Tag Archives: Trust

When The Ending Isn’t Always What We Think It Should Be

IMG_1234

Movies, relationships, and how sometimes the ending isn’t always what we think it should be, or want it to be.

Last night my husband and I watched the movie, Cast Away, starring Tom Hanks. The movie originally showed in theatres in 2000, but last night was the first time I had seen it. It was a good movie, but made me sad too. I’m the type that likes movies to have a happy ending. I like things to be tied up in a big red bow by the time the credits roll.  My husband reminded me that life just isn’t that way, and this was still a good movie because Tom Hank’s character had grown and changed by the end. True…but, still.

My husband is right. Life doesn’t always have what we would consider happy endings. Things that happen aren’t always fair. All of us live in this fallen world where the fissures of life often leak out pain and brokenness. Most of us have experienced the questions of “why?”, “what if?” and “if only”.

Sometimes, when I am feeling contemplative, I consider the almost forty-seven years of my life. I relive my story, rewind the scenes, play back the moments. Sometimes my heart aches, and I still don’t always understand.

The truth is I probably won’t ever fully understand the why of all of life’s situations. Even if God, Himself, explained the why…would I be able to comprehend? Would it make sense to my finite mind? And would it change anything right now? Really?

I trust Him.

I trust that God does know and He does understand…..even when I don’t…..and I cling to that.

“Because of the Lord’s great love
we are not consumed,
for His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is His faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3: 22 & 23

IMG_0184

Living Through The Aftermath

In the aftermath of the fierce and tragic storms that have hit the southern part of our country, we all need the reminder of trusting in the midst. As much as I enjoy watching the weather, my heart aches for those that have been hurt or lost everything they owned to the ferocious winds and flying debris. I wrote this particular blog post a couple of years ago under similar circumstances….when my fellow citizens were living through the aftermath.

1MAR

Trusting In The Midst

1MAR

Category F5 tornado (upgraded from initial est...

I am a bonafide weather geek. No doubt about it. I have NOAA and The Weather Channel on my computer. I love watching Storm Stories and am fascinated by the Weather in Motion maps, so that I am able to track storms in real time. Weather is a tricky business, and it can change at the last second…sparing one area, devastating another. People think they can predict what will happen days in advance…but, it’s all just an educated guess, isn’t it?

I don’t trust the meteorologists. It’s nothing personal, it’s just that they are not God. They cannot know, not really.

Tomorrow the area of the Mid-West that I live in is in the “red zone” for severe weather, dangerous winds, possible tornadoes.

I can “batten down the hatches” at my house.  I can listen to the news. I can track the storms on my computer. I can try and be prepared, but I cannot trust that I alone can handle the storms that come my way. I can’t. I never could. Oh, I try, but, ultimately I am defenseless in the wake of the strong winds, crashing waves, and utter darkness of this life.

I do know someone that I can trust. Completely.

The One who can calm storms with the very sound of His voice. Sometimes He chooses to calm the storm and no one gets hurt. At other times the storms rage wild, life is torn to bits, people die. We ask the question that hangs heavy on the brokenhearted….. “God, where were You?”

He is there, in the midst. He never left. He never will.

Tragedy happens in this life. There are few of us that have never wept the tears of grief and pain. It is part of the human condition.

Storms do come. They will continue to come. I choose to cling to the Rock that holds steady through the strongest storms of this broken world.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High 
   will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, 
   my God, in whom I trust.”  Psalm 91

Do Not Be Anxious About Anything

I remember reading a book, years ago, entitled Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff. This book talked about not getting stressed over stuff that in the big scheme of things, really isn’t all that important.

Sometimes easier said than done…at least in my world. Sigh…….

I tend to stress. I fret. I worry. I mull things over until my head hurts. I’ve even at times affected by health because of stress. There are mornings when I get up and half way through my morning routine realize that my shoulders are hiked up practically to my ears! I tell myself to take a deep breath and relax, as my shoulders loosen up ever so slightly.

God tells me in His word that I’m not going to add any time to my days by worrying. Stressing really is the thief of peace.

Honestly, I want to learn that lesson. I want to internalize it. I want to live it.

What am I really saying to God when I continue to worry and stress about the future, as well as the day to day?

“God, I know You are big, but not big enough”.

The hiss of fear wraps itself in my worry. The pain of stress weighs heavy.

God, forgive me.

But, Jesus who loves me so, whispers to my heart…..”You are mine. I bought you for a price. No matter what happens in this life, I am with you. I will never leave you. I will never forsake you. You are my redeemed. My child……..and I’ve got you covered. Once and for all.”

 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 

*****************************************************************

Today I am thankful for: 

* blazing pinks and purples in the morning sky

* sun peeking over the horizon

* waiting for a rainy day

* a slow, quiet Monday

* smiles

* new friends

* laughter

* reminiscing

* comfy t-shirt

* piles of laundry

* furry pets

* clucking chickens

* grass getting greener

* God who IS big enough

* Jesus who stands in the gap

 

IMG_1244

 

Don’t You Feel It Too?

Yesterday the Jesus Calling devotion (by Sarah Young) spoke to me loudly and clearly. There are times when I know beyond a shadow of doubt that God is speaking directly to me. The Word said, “TRUST ME, and don’t be afraid. Many things feel out of control…….When you are shaken out of your comfortable routines, grip My hand tightly and look for growth opportunities.”

Isn’t this the truth for most of us?  Don’t you feel it too?

I know that I like security and familiarity. I feel comfortable when I know what to expect. Unfortunately, life doesn’t stay that way for long. I try…but, so many times things are out of my control, beyond my reach, out of my grasp. I am often left wondering the “why” of the circumstances. When life doesn’t make sense to my finite mind, I need to remember to trust the Infinite.

Sometimes the most difficult thing to do, is trust. Don’t get me wrong, I want to. I need to. I long to……..

God, help me.

 

IMG_1178

 

 

An Act Of Obedience

Bonnie, at Faith Barista, picked my word for the year for this weeks prompt. You can read about it here.

Yes!

Yes! (Photo credit: Joe Shlabotnik)

The word is “yes”.

True, I did make a post on this a couple of weeks ago but, there is still much that I can say about this particular word. A short, yet powerful word.

Yes comes easy, when it is in response to something I want to do.  Can’t we all say that? Wouldn’t it be great if life was always the easy yes? The “Oh, sure”, “I’d love to”, or “It would be my pleasure” and really mean it.

But, I’m going to be real here. Pour it all out.

Sometimes I bleed the yes. It is painful and hard. I’m scared and unsure. Every fiber of my being wants to shout “NO”, but because I’ve been practicing the yes for years now, I whisper it anyway.

The whisper can come, small and quiet. Only God and I hear it. He knows my heart. He knows my struggles. He knows the yes is an act of faith and a word of worship.

Although it can be, most of the time the yes isn’t a response to a certain thing. It is instead, a response to God, Himself. It is trust in the One who I know is Sovereign, in control, has a plan and a future for me, loves me, and will allow me to glorify Him, through this choice, this yes, that I offer.

I think about Abraham. Many, many years ago, he said “yes” to God. It could not have been easy.

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.  Hebrew 11: 8 NIV
Yes, is always an act of obedience.
Even when I’m not sure of the outcome, or the task ahead is daunting, I can rest in Him.
The One who hears the heart.

Related articles

To Know You Better

The Gypsy Mama

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

OK, are you ready? Please give me your best five minutes on:::

Stretch…

*****************************************************************************************

God, I’m scared.

I don’t know how this will work out.

I can’t see past the horizon.

I don’t know what is on the other side.

You are asking me to stretch beyond my comfort zone.

To stretch beyond my every day…

To know you better.

To trust you more……

and to always say “YES” to you.

 

 

English: Road near to Eastbister A long stretc...

 

 

 

 

 

Related articles

Life’s Doors

Baptist Church Hall, Alexander Road, Acocks Gr...

Baptist Church Hall, Alexander Road, Acocks Green – wooden door (Photo credit: ell brown)

Sometimes the door is slammed shut, and seemingly locked.

Human nature strains to pry it open…pounding and knocking.

At times like this, God says, “no, or not yet”.

Pleading with God… I need this. I WANT this. Why won’t you allow it?

I just don’t understand.

And, the truth is, I don’t. Not really.

I’ve dealt with many closed doors in my life, but haven’t we all heard that hard slam?

Unsure and incapable of seeing even 10 seconds into the future…yet, I feel I always know what is best?

Kicking. Screaming. Banging. Hand on wood. Sobbing. Sighing.

Many times God says, wait. I know you don’t understand. Just trust me.

But, it is so hard.

Trust me.

But, this is really inconvenient.

Trust me.

Why not yet?

Trust me.

Waiting is not so much about what you are waiting for,

as it is who you are becoming while you wait.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related articles

Whitespace

Cloudy sky

Image via Wikipedia

Today, for the Faith Barista Jam, we are talking about whitespace…. that place where we meet with God.

****************

This is a subject I’m not sure how to write about…. I seriously considered not writing anything today. I have been very restless lately and I don’t know how to make it any better.

Three separate opportunities. Three separate times God has closed the door on those opportunities.

Now what?

I’ve tried different things, looking for my niche’, and just can’t put my finger on it…..except to say that it just isn’t there.

And I don’t know why.

I am most definitely in a limbo state now. I find myself asking God what His plan is? Surely, there is a plan for me.

I am impatient.

I read about trust and perspective… How God is sovereign and He has everything under control.

I know that. I believe that.

And yet….

My struggle is in the waiting, which brings me back to trust.

Trust. A five letter word. A relatively small word, yet carries such a huge meaning.

And so, during my “whitespace” I draw close to God. Yes, I question. Yes, I get frustrated.

But, He hears me.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13  NIV

So I wait…and trust…and for now that is enough.

FaithBarista_FreshJamBadgeG

Related articles

When You Can’t See Through The Fog

Foggy morning/Hagley Park

Image by BrendonPG via Flickr

I’ve got a million things to do today…and not enough time to get it all done.

It’s very foggy this morning–like pea soup, foggy. There is sun on the other side of the fog. I see it peeking through in spots.

It reminds me of life.

Sometimes things can look “foggy”.  I wonder how in the world everything is going to work out? It’s difficult to see into the future. But, then the SON peeks through the fog…and things start to take shape. This is not to say that everything works out perfectly, at least not by my standards. At least not by what I know. I don’t (can’t) always see the big picture. I can only see what is right in front of my face.

That is where trust comes in.

Sometimes, that is all I have to give.

Trust.

And really, that is all I need.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
   and lean not on your own understanding;
 in all your ways submit to him,
   and he will direct your paths.  Proverbs 3:5-6  NIV

*****************

*beautiful sun through the fog

*another fresh, new week

*quiet, early morning

*reading the Father’s Day cards that the kids gave

*a happy heart

*a cold glass of iced tea

*anticipation

*opportunity

*freshly cut hair, doesn’t it always feel and look better?

***************

How are you blessed?

Related articles

Counting My Blessings

Garden hammock

Image via Wikipedia

“People often crucify themselves between the regrets of the past and the worries of the future.”  (Pastor referenced this quote while preaching his sermon yesterday morning from Matthew, chapter 6)

The words struck me. There was truth in the sting.

How often do I worry or show regret over things I’ve said, or done, or worse yet things I didn’t say or do?  Then I worry about the future. The state of our country, the cost of gas, the cost of groceries, teens driving, jobs, money, relationships, conversations…Sadly, I could go on and on….and sure enough I am crucified. The hammer swings hard against me. YOU SHOULD HAVE. WHY DIDN’T YOU? YOU COULD HAVE. TAKE IT BACK. WHY DIDN’T YOU SAY SOMETHING! or….WHAT IF? I’M SCARED. I NEED. PLEASE?! I CAN’T. I WON’T. HELP ME!

32(For the Gentiles)…run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.  Matthew 6 NIV

Don’t worry. My Heavenly Father already knows what I need.

Don’t worry about tomorrow…each day has enough trouble of its own. (So why borrow trouble from the future?)

Worry is a verb…but, so is trust, and which will I do?

I’m thankful that God knows me. Personally.

I’m thankful that I am loved by the One that holds the future (my future!) in His hands.

***************

*Cool breezes through an open window

*Less oppressive heat

*Sunshine

*Pillows for the deck hammock that have giraffe print

*Breakfast

*Finding new country decorating blogs

*Vintage

*Men who sing Amazing Grace

*Children that  love me

*Trips to Tractor Supply

*Half tea, half lemonade

*Shade on sunny days

*Walks with my hubby

*Family

*Dirty dishes, dirty clothes, dirty floor

*A God that already knows all of my tomorrows and…

tells me not to worry.

****************

Will you share the multitudes of ways that you are thankful?

Related articles