Simple Yet Powerful

"Oh, God, help me!"  This seems to be my constant prayer these days.  This cry does not pertain to any one specific thing in my life but to a plethora of things; family issues, business issues; finances; marriage; children; purpose; you name it, it applies.

I don't know if these things really recently became difficult issues in my life or whether I am just more aware of the normal challenges of these situations.  Regardless, I know that I can't do it alone, so I cry, "Oh, God, help me!"

Help me to keep going.
Help me to stay positive.
Help me to be hopeful.
Help me to trust You.
Help me to help others.
Help me.

This simple prayer seems almost infantile, yet by just asking God to help me I feel empowered, restored, capable, I can do this.  In crying out to Him for help I acknowledge my need for Him.  I recognize that on my own I am weak, and it is only through Him that I find strength and hope to continue.  Of course, I must move past these four words and communicate with God more intently and more intimately.  However, when it feels like I just can't go on one more day, when the stresses and trials of life press heavy on me and I am at a loss for words, "Oh, God help me," seems to be just the right thing to say.

Summer Time , Enjoy It

Ahh, the beginning of the warming trend is here.  June started off a bit gloomy and cool which does not do much for my disposition -- I am a summer person.

This year I have seen less of the outdoors than I would like.  Usually I am out taking walks, sitting on my patio enjoying the warm afternoon breeze, or planning a day out with the kids.  Not this year.  With all that's been going on especially economically wise in our household trying to keep financially stable has pretty much taken hostage most of my time, focus and energy.  I don't like it!!!  Slowly, we have started reclaiming our weekends and have been staying active over the past few weeks.  The upcoming weekend will be spent camping on the beach in Ventura California.

It is definitely important to take time out to enjoy life regardless of what is going on around us.  Allowing the everyday challenges of life weigh us down does nothing but contribute negatively to our outlook on life.  By making the effort to find the fun in life we appreciate the little things and recognize that the hard times are only building blocks to a more positive existence.

Fresh and New

I decided to rename my blog and use it mostly for just writing, no particular subject, just to get the words out of my head and on to something tangible.  For a while this blog will flip flop with a variety of subjects until the natural ebb and flow develops.  Stay tuned.

Life Quote

I don't remember where I read this but I liked it, so thought I would share:

"Life is often lived forward, but understood backward."

Enjoy,

Little Girl Lost

In the months since my last post my family has experienced much heartache, confusion and disappointment. Although not life threatening, the severity of the blow that we are dealing with is enough to test even the strongest of faiths; yet we press on.

Don't get me wrong I have those days when I wonder if it is all worth it, if everything that I believe in, my foundation, my cornerstone, my surety is it really there? Undoubtedly, the answer is yes! The mere fact that I strive toward a new day, the promise of a fresh tomorrow, renews in me my hope and faith.

No matter how lost or forgotten I may feel in my situation, God is ever ready to remind me that He is not only with me He understands knows exactly where I am and what I am dealing with. How do I know this? I feel it in a hug from one of my children, in a gently kiss from my husband, in the warmth of the relationship with my family and friends.

I find it in His Word, in His promises revealed and the committment to those yet to come. It is in His constant nudging of my heart and spirit and in the unexpected paths and opportunities He lays before me. Most of all, I know that no matter the depths of my fears, the lengths of my doubts and the struggles of my faith, He is faithful, I've seen it, felt it, and experienced it.

So when the disappointment is replaced with restoration, the confusion to clarity and the heartache to rejoicing, I will know that it is only through God's grace and mercy, His abundance and provision, His love and purpose that I was able to replace my feelings of being lost and forgotten with the joys of being found and cherished.