Category: Life

A Hidden Purpose

Nothing is ever easy. I’m learning that more and more as I travel through life. And it gets quite depressing. But I’m also learning that even though nothing comes easily in life, the things that are important to me are worth the effort.

The past few days have been difficult. I’m not doing well on my medication…it’s causing my depression and anxiety to worsen, and I am much less stable. I had to ask my Mom to come up to visit me yesterday to help get me out of the rut that I was in. And she did, and it helped. But I have to wait until the end of March to see a new doctor who will hopefully help me get my medications back on track.

There have been other situations that have caused anxiety, as well. Finances, along with the duties of everyday life and taking care of a home (and not having the energy whatsoever to do so) have been discouraging. But I have tried to keep close to God…and I think that has been the only thing that has gotten me through.

It’s strange, though. Yesterday I was so angry at Him…I just didn’t understand why things were the way that they were. I took time to read the Bible and also a devotional, but I found myself yelling at God in my mind and throwing His promises back at Him, thinking, “This isn’t true in my life right now,” or “You promised this, but You didn’t follow through with it.” I must say, I still don’t know the answers to why certain things in my life are the way they are right now (mostly regarding my health), and maybe I never will. But one thing I DO know is that no matter how difficult things have gotten in the past, God has always carried me through. And I must have faith that He will do the same in this situation.

I’d like to share with you the devotional that I referred to. Yesterday I read it in anger, and today I re-read it in desperation. This time I found comfort in it–in Him. I hope that it is an encouragement to you.

I magnify You, O Lord, I exalt Your name, for You are great and highly to be praised. I praise You for the glorious splendor of Your majesty and the power of Your awe-inspiring acts. Your power is unlimited…absolute…beyond imagining. You are able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or dream of. “There is nothing too hard for You.” Who is like You, “majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders”?

O Lord Most High, You rule over the heavens and the earth, for You made all things by Your great power, and You keep them existing and working by Your mighty Word. You are exalted high above every star and galaxy in the entire cosmos…yet You are also “the God of all mankind,” the great, personally present, personally involved God who loves, rescues, and takes care of all who trust You. You exercise Your gracious authority over all nations – and over each individual in all the world. There is none like You, the true God, the living God, the everlasting King.

I praise You for Your sovereignty over the broad events of my life and over the details. With You, nothing is accidental, nothing is incidental, and no experience is wasted. You hold in Your own power my breath of life and all my destiny. And every trial that You allow to happen is a platform on which You reveal Yourself, showing Your love and power, both to me and to others looking on. Thank You that I can move into the future non-defensively, with hands outstretched to whatever lies ahead, for You hold the future and You will always be with me, even to my old age…and through all eternity.

~ 31 Days of Praise, by Ruth and Warren Myers

As I said, I don’t know all of the answers…but I know that I must keep going. And thankfully, I have the support of my God, my family, and my friends. There is some purpose in all of it…and I will see that purpose when the time is right – even if that means I must wait until heaven for it to be revealed.

Photo Credit: Lee Scott

The Joy Dare – A Gift On a Paper, In a Person, In a Picture

Things have been a little crazy around here lately, so I haven’t been able to share my daily gifts. This joy dare was from January 31st and I’m just now getting to it–but hey, I’m determined to get caught up, and it’s better late than never! 😉

  1. An Email from the Hubby – The other day my husband sent me a sweet email just to tell me how much he loves me. Now this is not technically “a gift on paper,” but I will most likely print it out for a wonderful keepsake. 🙂 These are the little things that mean so much to me, and totally make my day!
  2. A Time of Celebration with my Grandmother – This past Saturday we had a surprise birthday party for my grandmother. It was such a blessing! Things came together beautifully, and my grandmother really had a nice time. We had food and cake, played a mad-lib game, danced, and enjoyed each other’s company. But most of all, we were able to honor a very special woman who I am so proud to call my Mom Mom!
  3. A “Just Because” Bouquet of Flowers – My husband brought me a beautiful bouquet of roses the other day after he got done work. This meant very much to me! They just looked so amazing and smelled so good! Because I was incredibly blessed by this gesture, we decided to take some pictures to remember this gift. I am so grateful to have such a caring and thoughtful husband! ❤

P.S. Check out my my collage of pics above and let me know what you think! 😀

The Joy Dare – Three Old Things Seen New

Sometimes it’s difficult to change our perspective and to see “old things” through “new eyes.” But that was my dare for yesterday, and God provided three things that I needed to see in a new way!

  1. Perceiving “Small Stuff” for What it Is – I worry about little things. I don’t know why…maybe it’s a part of my perfectionism and OCD. But God showed me (and I’m sure that He will need to continue to show me) that He’s got them under control. If He has the BIG things in His hands – like the operation of the entire universe – I should think that He can take care of a few details in my life. As my wise Grandmom always tells me, “Don’t sweat the small stuff!”
  2. Starting with a Clean Slate – It was another one of those days where I poked my head outside in the early morning and was blessed to see the sunrise in the distance. It reminded me of how my old sins from the previous day had been completely washed away by my Savior. With the new morning came new mercies, and also a new opportunity to rely on God to obey Him.
  3. Being Re-Inspired by a Familiar Verse – 1 Peter 5:7 has always been a favorite Scripture of mine: “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (NKJV). But as I was reading a selection from 31 Days of Praise, I encountered a different version of the verse. It read: “You can throw the whole weight of your anxieties upon him, for you are his personal concern” (PHILLIPS). This just clicked with me. I could give the entire weight of my worries to God, because my well-being matters to Him. When someone or something is your personal concern, it means that everything that happens to that person or thing is important to you. So every single situation that concerns me concerns God – and I can trust Him with each one!

One’s destination is never a place but rather a new way of looking at things.

Henry Miller

Photo Credit: Bjorn Simon