Summer is past, Thanksgiving has come and gone, and I feel
the rest of this year is whizzing past me. 2012 has been a good year in many ways and
many new things have been discovered, learned, accomplished, and put away for a
season. I hope to bring all of the things out of the *attic* soon, but for now,
other things call. It’s exciting to think of what the New Year may hold… a little
scary too, but what I really want to talk about doesn’t change from season to
season: it will be the same no matter what the New Year holds! I want to write
about the faithfulness of the Lord. I usually right about fairly superficial
things: crafts, recipes, decorating, gardening, so on, but none of these mean
much without purpose. My purpose in life
is to serve my Creator by serving others… it is the most fulfilling thing you
can imagine…. I didn’t say it’s always spectacular or pretty, but it truly is fulfilling
when my heart is set on someone other than me!
“I beseech you
therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a
living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable
service. 2 And do not be conformed to
this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove
what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” Romans 12:1-2 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all
these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 “For I know the
plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for
welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 “ I have shown you in every way, by laboring like
this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus,
that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to
receive’” Acts 20:35.
On this fulfilling journey,
(serving God by serving primarily my family), there are some hardships and
pains I have and will encounter: everyone has hardships and trials. They come
in many colors and packages, and mine happens to be that my Mom has bone
cancer. This means a lot of different things for my family, but I can sum it all up
by saying, a lot of things have been flipped upside down. I struggle with many
fears: that I won’t be able to handle my
circumstances, that I’m not strong enough, that I will mess up or do something
wrong... etc, but then the truth of God’s word finds me in those moments and shines in
my fearful heart the light of truth: “And he said unto me, My grace is
sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly
therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may
rest upon me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9 “ Theses things I have
spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have
tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33.
When I am honest, I must say that I learn a great deal through trials! Trials
teach me to focus on others, to sympathize with others better, to not strive in
my own strength, and to lean on the arms of Jesus. So in the moments when I can’t
go one step farther I remember that I don’t have to, God’s strength is
sufficient for me and he is faithful to provide what I need when I need
it!
“But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to
anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” Psalms 86:15 “22 Because of the
LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 Thy mercies
are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 “God,
who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is
faithful.” 1 Corinthians 1:9.
Deuteronomy 7:9 has become one of the most
comforting verses to me, “ Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he
is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them
that love him and keep his commandments to
a thousand generations;”
The truth behind whatever trial you face is God is faithful! I am so thankful to be serving ‘the faithful
God’!
~Maddy~
