"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:5 (NIV)
Are you in that ‘poor pitiful me’ place today? Perhaps you were yesterday or you will be tomorrow? It happens to the best of us and especially to those of us who tend to turn inward when we’re feeling down. It’s a bad habit to get into. Getting sullen, quiet, backing off from the world because we feel emotional and sad only makes our pity-party grow into a major life event. When we’re downcast and sad, even if we know it’s a situational or even hormonal thing that will soon pass, God doesn’t want us to turn our pain within. He wants us to share it with Him, pour it out and praise Him even in the midst of it. Because the ‘boo -hooing’ will pass and joy truly will come in the morning if we set our heart and mind on Him and His agenda.
If you're not resting, allowing yourself to mull over worry, fear and pain again and again and again....please read on. If you're in a dark place and you can't see anything hopeful right now, I encourage you to look at the past. Did you think you'd ever make it today? Many of us can say we're shocked we're still here. Many of us can see we've seen dark days and felt such sadness that we didn't think we'd ever find a happy moment again. Many of us can say that our hearts have ached over our own choices as well as how others have treated us. Many of us must look back and realistically say that the days behind us were not all dark, though. In fact, most of us can see a myriad of highs and lows behind us. That's life. That's reality. If you look at life as it is today, remember that it won't always be as it is right now. If you're having a difficult time, remember that happiness might be right around the corner and in fact, likely is! If you're at a high point and happy moments are your norm right now, then don't take them for granted because life DOES happen. You'll need to remember that when times get tough.
No matter what...hold on to the joy that wells up in your soul. Being happy is simply about what's happening in the moment. Being joyful is about knowing what's eternal! Being joyful is about allowing yourself to remember that joy and peace surpass all understanding. When you put that smile of hope on your face and others wonder how you can feel joy in the midst of a situation that should otherwise make your soul feel downcast, you have just shown them that you know how to truly live beyond your circumstances and love yourself enough to allow joy to be your resting place.
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Showing posts with label encouragement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label encouragement. Show all posts
Monday, May 12, 2014
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Have you ever?
Have you ever...played that game that preteens and teenagers play called, "Have You Ever?" It's a pretty simple and silly game but with pretty profound effects. It puts more than a bit of pressure on those playing to come up with something from their meager years to brag about and see who else has not done it. It's basically a competition to see who can best the rest of the group. "Have you ever....kissed a boy you didn't know?" Have you ever....shoplifted?" Have you ever...smoked pot?" Not only can it offer a pull towards exaggeration and lying, it can also plant seeds about what someone else might think is 'cool' to do or awesome to try out!
I prefer a different version of the game...one that is filled with hope and lessons for the Lord. It's more of a spiritual enlightenment or thought provoking kind of a "Have you ever..."
Have you ever....
Woken in the morning and gone straight to your knees in prayer?
Have you ever....
Been so filled with the power of the Holy Spirit that you could not contain your laughter?
Have you ever....
Cried until all your tears seemed to be gone? And felt the presence of God with you?
Have you ever....
Been so hurt by someone that your very soul seemed to ache...and yet forgiven him or her anyhow?
Have you ever....
Made a choice knowing precisely that it was the correct one...and felt peace like you had never felt before because you knew God must surely be pleased?
Have you ever...
Spent an hour just reading your bible...for the heck of it?
Have you ever....
Stopped and helped someone without asking for anything in return and not telling anyone else that you did it?
Have you ever....
Chosen to forego your own time, your own desires, your own wants...in order to help someone else or in order to give to someone else?
Have you ever...
Gotten completely silly? Danced in the rain? Run barefoot in the grass? Skipped down the street? Threw water on a friend? Put food coloring in your pancakes?
Have you ever...
Seen a soldier or a retired military person and just thanked him or her for their service to this country? Thanked them for continuing to fight to allow us to live in a country where we are free to worship our God and proclaim the name of Jesus without the punishment of death or political persecution?
Have you ever...
Loved someone so much that you put his or her needs and wants before your own?
Have you ever...
Had a friend you could truly trust with nearly anything? And proved to him or her that you could be trusted just the same?
Have you ever....
Told someone else about Jesus? Witnessed to someone in a public bathroom? At the store? At church? To your neighbor? To a stranger?
Have you ever...
Thanked God for the good, the bad, the forgiveness, the grace, His word, the love, the family, the friends...that He blessed you with?
If you have not done any of the above, then I challenge you to start with your list today....You will not regret it. More importantly, He will bless you for it.
Karen
www.womaninspired.com
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Monday, March 17, 2014
Hope in the Almighty
When the air is hard to breathe,
not because of the world outside,
but because of the hurt within,
I have to close my eyes,
envision truth thru God's eyes
and not let the heaviness win.
Like a leaden anchor hoisted upon my chest,
the days' weighty issues
bare the realities of my stress.
Stretched to the bounds without limits;
dashed, crashed and overloaded...
yet with Hope in The Almighty,
my faith has not given up,
given in or folded.
Karen McCracken
www.womaninspired.com
Join me on FaceBook: A Woman Inspired
not because of the world outside,
but because of the hurt within,
I have to close my eyes,
envision truth thru God's eyes
and not let the heaviness win.
Like a leaden anchor hoisted upon my chest,
the days' weighty issues
bare the realities of my stress.
Stretched to the bounds without limits;
dashed, crashed and overloaded...
yet with Hope in The Almighty,
my faith has not given up,
given in or folded.
Karen McCracken
www.womaninspired.com
Join me on FaceBook: A Woman Inspired
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Beyond the walls of fear
Have you ever lived with a wall of fear around you? A thick fog of fear that you cannot seem to see beyond? It's as if you're stuck there…You know you should be knocking that wall down but you don't have the strength to do so. So you stay within those walls. The walls can even be strangely comforting. You feel secure because they are familiar, habitual; consistent. Knowing that you have the walls of fear is one thing but the idea of not knowing how to exist without them is a whole different kind of frightening thought altogether and so you do not dare break them down to see if you can indeed live without them around you. You do not dare rid your life of them or of the very thing, person, feeling, events, relationships that helped to build them in the first place.
The resistance to break the walls down inherently comes from the sense of comfort in the middle of pain; a kind of comfort that only someone in the same position would understand. To others, that comfort looks disastrous, ridiculous, and even insane…for they see the dangers lurking. They see the future you might likely face if you stay where you are. But you cannot see beyond today or tomorrow. You have become comfortable in your pain – in your fears – because at least you know what to expect then. You know, at least at a reasonable rate, how to successfully deal with the wall of fear on a daily basis. It's your wall. You know every crack, every graffiti mark…every place where the wall has threatened to topple. So you let it stay.
But what happens when the walls close in on you – moving ever closer – smothering who you are? Stunting your growth and keeping you from becoming who you know you can become? Then what do you do? Lay in wait until the walls come so close that all God's light is blocked out completely? Becoming a dark, dreary, sorrowful shell of who you should be? Perhaps you are already a mere shadow of the person God meant for you to be by now. Perhaps the very dangers others see lurking are the ones you live with on a daily basis...and these dangers seem too daunting to tackle on your own and so you stay where you are - comfortable, though not comforted; secure in the habit, though not safe from the dangers..feeling unable to break free.
For many of us, that is our exact scenario. Perhaps the reasons for the walls vary amongst a thousand different stories, but the walls are the same. The story is familiar. The ending all too familiar for many. Will it be your ending as well? Or will you reach up through the last bit of existing light and grasp hold of God's hand – allowing Him to pull you through? Will you see beyond the walls to grab a life-saving hand of a friend and allow him to help you break the walls down?
You have to make the first move. The walls are impenetrable from the outside except by God. You must be the one who reaches up to accept the help. You must be the one that looks forward to the future…who sees beyond the walls to the outstretched hands of friends and loved ones...and you are the only one who can say Yes to life…No to fear….
You are the only who can lean on the Lord's promises that He will never leave you nor forsake you. You must be the one who decides that growing into the child God is calling you to be is more important than hanging on to your fear and to what you wish could have been inside those walls. Letting go of what might have been to see what truly is - that is part of the challenge. You can do that - with prayer and God's help - you can see the truth of the fearful walls you are living within. You can move into the Today He calls you to be in! Saying Yes is the very first step. You can do it…God will reach for you but you must take hold of Him and never, ever let go…
For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41 1:13
...Karen
Living in fear? Need help transitioning into freedom and faith? Find out if Christian spiritual Life Coaching is for you. Go to Lifecoachinspired.com
Get a FREE session today!
The resistance to break the walls down inherently comes from the sense of comfort in the middle of pain; a kind of comfort that only someone in the same position would understand. To others, that comfort looks disastrous, ridiculous, and even insane…for they see the dangers lurking. They see the future you might likely face if you stay where you are. But you cannot see beyond today or tomorrow. You have become comfortable in your pain – in your fears – because at least you know what to expect then. You know, at least at a reasonable rate, how to successfully deal with the wall of fear on a daily basis. It's your wall. You know every crack, every graffiti mark…every place where the wall has threatened to topple. So you let it stay.
But what happens when the walls close in on you – moving ever closer – smothering who you are? Stunting your growth and keeping you from becoming who you know you can become? Then what do you do? Lay in wait until the walls come so close that all God's light is blocked out completely? Becoming a dark, dreary, sorrowful shell of who you should be? Perhaps you are already a mere shadow of the person God meant for you to be by now. Perhaps the very dangers others see lurking are the ones you live with on a daily basis...and these dangers seem too daunting to tackle on your own and so you stay where you are - comfortable, though not comforted; secure in the habit, though not safe from the dangers..feeling unable to break free.
For many of us, that is our exact scenario. Perhaps the reasons for the walls vary amongst a thousand different stories, but the walls are the same. The story is familiar. The ending all too familiar for many. Will it be your ending as well? Or will you reach up through the last bit of existing light and grasp hold of God's hand – allowing Him to pull you through? Will you see beyond the walls to grab a life-saving hand of a friend and allow him to help you break the walls down?
You have to make the first move. The walls are impenetrable from the outside except by God. You must be the one who reaches up to accept the help. You must be the one that looks forward to the future…who sees beyond the walls to the outstretched hands of friends and loved ones...and you are the only one who can say Yes to life…No to fear….
You are the only who can lean on the Lord's promises that He will never leave you nor forsake you. You must be the one who decides that growing into the child God is calling you to be is more important than hanging on to your fear and to what you wish could have been inside those walls. Letting go of what might have been to see what truly is - that is part of the challenge. You can do that - with prayer and God's help - you can see the truth of the fearful walls you are living within. You can move into the Today He calls you to be in! Saying Yes is the very first step. You can do it…God will reach for you but you must take hold of Him and never, ever let go…
For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41 1:13
...Karen
Living in fear? Need help transitioning into freedom and faith? Find out if Christian spiritual Life Coaching is for you. Go to Lifecoachinspired.com
Get a FREE session today!
Friday, May 18, 2012
Refuge and refueling
“For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will set me high upon a rock.” Psalm 27:5 (NIV)
There are days I want nothing more than to run and hide. Whether due to stress or emotions, there are days I just want to curl up in bed with the covers over my head. Those are the days I’ve learned that I need to seek God even more.
Some days there is no actual trouble I’m hiding from. Sometimes it’s just the world around me and the daily “to do” list that has me seeking shelter. In today’s culture women have even more titles than ever before: home-maker, bread-baker, seamstress, maid, taxi-cab driver, Mom, daughter, wife, care-giver, professional…add to that the tasks of balancing the household finances, volunteering at church and keeping up with all the little pieces of life in between and it’s no wonder so many women are worn out and empty-feeling.
If you’re tempted to retreat from life and all those responsibilities on a regular basis then I encourage you to immediately fall to your knees or rest your head for a moment as you close your eyes and seek God for that place of spiritual refuge. Even if it’s only for a moment or two, God can overcome your heart and your weariness with a fresh message from the Bible or just a whisper to your heart.
And then I encourage you to do what took me waaaay too many years to do: take time for yourself. Set up regularly built-in breaks for yourself. Take time to read, go to lunch, go for a walk or just pamper yourself. God-time and personal respite time will make all the difference in your daily life; whether your hormones are telling you that you do or do not, you DO deserve it.
Feeling like you’re Running On E’, check out the following book for inspiration and encouragement on how to fuel up the right way! Running On E’ (now available as an Ebook and on iTunes)
For more devotionals, check out 28 days of PMS ~ Praising My Savior
Seeking Christian Spiritual LifeCoaching and encouragement along the way? See LifeCoachInspired.com
To schedule Karen for your next conference, retreat or ministry event, go to www.womaninspired.com
There are days I want nothing more than to run and hide. Whether due to stress or emotions, there are days I just want to curl up in bed with the covers over my head. Those are the days I’ve learned that I need to seek God even more.
Some days there is no actual trouble I’m hiding from. Sometimes it’s just the world around me and the daily “to do” list that has me seeking shelter. In today’s culture women have even more titles than ever before: home-maker, bread-baker, seamstress, maid, taxi-cab driver, Mom, daughter, wife, care-giver, professional…add to that the tasks of balancing the household finances, volunteering at church and keeping up with all the little pieces of life in between and it’s no wonder so many women are worn out and empty-feeling.
If you’re tempted to retreat from life and all those responsibilities on a regular basis then I encourage you to immediately fall to your knees or rest your head for a moment as you close your eyes and seek God for that place of spiritual refuge. Even if it’s only for a moment or two, God can overcome your heart and your weariness with a fresh message from the Bible or just a whisper to your heart.
And then I encourage you to do what took me waaaay too many years to do: take time for yourself. Set up regularly built-in breaks for yourself. Take time to read, go to lunch, go for a walk or just pamper yourself. God-time and personal respite time will make all the difference in your daily life; whether your hormones are telling you that you do or do not, you DO deserve it.
Feeling like you’re Running On E’, check out the following book for inspiration and encouragement on how to fuel up the right way! Running On E’ (now available as an Ebook and on iTunes)
For more devotionals, check out 28 days of PMS ~ Praising My Savior
Seeking Christian Spiritual LifeCoaching and encouragement along the way? See LifeCoachInspired.com
To schedule Karen for your next conference, retreat or ministry event, go to www.womaninspired.com
Monday, May 7, 2012
Out of the flesh and into faith
“I waited patiently and expectantly for the Lord; and he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up out of a horrible pit (a pit of tumult and of destruction), out of the miry clay (froth and slime), and set my feet upon a rock, steadying my steps and establishing my goings. And He has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many shall see and fear (revere and worship) and put their trust and confident reliance in the Lord.” Psalm 40:1-3 (Amplified Bible)
When God first gave me the idea for PMS – Praising My Savior – as a theme in my life, it seemed ridiculous to me but the more I spoke it out and shared it with other women the more His ideas resonated with me…and not just with me but with many other women as well.
In my twenties and early thirties I was so caught up in what my body was doing that I could barely think of anything else. I had chronic pain, infertility issues, many surgeries and subsequent depression due to my physical ailments and inconsistent periods. I surrounded myself with reminders that I was trapped in a body that didn’t work as I thought it should. I felt inadequate for not being able to have a child and I felt worthless as a woman.
In an attempt to make myself feel better and catch the attention of my husband in the midst of a failing marriage, I went on a radical diet. (If you could call it a diet, that is. I think you actually have to eat something most days to call it a diet!) I also took to exercising 2 and 3 times a day for more than an hour at a time. I thought for sure IF I’d lose weight then all my troubles would go away. I thought IF I would lose pounds then my marriage would be healed and I would feel more attractive.
I did indeed lose weight, drastically. I lost more than 30 pounds in one month. I also started to lose my hair, became dehydrated and my fingernails started to split and fall off. I became sicker than I’d ever been and I had to have my thyroid medication changed several times to keep up with the ways I was abusing my body. And it did nothing what-so-ever to fix my marriage or my self-esteem.
In the process of being so caught up in my flesh and my ‘woe is me’ attitude, I forgot about my relationship with the Lord. I had stopped praying; opting to take more time to exercise rather than having one-on-one quiet time with the Lord. As I faced another surgery, my wake-up call came and I realized that I hadn’t cried out to the Lord in quite some time.
Through some very personal tragic events and God’s prompting, I finally came back to Him…and He waited patiently, with open arms…expectantly. He set my feet more firmly on the path He wanted me on and this time I paid attention!
If you’re in that place, getting so caught up in what your body is doing, that you’re neglecting your spirit and who you are in the Lord, then you need to stop, drop and assess the toll your self-centeredness has taken on who you truly are. Go back to the basics: quiet time every single day with God and His Word. Get out of your flesh and back into His arms. When you do, He truly will put a new song in your mouth.
For more devotionals and inspiration check out “28 Days of PMS ~ Praising My Savior” or “Running On E’
For ebook formats check out iTunes: Womaninspired books
When God first gave me the idea for PMS – Praising My Savior – as a theme in my life, it seemed ridiculous to me but the more I spoke it out and shared it with other women the more His ideas resonated with me…and not just with me but with many other women as well.
In my twenties and early thirties I was so caught up in what my body was doing that I could barely think of anything else. I had chronic pain, infertility issues, many surgeries and subsequent depression due to my physical ailments and inconsistent periods. I surrounded myself with reminders that I was trapped in a body that didn’t work as I thought it should. I felt inadequate for not being able to have a child and I felt worthless as a woman.
In an attempt to make myself feel better and catch the attention of my husband in the midst of a failing marriage, I went on a radical diet. (If you could call it a diet, that is. I think you actually have to eat something most days to call it a diet!) I also took to exercising 2 and 3 times a day for more than an hour at a time. I thought for sure IF I’d lose weight then all my troubles would go away. I thought IF I would lose pounds then my marriage would be healed and I would feel more attractive.
I did indeed lose weight, drastically. I lost more than 30 pounds in one month. I also started to lose my hair, became dehydrated and my fingernails started to split and fall off. I became sicker than I’d ever been and I had to have my thyroid medication changed several times to keep up with the ways I was abusing my body. And it did nothing what-so-ever to fix my marriage or my self-esteem.
In the process of being so caught up in my flesh and my ‘woe is me’ attitude, I forgot about my relationship with the Lord. I had stopped praying; opting to take more time to exercise rather than having one-on-one quiet time with the Lord. As I faced another surgery, my wake-up call came and I realized that I hadn’t cried out to the Lord in quite some time.
Through some very personal tragic events and God’s prompting, I finally came back to Him…and He waited patiently, with open arms…expectantly. He set my feet more firmly on the path He wanted me on and this time I paid attention!
If you’re in that place, getting so caught up in what your body is doing, that you’re neglecting your spirit and who you are in the Lord, then you need to stop, drop and assess the toll your self-centeredness has taken on who you truly are. Go back to the basics: quiet time every single day with God and His Word. Get out of your flesh and back into His arms. When you do, He truly will put a new song in your mouth.
For more devotionals and inspiration check out “28 Days of PMS ~ Praising My Savior” or “Running On E’
For ebook formats check out iTunes: Womaninspired books
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Toilet paper on my shoe...
"We are assured and know that (God being a partner in their labor), all things work together and are (fitting into a plan) for good to and for those who love God and are called according to (His) design and purpose.” Romans 8: 28 (Amplified Bible)
There are days when nothing seems to work right for me. Not sure about you, but when I’ve been up most of the night unable to sleep my brain doesn’t seem to function well the next day and neither does my body. I know somewhere in this mess of hormone surges and hot flashes there is a soul with a purpose. But there are days when parts of me just seem like left-over parts God had in a heap somewhere and didn’t know what to do with, so He gave them to me.
I have no doubt that in His infinite wisdom He does indeed put things together to work out for my good and for His glory but when I have one of those days where toilet paper gets stuck to the back of my shoe and I drag it around Wal-Mart with me, I tend to doubt His plan. I need only seek His Word to again reassure and assure me that ALL things work together and are just right for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.
I know I am called for certain purposes, including reaching out to women who are seeking more than a mundane life. I know that I am supposed to live while I am alive and not walk around as if I’m already dead just because I have aches and pains. So I will gladly take the reassurance offered in God’s Word and praise Him for it even when I don’t feel well…or when I get giggled at by the check-out lady as I attempt to get the toilet paper off my shoe.
There are days when nothing seems to work right for me. Not sure about you, but when I’ve been up most of the night unable to sleep my brain doesn’t seem to function well the next day and neither does my body. I know somewhere in this mess of hormone surges and hot flashes there is a soul with a purpose. But there are days when parts of me just seem like left-over parts God had in a heap somewhere and didn’t know what to do with, so He gave them to me.
I have no doubt that in His infinite wisdom He does indeed put things together to work out for my good and for His glory but when I have one of those days where toilet paper gets stuck to the back of my shoe and I drag it around Wal-Mart with me, I tend to doubt His plan. I need only seek His Word to again reassure and assure me that ALL things work together and are just right for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.
I know I am called for certain purposes, including reaching out to women who are seeking more than a mundane life. I know that I am supposed to live while I am alive and not walk around as if I’m already dead just because I have aches and pains. So I will gladly take the reassurance offered in God’s Word and praise Him for it even when I don’t feel well…or when I get giggled at by the check-out lady as I attempt to get the toilet paper off my shoe.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
The Faithful Son
Not so long ago there was a smart, witty, God-fearing boy who longed to be continually on God’s path, growing in His presence, wisdom and love. This boy awoke one morning, hearing the voice of God tell him to rise and go down the road beside his house...and to keep walking. The boy didn't know where he was going or why God wanted him to go; he just knew that he heard the voice of God and he wasn't going to ignore it.
A little ways down the road he felt a strong stirring to try to see what was at the end of the road. As he peered ahead he could see a great and beautiful tree - just the tops of it because it was quite a distance away. The closer he got to the tree, the more he could see of it and even though he wanted to run, he could hear God telling him to walk and be patient. And so he did walk and he was as patient as he could muster up the strength to be. He was also as obedient as he could be along the path even though at times the walk was exhausting. (Truth be told, his eagerness got the best of him once or twice and he DID stop along the side of the road and climb a tree or two in order to get a better look at this beautiful place God was sending him.)
As the road would take a turn and then go around another bend, the boy never gave up...though he got tired, dusty, too hot, too cold and hungry he kept going. Not once did God fail to provide for him along the path. As he walked further down the path, the boy could see the tree with all its beautiful fruit and foliage getting closer and closer. With his destination clear, he knew he had somehow earned God's favor, not just his grace and mercy. Even when he had occasion to doubt God because he would lose sight of that tree when he went into a valley or as he made his way up the back side of a steep hill, the boy didn't lose faith because he knew God had given him a vision of what was to come.
One day the boy walked up and over a small rise and lo’ and behold, there was the magnificently beautiful tree right in front of him. It had gorgeous tender flowers all over it with the most delicious looking fruit. As he approached the tree he began to cry out in joy and praises to God for bringing him to this blessed destination. But as he praised God he heard His voice once again. The voice of God was saying, "My son, this is not your destination." The boy thought perhaps he was hearing wrong but again God said "My son, this is not your destination."
Bewildered, the boy didn't know what to do. For so long he had seen this tree in his sights and kept moving forward just to partake of what he thought God wanted him to have. God spoke to the boy and said "My son, if you will look closely, the path I laid out for you does not lead to this tree. It goes beside the tree but the path continues on...and so must you."
Disappointed, doubtful and angry, the boy refused to walk any further. Sitting, leaning against the tree, the boy began to cry; at first out of anger and then self-pity. He loved this tree. He had come to know it as a sign of hope, a friend, a welcome vision in the distance. And yet, as he sat below the tree, leaning against it he realized that there was no one and nothing else that mattered more to him than God. Staying in this place that he was not destined for meant he would lose out on the destination God DID have for him. He prayed and realized that if this magnificent place was not his destination then God must surely have something even greater in mind for him. He couldn't imagine anything better but he knew what God's Word said. God's imagination and creativity was far greater than his own. Surely God would be with him as he moved forward.
So, resolved to step out in faith once again, the boy got up, dusted the dirt off his feet and continued walking. Choosing to be like Lot, he did not look back. In fondness he remembered the tree...but in thankfulness he remembered the walk and ALL he had experienced thus far.
As the boy continued forward he came to what he thought was a dead-end; but truly it was a sharp, sharp turn. Step by step the boy managed the sharpness of the steep turn. It surely was worth the effort if God had taken such care to create it for him and it was definitely not the most difficult turn or steepest hill his path had brought him to thus far…so in sheer obedience, he continued. And as he finally conquered the difficult steps, he gave it his all as he headed around another small curve. As he did so, the most brilliant scene came before him...far more beautiful than the previous one. He stopped, awed at the beautiful creation he was witnessing. As he looked around, his heart swelled to see that his path led straight to the most amazing tree he had ever seen; bathed in a beautiful, glowing light; perfumed with the most precious of flowers. And then the boy fell to his knees as he heard God's voice say, "This is what I have prepared for you my son...well done faithful one. Well done."
Karen VanderMarliere- McCracken
© 2011 Womaninspired.com
At times we tend to think that we know just what God has planned for us. Or perhaps, most likely, we make a plan and ask God to bless it. Often, we beg Him to bless it and make it His will for us. When all the while, He has a path already mapped out for us. Sometimes He gives an idea of where we’re headed but the challenge is to take things one day at a time, one step at a time but never, ever out of His will or off His path. Thought we may get weary, worn out or impatient we never need worry because our God will not forsake us. He will always provide for us out of His great storehouse. He will never leave us nor abandon us as so many others do. As we trudge up one hill and down the other side; around the sharp curves and rocky turns, His strength and His Holy Spirit will be with each of us. As we seek to walk where He calls us, no doubt we will occasionally get off track, but our quest is to continue on and fulfill His plan…reaching the destinations along the way that He has for each of us. And reaching our final destination…in His arms.
In Him,
Karen
A little ways down the road he felt a strong stirring to try to see what was at the end of the road. As he peered ahead he could see a great and beautiful tree - just the tops of it because it was quite a distance away. The closer he got to the tree, the more he could see of it and even though he wanted to run, he could hear God telling him to walk and be patient. And so he did walk and he was as patient as he could muster up the strength to be. He was also as obedient as he could be along the path even though at times the walk was exhausting. (Truth be told, his eagerness got the best of him once or twice and he DID stop along the side of the road and climb a tree or two in order to get a better look at this beautiful place God was sending him.)
As the road would take a turn and then go around another bend, the boy never gave up...though he got tired, dusty, too hot, too cold and hungry he kept going. Not once did God fail to provide for him along the path. As he walked further down the path, the boy could see the tree with all its beautiful fruit and foliage getting closer and closer. With his destination clear, he knew he had somehow earned God's favor, not just his grace and mercy. Even when he had occasion to doubt God because he would lose sight of that tree when he went into a valley or as he made his way up the back side of a steep hill, the boy didn't lose faith because he knew God had given him a vision of what was to come.
One day the boy walked up and over a small rise and lo’ and behold, there was the magnificently beautiful tree right in front of him. It had gorgeous tender flowers all over it with the most delicious looking fruit. As he approached the tree he began to cry out in joy and praises to God for bringing him to this blessed destination. But as he praised God he heard His voice once again. The voice of God was saying, "My son, this is not your destination." The boy thought perhaps he was hearing wrong but again God said "My son, this is not your destination."
Bewildered, the boy didn't know what to do. For so long he had seen this tree in his sights and kept moving forward just to partake of what he thought God wanted him to have. God spoke to the boy and said "My son, if you will look closely, the path I laid out for you does not lead to this tree. It goes beside the tree but the path continues on...and so must you."
Disappointed, doubtful and angry, the boy refused to walk any further. Sitting, leaning against the tree, the boy began to cry; at first out of anger and then self-pity. He loved this tree. He had come to know it as a sign of hope, a friend, a welcome vision in the distance. And yet, as he sat below the tree, leaning against it he realized that there was no one and nothing else that mattered more to him than God. Staying in this place that he was not destined for meant he would lose out on the destination God DID have for him. He prayed and realized that if this magnificent place was not his destination then God must surely have something even greater in mind for him. He couldn't imagine anything better but he knew what God's Word said. God's imagination and creativity was far greater than his own. Surely God would be with him as he moved forward.
So, resolved to step out in faith once again, the boy got up, dusted the dirt off his feet and continued walking. Choosing to be like Lot, he did not look back. In fondness he remembered the tree...but in thankfulness he remembered the walk and ALL he had experienced thus far.
As the boy continued forward he came to what he thought was a dead-end; but truly it was a sharp, sharp turn. Step by step the boy managed the sharpness of the steep turn. It surely was worth the effort if God had taken such care to create it for him and it was definitely not the most difficult turn or steepest hill his path had brought him to thus far…so in sheer obedience, he continued. And as he finally conquered the difficult steps, he gave it his all as he headed around another small curve. As he did so, the most brilliant scene came before him...far more beautiful than the previous one. He stopped, awed at the beautiful creation he was witnessing. As he looked around, his heart swelled to see that his path led straight to the most amazing tree he had ever seen; bathed in a beautiful, glowing light; perfumed with the most precious of flowers. And then the boy fell to his knees as he heard God's voice say, "This is what I have prepared for you my son...well done faithful one. Well done."
Karen VanderMarliere- McCracken
© 2011 Womaninspired.com
At times we tend to think that we know just what God has planned for us. Or perhaps, most likely, we make a plan and ask God to bless it. Often, we beg Him to bless it and make it His will for us. When all the while, He has a path already mapped out for us. Sometimes He gives an idea of where we’re headed but the challenge is to take things one day at a time, one step at a time but never, ever out of His will or off His path. Thought we may get weary, worn out or impatient we never need worry because our God will not forsake us. He will always provide for us out of His great storehouse. He will never leave us nor abandon us as so many others do. As we trudge up one hill and down the other side; around the sharp curves and rocky turns, His strength and His Holy Spirit will be with each of us. As we seek to walk where He calls us, no doubt we will occasionally get off track, but our quest is to continue on and fulfill His plan…reaching the destinations along the way that He has for each of us. And reaching our final destination…in His arms.
In Him,
Karen
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