The Thing that Leads to the Thing

Have you ever had that moment where you've asked yourself, "How did I get here?"  I’m sure you can reflect on the series of choices and life events that led to it, but why “here”?  Well, I was having that very conversation with myself.  (I have a very complex relationship with myself. LOL!)  And as I reflected on life’s events, a quote that I always tell my daughter came to mind - “Sometimes you may not be doing the thing you’re purposes to do, but it might be the thing that leads to the thing, so don't give up.”

More often than not, God uses our experiences, gifts, talents, strengths, faults, short-comings, triumphs, defeats, losses and even disappointments to prepare us for our purpose. How else do we get prepared for that “thing” except by all the “things that lead to the thing”?  

Ephesians 2:10 says "For we are God's handiwork, created in Chris Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  You see, none of this takes God by surprise.  He prepared us in advance.  He is the potter.  We are the clay (God's handiwork).  He knew when He was creating us exactly what "good works" He was creating us to do.  Therefore, these 3 things are true:

1.  He equipped us (in advance) with the tools we would need to fulfill our purpose. 
2.  He created us to do good works.
3.  He made no mistakes!

What good works did God create you to do?  Sometimes that very thing that challenges you is the thing that will lead to the thing that produces your good works.  Ask God to show you how to use every gift He's given you, because every experience along the way just might be a tool for your purpose...and His glory!  So don't give up and don't get stuck.  Keep moving forward and trust God's plan!

Love Always,

Shy

http://lovealwaysshy.blogspot.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovealwaysshy/

Privileged!

Have you ever known someone who you thought was "privileged"?  You watched how opportunities seemed to open up for them because of who they knew or who they were connected to.  They were always a phone call away from getting what they wanted or needed.  They seemed to have the right friends on their side.  What a privilege. 

I can remember as a child hearing my mother sing a song called "What a Friend We Have in Jesus".  Back then, it was just a song to me.  Yet, as I've matured, the words have come alive and have become a truth that I cling to daily.  The words of the song go like this.  

What a friend we have in Jesus
all our sins and griefs to bear
What a privileged to carry 
everything to God in prayer

Oh what peace we often forfeit
oh, what needless pain we bear
all because we do not carry 
everything to God to in prayer

When those words came alive for me, I thought "Why would I bare needless pains instead of going to God in prayer?"  Needless pain...  "Why would I forfeit peace?"  The only way I could see this happening is if I didn't understand the privilege of having Jesus as a friend.  It's true - who you know has it's privileges!

Now understanding that I have a friend Who I can go to in prayer, I take full advantage of being privileged.

When I am sick, I can go to Him for healing.  Privileged.

When I'm in need, I can ask Him for provision.  Privileged.

When I am trying to move past my mistakes, I can ask Him to order my steps.  Privileged.

No matter what we're going through, we have a friend who is always there to listen, help, heal, restore, comfort, soothe, and love.  Who wouldn't take advantage of calling on a friend like that in time of need?  Oh, what a privilege it is to be called His friend!  (John 15:13-15)

No matter what you may be going through today, exercise your privilege and carry everything to God in prayer.  

Love Always,

Shy

http://lovealwaysshy.blogspot.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovealwaysshy

Ain't No Valley Low Enough!

If you know me, you know I'm a Diana Ross fanatic!  I have loved her ever since I was a child.  I know all her songs and movies and have been blessed (yes blessed!) to attend a few of her concerts.  Yes!  Truly blessed!  LOL!

Well, last night I attended "A Night of Inspiration" at my church, which was a night for our women's ministry to worship together, receive an inspiring message and just fellowship together.  What a wonderful evening it was.  

Although I loved fellow-shipping with my sisters in Christ, enjoyed the beautiful arrangement of sweet treats and very much looked forward to the message to come, I must admit they had me at the opening song - Diana Ross's "Ain't No Mountain High Enough".  I'd never viewed that song in the context of worship, but when they sang the words "Ain't no mountain high enough, ain't no valley low enough, ain't no river wide enough to keep me from you", I was like "Yesssss, Jesus!"  Those words rang true in my heart.

I have had some LOW valleys, but I can truly say that none of my valleys have ever been low enough to keep Him from getting to me.  I recalled several years ago when I was in a serious, dark and what felt like a hopeless valley.  It seemed as though every area of my life was being challenged all at the same time.  I felt surrounded by darkness.  It's one thing to have one area of your life being challenged and still have other areas that are bright, hopeful outlets.  But what do you do when darkness is all around?  Well, that's where I was - in a low, dark valley.

That's when I learned that there was no valley low enough to keep the Heavenly Father from getting to me. During this time, I had nowhere to turn, but  to God.  So I prayed.  I read the word.  I got quiet and listened for a whisper that would give me hope.  In Psalms 23:4a, David said, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, because you are with me."  One thing I've learned in life is that it's not always about what your're going through, but who's with you.

So let me remind you:

No matter how dark your valley is, when God is with you, He is the light.  (John 1:4-5)

No matter how low your valley is, He never leaves you.  (Hebrews 13:5b)

No matter how bad your circumstances may seem, take heart!  He has overcome the WORLD.  (John 16:33)  THE WORLD!  

The good news about a valley is that the only way out is UP!  Be encouraged by the fact that God can and will carry you up and out of the low places in life.  He knows where you are and has promised to never leave you.  No matter how low your valley is today, always remember ain't no valley low enough to keep Him from you!

Love Always,

Shy

http://lovealwaysshy.blogspot.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovealwaysshy/

Spring is coming!

It was a dreary, winters morning as I sat at the kitchen table having breakfast and gazing out the window.  The sky was gray and most of the trees were just twigs.  No sun in sight.  No flower in sight.  Yet the birds were flying from twig to twig singing their song.  Not a care in the world.  The dark, lifeless environment surrounding them didn't change their song one bit.  In spite of what they could see, they seemed to know for sure that spring was coming. 

As I gazed out the window, I had things on my mind that I wondered what the outcome would be.  I wondered would it work out "this way" or "that way".  I knew the situations would indeed change, but I wasn't sure what that would look like compared to how they looked now. That's when the birds ministered to me.  (Yes! Ministering birds!)  Like them, I'd never lost sleep over wondering if spring would come after winter, so why was I concerned about God's timing in this situation?  Why had my spirit stopped singing?

It's sometimes hard to imagine spring in the middle of winter, but God has a way of shedding the old things, then making things new.  A burst of new life, new beauty, new joy, new peace and new beginnings show up to represent a new season.  I knew I didn't have to wonder if God would change my situation (or change me!). Just as sure as spring was coming after winter, I felt a sense of knowing that God was going to do something new and beautiful in my life. 

In the middle of these thoughts, I looked a little closer at the twigs on the trees and I could see tiny bulbs at the end of each branch.  Tiny little bulbs that, over time, would develop into beautiful green leaves and colorful flowers.  New life was coming and the birds would continue to sing in all seasons.  They trusted God's order.  I smiled because I could just imagine all the tiny bulbs God has put in different areas of my life that would bloom in the right season. 

My spirit lifted as it was reminded that everything has a season (Ecclesiastes 3:1) and certainly spring is coming.  It's God's timing, God's order and God's plan.

Let us be reminded not to be discouraged by what was lost or what needed to be shed.  The beauty just ahead will blow your mind.  Trust God's plan and watch Him reveal the new season He has in store for you.  Keep singing.  Keep trusting.  Your spring is coming!

Love Always,

Shy

http://lovealwaysshy.blogspot.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovealwaysshy

Image of God

I'd been home from the hospital for a few days now, but was still confined to the sofa since I didn't have the strength to conquer the stairs leading to my bedroom.  This meant I didn't have the comfort of my bed, but it also meant I didn't have the reflection of the surrounding mirrors my bathroom offers.  Let's just say my bathroom mirrors leave no angle unseen which is why my teenage son never leaves home without checking himself out in my bathroom first.  Those mirrors tell the whole story!

Well, after about a week of terrible back pain from being on the sofa, I was desperate to get in my bed.  So, with the help of my sister, I held the railing of the stairs and took one step at a time until I reached the top.  It was a daunting task, but feeling like heaven was waiting for me at the top of those stairs was enough to make me press on.  This experience gave "stairway to heaven" a brand new meaning.  Finally, a few minutes later, I was in my bed.  Exhale...

Shortly after, came the moment of truth - a shower, or should I say THE MIRRORS!  It was like I could hear the screeching sounds of violins from a horror movie as my eyes darted around the room seeing every angle of what used to be my body.  I was horrified!  I didn't recognize the girl in the mirror and my heart sank.  Who was I?  So frail.  So scarred. So visibly flawed.  So broken...

Before the enemy's lies could plant themselves in my spirit and take root, the Holy Spirit spoke truth.
You are fearfully and wonderfully made.  Psalms 139:14
You are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good work.  Ephesians 2:10
You are more than a conqueror through Him who loves you.  Romans 8:37
You are made in the image of God. Genesis 1:27
You are to die for!

Holy Spirit to the rescue!  Truth spoken over my life changed how I see myself.  I now see a different reflection looking back at me when I look in the mirror.  I see a reflection of my Father.  I see the truth!

Today, let's listen to the truth about who God says we are.  Let's believe His words and stand boldly in the reflection of Him.  And never forget we were made in the image of God and that is more than enough!

Love Always,

Shy

http://lovealwaysshy.blogspot.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovealwaysshy

God's Plan

"Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.  For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false.  Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay."  Habakkuk 2:2-3

It was New Year's Eve and I was reviewing my vision board from 2018.  I prayed and asked God to show me areas where I needed to make changes or adjustments going into 2019.  The good news was He didn't require a complete reconstruction of the vision.  Whew!  However, there were a couple of areas in which He gave me more clarity.  I was surprised that they were not reflected on the vision board before now, while at the same time it was an "AHA!" moment considering the doors He was opening for me.  More than anything, I wanted my life to line up with God's plan.

Later that evening I went to the New Year's Eve service at my church to celebrate my victories of 2018 and start off 2019 in worship.  What an awesome service it was!  Both the worship and the word were food to my spirit and soul.  But of all the things the pastor said, one thing stood out to me almost as if it were to be the bumper sticker of my life for 2019.  He said, "If you fully surrender your life to Christ and put all your trust in Him, you will never have to plan your life again."  That statement made me pause and really consider the magnitude of what that meant.  Imagine never having to plan your life again...

Pray and ask God for the vision for your life.  He has a plan for you.  Listen for direction and watch for signs along the way.  You will hear Him say, "This is the way; walk in it."  (Isaiah 30:21)  Listen.

Write it down.  Keep the vision where you can see it and run with it daily.  Run with perseverance and trust God's timing. (Hebrews 12:1)

Give God your "yes" and trust His plan as he guides you "on purpose".

Let's make 2019 the year that we trust in the Lord with ALL our hearts and lean not on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5) and we'll never have to plan our lives again.  God has a plan!

Love Always,

Shy

http://lovealwaysshy.blogspot.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovealwaysshy

In His Service

When I think of this time of year, I think of giving and serving.  I'm constantly searching opportunities to help someone in need.  Not just in need of material things (although those are very real needs), but also those in need of love, service and encouragement.  Oddly, I did not imagine that this year I would be the one in need.

For five weeks straight, my sisters rotated flying from California to Atlanta to take care of me. They cooked.  They cleaned.  They did my laundry. They helped me stand.  They helped me sit.  They helped me get to doctor's appointments.  They made sure I was well taken care of.  Before I could even think a thought, they'd already done it.  They served in the spirit of love.

Sometimes we think service has to be a big event with a particular organization.  While it is wonderful and generous to serve in those capacities, Matthew 25:35-40 sheds light on ways to serve daily.  It says, "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.  “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’“  The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

I encourage you to ask God to reveal opportunities to serve and share love as you go through your day.  Sometimes "the least of these" is closer than you think.  I should know, because this time "the least of these" was me.

Love Always,

Shy

http://lovealwaysshy.blogspot.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovealwaysshy