Wrestle Mania

As I was reading Genesis 32: 22-28 I began pondering how we're not all that different from Jacob.  We also wrestle with God.  Struggling against His plan for us and trying to go our own way.

I've been there.  I've tried to find my own path.  Follow my own will.  Fight my own fight. Battered and bruised.

Peace can be found when we stop wrestling and receive His blessings - finding rest in His grace.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. ~ Matthew 11:28-30

A Little Goes a Long Way

He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough." ~ Matthew 13:33

A small bit of yeast.  Mixed into a large amount of flour.  Worked all through the dough.  And changing it.

It's amazing how something which seems so very small can change things so very much.

A little bitterness, a little sadness, a little resentment, a little anger can fill a heart, a mind - a life - with darkness.


The opposite is also true.

One little smile can change a day.

A little gratitude, a little giving of thanks, a little praise for all the Lord provides can change an outlook.

A little faith.  A little hope.  A little love.  Can all change a situation - even an entire life - for the better. 

i Can't Do it

I keep thinking (and writing) about what I need to do.

I need to change.  I need to be kinder.  I need to watch my tongue.  I need to...

I...  I... I...

Until the day came in my journey recently when a sudden clarity stopped me in my tracks.

You know what?  I can't do it!!

Don't you think if I could have done it on my own it would have happened by now?

Anyone who reads my blog is likely aware that I love a To Do list - probably a little too much. So it probably comes as no surprise that I feel like I should be in control.  I can't shake the feeling that there is a list of things I should be marking off one by one.

But that's not how it works, is it?

What I really need to do is to get out of God's way and let Him do His work in me.  I need to admit I need Him if any of those changes are going to take place.

I have to acknowledge His greatness, and my smallness.  I have to realize His strength in my weakness.

That's what I need to do

That's not to say I can just be idle.  Sitting back and waiting for miracles to happen.  There are steps I have to take myself.  But I have to recognize God is in control.  I can't do it alone. 

Scripture doesn't just tell me I can do some things, but that "I  can do all things through him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13 ESV - emphasis mine)

What I Deserve

Ever thought about how you really deserve something?  Maybe you've worked hard for it.  Maybe you've been having a rough time.  Maybe you've accomplished some big goal you set for yourself. 

Ever found yourself saying some form of this prayer - "God, please do this for me.  I deserve it because..."?

But do we really want God to give us what we deserve?

Oh, the nice things... sure.  But what about all the punishment for the sins against Him?  Everything that was heaped onto Jesus at the time of His crucifixion and death? That's what we really "deserve".  But instead, He took everything we deserve onto Himself so that we could receive the gifts: 

Grace, Love, Eternal life

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." ~ Romans 5:8



Feeling Honored

I t has been a week of honors for my little blog!  I am humbled and honored to have my blog be recognized by other bloggers.  And so very grateful that God has given me a blog to write about the journey of my life and to share what He shows me about His grace and power every day with others. To Him be the glory!

First, Tales of Beauty for Ashes featured my post Made Perfect In Weakness  for this week's Into The Word Wednesday. 

Second, Caffeinated Country Diva Diaries bestowed upon me the greatly sought after and coveted Liebster Award. 

It seems there are a whole set of rules to the Liebster award.  I hope she will forgive me if I humbly accept the award while skipping the rest of the steps.