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,
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
In this world you will have troubles
There are a few versus in the Bible that I would rather not read or hear, and John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world," happens to be one of them.
Although God clearly states He is greater than any problem, situation or concern we will ever face, the fact that we have to face them at all is a bummer. However, I have learned that those unpleasant, difficult, painful, discouraging, draining, engulfing, burdening trials are the footings necessary to the solid construction of our faith foundation.
How else would we know that God is true to His Word? How else could we be of help and support and encouragement to others going through the same situation? I am amazed that He loves and believes in us so much that He actually allows us to go through "boot camp" so that we may gain the skills and knowledge necessary to be effective soldiers for His kingdom.
I know I don't like going through the valleys of life, but if I've learned anything from those experiences is that when I reach the mountain top the view is that much more awesome and rewarding.
Pressing on,
Although God clearly states He is greater than any problem, situation or concern we will ever face, the fact that we have to face them at all is a bummer. However, I have learned that those unpleasant, difficult, painful, discouraging, draining, engulfing, burdening trials are the footings necessary to the solid construction of our faith foundation.
How else would we know that God is true to His Word? How else could we be of help and support and encouragement to others going through the same situation? I am amazed that He loves and believes in us so much that He actually allows us to go through "boot camp" so that we may gain the skills and knowledge necessary to be effective soldiers for His kingdom.
I know I don't like going through the valleys of life, but if I've learned anything from those experiences is that when I reach the mountain top the view is that much more awesome and rewarding.
Pressing on,
Saturday, March 21, 2009
And The Winner Is...
"I can't believe it, I won, I'm going to the 2009 She Speaks Conference in North Carolina. Woohoo!!!!"
"Honey, honey, wake up," my husband says as he gently nudges me awake from my nap. Slightly embarrassed, I ask, "Did it happen again?" With a little smirk and tender eyes he lovingly answers, "Yes." The past few days since I've learned of the She Speaks Scholarship Contest at Lysa TerKeurst's Blog, I've had the same delicious dream of winning this wonderful opportunity.
How do I explain to my husband what it would mean to me to attend this event. To meet and share with other women who have the same passion and desire to use the gifts and talents that God has placed in them to minister and do works for His Kingdom. To hear testimonies and learn from women whom God has already directed and guided through the paths that some of us only dream of.
The She Speaks Conference brings women from every walk of life and age group who possess a desire to use the gifts of writing, speaking, teaching and sharing to touch the lives and minister to the hearts of other women. It provides workshops, encouragement, networking, fellowship and unity to inspire and equip women from dream to reality.
The first time I heard of the She Speaks Conference was last October and I made a decision to make attending the 2009 conference my goal. Unfortunately, we were not immune to the economic crisis and our business (and financial support) suffered considerably. But learning of the She Speaks Scholarship Contest sparked new hope that my chance to attend this year was not lost.
I have always loved to write and within the past couple of years that love has birthed a desire to use my writing as a ministry. I realize I have a lot to learn and God is working in me to develop character and qualities to be an effective disciple of His love. I started this blog as a training ground and a way to step out of my comfort zone and by faith into the path I believe He is setting before me. I feel spending 3 days around other women and gleaning from their experiences and knowledge would not only help encourage but empower me to continue on this path even when it seems unattainable. I hold on to Philippians 4:13, "I can do everything through Him you gives me strength."
So for every woman with a dream, a passion, a vision I say, step forward look ahead and don't ever give up. I know that even if I don't win the scholarship for this upcoming conference, I will look forward to She Speaks 2010 and press on.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
A New Day
As I thought about my post today, I asked myself, "What is living beyond ordinary?"
Living beyond ordinary is seeing every day as an opportunity. Lately, all we have been bombarded with is negativity: the economy, the wars in Iraq and Afgahnistan, the housing crisis, etc. Even in the face of all those difficulties, the United States of America is still the most powerful, humanitarian, opportunity rich nation in the world.
It's time we stop looking at our limitations and not allow the dark "gloom and doom" image portrayed by the media at large to dictate our security. Yes, times are challenging but not impossible. Will it be easy? Heck no, but the struggles we overcome will make us that much more stronger and less fearful.
I say let's hold our heads up, roll up our sleeves and not wait around for a hand-out or someone to fix our situations.
Ordinary is blaming someone else for our personal struggles whether financial, physical, spiritual or otherwise; living beyond ordinary is accepting our situation, taking ownership and doing what we need to do to overcome it.
This is a new day, my new day to reach out to someone, feel the sun on my face, accomplish a goal, overcome a challenge, thank God for His mercy and love, and live beyond ordinary.
Living beyond ordinary is seeing every day as an opportunity. Lately, all we have been bombarded with is negativity: the economy, the wars in Iraq and Afgahnistan, the housing crisis, etc. Even in the face of all those difficulties, the United States of America is still the most powerful, humanitarian, opportunity rich nation in the world.
It's time we stop looking at our limitations and not allow the dark "gloom and doom" image portrayed by the media at large to dictate our security. Yes, times are challenging but not impossible. Will it be easy? Heck no, but the struggles we overcome will make us that much more stronger and less fearful.
I say let's hold our heads up, roll up our sleeves and not wait around for a hand-out or someone to fix our situations.
Ordinary is blaming someone else for our personal struggles whether financial, physical, spiritual or otherwise; living beyond ordinary is accepting our situation, taking ownership and doing what we need to do to overcome it.
This is a new day, my new day to reach out to someone, feel the sun on my face, accomplish a goal, overcome a challenge, thank God for His mercy and love, and live beyond ordinary.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)