Isaiah 40:30-31 (NIV) (30) Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; (31) 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.
I can't believe I haven't blogged in 6 months. That's ridiculous. It's the beginning of a new year. A new start, if you will. DO-OVER!!! I love Jesus and know that He is the way, the truth and the life. My life would be an abysmal black hole without Him. But I get tired; I doubt my purpose at times; I question God's timing. We all have those questions to ask God: Why do you want me to go down this uncertain path? Can't you just fill me in on your plans a little? When? Where? How? Why? Whom? Yet God doesn't answer us in the way we want Him to. Why should He? He's God!!
As I start out this new year, I have no regrets, but just ask forgiveness from my Lord and Saviour for my stubbornness and procrastination. Because even though He put me on an incredible path, when it started to get a little intimidating for me, instead of prayer and submission, I sat down. And although I tried to justify my actions by telling myself that I just needed to rest and needed to regain my thoughts, God knew better and so did I. I was just trying to convince myself that I was weary and overwhelmed. The funny thing is, I will continue to be overwhelmed by the path and direction God leads me on, unless I actually LET Him lead and follow the steps He places before me, not stumble all over myself and try to do things my way. Obedience is key to God's will in our lives. And "partial obedience is total disobedience" (that's a Lisa-ism). I know that I have to be totally obedient and trusting in His plan if He is going to be able to use me.
I got a really good glimpse of how this obedience and trust worked in the last couple of weeks as my car engine went kaput (not worth fixing). After a couple of days of panic and freaking out, I laid it down at the foot of the cross and told God "this is completely in your hands, there is absolutely NO WAY I can do anything in this situation, so however you want to deal with this, it's up to you. If you want me bumming rides from friends for however long or if you want me to ride the bus, I'm good. Just show me what path to take." All the while, I asked my friends to pray that God's will be done in this situation and if He saw fit to provide a miracle, so be it; but just pray for God's will. After a couple of weeks of catching rides from friends here and there, I figured out the bus schedule for myself and was working on the bus schedule to get my son back and forth from school and swim practice. And just when you think that's the path you have to take and are humbled and accepting of it --- BAM --- God brings you a miracle. Friends knew of a vehicle that was in great shape and was perfect for us (I trusted this person with their knowledge of vehicles and his judgement of it) but it was more than I could afford on my 20 hours a week. This person said they may be able to do a personal loan and I could pay it back as I could. I started to cry and told them I did want to pray about it, and they told me they would call me back later that same afternoon. Of course I sent out an immediate mass text to ask that if this was God's will, that the doors would blow wide open, if not, He would immediately remove it (I was to emotional to make a clear discernment at that time and knew it). During that waiting period, another friend made my prayers known.
Without going into any more detail, God gave me a reliable vehicle and overflowed my cup enough that I was able to bless a few others that needed just a little leg up and just enough to let them know that God cares and that there are people here that appreciate them and their prayers.
I said all of that to say that I know God has miraculous things ahead for so many of us. And one of my resolutions was to be more obedient to God's will.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
The Road Less Travelled
I have a lot of lumps on my head right now. Over the past couple of weeks, it seems as though God were bopping me on the head with His 2 x 4 a lot lately. While I listened to Miss Lisa, Brother Herb and Brother Josh teach and preach, sections of their lessons seem to reach out and smack me in the forehead!! Those sections, seem to keep repeating "you know what I want you to do, and what I have called you to do, what have you done in order to accomplish that?" Well, I thought I was doing what I was supposed to be doing by going back to school; that concept has not changed because education is key to the other portion of His plans. But apparently, I'm supposed to be moving on the OTHER journey He has me on at the same time!!?
Being the oh so brilliant human that I am, I question..."Really?" I said, shrugging my shoulders and looking up at the sky, "how can I possibly be on two different paths at the same time?" ---- that still small voice inside said, "because it's the road that's not visible to you, both paths you are on are parallel, walk in the middle of them to get to where I want you to go." Again, my humbleness continues to question the awkwardness and the instability of that unseen path --- but I soon realize that God sees the path and knows where I will stumble, trip up, or get smacked in the head with a branch or two, but His hands are guiding me and His feet are walking with me to the destination He has planned for me. I know where I have to be, but getting there is an arduous journey for me. But I have learned to praise God through trials and tribulations because He sees those trials come before they happen and He walks with me through them, and He is there when they are over.
People have been coming out of the woodwork lately with situations that need addressing, opportunities coming out of seemingly nowhere (yes, I know exactly where they are coming from), and now plans are being made to move to the middle unseen path. So there may be some changes to the blog in the near future, so keep watch (YOU GOTTA WATCH). Because you never know when it might contain something that you need to hear or someone you know needs to hear.
Being the oh so brilliant human that I am, I question..."Really?" I said, shrugging my shoulders and looking up at the sky, "how can I possibly be on two different paths at the same time?" ---- that still small voice inside said, "because it's the road that's not visible to you, both paths you are on are parallel, walk in the middle of them to get to where I want you to go." Again, my humbleness continues to question the awkwardness and the instability of that unseen path --- but I soon realize that God sees the path and knows where I will stumble, trip up, or get smacked in the head with a branch or two, but His hands are guiding me and His feet are walking with me to the destination He has planned for me. I know where I have to be, but getting there is an arduous journey for me. But I have learned to praise God through trials and tribulations because He sees those trials come before they happen and He walks with me through them, and He is there when they are over.
People have been coming out of the woodwork lately with situations that need addressing, opportunities coming out of seemingly nowhere (yes, I know exactly where they are coming from), and now plans are being made to move to the middle unseen path. So there may be some changes to the blog in the near future, so keep watch (YOU GOTTA WATCH). Because you never know when it might contain something that you need to hear or someone you know needs to hear.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Excuses, Excuses, Excuses
Last night, a friend inadvertently reminded me that "my cup runneth over" with excuses as to why I hadn't worked out in 3 weeks (ok, 4 weeks). Wow, as I heard myself rattle off the "reasons", I realized I was trying to justify my actions.
Shortly after that gut-wrenching realization, I was talking to that same friend on Facebook IM and another startling discovery was made. God is not just going to bring my mate to me and miraculously drop him in my life. I have to create a life of my own that could include someone who likes the same interests I have to be proactive. Now I'm not talking about scoping out the grocery stores for some single pitiful man that needs a woman, or stalking "manly" men at the Home Depot or Lowes. And I'm certainly not talking about frequenting bars looking for "Mr. Right". I'm talking about living my life and enjoying the things I want to do such as museums, botanical gardens, volunteering, etc.. Although I'm back at school this semester with 5 classes (they are broken up into two sections, I'm not COMPLETELY insane y'all), but I have to work on ME.
I've been reading an interesting book "How To Be Found By the Man You've Been Looking For" by Michelle McKinney Hammond. It's pretty enlightening and biblically backed up with scripture. After my conversation with my friend, I got the copy of this book back out, which I had put down and had never finished. WOW!! I got hit in the head right between the eyes with this 2 x 4 of self-realization "Perhaps this is your season for self-development." Ok God, I think I understand that, but all at once? Really? School, career, child, attitude, health, finances --- wow --- that's a lot on my plate. But God DOES give us more than WE can handle, so that we rely on HIM!!!! There is no way on earth or with my own humanity that I can handle or do all of that on my own. Thankfully, I don't have to.
So...........tonight I'll be finishing up my English homework, organizing my "Gazelle Intensity" for my debt snowball, doing dishes, laundry, loving on my kid and getting in some sort of work out again. This is going to be an intense summer and I hope to be able to get some non-intellectual fun in there some time. But my Lord and Savior has a plan for me, although I don't know where it is leading me, but I know it's going to be awesome with Him at the helm of this ship. So if you see me smiling through the pain of working out and school, it's because I know that on the other side of this cavernous valley is an amazing blessing that I can't even begin to imagine for me. Whether or not that includes a future mate is still unknown, but I'm ok with that if He doesn't want that for me, because I will love Him whether I am blessed with singleness or blessed with a mate.
So those of you who "hunger" for that companionship of a husband or wife. Ask yourself this question --- are you being proactive in pursuing things you've wanted to try or do the things you like to do, regardless of whether or not anyone else goes with you? I'm not saying only do the things that would attract the opposite sex, I'm saying do things that attract YOU. If it's in God's will for you to have a mate, you putting yourself out there and living your life (not sitting on the couch watching tv), loving and being obedient to God will be the attractant.
Shortly after that gut-wrenching realization, I was talking to that same friend on Facebook IM and another startling discovery was made. God is not just going to bring my mate to me and miraculously drop him in my life. I have to create a life of my own that could include someone who likes the same interests I have to be proactive. Now I'm not talking about scoping out the grocery stores for some single pitiful man that needs a woman, or stalking "manly" men at the Home Depot or Lowes. And I'm certainly not talking about frequenting bars looking for "Mr. Right". I'm talking about living my life and enjoying the things I want to do such as museums, botanical gardens, volunteering, etc.. Although I'm back at school this semester with 5 classes (they are broken up into two sections, I'm not COMPLETELY insane y'all), but I have to work on ME.
I've been reading an interesting book "How To Be Found By the Man You've Been Looking For" by Michelle McKinney Hammond. It's pretty enlightening and biblically backed up with scripture. After my conversation with my friend, I got the copy of this book back out, which I had put down and had never finished. WOW!! I got hit in the head right between the eyes with this 2 x 4 of self-realization "Perhaps this is your season for self-development." Ok God, I think I understand that, but all at once? Really? School, career, child, attitude, health, finances --- wow --- that's a lot on my plate. But God DOES give us more than WE can handle, so that we rely on HIM!!!! There is no way on earth or with my own humanity that I can handle or do all of that on my own. Thankfully, I don't have to.
So...........tonight I'll be finishing up my English homework, organizing my "Gazelle Intensity" for my debt snowball, doing dishes, laundry, loving on my kid and getting in some sort of work out again. This is going to be an intense summer and I hope to be able to get some non-intellectual fun in there some time. But my Lord and Savior has a plan for me, although I don't know where it is leading me, but I know it's going to be awesome with Him at the helm of this ship. So if you see me smiling through the pain of working out and school, it's because I know that on the other side of this cavernous valley is an amazing blessing that I can't even begin to imagine for me. Whether or not that includes a future mate is still unknown, but I'm ok with that if He doesn't want that for me, because I will love Him whether I am blessed with singleness or blessed with a mate.
So those of you who "hunger" for that companionship of a husband or wife. Ask yourself this question --- are you being proactive in pursuing things you've wanted to try or do the things you like to do, regardless of whether or not anyone else goes with you? I'm not saying only do the things that would attract the opposite sex, I'm saying do things that attract YOU. If it's in God's will for you to have a mate, you putting yourself out there and living your life (not sitting on the couch watching tv), loving and being obedient to God will be the attractant.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Loved - I Corinthians 13
I Corinthians gives us the definition of love and the fruits of that love. Today, I go to the funeral of a richly loved man, Hal Boday, Sr.. The outpouring of love, kindness and patience at this time is overwhelming. But I know there will also be long-suffering.
As I get ready for the funeral, it brings me back to the loss of life in my own family and I laugh and cry at the fact that I do not remember any of the specific dates of their deaths. God gave me the ability (He gave it to us all, really) to not dwell on the bad things in the past. I choose (yes, it's a choice) to remember the good times and to celebrate in my family's lives. I remember my grandparents and parents wedding anniversaries (that's easy, because they are the same day - July 26th), and I choose to remember both of my paren'ts birthdays. I tend to go to a quiet place, pray and remember them on those days. I don't care to remember them sick or in a coffin.
I pray that the peace that passes all understanding will make its way into my friends lives as they go through this grieving process. And I pray that they will remember the good times and not dwell on the sickness or the times of sorrow.
As I get ready for the funeral, it brings me back to the loss of life in my own family and I laugh and cry at the fact that I do not remember any of the specific dates of their deaths. God gave me the ability (He gave it to us all, really) to not dwell on the bad things in the past. I choose (yes, it's a choice) to remember the good times and to celebrate in my family's lives. I remember my grandparents and parents wedding anniversaries (that's easy, because they are the same day - July 26th), and I choose to remember both of my paren'ts birthdays. I tend to go to a quiet place, pray and remember them on those days. I don't care to remember them sick or in a coffin.
I pray that the peace that passes all understanding will make its way into my friends lives as they go through this grieving process. And I pray that they will remember the good times and not dwell on the sickness or the times of sorrow.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Happy Birthday Nathan - PSALM 127:3
"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward."
As I look back on the last 16 years, there have been laughs, tears, hard times, good times, and I am thankful to God for each and every day I get to spend with my son.
Nathan injured himself over the weekend and during the last three days, I am reminded of Luke 10 where Jesus was at dinner with Martha and Mary. Martha busied herself attending to all of the household chores and cooking while Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and lavished her attention on Him.
I took off a few days to make sure that Nate didn't have to get up onto his leg every couple of minutes. I could have gotten so much done around the house, cleaning, laundry, all that tedious stuff we hate to do. Instead, I made sure the ice pack was ready, taking it back and forth to the freezer, taking care of the fickle dogs that wanted in and out all day, and getting Nate food and medicine. We sat around and watched movies and tv shows, cuddled on the couch (he'll hate that I put that in there), and I became the "backseat sniper" on his video game - pointing out his targets for him (yes, I know he needs no help in that area). As aggrevating as I was with that, he just laughed at me and we just enjoyed 3 days of being slugs.
Oh don't be fooled, the devil kept throwing around Prov 6:9, but I kept coming back to the fact that my baby bird will be leaving the nest in a few years and I cherish all the cuddle time I can get with him. For a few years, there was a lot of arguments and termoil in this house over school, and this last year was a magnificent change for Nate. He's growing up and I am so proud of him and so completely blessed to see the young man he is growing up to be. I truly love him and thankful for the relationship we have.
Parents, take the time to let your kids know how much you love them. You may think they know, but sometimes they need to hear the words uttered on your lips.
As I look back on the last 16 years, there have been laughs, tears, hard times, good times, and I am thankful to God for each and every day I get to spend with my son.
Nathan injured himself over the weekend and during the last three days, I am reminded of Luke 10 where Jesus was at dinner with Martha and Mary. Martha busied herself attending to all of the household chores and cooking while Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and lavished her attention on Him.
I took off a few days to make sure that Nate didn't have to get up onto his leg every couple of minutes. I could have gotten so much done around the house, cleaning, laundry, all that tedious stuff we hate to do. Instead, I made sure the ice pack was ready, taking it back and forth to the freezer, taking care of the fickle dogs that wanted in and out all day, and getting Nate food and medicine. We sat around and watched movies and tv shows, cuddled on the couch (he'll hate that I put that in there), and I became the "backseat sniper" on his video game - pointing out his targets for him (yes, I know he needs no help in that area). As aggrevating as I was with that, he just laughed at me and we just enjoyed 3 days of being slugs.
Oh don't be fooled, the devil kept throwing around Prov 6:9, but I kept coming back to the fact that my baby bird will be leaving the nest in a few years and I cherish all the cuddle time I can get with him. For a few years, there was a lot of arguments and termoil in this house over school, and this last year was a magnificent change for Nate. He's growing up and I am so proud of him and so completely blessed to see the young man he is growing up to be. I truly love him and thankful for the relationship we have.
Parents, take the time to let your kids know how much you love them. You may think they know, but sometimes they need to hear the words uttered on your lips.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
