Tag Archives: Faith

Abide, Faith

Why Writing My First Post Of The Year Has Been Hard

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I always find writing my first post of the year a hard one. Most bloggers have done their first post and are onto a second…or third! And yet, I’m still contemplating on what to write for my first. Well, I say contemplating. I’m probably more procrastinating.

Truth is, I’m tired. Christmas was lovely, but the lead up to it was super hectic. It didn’t ease either once it was over. Life with twins has turned out to be absolutely wonderful on one hand, but completely crazy on the other.

Why the wait?

I’ve been thinking about direction since we started into the new year. Well, what else do you think of when you turn into a new year? You look back to where you have been over the past year, and then look forward to where you would like to go in the next year.

Not only do we reflect over the year this time though, we find ourselves looking back over the last decade as we come into 2020. How scary is it to think we have gone through another decade?

As each New Year comes and goes, I find myself wanting to draw closer to God more. I want to move forward in my faith with God. Whether I achieve that or not, I’m not quite sure. Maybe I get a little step closer as each year passes by? One thing’s for sure, I’m not where I use to be!

This year, the desire to want to draw closer feels stronger than ever. I don’t know why. I have this feeling God wants to do something great. He wants to use me in ways I would not have imagined.

For this to happen though, God needs to do a deep work in me. If only I let him.

Each year, for the past few years, I have focussed on a word instead of making any New Years resolutions. This year the word came quite clear to me. But ever since accepting it I have done anything but do it. The word?

Abide

For me to produce the fruit God wants me to, I need to be nourished in the right nutrients to make me grow. I liken myself to the plants I have in my home. I don’t have many. Not because I don’t like them. I think plants can look really pretty and make the home feel more colourful…if tended to and looked after.

I’m not exactly the green fingered type of person. It takes a lot of time and effort to cultivate a beautiful flowering plant. With all the distractions life throws at me, I forget I need to tend to my plants. Sooner or later I remember them, but by then it’s too late. They have withered and died.

I forget to give my plants their basic need to survive and flourish in this world. Water. Plants need water to soak deep into their roots to thrive. Without it, they wither, and then soon die.

I am like my plants. I forget what I need deep down. In order to flourish in this world, I need to abide in God. Without Him I will wither and die. I don’t die physically but spiritually I do.

In order to flourish in this world, I need to abide in God. Without Him I will wither and die. Share on X

How do I flourish?

I need to soak in the love of God deep down…right into my roots. Just like a plant needing water. This takes time and effort. Something of which I know I have not been doing lately. I have been trying to survive in this world by my own means and I’m neglecting what I truly need.

I know this is not going to be easy. But in order for me to grow into a beautiful flowering plant, I need to spend time with God in His Word. I need to abide in Him, and let Him abide in me.

Now, I can’t expect to dive straight into this by spending hours on end in prayer and reading my Bible. I need to start off with what best suits me in the season I am in. I need to start off small and with bite sized chunks. Just enough to keep me sustained.

Something to think about…

Can you help me? Yes, you can! If you are reading through this and find a Bible verse comes to mind, please share it with me. I know this is not going to be an easy journey. Especially in these early stages of growing and given what we are going through in the world right now. (Growing can be painful you know!) So, any Bible verses, prayers or words of encouragement you may have, please share them with me.

Prayer

Lord, I thank you that you would want to be close to me and spend time with me. Your Word says that if I abide in you then you will also abide in me. I want to abide in you. Please Lord, I ask that you put a seed in me that wants to abide in you above everything else. Help me to pray continuously throughout the day and to keep my eyes open for opportunities to dive deeper into your Word. Amen.

Faith, God’s Love, Write 31 Days Challenge 2019

Day 19 in God’s Love- He Has A Plan

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This post was originally written a few years ago, but I have adapted it for the 31 days in God’s Love series. God loves us and has a plan for each of us to enable His work to be carried out.

I think it’s safe to say most of us, if not all of us, had a dream of what we would be when we were older.  A nurse?  A firefighter? A princess? A footballer?  

My dream was to be a teacher.  I use to sit in my room and pretend I was teaching my teddies, and sometimes I even roped my brother into playing!

For years I had this longing I wanted to help other children to fulfill their potential.  I completed pre-teaching courses at college and did a number of work experiences at local schools.  I enjoyed every minute of it and I passed with flying colours.

When the dream doesn’t happen

My dream didn’t quite turn out as I had planned. I only just got through college with my A-Levels and I never went to University.  The government changed the way University fees were to be paid and it was just too much for me to even consider.  

So, yes, I wasn’t even going to get a degree!  Trying to sort out what I was going to do with my life was hard, especially when I didn’t have a degree.  I found the options open to me very limiting.

I decided to take a year out to do some voluntary work to try and get some idea of what I wanted to do with my life.  It was only by chance I ended up working with the Church Army in one of their Volunteer programmes and I moved to London.  Now, 19 years later, I have a lovely family with a wonderful husband and five gorgeous children.

What about the dream?

Maybe, some of us still have that dream though?  What do we do?  Do we give up?

I think there are a few options we can do.  Firstly, we can do something about it by planning how we can live our dream and go for it. Or secondly, we can sit here and accept what has happened.  

Well, I have planned out what I wanted to do…and started it…but it’s just not going anywhere.  I’m not the type of person either to sit around and accept things.

So, maybe there is a third option?

Maybe, it’s not my dream that I should be following. Maybe, this is God’s dream and God’s plan.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.  Isaiah 55:8 

What God wants with me and what He wants me to achieve is probably, and most likely, different to what I would like to do.

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.  Proverbs 19:21

It’s hard to keep this in mind as a positive perspective though when situations don’t go as well. Especially when family and friends are gone, homes are lost, dreams are shattered…the list goes on.

How do you keep going in the work you are doing then?

I keep this in my mind…

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus Philippians 1:6

God has started something in our lives, and He’s not about to stop now. Our life is not over until He says it’s over, despite how we may feel and no matter what we are going through. Our best days are not what has happened in the past. With God, our greatest days are yet to come!

God has started something in our lives, and He's not about to stop now. Share on X Our best days are not what has happened in the past. With God, our greatest days are yet to come! Share on X

Wherever God leads us, He will provide for us, and He will meet our needs. We just need to remember it’s not the things that matter — our job, our house, or what we achieve.

We are God’s product, and we are made up of the moments that make an impact for God’s Kingdom – the moments are the situations we are going through now! Hang in there. Your work you are doing now is in God’s mighty plan.

Something to think about…

Are you in a place where you feel you shouldn’t be? Try and keep in your mind that it may not be for our benefit why we are there. It may be we are impacting someone else’s lives without realising, and it will be for a greater good…God’s amazing plan!

Prayer

Lord, I have no idea what you have planned for my life right now and what work you want me to do to fulfill your bigger picture. I ask that you send your Holy Spirit to fill me with strength to help me through the times when I find it hard to see what your plan may be. Help me to realise that whatever is happening, it is for your greater good. Amen

Faith, God’s Love, Write 31 Days Challenge 2019

Day 18 in God’s Love – Believing Our Worth

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Apparently, God made us in the image of Him. Did you know that? Also, there is not one person on this earth that is exactly like you? I guess that makes us a little unique then.

Me? Created in God’s image though? Seriously? With everything I have been through it must have been some image! And it’s a pretty good job that there is no-one else like me…I mean, can you imagine having two of me?

Is this what some of you are thinking when you read that you are made in God’s image, or that you are unique? I want to tell you something though, and I want you to listen very carefully. Come in closer.

You are worth it.

Have I got your attention, or are you just shrugging your shoulders? I’ll let you in on a little secret…I use to shrug my shoulders too when someone would tell me that I am worth it.

Ok…I still do…a little.

Ok…hands up…maybe a lot!

This is a journey, right? And you don’t arrive at your destination at the click of your fingers. Although that would be nice so that we can skip out all the bumpy rides. Life isn’t like that though, is it?

Don’t worry, this isn’t going to be one of those “hey you, listen up” moments and I’m going to tell you how amazing you are…and then expect you to believe me…and change the way you think about yourself. I’m not going to expect you to do that as I don’t do it myself.

Do you know what made me realise that I was worth it? It was hearing the story of Jesus giving His life on the cross. Yeah, I know, it’s the same old story…it never changes each year I hear it. But one year was different and it changed me.

The truth hit me about God. He really does love me.  It didn’t matter to Him what I had been through in my past. He wasn’t concerned with how imperfect I was and still am.

He. Loved. Me.

He loves me just the way that I am, even with my broken pieces.  And guess what?  He loves you too…just the way you are…warts an’ all!

Changing the way you think takes time. Knowing that truth in your head is one thing, but believing it in your heart is another. Funnily enough, there isn’t a switch inside your heart that you can flick when you truly want to believe something.

I knew the story inside out about how Jesus came to this Earth to save us all from our sins. Knowing the story and truly believing it with all your heart are two different concepts though.

Isaiah 43:4   Because you are precious in my eyes, and honoured, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life.

Isaiah 43:4

I have no firm answers, or a step by step plan to offer on how to believe that you are worth it. All I know is that we need to keep an open heart. The more your heart is open, the more it can be filled with the truth…The truth that you are loved…you are precious…you are valued…you are worth your weight in gold.

The more your heart is open, the more it can be filled with the truth…you are worth your weight in gold. Share on X

Something to think about…

If you are struggling at the moment at knowing how worthy you are, get a post-it note or a piece of paper and write down your qualities. It maybe that you are kind and generous, or that you are compassionate and caring. Whatever it is, write it down.

Everyone has worthy qualities. Ask a close friend if you are really struggling. Keep that note with you or pinned up somewhere you can see it. Next time you feel you are in a situation where you feel unworthy, look at it and remind yourself that you have worthy qualities.

Prayer

Lord, help me to have an open heart that can be filled with your Truth today. Help me to believe that I am loved. I am precious. I am valuable. And I am worth my weight in gold. Amen

Faith, God’s Love, Write 31 Days Challenge 2019

Day 17 in God’s Love – No More Fear

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Why did it take me so long to tell my parents about my abuse? I knew my parents loved me. They would have protected me. I wouldn’t have suffered for nearly five years as a result.

It took me so long because I was scared. For years I was fed with a false love that lied to me. The “love” I received was far from perfect. But I didn’t know any different. 

I thought I was going to be punished for the “love” I had experienced. I lived in fear believing this. This is what shame does. It makes you feel like you are to blame. I would have been the one people were going to judge. 

Furthermore, because I did not know what real love felt like, I didn’t know how to reciprocate this love to others. The lack of perfect love in my life left me feeling insecure and worthless. 

What is perfect love?

John, in his letter to the early Christians, describes what perfect love really does: 

When we feel God’s love in our life, we have nothing to fear. As a result, we can then be confident and secure in knowing our fear of being punished is taken away. When we are secure in God’s love, we can pass this love onto others. 

When we feel God’s love in our life, we have nothing to fear. As a result, we can then be confident and secure in knowing our fear of being punished is taken away. When we are secure in God’s love, we can pass this love onto others.  Share on X

Oh, how I lament over not knowing this sooner. Fear and shame would have been cast out earlier and God’s perfect love would have taken place. 

Something to think about…

When we are afraid of something, we feel insecure. Knowing God’s love can help us feel secure again. The problem sometimes though is being aware of when God is loving us (which is all the time, by the way *wink*). 

Why not keep a journal and write down all the ways you experience God’s love. It doesn’t matter how small it is – nothing is insignificant in God’s eyes. 

If a gift is given, write it down. If a prayer is answered, write it down. When a stranger gives an unexpected compliment, write it down. Whatever it is, yes you’ve guessed it…WRITE IT DOWN! 

Prayer

God, I longed to be free from fear as I was growing up. Thank you for loving us so perfectly in a way that is never too late for us to accept. Help us to embrace this love and then to release it for others to experience the same freedom from fear. Amen. 

Faith, God’s Love, Write 31 Days Challenge 2019

Day 16 in God’s Love – God’s Love is found in Your Village

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I’ve been reading Becky Keife’s newly released book, “No Better Mom for the Job”. It’s been lovely to read a book where I feel like I’m not alone in this motherhood world. Believe me, being a mother can make you feel like you’re the most loneliest and unlovable person going.

Being a village for each other not only brings about a community, but it enables God to use His people to show His love. Share on X

Becky uses her own situation to describe so well how loving each other can show God’s love for ourselves. She learnt that accepting help from other people gives them a chance to show off the gifts God gave them. In turn, she was then able to reciprocate the gifts she has when the need arose. Being a village for each other not only brings about a community, but it enables God to use His people to show His love.

This isn’t about being each other’s savior. There is only One of those. Yet, we experience more of Christ when we lean into the call to love.

Becky Keife, No Better Mom for the Job, P86

When I Found Love in my Own Village

I experienced this love last year when I needed it most. A quarter of the way through the year I found out I was pregnant. This came as a great surprise. The most shocking moment though was when my husband came with me to our first scan. “And here is the first baby” the sonographer announced. Yes, we were having twins!

Once the shock of having twins had set in, the worry of how we were to provide for them took over. It was quite a stressful time. A year prior to this we had given up on having anymore children. It had been six years after we had our third child and nothing was happening.

We decided to give away all our baby items and clothing. It was obvious we weren’t going to have any more children. Well, God obviously had other plans.

Anyway, we had nothing for when the twins were to be born. We were starting from scratch. But this time already having three growing children.

This was where my village stepped in. Numerous people in my church rallied around and threw a surprise baby shower for me. They showered me with their gifts of love and friendship in ways I would never have imagined. People I hardly knew offered what they did best – the gift of giving.

Little did they know a few weeks prior to this I felt the need for God to really show His love to me. I wanted Him to break through in ways I had not experienced before. Oh, and did He break through!

Becky shares a great Bible verse which captures exactly what I experienced:

Something to think about…

Next time someone offers to help you, can you bite the bullet and say yes? You never know if your yes will be the making of a new friendship. It also gives God a chance to shine through that person. Let Him use other people to shower you with His love.

Prayer

Lord God, we pray for you to touch us with your love in ways we cannot imagine. Use other people around us to show us your love. Open our eyes too so that we do not miss what you want to give us. Amen.

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