He Loves Me Anyway

Posted on by
Reply

I admit it. I am a recovering perfectionist. Within me lies a deep desire to always dot every i and cross every t. It has been said of me that I could nail jello to a tree. Through the years I have made much progress, but at times, I backslide. I get the 10 lb. hammer out and start pounding every millimeter of that jello. I’m a work in progress.

As many of you know, my husband and I have started an online retail business. I absolutely love what we do. We find treasures and sell them. We love bringing joy to people. What makes us happiest is making our customers happy.

As I ship items, I pray for the person receiving it. I send a thank you note with scripture. I strive to do this business as the Lord would want me to, to treat people the way I want to be treated. As we source for items, I have had many opportunities to share my faith and encourage people. You can make any job a ministry if you just put your heart into it.

Colossians 3:23-24 says, ”Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Well, now about the perfectionist part. I worked hard to reach Top Rated Seller status with Ebay. This was no small feat. However, despite my best efforts, in recent months, I have lost one item and broken another, so I had to cancel those two sales. Then I forgot to respond to a request for cancellation of an order. These three things violate the holy grail of Ebay. Now my Top Rated Seller status is in jeopardy. Yes, believe it or not, I am not perfect.

I was beating myself up pretty badly the other night. While working in the warehouse, I glanced down at my little devotion book, Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado. I realized I had forgotten to read it for that day. I picked it up. My Big, Big God had a special note waiting there for me.

The devotion was called, “Our Loving Father”. It reminded me that even though I am not perfect, He is. So it’s all good. It reminded me that even though my mistakes are written all over the wall, He loves me anyway.

I know you’re thinking these little mistakes are nothing. The Bible says love covers a multitude of sins. I am glad because that is what I really need His love the most for—my sins. As His child, I have the blessing of His love. Jesus’ red blood covers my black sin and washes me white as snow. The truth is we all need His love to cover us.

When we doubt, He loves us anyway. When we sin, He loves us anyway. When we give up, He loves us anyway. When we turn our back on Him and go our own way, He loves us anyway.

There is nothing we can do to make Him love us more. There is nothing we can do to make Him love us less.

My favorite verses of the old hymn, “The Love of God” say it best.

“Could we with ink the ocean fill and were the skies of parchment made
Were every stalk on earth a quill and every man a scribe by trade

To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry 
Nor could the scroll contain the whole though stretched from sky to sky.

O love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure, the saints’ and angels’ song!”

Dear Lord: Thank You for Your wonderful and matchless love for us. It lifts us up and carries us through whatever comes in this life.  Your love reminds us that even though we can’t do it all on our own, You will never fail us. You are steadfast and true. May we never take Your love for granted, but be focused on returning it to you and spreading it to others. Thank You for guiding us and walking with us through our journey always holding our hands and picking us up when we fall. Amen

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; 1 John 3:1

Do you need a reminder today that you are loved? The God of the Universe loves you so much that He sent His only Son Jesus to die for you. You were fearfully and wonderfully made by His loving hands. He cares about what matters to you. He has plans to prosper you and to give you a hope and a future. You are one of a kind. His masterpiece. He wants to be a part of your every minute, a friend who sticks closer than a brother. You are never alone while He is by your side.

Please share your experiences, comments and encouragement with our group. Thank you for reading and sharing my blogpost today.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

When Life Doesn’t Turn Out Like You Thought It Would

Posted on by
4

Last Friday night, my husband Scott and I went on a special date. We went back to the place of our first date 29 years ago, Frodo’s Pizza across from Greenville Tech. We haven’t been there in years. The pizza was great. The service was great. What was even better was the long retrospective conversation we had sitting in that booth.

If you had told us 29 years ago what was to come for us, we would have been shocked. They say life is stranger than fiction. We would certainly not have believed what the next 29 years would bring.

Among the things we never would have believed…

I would have had a business for 23 years and a women’s ministry for 11 years.

I would face breast cancer and melanoma and beat both. But I would live in pain every day of my life with RSD after the breast surgeries.

I would have a close friend embezzle over $600,000 from me and my family, and survive it unscathed.

My dad would suffer from Parkinson’s. He would be healed in Heaven after 27 years of dealing with it.

My mom would fight breast cancer and colon cancer. She would defeat both when she went to be with Jesus after 3 years of fighting, at 70 years old.

We would adopt a 15-month-old son from Ukraine during the middle of 9-11 named Bradley. This little boy that the doctors told us would always be small in size would grow to 6’ tall and 190 lbs. After many challenges, he would make Eagle scout, graduate high school, work full time, and be on track to go into the military in another year, or wherever else God plans for him.

We would have a son, Taylor, who is almost 25 with a precious wife Reid. They both serve and love the Lord with all their hearts. Taylor is a Director at Chick-Fil-A, and Reid will graduate in December with her Masters to become an Occupational Therapist.

Both my sons would work at Chick-Fil-A. Had I known this, I would have spent more time teaching them cooking.

We would start an online retail business. Back then, Ebay and Amazon didn’t exist. Actually, the world wide web was just beginning.

Are there some things we would have changed about this 29 years if we could? Yes, of course. I would not have allowed the embezzlement to go on for 12 years. A dermatologist would have treated the mole before it turned to melanoma. I would have spent more time with my parents. However, so much of what happened was beyond our control.

This roller coaster ride has been very bumpy with ups and downs, highs and lows, twists and turns. Sometimes you want to throw up. You get jerked one way, then another.

We never know what is around the corner. Sometimes we want to hold on for dear life in terror. Other times we want to hold up your hands and enjoy the ride. God knows what is ahead. His design is for our ultimate experience in life, and to make us more like Jesus. He knows what we need, and He blesses us with the highs, and He comforts us through the lows.  Don’t give up. The ride is worth it, and the Creator is holding us safely through His design for our life ride.

When the valley seems too deep and the mountain too high to climb, we have to remember that God is working a plan.

Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Whether we endure it with fear or enjoy our ride is up to us. We can be plunged into the downward spirals. We can be thrown for a loop, kicking and screaming all the way. Or we can let go and let God, knowing we are safe because He has made the way for us (John 14:6).

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)

Paul found the secret, how to be content no matter what.

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Phillipians 4:11-13)

Have I been content through it all? Absolutely not! As a Christian, I know this world is not my home, that is why it is so difficult. But I have learned that Christ has been the source of my strength, my comfort, and my provider through it all while I am here, one day at a time. We do not always understand. But God does. To live a contented Christian life, it has to be enough for us that God is in control and He loves us more than we can ever imagine no matter what. We have to try to keep a positive outlook and never give up. 

Dear Lord: Your ways are perfect and higher than our ways. We may not always understand why You allow the twists and turns of our lives. But we know that You are working a plan and that You never give up on us or let go of us. Your grace is enough to get us through anything. May we embrace this incredible, amazing life You have given us and use it up to love others and serve You. When our ride is over, may we arrive in Your presence, spent for You. May we be thankful to reflect that You have been holding us tightly through every joyous up and every painful down of it all. Thank You for Your great love for us. Amen

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Psalm 18:2

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Do you feel like you have been riding a roller coaster? Maybe you want off? Maybe you have looked back at a trial and found that, even though it was a difficult ride, God has been holding you through it all? Please share your experiences, your thoughts and comments.

Thank you for reading and sharing my blogpost today. As Corrie Ten Boom once said, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”  

7 Lessons From the Nest

Posted on by
4

My dear friend, Kathy Elrod, is our guest writer this week. Enjoy as she shares a beautiful illustration of God’s love from nature. Thank you, Kathy, for this story from your heart to bless ours.

———————————

God sometimes teaches me faith lessons through the simplest things in my life. As most of you know, I love Cardinals, and I love birds. I look for them all the time when I’m outside. I love to watch them. A few weeks ago, I opened my front door one afternoon and saw that a bird had built a nest in my front door wreath, which happens to be a Cardinal wreath that my friend gave me for Christmas. It has a Cardinal bird on it!

As I’ve watched this nest over the past few weeks, God has taught me some very valuable faith lessons that I want to share with you today.

THE NEST – ADVANCE PREPARATION: That Momma bird prepared her nest well in advance of the time that she would need it to place her eggs in.  She intricately WOVE the straw and twigs to PREPARE the perfect place for her babies.

Something about that wreath looked attractive and appealing to her and made her want it. This reminds me of how our lives should be. We should display Christ’s love in such a way that the world sees that love and wants to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Momma Bird knew that the wreath was in a safe, peaceful place, out of the wind, the rain and the storms, just like Jesus is our safe place in the storms of life.  Winds and hurricanes may surface around us, but in Him, we have the promise that He is always with us and He will never leave us or forsake us. 

“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

“He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you.  Do not fear or be dismayed.“ Deuteronomy 31:8

WEAVING THE NEST: This reminds me of our Heavenly Father and how He intricately weaves the events of our lives, both good and bad, to bring Himself glory and bring good for us. The longer I live, I CONTINUE to see this more and more. It may not always look like it’s good. I surely know that from losing my son Brent. But as time goes on, I CONTINUE to see how God has used Brent, even in his death, to bring others to Himself.  Even right now, God is still working and weaving a TAPESTRY that only He could weave.  Right now, all we see are the strings and the threads on the back of the TAPESTRY, but God is weaving a masterpiece that only He can see.  We have to TRUST him, even when it doesn’t make sense.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

PROMISE: That nest shows me a promise that something different is coming.  That reminds me of these verses about Heaven. “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am, you may be also.” John 14:2-3

As most of you know, I lost my sweet Sister, Melba, recently.  After my son Brent, died, Melba began to attend Pathway Church. I would see her there and sit with her.  She would come with her grandchildren, and she was a faithful attender, until she got cancer last summer and started chemo treatments.

She went to Heaven on May 13th.  At her service, Mark McGuire told about the first time she came to Pathway.  She told him that it was because of a promise she made to Brent.  I never knew that was the reason she came, until her funeral!  Brent had invited her to come and hear him preach, and she never made it before he died.  So she was keeping her promise to him, even though he was gone to Heaven. Fast forward a few years. As Pathway began to look for a permanent location, Melba became an integral part of that search. When the current location became available, she told me that Pathway needed this building, and that she was trying to help them get it.  From an invitation from a 20-year-old pastor kid, 5 ½+ years ago, to now at the present, look out how God has intricately woven that tapestry to allow Pathway to thrive at this time NOW.

“And who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this and for this very occasion.”  ESTHER 4:15

THE EGGS: NEW LIFE : When the time was right, Momma began to lay her eggs. At first, there were four.  Then on Mother’s Day, there were 5.  I did some reading, and Momma won’t sit on the eggs until she has laid them all. Once that happened, Momma sat on the nest to help her babies get ready for their new birth.  In the same way, Christ helps us grow and mature in our Christian walk. When we come to Christ, we are new creatures.  He helps us ready ourselves to live the life that He has called us to.

BROKENNESS: Eventually when the time was right, the babies broke out of their shells, and there was new life: 5 adorable, feathery baby birds that are so cute I can’t get it over it. He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings, you will find refuge. Psalm 91:4

This reminds me of when we are born into God’s family as newborn believers.  We are new creatures, just like these birds are.  The former is passed away, and we look different, just as they look different now. The shells had to break so the birds could get to their new life.  The broken shells remind me of my broken life. All of us are broken, whether we want to admit it or not. We live in a fallen world. But God’s Word says this:

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. 

BEAUTY FROM BROKENNESS: These babies have brought me so much joy.  I tear up when I look at them.  I’ve tried to take pictures and learn from what I’m seeing. I’m enjoying seeing them each day, as they grow and change and mature.  They are beautiful little creations. These new birds remind me of the joy that comes from knowing Jesus.  No joy can compare with the joy that comes when we have an intimate relationship with the One who gave His very life to rescue us from eternal damnation.

CLOSE IN THE NEST: These babies are so close in the nest. They are all in there together.  This reminds me that we are ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.  We weren’t meant to do this life alone.  We need the fellowship, encouragement, and love that comes from being with other believers in the body of Christ. This reminds me of Brent’s last sermon: “THE BEAUTY OF THE BODY.” Friends will share your joys and also share your burdens. 

God still uses broken things. Broken crayons still color.

——————————————————-

Thank you, Kathy for sharing this week. Thank you all for reading and sharing our blogpost. There are lessons of God’s love all around us if we only take the time to look for them. Please feel free to share your comments, experiences and encouragement.

May God bless you and your family with a wonderful celebration of country and family this 4th of July.

When God Lets You Know Loud and Clear, “I’m Here!”

Posted on by
Reply

My dear friend, Marie Koth, joins us as guest writer this week. She shares her story of how God brought her and her husband Chris through an amazing year of adversity and miracle after miracle. Read and be blessed!

———————————————————————————–

Have you ever had a year where you’d like to push the reset button?  2018 was like that for me and my husband.  January through March hummed along easily.  In April, two days after our 40th anniversary, we learned that my husband’s youngest brother had committed suicide.  We went off to Virginia to be with his other brothers and sisters and comfort each other. 

Five weeks later, in May, the brother five years younger than my husband died instantly of a massive heart attack.  This brother, a strong Christian, had been close to all the family.  The pain of losing two in two months was awful, but God carried us through.

We came back from the second trip to Virginia for this brother’s memorial service, and both promptly came down with a bad cold virus.  We were planning on taking some artificial trees to our church for Vacation Bible School Sunday afternoon, but because we were feeling so badly, we decided to take them on Saturday.  While we were at the church, we stopped by to say “hi” to our choir director who was there preparing for Sunday.  A storm with high winds was starting as we left for home.

When we got home, we discovered that a 110-foot oak tree had fallen all the way across one wing of our L-shaped house.  We went in to find the rain pouring into our house and a huge branch protruding into the office right over my husband’s chair where he had been working at the computer.  If we had not stopped to talk to our choir director, my husband would have been back in his chair when the branch came in.  A few minutes after we came down our street, a neighbor called to tell us a tree had fallen across the top of the street right after we came through.  Proverbs 2:8, “for He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones,” had never been so real to us.  And it continued.  God provided for us and protected us over and over again.

I was able to contact a tree service just before they were leaving for the day.  They started removing the tree from our house at 5:00 pm and finished putting tarps over the huge hole in our roof at 10:30 that night.  A week later, a tornado came through our street, and another large oak missed our bedroom by 10 inches.  The storms continued almost daily for weeks.  We were able to live in three rooms while our house was being cleaned up and repaired.  For four weeks all we had between us and the sky in parts of the house was tarp. 

Each time we looked at the radar and saw a red mass heading for us we would pray for the Lord to dissipate it, and, by the time it reached us, it had turned green on the map, one time splitting a large red mass in two.  Only green was over us again!

God definitely let us know loud and clear, “I’m here!”

 I remembered the words Moses told Joshua in Deuteronomy 31:8: “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

We told every person that worked on our house and everyone we dealt with over the eight months it took to repair our house of God’s goodness and protection and provision.  God had showed out and He received the glory!  Tough construction workers were amazed that we lived in our house with all the storms with nothing but tarp for a roof.  We knew that God still had work for us to do for His kingdom because He had rescued us twice in one day.  There was no need to fear!

Psalm 5:11   But let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy.  Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You.

If we have been reconciled to God through believing that we are sinners, that Jesus cancelled our sin debt when he died on the cross, and turning from our sin, accepting this gift Jesus has given us, then we are in the care of God on this earth and for all eternity.  We can rejoice, even in the tough times, because our heavenly Father, Daddy, loves us and will be right there with us no matter what life throws at us.  When we give it all to Him and trust Him God gives us His peace that transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:6-7).

————————————————————————————–

Dear Lord: Thank You for carrying us through the storms of this life, and for letting us know that You are always there for us no matter what we face. Thank You for bringing Marie and Chris safely through, and for giving them this remarkable story that reminds us of Your goodness and provision. All things are possible with You. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Amen

Thank you for reading and sharing our blogpost today. May God bless you and your family richly and carry you safely through the storms of this life, gently reminding us always that He is there.

When You Cannot Understand

Posted on by
7

Why is life so hard? Have you ever asked yourself that question. I have.

Just when things seem to be going along just fine, **!!!BOOM!!!** along comes that next big earth-shattering trial from out of the blue. It wipes that smile right off your face and knocks the living breath out of you. Such was my situation a week ago.

Last Friday, I was sitting in Serendipity Restaurant eating a cheeseburger and giggling with my dear friend, Cathy. We were talking about how good life is, how things seemed to be going great! Then, I got the call. In a minute, my mood went from relaxed, calm, and happy to shocked, angry, and sad. I could not imagine things could be worse. When Cathy stepped to the ladies’ room, I had been all smiles. When she returned to the table, my face, as I talked on the phone, told a much different story. She told me later that she had first thought by my expression that someone must have died.

Without going into detail, by Sunday evening, my earth started spinning again, and all went back to seemingly normal. Such is life. Such is my life.

Can you relate? One minute, the sky is blue, and the birds are singing. The next, the sky is falling. The next, the sky is blue again, and the birds are singing once again. And on and on. Life is uncertain. One thing is certain though. I may not know what tomorrow holds, but I know Who holds tomorrow. And, His name is Jesus Christ.

In my Bible is a card from my friend, Marie, that reads. “If you worry, why pray. And if you pray, why worry.” Honestly, I try not to worry. I am not always successful though. That seems to be a trend with many fellow moms that I know.

God answers prayer! I know that He does. He has for me more times than I could ever count. I just have to keep praying. Sometimes He answers, “Yes”. Sometimes it’s “No”. Sometimes it’s “Wait”.

While I am worrying that my  prayers are not being answered, often God is working a bigger, better plan than what I am asking for. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Sometimes what we think is an unanswered prayer is God painting a picture into the lives of our family more beautiful than anything we could have ever imagined. At times, we can only catch a glimpse of this picture. We may not fully see it until we get to Heaven.

It’s true that bad things often happen to good people. Where in the world did we ever get the idea that if we are a Christian, and we believe enough, love enough, serve enough and do enough that our lives will be a cake walk,  free from pain and worry and stress?!? You won’t find that in the Bible anywhere. Trust me. I have looked for it.

Rather than a cake walk, our path is often narrow, winding, steep and challenging. At times, it gets long and treacherous. We cannot do it alone.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 says, “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.

We can’t measure how much God loves us by how much He does for us or by how easy our life is. It’s about the fact that although He is the awesome Creator of the Universe, He still loves us enough to be our personal God, our personal everything! If He never did one more thing for us than send His Son Jesus to die for us, that is unmistakable proof of His amazing, inexplicable love for us. 

And even after all that, He is there for us helping us through the hard times. James 5:13-16 says, Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up.

When You Cannot Understand —LB Cowman

When the frosts are in the valley,  And the mountaintops are gray, 

And the choicest blooms are blighted,  And the blossoms die away, 

A loving Father whispers, “This all comes from my hand”; 

Blessed are you if you trust when you cannot understand…

If, after years of toiling, your wealth should fly away

And leave your hands empty, And your hair is turning gray, 

Remember then your Father owns all sea and land; 

Blessed are you if you trust when you cannot understand…

Dear Lord: Your ways are higher than our ways. There are times that we don’t understand what You are doing in our lives. Please help us to remember that we don’t have to.  We just have to trust in You. Amen

Is life more than you can bear sometimes? Just remember that God wants to help you carry your burdens. He is faithful, and He is always just a whisper away.

Please share your comments, experiences, and thoughts. Thank you for reading and sharing my blogpost. May we have faith enough to trust God when we cannot understand.

Be In Love With Your Life

Posted on by
2

I first read this message at my friend Cathy’s house in Florida back in February. Our friend Vicki had given her a plaque with these words. Then recently I saw this sign in a thrift store. I think God is trying to tell me something.

For too many years, I worked too many hours. I had too many worries. I didn’t take time to stop and enjoy the ride, or to smell the roses. If I sat down on my porch to rest, I was thinking about what needed to be done inside my house.

I have always been a “getting ready for the next thing” kind of girl.  If I have not been fighting the rapids trying not to drown, I have been waiting for the other shoe to drop, and making whatever preparations I could ahead of time to catch it when it did.

Letting myself fully go has been a struggle for me. I want to always do my part and help in any way possible. (Like God needs my help.) Although God has ALWAYS been faithful in my life, through the years I have rarely leaned back into Him, put the oars in the boat and just quit fighting the rapids and relaxed.

In the turbulent times, at times I found myself holding on for dear life. And instead of basking in the sun in the good times, I was often looking in the distance for the next storm cloud.

I have been through a lot. Battles with cancer. The death of both of my parents. A divorce almost 30 years ago. A major betrayal by a best friend. Now I live with a chronic pain illness every day. These skim the surface of the adventurous ride I have had. Nothing like a little adversity to set your priorities straight.

Certainly, I love my husband. I love my family. I love my friends. Most importantly, I love my Lord. Through all the trials in my life, and with a little more experience and a little more wisdom, I have come to realize that I have missed out by not always appreciating every moment of my life. 

These days I am trying harder to live in the moment, to look around right now in this instant, and take inventory. Is my health okay right now? Check. Is my family well and safe? Check. Are financial needs being met? Check. What starts out as an inventory list, quickly becomes an exercise in gratitude. After all, don’t we all have so so much to be thankful for? And when we take stock of all the good God has given us in our lives (and there is an awfully lot of good even through adversity), it becomes impossible for our mood not to be lifted.  

Day in and day out, the sun comes up, the sun goes down. Creation is calling, “Look at me. God did this all for you.” Are we too busy, too worried, too tired to notice? Look around. The view is pretty awesome, no matter the circumstances.

Love your journey. It is yours alone. Be in love with your life. There is something good in every minute of it, even through the hardest times.

Erma Bombeck once said, “Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, WOW !!!! What a ride!” That’s how I want to arrive in Heaven at the end of my life. How about you?

Truly life is about the journey. May we learn to embrace it, and may we learn to love it as God intended.

Dear Lord: Thank You that You are the giver of life. Forgive us when we don’t always appreciate our lives the way we should. Peace is found when we realize that You are in charge of it all, and You love us so much more than we can even imagine. You are faithful, and You never leave us nor forsake us. Life is good simply because You are good. May we seek our contentment by resting in You and Your strength and provision. Amen

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:12-13

Do you love your life? Or are you just getting through? Gratitude goes a long way toward bringing joy. There is such peace and freedom in letting go and letting God. He can be trusted with it ALL. Please share your comments, ideas, and experiences.

Thank you for reading and sharing my blogpost. May God bless you and your family richly. And may you always be in love with your life.

Lessons on Perseverance from a Frog

Posted on by
Reply

My little Yorkie Toby is a hunter. Last summer he cornered a frog under our rain barrel. I pulled him away before he could get to it. From then till cold weather, every day he went back to that spot looking for that frog. Now that we are getting spurts of warm weather this Spring, he is back on  the mission. He is again returning to that same corner daily looking for that frog. “Honey, that frog is long gone!”

Frogs are interesting creatures who persevere pretty well. They drink water through their skin and can jump 20 times their body length. Their eyes and mouths are on top of the bodies so they can basically live submerged in water. When they eat their prey, closing their eyes pushes the food down their throats. Common frogs lay 3,000-6,000 eggs at one time.

This cartoon has been hanging around in my stuff for years. I pull it out from time to time when I need encouragement and motivation. I love this frog’s determination, and I can so relate to him. Too many times, like him, I have felt that I was being completely swallowed up by life’s struggles. Too often, the enemy has hunted me down. More times than I can count, I have felt defeated.  Like this frog, I am determined to never give up. You shouldn’t give up either. No matter what!

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 1 Corinthians 9:24

The key to true perseverance is looking to Christ as the source of our strength, because He will stand by us and help us through. We can ALWAYS find hope in Him–in His Word, in what He has already done for us, and by seeking Him in prayer.

I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:29-31

This little guy sits in my kitchen to remind me. To persevere and have strength in this life, it is simple…

FROG: F-ully R-ely O-n G-od

Dear Lord: Thank You for always being there for us. Jesus said, “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.” We can be more than conquerors through Him.  Because of this, help us to remember that You should be who we call on first, not last, when trouble comes. Thank You that You are our refuge and our strength. Amen

Has the battle made you tired? Is life trying to swallow you up? God will help you through. Just rely on Him. Please share your encouragement, experiences, and thoughts with our readers.

Thank you for reading and sharing my blogpost today. May God bless and strengthen you as you persevere through this life. His help is always just a whisper away.

Mrs. Big Mouth

Posted on by
2

Do you ever do it?  Wish that the second a word leaves your lips that you could get it back?  Once spoken, though, it is just too late!  So you brace yourself for the reaction to your thoughtlessness, feeling that you deserve whatever you get.  Well, I admit it—I’ve done it!

Yep, that’s me… Mrs. Big Mouth!  And, although I’m married to Mr. Wonderful (slight chuckle), sometimes I hate to admit it but, in a second of anger, I have flung a jab or backhanded comment in his direction.  Understandably, he doesn’t like it even a little bit.

Romans 7:15 says “I do not understand what I do.  For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate I do.”  It is kind of ironic that the strongest muscles in the human body are the masseters that close the jaw, yet mine are not nearly strong enough sometimes to keep my mouth from flapping wide open like a barn door in a wind storm.

“The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences,” according to Proverbs 18:21.  Why do we hurt those closest to us? We can speak death in our marriages, and we have to be careful about that.  Women have a lot of power where our husbands are concerned.  God gifted us with  a lot of influence. Are we using it for good?

Bringing criticism, judgment and self-righteousness into our marriages definitely will speak the language of death to our marriages.  Hurtful words bring our husbands down, when we should be lifting them up.  Every woman wants a hero and a protector for a husband, and our husbands want to be that hero.  But let’s face it, they can’t feel very protective or heroic when we are telling them how disappointed we are in them. 

The Bible has much to say on this matter so it must have great importance to the Lord.  Proverbs 14:1 says that “The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.”  Oh me!  That verse has so much truth.

Here is another one—Proverbs 21:9 says, “Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.”  It can get pretty uncomfortable on a roof, blazing hot in the Summer and blustery, cold in the Winter.  Plus, some husbands are afraid of heights.  Boy, it must really be bad to live with a griping woman if a man would rather live on a corner of the roof.

Thankfully, that is not all the Bible has to say on the subject.  There is hope!  1 Peter 4:8 says, “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.”  I am so glad my husband’s love and forgiveness exceed his ego and pride where I’m concerned. 

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says, “Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” God is love and He helps us with our marriages and only with Him as the center of our marriages can we have this level of commitment to our mate.

So LORD, in the future, would you please help me keep my Big Mouth shut unless I’m telling Mr. Wonderful just how wonderful he is.  Amen.

A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. Proverbs 15:4

Can you relate? Please tell me I am not the only one. Share your experiences, thoughts and comments.

Thank you for reading and sharing my blogpost today. May God richly bless you and your family.

The Hope of Spring

Posted on by
Reply

One cold, clear morning last week, I was walking my little Yorkie, Toby, and shivering as we went along. I noticed something in one of the tall pine trees in my front yard. At first I thought was a pine knot, but then I noticed it had red and a little bit of white on it.

A robin.

It was so round that it did not even resemble a bird at first. It was either fat with eggs or balled up trying to stay warm, maybe both. I am not used to seeing robins high up in the trees. They are supposed to be all over the yard pecking the ground when Spring comes. I made this not- so-clear picture. If you strain your eyes, you can probably make it out.

The robin sat there for the longest while and didn’t move. It was in the 20’s that morning. I thought it might have frozen there during the night. Then its head moved. It was looking out over the yard. Was it looking for a worm? Maybe so, but one thing is certain, it was looking for Spring. 

I am looking for Spring too! Are you?

I have been in a little bit of a funk over the last couple of weeks. Maybe it is all the rain we have had. It is raining again today as I write this.

Maybe it is because of the coldness of winter and continually changing weather that has intensified my constant pain.

Maybe it is because last Sunday was the anniversary of my mom’s death. She died on a Sunday that time changed eleven years ago so it made it so real and close to my heart this year.

Maybe it is because I just filed the tax return for my business of 23 years that I closed. All those memories, good and bad have flooded my mind. I will miss that chapter in my life. God blessed me and grew me greatly through that business and its many relationships.

Despite all the good things in my life (and there are too many good things to count), I have been a little down. I have been anticipating Spring to boost my spirits. Spring is a reminder to me of the God’s beauty, His wonderful creation, and His promise that through the death of Jesus, He made all things new.

I am ready to embrace Spring in the world and Spring in my soul. It is a time for renewal, revival and celebrating His resurrection that made all the difference in life and death for me.

1 Peter 5:10 says, “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”  What a sweet promise! 

They say no matter if you’re in the best of times or in the worst of times, one thing is certain—it will change.  The winter and the rain are temporary, but His faithfulness is not!

There is real wisdom, Lord, in the adage ‘It is always Springtime in the heart that loves God.’ Springtime is a season of optimism and hope, and the Christian lives a faith centered on hope. Winter, it is cold and dark days have gone, just as Good Friday passes to Easter and beyond. We live a resurrection life reflected in the new life springing up around us. Thank you, Lord, for the hope that You bring, both to this world and to our hearts and lives. Amen   (John Birch, http://www.faithandworship.com/Prayers_Spring.htm)

“For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. —Song of Solomon 2:11-12

“The beautiful Spring came, and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also.” Harriet Ann Jacobs

Are you waiting for your Spring to come too? Has it been a long, hard Winter in your life? Hang on. Don’t give up. It’s right around the corner. God is faithful. Please share your comments, experiences and thoughts.

Thank you for reading and sharing my blogpost. May God bless You with renewal, revival and all things wonderful this Spring!

 

Patience for the Little Things

Posted on by
Reply

Okay, I like to think I am a reasonably sane person, but there are some things that drive me crazy. Warning … rant coming.

My car is like me, and it has a little age on it. Not long after I bought it, a little orange light started flashing on the dashboard near the gas light. Supposedly it was telling me that one of my tires had low pressure. All the tires including the spare were checked, no leaks. Then, supposedly the answer was a defective sensor. I took it to the shop and waited 3 1/2 hours for it to be repaired. Within a few miles of the shop, the light started flashing again. The answer now is to pay hundreds of dollars to have all 5 tire sensors replaced, or “live” with it. Well, I am trying to live with it.

As I said, it is right beside my gas light and it is orange. I have become numb to the light, and therefore I don’t see the orange gas light either. I ran completely out of gas one time because of it, and have had near misses more times than I can count since then.  Argh, little things …

Well, now my gently aged car has decided to torment me more. It squeaks when it backs up. Not just a mousy little squeak that you can’t hear over the radio. No, this is a mega squeak that is like a nail on a chalk board that causes people to turn and stare. It bothered me so much that I was actually looking forward to the new tires and brakes that I got last week, even though they cost a fortune.

When my husband went to pick up the SUV, the mechanic told him that it was driving them crazy because they could not get rid of that squeak. Driving them crazy? They have no idea. I have been “living” with it. The answer … that’s just what Lexuses do. You will have to “live” with it. REALLY?!? Don’t get me wrong. I am so thankful to have the great car that I have, but these little things really get on my nerves. I am reminded of them over and over day after day. Argh, little things …

We sometimes endure the big disappointments, the large frustrations, the occasional major setbacks and losses better than we deal with the small nagging, every day, ongoing irritations.  At least, that has been true for me over the years.  Life throws so much at us each and every day that there can be a constant undercurrent of frustration in our lives. We endure the big stuff, but sometimes it is the little stuff that drives us over the edge. When we make every little thing a big deal, our lives can turn into one big drama.

2 Corinthians 4:7-9 says, But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

In other words, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” God has got it! He sometimes uses those annoying little things in our lives to slow us down, to give us opportunity to serve Him, to strengthen us, to show us how to be grateful, and how to trust Him more. It is because He loves us too much to not constantly work in our lives to make us better, to make us more like Christ.

Paul had a thorn in the flesh to teach Him humility. Why should I be any different? (Not that I am at all comparing my squeaking car to what Paul went through, but you get the idea.)

I know I am a work in progress. I am definitely a recovering perfectionist. Those who know me best, know that I have come a long way with my recovery, but I still have a distance to go.

For the last year, we have been studying the fruits of the spirit. The one that I have needed the most help with is patience. I have heard not to pray for it, or you will be given opportunities to practice it. 

As author Lauren Gaskill says, I don’t want to be a woman whose life is marked by hurry, chaos, and disorder. I want to be a woman whose heart is at peace. Patience is found when we learn to surrender our time to whatever God has for us.”

Today, I guess He wants me to spend my time getting a battery for this car. Argh, little things …

Thank you, Lord, for never giving up on me. I know patience is a fruit that only You can grow in my life. Help us to never want anything as much as we want Your will for our lives. Help us to find the peace that only comes by realizing that You are in complete control, and that we can abide the most joyfully in your provision and grace. Amen

Is some little thing annoying you? Or has God brought you to a place where you just roll with whatever happens? How do you handle the little things? Please share your experiences, comments, and thoughts.

Thank you for reading and sharing my blogpost today. May God bless you today and always, as He grows your patience for the little things.