He Planted a Seed

Jeremiah 31:3 "The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love..."

Psalm 139:13 "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb."

When I was yet a Christian, I vividly remember moments in my life where I felt God's unconditional, everlasting love.  Little did I know at the time, that he had always been there for me loving me from the minute I was formed in my mother's womb.

My favorite distinct memory takes me back to when I was in my late teens.  It was late one night, I was high and feeling ashamed and broken due to the bad choices I had made up to that point.  Why do we all have to do wild and foolish things in our youth?! (Praise Jesus he's forgiven me for these sins - phew!)  Anyway...I remember feeling low, down and out, upset of who I was and where I was headed in life; no where - fast!  I knew about God and had already asked Jesus to come into my heart, but I certainly was NOT living a Christian life.

Feeling broken, I searched the FM stations (no satellite back then!) for a song on the radio.  Nothing was on except Christian music.  I stopped at a station and listened for a bit, feeling embarrassed that I liked it, I quickly changed the station.  I remember thinking "I wouldn't want anyone to hear me listening to Godly music, they would all think I was strange!" Trying to find something else on the radio to no avail, I went back to the Christian song.  Intrigued, I listened.  I deeply and intently listened.  I let the music poor over me like waves from the ocean.  I cannot tell you what the words were, but I can tell you how I felt - comforted, loved, and welcomed.  This one specific occurrence, stayed with me for a very long time.  That one Christian song led to two, then three, He planted a seed in my heart!  How cool is that?!

God's presence is all around us.  The world is his canvas.  Just look around you, he created it all!  Whenever I find myself walking in His woods, creek, meadow, field, or anywhere really, I soak up the sounds of the birds, crickets, water, the wind.  I am aware of his creations and thank him for everything that fills my senses.  It's remarkable how close I feel to our Creator when I am aware and grateful of all he has made.

Revelation 4:11 "Worthy are you, our Lord and God to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."

I am so happy that I changed the FM station back to the Christian song and really listened to what God was trying to tell me.  He planted a seed in me that night.  It's amazing to me, looking back on my life and seeing him take me - a girl who thought she wouldn't make it to see her 21st birthday due to her poor choices; to a woman following Jesus, where my only desire is to fulfill His purpose in my life.

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

I've come a long way from that foolish teenager who made really bad choices.  Now I'm an adult, and although I don't make the same kind of bad choices, I still make poor decisions; don't we all?!  Aren't we all human?!  But now that I'm a Christian, not only are my sins forgiven, but I am no longer that person anymore!  We don't have to feel bad, upset, broken, beaten up, condemned, ashamed, none of it - all because of Jesus!  Because of Jesus, we can have a relationship with our creator!  THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, 1000 times THANK YOU, JESUS!!

Thank you Jesus, for planting a seed in my heart; and, for dying on the cross so we can have eternal life!

John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the word, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the word to condemn the word, but in order that the world might be saved through him."

God's Plan and Timing

Psalm 27:14 "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"

Do you ever find yourself waiting for God to show you what direction He wants you to take?  Waiting for the perfect sign that you're on the right path?  Asking God - is this your plan and timing? 

We give our troubles to the Lord, be thankful, and know that He is going to make everything turn out for good.  But what do we do during the long lengths of time waiting?  I find this to be extremely challenging at times.  Maybe you're in a difficult situation right now and you're wondering when things will change, or if you're making right choices.  Lots of time may go by and you keep waiting, hoping something will change.  But maybe through the waiting you're being taught something.

When I go through these waiting periods, I drench myself in prayer.  Simple things, like - do I take a shower, or do I eat breakfast first?  Do I grocery shop on Wednesday night, or on Saturday morning?  I get right down to the simple choices in life and it always makes me feel so much better.  God even tells us to pray without ceasing in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."  What great advice he gives us!

  

Even though God's timing is not our timing, it is perfect timing, even if we don't realize it or like it at the time.  Looking back we can always see just how perfect it is.  The Bible says in Isaiah 40:31 "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

The other day, I had to travel about 70 miles away from my house for work.  I am not a fan of driving at all, so I was not looking forward to going; but it was God's path and timing.  While I was planning my trip I prayed about every choice I had to make and I let him dictate my steps.  It wasn't the day I wanted to go, it wasn't how I wanted to get there, but I just kept believing in His plan and timing for me. 

The morning I got ready for my journey, I received several flash flood warnings on my phone due to torrential downpours in the area.  Frightened, I immediately starting praying about it and letting God know I trusted his plan and timing.  I finished getting ready with pure confidence in Him.  I left the house, it was raining slightly but I wasn't scared knowing he was directing my steps.  I had my destination all set in the GPS, even though I knew exactly what way "I" wanted to drive.  I was driving along and the GPS told me to go right.  I thought, "That's odd, I've never gone that way, why would I go that way?"  I ignored the directions it wanted me to go and kept driving straight.   

As I got to another cross road the GPS again wanted me to go right!  By now I was getting rather aggravated as I did NOT want to go that way and honestly, sadly forgot about God's plan and timing for me - I am human!  I had also realized I needed money for tolls and of course I had to use the bathroom!  So why would I go right?  Plus I knew there was a rest stop just ahead.  Why would I go into the unknown countryside and risk having no cash and no way to relieve myself?!  So, I kept going straight. 

As I drove, the GPS AGAIN wanted me to go right!  I said out loud, "Are you kidding me?  I have no idea where you're taking me, I need money and I HAVE to pee!"  Like a disobedient little child realizing their parent was correct I said, "Alright, I will trust you.  I will trust that you have a plan and this is your timing, but PLEASE provide me with a restroom and an ATM!"  So off I went - turning right.  Not knowing where I was; reluctant, yet comforted in the path laid out before me. 

As I drove along, praying He would give me my two requests, low and behold, there in front of me was a convenient store!  "Praise Jesus!" I yelled!  God  provided me with a public bathroom, an ATM, and I was able to get a scrumptious banana - SCORE!

As I got onto the major highway, I looked in my rear-view mirror glancing at the path that "I" wanted to travel, before listening to God and turning right.  All I could see were dark, black, storm clouds behind me - it was storming so hard!  I looked in front of me and there was nothing but beautiful blue skies and the bright yellow sun.  Praise God that He kept me from that storm!  He had me go right, even though I didn't want to!  I finally listened to Him and He got me out of that awful storm!  You see, that is what our Heavenly Father does for us.  The Bible says in Psalm 25 4:5 "Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long."

My trip was a huge success!  I was able to complete my work with ease.  Although the entire trip was going out of my comfort zone, it helped me in my journey with my Creator even more - what a huge blessing!  Now when I am waiting, wondering if I am on his path I can look back on that moment, yet small and simple, and know His plan and timing is always perfect!  It's up to me to be patient in Him and His perfect, wonderful plan and timing!

Dear Heavenly Father, please guide us on our journey.  Please help us to be patient when we wait for your plan and timing.  Help us trust in your plan and timing even though it may feel like a very long wait.  Help us remember that a thousand days are like one day to you and one day to you is a thousand years to us.  We thank you for your continuous love as you guide us along our path.  Please protect us and watch over us in our journey.  In Jesus's precious name, Amen!

2 Peter 3:8 "But do not forget this one thing, dear friend: with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like a day."

Seasons of Growing

When I was a little girl, my goal in life was to be happy.  But what does being happy mean?  Does it mean getting your own way all the time? Does it mean having a fancy car, or a large house?  Does it mean having the job that you've always dreamt of?  As a child I correlated happiness with smiles and laughter - who wouldn't? Children are literal thinkers. It's hard to be happy unless there is something tangible right in front of you.

As I became an adult the description of being happy changed. It certainly didn't change over night, that's for sure! There were several, several seasons of learning and growing that had to take place in order for me to know what true happiness was.

The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 3:1 "A Time for Everything -  For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven."  The Bible also says in Peter 3:18 "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."  To me, these verses say there is a season for everything and while your going through those seasons, you need to grow in the Lord Jesus Christ.  

So, that's what I've been doing; learning and growing in him, through the seasons. Absorbing as much knowledge as possible, like a dry sponge thirsting for water. Except I'm not thirsting water, I'm thirsting him.  Matthew 5:6 says “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."

But one thing is true, life is hard - really, really hard!  Sometimes people have a hard time getting out of bed in the morning.  Some people have a fear of going to their day job and getting that project done by it's due date. Some yet yearn to have a baby, or hope their child can get through the bullying they're experiencing at school. Face it, life is difficult!  But, it can be bearable if we guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 states "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  So, basically we need to not worry, pray about it, be thankful, and God will give our minds and hearts peace! This is great news, we don't have to go through this hard life alone! How great is that?!

So, what is my description of being happy?  It's love!  The love God has for me and I for him, my relationship with Jesus Christ, my beautiful family, and my wonderful friends.  It's a feeling of self gratification when I help others. The bible says in Luke 10:27 "And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself."  So, happiness is not a car, a house, a fancy job, money, or having everything we ever wanted. No, it's so much more - it's LOVE that can never, ever be bought!

Even during the trials and tribulations of life, knowing that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit have our lives all under control, is beyond comforting! He's got us in the palm of his hand!

I leave you with with this last verse - John 10:27-30 "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one."

May you gladly endure your own seasons of growing - God bless!

Welcome!

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."

Welcome to my blog!

Quite a few years ago I became a Christian.  Looking back I realize it was at a designed time, according to God's plan.  Boy am I am truly grateful that I did, as I was not aware of the trials and tribulations that stood before me at that time - do we ever?  I felt I had already endured so much in my short years growing up, how could I possibly endure more!  What I didn't realize at the time - he was establishing my path to prosper me, not to harm me, to give me hope and a future.  He is doing this for each and every one of us.  It's a gift given to us by our Creator, our heavenly Father.  How great is that?!  

I still remember the first time I stepped into that little church with so many unfamiliar faces.  They were all friendly, kind people who I felt were all staring at me.  Of course they weren't but I felt my sin was written across my face for all to see.  I still feel that way sometimes - it's called being human! Sometimes, I can easily get into a state of self pity and feel sorry for myself for awhile.  When I do, I have to be aware that the devil loves this and wants me to remain in that place.  Spiritual warfare is all around us.  Being cognitive of it and resisting it is a daily task for me.  I would guess this to be true for many Christians.  

So, when I feel like this I have to pray.  I am a visual prayer.  I have to imagine things.  It's like a movie playing in my mind.  I visualize myself packaging up my sin or anxiety in a beautiful box and handing it to our Creator.  He's magnificently beautiful; all white, with long hair and a long beard, white as freshly fallen snow.  He wears a white robe and is tall and large as the oldest redwood tree in the Redwood forest.  After all, he holds the whole word in the palm of his hand!  My package is usually wrapped in shiny silver paper with a red bow wrapped around it.  I can imagine handing it to him and asking him to take away my guilt, shame and anxiety.  He is always smiling with the brightest red lips and eyes that make you think of the bluest ocean imaginable.  He is so kind and loving, taking my sin and forgiving me.  After that I imagine sitting on his lap or at his feet.  He is huge; so, I take up a spec of space.  I continue my prayer asking him to help me sin no more and to find peace.  Although at times, I feel I may do this over and over again, eventually I am able to give him my sin.

Sometimes, my guilt will linger like a black cloud.  So I pretend that God is throwing all of my guilt and sin into the ocean. The Bible says in Micah 7:18-19 "...He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love.  He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot.  You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea."  How cool is that?! Isn't it ironic (or part of his design) that scientists have not been able to get to the deepest part of the sea?! I find much comfort in knowing that my sins are long gone.

I am so grateful to the one who made this possible, the miraculous Jesus Christ, son of God! The Bible says in John 3:16 "For God so loved the world. that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."  Jesus Christ, came to this earth to live a sinless life and died on the cross; so, that when God looks at us, he sees nothing but wonderfulness and beauty through Jesus!  I for one am truly grateful for this gift!  He died on the cross so we could have a relationship with our Creator!  Not to mention, we get to have eternal life - to me, that is just awesome!  No words on earth could describe my joy for this gift!  The Bible says in Hebrews 8:12 "For I will be merciful towards their iniquities and I will remember their sins no more. 

WOW!!!!!  So even though I hold on to my sin, God's already forgiven me because of Jesus and I have eternal life!  It doesn't get any better than that!  This gift is for everyone too - not just me.  Again - AWESOME!! 

I am grateful that I walked into that little church and endured a lot of growing pains in my walk.  For if I didn't I wouldn't have been given the idea to start this blog.  I started this blog to share my journey.  My journey that I have in faith, hope, and love.  My hope is that out of my experiences, you will be able to have a journey of your own or to give you hope in your already existing journey.