Never Alone

I came across the following prayer on the www.ibelieve.com website and I had to share it with you and I hope it does for you what it did for me or more.

That moment when your world feels like it's closing in on you, the moment that takes your breath away and not in a good way.. Some moments you're up and some you're down. Some battles you win, some you draw, some you lose. Some moments you fail God and you think surely I've frustrated His love and grace.

Your mind echoes questions like, Why? What do I do? Where do I go? God where are you? Do you see what is happening? Why must this be a part of my story? God do you understand? The questions and negative thoughts are countless.  No one knows or understands how you feel. The pain inside feels unbearable.  You feel alone, your situation must be unique you think. Surely this is all too much, I'm not sure I will make it you say.  (True Story)

This was how I was feeling. I started to google information surrounding what was going on in my head. My discovery was this, I am definitely not alone. There were several persons thousands of miles away typing out the very thoughts I was having. People with doubts, questions and a struggle to trust that the God of all would never leave them where they are, people like me.

That song one set of footprints comes to mind, when we feel at our lowest and unable to go any further is usually when God is holding and guiding us through the dark valleys. The story, the journey and the process can get very messy, leaving us feeling stuck and without hope. But in these times it just further fortifies the fact that only God is that constant friend and source and that with Him I can do all things and overcome all things. I don't always FEEL it, I sometimes have to believe what doesn't necessarily exist in my pool of thoughts or emotions at the time. Faith it, I like to think, I don't yet see it, but I believe it. I believe that provided I act on my faith, I will see things that have not yet come into existence.

Facing your human frailty can be pretty unnerving, knowing that your frame can only (health wise) successfully bear some amount of repeated exposure to stress and pressure.Knowing that we have supernatural reinforcement. That we aren't meant to do it alone, that God is always there and wants to be there for us. When we remember and allow ourselves to come to the realization that the Lord cares and urges us to cast our cares on Him. In the moment that we do, we find a peace that can come from no other source and cannot be duplicated.

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

You are never alone, never forget it.
May the joy of the Lord be your strength.

Blessings

Soul mate or sole soul mate...

As the American writer Richard Bach said, "A soulmate is someone who has locks that fit our keys, and keys to fit our locks. When we feel safe enough to open the locks, our truest selves step out and we can be completely and honestly who we are."

It's Valentine's day or love day as some call it. Love is such an integral part of the human experience. A word and concept so overused and abused. Love has many doubters some go as far as to claim they hate it, although their declaration unwittingly shows their need for it. Some are in love with the idea of love and ideals it promises in our culture  (guilty). I've been that girl. That girl so obsessed with getting this "love" I gave away irretrievable pieces of myself. I searched everywhere except in me. I often heard and sang of this great love that would solve all my problems and I was onboard the quest for it. I also heard of the great love of God but I assumed that was for another part of me, that the two weren't related. I assumed that I needed to find that romantic love that would "fix" me so I could love God better..... Boy was I wrong.

I believe in the concept of soul mates not a sole soul mate... I've lived and learned enough to come to a conclusion for myself that the fairy tale idea of one single soul on this planet to complete me might not be so. My reason is this, not everyone cares to get deep enough in knowing you on a soul level. In some cases it's just a relationship in passing, killing time. While there are others who come into your life and seek to know the depths of you and to touch those deep parts. These people are those with whom you form a soul connection. Hopefully it's a soul connection that builds you and shows you your beautiful. The things in you, you didn't know how to unearth on your own. The things that remind you of the beauty of life and the wonderful God given gift of pure love.  If it is, treasure it, build on it, pray over and watch it grow and flourish. If it is the opposite that drains you and tears you, you probably should remove every form of life from it, pray for them and keep it moving. This applies to both friendships and relationships.

I dare to say God is my ultimate "soul mate", lover of my soul, the key to my happiness, my provider, corrector, my everything. However he gives me soul mates to share this journey with. My family, my best and closest friends are the ones he allows me to share soul moments with. We share with each other and connect on a deeper level, sharing our dreams, hurts and greatest joys. I am blessed, grateful. I am now and forever a student of love. Love has taught me many things in my life especially over the past two years, what it's worth and more importantly what it is and isn't. Celebrate love today and everyday. Celebrate the love of God, loving yourself and the family and friends you're gifted with.

Cheers to everyday love, with no conditions. The love God gives. I pray we grow to be able to give and receive a love that is patient, kind, not self seeking, not rude, not easily angered, that keeps no record of wrong, delights in truth, always hopes and preserves.
With  LOVE.
Blessings.

For someone, with love...

“I am my own biggest critic. Before anyone else has criticized me, I have already criticized myself. But for the rest of my life, I am going to be with me and I don't want to spend my life with someone who is always critical. So I am going to stop being my own critic. It's high time that I accept all the great things about me.”
― C. JoyBell C.

Today and every day, learn to celebrate you. With a heart of gratitude to God for all you are and hope to be by His grace.

💖

Feelin' The Love? (The I Love me and I Show it Challenge update)

Hey You!

How has the challenge been going? I hope you have been real good to you this past week! I also hope you keep it up. For me, it was a little challenging in some areas, but I made it and I am definitely on my way. I confronted some patterns and successfully challenged them so I'm pretty grateful. Jesus has been my ace through it, I had to ask Him to help me quite a bit. When challenging old patterns they seem to grow claws trying to hold on for dear life! But God! (INSERT THE BIGGEST GRIN POSSIBLE in your mind)

I want to share something else with you that forms a part of the I love me and I show it challenge. It's about guarding your mind because as they say where the mind goes the man follows.

 

I came across this photo from author and speaker Lysa Terkeurst and in its simplicity it managed to give me a reminder aha. Again, there is nothing new under the sun, we know quite a bit of everything we're going to hear, but sometimes we don't focus on it long enough for it to do its work. Or sometimes a little perspective is needed, better yet, having knowledge is nothing without exercising wisdom to truly apply it. Hearers and not doers basically. Since the contents of our minds can either break or make us, it makes sense that we think about what we think about (HA) .

Being kind to ourselves in our thought life requires vigilance and holding thoughts captive that are not life giving and nourishing to the soul. As Philippians 4:8 (NIV) says: finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. The more we feed our mind with positive, loving thoughts, I think we will have more positive and loving experiences. So try this with me, monitor your thoughts towards you and your self talk for the next week. If it's not loving, nip it on the bud. Remember also that loving means being honest, yet gentle, patient and kind with you. Don't be harsh or talk down to yourself, instead use an uplifting tone and gentle words.I believe if we practice this, we will exhibit more love and positivity when dealing with others and those around us wont be able to help but notice and want the to know the secret.



Cheers to living, loving, growing and dreaming...
Blessings..