TRY AGAIN

Romans 5:1-5                                                                                                             Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

“Easy to Assemble”... that’s what the box said in bold print, so I bought it over another brand that didn’t claim the same. There was no mention in that bold lettering about the bag of tiny parts I found inside which required me to find a pair of glasses strong enough to see what they were...let alone know how to use them as they were designed to be! 

Yikes! When will I ever learn... “Nothing’s easy”... especially when it’s unfamiliar...and especially when it requires me to try the same thing more than once or twice to accomplish it. I’m really drawn to “easy”... I think most people are. 

The truth is; I like easy so much that I too often set myself up for disappointment and even failure when I open those boxes of challenging situations or difficult relationships. As it sits in my lap, I see that small bag of “parts that must be used” and moan as I realize I must “put on my stronger glasses” and pursue what God has for me in it. 

I have found “easy” is not always best... and “best” is not very often easy! Yet... what great peace and comfort I have discovered when I respond to life’s trials with the desire to “assemble” all the pieces that I have been handed with the guidance of God’s Word. I know I can trust that the finished product (me) will one day be completed. Glory!

So... if you are facing one struggle after another and your feeling tired and even overwhelmed by what you are being asked to do...try again...and also try responding as Peter did to Jesus after a long night of casting nets and catching no fish... 

“Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” Luke 5:5 (Emphasis mine)

Giving God my best in a situation or relationship doesn’t always produce the results I was expecting. Most often... I get so much more than I ever dreamed.

When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats... Luke 6-7a

Praying you have a “boat-load” of encouragement from knowing that there is no shame in God’s mercy and grace as He leads us to “Try Again”...

Kathy

Comfort Zone

“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.”    ~ Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Old and Young ~ Rich and Poor ~Successful and Failed again ~ Ambitious and Not interested ~ Believer and Seeker....

No matter what your currently life situation is ... We all have a place we retreat to when life either is offering or confronting us with something we do not have an instant liking to or an instant “I can do that” response! Our Comfort Zone”!

In the past when I felt the Lord was leading me towards a new uncharted opportunity that seemed too big for me or that I didn’t feel qualified for, I didn’t walk ... I ran straight to my “comfort Zone” and screamed, “Not me”!

If you could place in a big box all the things that you feel would be found in your “comfort zone”, it might look a bit like mine.... 

~Only asked to do the things I already like and know how to do well. ~ Only work with people I know and like and get along with. ~ Everything asked of me comes naturally and is easy or takes little to no effort. ~ Healthy, no illnesses or afflictions for me or anyone I care about. ~ Plenty of money. No “surprise” bills.

Funny thing about our “Comfort Zone”. If you’re like me...you tend to think of it as a place of safety and a place to find rest and even peace. But is it really? I think you will find along side of each piece of “comfort” something else is attached to it as well...

~While “doing” the things that I like to do and that come easy and naturally I still get frustrated? How does that happen? ~ While I work along side of good friends I sometimes need more from them then they seem willing to give... disappointment and emotional fatigue begins to set in. ~ The doctor tells me I’m healthy so why does my head ache and my back hurt? I feel pain. Family and friends may have no serious health problems so why don’t they all have more energy? We’re all feeling so tired...discouraged even. ~ I have more than enough money to pay my current bills...but will I have enough as the cost of everything rises? Future money concerns have me feeing anxious and stressed. 

Yikes! I’m not feeling all that comfortable in my “comfort zone”! 

God did not create us to remain infants. I’m pretty confident if you’re breathing, you’re in a constant state of change! We are actually “wired for change.” 

We don’t have to look further than modern technology to see how fast our world is changing. No sooner do we buy the latest smart phone or computer and something better and faster comes on the market. Aren’t you glad we are not still using the phones and computers from years past?

I don’t even have to understand how these gadgets work to use them properly.The designer does all the hard internal work... all I have to do is agree to partner with him by following the directions. I am then enabled to obtain far greater knowledge and accomplish so much more than I ever could on my own.

We can resist the changes God brings into our lives...but why? What has indeed been  “good enough” yesterday is what has prepared us for our “even better” today...which leads us to God’s “better still” for tomorrow. 

Our God has already done all the hard work...He has also prepared us in advance (even if we don't think were ready) for what He is calling us to do. We don’t have to know how it will work out...we can just trust that not only will God’s Plan prevail...but that He will bless us and bring us success ...all for the Glory of God!

Why would you want to keep a “comfort zone” that is full of glitches and disconnects you from the abundance of God? Get connected and upgrade your “Comfort Zone” to Jesus...I’m willing to find my comfort zone in Christ...are you?

 “...because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.” ~ Genesis 39:23b (NIV)

Kathy

Diluted Devotion

Psalm 119:71-75 (NIV)
It was good for me to be afflicted
   so that I might learn your decrees.
The law from your mouth is more precious to me
   than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.

Your hands made me and formed me;
   give me understanding to learn your commands.
May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
   for I have put my hope in your word.
I know, LORD, that your laws are righteous,
   and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.

I recently read in one of my bible studies this statement; “If Satan cannot destroy God’s people he often settles for the next best option; he will try to dilute their commitment to God.”

At first I thought ~ OK... maybe that was something Satan was able to accomplish in the past with me, but Hey.... I’ve traveled a long distance away from my former “worldly- self” with Jesus, and there is no way Satan is going to be able to ever entice me again with anything he can offer! Nope...not possible. So I decided to sit down at my computer this morning and write about this very subject! 

Yikes! The first thing I saw as I entered my office was that my new computer screen was “lit up” but there were no images on it! Well that’s not right... So I giggled this and pushed that and still....nothing. As I decided to unplug it (yeah I know...you’re not suppose to unplug a computer before turning it off...) I began to feel upset since this computer is new and this is not suppose to happen. My thoughts raced to disgust as I also began to wonder if I will be without my computer if it needs repaired....how long will that take?  That thought really upset me as I rushed back to my first thought which was “this isn’t suppose to happen to a new computer”! Suddenly my beautiful song of victory I was humming as I entered my office quickly changed tunes from “I am woman hear me roar ~ of God” into “I am woman hear me roar ~ of the world.”

Well...after the unplugging and re-plugging, my computer instantly came on. “Praise the Lord’ I said out loud, as I sat down in front of my computer.... ‘now I’m ready to write...”

My first thoughts went to Peter who told Jesus; “But Peter said to Him, Even if they all fall away and are caused to stumble and distrust and desert You, yet I will not [do so]”! Mark 14:29 (Amplified Bible).

I think what I love the most about how God loves me is that He never gives up on me. Jesus knows exactly where my weaknesses are and in His protective care he will allow Satan and my sin nature to expose my worldly attitudes to my eyes and heart so that I can better see which path my feet are walking on. I can choose either the path of this world that may indeed lead to temporary pleasures but also great distress without hope...or choose the Path that leads to the Savior’s arms and eternal life with Him in heaven. Satan will attack my resolve to never stumble and tempt me with trusting “what seems right and good”...but God is faithful even when I am not. 

 "People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy".~ Proverbs 28:13 (NLT)

Dear Lord, Thank you for your mercy and grace...your love. Thank you for the example of Peter so that I may be encouraged by his example. I have stumbled and my devotion to you get’s diluted with my devotion to me. I pray that like Peter, I too will surrender my ways to Yours. This life is not my own and this world is not my home. Praise God! Increase my faith so that I will live each day fully devoted to Jesus. ~ Amen

Kathy

Divine Interruptions

I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. ~ Philippians 3:7 NLT

I’m not very graceful. I tripped and stumbled so often as a child that when I was about 12 or 13 years old my mom even enrolled me in several classes that taught young girls how to properly and gracefully sit, stand...and walk! I may have gained some much needed skills way back when... but unfortunately I can still trip over the tiniest pebble as easily as the sizable stone to this day! Perhaps the clumsiness of my feet is due more to my “unawareness”  of where I’m walking than just my being unable to walk without stumbling.

I use to live my life the same way I use to walk as a child ~ not really paying attention and even unaware of what was right under my nose. I also wanted life to be smooth and easy without any ‘trip ups”. I was easily thrown off my feet by the unexpected changes to “my plans”.

Life. Who has a life that is not filled with the unexpected change to their plans?  Who lives a life that is not challenged by the need to adjust and change their focus to what is needed “right now”? 

Sadly, I have too often chosen to put on a big pair of rose-colored glasses...

sometimes even blinders... so I can either shade or completely block out the “stuff” I don’t want to see or possibly be asked to deal with. This “defensive” tool seems to have allowed me to see only a shadow of and at times even run away from people and circumstances that I saw as an unwanted interruption to my day ~to my life! Instead of seeing the interruption as coming from God and His desire for me to respond with His leading... I resented them.

I became very adept at dodging the people and circumstances that God intended for me to encounter....not understanding that God was giving me these things in answer to my long sought prayers to Him! “Lord” I prayed... “Help me to know You more” ~ “Love You more” ~ “ Trust You more” and to be “With me Lord always, so that I may be so bold one day as to say to You ‘Send me’ and be used by You for Your glory”. (Isaiah 6:8)

While I had been avoiding and resenting...even fearing “today’s” interruptions...I also was tripping over and miss seeing God’s love and blessing He had given to me "in it" for this day! 

I’m not very graceful...but God is full of grace for me. Far from having perfected my "walk" at least now my feet today are a bit more steady.

“Dear Lord,

Forgive my narrow thinking - my selfish attitude. I desire to be re-molded by the only One I trust to reshape my heart and give sight to my eyes. Protect me from stumbling as I trust You never will lead me where You have not also prepared for me to go. I know in asking this, I will be given opportunities that will change the direction of “my plans” ...but Lord, thank you....for how blessed am I that you would even choose me to be a part of a Divine interruption.”

I pray you too will accept God’s grace filled invitation to join Him in His work today.

Kathy

Longings...We All Experience Them

Hebrews 11:15-17 (NIV)
If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

During my morning devotion time I became very aware of my sensing a great “longing” in my heart. So the question came to mind; “What do I long for? What is my heart’s desire?”

Before answering ..I reflected on all that my heart once yearned and longed for. For many years it use to long for more Things - than it became for more Money (which equated with security) - I longed for Adventure and Travel. But most of all I longed for Love. Who doesn’t want that?

Through the years of my marriage with my husband Brad I just knew I had finally found the love I had been longing for. I also found security and adventure...I thought I had it all. But than cancer came into our lives and a new longing entered my heart... “I longed for more Time ...more years for us to be together. After Brad’s death...I longed for my Heavenly Home - but my primary reason for this longing was so I could escape this life and the pain of loss and sorrow it brings....and to be with Brad again.

It was in the midst of my longing for God to come rescue me that I discovered my heart was actually longing for complete Trust in God... I cried out, “Lord help me to trust You in everything. In seeking to trust...I found God’s love to be faithful and true throughout all my past trials and in all the former circumstances in my life I discovered this healing Jewel... every longing of my heart is satisfied in Jesus alone.

So to answer my morning devotion question; “What do I long for”?

~ Money? - God will provide all I’ll ever need. My security is in Him.
~ Adventure? - Walking with God... there is no greater Adventurer to go with!
~ Love? - There is no greater love to receive than the love of Jesus. He never leaves me even when I run away into the pit of despair or climb a mountain of difficulty...Jesus’ love is faithful and true. Whether He chooses to sit beside me, hold my hand as we walk together or He lifts me up to carry me when I have no strength to go on...He never lets go of me. He shines as a light in the darkness and protects me. His love for me was demonstrated on a cross at Calvary....there is no greater love than this.

Oh yeah...my longing for “Things?”

Well...I now long for the things of God...My desire to go home to Heaven is still great... but no longer because I need to escape this life...but because I long for “a better life - a heavenly life. In fact Jesus is right now building my Dream House in heaven so that I may live with Him forever and ever!

Soooo, What are you longing for?

Psalm 84:10b (NIV)
Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.

Weight of Glory

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NLT)
17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. (Emphasis is mine)

These past several weeks I have experienced some really wonderful time traveling and being with dear friends…and as life often is…I have also experienced a really sad time too. Early December I had to have my cute and sweet little Reggie dog put down. That just broke my heart! Perhaps it was when I realized her time was coming to an end that prompted my dive into those deep feelings of loss again…reigniting the lingering struggles I have as I wrestle with my desire to move with God beyond what my life once held for me as Brad’s wife… and all those tiniest details that go into what life together was like and I treasured. I miss my husband.

Sooo… feeling as though I had taken three steps forward in my “new life” and now suddenly feeling I just took two giant steps back. Jesus only allowed me to sit alone in my pity party of one for a brief while before sitting down beside me and helping me to recall some of the lessons I have been taught through His love these past two years.

As difficult and painful the process was for me after Brad’s death...I learned through my loss of Brad to look inside my heart and soul to find the things that had been keeping me from placing my complete trust and love in God. Where I once had looked to Brad as my main source for a lifetime of love and security… It is in Jesus that I will always find the one true source that will always meet every(tangible and intangible)need my life yearns for. I discovered that God alone remains faithful in providing me with His abundant provisions of love and security for every day and every need.

In fact... through studying His Word and in prayer, the Lord has given me eyes to see beyond my own needs and even gives me glimpses of this world through His eyes so that I may know His heart more fully and respond to the needs of others with love and compassion. Although I still have many days and nights that I long for what I once had with Brad I know that there will be a day when the weight of this world will be replaced with the glorious weight of heaven!

I just have to share this one experience with you...

After Brad died...and for months afterwards...I cried out many times to God that Brad's long days & hours of dying were too painful... the memory and thoughts I held of my precious husband being so tormented were more than I could bear. I wanted to "trust" God with how Brad died...but I struggled beyond imagine with the "why" it had to be "this way". Brad loved Jesus wholeheartedly...everyone who knew Brad, knew he had a heart for Christ. “Why Lord would you allow him to suffer so greatly in death?”

And than one morning as I lay in bed awake... once again crying for comfort from these tormenting thoughts… God blessed me with the most beautiful answer I would never have imagined seeing and hearing with my heart.

I saw myself walking along side of Jesus with my head turned towards Him as I spoke with him. (I was very animated while talking and moving my hands like I do when I am excited about something…yikes!). As we walked, Jesus' eyes were always on my face and He was smiling and even laughing at something I had said. (That image alone is “off the charts” wonderful…).Then Jesus suddenly stopped walking and turned his head looking straight ahead. So… of course I stopped too and turned my head to see what he was looking at. As I looked ahead of us, I saw the back of a tall slender man wearing a white shirt with a head full of thick brown hair… and as he turned around to face us it was my most handsome and youthful husband Brad! Before a moment went by Brad cried out, "You're here!” And he ran to me and scooped me up into his arms and swing me around and around saying over and over again, "You’re here, you’re here”!

As Brad swung me around and around I began to cry and through my sobs I said..."I'm so sorry Brad, so sorry…you had to die in so much pain...I'm sorry..." Brad quickly stopped spinning me and as he closely held my face to his in the palms of his hands…with those beautiful deep set eyes fixed on my tear filled eyes, he said, "Oh Kathy...it was nothing...it is nothing"! While saying this his face broke out in the biggest smile… his face was filled with joy! I understood immediately what he meant...

No matter the trials and heartache this life will bring...the moment…the very moment we exhale our last breath in this life and inhale our first breath of heaven… all the pains and heartaches, all our trial and troubles are washed away into the glory and beauty of our Lord's presence and our eternal home in Heaven.

What a gift…what amazing love God poured over my grieving heart on that morning. Finally… I found the peace I had been looking for and needed concerning Brad's last days and hours. I no longer ask "why" or cry out to God asking him to “explain”. I still shed some tears in missing Brad and I still don't know "why"...but that question of “why” no longer holds my attention or torments my heart. For I have a better answer than a reason could provide…

It is to the joy of what is coming…the promise of one day I will be in heaven...
worshiping my Savior…walking and talking with Jesus...and once again being with Brad and all whom I have been blessed to have loved and been loved by in Christ. This is what I set my eyes and heart on and what gives me strength and hope for what each new day will bring.

Before the Morning Josh Wilson
Once you feel the weight of glory
All your pain will fade to memory
Once you feel the weight of glory
All your pain will fade to memory, memory, memory

Would you dare would you dare to believe
That you still got a reason to sing
Cause the pain that you've been feeling
It can’t compare to the joy that’s coming

God bless you in this New Year...

Passionately His,
Kathy

Peace on Earth

Luke 2:8-11
8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!

I love to imagine myself within some of the stories I read in the Bible. As I read about the shepherds guarding their flocks of sheep on that “Christmas” night in winter when an angel of the Lord appeared… I imagine what it might have been like had I been there with them.

Soooo…ok,I hate to admit my very first thought was…this all happened during wintertime…it hadto be cold that night.Yikes…I hate the cold!I’m pretty sure if any details were given about my being present that night,well…I’d be the Sheppard girl found huddling with the sheep just to stay warmer!But,thankfully,another thought occurrs to me almost as quickly.
I’m probably use to working outside on a winter’s night…so the cold would not be an issue for me! Finally… with all this “concern” dealt with I am able move on into the story…

I imagine that quiet night with only the soft sound of a few crying sheep …looking up into that clear night sky and gazing at the beauty of a full galaxy of stars! Amazing …the vastness of them all as they appear to be near enough to touch with my hand. Although I have experienced similar starry nights, this particular night seems special somehow as my heart leaps to praising God and thanking Him for creating such beauty and bright lights!

“What an unusually beautiful night” I said to my fellow shepherds. But before they could respond and while I was still content in the pleasure of praising God…Suddenly an angel of the Lord appears!

If I thought the night sky had been lit up brightly before by all the stars… well… the “radiance of the Lord’s glory” is now surrounding me and all the other shepherds! The brilliance of this light is so blinding it would just have to knock all of us off our feet! As I strain to adjust my eyes… I feel terrified… "is it because the Lord’s radiance is revealing my unworthiness to be in its glow?" What a moment that was for both the angel who spoke and for us shepherds who heard!

I pause here in the story as I begin to wonder…”How did the angel of the Lord sound when he delivered this message of great joy to the shepherds? I mean, after all, he was speaking about Jesus…he already had seen our Lord and worshipped Him in heaven… and now God the Son had arrived into the world as a baby to live in human form! I wonder…did the angel know why Jesus had chosen to leave perfection to dwell among the imperfect? Did the angel of the Lord not think this was a strange thing for God to be doing? The bible doesn’t tell us what the angel knew...or thought…only that He was the one chosen to announce Jesus’ arrival (birth). So perhaps when he saw the shepherd’s fear, his voice was first filled with compassion and than quickly changed to the excitement he felt as he spoke of a joy that he was very familiar with…a joy yet unknown to these shepherds!"

No sooner had the angel assured us saying; “Don’t be afraid! “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David.” (Luke 2:11)

When…

13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” (Luke 2:14-15)

What an amazing and joyous moment…imagine, in the middle of a shepherd’s field among sheep and shepherds…armies of heavenly beings appear and sing… pouring the joy of the Lord over us! What an amazing 1st Christmas gift! God has chosen to tell us about the birth of the Messiah, our Savior - the Lord!

Then…just as suddenly, all the angels disappear from our sight and the night returns once again to a quiet and star lit night.

Luke 2:15-18 (Amplified)
15When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing (saying) that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. 16So they went with haste and [by searching] found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in a manger. 17And when they saw it, they made known what had been told them concerning this Child,18And all who heard it were astounded and marveled at what the shepherds told them.

There is so much more to this story… but this is where I have decided to stop and “visit a while” this year. I don’t know about you…but I desire to experience what the angels sang over those shepherds that 1st Christmas night…I want to experience their anticipation of seeing Christ and experiencing the promise of peace on earth.

God’s PEACE…not the fleeting kind felt only when things are going well…but the lasting peace found only in God.

I know I am saved by faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God… and that there is no “works” I must do to get to heaven. But something caught my attention this year in the song of praise the heavenly hosts sang…did you catch it too? It is found in Luke 2 verse 14. (NLT)
14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” (The NIV version; “whom His favor rest”).

“What pleases you Lord?” I’ve decided to ask this Christmas… As I reflect on my prayers over this past year I realized that most of my prayers have been me telling God what I want (whether for me or others)and saying to God what I think is best for my life in order for God to eventually please me here on earth. Yikes! Maybe… I have at least once (or more?)… held some hope that somewhere in my prayers that I would “touch on” pleasing you too Lord. Unfortunately…it has been far too rare that I have even thought to ask the Lord…”what is it I may do this day which you have given me… to please You Lord?” I believe the answer to finding a lasting peace will be found in God’s answer to this prayer and my response to Him.

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.(John 3:16)

I sincerely believe our Lord desires to give all of us His peace… not only as we celebrate our Savior’s birth…but throughout every day…in every circumstance…in the good times and in the hardships and trials of this life.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

May this Christmas… when Jesus opens our gift to Him…may it be a life that desires to be filled only by Him.

Merry Christmas!
Kathy

John16:20 (NLT)
I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy.

“Over”weight

I know…I know… most of us are probably feeling a bit “overweight” right now having indulged in a feast or two as we celebrated Thanksgiving a few days ago. If you’re like me…you now probably are wondering if you’ll be able to control your “hand to mouth motion” over the next few weeks as you try to resist all the home-made Christmas goodies that both family and friends will be giving us to eat…even more pounds to lose…Yikes!

I don’t have to think too long on any of these delicious but diet killing thoughts before I find myself “weighed down” with a lot more than just a couple of extra pounds. No, these simple but “worrisome” thoughts always invite their family and friends… then all too soon I’m hosting a huge party whose only guests are “worries, fears and dread”…Oh my!

Suddenly, I’m no longer looking at only “how to resist Christmas treats” but have somehow just added on several bigger difficulties I struggle with. Double Yikes! I have quickly become buried under the weight of "everything" that this life brings which is difficult to do or is too heavy to bear!

Which brings me to this…I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how it “feels” to be weighed down by all the hard stuff this life brings. When I have been overcome by life’s hardships and difficulties I can actually feel heaviness lay over me…a very noticeable weight over my whole being. I’ve also noticed this same kind of “heaviness” in others who are experiencing a “too heavy to carry” burden(s) in their lives or the lives of loved ones.

Although I know better…I still sometimes take a “problem”…lifting the weight of it onto my shoulders when it seems light enough for me to do so and I’ll carry it around with me. If the problem doesn’t go away “quick enough”…perhaps I’ll try some “unfocused” prayers for its resolution…but, for the most part… I just carry it around with me. If the problem remains (longer than a day) I can even become so accustom to its weight that I will begin to ignore the harm it is causing me. So... like a fork to mashed potatoes with gravy on a full stomach… I ignore my “discomfort” and allow this “problem” to be joined with “worry”. These two together…grow heavy and before I know it…“dread” shows up. The problem I started out carrying so easily now has me buckling to the floor under its weight… I’m completely “over” weight and outmatched.

Everyone has something(s) in their lives that has the potential to put them under a body blanket of heaviness that makes them feel like the “weight of the world” is on them. I have found when I have attempted to carry the burdens of life…they weigh me down so severely that they don’t allow me to walk around as the victorious child of God I am! I’ve learned if I don’t stop “eating the troubles” of this world…the weight of them becomes so heavy that I can barely lift my head… there have been some days… I didn’t even want to…

Psalm 68:19 (Amplified Bible)
Blessed be the Lord, Who bears our burdens and carries us day by day, even the God Who is our salvation!
Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

You know… life is hard. Life is not all bad and it’s certainly not all good… but one thing I think is also true…even the good and fun stuff this life will bring… comes to us with at least a “pound of hard” somewhere in it. Concerning the hardships God’s children endure here on earth Charles Stanley explains;
"Some things are so important to God that they are worth interrupting the happiness and health of His children in order to accomplish them.”

I can chose to try and “pick up and eat” all this hard stuff and get weighed down and discouraged by life’s “unfairness”…or allow God to show me what it is He would have me do. I think He simply wants me to trust Him for what He has placed on my “plate” from the table of burdens. My portion has been carefully measured and is the perfect amount according to what God desires to accomplish in me.

In fact…the Lord doesn’t expect me to carry my “plate” and He doesn’t want you to carry yours either…Jesus will not only carry all the weight of this world…but He carries you and me too.

Genesis 18:14 (NIV) Is anything too hard for the LORD?

You know…for me… when I give the Lord all the “hard stuff” this life brings…I find He makes the good and fun things a bit sweeter… mmmmm, sounds like dessert!

Kathy

BLESSED

Happy Thanksgiving!

I truly love this particular holiday. One reason I do (and maybe not the best reason) is because it is the cause of many funny “turkey disaster” stories! I can’t think of any other meal that has caused more distress than a Thanksgiving turkey dinner! Yet each one of these memories always brings at least a smile if not huge laughter when recalled. Family and friends during this festive holiday are a formula for fond memories…and I cherish each one.

Of course…at the time my “turkey disasters” were occurring I don’t recall always smiling… and for sure I was not laughing! Isn’t it “strange” how over time these things we once saw as so “horrible” are now part of our fondest memories and biggest laughs!

I think God does this same kind of transformation of our memories with other “disasters” in our lives as well. Now…I know I will be hard pressed to express exactly what I mean by this since there are some things we experience in life that I would not appreciate being compared to some light-hearted Thanksgiving Day meal disaster story. But, having experienced some very tragic moments in my life…I feel compelled to share how God has “changed” my way of thinking about some things that might only be considered as “tragic” into a remembrance of God’s abundant provisions and yes…even blessing.

Several years ago my dad died unexpectedly and suddenly as we were sitting and talking together three days after Christmas. At the time I thought, Christmas will never again hold good memories for me. I felt that along with my dad…the joy of celebrating Christmas had died too.

Earlier that year I had renewed my commitment to Christ and this tragedy left me feeling bewildered. I was expecting “blessings” as I turned my life over to Christ…certainly not “disasters”…that’s for sure! I thought God’s timing couldn’t have been worse.

The days and weeks that followed his death were filled with pain …but I can tell you as I look back I clearly see God’s hand was upon me every moment of those sorrowful days. I had my husband’s love for me along with his tears as he comforted me. I had a fabulous new church family that went above and beyond supporting me with their prayers and friendship…helping me to spiritually grow and to accept love from my new brothers and sisters in Christ that I hardly knew… as they reflected the heart, hands and feet of Christ to me.

And than in God’s perfect timing…a few short weeks as I returned to work…godly words of wisdom were poured over my wounds. In response to hearing my tearful reply to a question about “how my Christmas was”, a friend told me, “how blessed I was” to have been with my dad... and that I had been there for my mom too.

“Blessed? Are you kidding me? How in the world can you say I have been blessed I asked?”

So he explained…

I was blessed because it had been 5 years since my entire family had been together for Christmas and I had been given this Christmas to spend with my dad. I was blessed to have risen early that morning…especially that morning… along with my husband, as the three of us spent the morning laughing and talking together. I was blessed to know my dad did not suffer when he died. I was blessed to be there for my mom…she was not alone. I was blessed to be there to hold her.

After he said all of this to me…the picture I held in my mind concerning all that had happened that day changed drastically. Instead of seeing only “tragedy” I saw God’s mercy and grace in it. I also saw the unique way the Lord blesses those He loves.

Ok… so now perhaps you are wondering, “Kathy, really? Are you going to tell me you can honestly look back on that day and no longer see your dad’s death as ‘disastrous’ but instead as something God is able to reveal blessings in?” My answer is a resounding “Yes!”

Seeing the blessings does not remove my desire to have my dad with me still.
Seeing the blessings doesn’t remove my heartache and longing to see him again soon.
Seeing the blessings doesn’t mean I didn’t love my dad with all my heart.
Seeing the blessings allows me to fall fully into God’s Hands… allowing His strength to be mine…His comfort to calm my sorrow…His promises to be the place I put my trust in…and His faithfulness the only sure way to restore my hope and joy.

Now whenever I recall that Christmas many years ago and “that day” my dad died… my thoughts and memories do not lie “stuck” on my dad’s last moment. I am blessed instead to recall that morning with some pretty funny memories of being with my dad and Brad as we joked around and laughed so hard it brought tears to our eyes. When my memories do roll around to that “disastrous moment”…my thoughts by God’s grace… goes to how blessed I am to have been with my dad and the blessings of God’s unfailing love and faithfulness to me and my family.

So maybe now you can understand a bit better how I am able to say God is able to transform our “disasters” into memories that allow us to remember “the good stuff” and maybe even put a smile on our face as the Lord reveals the blessing.

God is our strength and shield. He'll either shield us from trouble, or strengthen us in it. Our futures belong to Him, and all our days have been ordained for us. The one who holds the future also holds us tightly in His hands. We can look forward with thankfulness.

Tomorrow is full of God's grace, so we can be thankful today!


Matthew 5
The Beatitudes

(Quoted from the NIV Life Application Bible) “Each beatitude tells how to be blessed. ‘Blessed’ means more than happiness, it implies the fortunate or enviable state of those who are in God’s kingdom. The Beatitudes don’t promise laughter, pleasure, or earthy prosperity. To Jesus, ‘blessed’ means the experience of hope and joy, independent of outward circumstances. To find hope and joy, the deepest form of happiness, follow Jesus no matter the cost.”

1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying:
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessedare those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

God Is Into The Small Stuff Too…

Luke 12:6 (Amplified Bible)
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And [yet] not one of them is forgotten or uncared for in the presence of God.

Sometimes I think God has better things to do than be concerned about my “small stuff”. You know… those things in life that don’t really matter to anyone else but you. For instance… I really like birds...well, most birds anyway. I especially like colorful birds like cardinals and blue jays but I also enjoy cute little finches and love to listen to a sparrow sing. Perhaps I came to loving birds as much as I do because the two men in my life loved them as well. Both my dad and my husband are with the Lord now…but when they were here on earth we could always be found in the “bird section” of parks and zoos. So, it’s not uncommon for me to have pleasant memories of my dad and Brad whenever I see or hear one of my favorite birds.

I can’t tell you the number of mornings these past two years when I have either stepped outside or looked out my window and been “given” a single brightly colored bird flying into view and pausing long enough for me to enjoy his arrival! God knows exactly what will bring my soul a touch of joy and give my heart a clear sign that He cares for me. These “morning birds” tell me clearly that God’s eyes are on me…that there is nothing too small…there are no details of my life… that my Father in Heaven is willing to overlook and consider insignificant. God know and understands why these “small and really only matters to me things” matter!

Matthew 7:9-11 (NIV)
“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

It’s a small thing my liking birds… wouldn’t you agree? I sometimes feel so foolish asking God for “small stuff” when there is so much “big stuff” that needs His attention. (Trust me…I’ve also asked Him for some really big stuff!). But isn’t it nice to know that God doesn’t see our request as foolish? After all…He knows us better than we know ourselves! In fact, I bet God has often surprised and delighted you too through the “small things” you’ve asked for in life.

Can you remember a time when troubles may have been overwhelming you or the day was difficult…than you looked up at the evening sky. Your eyes take in one of the most spectacular sunsets you’ve ever seen! The sky is bright and painted with multi-colors. You just have to stop and look! Wow… you quickly get your cell phone out and call your loved ones telling them to “Quick! Go outside” asking them to look up and share this with you. And…for at least a moment in time… all your troubles are forgotten and God is remembered.

You know…I think that sunset we just saw…God allowed us to enjoy it because we needed it…but, we didn’t pray for it. No…“this one” was painted for just one child of God…someone who prayed a “small” prayer asking God for a beautiful sunset for her wedding night. A small request no doubt… a prayer we all might have counted as “matters only to me” kind of small prayer. Yet, God not only cared about her small stuff but in His abundance of love gave all of us who needed this gift the opportunity to enjoy it too!

Ahhhh…you know…others may actually be blessed by our “small stuff” prayers. Now wouldn’t that just be like our God to do something like that?

Something to consider the next time you feel you shouldn’t “bother” God with the small stuff!

Kathy