Our God is Faithful

When difficult things come it can be hard to not panic, worry and become anxious, but we are cautioned in God’s word to “be anxious for nothing”. When it comes to our family that can be a very hard thing to do. I tend to cry first and storm the throne with prayers before I can take a breath and begin to calm down.

If I am not careful Satan will attack with “You should have or you could have” all those things that might have been but for circumstances and/or God’s leading. Sometimes God directs us to move away and though it is very hard to do we follow, believing that this is the best thing to do.

When parents are in the hospital or when they need us nearby is when the devil will attack with “You should never have moved away. Look how hard you are making it on your poor parents. Now don’t you wish you were still there?”

Well, yeah I wish we still lived close. But that is not reality and I am still trusting God for it all. He knows what is best for my parents. He knows what is best for us, and He knows what the future holds.

I must continue to trust in God’s leading. Without Him I would be so lost. How would I ever cope, who would I turn to for strength, how would I know which direction to turn? Without God life has no direction or meaning. Trusting is the only option.

So; with Mom in the hospital, Dad not caring for himself properly, a six hour drive separating us, the rest of the family at work and me with no vehicle, I choose to trust in my heavenly Father. He already knows the outcome and has put in place provisions for our every need. God is faithful! “Just Trust!”

Another Beginning

How is it that I forget so easily that my life is so much better when I am giving it all to God? Recently my DH (Dear Husband) was on a job working seven days a week, twelve hours a day. He worked this shift for three months. The longer he worked it the less I was able to accomplish at home. Things got stacked up again; magazines, mail, dishes, work, etc. Most every flat surface is stacked up with stuff. And I am not in much better shape myself. I gained fifteen pounds and though I am losing some I am still hooked on sodas. Not that I like them that much, I just find myself wanting them.

God has given me this wonderful life and I am letting little things take away the joy that could be evident to all around me. Forgive me Lord.

Today is a new beginning for me. I’m realizing just how much the devil wants me to suffer for my love for God. And I just realized that I am not willing to just sit and let it happen any longer. I am going to give God the glory and when I slip I am going to forgive myself and get busy again living for Him. There is hope. The possibilities for my life are limitless within His will.

I am so grateful that He opened my eyes to the truth about all that is going on here. Yes, I have a lot of work to do but with God’s help all things are possible. Praise God!!

How is life going for you?

Gossip or Take Thoughts Captive?

We think nothing of passing on information without a thought as to whether it is; gossip, second or third hand information. There are times when we must pass on things that could keep someone safe, even if it is from a second or third party. But we must be careful of chatting about others. God does hold us accountable for the things we say,* whether spoken, written or even thought.

I am aware more now than ever that the thoughts and ideas of others about people we know can sway my thinking and also my response to those people. Am I so shallow? Is it possible that I can be so swayed that even God’s purpose can be affected? Yes, our thoughts and feelings can get in the way of what God would have us do. Perhaps that is why He warns us in His word not to gossip.

How are we to be a true witness of God’s love if we are easily swayed by the remarks of others? We must take care, search our hearts and prayerfully live our lives in the way God leads, through His word, His ministers, His voice speaking to us and His Spirit leading us.

Now when the days are so stressful and there is much to just getting through a day we must seek God in the morning and trust Him to get us through the day in a way that will bring Him glory. I realize now that more than ever I must watch, guard my thoughts** and the words I speak. If they do not uplift, encourage and speak love then I am not helping God’s cause.

Though these thoughts are simple there is a lot to consider. I must take the time to consider my week and see if there is any sin there. Let me know what you think.

*Matt. 12:36 **2Corinthians 10:5

My Idea Is Better

We always think our ideas are the best.

Learning to accept the fact that though my thoughts are good and often led of God, I can not possibly be right all the time. Not all of my thoughts are good, unselfish, without an agenda or led of God. Nor are they all to be shared with others.

Once accepted how do we convey this truth to our readers and keep them reading?

Prayerfully crafting a story is the only answer. Allowing God to move our thoughts through a story line as He moves our fingers on the keyboard can craft such a story of compelling characters that the reader is captivated by the thoughts therein. Can you tell I’ve been reading Jane Austin?

Her portrayal of Darcy makes you; like him, sympathize with him and care what happens. That is why we keep lifting the book from the shelf or putting the DVD in. To read or watch, again and again. What other characters can you think of? Why did you like them, why care what happened, did they truly deserve what they got, even the vilest of foes?

We write what we know and continued growth is important to us, for ourselves and for our work. It keeps us moving forward, striving for a better approach or a better tale to tell.

What thought God has recently given that has helped you in your work?

The List

Confronting those things which hold us, captive in our own self made prison, is earnestly needed. It is urgently needed and should be desired by us all, though it can be one of the most painful things we ever do. But then growth is often painful.

I don’t remember the painful growth of bones and muscles when I was a little girl. One thing I do remember is the pain I experienced, when growing into a teen, of being teased and relegated to the fringes of school life as if unworthy of inclusion. I felt it deeply. Yes, words do hurt.

I feel just as deeply, now, the need for confronting those things that turn me towards food for comfort instead of my heavenly Father. As I began to pray I listed the words that came to my mind so I could confront, study and turn from them. At the top of the list was anger and this was directed at; myself, those people who had hurt me, even God.

As I prayed for forgiveness I felt an indescribable lightness filling my spirit along with hope that as the days progressed and I confronted all those other items on "The List" I would begin to feel a true freedom in Christ.

Hope is a heady sensation and one that I pray will take root in my soul. May it be so strong within me that it will never waver in the days and years to come.

Confronting our attitudes, motives and ideas is a good thing, don't you think?

The Up Side

Being ill is no fun but there is an up side so to speak.
Realizing that there is much to be grateful for such as;

Being able to breathe,

Having a job at home that allows me to set my own schedule so that I can take time off if needed,

Having a sweetheart who is very willing to help around the house when I’m not well even though he is currently working seven days a week, twelve hours a day,

Having a grown son at home who is willing to help also is a blessing,

Having a Christian fellowship/family to turn to for prayers is a great blessing,

And last but by no means least having God to hang onto during those weak-I just have no strength times.

God is the greatest blessing of all.

Take time to list some of your blessings, even if you aren’t having the best day ever.

God bless!!

Life Is Good

Life is good because God is great! It amazes me how much I am learning. I always thought that older people were very wise, not that I’m old. Not in the least, but I am more mature and advanced in age than I was when that thought entered my head. I think now that the wisdom we often see in older folks is their ability to put others first, their willingness to admit they don’t know everything and their joy in just living.

I enjoy life more now even though the responsibilities of life aren’t really less than when my children were young, just different. I am learning to trust God more and learning so much about life that I’m amazed at His patience with me when I was young. Even now; if I'm not careful, I tend to rebell, rushing through my days without thought to what God might want me to do with them. I’m learning again to seek Him first.

Starting my morning reading God’s word seems to bring me into His presence. Then when I begin to pray I am more aware of sin in my life and can seek forgiveness and ask Him to help me turn from it. That just seems to be the way it works for me. I’m more aware of God’s presence throughout my day now and it is a wonderful feeling. I can turn to Him at any moment, as if my best friend is standing by my side, (which in fact He is) and ask for help or praise Him for this wonderful life He has given me.

I wonder if those times of rebellion will ever truly become a thing of the past. What do you think?