The Goodness of God

     Next month I'll be 47 years old, and wow, how the years have gone by so quickly. As a young girl I couldn't wait to grow up. I looked forward to making my own decisions and living my life my way, whatever that meant. I just wanted to be free and I no longer wanted to deal with spankings and punishments for being disobedient (Not that the spankings or punishments stopped me from being bad, but it was still my hope). I didn't understand then what I understand now, and that is that consequences would come with my desired freedom. I wanted to be "Free", but in growing up I found out that Freedom wasn't free at all, and that for every poor choice or decision I made there would be a "price" to pay. So I grew up and experienced my new found freedom, and it wasn't what I thought it would be. The Bible says "All things are permissible, but not all things are beneficial" (1 Corinthians 10:23), and I found that out the hard way.
     Today I look around and I see the broken hearts and shattered lives of many that are experiencing this life of freedom, or rather, lives without boundaries or restrictions, and the misery is evident. I also lived in misery and so it's not very hard to detect that same misery in others. But to think that God has provided a way out for those that are tired and that want to live a life that is filled with peace and that makes sense, and yet many continuously refuse it. Every day the hardship that is this life continues to press upon many, and they have yet to make their escape.
     But the truth is that there is a way to get out of this rat race and to let go of the misery that comes from it, and its not by way of drugs, alcohol, sex, money or the like. Getting out and finding true freedom is in accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In Him they will find all the wisdom and love and understanding they need to overcome the burden that is this world. I know all to well what Jesus can do in the life of a believer because He's done so much in mine. Pain is inevitable, but destruction is optional. We don't have to lay down and die in the name of "Freedom", but we can actually live and experience true love and light in the midst of darkness. Living with guidelines, boundaries and even restrictions is a good thing, and even necessary. Why? Because we are extremists in nature and we need someone to put the breaks on for us, and God will do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Freedom isn't free, "and the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). Let's live life to the fullest, Let's give God a chance. Trust me, He knows what's best for us. Be Blessed!!

God Loves a Cheerful Giver

Today I started my day as I normally do, preparing for work and for the frustrating commute. Seeing as how it was raining, I wasn't looking forward to all of the dripping umbrellas and soggy clothes that would meet me on the bus. But off to work I went, all the way hating this type of weather, and determining myself not to be annoyed by all of the pushy and impatient people joining me on the ride. Finally, I arrive to my destination, barely making it on time of course (time management is not one of my strengths, but I'm working on it), but so glad that I did because a blessing was awaiting me at the front desk. An Officer and Sister in Christ comes to me and says "I bought you a salad for lunch, and seeing as how I went apple picking the other day, I put three apples in your desk." Truly blessed by her efforts, I gave her a big hug and thanked her. I then went to the corner store to get a breakfast sandwich and a cup of tea. While preparing my morning drink at the coffee stand at the back of the store, one of the officers from my job was there and he paid for my food without my knowing it. When I went to pay for it, the store clerk said "He paid." When I looked around, the officer was standing there with a big grin on his face. Oh my God! How wonderful was that, that this someone would want to bless me as well. I must admit I was blown away a bit. I thanked him with a smile and a humble "thank you" and returned to the job. Finally my day at work was over, and I went home to a waiting husband and he says to me "Honey, what do you want for dinner? We can go out or we can stay home and order out, I just want to take care of you tonight." Wow God! You continue to show me how much you love me by surrounding me with people that take care of me and long to meet my needs. The Heart that gives is always inspired by God! "You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully" (2 Corinthians 9:7); and as they have given unto me, they too shall receive!!

This life is so amazing when you realize that God is in it. Precious moments filled with His presence are too numerous to count. The courage to believe in Him is an even greater feat, but when you do, life makes sense and you begin to wonder why you didn't believe in Him sooner. The end result of life without God is suffering, pain and great depths of frustration. I know all too well this pain of life without Him, and it's a life that I would rather forget. However, my past is etched in my mind, and yet because of God, it no longer has a hold on me. My eyes were opened to the majesty and miraculousness of God and I found out that He takes the past, with all of its pain, and He gives it color and purpose. He even uses it to help others. Only a God of Love can do this. Every day we make decisions not really understanding where they may take us, but the greatest decision that I've ever made was in choosing Jesus, and In Him, my decision has led me to Life. I pray u make the same choice - "Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and cursings. Now I call  on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants may live"
(Deuteronomy 30:19). Be blessed!!