I went to a retreat this weekend with my Aunt Mary. Who is one of the people in my life that has always said- "Do it" supporting whatever my wise idea was at the time. She has always been one of the people who I know is pushing me ever so gently with a loving supportive hand on my back. She is amazing, she has been through so much in her life, she has raised an amazing kid (he is my Godson so I am kinda biased) She is a lover of nature, dogs and God. She teaches me something every time I am with her. She has strength. I hope that I have that kind of inner strength when I am her age (which is not so far off).
The retreat this weekend was put on by a woman who has faced great tragedy in her life. About 25 years ago, her husband and young daughter were killed by a drunk driver, she was 3 months pregnant with their second child when this happened and she was devastated, as anyone would be. She said she was in such a bad way that she didn't know how to grieve and everyone around her just looked at her with great pity. She said, that during that time following the accident that God challenged her faith, her love and her hope for the future. She went to work for a ministry answering letters from around the world. She found out that she was not the only one out in the world living with this pain, loss of love, joy and hope. She said, that she was told by a man of God, to stop grieving her agenda for her life and just grieve her loss and move on with what God's plan was for her life. Wow!!! That really hit me!!! How many times do we have a plan or a dream and we think something should go this way- and it doesn't, and then we question God? Why? Why didn't this go like I thought it should go? Why didn't you work that out for me? and God says, Um' hello- quit having a pity party and move on with what I have planned for you. What? You mean my thoughts are not God's thoughts? Psalms 94:11 Ahhh...Nope that would make me God- and that I am not! His word says our thoughts are not His thoughts and our plans are not His plans. Isaiah 55:8
This speaker at the retreat- said that even the rocks cry out in praise to God- Luke 19:40 everything we do should praise and magnify the Lord. Everything? Is that possible? To live our life everyday to God's glory? That seems like alot to ask? or maybe it's nothing to ask at all.... Stop, be still and listen to His voice in our walk, listen to the Spirit of God. Don't be afraid to live your life without fear, fear of rejection, fear of not accomplishing something, fear of hurt, sadness or pain. Live it with love- abundant Love, not asking what people think, not caring if you haven't done it all right.... Just do it.... This seems to be a recurring statement with me. I am trying to take my own advice. Just Do It! Stop making excuses and Do it! (I better watch out Nike will want a payback for me using there slogan!)
The other things this lady said were amazing stories of Gods goodness to her and how she was eventually grateful to the drunk driver..... What? Did she say grateful to the person whom had taken away so much from her life? Yep, she said that not only had she forgiven them but, that she was grateful- they had shown her how she had limits to her love. She knew that God wanted her to show love to all mankind and that if she couldn't love this person- She was limiting the love of God that she would flow through her.... Wow! I was convicted. I place limits all the time on my love of others. I used to pray that God would give me a compassionate heart for the unlovely, the hurting and the lost. Now, I have to pray that God will allow His love to show through me to everyone that He wants that love to flow to.... That's BIG love!
My challenge for the week- to show God's love to someone- meet someone where they are at.... work, gas station, hospital, grocery store, or a friend in need. Let them know you care!
The retreat this weekend was put on by a woman who has faced great tragedy in her life. About 25 years ago, her husband and young daughter were killed by a drunk driver, she was 3 months pregnant with their second child when this happened and she was devastated, as anyone would be. She said she was in such a bad way that she didn't know how to grieve and everyone around her just looked at her with great pity. She said, that during that time following the accident that God challenged her faith, her love and her hope for the future. She went to work for a ministry answering letters from around the world. She found out that she was not the only one out in the world living with this pain, loss of love, joy and hope. She said, that she was told by a man of God, to stop grieving her agenda for her life and just grieve her loss and move on with what God's plan was for her life. Wow!!! That really hit me!!! How many times do we have a plan or a dream and we think something should go this way- and it doesn't, and then we question God? Why? Why didn't this go like I thought it should go? Why didn't you work that out for me? and God says, Um' hello- quit having a pity party and move on with what I have planned for you. What? You mean my thoughts are not God's thoughts? Psalms 94:11 Ahhh...Nope that would make me God- and that I am not! His word says our thoughts are not His thoughts and our plans are not His plans. Isaiah 55:8
This speaker at the retreat- said that even the rocks cry out in praise to God- Luke 19:40 everything we do should praise and magnify the Lord. Everything? Is that possible? To live our life everyday to God's glory? That seems like alot to ask? or maybe it's nothing to ask at all.... Stop, be still and listen to His voice in our walk, listen to the Spirit of God. Don't be afraid to live your life without fear, fear of rejection, fear of not accomplishing something, fear of hurt, sadness or pain. Live it with love- abundant Love, not asking what people think, not caring if you haven't done it all right.... Just do it.... This seems to be a recurring statement with me. I am trying to take my own advice. Just Do It! Stop making excuses and Do it! (I better watch out Nike will want a payback for me using there slogan!)
The other things this lady said were amazing stories of Gods goodness to her and how she was eventually grateful to the drunk driver..... What? Did she say grateful to the person whom had taken away so much from her life? Yep, she said that not only had she forgiven them but, that she was grateful- they had shown her how she had limits to her love. She knew that God wanted her to show love to all mankind and that if she couldn't love this person- She was limiting the love of God that she would flow through her.... Wow! I was convicted. I place limits all the time on my love of others. I used to pray that God would give me a compassionate heart for the unlovely, the hurting and the lost. Now, I have to pray that God will allow His love to show through me to everyone that He wants that love to flow to.... That's BIG love!
My challenge for the week- to show God's love to someone- meet someone where they are at.... work, gas station, hospital, grocery store, or a friend in need. Let them know you care!
