Power and Easter

Call it random if you want, but here are some things to think about.......
So He gave me this picture yesterday....I loved watching my class hunt Easter Eggs this past week. They went out with such excitement and such anticipation of the treasures that awaited them. They collected what they could. Back in the room they eagerly tore into their eggs to see what each held. Some were excited about the prizes in theirs, some wanted what the others had, and some were just in awe of how much they had gained in just a few minutes. Some wanted the candy more than the prizes. Each day holds new things. Some are prizes that may be exciting to your eyes, and it may be appealing to others. Sometimes your day may only hold a starburst or two and someone else has found a egg full of chocolate. This journey is not an Easter Egg hunt, but some days we look at it as such. We look and search for the eggs full of treasures and would rather pass up the ones that don't seem as special to us. That's not the way He had planned for it to happen. Each day is yours for the taking and it holds something so special, the chance to make a difference. What you do with it is what will make the difference of what treasure is in yours.

Next thought:
Same picture of the Easter Egg hunt different though....So many times Christians are going through each day searching for some hidden treasure when the treasure lies within them. We get so excited about Easter and what it represents. It's an amazing time to reflect on what Christ did for us on the cross, what His sarcrifce truly means, and what amazing thing happened that third day. This thought slapped me upside the face  yesterday(and I needed to be reminded of it). That same power that raised Jesus on the third day is the same power we are walking around with each day. So in that aspect, why do we let things get to us the way we do(hello...that one hurt), why do we act as though we have the weight of the world on our shoulders, why do we even ask why? That power is ours for the taking each day, we don't have to go on a hunt for it and keeping looking for some golden egg.

One last one:
God started this thought a month or so ago and finished it yesterday while watching the drama Pierced at church. We've been talking about breaking free in Sunday School and one day God very plainly asked the question "Now where did you put that key at?".  He reminded me of that yesterday when Jesus took the keys away from Satan after rising from the grave. God has already given us the power we need to handle anything, it's up to use it. So if you are sitting there thinking, haven't I been on this mountain before? or I thought I already passed this test, or the famous not again? Look for where you put the keys to unlock those chains the first time, because if they are back, you are the one who locked them...

I'm not perfect, far from it. I fall down a lot still, but I'm learning how to get back up faster. I've got scars from some stops along this journey, some you can see, and others that are between God and me. I'm learning He has something greater in store, and the best really is still to come. I'm stronger than when I first started and I'm pretty sure I'm learning how to make Him smile( and maybe even laugh a little). I'm learning I like this me and it's okay if others don't.(trust me this is still hard to swallow sometimes). The journey is far from complete, but with each step I can see a little more of His reflection.

Still to come....

God's in the process of writing quite a few new devotionals/blogs. One is dealing with how things happen in life. We quote Romans 8:28 so many times that we give God credit for things that aren't His. The enemy is like a lion seeking who he may devour, so be careful with what he puts in your path. God promises He'll work everything to our good, but that's in His time. We may have to walk through a little first. God's not the one who puts 18 wheelers and backed up weigh stations in your path, but He does wrap His arm around you and keep you safe through the chaos and storm. Safe doesn't always mean you walk away without scars, but sometimes scars can serve a purpose. Look at those precious nail pierced hands and see how much love is in them. Sometimes He leaves scars to remind you of how much He loves you and how perfect His amazing plan is for your life! (That comes from one too many people lately trying to tell me just trust Him, God has a plan for your life...Yes thank you kind person I am fully aware God has a plan for my life and I have the scars to prove it!). We are all human and some days are easier than others, be patient with your friends, just because they are working through something doesn't mean they have fallen off the path. It may just mean He's told them to be quiet for awhile, or they just need some time to listen.

(I know this is sort of a random post, its a couple of devotionals in the process combined). More to come soon I promise! Until then, be encouraged...the path may be tough at times, but if you doing what you can do, God will take care of the rest.

Love this song!

This song has been a theme for the last week or so....Love it!

Falling and Seasons

I can be down right clumsy sometimes, but I've gotten better at catching myself before I fall. Last night I took my first Step class at the gym and my main goal was to not fall off, but I digress. This past winter when we had all of that snow and ice I found myself very clumsy. Let's just say, I landed on the ice more than once. As spring came along the risk of falling decreased and I got better at catching myself ;-) Sometimes its something little that can trip you up, cute shoes, a crack in the sidewalk, or just not paying attention and look out there is a step. Isn't it that way in life though? Certain seasons we find ourselves in have situations that make it easier to fall(like winter with the ice and snow). Some seasons its easier to keep walking on this journey, but we have to pay attention because those little things can trip us up(something someone said or didn't say, a day that just didn't go your way). There are going to be those days when we fall for one reason or another, but falling is not what is important. It's getting back up that matters. One of those winter "clumsy" moments I fell straight down, but got up so quick that everyone was amazed. Regardless of what made you fall, get back up and keep moving forward. You may still feel sore and you may not be walking as fast, but get up anyway. You'll get stronger as you move forward and eventually you'll be able to catch yourself before you fall.

Well...

Honestly, it's been a rough and slightly chaotic month already. It's the busiest and most stressful time at work and this year the stress has had a few added issues. I've learned stress only makes you physically feel yuck and I'm too young to feel that way, but anyway. Each day is a new day and grace is there for the taking. My flesh has been pushing through some things, and I've had to dig in my heels. I'm thankful for the writings that come though from all of these "times" because I would hate to think it was all in vain. I'm learning that scars along the way are part of this crazy journey, that God had greater things in store, and trust doesn't mean it will work out how you want, but He'll take care of you while you are in it! I'm still not where I need to be, but I'm on my way to that point. This journey is a process and the goal at the end of each day is to look more like Him.

It's gonna be worth it

To say the last 9 months have been a walk in the park would be a lie. I've learned though that the times when you feel your weakest are really when you are the strongest, because you've let Him take over. There is a peace in the middle of those struggles that only He can bring. There's something about His sweet whispers when you tell Him you're hurting and He says I'm healing. Would I love to speed some things up, why of course, just being honest :-). Some days of this journey are harder than others. His plans are higher than mine though and He knows exactly what He's doing. Faith truly is putting one foot in the front of the other even when you can't see where you are putting it at. It's about knowing that regardless of how you may FEEL, He has your back. This blog is not about the details of this 9 month journey, those will come soon for its a journey I'm still on. This blog is just to remind you...whatever the journey you may be on right now, it's gonna be worth it!

It's not morning yet

Exodus 14: 21 -22
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.

Read these verses this past week and a few words stood out......all that night
Moses didn't just stretch out his hand and immediately the waters rose up and they crossed over to the other side. It says that all that night the Lord drove the sea back. Moses knew what God had told him would happen when he stretched out his hand. Moses trusted God even though he wasn't sure exactly what would happen. If Moses hadn't stretched out his hand(like God told him to) would the same thing have happened? How many times does God tell us something, we do our part, but the answer still doesn't come exactly when we think it should? It may not be morning just yet. God always comes through right on time and in ways we could never imagine. I'm sure there are some Israelites who never thought they would be walking on dry land across Red Sea. God always does more than we expect Him too(not sure what that says about our expectations of God, but that's another blog). Pretty sure the Israelites couldn't see what was going on at night either, can you imagine thier reactions when morning came and they saw the waters.

You may be standing on one side of the sea and you know the enemy is coming fast behind you. You aren't sure how you are going to make it over to the other side to where it is safe, but you know what God has promised you. Do you part and let Him to do His. His timing is not ours and just because you can't see Him moving things out of your way, doesn't mean He's not working. It may just not be morning quite yet.