What Confidence We Have

I was visiting my mother in law and we went to her church. For some reason the worship there usually makes me cry. They were sining an old hymn that not many people would know. I know that because I asked around afterwards what the hymn might be and no one knew it. Thank God for hymnlyrics.org because I found it with just a phrase I remembered. The last bit really hit me. No matter what anyone else thinks about me, and no matter what I think about myself, I can know that as long as Jesus is in heaven standing up for me, no one can ever tell me that I do not belong.

Before the throne of God above,
I have a strong, a perfect plea,
A great High Priest whose name is "Love,"
Who ever lives and pleads for me.

My name is graven on His hands,
My name is writen on His heart;
I know that while in heav'n He stands
no tongue can bid me thence depart.
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

God is wonderful and amazing

I am always amazed when God answers prayer requests regardless of the answer. This month I have been continually amazed that God is fixing problems I hadn't even prayed about yet and some I didn't even now I needed the solution until God provided it.

I am trying very hard in 2010 to walk closer to God and learn to listen to him even when I don't like what I am hearing. What I have found so far has shocked me to my core.

I am even finding that I am witnessing better then before just in my everyday life. I was out with my son's girlfriend on the weekend and I had the chance to be nice to my neighbour that I don't like but chose instead to be rude. I immediatley apologized to God when I realized what I did. My son's girlfriend wanted to know who I was talking to. When I told her God she was shocked that I would have such an informal conversation with God.

It is amazing to me how easy it is to have these casual conversations when we let go and let God be in charge of our lives.

Torch Bearer

Recently we ran into an old aquaintence that we hadn't seen in some years at a very large function. He was extremely delighted to see us and spent the next few moments bringing us up to date on his children. His face just glowed with pride as he spoke of his 19 year old daughter. She is studying full time at university, has become quite committted to training and running in marathons, but most recently was baptized. His biggest delight was sharing how she had the opportunity to be one of the 2010 Olympic Torch runners/bearers in Toronto. To my great astonishement he shared with amazing memory and details of how, when they were still new to Canada and eagerly desiring to learn and master Canadian winter sport activities like skating, I had spent a great deal of time with their daughter then five, helping her skate. He remembered how much fun we were having together giggling, laughing, and falling because we were laughing so much. He then began to profusely thank me for the times I had spent building into her young life, truly believing that it was those few minutes spent each time encouraging and being a positive example to her that has helped to shape her into a radiant, sold out, passionate young Christian woman. I was extremely humbled by his words and affirmatoin to me. It was a moment of profound humility as I was reminded that being a true torch bearer very seldom if ever takes place in the lime light and very often requires just a very simple act of love.

Sharing with Friends

Ever have a day or a week where emotionally you just feel like you are in a slump and your motivation and energy are at a significantly low level? I was having one of those days today and when I was talking to a friend this morning I decided to open up and share where I was at. Well, my friend listened and then shared some encouraging words with me. And I was surprised at how much her words helped boost me up! She shared how she knew exactly how I felt. And that it would pass. And that if it didn’t pass she wanted to know. And that she wanted to do whatever I thought she could do to help. I KNEW all of those things were true before she said them but the act of SHARING with her and then receiving her kind words really improved my ‘blue’ state. I know we all go through those days, so I thought I’d share with you all because sometimes we just need a reminder that someone is there for us. And sometimes it’s just the ‘sharing’ that we are missing. Things turned around when I made the decision to open up and share. So be brave and share where you are at with someone today. You might be surprised with the blessing that comes from sharing.