Thank You for the Many Talents!

I installed these shelves (pictured on the right and left) in my pantry to add additional storage space.  It pleases me when I am able to stand back and admire my accomplishments. What I have been noticing lately......God has been showing me the talents He has given me, which I have taken for granted for years.  So, I'm feeling very grateful for every talent God has given me, the ability to organize, and the fact that He took the time to show me that I should be grateful in all things.  Thank you, Jesus!  

Dancing with God

Today has been very long.  It's part of the mourning process. Having lost Bill in May 2013, the days seem much longer, the nights drag on, yet I find myself staying up until midnight many nights.  Crazy!

People who have never lost a spouse don't understand what it is like. I'm at that point in my life when I really don't know where I fit in, yet I know God has plans for me.  He has work for me to do.  I know that joy comes soon!  It just takes time to work through the loss as I learn to live in solitude--just me and God.  Learning who I am is a journey, a good journey despite the times of sadness.  For the most part, I have good days.........just every now and then the sadness comes.

As I learn what life is like without a mate, I question many things.  I do my best to pray about things and to hear what God is telling me, but there are times when I am unsure and wonder if I heard right.  I'm so thankful for God's grace and His mercy.

As Paul Manwaring (Bethel Church, Redding, CA) said, it is better to make a decision and move on, rather than to never make a decision out of fear of being wrong.  He went on to say, "God is going to dance with you."  Even if it's not exactly the way God would have done it, He is proud of me.   God wants me to make decisions based on my trust in Him.  I have had to trust Him in so many areas of my life, He has been dancing with me every step of the way.

I often forget how much God loves me, but He keeps reminding me.  I am learning of His love as He shines His favor upon my life, as He woos me to show me just how much He cares, and as He talks to me through everyday circumstances.

So as I write, my spirit is lifted and a smile is upon my face, because I know how much Jesus cares for  me.  He will never leave nor forsake me.

So, my Jewel for you today..........trust God in whatever you are going through, whether you have lost a spouse, are in financial debt, need a breakthrough, etc. Join Jesus in the dance as he guides and leads you.

Blessing to you! Jesus Loves You!

Show Me Your Face by Don Potter

Change Is Good

November 15, 2014

Sometimes I wonder how people make it day in and day out without Jesus in their lives.   How do they cope?  I can't imagine what I would do without a relationship with Him.  I'm constantly talking to Jesus, sharing my problems, giving Him thanks, sharing the desires of my heart.  I  realize that I don't praise Him enough or thank Him enough---I am working on this!!! Today, Jesus seemed to give me several revelations about my life and what he has planned for me.  To be honest, it is going to take me out of my comfort zone.  Usually I call it being 'stretched' because coming out of that place where I feel comfortable is painful at times.  Especially when God is pulling and tugging on me to move me into the next level or to the place where He wants me to be.  

This photo reminds me of myself: 

Several years ago I prayed a very simple prayer, "Change me, Lord!"  I knew I might not enjoy the things I had to go through to be changed, but so be it. Otherwise, I would just remain at a place of comfort. Comfort sounds comfortable doesn't it?  So, why not just be comfortable?  Because God changes us through our life experiences, by asking us to be obedient, by asking us to step out in faith and trusting in Him.  

There have been many times when God requested I do something that I DID NOT want to do.  "Go pray over that man.  Apologize to your husband (who is now in heaven).  Go to Kenya for 2 months, etc." I will be perfectly honest, I am not always obedient, but I am a work in progress.  I've decided it is easier to be obedient than to deal with the conviction that comes afterwards due to disobedience.  

God is never a one-sided God.  If He asks me to do something, not only am I blessed but so is the other person.  When I apologized to my husband he was blessed because he knew I was sincere and genuinely sorry.  If I hadn't apologized, a seed of resentment, offense, or unforgiveness would have taken root.  I was blessed because I was forgiven, I no longer had to carry a weight of sorrow because of what I had said.  Plus, neither of us were angry any longer.  

So, my Jewel for today.......allow God to change you---quit fighting God or running from Him, work on obedience knowing that it blesses others and you as well!! 

Be blessed as God transforms you!