Posted on facebook: 10/12/2012

I’ll be honest…I didn’t watch the debate last night. I had arranged for the kids to be taken care of at their various activities since I had to work; and I was waiting to see if it would work out for me to go to Brandt’s. But when I got off, I was feeling poorly…still struggling with the effects of that stomach virus from last weekend, so I didn’t dare attempt it.

But I ran by my prayer grou

p on my way home just to share updates. We were intentionally making it a quick night in order to watch the debate. Thankfully, I managed to stay and pray. I was the last to pray; and the last thing I prayed for was the debate…that true Character would be revealed and that the light of Truth would expose anything “hidden”. So reading my friends’ posts when I crawled into bed, told me all I needed to know and I fell asleep.

I’m not “pro” any one particular party…I just wish we could have Integrity in the leadership of this country. And I do realize it seems rather “difficult” to maintain that Integrity once in Office…I’m well aware of how the “good old boy” system works…I’ve been “worked over” by it, myself. I’ve learned by painful experience…when the “pressure is on”, true character is revealed. So that’s what I prayed for the debate…and that the eyes, ears, hearts and minds of this nation will be opened.

Then after I prayed, I realized I had forgotten to share with them about running into my sister’s friend the other day. As I shared here, it’s a testimony of God’s hand working so mightily in my life and I wanted to share that praise with them. But just as I was beginning, the electricity went out…everything turned off…except for two small, matching lamps in the window seat. It was almost surreal.

My leader laughed how she is having the craziest “trouble” with technology these days…then, as she was messing with the switches, it all came back on…so I asked to continue my story. She sat back and laughed that I’m having entirely too much FUN in the midst of my circumstances…and then smiled, “You are finally getting the program.”, which is what she calls the surrendered life of Faith.

…that’s one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me. And when I woke early this morning…I remembered the two small, matching lamps shining softly in the window…and I was gently reminded: what I want for my own life is for my eyes, ears, heart and mind to be open to all that God has in store for me. That I won’t allow my own sin, fears or desires to hinder His BEST for my life. I want to be STILL and KNOW that He is God as I watch His Hand place the pieces of my life together. And be comforted by His Peace and Strength as I “let go”. My desire and prayer is to have the very things I’ve shared about recently.

….and envisioning in my mind’s eye those two small lamps that were still softly shining in the midst of the stillness…is such a sweet picture of God shining to give Comfort and Guidance in the midst of “darkness”…and that His presence is most “KNOWN” …in the stillness. 🙂

“How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, Who seek Him with all their heart. Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You. Make me understand the way of Your precepts, So I will meditate on Your wonders. My soul weeps because of grief; Strengthen me according to Your word. I have chosen the faithful way; I have placed Your ordinances before me. It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes. I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word. I have not turned aside from Your ordinances, For You Yourself have taught me. From Your precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.”

(Psalm 119:2, 11, 27, 28, 30, 71, 101, 102, 104, 105 NASB)

Posted on facebook: 10/11/2012

When I got home from dropping Mags off at school yesterday, the garage door acted up again. I didn’t have time to mess with it before work and Brandt seems to have the “magic touch” (which he did). So I just let it go and parked out front. It’s just one of several things that need to be fixed around here…and although it can be a nuisance at times, it’s also a reminder to me of how I used to get so upset when things went wrong…and now I’ve learned to let it go…and in effect, let go of the negative emotions that “go along” with my negative responses. And I was gently reminded…the very things that used to frustrate me, now are a constant reminder of the victory I’ve discovered in “letting go”.

But I admit that it’s a really hard lesson to learn…especially in this day and age of “deservedness”. But there is something that you just can’t realize until you’ve lived it…there is TRUE freedom in letting go…and truly a PEACE that passes ALL understanding.

You see it most blatantly in “hoarding” …people are so afraid of “letting go” that they keep stuff all around them…bottom line, it’s a form of protection…and control. And it’s based in fear, not FAITH…God tells us in His Word not to worry about tomorrow…and He promises to provide for our needs…but that takes TRUST. And, just as the hoarder eventually runs out of room…there is no room for FAITH and TRUST when we hold on to fear…literally…

During my darkest time, I became a hoarder…not to the degree that you see on the tv shows, but I loved to collect. It seemed to “work” under the disguise of interior design…until it didn’t. I don’t have the time or space to get into all the things I collected or the “reasoning” I had behind it…but I knew that collecting somehow eased the pain…somehow I found comfort. But it was all a lie…that’s not where true comfort lies. It lies in letting go..

And we all have to face this in some way. We all have to face the most painful, of course…the inevitable letting go of a loved one who has passed. But the real lesson in “letting go” involves so much more…and it may not be in having to choose to “let go” of things…maybe it’s letting go of friendships that have become hurtful; or jobs that have become too life-consuming; or activities that take away time from what matters most.

Or just maybe it’s letting go of how we RESPOND…Because when we respond from pain…it shows up in FEAR and ANGER…and it hurts everyone involved. That’s the real reason we often do things to “comfort” ourself…it’s how we’ve learned to cope from the pain of our past. But responding in fear is not only “coping”..but a “cop out”…and there is NO true “comfort” in that choice of response…and there is NO VICTORY.

Honestly, I’ve learned through much blood, sweat, and tears that becoming free from that pain is the BEST GIFT that we can give ourself and the ones we love…but it’s hard…and the truth is, that most of us can see it in others…but not in ourself…or, if we do manage to see it…we have no training in how to “let go”.

I’ve been living this for the past six years… I had to let go of a marriage that became destructive, my oldest child as she went off to college, my “control” as I faced the possible loss of my job and my pride as I was blessed to accept help financially during that time of financial hardship, and most recently, a relationship that I thought had so much hope for a future.

The truth is that I can’t “control” any of life…all I can be responsible for is my RESPONSE….because how I choose to respond can bring “life”…or “death”. But I must let go of the pain…and the fear and pride that keeps me holding on to that pain…in order to surrender my will (no control) to the Will of the only ONE who has control….that’s the key to Victory in life.

As we see with Job, God can return a blessing that we’ve been asked to “let go”…above and beyond all that we can ask or imagine. So the real lesson is not about “what” we are called to “let go”…but “how” we are called to “let go”. And–to God’s Glory…certainly not mine…I’m learning to surrender my responses to HIM. And as I do so…I learn to TRUST Him more…and my FAITH grows…because there is more room…when I “let go” of coping in my own “strength”…and REST in HIS. Because He is TRUSTworthy; and the ONLY room for fear in the heart of a Christian…is a reverent “fear of the LORD”. 🙂

“Oh let those who fear the LORD say, “His lovingkindness is everlasting.” (Psalm 118:4 NASB)

“Sing to the LORD, all the earth;
Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. Tell of His glory among the nations,
His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
He also is to be feared above all gods. Splendor and majesty are before Him,
Strength and joy are in His place. Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
And let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns.” O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.” (1 Chronicles 16:23-25, 27, 28, 31, 34 NASB)

Posted on facebook: 10/10/2012

Yesterday, I posted a picture that said, “God’s piecing together the puzzle of your life and He’s filling what’s still missing with His Peace.” And I spent the day watching His Hand fill in pieces…

I stayed home sick on Friday, which can “hurt” in sales. I managed to go in a few hours on Saturday and had a phone message that a client was ready to place her drapery order that we worked on in Ma

Posted on facebook on 10/2/2012:

I recently met a precious person who struggles with certain addictions. Addiction, in a very basic sense, is our way of coping to comfort ourselves from the pain of life. The most notorious are drug and alcohol…but there are many others, including…love, sex, shopping, gambling, and even addiction to sports activities. And many only become obvious when they become extreme…and then it’s a big problem because they are out of control with their obsession.

Over the weekend, a couple came in with their “decorator daughter”. They are retiring to a beach house on the East Coast, and downsizing to a third of what they’ve lived in for years. The daughter laughed that downsizing can be much more of a challenge than just getting to go buy more things to fill a space. I just smiled.

As a professional Interior Designer, I know that my profession, at it’s most basic, is problem solving. My goal is to understand the client’s “problem” and then offer functional, aesthetically pleasing, and comfortable options to meet those needs. So I showed them my best options…and they loved it. They weren’t ready to purchase; but their time in my store was not wasted because of my experience in my field. In fact, my experience made their “experience” with me worthwhile since I provided a solution to their “problem”.

Then yesterday morning, I was in the Design Center when I recognized the daughter coming in to browse through the fabrics. She seemed awkward and asked if they could purchase from here and have it shipped there, since she didn’t want to waste my time. I assured her they can and told her that I appreciated her honesty. So I helped her find their selections; and then I pulled alternatives that would be a better option based on what patterns they liked, but would better fit what they are trying to accomplish. Their daughter was thrilled.

Then I did something that is considered rather “foolish” in sales. I typed up the quote…and gave it to her. As I did, I admitted that this was the information for the order and thanked her again for her honest intent to give me the business. But I realized the “risk”…it’s her parents who will be purchasing…she has no control of this sale. So I smiled sincerely as I handed it to her… and I let it go. Literally. 🙂

At the end of the day, I went to my house call with a couple I also met last weekend. I took the fabrics with me and the typed contract. In the contract, I had also included the accent table they hoped to find and a floor lamp that I selected to go with it. They loved it. I got that sale;, and they are coming back in Saturday afternoon to purchase a replacement for their sectional in the den that they showed me while I was out. And as I was driving away, it dawned on me that the final sale ended up being almost exactly the amount of that contract I “risked” giving the retired couple…and the new sale will be what I expected to close last night…God had provided both sales for me…and I was gently reminded….

I am learning the JOY that comes from TRUSTing in God to BE my Jehovah Jireh…my PROVIDER. Sometimes it seems risky…Faith and Trust can seem “risky” at times. But I no longer look to people or my circumstances to meet my needs…I look to HIM. And He delights in proving FAITH-FULL.

Recently, I watched a gal pursue a guy friend of mine…and I will never forget it. They have much in common, and I understood her excitement…but I’ve watched him pursue two other gals since I’ve known him…and each time, he was so romantic…each time, he wrote poetry for her. This couple seems very happy and I’m happy for them. But it hasn’t escaped my notice that he didn’t write poetry this time…and I can’t help but consider what she “missed”…I doubt she realizes it or even cares…but I know. It was so incredibly sweet.

And I’ve kept it in my heart as a reminder that I don’t want to “miss” anything that God has for me…as I have a tendency to “push” through life. He knows my problems…and He truly knows what’s best for me. So I don’t want to miss out on the sweetness that comes with TRUSTing and RESTing in Him.

There is no true “risk” with God…He is all-knowing, so there are no surprises for Him; and the Bible promises that He gives “according to His riches in Glory”…that’s His supply…it’s infinite. And just as my “experience” allows for my clients to have a much better experience…allowing God to gift HIMSELF to me adds to my experience every day…and I never again want to “miss a moment”. That’s truly the only “risk” with Him. 🙂

…and no surprise…my very favorite passage came up for the “scripture of the day” when I went to copy my scripture…and it’s a perfect Provision…

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. “For you will go out with joy, And be led forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, And all the trees of the field will clap their hands. “Instead of the thorn bush the cypress will come up, And instead of the nettle the myrtle will come up, And it will be a memorial to the LORD, For an everlasting sign which will not be cut off.” (Isaiah 55:8-13 NASB)

In His Lovingkindness, God often reaffirms in my day what I share in the morning. Yesterday, having chosen to pray rather than share from my heart, I posted a picture that said, “Where God Guides, HE PROVIDES.” …and He did.

First, I was privileged to be asked to help last Spring with a committee; but when they decided to meet on Thursday night, I was sick. That is the one night of the week that is completely booked for me. My work is open until 8 every Thursday night, so I usually split the month in rotation unless I arrange with a coworker to take it; also, my Bunco group meets once a month on Thursday; and my prayer group that I have committed to meets on Thursday so every opportunity, I will be there.

I immediately told the chairperson of my conflict and suggested that she find a replacement. She said it would be fine and that it could work out; and I had made a commitment, so I agreed to swing by when I could…but I knew it wasn’t best for anyone involved. Yesterday, I was told that someone had stepped up to take the position…I cannot tell you how thankful I am for God’s Provision.

And when I got home from my prayer group, I saw a pile of debris on my car pad. I remembered that the city had hauled off the 3-foot high mound that I had stacked there from working in the yard Monday, so I immediately knew that my friend had come by and cleared out the last with his chainsaw as he promised. It was dark, but I ran into the back yard to see…and he had not only done exactly what I asked, but he hauled it all away instead of leaving it for me and Brandt as I had planned…and I was Blessed once again with God’s Provision…and I was gently reminded:

That is so like God…when we are Faithful to obey in an area of our life that He brings to our attention…He will be Faithful to Bless. And God doesn’t Bless in “part”…He is a God of detail… so His timing is Perfect and His Provision is Complete. And what an amazing journey it is to step out in Faith and TASTE and SEE that the Lord is GOOD…for where God guides…HE PROVIDES. 🙂

“But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” So he said, “Here I am.” And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son— blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” (Genesis 22:11-18 NKJV)

“As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; All Your waves and billows have gone over me. The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night His song shall be with me— A prayer to the God of my life. Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.” (Psalm 42:1, 2, 7, 8, 11 NKJV)

I had yet another “Super” Tuesday…but, yet again, not as I planned. I hit a glitch with my first priority, so I moved on down to knock out the list. And I got the quilt hung in my bedroom…so my heart was smiling when I left to go to my networking luncheon. I absolutely adore how God has placed me in a wonderful group of women who are dedicated to what they do and helping others.

Afterwards, I was visiting with one gal about some things I need and she mentioned how she reads my fb and that she understands my Faith. Then she looked at me and said, “You have a different energy about you…” She just met me in the Spring, but she could see it…and the fact that she cared enough to mention it made my heart smile. There is something amazingly different about living this kind of Faith walk. I can feel it on the inside, but it blesses me that others have begun to see it on the outside.

I thanked her and told her that God has been showing me some things that I should change…let go of….in order to receive all that He has for me. And I have taken it to heart. And as I have been Faithful, He has been Faithful to provide exactly what I need…exactly when I need it. Of course, that doesn’t mean everything goes “right”; but whatever the circumstances, there is a Peace that passes understanding and an inner Joy that I’ve never known….and, to be honest, I don’t ever want to live without again. My Bible study leader calls it “living in the sweet spot”…and, man oh man, is it sweet.

Then I ran some more errands; and soon after I got home, the doorbell rang. It was my friend I called the day before when I was beginning to feel slightly overwhelmed in the yard. He has a chainsaw that he doesn’t loan out because it’s 20” long and could easily cut off an arm…so he swung by on his way home to see what I needed done. Getting back out in the yard, I worked some more on the back porch. And when Brandt got home, he joined me to help bag up the debris; and he mentioned with pride, “Wow, it’s amazing what can happen in just two days–how things can change.” I smiled as a grabbed a “teachable moment”.

Then I ran to Bunco and enjoyed visiting with precious friends who have seen me through so much and have watched this most recent inner transformation and celebrate with me. And when I got home, I jumped on fb to wish someone happy birthday….it’s the second birthday in two days for someone who is winning a battle with cancer…and I have been thrilled to have the privilege of wishing them blessings for a new year. After I posted my “birthday song”, I quickly scanned my homepage to see what I missed for the day…and was stunned to read about the loss to cancer of one of my grade school friends.

I knew she had battled cancer a few years back and she had just posted at the end of last month about a praise that she didn’t have a brain tumor…but I had no idea she was as ill as she was…so her passing shook me. I jumped onto her page while it’s still up and looked through her pics….praying over her husband, all three of her children and the extended family.

And as I was browsing through pictures of her past few years, my eye caught one comment. It was a picture of only my friend, but she had tagged someone with an Italian name. My friend traveled the world singing with her brother’s Christian band, so I wasn’t surprised…what surprised me was that the date of the pic was in 2009…but the tagged friend replied yesterday…”You are with God!!!!!” and then added something in Italian….and as her words sunk in, I was gently reminded…deep in my soul…:

That is why it is so important to me to actively pursue all that God has for me…because I am not promised “tomorrow”. And I’ve learned that it’s not about my “achieving”…because that implies that I am responsible for the results. No….I am only responsible for making a DECISION to step out in FAITH and RECEIVE what He has in store for me…for I simply can’t receive more of HIM until my hands are free of what I cling to and my heart is open, rather than afraid. And living a life that actively CHOOSES to follow Him in FAITH…is when HE walks with you. It’s the kind of life that finds rest and peace from what lies behind you; protection from what surrounds beside you; and victory in what lies ahead…as He goes before you to prepare the way.

And it’s far greater than any of your favorite books…there is adventure in the battles knowing you serve the victorious King; more mystery discovering all that He has in store; and romance beyond all that you can imagine because your heart is free to truly LOVE…because the Author and Creator of ALL that is….IS …WITH you… And just as my friend now knows in FULL…Our God is an AWEsome God. 🙂

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:1, 6 NKJV)

“Therefore My people shall know My name; Therefore they shall know in that day That I am He who speaks: ‘Behold, it is I.’ ” How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Break forth into joy, sing together, You waste places of Jerusalem! For the Lord has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has made bare His holy arm In the eyes of all the nations; And all the ends of the earth shall see The salvation of our God. Depart! Depart! Go out from there, Touch no unclean thing; Go out from the midst of her, Be clean, You who bear the vessels of the Lord. For you shall not go out with haste, Nor go by flight; For the Lord will go before you, And the God of Israel will be your rear guard.” (Isaiah 52:6, 7, 9-12 NKJV)

I woke this morning with three verses running through my mind, like my blood running through my veins–repeating over and over to give me sustenance–“This is the day that the Lord has made; rejoice and be glad in it.”–not so hard for an Expressive like me to embrace; “Be STILL and KNOW that I am God.”–a tad bit more of a challenge for an Expressive like me to embrace… ; and “Taste and SEE that the Lord is GOOD.” ….and always, when I think of that verse, I remember the first women’s retreat I attended at a precious church–the Women’s Leadership team knew I am an Interior Designer, so I was asked to chair the decorations committee.

I laughed (much like Isaac’s mother, Sarai) that I would, but I didn’t know anyone to join my committee so they offered to find volunteers for me. I asked for a florist, a crafter, and a quilter–and God provided.

We were doing an “old fashioned” theme to enhance the speaker’s message; and I felt lead to do three small scripture quilts for “decoration” to add to the hanging quilts that we were being loaned. Having been “found” and asked to chair the committee rather late, I think we had less than 12 weeks to pull it off and there was concern that I was expecting too much so I was assured that it would be okay to just have posters. But I was determined that God was in it …and my subcommittee of three of the most precious women I’ve ever had the privilege to meet rallied.

The beautiful scripture quilts were finished with mere moments to spare. And, of course, very few ladies actually knew the “miracle” it took for them to be hanging in the building that weekend–but they were each greatly admired. And I was asked several times if they could be purchased. But I felt there was a different plan for those quilts.

When the retreat was over, we gifted one to the facility cafeteria since it was a Christian retreat. The kitchen staff beamed their approval. The second was gifted to be hung in the church kitchen. And the third was gifted to the Women’s Ministry Director. She was stunned because she knew how precious they were; and she graciously assured me that I should have that one because my Faith had seen it through. I assured her it belonged to her.

But I always admired the quilt when I would enter the church kitchen; and when a remodel was mentioned, I went to the gal in charge of the kitchen and asked to have the quilt if it wasn’t going to continue to be displayed. She apologized that it was slightly stained with use and then gave it to me. Looking at it, I only saw the faces that took such pride in serving the Lord in that manner and the look of no less than pleasant surprise on several faces who weren’t certain it could be done in time. It was a definite Faith experience for all involved.

That was several years ago, and I have kept it safely tucked in a closet until I could find a place to hang it. This morning when I woke with those scriptures and I thought of the quilt, my eye looked up to a completely empty wall in my bedroom…and I was gently reminded: God wishes to give us rich blessings; but we must be willing to step out in Faith and RECEIVE them in order to ENJOY them. So I just pulled out that quilt and I’ll be hanging it today. When I move one small picture, it will be just what that space needs….and I will be able to enJoy the tremendous Blessing of the Miracle of the Quilt… Oh, yes…TASTE and SEE that the Lord is GOOD, oh my Soul. 🙂

“This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24 NKJV)

“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah” (Psalm 46:1-3, 7-11 NKJV)

“I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all. He guards all his bones; Not one of them is broken. Evil shall slay the wicked, And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned. The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.” (Psalm 34:4, 7-11, 14, 15, 17-22 NKJV)

Yesterday, I wrote of how God Blesses Faithfulness; and I mentioned that Faith is the assurance of things unseen. At least for me, that is the key. Certainly, I receive Blessings when I act in Obedience…as any good parent would, God longs to say, “Well done!” But, to be honest, some of my greatest Blessings have been given when I am Obedient in FAITH–not after everything has “turned out well”…but when my Faith is at it’s strongest–when I’m CHOOSING to Believe in that which is UNSEEN. And that is exactly where I am now…

I recently wrote of how I how jumped back into online dating. Anyone who knows me, knows I would welcome a relationship. But not just any relationship–God has to be at the CENTER of it. As I want my life to testify of God’s Grace, so I desire my relationship to do the same.

When I met the triathlete, his Faith was slightly different than mine; but he made it clear that he wasn’t interested in dating just for the sake of dating. He wants marriage–and he was firm in his Belief that he wanted God’s best for that relationship. So, yes, he was sorry to hurt me when he broke things off–but I graciously assured him that I appreciated it because we both want God’s best. So that hard decision simply freed me up for God to bring someone else into my life.

I was disappointed, of course. But I am learning to no longer look to the man–but look to God. My confidence is in HIM; and my HOPE is in HIM. So I asked Him what I was to learn from that brief experience–and He graciously showed me that I don’t have to wait until the kids are completely grown and gone to begin to enjoy some hobbies again. But I have to get out of my “busy-ness” that I have built around myself in order to free up my time. He showed me that I’m not freed up to do some of the things that I LOVE because I’m too busy doing things I HAVE to do…following through on commitments that take my time. That was the gift that tri-guy gave me–it was for my gain, not for “loss”. God used that experience to teach me about myself–and I’m so very thankful.

And as for a relationship, I kept my FAITH. I knew that I may have “lost” him; but if God has a relationship for me, I hadn’t “lost” it. So I stood firmly on that Faith….and four days later, I met an amazing Christian man. And we began an intense relationship, one like I’ve always dreamed of but never known.

Last week, after much prayer, God said “no”. We both realized that God has some things to work out in our lives before we will be truly ready. So, once again, I am facing “loss”…and once again, I am walking by FAITH….CHOOSING to Believe in that which is UNSEEN….and once again, God is teaching me much about myself. This experience, too, was meant for my GAIN and I am so very THANK-FULL.

So finding the “lost” screw exactly where it was “meant to be” was even more precious to me…because in His Lovingkindness towards me, God was saying…”When you walk by Faith, you cannot “lose” what I have for you. When the time is right, you will not have to search for it. You will find it where I placed it…exactly where it belongs.”

And I BELIEVE and it is counted as FAITH…and Blessings are showering down upon me as I walk in the “Confidence that has great reward”. God is an AWEsome God. 🙂

Confidence, both to STAND on and to REST in:

Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise…” (Hebrews 10:35-36NKJV)

“being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:6, 9-11 NKJV)

“I know that whatever God does, It shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, And nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him.” (Ecclesiastes 3:14)

“Then Job answered the Lord and said: “I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.” (Job 42:1, 2 NKJV)

“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24 NKJV)