The Rock

I cannot believe it is almost a year since I started this blog.  What a year it has been.  There have been a number of firsts for me and although they have not all been easy, they have most definitely helped me to grow.

When difficulties come into our lives we have two choices, we can either allow them to make us bitter, or we can allow them to make us better, but ultimately the choice is ours. On my recent trip to Colombia, I saw a tree that simply amazed me.  This tree grew despite the apparent obstacle in its way. 

I just absolutely love this tree that has grown up over a rock. 

How many times do we try to avoid the obstacles in life so that life is easier, forgetting that it is through the difficult times in our lives that we find the most personal growth?   How many times does God allow us to go through struggles to make us stronger? The Bible never promises us an easy life, as a matter of fact there are a number of authors that state life will be difficult, but that God will use the to make us stronger people. 

James 1:2-4 says, "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way."

Romans 5:3-4 says, "There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next."

I know that God has amazing things in store for my life:  I know He is preparing me for what is ahead.  So when the difficulties come, I try to remember that they are for my good and His glory.  I discovered a verse this past year that really touched my heart.  

Romans 9:33 says, "Careful! I've put a huge stone on the road to Mount Zion, a stone you can't get around. But the stone is me! If you're looking for me, you'll find me on the way, not in the way."

Jesus Himself is that stone, that stone that is not in the way but on the way.  He is there with me to help me to grow. I love it!  I hope, that like that Colombian tree, I can grow despite the apparent obstacles in my path, that I will reach for the sky as I was meant to do.  How about you?

Be Blessed, my friends.

*all biblical references were taken from The Message Bible.

A Glimpse of Things to Come

Last night as I was winding down for the night, I got a text from someone who had forgotten a friend's keys in my car.  I had planned on going to bed early, but it seems that God had different plans for my night.  What made things even worse was that this person was not apologetic but just assumed I would jump to help.  Okay so I did. As I walked out of the house for the 20 minute drive to where this person was, I prayed and prayed hard.  "God I need to have a very different attitude when I see this individual because right now I am very angry."  I looked up and the stars were simply dancing in the beautiful night sky.  A gift for sure, but not enough to quell my anger.  I continued to pray.  Suddenly about 15 minutes into the trip I looked to my left and on the horizon was a beautiful orange moon, just more than a sliver, but barely there.  God spoke to my heart, "It is a glimpse of things to come."  I followed it with my eyes for a few more minutes before I reached my destination.  (I am thankful that it was driving out in the county, in the middle of nowhere, so no one was on the road.)  On the way, the individual sent me a text apologizing for forgetting the keys, between that and the moon, I was in a much better mood.  God simply is good.  Funny thing is I could not find that moon for the trip home.

All you who read my blog know how much I absolutely LOVE the beauty of God's creation, so the moon last night simply filled my heart to overflowing with joy.  I have been experiencing a lot of the beauty of God's creation lately.  I am so very blessed!

A glimpse of things to come could mean so many different things at this point in my life.  I just returned from a missions trip to Colombia with my church.  Being surrounded by the Andes mountains was simply a gift from my Creator.  Perhaps the glimpse of things to come has to do with future missions trips I am meant to serve on.  Perhaps it has to do with some of the friendships I have started to build as a result of that trip.  Perhaps God wants to take my life in a totally new direction.  I don't know at this point, but one thing I do know is that my Heavenly Father is faithful,  He loves me and wants the very best for me. 

Isaiah 43: 18-19 says, "“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."

I look forward with great anticipation to see what God has springing up in front of me.  I am just excited to follow His path for my life.  I do perceive it; last night I saw a glimpse of things to come. 

Thank you God for filling my life with Your love!  You Rock!!!!!

Spring Has Sprung Again

So Spring has sprung again... well sort of I guess.  The weather has been unseasonably cold for us and rainy, actually it snowed just last week.  For other places, though, it has simply been unseasonably crazy.  Just this past week the southern US was hit with a number of tornadoes in one day leaving a death toll in 6 states of 340 and counting - the second deadliest single day total deaths from tornadoes.  The deadliest single day death toll was on March 18, 1925, a severe storm system swept across seven states killing 747 people, according to the National Weather Service. (www.cnn.com)  That happened 86 years ago. When I think about it, cool and rainy isn't a bad thing. 

Even though it is cool and rainy, the flowers are blooming.  I can look out the front window and see my beautiful magnolia tree covered with beautiful blossoms.  Tulips and daffodils are blooming, the trees are budding, and there is green everywhere.  I even had to mow the lawn the other day, as the grass was getting long.

Despite the craziness in the weather, life goes on.  One day follows the next, time does not stand still.  I need to stay focused on what God has in store for me this year.  In June, I am going on my first overseas missions trip to South America.  I am volunteering at a camp for foster children in July, and by the end of the year, I will become a grandmother for the first time. 

This new season continues to go on for me.  I am doing things I never thought I would do, going places I never thought I would go, but despite what is comfortable, I need to focus on doing what God wants me to do, and to go where He wants me to go. 

A verse that has been quoted quite often is Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  I need to hold on to that truth.  God's plans for my life are good plans, they are plans filled with hope. Life can seem hopeless at times, but I trust God to direct my path, and I trust that He knows what He is doing. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." I trust Him.

This new season has arrived.  I just want to be on the correct path for my life.  No matter how difficult the journey, when you are on the correct path, there will be joy.

This year, 2011, is going to be a great year!  I can hardly wait!!!!!!!

Thirteen

What a glorious day today has been! It has been sunny and warmer than it has been in a long time.  I love the beginning of March, when one season is ending and another one is ready to begin.  Saturday on the other hand, wasn't as lovely.  We had a late winter snow, worse than what was expected.  The weather people called for a dusting to an inch, with turned into inches.  Driving was treacherous to say the least.

Snow in January is depressing because we know it is going to be here for a long time.  The blanket of white everywhere is like a blanket over my heart, a blanket of heaviness, a blanket I dread.  The blanket of white seems to cover up my hope.  But, not so in March.  What I love about late winter snow, is that it doesn't last long. Within about 15 hours of the snow on Saturday, it was disappearing; the roads had cleared up.  Some of it was even melting on the driveways and lawns. 

It is like that in life too.  When we go through seasons of darkness in our lives, as we are coming through them, we may have setbacks, but those setbacks seem to be shorter and shorter.  Their impact on our hope lessens with each passing day.  As King David cried out to God, so do I.   "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.  Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life."  Psalm 143:8  Tomorrow will be a better day. 

Thirteen days, just thirteen more days until we celebrate the first day of Spring.  There is more snow in the forecast for tomorrow night, but that is okay because Spring is only thirteen days away!  Hope springs anew!

The Three Letter F Word

The other morning, as I was getting up, the weather guy on the radio was telling me what I did not want to hear.  No, I am not talking about that four letter S word, you know, the white stuff that has been falling like crazy from the sky, lately.  I am talking about the three letter F word, fog.  I am not a fan of fog, but as I was on my way to work, I didn't see much of it until I got closer to the city. Then suddenly I noticed it.  It was there; it was about fifteen feet in the air, part way up the trees.  It was beautiful.

The fog I feared simply led me to see my Heavenly Father in a very special way.  It was as if He was covering me, not blinding my way, but simply there, hovering above, as far as I could see. I could feel his presence.

Lately, my life seems to have been turned upside down, or maybe I am the one upside down and I just don't know it.  Either way, I am not sure which way is up.  The other night, a dear friend reminded me that things are not always as they seem.  Just because we feel one way, does not mean that those feelings represent the reality of the situation.  What I have been reminded of is the need to trust God to show me the way.  It is not always an easy thing to do, but I know He is with me.  He is hovering over me, whether I can feel His presence or not. 

Psalm 143:7-9 says, "Answer me quickly, LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.

The fog the other morning was like a blanket of love covering me.  I am not alone.  I know my Heavenly Father is always with me. I am loved.  Perhaps I am right side up after all.

Seasons of Life

Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.  In some places on our earth there isn't much of a change in those seasons, but where I live, each one has its definite time.  My favourite season is spring.  I love when everything becomes green again and the flowers bloom once more.  However, in order to truly appreciate the newness of spring, we need to experience the deadness of winter.  So it is with life.  We, as human beings, cannot continually experience the mountain top experiences of Joy without experiencing the Death Valley experiences,as well. 

This new beginning that God has blessed me with this past year, brought with it an unexpected season of sadness in the past month or so.  Christmas in our home has had a number of traditions that my daughter and I have built over the years; traditions that did not take place this year .  The sadness this brought was compounded by too much time off work to dwell on what didn't happen over the holidays.  I have not felt this depth of sadness in a very long time. 

Today, however, I can tell you that the sadness is gone.  I was so "me" focused that I forgot it isn't about me.  Life does not exist just for my happiness.  We are all here to work together; to help each other through the difficulties of life; to hold each other up when our friends cannot make it on their own; to reflect God's love to the world.

Second Corinthians 1:3-4 says, "All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us."

Today I am smiling again.  Tomorrow I will be able to empathize with the person who is sad because of life's changes. Tomorrow I will be able to listen and to encourage.  To me, that is worth the sadness of yesterday.

But I do have some great news.... only 70 days from today, and spring will officially arrive.  When that day arrives, I will really be smiling!

Canadian Geese

The other day as I was driving home from work, I noticed a line of Canadian Geese attempting to fly north.  I say they were attempting to fly north because they were up high in the sky, but they didn't appear to be going anywhere, they were pretty much flying without moving.  It was weird for a couple of reasons.  First of all, they weren't going anywhere.  Second of all, it has been unseasonably cold lately and they were heading north.  Why would they be heading north?  Thankfully I was in the middle of nowhere when I noticed the geese, so I could keep an eye on them, more than on the road.  They intrigued me.  After a few minutes, I turned the corner and looked for the geese once again, only to notice they had changed direction and were heading south.  Once they changed directions, their pace picked up and they were off.  A few minutes later they were out of view.

The geese remind me of me.  When I walk in the wrong direction for my life, I spin my wheels; I don't get anywhere.  It isn't until I turn around and go in the direction I know I need to go that I actually accomplish anything.  I know God has a plan for my life, a good plan.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

God's plan is one I choose to follow, most of the time.  He has promises for me when I do.

"You're blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God.  You're blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him.  That's right - you don't go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set."  Psalm 119:1-3 (The Message)

So the next time I am tempted to walk outside of God's plan for my life, I just need to remember the Canadian geese who were flying north; getting nowhere, fast!  Hopefully I will remember this lesson and make sure I stay on track.

I hope you all have a blessed Christmas and a safe and happy New Year!