Forgiving without an apology

Forgiving without an apology - is the greatest gift you can...or shall I say, we can give ourselves.
It seems life has a way of throwing us into situations where this handy tool must be used time and time again - and we are better for it.

I have some very personal situations in my life that have caused some deep pain for not only myself but others who are very dear to me...we've all had our turn with sleepless nights, upset stomachs, hurt, confusion, brokenness...but one situation in particular has really caused some deep soul searching.  To ignore it, is foolish.  To act out in anger, foolish.  The only solution has been to pray about it.  There is nothing too big for God.  So with each action - we give it to God and forgive.  We love, we keep pressing forward trusting He has it all in control.  What we don't do is get so wrapped up in it that we lose our peace.

Today if you have something troubling you I encourage you to let go of it, put it in God's hands and forgive the offender.  You need peace in your life, just as I do.  Don't go around gossiping about it - take it to the Lord, your hurt is safe with Him.  In doing so, you will become stronger.

Each day is a gift and a new chance to begin fresh...#startingover15
Here's to forgiveness!!  May we all freely give and freely receive!!

Living with purpose

It's an incredible realization...to find your purpose.

Each of us have to search that out.  I don't believe we should be like leaves in the wind being tossed about and then left to be walked on.  I believe we should seek to discover...  Who am I?  What do I want to do?  How can I leave a positive mark on the lives of those in my reach?

So many of us spend years looking for ourselves.  We never quite figure out who we are or what we want to be until something major happens in our life.  It may be the birth of a child, the death of a friend or loved one, a marriage or divorce...whatever it is - it causes us to take a serious inventory of our life and decide if we really know and like who we are, and do we want to change?

For me - it seems like life has taken so many twists and turns that I've had to truly learn to look to God for my identity.  For years I was...Roland and Margie's daughter, Jamie.  Then I was Jamie Lynn, then I was Staci's little sister, then I was Jamie...or Stowell...then I became a wife...then I was Kaitlyn and Aubrey's mom... then I was single again and became a "single mom"....then I became a gramma....now I am my most favorite version of myself... I am Jamie Baker....wife of Greg, gramma, mom, friend...and daughter of the King of Kings.

No matter what happens in life - that's who I am!  I am blessed...I am favored.  No part of my identity can be taken from me, those titles will forever remain!!

My job is to love, encourage, support, create, pray for and cultivate good memories for the remainder of my years on this earth....What an incredible position in life! Such purpose!!

As we #startover15 let us remember if we have God on our side, love in our lives....everything will work out for our good!