August 1, 2021
“Thank You, Father, for another beautiful day! For Your mercies that are new every morning and for Your love that flows over and in me. I thank You for Your breath that You breathe in me.”
This morning I’m thankful for our church family and your love and patience. July was a crazy, busy month for us and I missed quite a few times of being able to share. Even now, I don’t have lots of time but I want to write a few things. Some times over the last couple months I just ran out of time to do many things, including the devotional. Other times there was so much going on in my heart I wasn’t sure which way to go. The challenges of the last 9 months have made me look deeper into my heart. I’ve learned about what I was missing in Him when these challenges came. I have EVERYTHING in Him but I found out just how much I depended on my own thoughts and plans. The last 9 months have not been void of loss and tragedy. Seems like it came 1 thing on top of another. I hadn’t even had time to heal before life hit us again with more. I had different emotions through this than I am used to. One emotion I felt more than any other time I remember is anger. My heart is more about being a peace maker but 2020 brought some anger and some righteous anger as well. Many situations throughout the year I let myself get angry over instead of casting my cares on Him.
Most of the life changing situations in our life this past year were blatant attacks of the enemy. There were attacks but we saw miracles - unbelievable answers to prayers – provision – peace that passes our understanding – exceedingly, abundant answers above our thoughts and imaginations. Our Father God never left us - never abandoned us to do it alone. A couple of thousand years ago He sent the Comforter to be with us, the Holy Spirit.
Yet, in all He was doing in our days of challenges I made the choice to sometimes focus on my hurt more than on all He was and is doing. When things piled up I got behind on many responsibilities, communications and relationships. The more I tried to catch up the more I wasn’t resting in Him. My heartaches were wearing me down physically and emotionally. I would cast them on Him but somehow ended up carrying more before I could heal. The grief and shock that came with our grandson Caleb’s death just left me numb. For over 2 months we, Ed and I, have had to continuously be united in not being divided. We both have different ways of handling grief and the Lord has given us His Holy Spirit to help us ministering to one another in the pain.
My Mom is living with us also which we are so thankful for and feel honored and blessed to help her through this time of grief in her life. Her grief, rejection and abandonment bring all of us heartache. Through these times, any of the 3 of us have opportunities to get down, discouraged, feel alone emotionally, have feelings of anger, and confusion. But the Word says count it all joy when you fall into various trials. He made a way for us in these hard times.
“My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can!”
James 1:2
One translation says to throw yourself a party. But many times, we throw ourselves a PITY PARTY instead of rejoicing in Him. It’s easy to get going down the road of survival, hurrying here and there, covering up the tears, hurts and grief with busyness instead of casting it on Him. Sometimes in my daze I wander in circles desiring clarity in my heart and mind when all I feel and see is fog. BUT He has held us all close. Our home is full of peace in the mist of the hurts. It’s been a season like no other we have experienced and life challenges probably won’t go away but my heart is learning to rest in Him. He is our Redeemer and He is redeeming what the enemy stole. We are thankful, grateful, and rejoicing in Him always.
Here’s a few things the Lord has spoken to me. There’s so much more that I will share another time. Just these make a difference in knowing who I am in Him and that He is in me and cares for me and for my whole family.
**Take a break from the distractions in life that cause unnecessary worrying.
**As surely as the sun rises in the east, so will I come through for you😊
“So now we draw near freely and boldly to where grace is enthroned, to receive mercy’s kiss and discover the grace we urgently need to strengthen us in our time of weakness.” Hebrews 4:16
**I must take my limited view and exchange it for His view.
**It is a day for celebrating. The sadness that flowed into your life with pain, grief, loss, death, confusion, anger did not sweep you away!
**Let go of fears about not being comfortable – comfort is over rated.
“All who are obsessed with being secure in life will lose it all—including their lives. But those who let go of their lives and surrender them to me will discover true life.”
Luke 17:33
“Do not yield to fear, for I am always near. Never turn your gaze from me, for I am your faithful God. I will infuse you with my strength and help you in every situation. I will hold you firmly with my victorious right hand.’” Isaiah 41:10
“Stop dwelling on the past. Don’t even remember these former things. I am doing something brand new, something unheard of. Even now it sprouts and grows and matures. Don’t you perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and open up flowing streams in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18-19
“And everything I’ve taught you is so that the peace which is in me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you rest in me. For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world!” John 16:33
“Thank You, Father, for another beautiful day! For Your mercies that are new every morning and for Your love that flows over and in me. I thank You for Your breath that You breathe in me.”
This morning I’m thankful for our church family and your love and patience. July was a crazy, busy month for us and I missed quite a few times of being able to share. Even now, I don’t have lots of time but I want to write a few things. Some times over the last couple months I just ran out of time to do many things, including the devotional. Other times there was so much going on in my heart I wasn’t sure which way to go. The challenges of the last 9 months have made me look deeper into my heart. I’ve learned about what I was missing in Him when these challenges came. I have EVERYTHING in Him but I found out just how much I depended on my own thoughts and plans. The last 9 months have not been void of loss and tragedy. Seems like it came 1 thing on top of another. I hadn’t even had time to heal before life hit us again with more. I had different emotions through this than I am used to. One emotion I felt more than any other time I remember is anger. My heart is more about being a peace maker but 2020 brought some anger and some righteous anger as well. Many situations throughout the year I let myself get angry over instead of casting my cares on Him.
Most of the life changing situations in our life this past year were blatant attacks of the enemy. There were attacks but we saw miracles - unbelievable answers to prayers – provision – peace that passes our understanding – exceedingly, abundant answers above our thoughts and imaginations. Our Father God never left us - never abandoned us to do it alone. A couple of thousand years ago He sent the Comforter to be with us, the Holy Spirit.
Yet, in all He was doing in our days of challenges I made the choice to sometimes focus on my hurt more than on all He was and is doing. When things piled up I got behind on many responsibilities, communications and relationships. The more I tried to catch up the more I wasn’t resting in Him. My heartaches were wearing me down physically and emotionally. I would cast them on Him but somehow ended up carrying more before I could heal. The grief and shock that came with our grandson Caleb’s death just left me numb. For over 2 months we, Ed and I, have had to continuously be united in not being divided. We both have different ways of handling grief and the Lord has given us His Holy Spirit to help us ministering to one another in the pain.
My Mom is living with us also which we are so thankful for and feel honored and blessed to help her through this time of grief in her life. Her grief, rejection and abandonment bring all of us heartache. Through these times, any of the 3 of us have opportunities to get down, discouraged, feel alone emotionally, have feelings of anger, and confusion. But the Word says count it all joy when you fall into various trials. He made a way for us in these hard times.
“My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can!”
James 1:2
One translation says to throw yourself a party. But many times, we throw ourselves a PITY PARTY instead of rejoicing in Him. It’s easy to get going down the road of survival, hurrying here and there, covering up the tears, hurts and grief with busyness instead of casting it on Him. Sometimes in my daze I wander in circles desiring clarity in my heart and mind when all I feel and see is fog. BUT He has held us all close. Our home is full of peace in the mist of the hurts. It’s been a season like no other we have experienced and life challenges probably won’t go away but my heart is learning to rest in Him. He is our Redeemer and He is redeeming what the enemy stole. We are thankful, grateful, and rejoicing in Him always.
Here’s a few things the Lord has spoken to me. There’s so much more that I will share another time. Just these make a difference in knowing who I am in Him and that He is in me and cares for me and for my whole family.
**Take a break from the distractions in life that cause unnecessary worrying.
**As surely as the sun rises in the east, so will I come through for you😊
“So now we draw near freely and boldly to where grace is enthroned, to receive mercy’s kiss and discover the grace we urgently need to strengthen us in our time of weakness.” Hebrews 4:16
**I must take my limited view and exchange it for His view.
**It is a day for celebrating. The sadness that flowed into your life with pain, grief, loss, death, confusion, anger did not sweep you away!
**Let go of fears about not being comfortable – comfort is over rated.
“All who are obsessed with being secure in life will lose it all—including their lives. But those who let go of their lives and surrender them to me will discover true life.”
Luke 17:33
“Do not yield to fear, for I am always near. Never turn your gaze from me, for I am your faithful God. I will infuse you with my strength and help you in every situation. I will hold you firmly with my victorious right hand.’” Isaiah 41:10
“Stop dwelling on the past. Don’t even remember these former things. I am doing something brand new, something unheard of. Even now it sprouts and grows and matures. Don’t you perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and open up flowing streams in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18-19
“And everything I’ve taught you is so that the peace which is in me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you rest in me. For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world!” John 16:33
