Thank God For The Buts

The holiday season can be a difficult time for those who have suffered loss. Whether it be the death of a loved one or the death of a dream, whether it be the losses that pile up from major illnesses, or job losses, sadness can make the holidays very hard to get through. So what helps when loneliness and heartache set in? My friend, there are no magical answers, BUT there is always something to be grateful for. For some people, that may be hard to believe, but it's really true! I call it silver linings or the "buts."

It's all about changing our statements. When we see through eyes of sadness everything looks dark and dismal, and that is the feeling. It's hard to move forward, when you can't see anything ahead, and it feels paralyzing. It's an awful place to be. When I feel sad it helps me to write. Have you ever tried that? It can take some practice, before the thoughts start tumbling out. Here is an example of things I have written in the past:

There's so many things I can't do anymore
I've lost friends over this
So many people don't understand
I feel so alone
I can't be strong and independent anymore

Maybe you can identify with some of these things, they are very common feelings. When one looks for a silver lining, we look for something to counter the negative statement, positive self talk, and we can include God and His power in that silver lining or "but." Here are my new statements:

There's so many things I can't do anymore BUT I have found new things I can do.
I've lost friends over this BUT I have found new friends who are better friends.
So many people don't understand BUT I do value the ones who accept me even if they don't understand and am thankful for God who loves me so much just the way I am.
I feel so alone BUT I have learned that I am never alone, my God is always with me, He is faithful.
I can't be strong and independent anymore BUT God is strong for me in my weakness, and I am grateful for those who help me.

The "buts" can provide some comfort as we heal and go through our days. Some "buts" are very inspiring and meaningful to me such as the third and fourth line of the first verse of this popular hymn:

The Gift of Thanksgiving and Praise

Throughout the Bible we are told not only to unceasingly pray and thank God repeatedly, but also to praise Him. In many instances, we hear thanks and praise used together. I have been learning what a difference it makes in my life to not only thank God for all He has done and all He is doing, but also to praise Him.

When I get up in the morning, before my feet hit the floor, I greet the Lord and thank Him for at least three things. I got into this habit when I was having a difficult time. Doing this in the morning sets a more positive tone to my day. It always makes me realize how much God does for me no matter how bad things are at the time. It helps me to focus on the right things. When we thank God, we look at the many things He has done for us and it does put things in perspective. So if that's true, why do we need to praise Him too?

Praising God not only acknowledges what He does but also who He is. It puts the focus on Him and brings us into His presence. When we are in His presence to that degree, we are protected from the enemy. When we put Him into focus so fully and praise Him we also are building our faith and becoming stronger. This really is true. You are filling your mind, spirit and heart with the living God and you will be blessed for that. You will also feel and experience the blessing of that. It is truly a gift. Let us pray:

Thank You Lord, for all of the incredible things You have done for me and continue to do for me, and for the ways you continually bless me. I praise You, worship You and honor You my sovereign God, the Great I am. Your love is higher than the mountains and deeper than the oceans, thank You for loving me with that love. Thank You for the sacrifice You made for me and for the protection You give my loved ones and I. Thank You for the mercy and grace that I walk in each day and for the faithfulness that You show me. I am a child of the Most High and I honor You and cherish You as my King. Help me to have a thankful heart every day, and to reflect to others the love You show me. You know my heart Lord, You know my burdens and I continue to trust You with them. I lay it all down again and ask for Your peace once more. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

He Keeps His Promises

                   

Sometimes song lyrics speak for themselves and resonate with us in such an intimate way. I believe the the recent song by JJ Heller, "You Keep Your Promises" does just that. It likens the seasons of our lives to those of nature, and speaks of how God always keeps His promises. Sometimes it takes a while before we see the fruit, as in waiting for a spring that always comes. 

Sandals in the closet
Jackets by the door
Orange, red, life and death
Scattered 'round the feet of the sycamore

The waiting hands of winter
Catch us when we fall
Is it just me? I can't believe
The green of spring was ever here at all

You keep Your promises
You keep Your promises
I might not see it yet
You keep Your promises

Everyone I care for
Just like every perfect dream
Withers, fades, and drifts away
Feels like we're all falling with the leaves

You keep Your promises
You keep Your promises
I might not see it yet
You keep Your promises

There is hope within the breaking of the heart of every seed
And I know You feel the aching at the end of all good things
I believe in restoration, I believe that You redeem
Because I know somehow the sycamore will bloom again in spring

You keep Your promises
You keep Your promises
I might not see it yet
There will be life again
You keep Your promises
You keep Your promises
I might not see it yet
You keep Your promises

Click on the link below to see the video for this beautiful song:
You Keep Your Promises

Praying that for those who are experiencing a cold winter, it isn't too long. And that you do know the assurance of God's promises including the spring that is coming.

For a copy of God's promises click below:
God's Promises (printable)

Caught Up

"Seek Him."  ~Matthew 6:33

The older I get, the more I come to realize how much I need the Lord. I look back over my life and I can see how many times He has pulled me through, how many times He has carried me when I was weak. He has been the one true constant throughout everything and there are those who know the miracles that He has performed in my life. Without God, I would truly be nothing. 

Though many of us know this, there are still times when we lose our grasp on keeping our time with Him a priority. We get caught up in things that are going on in our lives, needs of someone else or ourselves or we simply lose focus. When this happens, it shows in every part of our lives. We start losing our peace, our perspectives starts shifting more and more to that of the world. We're not as strong, we can't stand as firm. Our emotions get the better of us more often. Allowing ourselves to get caught up in anything other than Jesus is not a good thing. If affects our lives in a negative way.

Yet when God is the priority, what an amazing difference it makes! He trumps all our circumstances and we can focus on Him rather than our problems! He lifts us up and supports us so we don't get knocked back down. We're able to function in His strength rather than our own. There are so many reasons to make and keep God number one in our lives. Everything we build in Him is lasting treasure. We get to experience Him in a whole new way, as King and Holy Father!

So how do we know when we are slipping into worldly ways? God will show us what we need to know by praying and reading His word. When we ask Him to give us a heavenly perspective He will! 

Thank You Lord, for being so loving, and merciful! Thank You for being so willing to help us be better! 

Beauty In The Broken

When I think about different parts of my life, I feel like Humpty Dumpty. I am so grateful that I have a God who could take the pieces of me and my life and put it all back together again, but I cannot tell you how many times I thought of myself as damaged. The truth is, there is beauty to be seen in the broken.

Mosaic art is made from pieces of broken porcelain or glass. The Japanese used to repair their pottery with gold and silver making them each piece that much more beautiful. When we give God our broken pieces, we surrender in a more complete way, and he makes such a beautiful masterpiece with our brokenness. You see, when He has our weakness to work with, that is when He is the strongest in us, and can really do His work. 

I spent a long time fighting my weakness and need for Him, because I wanted to maintain strength and independence. What a mistake that was. I am at my best when I am functioning in God's strength, not my own. I don't need my independence, I need Him. I can stand strong when He is supporting me, and when I don't have the strength on my own, He keeps me going with his strength. He also uses my scars to tell a story of hope to others. He can do the same for you!