Negativity Can Be Met and Changed

Do you notice a problem? Have you ever felt irritated? Of course. Yes, we all get irritated, out of sorts, or even angry. I’m not one who gets angry very often, but I do get frustrated or in a bad mood. Although, today I am less perturbed than I used to be. I like to think that I have grown over the past few years. But if I am not careful, I slide back into that hole. Every day I have to keep after it, and I mean that.

We are either going forward or backward. We never stay the same. It helps to take stock of what we say and do. If you start the day off with a prayer…you are on your way to having a better than good day. You are bringing God close. You are thinking on Him. About Him. For Him. If your prayer keeps God close as in a conversational tone, you can really tell He is close, interested, and available. You can even ask Him to show you that He is with you.

It’s not that we aren’t supposed to have problems, that’s just not the case. But He is close, willing and able to help us with the problems. He is there waiting for us to call upon Him. We sometimes have to call upon Him many times, and that’s okay. Other times, He is ready to jump in. God waits for us to call upon Him. The relationship keeps going deeper and deeper. It is really quite beautiful when you think about it. He wants us to become compatible with Himself.

My journey with God is becoming a stronger faith walk. As I grow, I trust more; as I trust more I am showing God that I am stronger than I used to be…and that’s good. In fact, that’s great!

There are times when we get stuck in a rut. We can’t seem to get out of the rut though we try. During those times we must be patient. God is teaching us to wait, rest, and trust: Wait till He is willing to move us: Rest until the time is right (you’re active while you wait and rest): Trust Him through the ups and downs. You will find that the Lord has taught you during your time of waiting, resting, and trusting. It will amaze you what you have learned during this time.

Almost two years ago I found myself struggling to get my life going in a basic way forward. I knew how but I couldn’t seem to move forward with any traction. It seemed as if I was stuck in one place for a few months. I got discouraged. I didn’t complain to others but I assumed they could tell. I was ready to quit my blog for I didn’t have much to say. The truth is, God has me delving into a different direction. He wants me to learn a few new things. He has some things He want to show me. It is amazing the direction He is leading me. It is all new. I’m learning new things and that is good, very good. Later on I will share what he is teaching me, but not now.

Maybe you are learning a few things. I’d love to hear your thoughts. God has kept me quiet for two and a half years for a reason. He wants me to listen. He wants me to think about the things He is showing me. He wants me to get rid of some things, too. God wants to teach us. He is always making us new, brand new.

Praise Him for this.

When a Somber Day Turned Great

Oh, I remember it well . . . .

My husband had left me. . . My work was not enough. . . I didn’t know what to do. . . I gave up as I sat there on the couch and lit a candle. I thought back on all the hard times and rough times and empty times. They had never been enough. Never had someone tried as hard as I did, but it was not enough.

My mate didn’t want me. Never had wanted me. I had eked out a living in spite of all the negative’s. Lord knows I tried. He was gone, and I was alone. The kids were grieving, I couldn’t blame them. Even my youngest tried to make sense of it. She asked her sister (who was a senior) and then she asked me. I tried but I couldn’t help her.

I sat on the couch. I brought some candles and sat them on the piano bench which I had drawn near me. It was a Saturday. I spent my Saturday mornings in the Word, praying, thinking, writing, and moping. I was trying my best to get up and beyond the craziness of it all. After some time I went outside to walk in the orchard.

When I walked I sensed God’s being with me. I loved how he walked with me. The Lord touched me. He let me know He was with me. He met my need. He let me know He loved me even though I felt highly unlovable. I could see His cross and the sword piercing his side. I wept. The tears raced down my cheeks. I hurt because Christ hurt for me and everybody. I cried and cried. I let it all come out. My tears were small compared to the tears and pain he experienced long ago on the hill called Mount Calvary.

The tears came to a stop. I reached out to God and He reached back. Some how in that moment of suffering Christ came in and touched me: healing me, freeing me, helping me, and making me anew. How He did it, I do not know, I just know he did it. God freed me. God made me anew. My tears stopped flowing. I looked at the trees around me. I breathed deeply. And breathed again.

I was different. The pain that I had carried for 20 years was gone. I still hurt BUT the silent pain was gone, and I can say now, it was forever gone. Hard times were still in effect but I was different now. God met my need. He carried my cross. He helped me see that good times were ahead of me. I was still uncertain. I wasn’t sure if this was permanent. But it was. That was amazing. Praise be to God, my Father.

I was on a healing journey from that day on. I didn’t want to but I had to give up on my marriage. I simply had no choice. God taught me through it. God brought good out of it, too. I can see that now. Some things take a great deal of time to work through. In fact, some times you can’t see your way through the difficulty. God will be with you through the many major and minor steps you will make. What I want to say the most is this: Never Give Up. God is with you,