Tuesday, August 18, 2015

New Location!

Hi friends! Thanks for sticking with me. I wanted to share some exciting information!

My blog has a new location - www.erincpeters.wordpress.com

It's bigger and better than before and I can't wait to start posting again. Look for my next blog post later this week!

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

What Are "Heart Sisters" Anyway?

Have ever watched Anne Of Green Gables? If so, you'll remember when Anne and Diana discovered their friendship was more than just a friendship, but that they were true kindred spirits. I remember wondering if anyone would ever find me as their kindred spirit. Years later, I have found not one, but many friends that I would consider kindred spirits.

Now don't get me wrong, I've seen more than my fair share of friends come and go, and often wondered "is there something wrong with me?" Have you ever felt that way. Maybe you still ponder such questions in your mind.

Well, I have great news for you! Whether you are good a friendships, bad at friendships or would love to know how God wants us to function in friendships, "Heart Sisters" by Natalie Chambers Snapp is a must read book!

Natalie shares from her heart as she journeys through some of her own friendship mistakes, which has any woman who has had even one friend shouting, "me too!" But she doesn't stop there. She continues by taking a look at The Super Seven Sisters, women from the Bible who modelled true "Heart Sister" character. I'm a Deborah myself :)

One of the many things I love about this book is how Natalie does not shy away from the true nitty gritty of friendships, and now true forgiveness and   conflict resolution can strengthen "Heart Sisters". Here's just one of the quotes I highlighted :)

"Being humble doesn’t only mean you don’t toot your own horn. It means you accept you will mess up from time to time and might need to apologize for it to boot. It means going to someone in a nonaccusatory manner to seek understanding without assuming you have done nothing wrong and being willing to own your part and move toward reconciliation."

As she wraps up the book, Natalie devotes a chapter to passing on and modelling to the next generation of "Heart Sisters", what true friendships that are designed by God and centered on Him look like. 

What a blessing it has been to get to know Natalie through her book and to feel her passion about God's design and importance of true "Heart Sister" friendships!



Thursday, April 23, 2015

Giving My Dream Away

I have dream to be a writer...but I gave it away.

I have a dream to be a speaker...but I gave it away.

I have a dream to be a leader of women...but I gave it away.

I have a dream of being an amazing wife...but I gave it away.

I have a dream of being an awesome mom...but I gave it away. 

Why did I give these dreams away?

I didn't give these dreams away because of distractions or obstacles or being too busy. I didn't throw them in the garbage or disregard them with a casual attitude. I didn't get bogged down with "why me". 

I gave them to the One who can actually make them happen. I gave them to the One who will make them perfect. I gave them to the One who knows me and all my strengths and weaknesses better than I do.

Most importantly, I gave them away because I want God to be in charge of the outcome of my life.

I know there will be times when I try to take them back. Times when I try and take control of my path or try and force something that should not happen. But I trust God to bring me back to this place of surrendering my hopes, dreams and desires to Him.

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

God Is Bigger!



At the start of every new year, I begin with the best of intentions to keep on track with a Bible reading plan. The furthest I ever made it is the end of July before getting off track. This year I decided to read through the Bible chronologically. Thankfully, my husband decided to do it with me. Well, the truth is that I set up the YouVersion app on his iPad mini and signed him up. But so far, we've been faithful everyday.

A few days ago, we started with the book of Exodus. Since I've started reading through the Bible every year numerous times before, this means I've read this book many times before. But that just means that I have to work on being intentional in how I read and why I read!


Today, I opened up to Exodus chapter 14. Like every time I read the story of the Israelites, I get extremely frustrated with these people who are finally free after 430 years of bondage! Yes, I try and remind myself that I am very similar to them, but honestly, do I really act as ungrateful as them? This part of the story is where Pharoh's army has them trapped beside the Red Sea. And what do the people do? They complain and grumble at The Lord and Moses for bringing them out of Egypt. Very frustrating people!

But today as I read, Moses' response in verse 13 stuck out in a very big way to me!
And Moses said to the people, "Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of The Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. (Exodus 14:13)

These people are trapped. They're stuck. They are convinced this is the end and it cannot get any worse. This is the stuff that horrible nightmares are made of. But notice how Moses draws their focus off of themselves and points them to The Lord.

This is where I stop, shake my head and raise my hand. Yes, that is what I do when faced with the worst situation I can imagine. I cry out to God in frustration, and yes, there is usually complaining involved in some way. I am just like the Israelites.

But God! Or how He has shed new light on this old-time story for me today. He showed me that just as He led the Israelites to their place of biggest fear, so He leads me sometimes. And why does He do this? Because sometimes God allows us to face our biggest fear to show us that He is bigger!


So today, as you face that potential job layoff, a sick child, a marriage in shambles, or loneliness, know that God hasn't abandoned you. You're right where He wants you to be in order to show you more of Himself.

Thursday, January 15, 2015

The Health of My Heart



Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
             1 Corinthians 13:4-7


The clock read 11:37pm. The curtains were drawn and everyone was asleep, except my son. He sat in my arms, wrapped in his soft green blanket, smiling. Oh that smile. Cute, but not at 11:37pm.

So many thoughts ran through my head. Why he was still awake? Why is my husband sleeping? Doesn't he know that I have to get up at 6am too? Yes, he has a "real" job, but my "job" gets the kids fed, clothed and keeps them from fighting all day. Plus I have a meeting in the morning. And we need lightbulbs from the store. I get to have coffee tomorrow. Haven't had it four days. Ugh! Why is this child not sleeping.

Them bam! I felt it. That God tap. That reminder of what love is.

It's patient with what comes throughout the day, or night.

It's kind when my child interrupts me because he needs a snuggle.

It's not envious that my husband gets to go to work and talk to adults all day long.

It doesn't boast over how much I do for those I love.

It's not proud at what I've accomplished.

It doesn't push my own selfish "needs" before those that I am trusted to care for.

It doesn't seek to elevate my position.

It doesn't get angry when my plans get changed.

It doesn't keep a record of how many times I've taken the "night-shift" with the kids.

It doesn't get joy out of another mom's struggle.

It always protects.

It always trusts.

It always hopes.

It always perseveres.

It was then that I realized that I hadn't been loving those whom God gave me to love. I was crushed with the overwhelming sense of guilt and repentance at what I had been truly feeling in my heart. This was the health of my heart and I didn't like it.

So I prayed. Prayed for His forgiveness and His help, because it's easy to be the opposite of loving. That part comes naturally.

As I woke today, I was refreshed despite the loss of sleep. But I woke with a different perspective. A God perspecitive. I want the Holy Spirit to guide me in loving all those in my path. This is my prayer.

Have you checked the condition of your heart lately?