Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31
I often lose sight of how significant I am to God. When I look at other people, I can see how much they are worth. Yet when I look at myself, I struggle to see what significant impact I can have on those around me. It’s like I get stuck in this pit of low self-worth and I don’t see what value I can bring.
I have the honour of introducing you to an extraordinary woman who I have come to know and admire and will be guest posting for me today . June Smothers has a love for God that is so fierce. She wants everyone to know this and experience the love God has for themselves.
June has a passion to help others learn to speak the truth, in love, just like Jesus. She wants to create a safe place for those who are broken. Like myself, June has a special place in her heart for survivors of sexual abuse and also for those struggling with mental illness.
“I️ have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world,” John 16:33
What do you do when challenges hit you? You know, those moments when it seems week after week something else crops up to try and get you down.
~Do you face them head on? ~Or do you shrink back and retreat? ~Maybe you look to something else for comfort?
When I am faced with a challenge, my default mechanism is to look to materialistic things to help me through; What does the internet have to say about this dilemma? I know, I will have a rant on Twitter about what I am going through. Or maybe I will post something on Facebook to see if I can find some support. Ultimately, there is always a nice glass of wine at the end of the day to make me feel better.
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
I love this Bible verse. When I read it I can’t help but say “hell yeah” at the end with my fist punching the air. This is how I see my life. I have been through so much, and yet I am still here to tell the tale. I am resilient to say the least.
We will always experience hard times in our lives. Some more than others. I think more so too when we are striving to do God’s will. The trick is to keep connected with God throughout all of the situations that try to bring us down.
He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers.
Exodus 35:35
I have always thought of myself as someone who was creative. Drawing and creating things was what I enjoyed when I was a little girl. I learnt to play an instrument when I was 12 and enjoyed creating music. There is something free about losing yourself in music. I also started writing poetry in my teens. This was where I really started to express myself.
I never really shared what I was creating though. It was easier to keep it to myself. Encouragement wasn’t given enough for me to express myself in these forms. It was probably one of the reasons why I felt nervous . It scared me what people thought about what I had created. My problem was that I never knew how good I was, or could become.
Until now.
It has only been in the last 5/6 years I have been able to cultivate my creativity. A fellow writer and friend Shelly Miller, bless her soul, encouraged me in my pursuit of writing. She gently guided and nudged me in ways I had not had before. It gave me a freedom to express what I wanted to write.
More recently, I have turned my creativity towards crafting. Losing my job during the pandemic was one of the hardest losses I had to cope with. Ever since I was 16 I have always had a job. Then I found myself as one the statistics of unemployment.
But it didn’t have to be like that! I enjoy being creative and I love providing hope to people. What better way is there to do that than through art? What started out as a hobby a few years ago has now turned into a small business.
My aim is that my creations will bring hope and encouragement to others and shed some light into the darkness that we experience. Through the encouragement of friends, I have been able to use my skills to create my business, Lumina Creations.
Do you see something special in someone? How can you encourage them today? You never know what your encouragement will do for them in the future.
Something to think about…
Why not have a go at personalising Exodus 35:35 and re-write in your own words what you feel God is saying to you. You could also use my version and change to your own name.
Lynne, I have filled you with the skills you need to do the work I have called you to do. You are so talented and creative. You are able to do anything with the gifts I have given you.
If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on today’s Bible affirmation then why not catch up on my other thoughts for previous days.