How the Years Go By!

I helped a dear friend move in to her new place this weekend....made me feel a little old since I used to be her babysitter from the time she was 3 and she's now 24! How the years have flown! As we unpacked boxes and shared memories of her childhood, it brought me back to the very time that I moved myself down to Maryland to start my new life. I was filled with so many emotions, as I know Connie is as well. Excitement mixed with fear, apprehension mixed with knowledge of possibilities, and joy mixed with sadness. I had walked away from the only place I ever knew and entered a whole new world all by myself. What on earth was I thinking?? That went through my mind on more than one occassion. I clearly remember going through a box of tissues every weekend as I longed to go back to the place that was filled with so much comfort and familiarity. At the same time though, I was grateful for a chance at a new life, a chance to get past those old hurts of my childhood. A chance for me to become who God was longing for me to become. A chance for me to be all that He wanted me to be. At the time, 12 long years ago, I had no idea where the road would lead for me. Looking back today, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God brought me here with good reason. Many many good reasons. To name a few....starting my career as a teacher, developing the future home of my family- my mother and sister, meeting the father of my two beautiful children, and finally finding the job I've waited so long for. I know some of my fellow co-workers may find it hard to believe that I'm in the job of my dreams, but once you've experienced life in other places and different jobs, you'll know what I mean. Don't get me wrong, I did not come to this place easily. There were many bumps in the road, twists and turns, some more painful than others. Yet as I said 12 years ago when I sat down to plead with the Lord to take me back home, I will say the same today, "Father do not remove this thorn from my flesh for it is there for a reason." Even though moving was so bittersweet and often felt like a thorn in my side, it was the best thing that ever happened to me as it has brought me so many blessings in life.

So, Connie, as you deal with moving from those you love so much, just remember that you are here for a reason. You will make it through. Focus on becoming the woman that you are meant to be and strive towards the goal that God has placed in front of you. You are a strong woman and I know you will be able to find the joy in every blessing that comes your way. Take a listen to the song on my playlist called "Moving On", by Rascal Flatts. It was my theme song when I left Syracuse and still makes me smile to this day. Love you sweetheart!!

Revisiting the Blog world!

Well, I've been absent for awhile now so I thought I should get this started up again. I love having the opportunity to share the things I am learning and also to look back on the things that I have shared in the past. It's a reminder to me of the heart for the Lord that I want to continually strive for.

This morning I dove back into my devotional on mercy. Amazing how the lesson is so closely tailored to what I needed to hear. Here is a snip of what I read....

".....when I come to the Lord after I've blown it, I've only one argument to make.

It's not the argument of the difficulty of the enviroment that I am in.

It's not the argument of the difficult people that I'm near.

It's not the argument of good intentions that were thwarted in some way.

I come to the Lord with only one appeal, HIS MERCY.

I've no other defense.

I've no other standing.

I've no other hope."

-Whiter than Snow, Paul David Tripp

So often when I screw up, whether it be in the eyes of the Lord or the eyes of man, I am quick to jump on the defense. I want to defend my reason for doing what I did. I want to make excuses for myself. I want to be right!!! However, what is more important is that we recognize our downfalls and challenges and try to turn them into the righteousness that God desires in our lives. He doesn't want to hear my excuses or ramblings any more than the people in my life do. He wants me to come to Him humbly in realization that I NEED His Mercy!!!

This morning as I reflect on a discussion I had with a very precious person in my life, I think of how I was in the position of needing his mercy as well. I messed up. I overreacted......such a simple sin...but sin nonetheless. My sin caused hurt, embarrassment, and strife. So I appealed to the mercy of this person in hopes of finding forgiveness, which he granted. I did not deserve that forgiveness. I did not earn it. I had to ask for it, humbly, putting my pride aside, admitting I was wrong. He chose to grant forgiveness because he is a man of God and a man of integrity. Had I been in the same position with someone who did not have such mercy, I don't think things would have worked out so favorably for me.

Just as we need to request forgivess and hope for mercy from those around us, we need to do just that with our Lord and Savior. We also need to thank Him for his forgiveness, as we know it has been granted to us. Just as it tells us in Psalm 51:1, "According to your abundant mercy, blot out my transgressions." His mercy is abundant friends! This is good news! Doesn't mean we can throw caution into the wind and live a life of sin, riding on His mercy. It just means that in our journey of trying to live a righteous life, we can rely on the fact that His mercy will always be enough. No matter how much we screw up, His mercy is ABUNDANT!! It is overflowing. He waits to take us into His arms and wrap us in His mercy and love. We just need to come to Him. Approach the throne of grace my friends, it is overflowing with mercy!!