I'm Forgiven

"We need not perfect ourselves to earn the right to be loved. Love an mercy are not prizes for good behavior; they are the ingredients that allow us to heal and to become more fully human." Muller

Forgiveness is a wonderful gift. It is something that we all need. It is something that is difficult to do at times. But forgiveness is a must!

If you haven't guessed it already, today's devotion was about forgiveness. I think that there are many levels of forgiveness. People feel very different about forgiveness and it can be an easy things to do, or a very hard thing to do! There are times when it even feels impossible to truly forgive someone.

This is where God comes in. If we can keep the mindset that once we allow our hearts to forgive, we not only release it from ourselves, we also give it to God and allow Him to take care of it. Before we can forgive it is difficult to manage the burden and the stress of the problem. All you need to do is allow forgiveness in your heart and allow God to take it and spread His mercy over you and the one who you have forgiven.

Will Do

1. Forgive others 
2. Be kind, gentle, and merciful
3. Allow room for mistakes
4. Remember you are worthy of love
5. Forgive in difficult situations - just like Jesus does
6. Know that God's forgiveness is free - you can't earn it
7. Remember we are all struggling and we all receive God's grace

To Do

1. Pray the Lord's Prayer
2. Ask for forgiveness from someone you've offended
3. Forgive someone you've been holding a grudge against
4. Pray for peace, love, and wholeness for our country
5. Send a thank-you note to someone who helped or forgave you
6. Let someone go ahead of you in line without anger
7. If you have a difficult situation that you can't forgive, go to a counselor or pastor and talk about how to deal with the guilt, anger or grief

Bible verses to remember!

1. Ephesians 4:31-32
2. Colossians 3:13-14
3. Psalm 103:3
4. 1 Corinthians 13:5
5. Psalm 19:12
6. Matthew 5:7
7. Acts 13:38-39
8. Micah 6:8
9. Titus 3:5
10. Lamentations 3:22-23
11. Psalm 25:7

"Maybe the reason it seems hard for me to forgive others is that I do not fully believe that I am a forgiven person. If I could fully accept the truth that I am forgiven and do not have to live in guilt and shame, I would really be free."
            Henri Nouwen

A New Song

"Nothing on earth is so well suited to make the sad merry, the merry sad,to give courage to the despairing, to make the proud humble, to lessen envy and hate, as music." Martin Luther

Singing makes me happy! I love a great song, with great lyrics, that I can sing at the top of my lungs in the car, the shower, my kitchen...anywhere! I love music! I've always loved it. As far back as I remember I could sing. While other children were outside playing on their bikes, coloring the sidewalk with chalk, playing house in their homes, or video games, I was rocking on my rocking horse singing along with the Disney CD that was playing, Psalty tapes that were on, or even my mom's Carpenters CD that she had playing while cleaning. That was my free time or choice - singing (okay, and rocking).

Today my devotion was about music. Singing to God, praising Him with the song in your heart, seems to be a dying art. Children still have it. They love to sing and lift their voices to Jesus, but us adults...not so much. There are a few of us out there who love to still join in, but for the most part we have all slowly faded our voices since childhood.

Well, I'm challenging you to find a new song in your heart! Here are some lists for you to look over and try.

Will Do

1. Sing a song to God
2. Worship with a childlike heart
3. Hear the music around you
4. Renew your spirit through music
5. Create a new song and offer it to God
6. Explore music, all kinds of it, and tell people about it
7. Calming music can soothe when you're stressed, up-tempo music can energize!

To Do

1. Sing a hymn 
2. Listen to a classic by Bach or Mozart
3. Join a choir
4. Listen to the music in nature - birds singing, wind blowing, water falling, children laughing
5. Attend a concert
6. Give thanks to God for the musicians that glorify Him with their talents
7. Worship on Sabbath - sing like nobody is listening!

Bible verses to look up!

1. Psalm 81:1
2. Isaiah 30:29
3. 1 Corinthians 14:15
4. Ephesians 5:19
5. James 5:13
6. Psalm 119:54

"As blended voices fill the air
The soul could soar to world more fair,
Escape from prison bonds."
            Margaret Dryburgh 

Checklist for Life - Divine Appointments

"Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservations." Elton Trueblood

Today I started my new devotional book. It is called, "Checklist for Life: for Women". It was created with busy women in mind. The book works in a way that I find easy to read and easy to integrate devotions into my life. Today I am starting my long work weeks and I could use something that helps me shape time for devotions throughout my day. I am nervous about the long work days/weeks but, even more importantly, I want to sustain my relationship with Jesus and carry Him with me all day long.

The devotional has a short explanation for the day's topic, then a checklist of "Will Do's" and "To-Do's". I love this aspect of the book. I am such a list maker and I love to check things off. This will be perfect for me! I plan to write my own description and then give out the lists for all of you to try! I hope you enjoy!

So, today's devotion was about Divine Appointments. We all have different interpretations of what these are. I believe that they are any time that God shows up or arranges a meeting for us to have that is spiritual. This can range from a friend who wants to talk about Christ to an angel showing up at an accident. I consider all of these Divine Appointments. The question isn't what you think they are, or do you think there is such a thing. The question is if you are willing to allow them to happen in your life?

Here are the checklists for today:

Will Do

1. Understand that you are finite and that God will take care of the things that are beyond your control.
2. Receive the unexpected gifts a day brings.
3. Listen for God's wisdom in every situation. 
4. Look for the lesson in each detour, delay, and unexpected delight. 
5. Be flexible when the unexpected enters your day. 
6. Remember that God works all things together for good for those who love Him. 
7. Look at each person you encounter as someone God has sent into your life. 

To Do

1. Set aside 5 minutes to pray for God's guidance
2. Introduce yourself to a new person
3. Memorize a Bible verse that reminds you that your life is in God's hands (Psalm 46:1 is a suggestion)
4. Take a break in the middle of your day to rest, reflect, and regain perspective
5. Look in the mirror and see yourself as someone God loves
6. Go to a crowded place, watch the different people, and think about how God loves each and every one of them.

Bible verses to look up!

1. Job 5:9
2. Ecclesiastes 3:22
3. Proverbs 2:8
4. James 4:14-15
5. Proverbs 3:5-6

"O Lord, thou knowest that which is best for us, Let this or that be done, as thou shalt please. Give what thou wilt, how much thou wilt, and when thou wilt."
            Thomas A Kempis

God is Enough

"God is enough in every season and circumstance."

God is enough. This phrase is one that I am very familiar with. It is also one that I take for granted. It is also something that I have never fully understood but would like to. God is enough is such a strong idea, truth. It is what I want to live out in my life every day.

God has big dreams for our lives, just like we probably have big dreams of our own. In order for them to match up and come together, we must rearrange our priorities to focus on knowing God first and then our dreams will fall into place. This is definitely something I need to continue working on. This is very hard to do. But I know that as long as I am holding onto Jesus and He is guiding me, my hopes and dreams will be my reality.

So how should we refocus our lives to  know God first. Well, it's simple. Believe in Him, obey Him, and love Him.That's all you have to do. Just practice every day doing these three things and your life will shift to knowing God more and His love for you.

"We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
            Nelson Mandela 

Today was the last day of my devotional! I'm now looking for another one to read come Monday morning!

Time Well Spent

"In the end all that matter are the relationships in your life and how you invest in them."

Family, friends, neighbors, church members, coworkers, people....relationships are so important. The underlying thing that holds friendships together, time. "Time is of the essence". I remember hearing this many times while growing up. I remember not really knowing exactly what it meant but I could guess that it was saying that time was important. I've now realized just how important time is. Time is everything! Without time we can really do nothing. In order to create meaningful relationships, we much learn how to redeem and reorganize our time. We need to prioritize our lives so that our time is spent more on our relationships - the important things in live, and less on the mundane things.

I don't have any of my own children, yet....I do, however, have lots of little ones that I love dearly and want to make an impact on their lives. Doing this will require time and energy. One thing I know is that when I do have my own children I will do everything in my power to give them my time. I want to build great memories with them through traditions, special occasions and time well spent.

Time was what I remember most from my childhood. The time my family went to Disneyland. The time my family went to the beach and had the "spider-scare". The times my grandmas would watch my sisters and me. They both spent time teaching us, playing with us, shaping and molding us. All these times are great memories. But out of all of them, I remember the people in them the most. The people who loved me and sacrificed their time for me. I want to be that person for my own children on day. Until then, I will be that way for my students, husband, family, and friends.

"It's not only children who grow. Adults do too. As much as we watch to see what children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can't tell children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it myself."
            Joyce Maynard

You Can Make a Difference

"Make every day count by investing in the life of another human being."

There have been so many people in my life that have influenced me in a great way. As I think about it, every one I've ever come into contact with has influenced my life in some way, shape, or form. However, only some of them have influenced my life in such a great way.

Some of these people are:

• My parents
• My grandmas
• My dear friend, Amy
• My mentor, Carron
• My teachers, Rivera, Ruiz, Borges, Cook
• And so many more!!!

It is easy enough to be influenced by people in a positive way, but the real challenge is passing along that influence. I can take each one of these people that influenced my life and know exactly how they made a difference. I also know who and how I can pass the influence along too.

Today, and every day for that matter, I have the perfect opportunity to be an influence in someones life. I have lots of young children who look up to me and depend on me for support and encouragement. I have coworkers who are beginning to depend on me for structure, direction, and support. I have parents who are depending on me to keep their children safe and feeling loved throughout the day. Like I said, the perfect opportunity to be a positive influence in so many lives - and that's just in one day!

Every day is an opportunity to make a difference in someones life. Make today that day!

"There are five Gospels of Jesus Christ - Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and you, the Christian. Most people never read the first four."
            Gipsy Smith

Treasures

"Set your heart on your relationships with God and with those you hold dear."

Treasures are what we value and hold dear to our hearts. Treasures are what we will find joy in. Wherever you're treasures are, whatever they may be, the Bible says that you're heart is right there with them.

What are your treasures? What are my treasures? Well, since we know where we want our hearts to be let's start there and see what are treasure should be. I would like my heart to be in Christ, church, the Bible, family, friends, and treating others with kindness. If my heart can be found in those places I will be good to go!

Society is so caught up with riches, beauty and fame that I can't seem to escape it all the time. Sure...it would be nice to have lots of money, a face and body that everyone envied, and of course, a name that every one knew! But, on the other hand, I don't think that I could keep my eyes on the treasures where my heart should be if I had all those distractions. I think that it is important to remember that! I know where my heart should be - and I am working towards that goal every day!

Let's also remember another true statement that we learned a long time ago...our friends make us who we are.

Are your friends' treasures the same as yours? Are my friends' treasures the same as mine? This is so important to ask ourselves. If your relationships are what's keeping you from your treasures then do something about it! It's not too late!

"Tell me who you love and I will tell you who you are."
            Arsene Houssaye

A New Creation

"As a new creation you are washed clean. It is no longer you who live, but Christ lives in you (Galatians 2:20)."

Being a "new creation" is what we become when we give ourselves over, completely, to God. A "new creation" is letting go of our past and allowing God to change us more into an example of Him. I think knowing that we will become "new creations" in Christ is great news! I don't want to be my old-self; selfish, controlling, negative. All these things point to ugliness. I want to be God's New Creation and have all the great qualities of Christ!

God promises us in Philippians 1:6 that whatever work He started in us He will complete. I love that promise. That not only tells me that God is working on me and has a goal in mind, but also that He will never give up on me. That is such great news to hear and I will continue to cling to that promise.

In order to become God's "new creation" we must accept His friendship and all the goodness that comes with it - peace, companionship, acceptance, forgiveness. Who wouldn't want all of these things? I know I sure do! I want God to make me His "new creation".

"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."
            Isaiah 61:10

Detours on Purpose?!?

"Accept that your life is not your own. It's His."

So many times in my life, way to many to count, I have tried to live it my way because I thought that I could. I should have known that I my life was not my own, never was.

Today's devotion was discussing this very topic. We are not our own, God is in control. There may be lots of unexpected detours in our life, but instead of asking "Why?" we need to start asking "What can I learn from this?" or "What are you teaching me, Lord?".

Currently, I don' think I'm experiencing a detour in my life. However, this is not the case for the rest of my life. I've experienced plenty of them:

• Death in the family
• Unexpected death of a friend
• Financial hardship
• Illness 

All of these things are detours in life that I probably asked myself "Why me?" when I should have been asking God what I could learn from the detour. When taking a tour of something, whether it be a museum or am entire city, we don't sit there and ask the tour guide "Why did you go this way?" or "Why didn't you take us down that road?" we just follow and believe that they know what is best. They can see the whole picture and the best case scenario.  So if this is the case, why do we ask God and complain all the time? I'm not too sure!?! I'm struggling with this as well...

I guess that's something to ponder for a bit. Maybe a great way to "go back in time" is to look at the old detours in life and see what you learned or where God's hand was in them. Do they make better sense now? Mine do! I can see clearly why the detour took place.

"If we are not willing to wake up in the morning and die to ourselves, perhaps we should ask ourselves whether or not we are really following Jesus."
            Donald Miller

There are Angels Among Us

"Learn to recognize the divine encounters in your life."

Today's devotion was about was very touching and one that I enjoyed very much! The topic was on "divine encounters" and noticing them in our every day lives.

I am one who believe in such encounters. I trust that Gad sends His angels to us to dwell among us and to serve us in this life. The Bible even reminds of us this in Hebrews.

"Entertain strangers, for some people have entertained angels without knowing it" (13:2)
"Angels are ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation." (1:14)

These encounters can come in any way, shape, or form. I've talked about my major encounter after my car accident. There have been others too.

• A song playing with lyrics I needed to hear at that very moment
• Reading a devotion or Bible text with the exact advice I needed to hear
• A friend showing love when I needed it the most

All of these, I believe, are divine encounters!

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."
            Albert Einstein

Obedience

"Obedience sets your heart free."
            
Why is it that obedience is so hard to do? Is it because we have a longing for "freedom" and don't like following orders from others? Maybe we're just selfish, stubborn beings that would rather do things on our own?

Working with children, more often than not, they deliberately disobey. I'm not quite sure if this is all personality or if deep down inside all of us we have an instinct to go against orders.

In the Bible, there are so many occurrences where the people of God disobeyed Him. This should upset me, but in a way it reassures me. That even if God's people disobeyed Him and He still loved them, than I think we're okay here. I'm not saying that this should be an excuse, but we're going to mess up, disobey, ignore God, so it's good to know that He will forgive us.


There will be many times in our lives when obeying God will be the hardest thing we have to do. Just remember, when you get to the other side of the situation, His blessings will be sure to rain down on you!

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose."
            Jim Elliot

Listen as Much as Speak

"An active prayer life  leads to an intimate relationship with God."

Prayer is something that is so important to have in your relationship with God.

Think of it this way. If you were/are getting to know someone, how would you achieve this without speaking? On the other hand, how would you get to know them if you were the one always talking?

This leads me to my next point.We need to listen to God just as much as we need to speak with Him!

I know that this is hard to do! I've tried listening before, and it is hard. I'm not always sure what I'm listening for and how I know if I hear Him, but what I do know for sure is that the Bible says to listen, "Be still and know that I am God."

So tonight I'm going to listen. My "new" routine will be prayers in the morning with me speaking and prayers in the evening with Him speaking.

"The story of your life will be the story of prayer and answers to prayer. The shower of answers to prayer will continue to your dying hour."
            O. Hallesby

Intimacy = Into Me See

"[God's] word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path" - Psalm 119:105

Reading the Bible can sometimes be a challenging thing. I'm not sure if it's because the language was so different, or if it's something that we know we should be doing so it doesn't seem as "fun". I'm just not sure?!?

What I do know is that the Bible offers some great promises, examples, stories, and so many other wonderful gifts that we can find no where else. The Bible gives us a chance to understand God like no other way. It is something that we can have at our fingertips at any time of day - especially now days with it on our phones and computers!

I know that it is hard to commit to reading the Bible. Even for me, I'm not always sure what I'm getting from it or how exactly to "worship" in it.

Here are a few tips from my devotional to help us a bit:

• Read it aloud - sometimes hearing the words while reading them helps it sink in a bit more
• Practice deep listening - Quality over Quantity. Read a small amount, but really take it to heart.
• Personalize it - In the verses you can, add your name instead of "you" or another person's name. It's powerful!
• Mix it up - You don't always have to start at the beginning! Pick a book you want to read!
• Choose a customized Bible that fits your needs - Go to Barnes & Nobles, Borders, or your local Christian Book Store and find a Bible that fits your personality!

I hope that this helps! I'm about done with my devotional book...next one? My Bible!

"The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible."
            Dwight L. Moody

Go in Peace

"Jesus doesn't just give us hope; He also rewards our hope when we reach out to Him."

The story of the hemorrhaging woman in the New Testament is one that we can learn so much from. Although she is unnamed, and the story is very short, it is one that we can learn a lot about hope and stepping out in faith. What touches me most about this story is the fact that Jesus speaks to her and calls her "daughter". In Jesus' time, men never spoke directly to women and for Jesus to call her his family was something that I'm sure touched the lives of many people, especially the woman.

There are times in our lives when something so burdening is put in our lives. Like the woman, we too have things that we can not get rid of or get help with. Our last resort is usually Jesus, and He will heal us! But why wait for Him to be the last resort? Why not go to Him in the first place? Admit that you need Him and speak up to others that Jesus was the one that healed you!

"Go in peace and be freed from your suffering" is what Jesus said to the woman. There are so many areas in life where these words can be applied. Go to Jesus with these things and then go in peace!

"Daughter, you took a risk of faith, and now you're healed and whole. Live well, live blessed! Be healed of your plague."
            Mark 5:34

How to Let Go

"Surrendering doesn't mean giving up. It means inviting God to become even more intimately involved in your life."

I know that we've talked a lot about how I prefer to have the control in my life and how hard it is for me to just "let go". Well, today's devotion was another good one for me. It was about surrendering everything over to God and letting Him take complete control over your life.

Here's the problem. I'm not sure how to do this. I know that I can ask Him. I know that I can want it. But I'm not entirely sure how to "live it out". I've been trying to do this - to let go - but I just keep finding myself back at square one and I'm not sure how to entirely lose control.

It's not just about struggling with the idea of letting God have complete and total control anymore. It's more about I'm not sure how to do that? Any suggestions? I'm starting with a simple prayer.

God, please show me how to give you complete control. Help me to let go of my control, fear, perfectionism, what other people will think of my life. Amen.

So, that's a start!

"Faith, as Paul saw it, was a living, flaming thing leading to surrender and obedience to the commandments of Christ."
            A.W. Tozer

Release the Baggage

"The past isn't the past if it's affecting your present."

I believe that the past is the strongest thing that the devil can hold against you and use against you in your walk with God. He knows just how much pain you experienced, how much regret you may hold in your heart, and just what things to bring back up again  to destroy you. Baggage from your past is rough. It is very hard to let go of, and it is even harder to forget.

Many things can be baggage from your past. The past can hold many regrets that may range from bad grades in high school to affairs or promiscuity. Baggage is heavy and shouldn't be carried into the present or future.

Julie Barnhill, an author from another devotional book, writes, "Secrets hold their power only when they are hidden. Once placed in the light of God's love and revealed, they lose their power." I think that the best thing to do with those secrets and baggage is to bring them to light. Tell God about them. I know He already knows, but talking to Him may be the very thing that needs to happen.

Here are a few other steps to take in releasing that old baggage:

• Acknowledge them
• Accept responsibility
• Make amends
• Forgive yourself

Looking to God for help will be the best step you can take for releasing the past! Allow Him to take it from you - then walk away knowing that He has thrown it to the bottom of the sea.

"Wisdom: to live in the present, plan for the future, and profit from the past."

Sometimes it is a Waiting Game

"As you find our more of who you are and who you're becoming, you begin to see what you really need from God's dream to come true in your life."

Waiting is hard to do....especially when you're an organized, planning, freak like me! Currently, I am waiting for several things:

• Money - to be financially stable
• Answers to come
• School to begin and life to be "in order"

These are just a few and I'm not waiting very patiently.

I should have learned from my past just a little bit more. I should know that a lot of time that is spent "waiting" is actually not a loss - it is a growing faith exercise. Every time that I have waited on God, I find myself more understanding, more faithful, more dependent - all the things I want to be.

Sometimes I think that God has us wait for good reasons. Some of these reasons may be:

• we need to gain more knowledge
• better circumstances are coming
• we will have others' support at a later time
• finances will be in better condition
• we will be more emotionally prepared

All these things would make us "better off" but who are we to know when this will happen? We won't. That's why it is in God's timing - perfect timing!

So, how do we wait patiently? Well, it isn't easy. It will take a lot out of us. But, if we keep our eyes on Jesus, and ask for that patience, He will provide and we will reap all the benefits of waiting for His perfect timing!

"Patiencee is waiting. Not passively waiting - that is laziness. But to keep going when the going is hard and slow - that is patience."

Quick Update

Left my devotional book at work over the weekend. I'll be catching up on my reading tonight and hoping to post something tonight!

Blessings

I've been slacking...yesterday I didn't have time for a post and today I didn't get to read my devotion because I left my book at work.

I've been thinking about this weeks underlying theme - pain and hurt. A song that I was recently fallen in love with is the perfect one to sum up everything I've been blogging about his last week. Please click on the link and take a listen! It is truly amazing!

 Blessing

Lyrics to the song:

Blessings

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering

All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops?
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?

What if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise?

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough

And all the while You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?

And what if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us, when darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It's not our home

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears?
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?

What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst
This world can’t satisfy?

And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise?

Embrace the Challenge

"Embracing the result of tough times will take you to a new and deeper level of healing and ministry."

There will always be unwanted circumstances in life! That's just "life". Currently, I could create a real long list of many things that I don't want in my life right now, but I'm choosing not to have a pity party. Instead, I'm choosing to embrace the challenge and learn how to understand God through the tough times. Key word = trying!

When embracing tough times, it is sometimes hard to find the good, or God, in the circumstance. But if you are willing to step out in faith, God will meet you there and help you through it! Go on, challenge Him - I dare you!

(sorry for the short post...work is crazy today!)

"I venture to suggest that the one vital quality which the great saints had in common was spiritual receptivity. They differed from the average person in that when they felt the inward longing they did something about it. They acquired the lifelong habit of spiritual response."
           A.W. Tozer

Patience is a Virtue

"Let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing" (James 1:4).

Patience is a virtue...what does that mean? I've heard it so many times in my life but have never really picked it apart.

     Patience - quiet, steady perseverance

     Virtue - moral excellence; goodness; righteousness

So I guess what it means is when you practice patience you are doing a very good thing?!?

As you may have guessed, today's devotion was about patience. Patience is something that we have all needed at one point in our lives...especially if we've encountered pain and suffering (which yesterday we determined we all had). Patience is that "thing" that we all  need, and probably lack at times. It is definitely something that I lack - a lot!

There have been so many moments in my life where patience was no where to be found. I would make a list, but unfortunately it would be too long (and embarrassing). Let's just say, I know that I need to practice more patience, okay? *LOL*

Here's the thing...God promises us that He will grow our patience, but we have to endure hardships in order for it to grow....kinda scary, right? This is hard to handle, I know. I'm struggling with this myself...but, what we need to remember (something that a lot of people forget) is that God is the same!!! yesterday, tomorrow, and forever! He doesn't change...and we do! So this is really hard to remember. Sometimes we think that God is punishing us, or He is "teaching us a lesson" but I don't think so anymore. God is faithful and He is constant. His emotions towards us don't change (which means He wouldn't be "punishing us" or "teaching us a lesson" one day and not the other...get it? I hope I'm making myself clear.

If we can wrap or heads around the fact that WE ARE NOT LIKE GOD!!! We can't understand His thinking, His doing, or His love for us. We just can't...so stop trying! Just no he loves us! That's what matters. We need to trust Him and His doing!

"Faith is not simply a patience that passively suffers until the storm is past. Rather, it is a spirit that bears things - with resignations, yes, but above all, with blazing, serene hope."

               Corazon Aquino  

 

Asking, Why?

"Let your "why" questions lead to something more beautiful and fulfilling - a desire to live in the presence of God."

Life struggles are going to be present in all way, shape, and form. I think everyone will agree with me here when I say that no one has lived a life free of pain and suffering. This week, my devotional book is discussing this. The next couple days will be dealing with how we as Christians can deal with hard times - which we know are bound to happen.

I found it very ironic that this week was dealing with this topic. Over the weekend, some loved ones of mine were discussing this issue "hard times in relation to God" and we all had our theories. All of us had come to terms with different ways of thinking about pain and suffering and where God is in the midst of it. So, this morning when I read devotions, I was comforted and reminded that God is present in our lives, and I believe that He knew I would need to read these chapters at this moment in my life.

As I said above, bad things are bound to happen to everyone. Death, accidents, divorce, miscarriage, abuse...there are so many forms of pain that we all have come in contact with. In my (almost) 25 years of life, I have dealt with a fair amount of suffering. Losing grandparents, a best friend, an accident - these are just a few. But through all of these things, I chose to trust God and lean on His understanding. I never had my questions answered, but I knew well enough that God was carrying me through - and that is what mattered to me.

The Bible says, "suffering produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us". Through pain and hurt we can choose to have hope. With this great hope, we can have peace that God is in control. Job is a great example of this hope. He cried out to God countless times, still he believed. God never explained Job's suffering or made sense of the loss he had to bear, but He was there every step of the way, showing His unconditional love. And that's what matters!

At the end of devotions today, there was this great truth that hit me hard. I want to share it with you!

"The why questions become means to an end. And even though the end may not bring the answers you're looking for, once you reach it, you're no longer as concerned about why because something more beautiful and fulfilling has happened - you've experienced life in the presence of God."

"Suffering produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope."
                   Romans 5:3-4