Inspiration

Sometimes we have these REALLY good days… everything is going along well, things work out the way they’re supposed to, and all is fine with the world! But that is not a typical day, is it?

On most days we feel stressed, tired, frustrated, weak, overwhelmed, helpless, stretched… If you’re going through such a day today, I’d buy you a cup of coffee (or an ice cream)… I’d hold your hand, look into your eyes and tell you this…

You’re gonna be OK.

Take a deep breath. I know you feel suffocated, you feel like you’re drowning. But you’re not. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. It’s gonna be OK. It’s not the end of the world. YOU are gonna be OK.

God’s got this.

Open your eyes, sweetheart. Don’t you see? He’s got you engraved on His palm. He knows what you’re going through. He hears your cry. He sees your aching heart. You are the apple of His eye. How can He not take care of you? You feel it’s out of your control, but it’s not out of His.

You’ll get through today.

Maybe the tears won’t stop. Perhaps the pain won’t dull. But you’ll get through this. Jesus will lead you through this. Even if you don’t feel His hand holding yours, even if you don’t feel His embrace… He is there, and He’ll get you through today – one minute at a time.

You’ll feel better tomorrow.

You need a good night’s rest, or at least a nap. Your red-rimmed eyes need to close a while. You will feel better tomorrow. His mercies are brand new every day. His mercy will help you see tomorrow in a better light.

It won’t always be this way.

You think this pain will never end, this ache in your heart will never leave. It might not completely, but it will dull. It will subside with time. You won’t feel this way one year from today, one month from today, one week from today. Things will work out for you and you will have a better tomorrow.

In Christ you have hope. Don’t give up yet.

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Last year, I chose the word “Persevere” and selected 3 areas I wanted to persevere in: Prayer, Fitness & Home Management. Well, I totally bombed on all 3 fronts… but I did persevere through a lot of other trials that came my way. A new job and additional ministry responsibilities left me disoriented at times. But God gave me the strength to persevere, and the grace to end 2013 on a good note.

If I had to describe 2013 in one word, it would be “Full“! It’s no wonder that when it was time to brainstorm a word for the new year, words that appealed to me were: simple, slow, unhurried… you get the drift :).

And then I came across a blog post written about how a simple life may not be exactly be what God has in mind for us. It was written in the context of Christmas, but of course, the same principle applied to life in general.

Quoting Courtney of Women Living Well:

Is your calendar full from striving, serving or sacrifice? If it’s from striving – stop… But if it’s from serving and sacrifice – may God bless you.

One look at my work plans and our church calendar confirmed what I was already afraid of… 2014 was going to be another full year. But it would be full of serving and sacrifice – and that’s what God has called me to this year.

So, I then began a quest for a new word for the new year. One morning earlier this month, as I was completing my Good Morning Girls Advent Bible Study, {I was only about 10 days late! 🙂 } this verse stood out from my journal:

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)

…and I just knew it! I might face some mighty storms this year – a hectic schedule, numerous events, tight deadlines… but God has promised me one thing: His Peace.

And I cling on to His word, as a lifeline to take me through a year that I hope is not as tumultuous as the last. For He has promised:

“For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed;
but my kindness shall not depart from thee,
neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed,
saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.”
(Isaiah 54:10, Emphasis mine)

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I know, I know! This post is a week overdue… but I just had to share it sometime! 🙂

The last week of December 2013 was a good one. I had the week off work, and we were spending it away from home. It was a week filled with loud music, Christmas lights, an abundance of food, wedding festivities, meeting extended family, long journeys, the passing of a loved one…

We were back home on 31st morning so we could ring in the new year with our church family. I was so glad that the first words out of my mouth this year were praises to the Lord!

So, anyway… I spent a lot of time in God’s presence during the last week of December. Journal in hand, I spent my mornings talking to God and listening to Him while the rest of the family slept in. {Precious moments!}

I started writing down everything I was thankful to God for in the year 2013. It was a blissful time of looking back and being grateful for things such as:

1. Our family’s health
2. My husband’s ministry
3. My ministry
4. The kids’ education
5. My work at Clothed In Scarlet
6. Our finances
7. Books I’ve read
8. The strength to persevere
9. Fellowship with friends
10. Six years of being a wife and mother

… and a whole lot more I didn’t jot down. Sure there were tons of things that didn’t work out as I’d planned last year. Not everything was good, but I’m so glad our God has promised to work everything out for good!

As I sat recounting my blessings, I realized that it was my perspective that mattered. I could choose to be thankful for the good and the bad – and the bad might work out for good anyway!

I do not know how 2013 was for you. It might have been a great year… but perhaps it could have been better. No matter what you went through last year, it’s time to start afresh now… but not without the hope you have in Jesus.

It might be a smooth road ahead, it might be a rocky one… but be encouraged that God is with you. He has walked with you into 2014, and He will lead you right through it. Walk on in faith!

I pray 2014 is your best year yet!

Have a blessed year!

Let’s seek Christ, not just this season, but every day of our lives. If you need a bit of musical inspiration, I encourage you to listen to the song, How Many Kings?

Here’s wishing you a blessed Christmas as you remember the love, joy, peace and hope you have in Christ!

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At times, we go through phases in life where we see only darkness all around us.

The kids are sick.

Work piles up.

The house is a mess.

You’re on an emotional roller-coaster. You don’t have time to do what you really want to do… you’re just surviving on a day to day basis.

Can you relate?

Not too long ago, I went through such a phase. I really wanted to give in, give up and have a good cry. {Well, perhaps I did have a good cry ;)}

I came across a song during that period, which God used to speak to my weary heart. It truly encouraged me and pushed me on at a time when I felt I couldn’t take another step further. I realized that when darkness is pressing in all around, I do have a choice…

Do I let it engulf me, or do I push back the dark?

It’s definitely easier to give in to feelings of discouragement and despair. But we have a God who’s on our side, who’s willing to fight on our behalf. And with Him, we can conquer the darkness that threatens to overwhelm us.

Today, if you’re going through a dark phase in your life, I pray this song ministers to you as well.

If you can’t view the video below, click here.

Lyrics:

One million reasons why, you shouldn’t even try.
After all you’re just one heart, a single candle in the dark.
And there are shadows here, feeding on your fears,
That you don’t have what it takes – who are you to make a change?

But oh, oh, don’t underestimate the God you follow.

Whatever you do, just don’t look back.
Oh somebody needs the light you have.
Whatever you do, just don’t lose heart.
Keep on pushing back the dark,
Keep on pushing back the dark.

The city on a hill, it should be shining still.
Every sinner saved by grace, has a purpose, has a place
Inside the bigger plan, we might not understand.
But if we just keep walking on, we will see the Kingdom come, yeah.

Whatever you do, just don’t look back.
Oh somebody needs the light you have.
Whatever you do, just don’t lose heart.
Keep on pushing back the dark,
Keep on pushing back the dark.

(Let your lights all shine…)
Oh, oh, don’t underestimate the God you follow.
He is the light that burns inside your soul,
So keep on shining ’til the whole world knows.

Whatever you do, just don’t look back.
Oh somebody needs the light you have.
Whatever you do, just don’t lose heart.
Keep on pushing back the dark,
Just keep on pushing back the dark, dark.

Whatever you do, just don’t look back.
Cause somebody needs the light you have.
Whatever you do, just don’t lose heart.
Keep on pushing back the dark,
Keep on pushing back the dark, yeah

(Let your lights all shine)
When you feel like you’re too small
(Let your lights all shine)
To do any good at all
(Let your lights all shine)
Like a sunrise through the window
(Let your lights all shine)
Like a symphony crescendo
(Let your lights all shine)
We are waking up again, we are rising from the dead
(Let your lights all shine)
We are shining like the stars, we are pushing back the dark
(Let your lights all shine)
Yeah, we are pushing back, pushing back the dark
(Let your lights all shine)
We are pushing back, we are pushing back, pushing back the dark
(Let your lights all shine)
Just pushing back, we are pushing back, pushing back the dark
(Let your lights all shine)

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Everything around us has a purpose.  For example, a fan rotates to circulate air and keep the room cool.  But imagine a fan that keeps rotating, but has no idea why… That’s how I feel at times.

I wake up, grab a coffee, have some quite time, get the kids ready, cook, clean, work, teach, rest, rinse, repeat… day in and day out.  And sometimes, the rush of everyday life makes me forget what I’m actually here on earth for.

When I was 17, I thought I knew my purpose in life.  I remember the cute phrase I’d framed to sum it up.  I wanted to become “a loving, lovable person”.  🙂 Silly, I know!  Well, I soon learnt that this was an unrealistic purpose.  Even if I did try, I would burn myself out and end up becoming a people-pleaser.

Sometime last year, I thought my life’s purpose was to leave a lasting legacy.  But over the past month, God has been refining that purpose, expanding my vision and teaching me to build up on that base.

So what exactly am I here on earth for?  To glorify God in all I do.

…whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

…so that in everything God will be glorified through Jesus Christ… (1 Peter 4:11)

I wish I could make a list of all we can do to glorify God in our day-to-day lives, I really do.  But the fact is that glorifying God cannot be reduced to a to-do list.  It is a lifestyle that will probably take a lifetime to get right.

“Glory is the evidence of God…” (Chapter 14, Anything)

When I do something, is it evidence of God’s presence in my life?  In everything I speak, write, do, am… as a wife, mother, friend, stranger…  is there proof that I’m in an eternal relationship with a God who gave it all up for me?

I believe this is our primary purpose, in this world and the next – to glorify God.  Do we choose to accept it?  Live it?

P.S. – I resist the urge to save this post in the drafts and go on with my life.  I resist the urge to edit it, make it more meaningful and tie it up with a pretty bow.  Because if I do, I might just shelve this post and not share it with you.  These are just lessons I’m learning – published raw and unedited.  Please pardon the rough edges.

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I first heard this song when a dear friend sang it to me more than a decade ago.  It is all still fresh in my mind – her soft voice, the guitar chords, the tears rolling down my cheeks…

At a time when a lot of people I know are grappling with the question, “Why?”… this song is a reminder that Jesus knows.

Jesus feels the ache in your heart,
He hears your silent cry.
Whatever it is you’re going through,
He’s right there… beside you.

…for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

If you can’t view the video below, click here.

Lyrics:

The pain some people bear no one would believe;
The hurt that’s sometimes there makes it hard to see
That in the darkest hour there is still a way;
Listen to these simple words I say;

Jesus knows your hurt, Jesus feels your pain;
Jesus knows just how you feel, ’cause He’s felt just the same;
Jesus knows your need better than you do;
Just hold on to Jesus, He’s holding on to you!

Sometimes you feel alone, does He really care?
Has He left you all alone, and does He hear your prayer?
Well, He has never left you or forsaken you one day;
Listen to these simple words I say;

Jesus knows your hurt, Jesus feels your pain;
Jesus knows just how you feel, ’cause He’s felt just the same;
Jesus knows your need better than you do;
Just hold on to Jesus, He’s holding on to you!

Just hold on to Jesus, He’s holding on to you!

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If you’ve got a few minutes more, check out A Thousand Things.  It is another song that reminds us that God sees the big picture and it will all fit together in the end.

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