Blog

New Life out of Tragedy

Barriers, Choices, Connections, Freedom, Joy, Life, Loss
Published on

For the first time in my life, I feel like I belong in my family.

This unexpected thought came to my mind because of a tragedy in our family: the loss of my young cousin, Ashley, in Oregon. That day the temperature was 116 degrees, and it appears she succumbed to the intense heat.

Sorrow flowed through our hearts. As we wrestled with the reality of Ashley’s absence, God began to bring about changes in our family.

We craved to know how each of us was coping. More frequent communication and deeper expressions of love flowed between us. Since I live in Orlando, lengthy phone calls ensued and texts flew back and forth. I also expressed love for them through my cards and letters.

When I flew to Oregon to see them, we all gathered at Cary’s home. The sun was bright. Salmon and fresh-picked corn sizzled on Cary’s grill while we sat together in his beautiful backyard, surrounded by towering fir trees and summer dahlias. A beautifully-crafted waterfall produced a soothing sound as we engaged in easy conversation sprinkled with laughter. My heart soared.

The following week, I sat under the patio umbrella in Blair and Peggy’s backyard. We enjoyed a free-flowing conversation for several hours like three friends who were used to being together. A few days later, Justin and I met for lunch to share personal things that mattered to us. Justin’s text warmed my heart. “I had a great time catching up at lunch. I’m glad we were able to have that time together.”

The day before my flight back to Orlando, the unusual thought popped into my mind:  I feel like I belong in this family now. When I shared my feelings with Cary and Blair, they were puzzled. Both responded, “You’ve always been part of the family!”

That’s when I realized a deep change had taken place inside of me. When the others pulled me into their daily lives, I felt closer to them and more willing to express my feelings and emotions. In return, they became more open and honest with me.

Cary calls me once a week. Before I left town, Blair said, “Please keep calling me. I’m not good at initiating, but I enjoy talking to you.” Justin and I want to find a mutual time to talk together on Zoom.

This kind of closeness may already be a part of your family life; for us it’s a new era. God planned to bring new life out of our tragedy. Because of my personal experience, I understand in a deeper way why God gave us this instruction:

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.   1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)

“Family togetherness” is at the top of my thanksgiving list. What will you thank God for this month? Post your comment below.

A Matter of Time

Connections, Faith, Hope, Joy, Life
Published on
A pocket watch with roman numerals on a wooden table.

“God isn’t bound by time.”

Ron’s reminder cleared the confusion our group encountered during a recent Bible study. He added, “God knows and understands everything that has happened, everything that is happening, and everything that will happen. He is in control across all time and all space.”

God is not limited by days and nights like we are. With Him there is no beginning or end. He has always existed and always will.

The eternal God knew we couldn’t live in a timeless environment. When He created this world, He designed days and nights specifically for us.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
The earth was formless and empty. . . .
Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
And God saw that the light was good.
Then he separated the light from the darkness.
God called the light “day,” and the darkness “night.”
And evening passed and morning came, marking the first day.
                            Genesis 1:1-5 (NLT)

Sarah Young, author of the devotional book Jesus Calling, imagined God explaining time to us this way:

“I designed time to be a protection for you. You couldn’t bear
to see all of your life at once. Though I am unlimited by time,
it is in the present moment that I meet you. Refresh yourself
in My company, breathing deep draughts of My presence.”
(June 27, page 186.)

“I divided time into days and nights so that you would have
manageable portions of life to handle.”
(July 15, page 206.)

Isn’t this exactly what we need? Have you ever said to yourself, “I’m so glad this day is almost over; maybe tomorrow will be better.”

Or the darkness of the night prompted you to long for the light of day when you could find someone to help carry your burdens.

Perhaps your brain was on overload. You decided to stop for the day and tackle your project again tomorrow after a good night’s rest.

These simple examples symbolize hope. When a new day dawns, God promises to help us cope with whatever situation we face. God never sleeps and is constantly aware of what is happening in our personal world.

I want to tell you how my personal world crumbled last month. Our family experienced the tragic and unexpected death of my 29-year-old cousin, Ashley Marie. Shock and sorrow enveloped each one of us.

Ashley was here, and in the next moment she left this earth. We are still here on earth, and we know Ashley is in heaven with Jesus, her Savior. As each day passes, though, we feel the reality of her absence more deeply. God is helping us face our sorrow and trust Him for each tomorrow.

Everything that took place in the past, or is being experienced today, or will happen in the future is one complete picture in God’s mind and heart. Somehow knowing that brings me comfort and deepens my faith. God is not in heaven counting days, or months, or years. He already knows when I will be there in heaven instead of here on earth.

The following song by Janet Paschal helped me better understand “here and now” and “there and then.” Whenever I hear her sing this song, it lifts my heart and creates a picture of peace and hope. Perhaps her words will soften any sorrow you may be experiencing.

It’s Not About Now
by Janet Paschal

She watched as they carried her baby away
She heard all the words when there was nothing to say
How could she stay here when her heart had to go
And keep on believing when she just couldn't know

It's not about now, it's not about here
It's all about then when there's nothing to fear
It's all about there where the mystery's clear
When then will be now and there will be here

He watched as his future just went up in smoke
And wondered if hope was some kind of cruel joke
Had the work and the planning, the sweat and the tears
Brought only failure and a jumble of fears

It's not about now, it's not about here
It's all about then when there's nothing to fear
It's all about there where the mystery's clear
When then will be now and there will be here

They'd only had such a short little while
To love and to heal and to learn how to smile
It didn't seem fair when she had to let go
Let him slip from her arms when she needed him so

It's not about now, it's not about here
It's all about then when there's nothing to fear
It's all about there where the mystery's clear
When then will be now and there will be here

Songwriters: Gaither Gloria L / Wright Woodrow W|
It's Not About Now lyrics © Gaither Music Co.,
Would He Write Songs, Hanna Street Music

Our loving God sees the eternal and forever picture of our lives in heaven. He wants us to be there with Him to enjoy His presence and see our loved ones. He made a way for that to happen by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins.

And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life,
and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life;
whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.
I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.
                                 I John 5:11-13 (NLT)

If you’ve already asked Jesus to come into your heart, you know the peace and joy that comes from having a personal relationship with God. If you’ve not yet said “yes” to His invitation, you can do that today by saying a simple prayer of faith in your own words.

Accepting His promise of eternal life in heaven brings assurance that one day you will be with Him there. And when you’re there with God, it will seem as if no time has passed.

Unexpected Breakthrough

Choices, Connections, Freedom, Journey, Life
Published on
A bird is sitting on a tree trunk.

Sometimes breakthrough is a process. The woodpecker doesn’t stop to worry about what the other birds think about them, it just does what it is designed to do. ~ Sammy Robinson

When I read this quote in the blog of my friend, Elizabeth Horbelt,* the words reminded me of one of my breakthroughs during a writing conference in 2004. Because I cared so much what people thought of me, I had unconsciously built an invisible wall to protect myself from possible rejection. God was about to disclose the results of my decision.

On the first evening, the conference keynote speaker said, “Breakthrough to the next level comes only through brokenness.” He grabbed my attention immediately.

“Not your efforts, but brokenness, helps you get through to a new level,” the speaker continued. “God will hit where we have built walls that keep Him at a distance. We all build walls. Sometimes God shoots a customized arrow into our hearts to wake us up.”

While absorbing this declaration, I felt intense pain in my chest. With it came a sense that God had pierced my heart and said, “Your wall is keeping you at a distance from Me.”

The thought that I had hurt the heart of God became unbearable. I had no idea I’d built an emotional wall of protection around my heart.

As soon as the speaker finished, I hurried from the session to seek aloneness in my quiet hotel room. As I knelt and buried my head in my hands, tears seeped through my fingers.

“God, I didn’t know anything stood between You and me.”

He revealed I had constructed a wall out of my fear of what people would think about me. That wall had become my emotional protection. My wall also blocked me from absorbing the truth that God loves me, accepts me, protects me, and delights in me. I confessed my actions as sin against God. My sorrow lifted when I opened myself to receive His promised forgiveness.

During those moments of brokenness, the source of my fear became clear. I reached for my notebook to record my thoughts.

Soon I’d sketched the outline of a wall. In the empty boxes that formed the foundation, I added words that came to my mind: “childhood patterns,” “defense mechanisms,” and “family expectations.”

On each brick, I wrote an internal struggle that held me captive and governed my involuntary responses to people: fear of failure, fear of disappointing others, fear of not measuring up, need for approval, need for acceptance.

Author Paul Richardson explains more about our walls in his book A Certain Risk,

In response to our most unforgettable heartaches, many of us have closed ourselves off, locked our hearts behind unassailable walls, and
hidden away the key. . . .
He is showing me that the greatest barriers to his artistry in and through my life are not physical dangers. The real barriers are my own conjured fears. These fears are phony castle walls I’ve constructed around me.

During my conversation with God in my hotel room that day, I received courage to emotionally let the bricks of my castle walls crumble. Nothing stood between God and me anymore.

My unexpected breakthrough to the next level came through brokenness, just as the speaker explained. Once my wall was gone, I began relating to people in an open and authentic way without holding back from sharing about my personal life.

I'm looking forward to my continuing journey on God's path of freedom where I'm becoming more and more the person God designed me to be. **

Have you built an emotional wall of protection around yourself? What factors might have led you to construct your foundation and lay bricks on top? God is waiting to show you how to experience a life of freedom outside your wall.

* Link to Elizabeth Horbelt’s May 17 blog: "Designed for Breakthrough."

** Some of the content in this blog is adapted from pages 31-34 of my book, *Will the Real Person Please Stand Up: Rising Upon the Fear of Rejection,* and is used by permission.
Link to order your own copy.

Soaring Free

Choices, Faith, Freedom
Published on

Many of you know that God placed a passion in my heart to grow in my new freedom and help others live in freedom too.

Here’s a powerful story from my study Bible that deepened my determination to keep soaring free! Perhaps you will be impacted as well.

“A farmer once found a baby eagle and raised it with his chickens. The eagle learned to live as the chickens did, never attempting to fly. When a bird-watcher saw the eagle, he bought it from the farmer and attempted to teach it to fly. But the eagle would only run around and flap its wings like a chicken. Finally, the man took the bird to a high mountain. ‘You are an eagle,’ he said. ‘You should fly.’ And he threw the bird off the side of the mountain. At first the eagle cried out in fear, but then it spread its wings and soared into the sky.

“Perhaps that eagle sometimes flew over the old farmyard and missed the chickens. But it never returned to live like them, because now it knew what it meant to be an eagle.

“In a similar way, many believers do not fully understand who they are in Christ. As a result, they miss the incredible blessings God has intended for His people. In a spiritual sense, they never learn to soar free above all creation.

“What would it be like to see ourselves as our loving Father sees us? God says, ‘Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!’ (2 Corinthians 5:17). We can see ourselves as God does by exercising our faith as we read the Bible, believing what it says about God and what it says about us.

“Isn’t it time to stop listening to what others say about [us] and start listening to God?” *

What thoughts ran through your mind as you read this narrative? I’d love to hear from you! Leave your comment below.

* Story taken from the Discover God Study Bible NLT, page 2094.
Copyright © 2000. Used by permission of Bright Media Foundation,
represented by Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.

The Empty Tomb

Faith, Freedom, Hope, Joy, Life, Uncategorized
Published on

The three women went quickly to the tomb with cloth-wrapped spices in their arms to anoint the body of their friend and Master, Jesus (Mark 15).

Wondering how they would remove the stone themselves, they were shocked to see it already rolled away. Uncertain what they’d find, they entered the tomb slowly and saw a young man in a white robe sitting inside.

He greeted them, “Do not be amazed; You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here.”

The man instructed the women to go and tell Jesus’ disciples and Peter that Jesus was going to Galilee and would see them there. The women fled from the tomb, “trembling and astonished,” eager to tell them the good news.

In John’s account (chapter 20), Mary Magdalene went to the tomb by herself early while it was still dark. Finding the stone rolled away, she hurried to tell Peter and John. They both ran ahead of her to the tomb and went inside. John relates that he “saw and believed.”

After the men left for their homes, Mary Magdalene stood outside the tomb, weeping. When she stooped to look into the tomb, she saw two angels, one sitting at the head and another at the feet where the body of Jesus had been lying.

The angels asked Mary, “Woman, why are you weeping?”

She replied, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”

Turning, she noticed a man, who also asked why she was weeping. When she answered, the man spoke her name, “Mary.” The scales fell from Mary’s eyes and she reached out to cling to her risen Lord.

After this earth-shattering encounter, Mary ran to announce to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord.”

Can you imagine Mary’s heart bursting with joy and wonder? She’d just seen her risen Lord! Her sorrow of finding the tomb empty evaporated when she reaized He was alive!

  • What might you have thought when you saw the stone rolled away and discovered the tomb empty?
  • What emotions might have erupted inside you when the man in a white robe told you, “He is not here. He has risen.” Who would you have run to tell?
  • If you had been Mary Magdalene, what thoughts might have run through your mind when you saw two angels perched beside the burial cloths—a confirmation that Jesus was no longer there. What would you have said?
  • And what about when you recognized Jesus! What would you have felt, or said to Him, or done?
  • Who would you have run to, shouting, “I have seen the Lord”?
  • How might your life have been changed?

I can’t imagine what my life would be like, or what kind of person I would be today, if it weren’t for the empty tomb, the ultimate proof of Christ’s resurrection. Christ’s willingness to pay my debt in full, by being crucified on the cross, is the only way I am able to live in freedom. Because of Christ’s death, the veil was removed, and I gained access to His Father. My personal relationship with my Abba Father breathes life into my spirit and soul, and gives me strength to live each day for Him. He is the only One who can fulfill my needs, wants, and desires. No person and no created thing can satisfy the longings of my heart. God has provided a way for me to experience His grace daily and to live the kind of life He ordained for me. For the rest of my days on earth, I will sing of my love and gratitude to God for saving me.

On this Resurrection Sunday, and in the days that follow . . .

May we realize in a new and deeper way what the empty tomb symbolizes for us personally. Forgiveness for all our sins…past, present, future. Freedom to have a personal relationship with God without a veil between us. Privilege to bare our hearts to Him, sure of His understanding, forgiveness and counsel. Let’s joyfully celebrate the new life we have because of Jesus Christ.

May we also hear Jesus Christ commissioning us with these words: “Go and tell others.” We have a story of new life that others need to hear. It may be a neighbor, a service person who comes to our home, someone at the fitness center where we work out, a teacher, a coworker. People listen to stories. We have the most important story to tell. Everyone who is not living a redeemed life needs to hear that Jesus loves them and wants to know them personally.  

What does the empty tomb mean for you?

The empty tomb to the child of God means that
sin’s ability to keep us from God is empty,
death’s power to separate us from God is empty,
and anything in this world that could try
and keep us from knowing
the love of Christ in our lives is empty!
And it’s all because the tomb of Jesus is empty.
There is nothing that’s more valuable than
the emptiness of that place.

Mark Trammell

Stretching Our Faith

Choices, Connections, Faith, Freedom, Life
Published on

“I want to do that, Lord, but I don’t know how.”

Have you ever expressed these words to God when faced with a task beyond your ability? Why do we so quickly forget that when God gives us an unexpected idea, or challenges us to try something new, or leads us to a risk-taking path, He promises to provide everything we need?

We may need courage to take the next step. Humility to ask a friend for help. Wisdom to understand all the details involved. Confidence to overpower feelings of inadequacy. Caution against comparing ourselves with others. Insight to identify when the enemy is whispering lies that block our path.  

God wants to increase our faith and supply His power to accomplish whatever work He has ordained for us to do. Therefore, instead of assessing what we lack, or naively thinking we can complete the work in our own strength, we must “fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of faith,” (Hebrews 12:2).

Recently, God stretched my faith when He prompted me to consider establishing my own YouTube channel. I have to admit that my first thoughts were, “I don’t know what’s involved in doing that. Who am I to prepare videos and be that visible?”    

God immediately reminded me of His promise to partner with me to accomplish His vision.

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
 I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)

His promise gave me confidence to move forward. He helped me realize that He had opened this door to give many more people the chance to hear how they can experience freedom from their fear of rejection.

When I told my friend Jean about my plan, she immediately offered to coach me. She sent me her copious notes, a sample of her designs, and an invaluable link that unlocked countless video tutorials by a young man who was easy to understand and who explained each step to take.  

I’m excited to give you this link to my YouTube channel, Freedom from the Fear of Rejection. Enjoy the welcome video on the homepage and click on the Videos tab to view a listing of available videos. I’m aiming for 100 subscribers, and I hope you will be among them! Just click on the SUBSCRIBE button to be notified of future videos.

All you see on my YouTube channel represents the result of God’s partnership with me when He stretched my faith!

We are made to grow, to stretch ourselves into new arenas.
The Spirit will give us power to do what we could not do before,
or to at least take the step to learn how.

Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
How People Grow, page 102.

Has God stretched your faith by leading you into something new? Please share your story in the comment box below.

Guideline for listening to the video series

  • INTRODUCTION: Preview of the content of Freedom from Fear of Rejection
  • Part One – Defenses we may have built to protect ourselves.
  • Part Two – Choices we can make to tear down each defense.
  • Part Three – Experiences we can have on our new path of freedom.  

Loving the Outcasts

Fear, Freedom, Hope, Life
Published on

Wherever Jesus walked, he always noticed the outcasts, the ones shunned by society for reasons completely out of their control. His love and compassion compelled Him to heal and restore each person.

One day Jesus decided to sail to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee.

And when He had come out onto the land,
He was met by a certain man from the city who was possessed with demons;
and who had not put on any clothing for a long time,
and was not living in a house, but in the tombs.
Luke 8:27 (NASB)

This outcast was treated as a crazy man because the demons inside him caused violent behavior. Restrained by chains and shackles, he was kept under guard; but he would break through and, driven by the demons, run into the desert.

Jesus approached the man that day and began commanding the demons to come out of him. Instead, the demons began screaming and pleading with Him not to send them into the abyss but to allow them to enter the nearby herd of swine. Jesus granted permission, knowing the swine would race down the steep embankment and drown in the lake.

A terrifying incident, for sure, but the love of Jesus triumphed and forever changed the outcast’s life. Two amazing scenes unfolded. And those are what captured my heart.

1.  The man sat at Jesus’ feet.

We might think he’d feel embarrassed and humiliated to stay around after all the uproar. But the love that had delivered him drew him to the feet of Jesus…a sacred place. As we picture him sitting there, fully clothed, calm, and coherent, we can understand why.

     He felt comfortable being with Jesus.

     He felt loved and accepted by Jesus.

     His fear was gone.

2.  The man received a commission from Jesus.

His deliverance by Jesus ushered in a feeling of hope he’d never experienced. Now he could be part of the society that had shunned him before.

Filled with purpose and love for Jesus, the man begged Jesus to let him join his ministry. Certainly, he envisioned the joy and privilege of following Jesus and witnessing more miraculous healings.

Instead, Jesus commissioned him to go and tell his story.

Return to your house and
describe what great things God has done for you.
Luke 8:39 (NASB)

Obediently, the man began walking toward his house, but something happened on the way.

He proclaimed throughout the whole city
what great things Jesus had done for him.
(Luke 8:39)

Jesus has commissioned us as well. Because of His love, He not saved us. He also sent us to tell our story to everyone we meet so they will know how God has transformed our lives. And as we speak, God can change other people’s lives through us.

Is there someone who needs to hear your story this week?

New Beginnings

Choices, Connections, Faith
Published on

There’s something about turning the calendar to a new year. It represents a chance to start again.

God has been weaving our stories throughout this past year. Each story has now come to an end, with all its twists and turns, traumas and triumphs, joys and heartaches. The ending of the old story signals the beginning of a new one.

We don’t know what experiences and opportunities will fill our new year of 2021. We can’t predict, and that’s by God’s design. He protects us by giving us only glimpses of today and telling us not to worry about tomorrow. He knows if we were aware of everything that lies ahead, we would either tremble and worry, or dash ahead in dependence on our self-sufficiency.

Planning can relieve stress, in some respects, because we arrange steps to take. However, our human thoughts and plans will never compare to God’s plan for weaving our individual stories.

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT)

As you walk into this new year, it’s important to stay attentive to the amazing connections God will create in your daily life to enable you to experience the perfect and unique plan He has formed for you.

Do you want to hear about an unexpected connection God arranged for me recently? I dashed to the grocery store to buy more eggs and another container of orange juice for my nephew and niece who were staying with me during Christmas week.

In the back corner of the store, near an intersection of aisles, I reached for a special brand of orange juice. Behind me I heard a cheery voice. “What a pretty sweater.”

As I turned around, the young woman added, “Turquoise is my favor color.” I quickly agreed, and as women do, we exchanged a few more clothing comments.

I don’t remember what my fellow shopper said next to pave the way for a continuing conversation, but suddenly I was listening to her sad story about an accident that rendered her unable to think clearly at times. Then she confided in me that she had also left an abusive home situation.

To my amazement, in the midst of such sadness, she began talking about God and how He had helped her. While leaning on her near-full grocery cart, she waved her arm toward a man who had hovered nearby without intruding on our spontaneous and personal time. “Tommy, has been amazing.”

I noticed Tommy’s numerous tattoos but also his handsome face and a smile that radiated care and compassion for his obvious partner. As the three of us drew closer together to make room for other customers to walk, Tommy told me more.

“I’ve been sober for five years. But this year, I began to think more about the Higher Power I learned about in rehab. I decided to accept God into my life.”

With a big smile, I confirmed that I knew God personally and He had changed my life, too. When they told me what church they were attending, I silently thanked God for the good teaching they were receiving to help them grow in their young Christian lives.

Unexpectedly, the woman asked, “Could we connect with each other on Facebook?”

“That would be fine,” I said, “but perhaps we could talk about personal things more easily if we keep in touch by email.” She agreed, while Tommy nodded, and we exchanged emails and names.

Then Elisa, Tommy, and I began laughing because here we were in the intersection of a grocery store talking about God and telling our stories. We parted ways with a wave and a smile that spoke volumes. Without saying so, we all knew God had been with us.

Later that day I pondered the intricate circumstances God had arranged to make everything happen as it did. That cold morning, I remembered my new turquoise sweater. After tugging my jeans on, I reached for the warm sweater in my closet and pulled it over my head.

By God’s design, my 12-year-old niece Piper declined my invitation to go with me. God knew an adult conversation awaited.

God orchestrated the time I would be in the store, and prompted me to go to the juice section first. He knew Elisa would be there and our shared love of turquoise would be revealed.

He built an immediate safe environment that gave Elisa freedom to share her story. God invited me to become part of His plan to minister to these dear new believers. Through our conversation, He poured love, caring, acceptance, and assurance into their hearts. I’m grateful I followed His leading because the ripple effect of that special encounter will remain in my heart.

God has already created a plan for how He wants you to be part of His story this year. Will you follow His lead? Notice His ordained connections, like I did, because you will feel more a part of His plan as it slowly unfolds. Anticipate with wonder what tomorrow might bring and keep trusting Him, thanking Him, and praising Him for His faithfulness.

LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You,
I will give thanks to Your name;
For you have worked wonders,
plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.
Isaiah 25:1 (NASB)

Mary’s Heart

Choices, Faith, Hope, Joy
Published on

Hearing the song Mary Did You Know? always moves me to tears. Each time I try to imagine the emotions that swirled in Mary’s heart when the angel Gabriel presented the life-altering news that she would give life to the Son of God.

Have you ever wondered how Mary had the courage to respond to such a shocking message? She didn’t whisper a soft yes. She boldly declared, “Behold, the Lord’s bond-servant; may it be done to me, according to your word.”  

The reasons why young Mary accepted her mission so willingly is beautifully described by Debby Thompson, who writes under the banner of Living With Eternal Intentionality®. With Debby’s permission, I’m sharing this excerpt from her December blog, “Mary Said Yes.” You may read the rest of her story here.

Mary said Yes to God—to His will, to His plan, to His call on her life. Her destiny was contained in her response, and I am astounded each time I read it (Luke 1:38)! How was this humanly possible for one so young, so innocent?

A closer look sheds lights on her faith-filled choice.

Mary said yes to God because she knew the Word of God.

Because she knew the Word of God, she knew the Person of God. 

And

Because she knew the Person of God, she was prepared to say yes to the opportunity of God.

Her song (Luke 1:46-55) is saturated with Old Testament teaching where she exclaims the character of God, the faithfulness of God, the power of God, even the priorities of God. The significance of her response is steeped in the significance of Scripture. And here the connective gem emerges:

Knowing her God and knowing His Word laid the foundation for Mary to say yes to God with pure, simple faith.

The God that Mary knew invited her into His plan, and Mary said yes. She chose to believe (Luke 1: 45). She chose to obey.


Friends, in this divine season let us look for ways to deepen our love for God and our knowledge of His Word. Then, like Mary, we will be able to say yes to whatever invitation God presents to us in the coming year.

Appreciate What You Have

Choices, Faith, Hope, Joy, Life
Published on

What a great perspective for us to embrace this year, 
especially during this week of Thanksgiving.

I sometimes take things for granted, do you? Acknowledging what I have, however, helps me look above difficult circumstances, disappointments, and fears, and focus on God rather than myself. Being thankful, restores my hope for the future and softens the effects of uncertainty. The truth that makes the greatest difference in my life is that I belong to God. He knows my name, gives me what I need each day, and will never stop loving me. A lifetime will never be long enough to thank Him for the wonderful relationship we share.

Below are some other blessings that came to my mind. What blessings are on your list?

Family

I no longer have parents or aunts and uncles who are alive to love me and encourage me. But I am thankful for my nieces, nephews, and cousins who like to hear my voice, seek my advice, and express their love to me. They know I am there for them, and they fill my life with joy. Some are facing serious crises with their children. This is a fragile time, but I know God has placed me in their lives so I can bring their burdens to my Heavenly Father and ask Him to show them the way when there seems to be no way.

Steadiness

God gives me physical, emotional, mental and spiritual fortitude to accept and deal with whatever happy or sad events spill into my days. By relying on this favorite verse in Psalms, I am able to stay steady.

I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord; with him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Psalm 16:8, NIV

Praying that your Thanksgiving Day will be memorable for you and your loved ones, in whatever way you celebrate.