Tag Archives: gifts

Day 21: Forget

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“I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.” Psalm 143:

Day 21: Forget #writetogether31days

Remember Not to Forget

I don’t want to forget
You created all things
And surround us with beauty
Oh, the joy that it brings

I don’t want to forget
The stable, the star
The wisemen who traveled
To You from afar

I don’t want to forget
The miracles, Your Word
The lives that are changed
Because they have heard

I don’t want to forget
The whips, the thorn
All You endured
The veil that was torn

I don’t want to forget
That bloodstained tree
The sins that You bore
Because You love me

I don’t want to forget
Each day is a gift
To You alone
My praises I lift

I don’t want to forget
You’ve prepared us a place
And one glorious day
We’ll meet face to face!

“I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
Psalm 77:11-12

Share Four Somethings ~ March Gifts

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Time is funny. It seems Christmas was just yesterday and yet it also seems we celebrated it long ago.  So much has happened since then. And March? Goodness what a month! But here we are on the last day and as I’ve pondered on my Four Somethings, I realized something important! March has given me many good gifts:

Something Loved~Unexpected Gifts

“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” 1 Corinthians 13:7 (NLT)

In the midst of this unstable, uncertain, un-anything time, I’ve been trying to be aware of all the good things happening which wouldn’t have, except for the fact that “normal” life has come to a standstill. And guess what? I’ve found many wonderful things occurring in my family and in families across the country! One of the most special to me so far, is our first “Girls Zoom Meeting”. My mom, sisters, nieces, daughter-in-love, daughter, and I all joined together for a coffee chat that lasted over an hour.  Stories were told, lives updated, memories shared, and we laughed…..A LOT! I loved spending time with these women and it would have never taken place if everyone was immersed in their regular day to day lives. Unexpected gifts….what a blessing!

Something Read~Gift of Words

“Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction.” Proverbs 22:17 (NLT)

I read several blogs, but I have a couple that are my favorites.  I eagerly watch for each new post  on those, so I’m sure not to miss their wisdom. This past month, I’ve been especially inspired by the encouragement written by Julie Lefebure! She recently shared that she’s felt God leading her to offer hope to others this month through her writing. And has she followed His lead faithfully! Julie’s relatable, creative, faith-filled words are a gift to her reader! They truly have touched my life in a most positive way! You can find her at http://www.julielefebure.com

Something Treasured~Gift of Hope

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 (NIV)

In the process of building our new house I lost all my spring blooming plants, that is until NOW! Last summer as I was packing up and getting ready to head home after visiting my family, my sister came along and with a swing, she plopped a big (and I mean big) bag of daffodil bulbs into the back of my car. I asked her what I was to do with all those bulbs and she simply answered, “Plant them.” I thought it a little extreme at the time, but plant them I did. Fast forward to March. Green leaves began emerging from the ground, pushing their way up between the dried, crunchy leaves of winter.  Soon, stems with buds joined the new leaves. Before I knew it, sunshine bright, yellow blooms began opening up all around my yard. Am I ever grateful I have a sister who goes to the extreme for me!  I treasure each beautiful golden gift; gifts of hope, promise, and renewal.  Something I think we all need right about now!

Something Ahead~Gift of Life

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139: 13-14 (NIV)

March has given me many gifts; but the biggest, most wonderful one of all, is learning I’m going to be a MiMi to a third grandson in August!  Talk about something to look forward to! I can’t wait to see his little face and personality! The gift of life is so very precious and honestly, I think that’s what March has been trying to teach me all along!

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 (NIV)

What about you? As you look back over the month what gifts have you received? I’d love for you to share them in the comments! You can find others sharing their Four Something over at http://www.heathergerwing.com  And I always want you to know what a gift you are to me!  Thanks for joining me here today!

Big Buts

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“Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.” Psalm 86:11 (ESV)

Do you have a big but? (Sometimes I crack myself up!) Well, I do! Today, while praying during my devotions, I earnestly told God that I desired to be radically used by Him.  The words however, were not yet off my tongue before I felt a tightening in my chest and breath caught in my throat. Yep, there it was.  I knew it and God definitely knew it because it’s been in my prayers before.  

My BIG BUT…….

Wanting to be used by God, to hear his calling and answer, IS my sincere desire BUT:  I want to do it without leaving my comfort zone, sacrificing too much, or suffering in the process.  In other words, I want to do God’s work BUT do it MY way!  

Do you remember the “Parable of the Talents”?  (Matthew 25:14-30)  Jesus told his listeners a story about a man who gave his servants some of his money to take care of in his absence.  Two of the servants used the money they’d been given to make more for their master.  The last servant was afraid to take a risk…he had a “big but” if you will; and so, he buried the coins only to return what he’d been given.  I am afraid I’m an awful lot like that servant; offering a poor return on God’s investment.

God entrusts us with talents, time, money, and other gifts.  What we do with them is up to us. Will we use them to serve God or will we, ME, make excuses or let fear keep us from doing what He asks of us?  

So, what’s a gal with a BIG BUT to do? I don’t have it all figured out yet but here’s where I need to start:

“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.  May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on firm footing.” Psalm 143:10 (NIV) (emphasis mine)

Did you catch that? We’re not supposed to do it on our own! (You’d think I’d learn by now). It’s God’s instruction and guidance we need to depend on to make the task before us  attainable. It’s also important to be willing to put one foot in front of the other and “walk the walk” in our everyday lives to prepare us for all God calls us to do. I’m certainly not there yet and it won’t happen all at once, but I believe with prayer, practice, perseverance, and taking baby steps as I follow after God, my BIG but will shrink until it disappears from my prayers all together. I look forward to the time when it’s finally “behind” me! (Get it? behind? I did it again!) How about you? Is your BIG BUT getting in the way of doing all God calls you to do? I pray that this may be the first step for you AND me on our “but-free” journey to doing God’s will God’s way!     

 

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Wise Wednesday 10/19/16

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“One of the gifts of being a Christian, is being content where you are.” I was in a conversation this morning when I heard these words.  They weren’t spoken about me, but they sure spoke TO me! Loud. And. Clear. And, I have no doubt I was meant to hear them.

Content: “satisfied with what one is or has”  May I be honest with you?  I don’t know the last time I’ve felt content!  In my mind, there always seems to be something lacking: in my circumstances, my relationships, and myself! It hadn’t occurred to me, until now that is, that trying so hard to be a good Christian has caused me to miss out on a gift of being a Christian!

 Striving is second nature to me…..striving to always do better and be better. That’s good, right? I’ve been telling myself it’s not only good, but it’s necessary! Now I’m wondering, is it? Constantly attempting to improve, worrying when I don’t, and the negative words that I repeat in my head DON’T feel like rewards at all. 

It took another conversation for me to see that I’ve been depending on…..wait for it…..ME! I don’t want to admit it, but all that striving is really my attempt at pleasing God through my efforts, my works!  Whoa!  As much as I’d like to deny it, and believe me I tried, this striving girl has been struggling so hard I’ve ignored the Giver and the gift!

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV)

“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:8-9 (NIV)

What about you? Are you as ready as I am, to stop the striving? It isn’t going to be easy.  There’s a part of me that’s scared at the thought of not constantly monitoring my progress but there’s also a sense of relief that comes with the knowledge that in my weakness, God’s power is made perfect. So, I say it’s time! Let’s open the gift! First, untie the ribbons that bind us to our performance. Then, let’s unwrap ourselves from the belief that we have the strength to do anything on our own. And finally, let’s  open our hearts and know there’s true contentment found in the “presence” of God’s grace. 

P.S. Thank you to my mother-in-law for sharing her wise words and to my husband, whose patient guidance helps me in this journey of life.