If you are reading this you have stuck with me over the last 8 months once again without a written word of encouragement. I apologize. My mind, and life in general have been consumed with change, challenges, healing and building a new found relationship with the inner working of self care, and a new understanding of what it means to be a follower of Christ. Jesus once said that His beloved would be hated, and so it is and has been in my life as a believer. My heart has been broken…shattered actually, and yet, I am healing with the Lord Jesus by my side, just as many who have gone before me. Life in this world as a believer and true servant of Jesus is not for the faint of heart. It takes giving up any control, loving unconditionally, having hope, forgiving, and grieving that which is given to us and taken from us. Life long lessons that continue, just when you think you have it, new challenges have you questioning your strength. So sometimes, self care through prayer, study, therapy/counseling help to remind us of our frailty.

Last night I had the privilege of attending the local Rescue Mission Gala. I had been wanting to attend for 2 years and this year was invited to attend at a table with lovely beloved brothers and sisters whom I have known for a while now. I have for the last two years helped to address and stuff the envelopes to be sent out for the event, I have been down to the Mission with my husband several times as he assisted with the praise and worship team once a month for at least the last 3-4 years, I have donated bags upon bags of clothes to the Mission which serves the men and women/families of the local area with programs to help with addiction, recovery, life skills, education, abuse, and of course the homeless. What I did not know what the beautiful stories of those who have completed the programs. Their journeys were heartbreaking, yet their stories of finding Jesus at the end of those journeys was praiseworthy. Jesus Christ filled the empty barren holes in their lives. They were given a second chance at life. I was so moved, encouraged and now the next morning I am still praising God. Now that is an impact.

Looking around at the lost in this world, I am reminded once again that there is nothing I can personally do to change a heart. Only Jesus can do that. And…He will do it in his timing, when it is right for that individual. There is great sorrow and loneliness in this world. Loneliness that has succumbed due to depravity and separation between God and humanity. The stories I heard last night remind me that there is hope. Hope in Jesus, a savior who fulfills. Jesus is the only one who can take a desperate soul lost in the wasteland to a valley of hope where they are fed and given new life.

Oh the richness of knowing, experiencing and enjoying serving Christ. This life is not about us….it is about serving a creator with praise and glorifying a savior who gave everything for those who love Him. Have we ever loved that much? Do we give us our anxieties, bitterness, sorrows, and helplessness over to the only one who can cure? Do we want control over the narrative in our stories or are we willing to submit our story to a publisher who can make changes to fulfill a more complete picture of who we are and who we are meant to be? If our answers are to control the narratives, then we are not trusting or knowing Jesus as we should. For in Him ALL things are possible. ALL healing is possible. ALL becomes clear and our stories become more than just a journey, they become a story with an ending. A happily ever after, eternal life in a kingdom prepared for us.

What an incredible 8 months it has been. The Lord has so much in store for His beloved seen and unseen. The cruelty of humanity and the darkness of this world tries to take away our Joy, yet nothing…I repeat nothing can restore like an unconditional loving God. A Father who shows compassion to the hurting, clarity to the lost, and life to the dead. I praise God for the blessing of knowing Him, living for Him, and serving in His name.

Friend, I pray that you are encouraged today and that you will not follow your heart or mind, yet that you will follow Jesus and relinquish the control over the narrative of your life to become a complete story in Christ, just as I saw last night in the testimony of so many who have been given another chance at life.