Update: My Crazy Life & God's Amazing Blessings

When I published my last post I had a vague idea of what God had in store for me and my family...

But God's plans were bigger, better and way more challenging than my finite brain could imagine. 

Last year my husband and I began the process to foster. This came after months of prayer. Honestly we were scared to obey. But God was relentless.  After months of looking for loop holes to avoid obeying (because some times God asks us to do things we feel ill equip to do. Fostering was waaay outside my comfort zone), we finally complied. 

Shortly after the new year God brought us a precious baby. My world shifted, my heart grew and I couldn't feel more blessed.

I also still feel ill equip for this challenge. Daily my trust in God is tested and my faith shakes. 

Where this road will go I do not know...only God does. I know what my momma's heart wants.

But nothing about this is about me. Nor is anything in my control. 

So I am trusting God. 

Resting in Him.

Clinging to His promises.

And asking for prayers for us all.

May God's will be done. 

So that's what is going on in my world. 

What's new in yours?

A Hopefilled CHRISTmas- reflecting on last year and saying goodbye

When I began this year with the series Building a Framework of Hope I had no idea it would turn into a YEAR long sequence of posts.

Little did I know what God had in store for me. What He wanted to teach me.

You see, these posts were just as much for me as they were for you.

2017 will not go down as the “Best year of my life” or even come close to it.

If I had to put a label on it, I would say 2017 has been the “MOST challenging year of my life”. 

I have been tested, refined, beaten down, shaken, and turned upside down. 

As this year comes to a close I must confess, my world has shifted and I have been redefined. I am still struggling to know who I am and what my role is in this new “norm” called my life. 

But one thing I can say with certainty: I have HOPE.

My foundation suffered a brutal beating this past year, but my Hope stayed secure. 

His Word, His promises, kept me safe in Him. 

Abiding in Him.

Resting in Him.

Learning that I am not alone.

He is always with me.

I don’t know how your year has gone, but I pray you know Who to cling to when storms come your way.

I pray this series blessed you in some way.

While it barely scratches the surfaces of learning to Hope in Him, I pray it’s at least a jumping off point for you. That as you enter 2018, you can build upon your foundation in Christ and mature in Him.

I’m not certain I will blog in 2018. I am still seeking God about that.

May HIS will, and not my own, be done.

Merry CHRISTmas dear Believer.

I pray you have a joyous time celebrating the birth of our Savior and a blessed 2018. 

Perhaps we will meet again in the blogging sphere.

“but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:31 NIV

To be Thankful- Building a FrameWork of Hope: Part 14

It’s my prayer that this 10 month long series has both challenged and inspired you to find your identity, and your hope, in Christ alone.

He alone is a sure foundation to build upon.

Remember, in a world of uncertainty, He NEVER changes (Heb 13:8)

As we approach Thanksgiving, I pray you take time to reflect upon all the blessings in your life and Thank God for each of them (Phil 4:8).

I pray you also make time to evaluate the trials and setbacks in your life and seek to learn from them. Ask God to show you where He was during these dark times and what He wants you to know. Ask Him to teach you, heal you and refine you. 

Being refined isn’t fun.

But it is a blessing. 

Hard times are opportunities to yield to God’s design in your life, to trust Him more, to know the power and depth of His love.

Nothing can separate you from His love. 

“For I know that nothing can keep us from the love of God. Death cannot! Life cannot! Angels cannot! Leaders cannot! Any other power cannot! Hard things now or in the future cannot! The world above or the world below cannot! Any other living thing cannot keep us away from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 NLV

I pray that as you set your sights on this upcoming year (2018) that you will embrace any hardships that come your way. That you don’t waste your time or energy trying to fight against God’s plan for you and that you don’t wish your life away by comparing yourself to others or longing for a different set of circumstances to make you happy or give you peace.

True happiness, peace, and joy are not found in a set of circumstances but in the arms of a Savior (John 16:33).

Please don’t view trials as punishment from God. He is not against you. He is for you.

“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13 NLT

He’s already laid down His life for you…will you lay down yours for Him?

Will you trust Him with your pain…or continue to rely upon your own understanding? 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Prov 3:5-6NIV

Life is full of choices.

How you live your life, is your choice.

How you respond to trials, is your choice.

And what you do with His invitation to Come and Build upon His foundation, is your choice.

What will you choose?

^“The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.” Rev 22:17 NIV

Happy Thanksgiving.

May God bless you abundantly with the knowledge of how wide, long, high and deep His love is for you (Eph 3:17-19).