Embracing a New Day

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) ¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

Rose sat on the raised hearth of the fireplace in the predawn darkness sipping hot black coffee from a Styrofoam cup. The house was boxed up and ready for the movers.  But was she?

Rose and Charlie bought this house shortly after they were married 26 years ago. She worked hard to make it a safe and loving home for their family. Their two children, Matthew and Lydia grew up in this house.  It was the hub for holiday and family celebrations, the launching pad for school dances and sporting events and a place where the kids gathered after school.  It was a place of comfort and love, just the way she had planned it. 

It all changed ten months ago when Charlie died suddenly in a car accident. Since then she has been in a fog of disorientation and indecision. How could God take the love of her life from her? She was his little Rose and he was her rock and her soul mate!  They had built a beautiful life and Christian home together.  They had plans to move to a ranch, after the kids moved out and to grow old together with a farm of organic vegetables and exotic roses from all over the world.  In an instant, all her hopes and dreams were gone.  

She ached for her dear sweet Charlie wondering if she was making the right decision to sell the house.  She prayed about it for the last three months.  Five weeks ago, her good friend Carol, a real estate agent approached her about a beautiful ranch located 30 miles outside of town. If she sold this house, she would have enough equity to pay cash for the ranch and live out their dream. At first Rose resisted and wondered how she could possibly do this without Charlie!  

Matthew, Lydia and Carol finally convinced her that it is the right thing to do and that it was what Charlie would want her to do. To carry on with their plans.  She had an offer on the house within a week after it was listed.  Her dear sweet Lydia reminded her that when it is God’s plan, everything falls into place easily.   

Rose set the empty coffee cup down on the hearth and clasped her hands together and bowed her head to pray. 

Dear God,

I admit that I am afraid Father, but I am putting my total trust in you. Your plans may not be exactly what I had planned or hoped for, but I trust that you are guiding my path and that you know what is best for me.  Help me to adapt and embrace the changes and accept the direction and path you have set for me.  I know that you will walk with me and will not let me fall.  I am so grateful and blessed for my life and all that you have given to me. 

Amen. 

When Rose opened her eyes she could see the first light of dawn and glorious streams of light streaking across the sky through the early morning clouds.  Just then she saw the moving truck pull in rumbling up the driveway.   

She smiled looking up at the clouds and said, “Okay God, it is a new day and I am ready”. 

^{Joshua 1:9}  This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Corinthians 15:51 - ⁵¹ Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—

Letting go of the familiar and navigating through change can be very difficult, but also very rewarding if we can learn to trust God.  When we allow change in our life, letting go of the grip we open the door for God to help us grow and live the abundant life he has planned for us. When we resist change out of fear, we can become complacent and stuck in our routine. Without change, life cannot continue to exist and will eventually die as a vine without water.    

God is the creator of change. It is what nourishes us and allows us to grow in mind, body and spirit. The seasons change, the light changes to darkness and darkness to dawn.  Change is healthy and all around us.  Embrace it when God presents it and surrender to him even when it doesn’t feel good, as it is His way of moving you forward according to his plan.  He loves you and will never let you down.  

“God’s plan for your life, far exceeds the circumstances of your day”  Louis Giglio

Lonely Road of Faith

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  James 1:2-4

When I woke this morning, I lay quietly in my bed feeling tired and discouraged by seemingly impossible hurdles. Unable to make decisions and feeling sad, I lay wondering how I could possibly write a blog that would lift and inspire others. I prayed for guidance as I do everyday and a million thoughts swirled around me like rainbow of light, but I was still confused. So I poured a cup of coffee and sat down in front of the computer. After a few minutes, God led me to youtube.  Smile now. It is a sign of our times and I believe that God uses every vehicle possible to communicate with us.

I came across this lovely song called Lonely Road of Faith. The lyrics and the youtube link are listed below. It gave me the lift I needed and I hope it will do the same for you.

Indeed, throughout our lives we will walk that lonely road of faith. Our faith is tested and grows as we walk through each storm and trial in life. Life will never be perfect. There will always be difficulties.  It is how we choose to navigate the winds of change and the trials that is the mark of our faith as Christians.

We can choose to feel sad, angry, discouraged or we can choose to stand tall and walk through the storm knowing that we are never alone. God is with us guiding our path through the calm and stormy days alike. Just hold on, God won’t let you fall.

Have a blessed day and enjoy this beautiful song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSgTAJiWXvs

Lonely Road of Faith, Written by RJ Ritchie and performed by Kid Rock

Up and down that lonely road of faith
I have been there
Unprepared for the storms and the tides that rise
I've realized one thing, how much I love you
And it hurts to see, see you cryin'
I believe we can make it through the winds of change

God is great indeed
If you believe, in the everlife
Yeah we gotta
Make some sense of the pieces that we've found
And if you just hold on, I wont let ya fall
We can make it through the storms and the winds of change

Though I walk through the valley of darkness
I am not afraid
Cause I know I'm not alone

And if the wind blows east, would you follow me
And if the wind blows north, would ya stay your course
And if the wind blows west, would ya second guess
And if it blows to the south, would you count me out
And if the sun don't shine, would you still be mine
And if the sky turns grey, would you walk away
Would you say I do, if I say I'll be
And walk this road through life with me
You know I love youuuuuu

On this lonely road of faith
On this lonely road of faith

Lonely Road Of Faith lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

Keep Your Eyes On The Teacher

 Jesus Walks on the Sea 

Matthew 14:22-33 (NKJV)  

²² Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 

²³ And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 

²⁴ But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.

²⁵ Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 

²⁶ And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.

²⁷ But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

²⁸ And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

²⁹ So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 

³⁰ But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

³¹ And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” ³² And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

³³ Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

I love the humanness of this parable because it illustrates how even the disciples at one time were fragile in their faith. Jesus, our quintessential teacher used every opportunity to teach the disciples.  Today, Jesus continues to teach each of us through our circumstances and the people in our lives. Jesus never takes a day off.

We can learn great lessons and realize God’s plan for us if we keep our focus on Him and not allow ourselves to be distracted by the turbulence in our lives. So how do we keep our eyes on Jesus?

Pray continually.  When we pray we have a more acute awareness of God’s presence in our lives and it will help us to stay focused on Him rather than on all of the things in life that steal our joy. The best thing we can do when we feel overwhelmed and distracted by life, is to stop and pray and refocus our energy on Him.

Read His Word.  Even if we only spend 15-30 minutes each day reading scripture it can have a profound affect on our perspective and put us at peace as we go about the business of each day.

Surrender.  Surrendering all of our concerns to him is the ultimate form of trust. When we surrender, it means that we release ourselves from destructive thoughts and activities like worry, stress, anger, unforgiveness and insecurity.  It is in our best interest to let go of our grip on these things that over time can destroy us spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically. Not only is it toxic to us but eventually this destructive energy will take a toll on our relationships with others.

Keep Childlike Faith.  Never give up on your aspirations or on Him. God always keeps his promises. It just may take a little longer than we would like, but He is a faithful loving God and expects us to be the same. Childlike faith is the purest form of trust. It means standing before him with our eyes and arms wide open, accepting him at his word with no doubt or fear.

Hang with Other Christians.  There is nothing like community to bolster the spirit and fill us with love and confidence. We are not alone in our struggles and they are not unique to us. Holding hands with other Christians helps us to keep our flame of faith burning brightly.   

Hebrews 12:1  
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. 

As Christians, we are unstoppable.  Check out this YouTube video for a boost!   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5-Cqpa09zM