He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”
This past week I had to let go of a very dear friend, one I've had for nearly 18 years. She and I had experienced many joyous moments and also some not so joyous ones. Some days we were really close and talked almost every day and then there were times when we didn't speak for long periods of time not because of ill feelings but because life took us down different paths. This last year had been a year of plenty for us in that we were able to spend more time together and talk often. We still shared the good and the hard times together, prayed together and for one another and sometimes had to give each other a "come to Jesus" talking. You know what those talks are like. That's what a true friend does, they don't always tell you the good things, sometimes they have to tell you the really rotten things about yourself.
When I received the call almost two weeks ago that my friend was gone, my first thought was God how could this happen. My heart was broken, sadness filled me and I simply sobbed in knowing I'd never hear her voice telling me good news or telling me the bad. How odd it was that when I heard of her passing she was one of the first I wanted to call to tell the bad news too...but of course I couldn't. I knew that she would cry with me and when I saw her next she would give me one of the biggest hugs and hold me til she felt I was ok to let go of. She was one of those people that just knew what to say and how to help a friend get through the bad. I guess she knew it was time to let go.
I've been very blessed in my life to have had her and many more friends that rejoice with me in the good and cry with me in the bad. But even beyond my wonderful group of friends, I have an even greater friend in Jesus. You see when I couldn't call my friend to share the horrible news, I still could call on Jesus. I trust Him with the good and the bad in my life. I've written before that life isn't about being fair but can be filled with tragedy and loss. The wonderful news is its also filled with happy times and new birth.
It's taken me some time to understand when people would say to rejoice at a death and mourn a birth, we as humans do pretty much the opposite don't we? We are so happy when someone gives life to a new precious baby and grieve tremendously when we lose the one that we love. But are we really losing them or just saying, "til we meet again"? I think it only natural to want to keep all those we love close in heart and in physical proximity, but how crowded would this world be and how empty would our eternal home be? I don't know about you, but I long for that eternal home where I will see my dear friend again along with my Jesus, my son, my mom and all my precious loved ones.
It's easy to accept the good and refuse the bad. It's easy to be thankful for the good and be angry about the trouble. It's easy to say Praise God in the quietness of life or in the joy-filled moments, but it's really hard sometimes to say Praise God when the storm is all around us...but Praise Him anyway. He is so worthy to be praised. He does give and take away and there is pain in the offering but no matter the size of the storm, we have much to rejoice in.
Til we meet again, Chelle... save a seat up close for me, k?
Blessings,
Heather
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Running, Proverbs 4:25-26
"Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm."
Some of you may be wondering why would she be talking about running on this blog, am I right? I must say when God began speaking to my heart and used the word running, that's exactly what I wanted to do...run the other way. I often joke with my friends that the only way I will ever run is to have someone chase me because I simply don't run. I would think after time I would realize that I should never say I won't do any one particular thing because often it ends up being the thing I do. No I'm not physically running (just yet) but I've been running most of my life.
The scripture reference I've used starts by saying "Let your eyes look straight ahead...", I don't know how many times that's exactly what I haven't done. I allow my "sight" to go anywhere but straight ahead and I panic. I begin to question, God why are you leading me down this path? This isn't possible, I can't do this or you've got the wrong person this time, sorry God. And what do I do.... I go running down a wrong path and lead myself right into a mess or feeling completely out of breath because I just wasted my energy running from what God has called me to do. More often than not, I end up turning around and taking the word to heart and begin to look straight ahead on the path God laid out before me. when will I ever learn? I'm hoping soon because as I wrote earlier, I don't like to run.
The last part of this scripture states, "...and take only ways that are firm." We have a strong foundation in Christ, all other grounds are but sinking sands. Have you ever tried to physically run on the loose sands of a beach or perhaps you've gone one challenge further and have tried to run or maybe just walk through sand dunes? It makes the journey quite a bit harder, doesn't it? I remember a trip I took many years ago to some dunes in Colorado. It was windy, the dunes were pretty high and the sands were HOT. I thought it would be easier to get through them if I took my shoes off as my shoes kept sinking but as soon as I took my shoes off I realized that the sands were going to burn my feet. It was not a fun time, the dunes were beautiful against the clear brilliant blue sky but I felt stuck as I had journeyed just far enough that it was going to be a difficult path to take in any direction. How many of us have done just that, started down that path running, jogging, walking towards the destination God has called us to only to find that we get bogged down in the middle of it, sinking in our lack of faith and trust that He will see us through. The journey isn't always the easiest but if we stay on Christ's firm foundation we will finish the race to hear well done good and faithful servant. I know that's my goal at the end of this life, to hear my Savior tell me those words.
I can imagine my Jesus opening his arms, the sun shining brightly around him as he begins to run towards me and I towards him in that last few moments of the race and feeling His embrace and Him telling me you ran a good race child, welcome home.
What are you doing today? Are you running a good race or are you running away trying to avoid some of the tougher roads? Are you keeping your gaze fixed directly in front of you, keeping the path level and staying on firm ground or are you getting lost in all the sparkle and glitter of the world around you that wants to draw you into the sinking sands of the dunes?
"Turn your eyes toward Jesus, look full in his wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace."
Blessings,
Heather
Some of you may be wondering why would she be talking about running on this blog, am I right? I must say when God began speaking to my heart and used the word running, that's exactly what I wanted to do...run the other way. I often joke with my friends that the only way I will ever run is to have someone chase me because I simply don't run. I would think after time I would realize that I should never say I won't do any one particular thing because often it ends up being the thing I do. No I'm not physically running (just yet) but I've been running most of my life.
The scripture reference I've used starts by saying "Let your eyes look straight ahead...", I don't know how many times that's exactly what I haven't done. I allow my "sight" to go anywhere but straight ahead and I panic. I begin to question, God why are you leading me down this path? This isn't possible, I can't do this or you've got the wrong person this time, sorry God. And what do I do.... I go running down a wrong path and lead myself right into a mess or feeling completely out of breath because I just wasted my energy running from what God has called me to do. More often than not, I end up turning around and taking the word to heart and begin to look straight ahead on the path God laid out before me. when will I ever learn? I'm hoping soon because as I wrote earlier, I don't like to run.
The last part of this scripture states, "...and take only ways that are firm." We have a strong foundation in Christ, all other grounds are but sinking sands. Have you ever tried to physically run on the loose sands of a beach or perhaps you've gone one challenge further and have tried to run or maybe just walk through sand dunes? It makes the journey quite a bit harder, doesn't it? I remember a trip I took many years ago to some dunes in Colorado. It was windy, the dunes were pretty high and the sands were HOT. I thought it would be easier to get through them if I took my shoes off as my shoes kept sinking but as soon as I took my shoes off I realized that the sands were going to burn my feet. It was not a fun time, the dunes were beautiful against the clear brilliant blue sky but I felt stuck as I had journeyed just far enough that it was going to be a difficult path to take in any direction. How many of us have done just that, started down that path running, jogging, walking towards the destination God has called us to only to find that we get bogged down in the middle of it, sinking in our lack of faith and trust that He will see us through. The journey isn't always the easiest but if we stay on Christ's firm foundation we will finish the race to hear well done good and faithful servant. I know that's my goal at the end of this life, to hear my Savior tell me those words.
I can imagine my Jesus opening his arms, the sun shining brightly around him as he begins to run towards me and I towards him in that last few moments of the race and feeling His embrace and Him telling me you ran a good race child, welcome home.
What are you doing today? Are you running a good race or are you running away trying to avoid some of the tougher roads? Are you keeping your gaze fixed directly in front of you, keeping the path level and staying on firm ground or are you getting lost in all the sparkle and glitter of the world around you that wants to draw you into the sinking sands of the dunes?
"Turn your eyes toward Jesus, look full in his wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace."
Blessings,
Heather
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Guidance, Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
This weekend I attended a seminar that was titled "A 40 Day Walk in Faith". It was an amazing time in the Lord, he revealed things to me that I need to adjust in my walk in faith in him. I have to confess, though, that it wasn't the first time I'd heard thess things but perhaps the first time I've been willing to listen to what he was speaking to my heart. We were encouraged during the consecration part of the seminar to share with the pastor the thing(s) God was revealing to us that we needed to turn over to him. It wasn't something we had to share and it's not something we've been instructed to share further but in all things I believe we need accountability.
God was speaking to me to let go of my judgement and decision making. Some of you reading this right now may think those as a bit odd as we should have sound judgement and make the right decisions. Maybe that's one of the reasons God laid those on my heart, my judgement and decisions are often what I decide is best and not what he decides is best. I have a tendency to either fall behind in what God is asking me to do or I run ahead thinking that I already know what He's planning. Everything that we do is in God's timing, He will guide us if we just wait and be patient in ALL things.
A dear friend of mine had the word guidance on her license plate (slightly altered to allow it to fit). She shared with me shortly after making the decision to have the vanity plate that it meant, G-U-I-D-A-N-C-E, God... You and I Dance. If you've ever taken dance lessons you know that you have a partner and one of you takes the lead. If you don't follow the lead you often end up looking like a hot mess and stepping all over one another. When we don't allow God to lead our dance, our steps in life, we show our lack of faith that He's got the floor, he's got our life.
God has to often break things down to me in a way that I can visually see. I've read and seen the images of Footprints, I imagine many of you have seen or read it as well. It talks about walking and seeing only one set of footprints and then realizing that you weren't walking alone but that God was carrying you. That was always comforting but God took that a bit further for me. There are times that I have needed my Heavenly Papa to carry me, but moreso I have needed simply to walk into his footprints that he's left to guide me on the straight path. Have you ever walked along the beach and found a set of footprints and placed your foot inside it and walked along for a while? That's how I see those footprints for my life. God has already been to my tomorrow, He's already seen what lies ahead and has planned and arranged my steps. I simply have to tune into him through prayer and his word and begin to set my foot inside the footprints that he has laid out before me, trust in his word that he has a plan and hope for my future. Those steps may not always be easy, the tidal waves of life may come crashing down all around me, but even then, if I simply stand in my Daddy's footprints, He'll hold me up.
Some days we are simply to stand still and allow the waters to wash around our feet, just listening to the sound of the winds blowing across the waters of our soul and some days we need to place one foot in front of the other and follow the path laid before us.
Is God guiding you to stand still or is he telling you its time to begin walking in the steps he's prepared for you?
Blessings,
Heather
This weekend I attended a seminar that was titled "A 40 Day Walk in Faith". It was an amazing time in the Lord, he revealed things to me that I need to adjust in my walk in faith in him. I have to confess, though, that it wasn't the first time I'd heard thess things but perhaps the first time I've been willing to listen to what he was speaking to my heart. We were encouraged during the consecration part of the seminar to share with the pastor the thing(s) God was revealing to us that we needed to turn over to him. It wasn't something we had to share and it's not something we've been instructed to share further but in all things I believe we need accountability.
God was speaking to me to let go of my judgement and decision making. Some of you reading this right now may think those as a bit odd as we should have sound judgement and make the right decisions. Maybe that's one of the reasons God laid those on my heart, my judgement and decisions are often what I decide is best and not what he decides is best. I have a tendency to either fall behind in what God is asking me to do or I run ahead thinking that I already know what He's planning. Everything that we do is in God's timing, He will guide us if we just wait and be patient in ALL things.
A dear friend of mine had the word guidance on her license plate (slightly altered to allow it to fit). She shared with me shortly after making the decision to have the vanity plate that it meant, G-U-I-D-A-N-C-E, God... You and I Dance. If you've ever taken dance lessons you know that you have a partner and one of you takes the lead. If you don't follow the lead you often end up looking like a hot mess and stepping all over one another. When we don't allow God to lead our dance, our steps in life, we show our lack of faith that He's got the floor, he's got our life.
God has to often break things down to me in a way that I can visually see. I've read and seen the images of Footprints, I imagine many of you have seen or read it as well. It talks about walking and seeing only one set of footprints and then realizing that you weren't walking alone but that God was carrying you. That was always comforting but God took that a bit further for me. There are times that I have needed my Heavenly Papa to carry me, but moreso I have needed simply to walk into his footprints that he's left to guide me on the straight path. Have you ever walked along the beach and found a set of footprints and placed your foot inside it and walked along for a while? That's how I see those footprints for my life. God has already been to my tomorrow, He's already seen what lies ahead and has planned and arranged my steps. I simply have to tune into him through prayer and his word and begin to set my foot inside the footprints that he has laid out before me, trust in his word that he has a plan and hope for my future. Those steps may not always be easy, the tidal waves of life may come crashing down all around me, but even then, if I simply stand in my Daddy's footprints, He'll hold me up.
Some days we are simply to stand still and allow the waters to wash around our feet, just listening to the sound of the winds blowing across the waters of our soul and some days we need to place one foot in front of the other and follow the path laid before us.
Is God guiding you to stand still or is he telling you its time to begin walking in the steps he's prepared for you?
Blessings,
Heather
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Never Walk Alone
Hebrews 13:5 “...Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Matthew 28:20 "...And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Today a word pricked my ear, a single word that can make some people feel all hope is gone, a single word that sometimes will make a person do things or say things that normally they would never do or say. Sometimes a word that never showed much value or merit in your life can all of a sudden be THE word that describes you completely and yet at the same time make you feel so incomplete. The word I'm writing of is, alone. I think for all of us at some point in our life we've felt this word and it's meaning. When I find myself longing to just be "left alone", I realize in that split second how impossible that would be... my God never leaves me, He is with me always. Don't get me wrong, I cherish quiet moments. Those moments of my life where I have just that small bit of time to take in a deep breath and feel no one around. There are many people that feel they don't get enough of these small moments and yet there are still far more that feel that they have too many of these moments of feeling alone. One moment after the other, unable to feel the warmth from another person or the voice of someone acknowledging them for who they are and the purpose they have in this life.
The word tells us that we are never alone. Even in our darkest moments, when we feel that we don't have a soul in this world that cares about our well being or what's going on in our lives we do have someone, THE ONE, walking along side us and speaking life into into us. When we feel the world has left us, that all that remains is dispair and hopelessness...remember that your Heavenly Father has a plan and purpose for your life. Your life is not your own to take for granted, you were designed, you were born with a purpose that only you can fulfill. You do not walk this journey alone, we have a maker that cares enough, that loves enough, whose grace is enough to see us through to the next moment. Reach out to Him, take Him by the hand and hold on. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9N7dhmdC60&feature=related
Are you feeling alone? Do you look around you and see someone else sinking in depression and feeling no one cares or that no one is listening? Be that someone. Be someone that God can use in a mighty way to fend off that single word, alone, for someone else. You may just find that you aren't as alone as you thought you were.
Blessings,
Heather
Matthew 28:20 "...And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Today a word pricked my ear, a single word that can make some people feel all hope is gone, a single word that sometimes will make a person do things or say things that normally they would never do or say. Sometimes a word that never showed much value or merit in your life can all of a sudden be THE word that describes you completely and yet at the same time make you feel so incomplete. The word I'm writing of is, alone. I think for all of us at some point in our life we've felt this word and it's meaning. When I find myself longing to just be "left alone", I realize in that split second how impossible that would be... my God never leaves me, He is with me always. Don't get me wrong, I cherish quiet moments. Those moments of my life where I have just that small bit of time to take in a deep breath and feel no one around. There are many people that feel they don't get enough of these small moments and yet there are still far more that feel that they have too many of these moments of feeling alone. One moment after the other, unable to feel the warmth from another person or the voice of someone acknowledging them for who they are and the purpose they have in this life.
The word tells us that we are never alone. Even in our darkest moments, when we feel that we don't have a soul in this world that cares about our well being or what's going on in our lives we do have someone, THE ONE, walking along side us and speaking life into into us. When we feel the world has left us, that all that remains is dispair and hopelessness...remember that your Heavenly Father has a plan and purpose for your life. Your life is not your own to take for granted, you were designed, you were born with a purpose that only you can fulfill. You do not walk this journey alone, we have a maker that cares enough, that loves enough, whose grace is enough to see us through to the next moment. Reach out to Him, take Him by the hand and hold on. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9N7dhmdC60&feature=related
Are you feeling alone? Do you look around you and see someone else sinking in depression and feeling no one cares or that no one is listening? Be that someone. Be someone that God can use in a mighty way to fend off that single word, alone, for someone else. You may just find that you aren't as alone as you thought you were.
Blessings,
Heather
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