A Pause to Say Thanks

Hey Lord,

It took a really good friend to knock some sense into me yesterday. "You really need to stop and thank the Lord." It is true. I need to stop and say thanks. So, here I am, pausing from FB and other social medias, work, clubs and other leadership duties, and all other distractions, to talk to you; the one who I should spend more of my time with.

While catching up on my childhood cartoon on Sunday, you spoke to me. I was shocked at first, because I don't really expect to get anything from moving pictures, but nonetheless I got more than I bargained for.

From the Adventures from the Book of Virtues:

"When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems far.

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit,

It's when things seen WORST that you mustn't quit."

Lord, I when I needed you the most, you reached your strong arms around me and pulled me close. It was at that moment that I recalled that you were already at my side; sharing my personal space, but I'm glad you are. Continue to share the same air as me, to walk with me, to read what I read, and to watch me as I sleep. I feel safe with you around and lost when I think that you are not near. 

Tomorrow commeth soon, so I'm going to take your hand today.

~Shana

God Works in Mysterious Ways

Sometimes the phrase "God works in mysterious ways" is an understatement. But nonetheless, it is true. God truly works in mysterious ways. We, as humans, spend a lot of time trying to understand ourselves; who we are and what we are made for. Half the time we don't fully trust God because we don't understand our inner workings. But the.... but then God comes around the corner. He is armed with answered prayer and peace. But, we are confused, because we don't grasp how the answers relate to us. We hesitate to accept the peace. Next thing you know, emotions are rising up from the crevices of your heart, challenging God's answers....

What if........
              But how about......
                                Remember feeling........

Then I remember that all the old things Satan (Snap, it was him all along) tries to drudge up and that indeed- old. Man, Satan can make the past seem like yesterday; sometimes it is, but most of the time it was weeks, months or years ago.

Somewhere along the line, I gave those insecurities, frustrations, worries to God. So, Satan, you actually have no power over me. If I did not give them to God in the past, then I can now and Satan still loses.

God is truly mysterious. He answers prayers when he wants to. Show's up when he wants to while simultaneously never leaving your side. And now that Satan is out of the way, we see that the answers to our questions also reveal and explain more of who God made us to be. Then before we know it we have taken the peace that He was offering. We win.

Compared to Forever

"We have small troubles for a while now, but they are helping us gain an eternal glory that is much greater than the troubles. We set our eyes not on what we see but on what we cannot see. What we see will last only a short time, but what we cannot see will last forever."
~2 Cor 4:17-18

I woke up this morning from a very troubling dream. It happens at times, but is no fun none the less. I just looked at Jesus and asked, "Why?" Just like a child looks at his parent with the eyes filled with pain and confusion, I looked to my Father. But God the Father took my eyes without hesitation and directed they to 2 Corinthians.

The words began to fill me with energy and hope. confusion began to leave and my mind once again understood that, "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." (2 Cor 3:17) You can't argue with freedom. That is what we all desire. Freedom from the pain and afflictions from life and Satan.

If you have ever been in pain, welcome to humanity. If you have never been freed from pain while it is happening, let me introduce you to my God. Pain comes, stirring everything within you up, and often leaves scares. But, God is in the business of healing. He does not have to take the situation away to heal you. He does not have to remove all the emotions to heal you. He only needs access to your heart.

We literally have a whole lotta troubles going on in our lives, no doubt. Without them, though, we would be in a pretty sad state in life. So, how does God begin the healing process? By asking us to look beyond the few inches in front of us. Look beyond the few feet in front of us. Look beyond the few miles in front of us. Look beyond a few years in the future. Look to eternity. There will not be financial problems in eternity. You will not have awkward situations in eternity. You will not have to choose between food and gas in eternity. You will not be hit or abused; ignored or exalted; made to feel insecure or cocky.

The situation you are in will only last a short time. Whether it be a few days or a few decades, it is only a passing moment compared to forever.