Friday, September 30, 2011

A Dilemma

One of the many dilemmas that I have had in my "widow experience" is what to do with my engagement ring.  I've debated many different options over the course of these past few months.  There was no reason for a quick decision, for that matter I really didn't have to make a decision about it at all.  It could have stayed the way it was for many years to come, but for me, I wanted to do something with it.  Last month, I knew that I was finally ready to do something, so I did.  I had it sent to a jewelry store that I know every well and told them that I wanted it made into a necklace.  With little direction from me, they did.  I received it today and it was perfect, just what I wanted.  I have a new piece of jewelry now, it is a change from what it once was, but something I will keep as a reminder.  When I wear it, I want to be reminded God's faithfulness in my life and how He has brought and will bring me through all the changes in my life.  One more dilemma in my life is now solved.


Thursday, September 15, 2011

My plan - His direction

The way this week has played out was not the way I had planned it in my head.  My boss is out of town, I thought that this would be the perfect week to get caught up on things that I've had to push off.  That didn't happen, God has had other plans.  It reminded me of the verse "The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9. 

This past Saturday I was able to attend a Beth Moore conference in Lubbock, TX.  I decided one hour before my friends were leaving to go with them.  I just felt that God wanted me to go, personally I had wanted to stay in Midland.  You should have seen me running around getting ready, plus having to pick up a ticket across town!  It was worth it.  God has been working in my life about something and Beth talked about that very same thing in the afternoon session.  I grudgingly listened. :)   She usually has her worship team sing the song "In Christ Alone" and once again I cried (I always do now). The last verse gets me every time because it means so much more to me after Jared went home to be with the Lord. 

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From a life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man
Could ever pluck me from His hand 

'Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand  


It is such an encouraging final verse.  From the day one is born until their final breath, God has a purpose for His children and nothing can change that.  It is through His power alone that His purpose is made complete.  I remember my dad telling me on the phone, the night that Jared died,  how God's purpose for Jared was complete and that is why He called him home.  Anyway, that is what I am reminded of when I hear this song.  That was a rabbit trail........

On Monday and Tuesday I had the opportunity to accompany a former Harlem Globetrotter and a former NFL player to some elementary schools here in Midland.  They are both Christians and although they weren't able to talk about God to the kids, they gave very good talks about breaking the cycle and that they can succeed in life.  It was a blessing to go with them but it was difficult also.  You could just see on some of the kids faces the lack of love and stability in their home lives.  It was hard to see.  There was one school that we went to where the kids mobbed the guys after they were done speaking.  They just wanted to be loved on even more by these men.  It made me appreciate the life that God has given me and the childhood that I had, being raised by wonderful parents.  I couldn't have asked for better parents who raised me well and taught me about Christ's love for me.  I wish you could talk about God in schools, these kids need to know about the hope that only Christ can give them.

We've had rain in Midland!!!!  It began last night and has been fairly continuous today.  We are in such a drought that any moisture that God gives us is a blessing!  I'm enjoying the cloudy, dreary day.  The temperature has dropped also significantly, it is currently 59 degrees, it was about 90 yesterday. 

That is my week in a nutshell.  Thanks for listening!