Category: testimony

The Benefits of Being a Christian

On By vickleaIn promises, Scripture, testimonyLeave a comment

Whenever one looks for a new job, they go through the interview process and are asked a lot of probing questions about their experience and suitability for the position. Having moved so many times and being a teacher, I went through interviews each time. And although I did not say it aloud, I was thinking to myself, “What are the benefits of this job for me?” I was thinking of perks, health insurance, vacation days, bonuses, etc.

When I became a Christian over five decades ago, I heard about Jesus, read about all He had done for me in the book of John and accepted Him as my Lord and Savior. There was no interview in which the Holy Spirit asked me what I was bringing to the table. Nor did I wonder what were the benefits of this new relationship. I just knew that God had sent His Son to die for me so that I could be reunited with Him, freed from sin and shame and a new child of the King.

In today’s devotional, the verse was from Isaiah 53, probably a verse familiar to those of you who regularly read and study the scriptures.

As I meditated on this verse, I saw the suffering Jesus, the One who did no wrong and yet paid the ultimate price for mankind. But I also saw the benefits I have as a Christian. My transgressions and iniquities are gone, no longer a part of what God sees as He looks at me. The peace that I need daily to face the challenges of life is mine as long as I press into my Savior and depend on Him. Finally, I am healed. Most people would ask, “How can you say that? You still have asthma, a compromised lung and one kidney that is failing?” All true. But the healing from the Lord is not just physical. I am healed emotionally from a childhood that was less than perfect, I am healed mentally from always feeling “less than” and, most importantly, I am healed spiritually. I have been made whole. All of my physical infirmities are part of being in an imperfect body in an imperfect world. God can and does heal physically, as I well know since I am a stroke survivor. But He doesn’t always heal the physical because His emphasis is on our spiritual well-being. Part of being close to God is having physical problems that persist, even when we are Christians. I think of Paul who had an unknown “thorn in the flesh” that we don’t even know what he suffered from. We just know that he had asked God repeatedly to “take it from him.” So, I count my life as a blessed one and I am healed in all the ways that matter. Yes, I have aches and pains, all part of the aging process. But I am thankful for life, even with all of the physical limitations that I have. God is always God and life with Him is filled with blessings and benefits!

Rejection

On By vickleaIn Scripture, testimony6 Comments

One of my devotionals today was all about rejection and how we can overcome it. It’s part of a series on mental health, and I can attest to the fact that rejection certainly affects your mental health because it affects how you feel about yourself.

When I was a child, my mother didn’t like me. I know you are shaking your head and saying I was probably rebellious and delusional. Seriously, though, she said things to me like, “I never wanted you. You are so ugly that no one will ever marry you. You need to go to college to support yourself because you will never find a husband.” Thus, convinced that I was unlovable and unattractive, I explored scholarships to college and graduated with honors. I even dated a little in college, but not a lot because my self-esteem was very low and I just didn’t feel as though I fit in.

My senior year of college, I met my future husband on a bus. (That’s another story for another time.) We chatted for hours, getting to know each other and ended up dating, engaged and then married within seven months. During our wedding, held in the backyard of my home at the request of my father, my mother walked around the yard in blue jeans and picked flowers. She did not come to the reception at all, but rather stayed in her bedroom in the house, refusing to acknowledge that I was married. Her silent rebuke of me continued until I gave birth to her first grandchild, of whom she greatly approved and actually showed love and affection.

During our twenty two plus years in the military, I tried to fit in and be accepted, but that old dragon “rejection” kept rearing its head. I missed a lot of dinners and dances that others attended because I just didn’t want to be in a crowd of people for whom I felt invisible. Feeling invisible is a continuing problem with me, so I pray a lot that God will allow me to feel seen.

Back to the devotional and the verses that spoke to my heart today.

Jesus, the Son of God, was rejected by the leaders of the church, by many people and ultimately, his own disciples ran away from Him rather than to be counted guilty along with Him. Nevertheless, God had a plan and carried it out, making Jesus the cornerstone, the very foundation and model for our lives as Christians.

Jesus’s rejection is important because it shows me that even after complete and total turning away from Him, He still fulfilled His mission. We all have a purpose, and if others don’t accept us and our purpose in life, then that does not negate our responsibility to fulfill God’s plan to the best of our ability. If the Son of God can face humiliation and rejection, then who am I to say that I am too wounded to appear in public?

God wants to use me, has never rejected me and has always loved me. So, regardless of my past and all of the mental abuse I suffered, I can still daily seek God’s purpose for me that day and work on carrying it out. Some days I complete the task, some days I barely start it, but I am always plugging away, seeking to please the One who made me and has no reservations about His love for me.

I have come to accept that I am exactly who God made me to be. I am not beautiful on the outside, but I am okay. I am not the smartest person (especially in math), but I am okay. The words that my mother spoke into my mind seeded themselves into my heart, and for many years, I am the one who watered those seeds and believed the fruits of them were true. It is only when I saw them for what they were, weeds strewn along my pathway that needed to be removed, that I could begin to pursue the pleasure of being accepted and being me. I am a child of the King, I am created to be His, and I am righteous before Him. Thus, I am accepted by the only One who matters. I hope that all of you have found that firm foundation in Christ that will show you the worth you have in Him. God doesn’t make ugly and He truly wants you in His family.

My Status

On By vickleaIn promises, Scripture, testimony2 Comments

First of all, let’s define “status.” According to the online Merriam-Webster Dictionary, status is: “position or rank in relation to others or relative rank in a hierarchy of prestige especially : high prestige.” Kind of wordy, but it does say what status is. First, let’s talk about it in relationship to others.

In today’s world of never having enough, people tend to equate their well-being, their status, if you will, with the number of material things that they have and the quality of those things. It’s good to have a nice house, but a big, nice house is better, for example. It’s great to have a nice car, but an expensive car with all of the newest bells and whistles is better. Status is elusive and changes quickly, depending on your social circumstances. I know this from experience because I grew up in a home that was considered upper middle class and my family was considered well-to-do. Not wealthy, but respected for all of the things we had, like a Cadillac in the driveway and a pool in the backyard. Then came the devastation of my family losing everything. There went their long-standing status in the community, in less time than it takes to read this blog post!

The second definition for status is rank or prestige. That is not so different from the first definition, but I think it also deals with how you see yourself in society. The lepers in the Bible were outcasts, so their status in society was the lowest of the low, yet they still called out to Jesus to be healed. They knew that they were unworthy, but they knew to whom they could appeal. India still has a caste system and the status that you are born into is one that you will have your entire life. While we in the U.S. gasp at such a concept as not being able to improve your status, we have the same general concept. A Rockefeller family member is automatically accorded more respect and gets the best tables at the best restaurants like it’s part of the benefits of having that name. The Smiths, however, are not treated so royally. In fact, the working class Americans generally remain in that working class for a lifetime. On the other hand, one of the great things about being in the U.S. is that one can work hard, get a better education and move from one “class” to another. Nevertheless, we are still a nation of “haves” and “have nots.” I am sure that we can all agree that some are privileged and some are impoverished and sometimes it is a case of birth family and circumstances, not choices.

Now, back to status and the real purpose of this post today. I used to be upper middle class. Now, I am lower middle class and not bothered by my drop in rank in society. That is because my status is not dependent on what the world says I am or thinks about me. I must confess that once I was into titles and status and wanted to succeed and be recognized as worthy of honor and respect. I earned some titles and awards as a member of Phi Beta Kappa. But nothing that I have ever won can compare to what I am now.

I am a DK, a Daughter of the King. I can rest fully secure in my Father’s love, knowing that will not change because He does not change. My position in the family of God is not dependent on anything I do but on all that Jesus already did. That gives me peace as well as rest from competition with others. God puts all of us on an even plane; we are all sinners saved by grace. The wealthy cannot buy their way into heaven and the poor cannot beg their way in. There is only one way, one door to get to spend eternity with God and that is through His Son Jesus. So, I have given up on the FFV (First Families of Virginia), the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) and OWC (Officers’ Wives’ Club). I have traded that illusory status for one that is everlasting, a a child of God and there I remain, in my little house in the big woods, driving an older car and not really caring that I don’t have all the things.

Death is a thief that takes all you have accumulated and gives it to someone else. Wealth doesn’t endure, but hope in a future with God does.

This verse says clearly what our priorities need to be and it is not in gathering things so that we look better to others. That is not to say that all people who have nice things are wicked, just that having nice things won’t get you out of death and into heaven.

This is a promise that we who confess Jesus as Lord can firmly grasp and count on. No matter how others view my status, God only sees whether I have been made clean by the blood of His Son and accepts me just the way I am.

Just As I Am-Brothers of the Heart

The Truth-Megan Woods

Paul’s Belief in Strength

On By vickleaIn promises, Scripture, testimony1 Comment

Strength in Every Season

Philippians 4:13 is a popular Bible verse that you may have seen posted on signs, social media, stickers, or cars. Maybe you’ve heard someone recite this verse before a sporting event or while trying to accomplish a difficult task.

Unfortunately, this verse is often misunderstood. This verse is not saying that we can accomplish whatever we want. Paul isn’t talking about winning a sports game or having the courage to do something daring.

Instead, Paul is actually talking about his time in prison. He is referencing the power of God that was with him during this difficult time of ministry.

In Philippians 4:12 he talks about the power he has to live content in every situation in life. He learned how to live with abundance and with nothing. He learned to live with very little food and resources, and also with a lot of food and resources.

Paul found that regardless of his circumstances, God continued to supply him with the power to do the work of God. He never lacked the strength and resources to tell others about the good news of Jesus—even while he was stuck in a prison.

Paul could live in every season of life and accomplish all that God asked of him through the strength that God gave him.

So, instead of God giving us strength to do anything we want, He gives us the strength we need to endure various circumstances and accomplish the mission that He has given us. This means that you will never lack any resource to live a growing and godly life, or to share the good news of Jesus with others.

If you’re in a season of abundance or a season of lack, remember that God is the one who gives you the strength to endure every season. If you find yourself in a difficult situation, ask God to supply you with the strength that only He can give.

My Thoughts

I think I am like most people when I honestly admit that I have used this verse incorrectly, thinking it means only that God will give me the strength to finish a job or to face a challenge. Well, it does kind of mean that. But this devotional today opened my eyes to the fact that the real thing God wants us strengthened to do is His will. And what is His will? We are to fulfill the Great Commission to “go and tell.” As an introverted person, I have to depend on God’s strength to even approach the cashier’s station, much less talk to them about the Lord. God is showing me daily that He does not expect more of me than I can give, but He does have expectations for which He will give me strength to carry out. I don’t have to stand in front of a group of people and share my testimony, but I can pronounce a blessing on the clerk who helps me in the store and I can ask the waitress if she needs prayer for anything. Both of these may seem simple to you, but for me they are a lot since I prefer to avoid people rather than speak to anyone that I don’t know well. I am the one who used to spend a lot of time in the bathroom during social functions and came out only if I knew my husband would be ready to leave soon. I have missed so many opportunities to tell others about my faith and how they can have the same relationship with the Lord because I was depending on my own strength and boldness. I am so thankful to know that it’s not my strength but God’s and He will give me the words and the boldness when I need it.

I am not saying that I will change overnight. I know that I won’t. After all, I have spent over seventy years withdrawing from the world and only coming out when I needed to. But I will say that God is working on me and when I am out on errands, He is prodding me more to speak out and to speak up. Have you claimed the promise in this verse today? What does it mean to you?

Taking a Test

On By vickleaIn Admonition, Scripture, testimony2 Comments

I am fairly certain that no one enjoys taking tests. When I was in high school and college, I used to suffer from what people today call “test anxiety.” I would study diligently, but when I went to school to take the test, I would be so nervous that I wouldn’t remember what I had studied. I usually took deep breaths, looked away from the test and out the window or at something distracting and then took the test. I generally did well (except on math tests on which I scored lower than I wanted but high enough to stay on the honor roll), but I was never satisfied unless I got a top score.

When I became a mom, I encouraged my children to pray before tests. They had done their part by studying, so I instructed them to pray that God would help them remember what they had studied. I believe that as a result, all three children did well in school and had no more than what I considered normal test jitters. All three finished college and did well, so kudos to the Lord for getting them through.

So, what kind of tests do we take today? Every day we face a test of our faith with the choices we make and the things we do once we make that choice. Jesus showed us how to face life’s tests and excel by setting an example for us to prepare us for tests.

First, in the wilderness, Jesus answered Satan with God’s Word. We cannot give an answer to Satan or any friends, neighbors or acquaintances about our beliefs if we don’t study God’s Word diligently and faithfully. Jesus knew and applied God’s Word appropriately. I think when we hide God’s Word in our hearts, then the Holy Spirit will remind us of just what we need from His Word when we need it. (See John 14:26) We have to choose to turn from wickedness (sin) daily.

Jesus also prayed consistently and found a solitary place to do so, one without distractions.

It’s not always convenient to get up early or find a solitary place, but it is a part of being ready for life’s tests each day. Maybe you pray late at night or even in the middle of the day. Whenever and wherever you pray, be like Jesus and consistently make time to talk to God. You can’t hear from your Heavenly Father in the middle of a tough situation if you don’t regularly tune in to have a conversation with Him when there are no outside pressures.

Jesus was also continually in the temple. In fact, when He was arrested, He asked the officials why they came to arrest him in a garden at night instead of in the temple where he was daily. (Matthew 26:55) So should we not neglect getting together with other believers for the purpose of worship, fellowship, exhortation and enlightenment from His Word.

So, what does our test entail? What is on it? How do we pass it if we don’t know the questions? Well, the test is almost the same daily. What will you do if faced with temptation? Don’t say you are never tempted, because everyone is in some way. Just accept that it will happen. For example, your choices may be to watch a show you have really looked forward to or to spend time with your spouse and children. Which would be more pleasing to God? Watching the show is not a bad thing; it’s just not the best choice. Like a multiple choice test for which you are told to choose the BEST answer, there can be more than one right answer and you have to discern which one is the best one.

What will you do when you are with another person and the Holy Spirit is prodding you to share something about your faith? The quick answer is, of course, that you will share. But is that true? Or do you spend your time with non-believers talking about the weather, politics, health conditions and children? See how easily I named those things? That is because that is how I deflect from talking about the Lord. More and more, the Lord’s Spirit is prompting me to say something about Him and what He has done in my life. I don’t feel called to stand on a street corner with a sign that says “Repent” and follow that with preaching through a megaphone. But I can still offer hope to someone who doesn’t know the Lord just by sharing a word with them about God’s work in my life. I don’t have to give a sermon, just an encouraging word to get them thinking about God and His influence on their lives. It’s called sowing a seed and I want to get better at it.

Test anxiety is a real thing, but Jesus promises that He will be with us and that we will not fail, because loves never fails.

Okay, I am done telling you all about tests. Now, go out and do your best knowing that God goes with you and is cheering for you to pass with flying colors! Ask Him for the help you need to pass today’s test and He will help you…He promises!

Like My Cat

On By vickleaIn Scripture, testimony1 Comment

I spend a lot of time in solitude as my husband enjoys running errands and working in the garden, not to mention sleeping very late every day. In my quiet times, I have a lot of time to reflect and this morning, I was thinking about the life of our cat Daisy.

This, my friends, is Daisy. She loves to sit in boxes and will figure out a way to fit into a box even if it is actually too small to accommodate her. Her persistence is admirable and so I want to make Daisy’s attributes the topic of today’s post.

We got Daisy when she was a very tiny four month old kitten. She used to sit in my lap most of the time, snuggled up close to me, kneading, purring and settling. She knew instinctively that I was her person and so began to learn things from me. I taught her to sit and beg for her treats. Although she will be nine years old next month, when I shake the treat bag, she comes running and when I say “Sit” she does so obediently and instantly. Sometimes, I just have to point to the floor and she sits. If I want her to beg, I don’t give her the treat until she is sitting, I hold the treat higher and she gets up on her back legs and begs for it. So cute! And so trainable. In fact, Daisy also walks beside me as I go from room to room in the house, never taking her eyes off my feet and watching exactly where I am going. It is only when I sit down that she pauses, looks at me to make sure I am no longer active and either settles in my lap or on the back of my chair. Finally, Daisy loves unconditionally. If I get preoccupied and forget to feed her on time, she still wants to be with me and show me affection. If I don’t turn on the bathroom sink so she can drink from the faucet, she taps my hand to remind me, but she doesn’t scratch or bite me. She just gives me loving reminders of what her expectations are.

My person that I depend on, lean on and want to be always around is Jesus. I could learn a lot from Daisy about being obedient and following closely as well as being persistent. I want to follow Jesus so closely that all of His actions and movements are exactly what I do. I want to listen so carefully that when he says to do something, I obey right away, with hesitation and knowing that what He has in store for me will be good. I want to be persistent in prayer and in my time with the Lord daily, knowing that is the most important time of my day. Snuggling up with God and His Word in my comfy recliner is like being in a nice, well-fitting box. God doesn’t hold me there; I get in voluntarily and enjoy my stay in the place that is best for me. God give me loving reminders of His expectations for me all the time, but He is never impatient or demanding, just loving and gentle.

Just as God says we can learn a lot from the birds who have no worries but know that He will take care of them, I can also learn a lot from watching Daisy. She is loyal and trusts me to take care of her every day. I want to be totally loyal to God and trust Him wholeheartedly to meet my needs daily.

I can have the same peace that Daisy has as she sleeps in my lap if only I keep my mind focused on God, trusting Him completely to take care of everything while I rest.

I want to listen as carefully as Daisy listens. She hears me pick up her treat bag and comes running from the back bedroom or wherever she was. She learned to obey my commands and to come when I summon her. Most people tell me that cats don’t come when they are called. Well, Daisy does. If I say, “Daisy, come” she does. She knows that I am ready to feed her or give her a treat or just sit and cuddle with her. How often does the Lord tell me to come and I am so busy with other things that I do not hear His voice? How many times have I missed out on something from the Lord because I have not listened carefully for His voice? That’s why being like Daisy and carefully listening all the time is a good thing. I want to always be ready to hear and obey the voice of the Lord.

I think of Daisy as a gift from the Lord nine years ago. She has taught me a lot about focus and persistence and even obedience and love. Have you learned anything from the animals around you? Have they taught you anything about God’s love for you?

God’s Presence

On By vickleaIn promises, Scripture, testimony4 Comments

I lean into the presence of God when I am lonely, afraid, discouraged or just plain tired. At no time in my life’s journey has God ever forsaken me; rather, as I lean harder on Him, He becomes a stronger comfort for me.

I know I have said on this blog before that I have moved twenty-five times since our marriage almost fifty two years ago. What I did not tell you was how each move took a little bit of stability away from me. I had lived in one home for most of my life, from early childhood until I graduated from college. That hometown was all I knew and the familiar places were what spoke security to me. Then, when we got married, we began a series of moves, some harder than others and all of them challenging in their own way. God gave me a promise as I faced one move after another. Sometimes, we stayed in a place for a couple of years, sometimes only a year, and once or twice for as many as four years. The scripture that God spoke to my heart reassured me that the place was new, the people were new, but He would always be the same.

This is what God actually told the Israelites as they were getting ready to wander around in the wilderness on their way to the promised land. It is also what God told me as I once again packed boxes, suitcases and bags to prepare for another move. I was exhausted from taking care of the children, feeling almost like a single parent since everywhere we went, my husband was generally sent for some kind of training while I stayed in a new place with the children. God reassured me of His presence because I needed to know that I was not alone. When I had to move from a small apartment that was temporary while we waited for military housing, I was overwhelmed with all that I had to do. The apartment was furnished. The base housing was not. I was in a new place with few friends and no family except for a small child and one on the way. So, I did what I was comfortable doing and called the pastor of the church that I had been attending for the few months I had lived there. He got a group of people who rallied around found furniture for me and moved me into the new place on base. I don’t recall everything about that move, but I do remember the unselfishness and kindness of God’s people and the thought that God was indeed with me. When I gave birth alone in the naval hospital (my husband was on a ship floating around on the other side of the world), a neighbor took me to the hospital and took care of my daughter until my friend from church could come and take care of her. God’s presence is real and He sends His helpers to be there right on time.

I have clung to God’s promises for over five decades, through all of the moves, the fear and the loneliness and the feeling of being uprooted constantly. God has always been there for me. It was His presence that calmed me when I had a stroke and no one could get my husband to answer his phone. It was His presence that spoke peace to my heart when I was unable to speak and tell the doctors what was happening to me. I could not speak, but I could pray. And when Harry made it to the ER (he had been in the garden and didn’t hear his phone), it was God who spoke to both of us telling us that my best chance for survival was a clot-busting shot that could also kill me if it did not work. Peace, God’s assurance, hope, safety and security. All these years later, God’s Word has never failed me and His presence has gone with me to eleven different states and twenty-five different homes. He is my home. He is my rest. He is my everything.

Real Peace

On By vickleaIn promises, Scripture, Song, testimony1 Comment

I never really understood what God’s peace means in my life until I started having one health problem after another. My natural tendency would be to rail against the unfairness of life and to give God a stern talking to about the fact that my life was not being blessed as He promised and I expected. The problem was that I was blessed, He kept His promises, but it was my expectations that were wrong.

This quotation from C.S. Lewis explains what I discovered is absolute truth. No matter how many problems I faced, I still had God on my side, in my corner, watching my back. All of those things and more! The circumstances didn’t change, but my attitude toward them did. What could be so wrong, you may ask? I was born with asthma, a single kidney that started failing about fifteen years ago and I had a massive stroke in 2015. So, in short, I have had and still have a lot of health problems, but there has not been a single problem that I have had that God has not helped me through it. He didn’t leave me floundering after the doctors pronounced their words of wisdom over me about my conditions. Rather, God comforted me and kept whispering to me that He was right there with me.

How do I find God’s peace in the middle of my tumultuous life? I spend time in God’s Word, daily, consistently and faithfully. His promises are there, including the ones about peace. I say them over and over until they go from my mind to my heart. Then, I accept that God is in control and move on to the next thing that I have to do, with my hand in His and my life submitted to Him.

Could I choose to be bitter and angry? Of course, because we all have that choice. Instead, I choose to be thankful for each day God gives me and each new thing He shows me in His Word. Some people look at the silver lining and proclaim loudly that they see a cloud. Rather, I look at the silver lining and I am thankful for it, no matter what may follow.

Yield means to let go, to slow down and be aware but you don’t just stop living. I have peace because I have chosen to yield to God. My number of days is in His hands. He is the One who gives me peace and He hasn’t let me down, even when I have disappointed Him with my initial reaction of rebellious demands.

I leave you with this old hymn that means a lot to me and I hope that you will listen and enjoy the lyrics and the meaning behind the words.

Peace Like a River-Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Have a blessed and peace-filled day!

Forgetfulness

On By vickleaIn Admonition, Scripture, testimony5 Comments

Never Forget (YouVersion Daily Refresh)

As humans, we tend to forget things all the time. Our car keys, our friends’ birthdays, our passwords… those things we tend to forget on accident, and it’s usually pretty frustrating when we realize what we’ve forgotten. But we can also forget good things that have happened to us.

When faced with hard things, we often beg God for miracles or plead for His provision. But when we don’t get what we prayed for, we can tend to forget what God has already done for us. If you’ve done that before, you’re not alone—the Bible is full of stories about people forgetting the good things God has done.

God has hand-crafted this breathtaking world and chosen the unique times and spaces in which we show up. And even though the world seems to get crazier and scarier by the minute, God is always at work in the mess.

We can fight against forgetfulness today—right now—by remembering that it was God who created this world and filled it with good things—including His people! It was God who offered us mercy when we didn’t deserve it. It was God who gave us real purpose: to love Him and love others; to know Him and make Him known.

So how have you seen God show up in a way that you never want to forget? Thank Him for what He’s done, and worship Him for who He is.

My Thoughts

I was reminded of the old song “Count Your Blessings” as I read this devotional this morning. I was also reminded that yesterday as we drove to our Monday Bible study group, my husband and I were talking about possibly having to get another car. He took our car into the shop yesterday and we had an $800 repair bill for regular maintenance and a valve cover gasket that was messed up. I told Harry that I never imagined I would live long enough to need to get another car. Then, I was reminded to be thankful that I am still alive.

Ten years ago when I had a massive stroke, I did not expect to live longer than a few months, perhaps a few years if God was particularly gracious. Ten years! Ten years and a bonus of four more grandchildren that I have gotten to know and love. The bonus of more years with my husband and family members like my brother who just had cancer surgery yesterday. (The doctor said he got all of the cancer and he has clean margins, so that is another blessing.) Ten years of going to the beach with our daughter and her family, celebrating birthdays with children and grandchildren. Ten years!

I recently had a pretty serious bout with lung issues, and it has just been in the last few days that I was able to not have to use my nebulizer regularly every day. A month of struggling to breathe, of having to walk a few steps and rest because the air just wasn’t there. But…God came through again! I am well again, or as well as someone who is asthmatic during pollen season can be. I am thankful that I could record a storybook for Evie’s seventh birthday. Honestly, I was fretting about how I would be able to do that when I was choking and gasping constantly. Then, God touched me in my weakness and I started improving. Last week, I read the storybook and sent it off to Evie for her birthday next week. God doesn’t work on our timeline, but He is always, always right on time!

So, as you face another day with all of its challenges and blessings, count the blessings first and the challenges won’t seem so insurmountable. I don’t want to suffer from forgetfulness where God is concerned. I want Him to be so much a part of my daily life that He is the first person I turn to when things get tough and the One I thank when the waters of life are calm. Forget is what God does when He forgives us of all our sins, not what we should do when He is blessing us with every breath we take.

Trusting in the Source

On By vickleaIn Scripture, testimony6 Comments

Blessed in Trust (YouVersion Daily Refresh)

Jeremiah 17 begins with a rebuke. God is calling out the Israelites for their idolatry, for trusting in other gods and forsaking Him and His teachings. Like a parent with a child who’s made a terrible choice, God makes it very clear that these choices have led and will lead to consequences. And yet, rather than only focusing on all that’s been lost and will be lost because of Israel’s terrible choices, Jeremiah takes a moment to bring a refreshing reminder:

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.” 
Jeremiah 17:7 NIV

He calls those who trust Him “blessed,” even as chaos, sin, and idolatry reign around them. He says that people who trust in God “will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:8 NIV)

We get to choose who and what we worship. Who is your confidence in? Who do you trust? If it is the Lord, take heart knowing that in this you are blessed. An abundant life in God, full of fruit even when sin is all around, is the mark of having chosen to trust Him. What an incredible thing it is to be able to make this choice!

My Thoughts

I am not one who trusts easily. In fact, it is difficult for me to trust people. You see, I had a rather traumatic experience in my early adulthood and that has colored my world a deep shade of wariness. My husband and I had been married a few years and had a new baby when I got a call in the middle of the night from my grandmother. She was frantically insisting that I get in the car right away and drive from SC to VA because my parents were leaving and I would never see them again. What?!? I awakened my husband, we prayed, talked to Nanny again and then packed and headed to Virginia, with my husband on emergency leave. Unfortunately, by the time we arrived, my parents and siblings were gone. Truly gone! The sheriff’s office took over the house, daddy was apparently wanted by several law enforcement agencies and I had no idea for over two years where my family was. I was devastated and struck by such a feeling of despair. My father who had always protected me and shielded me from my abusive mom was some kind of criminal and he had left with my family for parts unknown. So, trust? Not happening. If my father could do something so bad that he had to run and hide, then who could be trustworthy?

The fortunate thing for me was that I was already a Christian, so I prayed a lot and gave my anxiety to God. He became my “go to” for all things that I would normally talk to my dad about, like a noise the car was making or whether to look for a house or just keep renting. I found out that God is totally trustworthy and when my confidence is in Him, I can relax and know that He is handling things.

Even the strange events with my parents was in God’s hands. After several years, out of the blue, I got a letter from my mom telling me where they were and asking if we could visit so she could see her granddaughter. Yes, daddy was still in trouble and he ended up in and out of different prisons due to his involvement with drugs. But I did have my mom and siblings back and my father occasionally. I didn’t trust daddy ever again, but I did forgive him because God led me to do that and to restore the family ties that had been beyond broken. But that’s another story for perhaps another day. The bottom line is whether you have lost trust because of events in your life or you never really trusted anyone or anything before, I can attest to the absolute truth that God is trustworthy. When your whole world seems to crumble in a matter of hours, God is still there, waiting with open arms to hold you up.