I am dedicating this blog to someone very special to me and gave me a wonderful gift recently, she holds a very special place in my life and because of her ability to show me mercy and forgiveness I have been able to remember some very fond memories. Our lives are going and growing in different directions, she needs freedom to explore her journey and although I will miss her greatly, this is something she must do alone. She will remain in my heart and in my prayers. After arriving home from work I settled in read to start my nightly readings of my devotionals and inspirational apps on my iPhone. There was an overwhelming theme that kept appearing. God was speaking to me and I felt God wanting me to share my thoughts with you. The very first thing I read was, Galatians 6:4-5 (The Message) “Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.” Wow, we are all created individually by God, we have specific features, likes and dislikes, dreams and wishes…and God wants to give them all to you. Include God in your plans, He wants to share your life and fill your life with goodness. You may be sitting there reading this and saying…”Where’s my joy, my dreams and wishes?” Sometimes we have to work very hard to get the things we want and desire, God will be with you 100% of the way. Take notice of the things in your life that might need to be taken out or added to, in order to achieve all the things you want, God’s promise is, He would never leave us, He never said getting them would be easy. Rarely are the things of great value ever easy to obtain, we learn to appreciate the things that cause us to reflect. It took the Israelites 40 years to reach the “Promised Land” because they wanted it to be easy! Why did it take 40 years? Because they were disobedient to God and expected continual miracles from Him. Friends, please take hold of this promise from God found in Hebrews 13:5-6
The Message (MSG) “Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote, “God is there, ready to help; I’m fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?” Whenever I hear this song on the radio I sing it and feel God’s power and protection, I hope you can find them as well, the song is “Whom Shall I Fear” by Chris Tomlin. This is verse 3 and the chorus:
My strength is in Your name
For You alone can save
You will deliver me
Yours is the victory
Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?
Chorus:
I know Who goes before me
I know Who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side
The One who reigns forever
He is a Friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side.
This song gives me strength, encouragement and confidence that God is bigger and stronger than anything this world can do to me. These things can be yours as well.
The next thing I read was “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4.
It ask the question do you ever look back at yourself in photos and wish you could go back? Treasure today more than your youth. We are given today to praise God for who we are and where we have come from. Anytime the Bible repeats, it’s important to take note; it’s an extra important lesson. The Lord has brought you to this spot today, let’s find joy in it. Our past is important because we are who we are because of it, but we are not meant to live is the past, as wonderful and as beautiful as it was, those moments we shared and cherished are over. I am not telling you this because it’s easy, it isn’t and will be one of the hardest things you will ever do, leaving the past in the past. I have been experiencing a wave of emotions and images recently in my life, experiences from my past and the people I shared my life with and as much as I wanted to go back and be in those moment and in that space, I couldn’t. I’m different and my wants are different, but I absolutely want happiness for both of us and hopefully this time I am being more mature and respectful to you.
I cannot take credit for this but it is beautifully written and I pray you are led by the Holy Spirit when you read it. It is from Brave Girls Club.
Dear Beautiful Girl,
Whatever grows in your life is what has been planted there, what has been nurtured, fed and given time and attention.
What is growing there? What is it that has been planted in your one beautiful, precious life?
Have you carefully planned the rows of fruits, vegetables and flowers? Or are things growing there that blew in with the wind? Are weeds taking over?
It is never too late to weed your garden, and now is the perfect time to pull out the dead things, the unwanted things, the overgrown things, and make room for the new growth you are so badly yearning for.
Take a moment today to see what is truly growing in your life, and whether or not there is room for the things that you most want to see the fruits of.
Be brave enough to pull out the unwanted things and get your life ready to lay the seeds of your wildest dreams.
YOU CAN DO IT!
You are so so loved.
xoxo
The very last sentence is sad but sometimes required. Listen to your heart, listen for God’s small still voice. Praying that your life and your garden is filled with all things good and prosperous!
Then I read this: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1.
~Blessings and Peace~
References:
http://www.biblegateway.com
http://jctrois.com
http://www.bravegirlsclub.com
HOPE SEEKER 