About Mary Hess

Mary is a creative spirit, loyal wife and loving mother dedicated to furthering the message and mission of Jesus. A Kentucky native living in Summerville, South Carolina, Mary is an active member of New Day Community Church – where she contributes to her church community as a speaker, teacher, worship leader and musician. In addition to her full-time position at the Oasis Christian Counseling, Mary oversees the design and promotional needs of her clients with Mary Hess Designs. When she’s not working, Mary enjoys running, reading, blogging and spending quality time with her husband and two children.

oneword365 | parousia

February 21, 2012 By Mary Hess

I’m going to try and stay more focused on my OneWord365 this year than I have in the past. It seems more important to me this year than ever. So my goal is to post some sort of update every 2-3 months instead of a couple of times in the year.

Parousia

Greek for “personal presence”

It’s February 21st.

Two months into the new year – 2012.

And I have totally sucked at being present so far this year.

As a matter of fact, so far this year I have found myself so pulled in twenty different directions, that I haven’t had the energy to be present.

That sucks.

(Sorry. But it does.)

I’ve tried planners, to-do lists, schedules, etc. but nothing seems to work.

Life has just felt chaotic.

And that makes me nervous and sad.

Nervous because it probably means I need to say no to a few things.

Sad because I don’t want to.

I love every part of my life.

I love it all.

But it’s not fair to my family.

It’s not fair to my body.
(especially when I have to spend an entire day in bed because I’m past the point of exhausted. Not. Good.)

So over the next few days I’ll be re-evaluating what I have going on in my life,

seeing what I can drop, seeing what I can keep, and scheduling my time better.

I want to be present.

In everything.

When I’m at work.

When I’m at church.

When I’m with my family.

When I’m with God.

I don’t want to short-change anyone.

So, I guess He knew what He was doing when He gave me my word for this year.

Parousia | to be present

Here we go.

What others are saying 4 Comments Filed Under: matters of faith, matters of the heart, matters of writing, oneword

fruit of the spirit | faithfulness

February 18, 2012 By Mary Hess

To read all of the posts in this series, click here.

Our key scripture: Galatians 5:22-23 – ESV
²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Moving right along in our study, we’re going to talk about faithfulness this week. Faithfulness (or faith) in the Greek is pistis – πίστις – and means

1) conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervor born of faith and joined with it

a) relating to God

            1) the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ

b) relating to Christ

             1) a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God

c) the religious beliefs of Christians

d) belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same

             2) fidelity, faithfulness

                            a) the character of one who can be relied on

That’s a lot, right? But really all of those are traits we should be displaying when we show faithfulness or have faith. I think the one that struck me the most is “fidelity, faithfulness, the character of one who can be relied on.” I know that we can look at that from a human perspective: we should be faithful in our marriages, in our friendships, etc.

But most important, we should be faithful to God.

Yeah. I said that.

Faithful to God.

How often do we cheat on Him by allowing our time to be swallowed up by less important things? How often do we push Him to the side because we have other pressing matters to deal with. How often do we choose TV or computers or phones or whatever?

I know I’m guilty of it.

I’ve said it before, but it’s worth saying again:

If I spent the same amount of time with my husband as I currently do with God, would I still be married today?

Do I show faithfulness to Him as well those around me? Do I show faithfulness with the small things He’s entrusted to me? Am I reflecting His character at all times?

These are the things that cross my mind as I look at faithfulness. That word packs a big punch, ya know?

I want to be counted faithful.

I want to hear those words one day:

‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Matthew 25:21

Don’t you?

What others are saying Leave a Comment Filed Under: fruit of the spirit, matters of writing

five minute friday | delight

February 17, 2012 By Mary Hess

Delight.

It’s what I feel when I hear my girls laughing and playing together. It’s what I feel when I sit back and watch my family interact in our day-to-day activities.

I delight in the smaller, simpler things these days. Maybe that comes with age. Maybe that comes with having been in the crazy, wild ride of life for so long, I’m not sure. But I find myself looking for the little things to take pleasure in.

Like when he looks at me across the room and our eyes say more than words ever could.

Like when she calls me because I’ve been on her mind and she just knows I need to talk.

Like when He reminds me that today is a new day and the mercies start fresh first thing this morning.

Delight.

I smile.

It’s like a hidden treasure meant only for me.

He, my Father, my Savior, my Papa, my Friend,

delights in me.

{sigh}

:::::::;

Linking up with Lisa-Jo at The Gypsy Mama for Five Minute Friday today. Play along?