Do you have one of those friends that no matter how long you are apart, within just a few minutes of being back together it is as though you have never been apart? Time and space cannot hinder your friendship. I am blessed with a friend like that. Her name is Cathy. Cathy moved away to Florida about 4 years ago. I am visiting her this week.

Every time I visit, she and I do a fun project, usually a craft project. This time we decided to do a project that was also helpful and maybe life-changing—a vision board. A vision board is a layout of photos from magazines that helps determine your vision for the future, the next chapter in your life. You glue photos on a poster. These are photos that you connect with about your future and  reveal where you feel God is leading you. The idea is that when the collage all comes together that it will clarify your thoughts and desires for your future. Then you pray for God’s direction relating to your vision and for God’s will and plan for your life.

As I clipped pictures for my vision board, I was reminded of all the things that God has brought me through—two kinds of cancer, surgeries and on-going health issues (specifically my chronic nerve pain illness), caring for my parents through terminal illnesses until their deaths, the sale and painful transition of my business, the theft by my close friend from my business. The list goes on and on.

During so many of these trials, I have searched for a deeper meaning. More often than not, with each trial, I discovered that God was teaching me the same lesson. The lesson was entitled, “Trust me.” Fitly, the title across the top of my vision board emerged “Ready. Set. Trust.” I know that trust has been what has brought me this far. I know that trust is everything for what lies ahead in my life.

“Trust me, when your health is uncertain.” “I am the Great Physician …” (Luke 8:43-48)

“Trust me, when your loved ones are dying.” “I have prepared a place for my children and there where I am they may be also …” (John 14:2-3) and “I am close to the broken hearted, and I save those who are crushed in spirit …” (Psalm 43:18)

“Trust me, when your livelihood is being threatened.” “I feed the sparrow. Why don’t you think I will feed you? …” (Matthew 10:29)

“Trust me, when your closest friend turns their back on you.” “I am a Friend that sticks closer than a brother …” (Proverbs 18:24)

“Trust me, when your life seems impossible.” “What’s too hard for me? Nothing is impossible for me …” (Luke 1:37)

As I look toward my future, I do not know what it holds. But I do know who holds my future, and that is my Big, Big God. Although I am absolutely expecting great times, I suspect—no, I “know”—that I will face more hard times. How do I I know this? Because, as a child of God, this world is not my home. Heaven is. Things are hard here on earth, and that is with God. I have come to realize that life here without God is basically impossible.

While there is a lot of uncertainty, one thing is sure. There will come other times in the future when my God will ask me simply to trust Him. I pray that, with His help, I always can. My prayer is that when your time comes (and it will come) that you can too, no matter where your journey leads you.

As the saying goes, wherever you go, … there you are. But as children of God, we are blessed that His Word promises us that He will never leave us, nor forsake us no matter where we are. Without Christ, it is just us there, and what a scary place! If you don’t know Him as your Savior, I invite you to accept Him today and to rest in the arms of the Master who can and will carry you through anything and comfort you with a peace that passes all understanding in the journey.

Dear Lord: Thank You for Your faithfulness to us and that You have plans for each of us to have a hope and a future through You. Please guide us in the paths that You would have us to travel. Most importantly, through it all, please help us to trust You no matter what and to remember that You always are holding our future and us right in the palm of Your hands. Amen

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.  Psalm 139:7-10

… one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 

Trust and obey … for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus.

Have you experienced trials in your life when you knew God was asking you simply to trust Him?  Times when life seemed impossible but God made a way for you? We would love for you to share your experiences, comments and thoughts.

Or, please private message me if you would like to find out more about my Jesus and how to accept Him as your Savior.

Thank you for reading and sharing my blogpost today. May God hold you closely through every trial and guide you always toward a brighter tomorrow.