 4:13). So, while you may always feel inadequate, know that you are uniquely made and distintly called for such a time as this...for such an event as this...for such a calling as this. Our inadequacy only validates His strength at work in us. “'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Cor 12:9

Fear - Someone recently commented on my life as a missionary. I couldn't help but laugh when she said, "You must be brave." I am far from brave, I'm really just an adventurous sissy. I love missions but I hate to fly. I love to speak, but hate to be in front of people. I love to write, but hate the idea that others will critique it. The list goes on and on. Some people are just naturally brave and then there's the rest of us. Some people fear failure, while others fear success. Some fear looking foolish while other fear looking arrogant. Where fear resides, faith does not; where faith resides, fear can not. Fear is often the obstacle that requires the biggest leap of faith.

If you're like me, you long to fearlessly live every moment for the glory of God. That's where trusting God comes in. No matter what I'm called to do - no matter how afraid I am - it's important to remember God has not given me the spirit of fear (2 Tim 1:7). Perfect love - God's love - casts out fear (1 John 4:18). One of the Lord's most mentioned commands is "fear not." Knowing that should help us to say "yes" to every grand adventure God calls us to.

Not being a history guru, I readily admit the first place I heard the following quote was on "Princess Diaries." But I have to tell you, it has made a lasting impact. Perhaps it will do the same for you. The next time you're heart is trapped by fear, remember this... “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.” Ambrose Redmoon Certainly, God's glory is more important than any fear we may face.

Comparing Ourselves With Other Leading Ladies - Not long after I began teaching, someone called me and asked me to speak at their Ladies' Retreat. I was honored, humbled and scared all at the same time. After my co-teacher heard my exciting news she quickly commenced to deflate my balloon with questions like, "You?!!!" "Did you call them and ask them to let you speak?!!!" "Why didn't they ask me?!!!" Talk about feeling deflated!

I had always looked up to her. Wanted to be like her. She was so organized and perfect. She was like Kay Arthur and I seemed to fall somewhere between Lucy and Ethel. Always goofy yet still trying to keep others from going down the wrong road. Her words fell like boulders on my shoulders and stuck like super glue to my heart. How could I ever have the confidence to pull off that retreat?

But God has a way of reminding us that we are just as much a masterpiece as the next girl. In fact, I think it was that very same week that someone came up to me and told me the Lord had used me to speak to her heart about something she had not shared with anyone. It was then that I decided that I may not ever be "So & So" but I was just as fearfully and wonderfully made as she was. God had laid my name on those ladies hearts, not hers. It was His call on my life and I would be used to impact people she would never reach.

God calls each of us to minister in different capacities - in different ways - to different groups of people - in different arenas of life. We can't compare ourselves to each other without feeling inadequate. There's always someone better, smarter and prettier than we are. All we can do is the best we can do in the sphere of influence God has given us. I can only be who I am. I can only become who I was created to be. The same is true for you.

"For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise." 2 Cor 10:12


Discouragment - Sticks and stones may not brake our bones, but names can really hurt us. We all face discouragement. It's one of the obstacles that skin more than our knees. If we're not careful, discouragment can leave scars on our hearts. Sometimes it comes in the form of hurtful words; other times it comes from our own failure; there are even times when we are discouraged by what we percieve to be true when it really isn't. Times we "think" we've let someone down or when we "feel" we have failed someone or when we "believe" we blew an opportunity.

Discouragement prevents us from moving forward because we're fixed on the rearview mirror of our lives. When we feel discouraged we can only evaluate the source, make any needed application and move on in victory. We're all a work in progress. No one has it all together. In fact, I love how the Message Version words Phil 3:13-14, "I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back."

Pride - Once a leading lady begins thinking she's all that and a bag of chips, she has set herself up to continually fall over her own ego. There's no room for pride in the Kingdom of God. Honestly! We have nothing apart from Christ. We are nothing without Him. We have nothing to offer anyone apart from what He has given us.

Pride is just as debilitating as discouragement. However, we are only ones who are responsible for thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought. Humility is the only effective exercise we can employ that will help us leap over the hurdle of an inflamed ego. Be careful to never allow yourself to become your own obstacle. Remember..."Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:18

Refueling - Many times we overextend ourselves and find we are trying to pour from an empty vessel. We can't be the leading ladies God created us to be without refreshing ourselves in His Word and in His presence. There is no substitute for-nor is there a greater need than spending time with God. Living water doesn't flow from a dry stream. Fruit is not produced in parched soil.

There is no hurdle so high as the one we try to climb on our own. Yet, there is no obstacle we can't overcome when God lift's us by His grace. It is in His presence where we will find fulness of joy. Psalm 16:11 God doesn't call us to do this thing called life alone. He desires our presence. Should we not desire His more.

All our springs are in Him. That means our life flows from Him. Acts 17:28 says it this way, "For in him we live and move and have our being." He is not a part of my life. He is my life. And what I pour into others can only be productive when what I am pouring is an overflow of what I have received from the Living God.

Obstacles are really only opportunities to glorify God and display His gracious hand working in simple lives. But we have to strengthen ourselves and know how to handle the hurdles we face on a daily basis. Then we will be the leading ladies that can turn our families, our communities and this world upside down.

By the way...I didn't make the track team in high school. Instead, I ended up with gravel ladened bloodied knees. I am, however, on the greatest team of all - God's team. And I didn't even have to try out! :-)

What are some obstacles you face as a leading lady? What can you add to this post?

We all know pictures can tell a thousand words, but this one just jumped off the page as if to say, "This is your life."

Here in my hometown the circus comes around every January and puts on the greatest show on earth. Everything from contortionists to clowns to wild animal acts to magic shows. But the ones that capture my attention more than anything else are those that require balance. The trapeze, high wire, plate spinning and juggling acts were mesmerizing. How could they possibly sit on a chair perched on a rope while balancing a canoe on their feet and spinning a plethora of plates with their hands? It's like they're all over the place.

But watching these acts often remind me of the way we live our lives. All over the place. We each have a starring role in our own balancing act. We aren't spinning plates, but we are spinning jobs, sleepless nights with newborns, family time, cooking, cleaning, organizing family events, playing taxi driver, kissing booboos, nurturing hurting hearts, homework or homeschool, caring for sick children or ill and aging parents, church activities and ministries. Not to mention the occasional trip to the emergency room.

Does any of that sound familiar? Does too much of that sound familiar? Really, it's more than a girl can take! Perhaps that's the idea...or maybe we need to down size our to-do list...or maybe we just need to say "no" every once in a while. One thing is for sure-if we're going to be the leading ladies we were created to be, we need to find balance. So let' look at our options.


1. Learn to say "no" - It's definitely easier said than done. We love to help others. There are so many needs and we want to fix everything. We can't be effective when we spread ourselves so thin it weakens our resolve and lessons our attention. When we say "yes" to everything, we don't give anyone else the opportunity to grow. Even if it means something remains undone. As hard as it is, we need to learn to prayerfully say "no." Remember, not every need is yours to meet, not every open door is yours to walk through. Sometimes we have to just say no!

2. Down size our to-do list- Let's just say this up front...this is not for the faint of heart. There are a lot of emotional ties linked with our beloved to-do lists. Especially if we're boarder-line control freaks. But let's look at the three ways we can do what we need to do in order to do what we need to do.

A. Eliminate - There comes a time when we need to cut the fluff. That means filtering out the essential from the nonessential. What do we do that takes time away from what we need to be doing? What are some things that if left undone would not really be a big deal? An example for me would be surfing the web. Now if I was interested in surfing waves, my husband would be a happy camper, but since it's nonproductive time on the computer, I can eliminate it for the purpose of accomplishing something that matters. One less plate to spin may just free up some time.

B.Coordinate - When I function from a calendar I don't miss birthdays, appointments or meetings. When I function from my memory I either find myself scrambling to do what I should have already done or forgetting an important event entirely. Maybe you don't struggle with organization, but at least twice a year, I get back to the basics and analyze, reprioritize and organize my life. It's helps me see where I've been, where I am and where I'm going. We can't be the leading ladies we were created to be if we don't even know when our next appointment is. When we are organized we have more time to do what needs to be done.

C. Delegate - When I was growing up I loved watching "Wonder Woman." Linda Carter was beautiful, strong and able to do just about anything. But real life isn't like that. We can't do everything. We aren't Wonder Woman. We need others to help us accomplish what needs to be done. We may need to carpool with a friend, ask our husbands for help, get a friend to help the kids with their homework, get Grandma to pick them up from school, teach the children how to clean the house by requiring daily chores, ask others in your ministry to help accomplish specific tasks...especially the ones you're not good at. Give others a chance to help and in turn, they will grow. You can't do everything but when you delegate, everything can get done.

3. Place Your Load on the Savior's Shoulders - Perhaps the load you're carrying is more than you can take. When our plates are overflowing...when we feel like we're out of balance or like we're going out of our minds, Jesus calls us to cast our cares on Him. He beckons us to allow Him to bear the burden of our heavy load in exchange for His light one. Life isn't easy. It often feels like we're living life in a three ring circus. But this I know...He has promised He will never leave us or forsake us, He has engraved us on the palm of His hand, He knows the number of hairs on our heads, we are the apple of His eye, we are His beloved bride. So when we feel like our lives are spinning out of control, we can run to the One who created us for His pleasure and His glory. Basking in His presence, seeking His will. There that we will find the wisdom we need to effectively balance the dailies of this life. There we will find rest for our weary souls.

Remember...Jesus came to give us an abundant life, not one that looks like a three ring circus.

Do you feel like the lady in the picture - holding your family life up with one hand, your ministry with the other, and your home and your job with your feet? What are some things you can do to better to balance your life? What could you add to this post?

As I began to write my next post in our "Leading Ladies" series, I was overwhelmed with the significance of this weekend. In honor and recognition of the most pivotal event in history, I am postponing our "Leading Ladies" series for a weekend of prayer and reflection. "Leading Ladies and the Balancing Act" will be posted Monday. But for now, let's look at the cross.

You see them everywhere. There are cross pendants, cross necklaces, cross earrings, cross bracelets, cross pictures, crosses screen printed and embroidered on shirts and hats. Crosses are basically decorations for anyone and everyone. But if you think about it, isn't it odd that we have glamorized an instrument of death. You don't see people making necklaces out of an electric chair or an syringe. Perhaps our familiarity with the cross has caused us to gloss over its significance.

Today, I'm not going to write a typical blog, I just want to take a moment and publicly thank Jesus for the cross.

Thank, Jesus for coming to this earth as a man, for living a perfect life, for loving me while I was still a sinner. Thank You for taking my place. For being the perfect, sacrificial Lamb and shedding Your blood for a wretch like me. Thank You for being condemned so I would never have to be. Thank You for being separated from the Heavenly Father so I would never have to be. Thank You for redeeming me, for saving me, for changing me, for sealing me with Your Holy Spirit, for loving me, for making me a new creation, for giving me hope, for giving me purpose and a future...for giving me an eternity to show You how thankful I am. You are forever faithful, forever merciful, forever wonderful, forever true, forever righteous, forever good, forever God!

I am eternally thankful and eternally Yours!