"Pray about everything."

"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." Philippians 4:6 NLT

Just thinking that I really need to take this to heart! We have been so blessed that I often feel guilty for asking for/praying for things that we need. We are in desperate need of a van, it is impossible to get the kids to their activities (as a group) without one. Church, co-op, even gatherings at the park with friends are an impossibility. I chose to have them home with me so that we could be together, but the lack of a van makes together anyplace but HERE impossible. I keep looking at minivans, but can't find any used in our limited price range.  I feel judged by some around me that feel that since I chose to have so many children that it is my fault we are in the situation we are in right now, like it is some cosmic payback for "being selfish" and "overpopulating".  It is OK for a small family or a single mom to "be in need" and to complain about the things they need, but it isn't OK for me to do so.

I am so grateful and thankful for the roof over our head, the food on our table, the love and laughter that fill these walls. We are blessed by friendship and the kindness of strangers--a special thanks to that stranger that made sports camp possible for the little ones this week!  They are having a wonderful time and are being blessed by God's word every day!

I look forward to the day when I can pay all of this forward.  We try to do it in little ways each day.  Donating things that was don't need to those who can use it, using coupons to "purchase" items for free and donating them to the local struggling food pantry, donating our time and showing kindness to those around us.  It is hard to not judge those who so harshly judge us.  Those who make comments about the fat woman at the food pantry or the comments about how they wouldn't allow their child to date someone of a different race.....we are all God's children....fat, skinny, rich, poor, black, white, yellow, sterile, fertile....OK, not really sure where this rant it going, I just needed to get it off my chest.

I am reminded of a quote by Eleanor Roosevelt, it went something along the lines of "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent".  I am giving these neigh- sayers far too much space in my head.  I am raising the rent and kicking them out!  I am expressing my needs--not only to God but to those around me and I don't care if it offends you!