Good Morning! The past month has been full and I’ve just been doing TODAY! It’s been good, busy and hard, at times. The busy really wears me down. I’m just so over the busy life. Now, let me clarify what I mean by that….choosing to stay busy, for the sake of being busy and saying yes to things we were not meant to do.
If we live for God, seeking to be intentional, we are going to have full days. Some weeks our plates are very full! BUT….they are purposeful and He is is faithful to sustain us. Often God will fill up my days, but when He does it, it’s so meaningful! It may be exhausting in some ways, but it’s fulfilling. I’ve often heard that as we surrender our lives to God, we will have less free time. Our time is HIS and we only get to be here for the days He gives us. Let’s make it count.
Still, it seems that everything will happen at once and we can feel a bit overwhelmed at times. Why that happens, I don’t understand. But it’s a great opportunity to rely on God for strength and trust Him to refresh our weary souls. He always does! Even in the midst of crazy.
Just Do The Next Thing
Sitting down to pour out heart struggles, being transparent, and vulnerable is not easy for everyone. I get that. It’s not always easy for me either. However, God has put it in my heart that I am to write, share my story and my struggles….honestly. But the most important part, is that I am to share the Hope of Christ that enables us to face life challenges and overcome as we depend on Him for our help and strength. If we truly live for Christ, we are going to face suffering in this life. We are never promised easy. But based on what God’s word has to say about suffering, and the fact that even Jesus suffered, it’s part of life and it’s good for us. Sometimes we suffer because of our own sin and choices. Other times we suffer because of the sin and choices of other people. Both can be used in our lives to make us more like Jesus, if we surrender our will, admit our need and look to Him for the help we need.
Psa 145:13b…
The LORD always keeps his promises;
he is gracious in all he does.
Psa 145:14The LORD helps the fallen
and lifts those bent beneath their loads
Psa 145:15The eyes of all look to you in hope;
you give them their food as they need it.
Psa 145:16When you open your hand,
you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing
Psa 145:17The LORD is righteous in everything he does;
he is filled with kindness.
Psa 145:18The LORD is close to all who call on him,
yes, to all who call on him in truth.
You Can Do Hard Things…One Day at a Time
This blog is God’s, I want to be faithful and do what He says. And that is why in my weakness I write. It has become a way to worship. I know there are people out there struggling with some of the same issues I face and need to know they are not alone. God’s word says we are to encourage one other every day, and even more so as the Day draws near. We are built for community, to have relationships. Because God is a relational God. We need each other.
I have been open with you about my struggle to show up and write. I have fearful thoughts that fill my head.. “what do I have to say and why does it matter.” What grounds me is that God put this on my heart and I want to always say YES, Lord…..to whatever He wants me to do. Often those things are VERY out of my comfort zone. Well, actually, they are always out of my comfort zone. And that is hard, but necessary if we want to grow and obey God. It comes down to faith. Faith that God will enable us to do the things He calls us to do. Faith that He will provide a way when there seems to be no way. Faith that His strength will sustain us in our weakness. Faith that He helps us when we are in need. I guess the easy way to say it, is that we give up on self- reliance and we rely fully on God.
God’s Ways Are Not Our Ways
9But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. 10That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor. 12:9,10)
Recently, my son who is in college sent me this excerpt from the book, Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund.
“Contrary to what we expect to be the case, therefore, the deeper into weakness and suffering we go, the deeper Christ’s solidarity with us. As we go down into pain and anguish, we are descending ever deeper into Christ’s very heart, not away from it.”
God is TENDER with us in our weakness and suffering. That is what is amazing to me. When I feel like I least deserve His grace and goodness, He LAVISHES His love on me. That is why it’s called Amazing Grace. We are sinners and are broken people. We are! Some may struggle to believe that GOD is a TENDER FATHER who will meet you in your lowest places. If you are that person and you are reading this, I want you to know that trying to hold it all together and keep up the facade of perfection is exhausting and not authentic. It is much more freeing to admit who we are and where we are….broken and needy. Some of the most beautiful people I know are people who have walked through the fire. Life as they knew it, crumbled, and they came forth as pure gold. Beautiful examples of what God does through brokenness. He get’s the glory as pride and self-reliance are laid down, and the humility and love of Christ shines forth in our life.
In Christ You Have Everything You Need For TODAY
It’s good to be back. I hope to write a post on parenting from a place of fear. This has been something stirring in my heart for a few weeks now, I just need to get it written. I pray I can faithfully put into words what I’ve learned about fear, idols and taking God at His word. There is so much in my head and heart, pray for me as I try to put it into words.
Because I love and pray for those of you reading this. I’m ending with some probing questions…..because I think we need to ask each other these kinds of things. I’m looking into my own heart as I write. I don’t always like what I see. But I know we need to be still and listen to what God is revealing to us. The condition of our hearts matter.
Are there things in you life you are avoiding because they are too painful? Are you weary and struggling to believe?
Where do you feel stuck? What’s keeping you from taking the next step?
Do you need to forgive someone who has hurt you? Are you letting issues of pride, self-image, and reputation stand in the way of reconciling relationships and repentance in your relationship with God?
What are your deepest heart struggles? Most likely, we struggle with many of the same issues. It’s important to have someone trustworthy and mature in the faith that you can reveal your heart to. We cannot go forward without going backwards and dealing with the stuff that bogs us down.
Be still my friend, before the Lord and look to Him today! You are held.
5But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me. (Psalm 13:5 & 6 NIV)
Wherever we are today, let’s choose to praise and give thanks. Even in the hard, there are good things. God has been good to us, friend.
(My faithful editor, Chuck, has not read this one…because of my impatience and desire to submit! Finally…..one finished. I appreciate Chuck’s help with this blog and I could not do this without him. He is really such a great teammate.)
With Joy,
Monica
New Mercies Everyday 