Fighting the battle

It's Thursday night...I'm sitting in the office, listening to the birds talking back and forth to each other...hearing the neighborhood dogs bark at passersby and the faint distraction of the evening news streams in the bedroom.  I'm home alone tonight - my husband is at a meeting - so I'm taking this time to reflect on the past few days.

I've faced some trying hours over this last week.  Just because the Lord blesses our lives with great joy, peace, happiness, successes and health does not mean we are immune to difficulties.  We have an enemy who roams about seeking whom he may devour and destroy and he will stop at nothing to tear down God's children - and use anything he can to do it.  I am so glad I have a God to turn to in those times.

As I called on the Lord in my time of need - He once again reassured me that HE is in control.  He loves and cares for the things I love and care for - INCLUDING me!  Please please please don't forget God loves you when you are in the midst of your trials.  That's the time when He thrives most...He wants to flex His muscles for us and fight on our behalf!  He wants to prove His strength, love, mercy and grace....He's truly the best man we'll ever know.  

Tonight before you close your eyes - take your need to the Lord.  Pray for your spouse, your children, your parents, your Pastor, your neighbors and your friends.  Pray for our government and our communities....Pray that God would protect us all in this time of need.

To each one of us who found ourselves #startingover15 at one point or another....may we learn to fight on our knees and turn the battle over to the One who never loses!

Writing with a thankful spirit - thanking God for every battle He's won!

Hope

Are you facing a difficult time in your life?  Do you have even a spot of hope?  If so, don't give up - give it to God.  God promises He'll never leave or forsake us.  Because it's in His Word, He has to do what He said He'll do.  He truly is incapable of lying to His children.

Life is cruel sometimes and people we love can be just as cruel but often times it's because they are fighting something on the inside.  Maybe they don't know what it means to trust and hope in something greater than themselves....don't try to change them or their mind, give them to God.  God is the miracle worker and He is so patient, gentle and kind...never will He lash out in anger, say things He'll regret, belittle or hurt you....He will only love, love, love you.  So place your HOPE in God.  He is there to see you through.

#startingover15 is just my way to share with you how God is with me and has been with me over the last 6 year journey and counting.
From one woman to many others like me....it's okay, you'll be okay.  We will be okay...just continue to place your situation in God's hands. 

I am what I choose to become

Reflecting on our past can sometimes be a good thing...but also hurtful.  I know I am not the only one out there with a past riddled with ups and downs, hurts and disappointments, life altering instances.  Nor am I the only one who's chosen to stand up and move forward.  It's not always easy for us to make the choice - but we must if we ever want to be more than the circumstance dictated.

Be in control of YOUR OWN life...not your spouse's, not your children's...YOURS.  Do you want to be happy?  You can be happy.  If you want to be a college graduate, BE ONE...don't let anything stand in your way - you choose your destiny.  Do you want to lose weight?  Make the choices for your own body to help yourself lose weight!  Don't wait for someone to help or encourage you - you've got to take the first, the second, the third steps and never stop - but you CAN do it!

If I'm learning anything in this life right now, I'm learning that I have wants, and basic needs that must be met for my internal happiness and I have to take care of those myself, regardless of my marital, career, friendship or parental status.  I have to find the way to fulfill those basic wants and needs all on my own - becoming empowered to do that - means taking a step in believing in what I can become!

Here's to all of us - men, women, married, single, widowed, young and old...it's never too late to choose your path to happiness!  #startingover15 with a new frame of mind!!