In Training

A few days ago, I sat down for my quiet time with God and picked up my daily devotional. What it said couldn't have been more perfect for me and the place I am in my life.

"I am training you to cultivate a thankful mind-set. This is like building your house on a firm rock, where life's storms cannot shake you. As you learn these lessons, you are to teach them to others. I will open up the way before you, one step at a time."

Tears flowed. 

Now to take the steps God has laid out for me.

If you've followed my recent posts you know my life, this past year or so, has been a uphill climb. And as I'v climbed, I've been trying to do just what this devotion says - cultivate a heart of thanksgiving. Today, I woke up feeling bewildered and a bit lost. While my family (some live here on this property with me) set out to do their daily tasks. I stayed home. In the midst of my punk mood I felt as if I were being left behind ... again. 

And then I read God's Words for me today.

He has my steps planned out. He will show me the way He wants me to go. But, there is a requirement He is asking of me. I need to be grateful for who I am and where I am and to trust His choices for me. 

I have a great deal to be grateful for. I've been married to a man who has loved me, through thick and thin, for 47 years. I have three good-hearted children who love the Lord, and seven grandchildren who are a big part of my life. And we all love each other. I've spent 38 years in a home on a mountain-top planted in the midst of God's majestic beauty. And I am one of His children who lives with hope because He loves me and has saved me.

God will lead the way. He will open the doors. But we have to step through those doors, and if we're to know the joy and fulfillment God intends for us, we need to step out with thankful hearts. 

May you recognize and receive His many gifts, all wrapped in His love.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Quiet Moments With God -- Desert Flower

The beauty of desert flowers always surprises me. Surrounded by an arid plain makes them especially vibrant. And a desert seems an unlikely place for any kind of blooming. Yet, there they are--lovely and determined, against all odds.

These exquisite flowers remind me of my sister Leslie who led a troubled life. She lived with mental illness, alcohol and drug addiction and a physical illness that took her from us far too early. Much of her life was a misery. And when she was forced, out of need, to live in a nursing home it seemed such a desolate place for a young woman.

However, we know some of the most stunning flowers bloom in desolate places. God had big plans for my sister and she did bloom in that nursing home. Her life became greater than her sorrows.

Each time I look back, I'm newly amazed at God's workings in her life. And yet, while speaking recently during an  interview I forgot about desert flowers. I boldly stated that if I'd had any control over whether or not I would be injured in an auto accident, that  took place back in 1991, I would have chosen not. I am not courageous enough to choose chronic pain and disability. But I had no choice, and a log truck tipped over on a curve striking my van and changing my life forever.

When I see how small my faith is, I am stricken. And thankful that God does not rely on me to make the grand decisions.  :-)

Before the accident I lived something of a charmed life--happy marriage, children, good friends, a glorious place to live and a job I loved. After the accident all I could see was the desert. And yet, in that desert I bloomed. God used every bit of my angst and sorrow, questions and groanings to help me grow. He directed me down paths I'd never thought possible.

The path God chose for me opened doors into people's lives. I hear from individuals almost daily who find life a little bit easier or their sorrows more bearable because we share the bereavement, the questions, the fears. and the daily grind of living with our heartaches. They may discover something in a book I've written or even a word here on my blog that encourages them. And sometimes they find  hope when I'm speaking to a group. When I hear from these dear ones I feel like a desert flower. I've bloomed--brighter and transformed. But it is only because I submitted to and, on my best days, even embraced the path chosen for me.

I am not always lovely. I am human, after all. But I know that I am better than I would have been if my life had been effortless. It is the pressure of adversity that molds and shapes. It teaches us to rely on God and to step onto a path of His choosing.

I pray I will, we will, be courageous and desire the best . . . God's will rather than our own.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Quiet Moments With God -- A Desert Flower

The beauty of desert flowers always surprises me. Surrounded by an arid plain makes them especially vibrant. And a desert seems an unlikely place for any kind of blooming. Yet, there they are--lovely and determined, against all odds.

These exquisite flowers remind me of my sister Leslie who led a troubled life. She lived with mental illness, alcohol and drug addiction and a physical illness that took her from us far too early. Much of her life was a misery. And when she was forced, out of need, to live in a nursing home it seemed such a desolate place for a young woman.

However, we know some of the most stunning flowers bloom in desolate places. God had big plans for my sister and she did bloom in that nursing home. Her life became greater than her sorrows.

Each time I look back, I'm newly amazed at God's workings in her life. And yet, while speaking recently during an  interview I forgot about desert flowers. I boldly stated that if I'd had any control over whether or not I would be injured in an auto accident, that  took place back in 1991, I would have chosen not. I am not courageous enough to choose chronic pain and disability. But I had no choice, and a log truck tipped over on a curve striking my van and changing my life forever.

When I see how small my faith is, I am stricken. And thankful that God does not rely on me to make the grand decisions.  :-)

Before the accident I lived something of a charmed life--happy marriage, children, good friends, a glorious place to live and a job I loved. After the accident all I could see was the desert. And yet, in that desert I bloomed. God used every bit of my angst and sorrow, questions and groanings to help me grow. He directed me down paths I'd never thought possible.

The path God chose for me opened doors into people's lives. I hear from individuals almost daily who find life a little bit easier or their sorrows more bearable because we share the bereavement, the questions, the fears. and the daily grind of living with our heartaches. They may discover something in a book I've written or even a word here on my blog that encourages them. And sometimes they find  hope when I'm speaking to a group. When I hear from these dear ones I feel like a desert flower. I've bloomed--brighter and transformed. But it is only because I submitted to and, on my best days, even embraced the path chosen for me.

I am not always lovely. I am human, after all. But I know that I am better than I would have been if my life had been effortless. It is the pressure of adversity that molds and shapes. It teaches us to rely on God and to step onto a path of His choosing.

I pray I will, we will, be courageous and desire the best . . . God's will rather than our own.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Quiet Moments With God -- Light in the Darkness

Yesterday was Sunday and as on most Sundays I was in church. Much of the sermon was about God's healing hand. He heals hearts, minds and bodies. At the end of the service those who needed prayer were encouraged to go forward so they could be prayed for.

Oh, how I longed for healing.

There was a line so I remained in my seat. With tears in his eyes, my dear son-in-law held out his hand to me. Then he led me up front.

Oh, how I longed for healing.

I'm weary of the prison of my wounded body. While I waited I prayed. A nice gentleman anointed me with oil, laid his hands on me and together we sought God's healing. I knew He could heal me. But yesterday was not the day.

I was disappointed but not disillusioned. God is good all the time. He works in me and through me, even though I am physically weak. But . . .

Oh, how I longed for healing.

I hoped yesterday would be the day. And I admit I'm a little sad today. But God is good all the time and when I turned to my devotions this morning He had a treasure waiting for me. I found this in reference to an imprisoned apostle Paul. What precious messages of light came from the dark shadows of his captivity.

Thank you, Lord, for these precious words. I am reminded once more that there is beauty in suffering. With your hand upon me you have carried me through the years. You continue to work in me and through me. I trust you.

I will continue to seek God's healing touch, but above all I long for His will.

If you are suffering, He knows. Trust Him to bring light into the dark places.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Quiet Moments With Him -- Remain in Him

Oswald Chambers words in his book, My Utmost for His Highest, never cease to help me see truth. One entry says this, “Jesus never hurried through certain villages where He was persecuted or lingered in others where He was blessed. Neither gratitude nor ingratitude turned our Lord even the slightest degree away from His purpose to go up to Jerusalem.”

I read this and clearly saw that I’m so not like Christ. I enjoy lingering in the blessings. And I hurry through pain. And I definitely do not like spending time with people who throw stones.

It’s easy to lose sight of the Lord's purpose. There are more comfortable paths to walk. And while in the midst of suffering we often forget that momentary pain can bring blessing--if not to us then to others. Our personal dreams and desires should not motivate us one way or the other. We should care only about being smack dab in the middle of God’s will. That’s where we belong. That's where we'll find genuine reward.

His purpose may line up with our own hopes and dreams, but even when they don’t His ways are the only ones that truly matter. Remain in Him. He has you right where you belong at this moment. We are where we are for a reason. So even if it's difficult, lean hard on Him. He'll hold you up.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Quiet Moments With God -- Rest in Him

These are difficult days. The news is filled with stories of hardship and predictions of worse to come. In my own community many struggle just to put food on the table. This week, there were only a handful of job openings listed in our local newspaper. Many who are nearing retirement have seen their investments dwindle and now wonder what will become of them in their retiring years. Those who are still working question if they will have a job tomorrow.

As believers in Christ what should we do? Wring our hands and pace the floor, fearing what will become of us? I must admit that I’ve had some sleepless nights. But in truth these circumstances we find ourselves in are an opportunity to demonstrate our faith, to experience God’s goodness and mercy. He promises to care for his children. Do we trust him? Do we walk timidly or with courage?

Dear ones, He has not forgotten us. His eyes have not lost sight of us. Psalm 139:1 – 4 says, "O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.”

Clearly God is with us. There is no reason to fear. Even when He sets us down in the middle of a tempest we’re not alone. He will provide peace in the midst of the storms of life.

God will do as He wills. Our task is to hang on to the one who knows all things and trust in His perfect will.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Tips For Triumphant Living -- Look Up Not In

When we’re staggered by something in our world our natural inclination is to look inside for strength. We rely on our intelligence, our history, or our feelings. They will lie to us.

Being knowledgeable is good. History matters. And feelings are real. But we can’t always trust them. When the storms of life hammer at us it is God who has the answers. His Word offers solutions and He is our comfort.

I have neuropathy in my feet and legs. The pain and numbness never leave me. It’s the last thing I’m aware of at night and the first thing to greet me in the morning. It nags at me, never leaving me alone. Sometimes it’s all I can think about. But it’s the last thing I should pay attention to when gauging my quality of life. It’s not my circumstances that define me, but rather who I am in Christ. And the question I need to ask is, “Am I His, all His? Am I living within His will for me?”

God knows my condition and yet I still suffer. I’m doing all I can to improve my circumstances, but beyond that I must rest in the path chosen for me. It is the Lord who gives me strength. Pain and anxiety have the power to rule my life. Each day I must make a choice—choose to direct my mind on Him or not. Every day belongs to Him, but those days that I choose to relinquish my will for His are the best.

Second Corinthians 12:9 says, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” It is our weaknesses that provide opportunity for God’s divine power to be displayed.

Therefore, let us look to God and not ourselves. Let us trust in Him for our daily needs, knowing that He is strong when we are weak. And may we never forget that with God, all things are possible.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Quiet Moments With God -- A strong hand.

Recently, while reading My Utmost For His Highest I was struck by this phrase, "God speaks in the language you know best, not through your ears but through your circumstances."

Sometimes Oswald Chambers is so right on with where I am that it takes my breath away. I've been seeking, but trying to ignore cirsumstances because they led in a direction I wanted to avoid.

Isaiah 8:11 says, The Lord spoke thus to me with a strong hand. The circumstances used were harsh.

The Lord knows us well. He knows what it takes to get our attention. We just need to tune in and then we'll see Him in the midst of life's events.

I want to know God's will, in the every day and down the road. In Psalm 119:105 it says, Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path. The Lord wants to show me the way, offering light at my feet so I don't stumble as well as down the path so the decisions I make today will not negatively effect tomorrow.

Although my spirit longs to know and to be in God's will the "me" part of me resists. In spite of that, I've learned to pay attention to circumstances, most of the time. The more intimate my relationship is with God the more attentive I am to His leading.

Sometimes God uses a strong hand, but only out of love. He wants the best for us. Because I know this, life is less intimidating. I need not fear the difficulties. Instead I can anticipate the next adventure, knowing that whatever it is it will draw me closer to Christ and mold me into the person God wishes me to be.

May we praise Him in the circumstances!

Grace & peace to you from God.

Bonnie