Quiet Moments With God -- The Key

There's a key to unlocking the door to contentment. It's right in front of us, but we often frantically look for it and can't find it. The reason is, we're looking in the wrong places.

That's me. I do it all the time--even after all the years I've walked with the Lord--I take wrong turns and get myself lost. In the last couple of years, it feels like my life has been one storm after another, and the last five months I've had so many darts hurled my way, I've lost count. The enemy has been at work. And life feels like one big question mark. I don't have the answers so I've done what I often do--worry and fret. Which, by the way doesn't help at all.

Life will always have challenges and surprises. We can't be certain what tomorrow will bring. Why then, do we get ourselves into a worry and fret cycle? At other times, even when we're thrown into the biggest train wreck, we feel peace and we're good right where we are, trusting God. What makes the difference? I guess that depends upon who we are. Usually our strengths are what get us into trouble--they become weaknesses because we depend upon them. We need to know what they are--the enemy does.

I'm a problem solver--I figure there has to be a way to "figure this one out". I've just got to think harder, get out paper and pencil and write down another list--that'll do it. Nope. That's not the way. Not for me, anyway. I want to rely on myself and my own mind. The natural gifts the Lord has given me are helpful, but before I go to them I first need to go to Him. He's the one with the answers. When I get that straight, then peace that passes all understanding drapes its gentle arms around me. Worry and stress slip away and leave me with God's blessed peace.

God's it. He's the answer--every time. He holds the key.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Quiet Moments With God--Finding Contentment

I’m adjusting to our daughter and her family’s move and to the need to sell our home. Yet, I still have moments of deep sorrow when I can’t hold back my tears. And when I briefly allow my mind to move ahead to our farewell tears quickly surface.

Some days I’m comfortable and happy to give all I am and all I have to Jesus and other days I’m not happy at all. Today happens to be one of those not so happy days. I’m hurting and asking God to remind me that it’s all going to be okay and that this moving on business is part of His plan.

I expected to hear from Him, but I didn’t expect guidance to come from my own words. I’m in the midst of reading galleys for the third book in The Sydney Cove Series, "Enduring Love". I’m reading words penned months ago and today they quieted my heart.

I wrote,

She gazed at the river. It flowed quietly toward the ocean without struggle, accepting its course. It didn’t rail against the choice made for it but instead submitted and even relished its path.

These are words meant for my character, Hannah. Yet they speak to me. Struggling against a path chosen for me accomplishes nothing except to make me weary and even angry. And so I must decide to lean on the Lord and accept His choice. In so doing, I can move on to contentment.

Paul says in Philippians 4:11-13 "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

Paul found strength in Christ. Christ is my answer, too. Only with Him can I be content no matter my circumstances.

Some situations in life demand that we fight, but when God whispers to us “Rest in me,” then I know I am to rest and allow His will to be done. His voice offers peace. I can hear Him speaking to me. Listen and you’ll hear Him too.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Tips For Triumphant Living--Don't Hang On Too Tightly.

Life changes without warning, sometimes in ways we never could have imagined. Some changes are “good” and some not so good. I find peace in knowing that God is never caught unaware and that He will hold me tight while I weather storms.

As I mentioned in an earlier blog, I recently discovered that I must let go of the home I’ve lived in for twenty-eight years. Sorrow was my first reaction, then anger, and then the dreaded question of “Why?” set in.

God is so good. He gently led me through my emotional muddle. He didn’t reign me in, but kept reminding me that He loved me and that He knew how much it hurt to move on.

I’ve found my way to the truth, at least what I can see of it thus far. (God is never done with refining) So much of my sorrow came from the sad fact that I’m hanging onto a possession rather than clinging to Him.

God gave my husband and I our home on this beautiful piece of land. We’ve had many wonderful years here. But this place doesn’t really belong to us. It is God’s. I love living in the Oregon foothills with the wild flowers, towering evergreens and wildlife, but for reasons I don’t yet understand, and don’t need to, it’s time to move on. Clinging to a place will only hinder me. It’s time to get excited about what God has in store for me now.

If I believe He has a plan and that His ways are always best, then even if He plants me in the midst of a briar patch I should be content. The truth is that it’s not where I live or what kind of house I live in that matters, but it’s who I am in Him. God created me; He’s the one who cares for me and loves me (in spite of all my imperfections).

Life is short. We dare not waste a minute, especially if worrying about possessions fritters away precious moments. We must hold worldly goods lightly and let them go when asked. God has a plan. We can rest in that.

So love Him and know that our true treasures are heavenly not worldly.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Tips For Triumphant Living--Remember Where We Started

I’ve longed for contentment. And yet, I've not fully found it yet. I’m goal oriented, which very likekly makes me more prone to being discontent. It's especially hard because the environment most Americans live in tells us to want it all and to expect it all.

God’s Word says we are to be content. In I Timothy 6 Paul says, Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing let us be content.

Like all human beings I came into this world with nothing; in fact I was naked and didn’t even know it. All I cared about was keeping my tummy full (some things never change), staying warm and needing the touch of another human being. My mom and dad provided those things. Other expectations didn’t set in until much later.

Thinking back, I’ve wasted many hours dreaming of things I hoped to own or hoped to achieve. I’ve spent way too much time thinking about worthless pursuits. Sadly, if I’d focused more of my heart and brain on God and His ambitions for me I would have led a life that contained more contentment.

I’ve not given up on the pursuit of true happiness, which can only be found within God’s will. I turn my heart to Him more and more. He has the important things in mind, the things that really matter, like the lost and hurting souls in this world. He’s not so concerned about bigger paychecks or nicer homes or better cars.

Being human sometimes makes me feel small. If one is self-absorbed it makes for a small world. Often we lose sight of true riches, that of loving God and others well. What joy awaits us when we set our minds upon God and put feet to our faith. Then we are able to fulfill the great commission, to love others, and to be up to God's business instead of our own.

When we seek the Lord we will find Him, and there we will also discover joy and contentment, just as a baby does lying in its mother's arms.

Grace and peace to you from God.



I'll be at my daughter's wedding and then teaching at a writing conference. So, look for my next letter on August 4th.

Tips for Triumphant Living -- Learn to be content.

Paul says in Philippians 4:11-13 “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content. In any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

There have been many moments of discontent in my life. I remember once standing at my dining room window and looking out at the fields and forests surrounding my home and feeling such frustration with my life. I asked God, “Is this it? Do I have to be content with just this?” His answer . . .“YES!”

That’s not what I wanted to hear, but I knew what He would say before I asked. Did His yes mean that I’d never have anything more than I did at that moment? Not necessarily. What it did is ask questions. “Where is your gratitude? Where is your faith? Have you forgotten that above all else you are to tell others about me?"

God has given me more than I’ve even dreamed to ask. And yet, discontentment shadows my life.

I’m convinced that no matter how much we have there will always be something else that tantalizes us, one more thing that’s just out of reach. We think, if only I could achieve just this objective or possess that one more “whatever it is” then I’ll be happy. It’s a lie. Accomplishments and possessions never comnpletely satisfy.

When I consider the people I most admire it’s never their talent, the kind of car they drive or the beautiful home they live in that I value. It’s who they are that matters. The people I want to emulate are “just folks” whose hearts and minds are set upon Christ. They are people who listen instead of talk, people who give instead of take.

Discontent comes in all shapes and sizes. Our need for more time, more money, more recognition, more intelligence, even more knowledge . . . distracts us from what should be our true goal, God’s will.

How much sweeter life would be if we could rest in Christ; offer up our lives to him and allow His will to be what motivates us above all else.

Take heart, for as Paul says, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”

Blessings to you,

Bonnie