Month: March 2012

Determined!

At the beginning of this year a dear friend challenged her Facebook friends to come up with one word to take them through the year.  I chose the word DETERMINED!   The word determined is an adjective that means having made a firm decision and being resolved not to change it!

I purposely chose the word determined because I have it resolved in my spirit that I am moving forward in this life and not backwards.  I am determined not to allow past hurts and disappointments take me back to a dark place or time in my life.  Galatians 5:1  In this freedom Christ has made us free; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery which you have put off!

I am determined to walk in victory no matter what people say about me or think about me!   I am determined to encourage myself even when no one else does.  I am determined to receive the blessings and promises God has in store for me!  Psalm 23:5  He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  He anoints my head with oil; my cup runs over!

I have made the decision to live each day as a blessing from God.  I am determined to find joy in each day that I am able to wake up, even when I know I will have to face some challenges.  Psalm 118:24 This is the day which the LORD has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it!

I am determined to spend more time with my Father!  The one who can comfort me like no other; the One who truly listens and understands me for who I am.  I am determined to draw closer to the One who  has given me purpose and direction.  Psalm 121:1-2  I will look to the hills from where my help comes from! My help comes from the LORD who made heaven and earth!

I am resolved to be a better person because I want to be more like Him!  Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them!

 I am determined to take better care of myself.  I am determined to make better food choices. I am determined to exercise more.  I am determined to live more healthy and more holy!  Psalm 139:14  I praise Him because I am fearfully and wonderfully made! 

I am determined to trust God more and more with all aspects of my life.  I trust him with my family, my friends, my career, my finances, my ups and my downs! I am determined to let go and let God, because I know how awesome He truly is!  Psalm 24: 10  Who is the King of glory? The Lord Almighty—-He is the King of Glory!

Even in my brokenness, I am determined 2b restored!

Posted on in Encouragement

When I Was This Little Girl

You have searched me, LORD, and you know me.  Psalm 139:1


When I was this little girl, little did I know!

Little did I know how it would feel to have a broken heart; how it would feel to have a friend betray me; or how it would feel not to find my prince charming the first time I thought I was in love!  When I was this little girl, there was a sweet innocence in not knowing what I would face in the years to come.

When I was this little girl, I could not have  imagined the hurts and disappointments I would experience in this journey called life.  I could not have known of the brokenness I would experience, when I was touched inappropriately.  I could not have known that because I would need to wear glasses that some  would make fun of me and diminish my self-esteem.   When I was this little girl,  I could not have known that one of my closest friends would believe a lie told by her boyfriend.  How could I know this would end our relationship for good even when she realized she had been lied to?  How could I have known of the verbal and mental abuse I would endure in my first marriage?

When I was this little girl, how could I have known that the man my mother said was my father, would never return to see me?  How could I have known  my mother would deliberately try to keep me from knowing anything about this man?  How could I know she would pass away when I was 49 years old and take all she knew about him to her grave?

When I was this little girl, my grandmother told me about a man named Jesus! My  grandmother taught me to pray at an early age.  When I would get ready for bed each night, she would have me repeat the words to the Lord’s prayer after she said each line.  I had so much love and respect for my grandmother, that I did not even question the existence of  Jesus.  I believed because my grandmother believed.

Now that I am no longer this little girl, I have come to know Jesus on my own. I appreciate what my grandmother shared with me, but I had to get to know Him for myself.  I had to experience some brokenness so that I would talk to Him every day.  I had to go through this journey called life, so that I would know to give Him praise even before I got my breakthrough.  I know He has been my protector.  I know He has heard me crying and wiped away all of my tears.  I  know my strength comes from Him.

 

The LORD’S Prayer

My Father, who art in heaven, I honor your name! Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven! Give me this day my daily bread.  And forgive me my debts, as I forgive my debtors.  Please lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil.  For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, for ever. Amen! (Matthew 6:9-13)

When I was this little girl, He knew I would be broken only to 2B restored! He is my Father and He calls me daughter.