treasuring the moments...

Oh, life has been busy, busy:) I've had to step back from the computer also, I must admit, as I tend to hang out here for quite awhile, letting my children watch way too much tv and ignoring the true things that need to be done. And then wondering why I'm so irritated because I am so behind on housework and have sweet boys that are lacking in much needed attention...the cycle continues unless I make a change!

Life is well...God is truly impressing upon my heart gratitude, contentment, peace, joy, trust (not fear) and waiting on HIM. Life is precious and our days are numbered.

Looking at my sweet family today, Daddy driving a skiff with his three boys, with the excitement of four boys, jumping waves...me, mama, had to take a deep breath. Today, I made a choice to trust my Lord, to push those thoughts away of the so many "what if's" and to enjoy the laughing faces of these 4 men the Lord has allowed me to be part of. I tend to be a bit over protective, over cautious, letting my mind start to run off. But my dear Lord says, He has not given me a spirit of fear. He says for me to trust Him, lay my worries at His feet...and when I do... I can simply enjoy what He has blessed me with, treasuring the moments, thanking Him with a humble, gratitude-filled, content heart....seeing Him in the biggest to the smallest thing.

Life is good...because of Him...may we treasure His moments, not clutching them afraid to let them go, but enjoy them with the trust that His plan is great and mighty, with more to come, and the Lord can use all to His glory. Our time here on earth, our joys, our hurts, with the acceptance of Jesus as our Lord and Savior, is just a short time to bring the good news and love of Jesus to others who don't know of His salvation and to go through stretching and learning to be drawn closer to our most precious Heavenly Father. But all of it, is just a moment in time, to the promise of the life we'll have with our Father.

"I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." -Luke 13:35

Praise the Lord! So may we hear and follow the Lord, thanking Him for the gifts He's given us, for the people He's placed us with and praying to fill the calling He has upon our lives, trusting with faith, sharing the gospel and the love of Jesus and His gift of salvation. That when we are with our Heavenly Father, He make look upon us and say, "...well done good and faithful servant." -Matthew 25:23

"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." -John 8:31-32

Amen!

it's not about me...

This past week at our precious women's group, I shared my testimony. I've spoken often here on the blog of freedom in Christ and finding joy and hope in life, which is given by the Lord, being freed from shame, guilt, condemnation.

So I fumbled through my testimony, given sort of spur of the moment and at the end of it, it was amazing how the Lord used it to His glory. Some women spoke up, sharing their own experiences, their own hurts, their own journey to freedom and the Lord's merciful hand of salvation upon accepting Jesus as their Savior. Their lives filled with hope, a shred of light in a dark, dark place.

I left that day, so thankful for the Lord's work in these beautiful people's lives. Testimonies glorifying the Lord!

However, I spent the rest of the day questioning my wording of my testimony. Lord, did I say all I was supposed to, did I say it right, did I not share all that you've done for me, did I disappoint you, did I misrepresent myself??? It went on, the questioning, the returning of the guilt, the shame, the hiddeness.

Praise the Lord! His words to my heart, "it's not about you"...guard your testimony, don't listen to the lies of the enemy!

What I said, was what He knew I'd say and He used that. The truth is there were more things I wanted to say...but I was afraid, I was ashamed. I gave my testimony sharing my heart and feelings from that, but not specifics.

But the Lord is good. I shared more over the phone later with a sweet friend and there was such joy and freedom in that. The Lord spoke to my heart the rest of the day, showing me that this was a step in my journey, showing that as much as I say I've accepted the freedom He has given for and to me, I've not accepted it as a truth to myself...many times not considering myself worthy. I realized I would have been able to give my testimony openly, boldly, completely, without hanging my head in shame, without the fear of that baggage being returned, without the fear of becoming "that person" again, if I truly acccepted His forgiveness. (I say this knowing I was in a place that was safe, with women who have a heart for the Lord; there is a time and place for our testimonies.) He continues to love me, offering His unconditional love and forgiveness, His truth. Lord help me accept your gift...

Grace...He sheds, showers, covers with His grace. He has saved me! He has saved me with an unconditional, healing love. I am loved, and I love, adore my Father. God created us to live a life that is free. We live in a world that is filled with sin, a world that is filled with sadness, hate, sickness, death. But though we are in this world, we are not of it. With Jesus Christ in our hearts, the Lord has given us a life that is free from fear, shame and condemnation. We still
have consequences of our actions, but know confidently that the Lord will give you the peace of Him and the joy of His love in these situations, for He uses all things to His glory! And yes, He does perform miracles and creates miraculous situations...

God, you are great and mighty, it is not about me, it is about you, bless you, I love you!

Praying you are finding His love and accepting His forgiveness, glorifying His name!

"I will praise Your name, for You have done wonderful things."-Isaiah 25:1