Ever wonder why you’re somewhere? A job, a place, a relationship… That’s me right now. Here I am vlogging and it’s never been something I thought I would want to do!
Over the past few years, I have had a relationship change, a move, several job changes, completed schooling that I had worked really long and hard for, had children and stepchildren that have grown up and gone on to pursue their interests and more. That’s the “cliff notes” version of the past 10 years of my life.
Through this journey and because of all the people I have had the pleasure to meet, I have felt great satisfaction and great loss. Those are polar opposites… yes, they are.
I love engaging with people or I would not have navigated my life in the way I did or chosen my career. I love encouraging people and helping to see others connect the dots and get “wins” in their lives. I have also felt the extreme weight of the struggle most are facing.
In my journey, I have had many highs and lows and have learned I am not alone. I do not have to fight any battle or celebrate any victory alone. Through my work, I have met some of the most “lonely” people who are strong but need to know there are others just like us who can help bear the weight.
My journey has taught me that when I lean on God first and people second, I feel more fulfilled and supported then trying to go this road alone. I love my human connections and I use them daily! However, my divine connection became the most necessary relationship I have nurtured.
I don’t know what I would do without knowing that there is a loving God just waiting for me to ask Him a question, seek him when I’m having a good or bad day, spend time praying and listening and yes… I have been angry with Him MANY times! He hears, he listens, he allows us to learn the lessons that we need and he never leaves us alone.
My only goal in this vlog is to introduce you to the God who has hugged me, let me crawl up in His lap for a laugh or a cry, gone everywhere with me as an unseen comrade (the kind that sits in jail next to you, not the one bailing you out).
He’s the one who became my father when my earthly father passed away 20 years ago. I have felt lost many times physically, emotionally and spiritually and He has allowed me to learn, struggle and point me in a direction when I asked. He has never failed me! I have had to wait at times, but patience is a skill that is learned through practice! I want to introduce you to my Jesus as well as share with you lessons I have learned in my journey.
I want to share scripture that encourages and teaches me, books that have challenged me, as well as music that feeds my soul.
This past week, I have been reminded over and over how much I need a father. When mine passed so many years ago, I felt lost for a very long time. It’s almost like my life had lost a very necessary part of stability that I so longed for. He was a quiet man with not a lot to say but he was always ready with a humorous comment or to quietly engage in conversation about whatever was troubling you.
When that left me, I had trouble finding it in other places. At the time, my husband was not a person who could provide this quietness and stability. There were a couple older gentleman in our church that I really thought were good connections and one I felt comfortable sharing my struggles. Through deaths and moves, these were stripped from me.
I think God wants us to search out human relationships that can give us in-person connections, but He also wants us to seek Him. I said a little earlier that I could crawl up in Gods lap… what does that actually mean? I am still currently working to figure out what that means for me each day.
On some days, it’s quietly sitting outside, breathing deeply and using all my senses to feel what He has created for me. Other times, I get a new thought as I am reading my Bible. Sometimes as I am listening to old or new music, a phrase will strike me and I will sense his presence. I will take walks many days, sometimes in complete silence and just let my surroundings wash over me. On days that I am mad or frustrated, crying out to God for answers or comfort is my “crawl” to Him. What’s your experience today? Where are you? Lost, frustrated, hurt, depressed, anxious, happy, refreshed, sincere, rested, content… wherever you are, you can share it with Him. Speak it out loud, when you’re driving, cleaning, outside, wherever you have a safe space.
Verses to hold on to –
1 John 3:1-2
1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be, has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
Lamentations 3:22-26
22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD.
1 John 5:2-5
Every person who believes that Jesus is, in fact, the Messiah, is God-born. If we love the One who conceives the child, we’ll surely love the child who was conceived. The reality test on whether or not we love Gods children is this: Do we love God? Do we keep his commands? The proof that we love God comes when we keep his commandments, and they are not at all troublesome.
Every God-born person conquers the world’s ways. The conquering power that brings the world to its knees is our faith. The person who wins out over the world’s ways is simply the one who believes Jesus is the son of God.
Jeremiah 31:3-4
3 The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying:
“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
4 I will build you up again,and you, Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt.
Zephaniah 3:17
17 The LORD your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.”