this season

In this season of birthdays, celebrations, and new babiezzz (6 to count since March), I have discovered a deep passion of mine: service and gift giving.  Yes, my husband knows that I go to Target twice/week (once for us, and once for all my friends!). Yes, he's noticed that I have made more consecutive homemade meals in the past 4 weeks put together than I have in the 8 months that we've been married.  All of these things (meals, wedding planning, babysitting, gifts, etc) have been wonderful, however, I have had to take a peek recently at my motives and heart. Where do my services/resources come from? Who am I really serving?

Any one who loves to give gifts/time/service knows that sometimes, the heart can get in the way of our gifts and purpose.
Ex: We start expecting thanks, reciprocation, and sadly, in the long run---We burn out, reach long standing disappointment and lots of other selfish icky things.

The Word warns us of motives and our hearts (yikes, which can be just plain ugly).
Good news! We are redeeemed and forgiven and made holy, again. Thank you, Jesus for your blood.

For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. Gal 5:17

...let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Cor 10:5

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Cor. 5:17).

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Ps 119:11

As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience. Luke 8:15

With all of these reminders (and more throughout scripture), I am so thankful for His life, blood, and Word!

I am growing friends.  I'm slowly but surely, being molded into the lady He wants me to be.  I type this as part confession, part celebration.  It is challenging sometimes to give of yourself and not receive (thanks).  However, the heart check, confession (with God and a few friends), reconciliation, and wholeness have made me question the ONE I truly serve and how, in all honesty, I deserve nothing in return.  He deserves all of our praise! 

Thank you for reading.
If you have any experiences or scriptures that have turned your heart back to Christ and His amazing love and example of giving, comment below.

Have a wonderful day!
~h