My Plan for You

Plans can change in an instant. You may get up one morning and have your day planned out in the greatest detail, but often things do not always work out the way you plan. Sometimes what God has planned for you that day is completely different from your well, laid out, detailed plans. How important is it that each morning we give our daily agenda to the Lord? I would say very important. This was made even more clear to me on Wednesday two weeks ago. My agenda was set, and my plans were made, but in a brief moment everything changed. I don’t know how to even comprehend  how drastically things were turned around that day.

I am sure as I am here today that God knew everything that would happen that day and prepared the way before me. Psalm 23 comes to my mind “thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies, thou anointed my head with oil…” On Wednesday, two weeks ago,  I was in a bad car accident. I know that in the midst of the storm I was facing; God was preparing my path. He showed his mercy to me in a person He put there to hold my hand till the paramedics came. Also, in someone calling my husband after calling 911. He showed grace to me by letting my husband get there to talk to me before the paramedics pulled out.  He had the helicopter ready to take me to Tallahassee, and a trauma team ready to help me upon arrival.  He had each group of people in the right place at the right time. Though the road was rocky, He prepared the way before me. Though I was unaware of His plan for me for that day, I know He was by my side through it all.

Maybe you are facing a time that is trying the soul. You may have made plans and in a moment those plans changed. Please know that even when plans change, God is there. Though pain and fear may be surrounding you, God is there. He is waiting to show you His love, His mercy, and His grace. In my devotions today, God lead me to Jeremiah 29:11. God had a special plan for me today. His perfect plan leads me to hope and a future. Let us never forget that as Christians God orders our steps. His will for us may not be exactly what we plan. We may not see all that He is doing because our wisdom is limited, but we have the ability to trust Him with childlike faith that His plan is just what we need.  May God be with you all today and as His plan for you unfolds, just put your hand in His and go through the day together.

Savior, Save Me!

My radio, tuned to my favorite Gospel station, was blaring as I was fast tracking down the road headed for home.  I contemplated the conversation I had with my dear friend just moments ago. We were sharing what was taking place in our daily lives when the conversation turned to our spiritual walk, and the struggles we were facing.  When the song on the radio came bursting through my thoughts, “Savior, save me!” I didn’t catch the whole song, but I heard enough. The writer of the song lamented his predicament of not being what God wanted him to be, and how he needed the help of His Heavenly Father once again.  The words were just what I needed in that moment. I needed someone to “Save Me.”

I do want to clarify something for those who are just finding me here, or have not followed this blog for very long. As a child, I called on the Lord to save my soul. I asked him to forgive me of my sins and make me over brand new. I knew that I could not enter into heaven without first admitting that I needed Jesus to forgive me of my sin, and to believe that his sacrifice was the only way my sin could be covered. I accepted Jesus and His sacrifice for me.  This is how I could be made right with God.  God saved my soul that day, and I give Him all the praise!

Even after becoming a Christian, there are still times when I am weak, and I need the strength of someone greater than myself. I need God. I need Him in such a desperate way that my only cry is “ Savior, Save Me”.  Daily I struggle with circumstances I can’t control. Whether it be health issues, personal issues, etc. It sometimes is so hard just to put one foot in front of another to deal with the day-to-day grind. In the past few years, I felt very keenly that I had been going through a season of testing. I felt so weak some days.  It was in this place that I needed my Savior to come to me and minister to me in my need.  He showed me once again that  He has the power to save me in the trials before me. Does Jesus always take the trial away? The answer is “No”, but He has promised to go through the trials with us.  He has been and continues to be my Savior. He lifted me up, and revealed to me his “ever-present help in time of trouble.”

There are also time  when I am overwhelmed with circumstances of my own making.  I have taken on to many things, or let my “to do” list grow to the point where it is unreasonable to assume that even half  of it will get done in one day.  I often get weighed down with the things of this world to the point where I can barely function. It is in these times that I need God to save me again. I run to Him to save me from myself. I am so thankful that God is always there to welcome me with open arms and to save me once again.  I pray with all that is in me that I never forget that my Savior is as close as the mention of His name.

A verse in the Bible that has helped me in my dark days is “When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I. “  Perhaps, you find yourself in a place where you need God to step in, and save you today. I want to offer to you that God is there. We have a Savior who is ready to save us from circumstances, situations, or even ourselves. He is as close as “Savior, Save Me.” Reach out to Him today.

Will the Real Me Please Stand Up?

We are taught as girls to be fearless.

 Throughout my young life when confronted with a foe, Well meaning adults told me not to let things bother me. “Put on a happy face,” or “Don’t be so sensitive” and the like were pounded into my brain. Without meaning to, these adults were telling me to hide my real emotions. Be Fearless! was their cry. In the midst of this I began to hide the “real me” behind a rosy cheek and a sweet smile.  The mask of “Everything is  Ok” was put firmly in place and the real me began to build a wall to protect my sensitive heart. Did these people want was best for me? I think that they did. Perhaps, you were in the same situation that I found myself in. To be honest, young girls can say ugly and even hateful things to you and laugh it off as if it is your fault if you took it the wrong way. Self protection lessons were taught to us by loving people who were looking out for our good and hoping that we would learn to be strong through the situation. So in confrontation we learned to suffer in silence and bury the fear we felt. On the outside we were fearless, but on the inside we were determined to hide our emotions and tears. This way of dealing with hurt followed us into womanhood.

Imagine what it would be like to be sitting in the middle of a crowd of women. A fearless soul steps to the microphone and announces, “If you are ready for us to see the real you, would you please stand up?” How many would jump to their feet and make their way to the mike? I sense that it would probably be one of those awkward moments where everyone is waiting for everyone else to stand up, and inwardly thinking, ” No way, not me!” Fear strikes hard and courage flees.

“How can I show you the real me?” The real me is something you don’t want to see. My mistakes and failures are many.  I fall short of what God would have me to be so often. My regrets overwhelm me and I am lacking in the good things you think you know about me. I am so weak and frail, yet in all of my weakness there is someone who knows the real me best. God knows every heartache, tear, and emotion that surrounds me every day. God sees my humanness, and loves me with a great love. He reaches out and holds my face in His nail-scarred hands and whispers, “I know you! I know your faults, and how needy and frail you really are. I also know your heart and when you lean on me in utter dependence how fear of failure can be overcome. By yourself  you are lacking, but with me you have everything you need to break through the fear. My love for you is infinite and nothing you can do or say will make me love you less than I do in this moment. I freely give to you a hope, a peace, and a future.”

God through His Word tells us, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in trespasses and sins hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved:) ~Ephesians 2:4,5    A beautiful truth is revealed when God’s love is realized and experienced. 1 John 4:18 reads, ”There is no fear in love for perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not make perfect in love.”   I am sure we have all felt fear tormenting us at times. Fear causes us to shut down and pull our “masks” firmly back in place. Fear can cripple us ,and push the “Real me” further back behind the walls we have built up over our insecurities. However, When we truly look at God, we can experience His perfect Love. Only then, can we become a person that is willing to share a portion of their inner self (the real me) with others.

As you experience the love of God today, ask Him to help you to open your heart to those around you and see a glimpse of the real you coupled with the love of God that shines through you. Will you dare to be fearless today and rely on His perfect love? Remember with God it is possible and probable to be fearless.

It is time for fear to take a seat and let the Real Me stand up. Are you up for the challenge today?

Blessings in the Storm

I trust that all my friends and visitors to this blog have had a wonderful Christmas and are looking forward to the New Year to come.  God has truly blessed my family this Christmas with a great family, church family, and a wealth of friends. I say all of this to say that this time in my life has not been without its struggles and things to lay at the feet of our Lord. Many times throughout our walk with the Lord we will face the unforeseen. It will come out when we least expect it and for a moment even hold us so tightly we cannot see which way we should turn. Storms can come upon us suddenly and dark clouds can bring fear to our hearts, yet in all of this we know we have someone who is there beside us in the midst of the darkness and fierce wind. Then it begins, the rain pours down. I have not thought of the rain as blessings, but it truly is so.

We need the rain. The rain nourishes the dry areas. It gives us something that watering from the hose in the yard will not. It cools the atmosphere around us. The leaves of the trees turn upward to receive the rain from the clouds. Sometimes the leaves will actually turn upside down to receive the rain at the place that will give  the most benefit for its delicate root system. The hard ground  softens under the impact of the rain upon it.  When you think about it, the rain has the healing properties in it to make things better for the earth, yet to receive the rain it must be accompanied by the storms.

I have found recently that in the midst of my storm, the Lord has sent his blessings of rain to overwhelm me.  The blessings have covered me at times with small drops and other times with large torrents. Over and over I have felt the love of my heavenly Father cover me with his strength, encouragement, love, and the cascading rain of His blessings. In my time alone with Him, I lifted my hands and heart to accept what He has for me as His spirit pours down like the rain. It has been what I have needed to help me when fear has taken hold of me. I wish that I could say that I am strong enough on my own to weather the storm. We try to hide our weakness so often for fear of what people will think of us, or put on a brave front because we feel it is expected of us. If you could see inside of me, you would know I am so weak and fearful. It is God who has been my strength. If I did not have Him with me I could never face the storms of life.

Not only have I received the blessings from the Lord, but also from the gracious friends and family who have interceded with prayers for me and my family. I do appreciate all of the prayers that have been sent on behalf of us. Thank you. You have been apart of the sweet rain that has covered us.

Blessings to you!

This Hope

While attending the Georgia Baptist Convention this week, I was inspired and encouraged by the wonderful music and outstanding preaching. God was truly among us in a mighty way. One of the music groups, This Hope, spoke to my heart. I wanted to share them with you today. This video is entitled “Break My Plans”. It tells of a song writer in Romania who was put into prison for writing Christian hymns. I pray it will touch your heart as it did mine and give us all a renewed passion to serve God even when the cost is great. May you have a blessed weekend and may God uplift and strengthen you in your service to Him.

Watch Out, Spider!

In my effort to get to work on time the other day, I, as usual, went flying out the front door and raced with my purse, foam “guzzler” of iced tea and bagel. Clay chose to fly out the door after me and  reminded me that he had seen a spider in the door of the car that we needed to take care of. I didn’t want to disappoint him the pleasure of killing a spider, but if I identified it quickly enough I could proceed down the road and reach my destination on time. My plan was to put Clay at ease and take care of it Iater that day. I opened the back door and asked him where he had seen the offender. This spider had built a web between the doors that you could only see if you opened the back or front door on the driver’s side. All I could see was two egg sacks and a complex web. Clay pointed it out as it was hiding up under the hinge that holds the door in place. The way the spider was hiding I could not identify it so with a stick I removed part of the web and the egg sacks and “squashed” them. I didn’t want them hatching and taking over my car. It is a small four door and there wouldn’t be room for all of us. Anyway, because I couldn’t see very well I closed the back door and opened the front door to see if I could get a better view. I did. It was a black spider so I was immediately concerned I asked Clay to run inside and get the bug spray. When he returned, I armed myself with bug spray in one hand and a stick in the other.  I sprayed it good and as it slowly descended on a silky strand of web with legs curling I saw the red hour-glass shape on it. It was a black widow. I got chills as I “squashed” it when I realized that it had been there for quite some time. At any moment, it could have chosen to hop out on me or one the boys and hurt us.  I praise the Lord for his hand of protection on our family.

As I went throughout my day, I could not stop thinking about the near miss we had and God’s protecting hand. Then my thoughts lead me to realize that temptation and sin is there lurking, waiting for just the right moment to strike. It waits patiently for the opportunity to catch me with my guard down and in the place where I am the weakest. At every turn in this life, sin is all around us. We are faced with it in the media, in the places we go, and sometimes in strangers we come in contact with. We need to be ever mindful that there is one that would love to see us fail and bring down the name of Christ. It is so important for us to watch out for these opportunities, and “squash” them as we would a poisonous spider.

It is not easy to turn from temptation and sin, but we have the Holy Spirit inside of us and a Savior who overcame the very essence of sin and death on the cross.  It is God who provides a way of escape for us so we do not have to give in to the temptation.  In 1 Corinthians 10:13, we read, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will no suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”  We are going to be tempted to do the wrong thing. Satan does not want us to succeed in the Christian life, and if he can keep us defeated, he most certainly will. My favorite line in this verse is “God is faithful.” He is here with us and we can rely on his strength when we are weak. When we became a Christian, we trusted Him with our very soul. In the same way, we can trust God for our daily keeping also. He can help us to resist temptation and guard against the attacks of those who would harm us.

It is time for you and me to keep our eyes open and watch for potential danger, temptation and sin. We know we have a friend who has endured such temptation and become a victor over it. We must turn in Jesus in our need. Jesus is our hope and He is ever faithful.

The Deadly Duo

I’ve done it again. As I was elbows deep in a project at work, I found myself stopping what I was doing to make some minor adjustments to one of the columns of the form I was typing. It was not lined up perfectly. Perfectionism strikes again!!! Just when I think I have this particular problem licked, it pops up again.  The problem I am running across is not so much a perfection problem, but a problem in another area, pride. Ouch! The Deadly Duo strikes again!

When I work and work to perform perfectly, 100% of the time I have to deal with the issue of pride.  For as far back as I can remember I have dealt with the drive to be perfect. As a girl I was not skinny, I was not large either just kind of average. I was picked on by the skinny girls in school. I often wore my feelings on my sleeve so I guess I made an easy target. In high school, I struggled with school work. It would drive me nuts to miss a problem on a test and to miss more was heart breaking. The same girls I had dealings with in grade school followed me into high school. The pokes and prods were more subtle, but we both knew what they meant. The drive to achieve and be liked were my primary focus. I had given my life to God, yet these issues were a constant struggle. The perfection I was trying to attain was my down fall. When I did something just right, I tended to gloat over that saying to myself, “Just look what you have done!” 

Please, Please do not misunderstand what I am saying. I should always strive to do my best in whatever I undertake and when something is done well it gives me a good feeling inside. On the other hand, there is also an unhealthy pride that can cause me to filled up with myself and focus only on me, me, me.  My focus should not be on what I have done, but on what God has accomplished through me. My focus should always be on doing my best for God’s glory, so He will receive the praise and others will be pointed to Him. It is all about relinquishing control. Most recovering and acting perfectionists can tell the difference and can identify when pride is an issue or not. Let me share with you what God has shown me this week.

In the Word of God, we can find the answers we need to combat the sin of perfectionism and pride. While reading last week, I found a portion of Scripture that I had read before, but God opened my eyes and gave me new understanding on this familiar passage. In Galatians 3:3, we read, “Are ye so foolish  having  begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” Paul is addressing the problem the Galatians were having with Salvation. They were trying to add to what Christ had done on the cross, and reverting back to the law rather than having and acting in faith. Verse 3 continues with this thought, and that is how I had always viewed these verses. At once, I felt God asking me “Don’t you know you are being foolish? You have trusted me for the provision of Salvation, yet you are continually trying to perform perfectly in your flesh. It is time to give up control and trust me. You don’t have to be perfect. Let me work through you and leave the results to Me.”  His gentle voice went straight to my heart. I have been thinking and acting in the flesh (which is full of pride) and not in the Spirit. Maybe you are with me on this, and you struggle with this issue also. There is hope for you and me. The more I am filled up with Him; the less I am filled up with myself.

The question is “How do we combat these sins of perfectionism and pride?” As with any sin the first step is to recognize it for what it is and ask our Heavenly Father for forgiveness. When this first became an issue I did not want to recognize that this “drive to be perfect” was a sin. Pride again was rearing its ugly head. Recognition and acknowledgment is where we must begin. 

Secondly, Pray, Pray, Pray! When you find yourself tempted, pray for help. God has never turned away from us when we cried out to Him and He never will.  Psalm 18:6 reads, “In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.”  God is waiting to hear from you. He doesn’t want you to struggle. He wants you overcome and you can through Him.

Thirdly, Search God’s Word and find Scripture that you can run to when you need it most. The following verses in Psalm 18 helped me, “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him… It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.”(Verse 30 & 32)  When we see what God can do through us, It is so much better than for us to try and do it for ourselves. His way is perfect, so we don’t have to try to be.  Praise Him! God is our help, our deliverer!

Combat the deadly duo with prayer and praise. You won’t be sorry.

Going For The Gold

I can’t help but imagine how the words “Gold Medal” stirs the heart of every athlete. It is something that they have been striving to attain. The “Gold Medal” is the reason they train for years and years. For those who make it to the podium with top honors glow with the knowledge that they gave it their all and achieved the highest standing in their particular event. I love watching the medal ceremonies. The joy and triumph just radiates off of them and when the anthem of their country plays and their flag is raised high, we often we see tears with the beautiful smiles.

In the Christian Life, My first thought was that we can go for the gold too. God has promised in his Word that there are crowns that we can go for. How often I wonder do we think of gaining these crowns without putting forth the effort that goes with it. When watching athletes, we see only the race, dive, contest, or tumbling pass. We do not see all of the practice, and hours upon hours in the gym lifting weights and training. As I was pondering all of the ends and outs of this train of thought, I was reminded of a verse in Job. “But He knoweth the way that I take and when He has tried me I shall come forth as gold.” –Job 23:10 

With achievement and glory comes sacrifice. It could be sacrifice of time, personal benefits, etc. The glory of the medal is achieved by the effort put into it and the pain and suffering that goes with it. There is a lot of things these athletes have to endure to get to the place where they can rejoice in the accomplishment. I see the same parallels with the Christian walk. Trials are going to come into our lives. Obstacles will be put in our path that need to be overcome. Through this trying process our God is purifying us so we can come forth as gold. He is refining us for better things so we can serve Him better.

I’m sure every athlete that receives the gold medal looks back on all they had to do and acknowledge that it was worth it. I know in my own life I have never been sorry for following God. He has been with me in every trial and is making and molding me into the Christian He wants me to be. Have I every faltered or questioned Him during the process? Oh, Yes! I am only human, but deep in my heart I know what He is doing is for my good so I too can come forth as Gold.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  –Hebrews 12:2

“There are some things you have to endure to get to the place of rejoicing.” –Clyde Box

Back to Nature!

I shared in my last post what a great Mother’s Day I experienced and the things that awaited me on Sunday morning. On Saturday, however, I had the delightful experience of going with my hubby and boys down to St. Marks Wildlife Refuge.

We took off Saturday morning to head to one of favorite places and get “back to nature”. For as long as I can remember, I have enjoyed walking in the woods and looking for wildlife, flowers, etc. This Saturday was no exception.  There is always something so relaxing as a jaunt through the woods. Whether it is getting away from the phone and distractions of every day life, or taking the time to stop and take in the beauty of God’s creation I’m not sure which one helps me more in body and spirit. I do know that I wouldn’t trade the time with my family and the joy of being with the ones I love.

You never know what you might come across. We have such fun seeing how many different species of birds and animals we can identify. By looking at the maps of the trails, my hubby showed me one that we had never taken before, so I thought there was a good chance that we might come across something we had yet to see. Armed with hiking poles and binoculars, we headed out for our adventure.  We hit the trail about 10:00 a.m. and hiked to our heart’s content. We saw many species of birds and got some great pictures. Later, we encountered a small gator lounging in the middle of the trail. This is most unusual because we mostly see them in the water or on the banks next to the canals. We took some pictures, not to close of course to document our adventure. After our hike, We stopped by the jeep to grab and drink and to go to the lighthouse down on the gulf. Later, we had a picnic by a pond where birds gather. By now we were ready to ride to Wakulla Springs and spend the afternoon swimming and playing in the water. It was a wonderful day. 

As I was recalling the joy of the day, it came to mind that as I go to God’s Word I experience much the same feeling and joy as spending the day in the woods. First of all, my body and spirit receives a calming, relaxing effect on me as I delve into the Scriptures. It pulls me away from the distractions and cares of this life and uplifts me. I am strengthened in my daily walk. The longer I stay and the further I go I receive the benefit of letting go of the stress and worry, and sweetly commune with my heavenly Father.

Secondly, as I pick up my Bible to read and study, I never know what I will find. Unexpected truth and blessings pop out and speak to my heart and soul. I experience peace and joy as I study the word. The wealth of promises uplift me and encourage me in my walk of faith. Yes, sometimes I am convicted of something that I need to work on in my walk with the Lord, but I know I will find the help I need to watch out for the dangers this world throws in our path. I also know if I grow weary in the walk, God will help to lighten the load I carry, take my hand and go with me. I need this time with Him to prepare for the day ahead of me.

At the end of the day, Saturday, I was tired, but unbelievably refreshed and renewed and ready to gear up for the challenges ahead of me this week. In the same way as I go the Word, I am ready to “gear up” for what God has for me to do today. It is not what I can do in my strength, but what he can do through me.  When I need to get away from it all, I have a place I can go to get “back to nature”.  I know, also, when I need Him, I can go ”back to the Word” where stresses will be relieved, burdens can be laid down, and communion with Our Great God can and will occur.

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Se’lah”     ~ Psalm 68:19 ~

Just Be Still!

Life has kicked into high gear. Almost everyone I have talked to lately has told me how busy they have been during the last few months. It has struck me funny, because when I see a friend I have not seen in a while I always ask how they are doing. The answer has consistently been the same. “I am just so busy!”  As I was sitting on the bleachers last night watching my son practicing with his baseball team, I fell into conversation with a few of the other moms doing the same thing. One of the main topics was how we were dealing with the task of keeping our kids and their activities organized. “I can’t seem to slow down,” one replied, “we are always running from one thing to the next.” Can anyone out there relate?

We are busy people and keeping things organized has proved to be the ultimate challenge. How do we do it? How do we stay on top of it all? This morning in the quietness of the moment, while the kids were still asleep, these words overwhelmed me, “Be still and know that I am God.” It was not an audible voice, just my heart communing with His heart. Just take a moment and “Be Still.”

For my own sake, I need to take time and just be still and recognize that God is God.  The one who created the universe and set the sun, moon and stars in place knows my name. The one who gave the ultimate sacrifice to redeem me from my sinful condition knows where I am at this moment.  The one who knows me better than I know myself sees my weakness and is able to strengthen me, but I must be still. 

The verses in Psalms telling us to wait on the Lord are numerous and Isaiah 40:31 has always been an encouragement to me. “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles. They shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”  Before we being running around, we must wait and renew with God.  Being still and waiting are not going to happen if we don’t make a conscious effort to see that it does. God is there to answer our prayers and give us the strength and the fortitude to make it through anything life throws at us. Our part is to be still and know that he is God.  When life overwhelms you, take a moment close your eyes, (unless you are driving your kids somewhere,     If you are, bow your heart before Him) and talk to your heavenly Father then be still and let Him talk back to you. Take a moment and recognize who He is and in that moment find the sweet peace that only God can give.

Don’t delay! Take a moment right now and just be still.