Give Thanks...and Repeat!

Sometimes, when it rains on your parade…or your party…or your wedding…OR your computer…all you can do is splash in the puddles.

Or add to that puddle with your own tears as I have the past couple of days.

I learned this truth recently when I lost a HUGE file I’d been working on for the past month or so. I’d put countless hours into it, finished everything down to the last detail and was ready to print.

But in an instant…gone! Lost! Tossed to oblivion never to be found again!  

I’m trying very hard to see the blessing in my situation. I’m trying to read into some sort of lesson in all of this. But I suppose it doesn’t really matter whether I understand it or not. God doesn’t owe me an explanation – I simply owe HIM my trust and my thanks…and start over, however painful and laborious that may be.

Give thanks in all circumstances and pray

without ceasing….and repeat!

For some reason, this scenario reminds me of growing up with horses. Out of our five, one was a stubborn little pony - very headstrong and didn’t like to be ridden. She’d bloat up when I saddled her and tightened the cinch only to pick some random spot in the pasture to buckle her legs and roll over with me still in the saddle! More than once I had to bail off to avoid being crushed. But I learned early on  that each time, it was necessary to take charge, to pull her back up on all fours, get back up in that saddle and start over until she did it right.

That whole scene happened THEN so I could draw from it NOW. That’s how God works.

Sometimes, I can get so involved in something that I overlook God’s bigger picture. Do you ever do that?

I believe there’s something to be gleaned from every situation, including this one. That certain “Aha!” moment when God’s hand becomes visible in the middle of our groaning and we realize why it had to come to pass. Why ALL that work was necessary only to be repeated for a bigger purpose.

Sometimes it’s like God says “Nope. You didn’t quite get all I wanted you to out of that experience. It’s time to go back to the drawing board and start over – trust me."

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:6)

 

Be Blessed

today and Everyday,

Debbie

 

 

 

 

 

 

Live Intentionally

Only a few days left between now and Christmas and a brisk wind stirs leaves around my feet as I walk. It’s the kind of cold that pierces right through as if you aren’t even wearing a coat. Trees toss their last remaining leaves to the frigid afternoon and I breathe in the hope of the season and the coming year.

So much to do and to hope for and all the while I’m thinking of these words that constantly spin around in my head much like the leaves:

~~Live Intentionally~~

I want to live as an intentional Christian.

To be intentional with my praise of Him!

To intentionally pray.

To intentionally give thanks.

To intentionally follow and believe.

To live on purpose……His purpose!

 The God of the universe intentionally created me – He intentionally created you. It’s not by chance that we belong to Him. Jesus intentionally loves us – when we say the wrong thing, do the wrong thing, when we’re quick to anger, when we’re overcome and overwhelmed – He’s there to pick us up, to forgive and to comfort.

Please remember, sweet sister, that you are intentionally a child of the Most High!

Let Him intentionally reign in your heart.

Wishing you Christmas Blessings and a beautiful New Year!

Debbie

He IS Enough!

I’ve done it again.

It’s 3am in a quiet house, but the thoughts in my head spin loud and hectic. I’ve opened the door to every kind of worry and fear known to me and there is no comfort found in my restlessness. All the things that threaten to steal my joy – all the barriers standing between me and my God rise up brighter and louder in the dark.

I call to God in my fretting, but it’s a struggle; my fears speak louder than the cries of my heart.

Why does this happen?

Why do I ALLOW it to happen time and time again when I’m still

in the palm of His hand.

When I’m STILL a child of the King?

But it’s “time and time again” that He’s already proven himself! He’s already cared enough. He’s already been present enough. He’s already loved me enough.

He’s already enough!

He’s brought me through all the other times of tossing and turning when daggers from the enemy pierce through the night robbing me of sleep and contentment. He’s already made a way and I’ve stood in the warm glow of His mercy and grace.

 

Finally, sleep does come.  He pushes the worries and fears to a darkened corner and I drift off reassured and knowing that I am His and He is mine.

He IS enough!

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.  (Psalm 23:4)

Be blessed today and always,

Debbie