Put on your shoes of peace!

I remember my dad saying, "If you want to forget all your problems, put on some shoes that hurt your feet."  That might sound funny, but he was so right!  There I was, walking down the hallway at work with one problem - my feet hurt!  I couldn't think about anything else, except getting home so I could take those shoes off.  They were new and cute, but I had no peace.

Like walking in shoes that hurt my feet, I've walked through seasons of life that hurt my heart.  The further along I went, the worse it seemed to get and I didn't understand the "why".  I tried everything I knew to do on my own, yet nothing got better.  I prayed.  I cried.  Still no change and still no peace.  What a long season it was.

There are times when we cling to the wrong things to fill a void, yet we wonder why God has not "fixed" it.  That's exactly what I did for way too long.  Then I read Ephesians 6:10-17, which spoke directly to my aching heart.  It spoke of truth, righteousness, peace, faith and salvation.  But verse 15 really spoke to me saying, "and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace..."  It took me back to my childhood where we referred to this verse as having on our "shoes of peace".  In this moment, I realized I was not wearing my shoes of peace.  In fact, I was taking steps in the direction of my own will and trying to drag Jesus along with me.  I had no peace, because the truth was I wasn't operating in Him and His will for my life.

I had to learn the hard way that in order to have peace I had to allow my steps to be ordered by God.  There was simply no other way.  I had to fully surrender to His will and trust every step He purposed for me.  

The bottom line is this - trials will come, life will happen, the sun will set, but in spite of all these things, we don't need to have all the answers.  We just need to remain close to Jesus.  That's where we'll find peace.  So let's put on our shoes of peace and let Him order each step today.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace."  John 13:33

Love Always,

Shy

http://lovealwaysshy.blogspot.com/

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

Proof That He Was There

I was having a FaceTime call with my daughter the other day and noticed she was wearing a really cute blouse, so I complimented her then said, "I want one."  A few seconds later, I realized the midsection was shear and I'd forgotten about my scars, so I said, "Oh, never mind.  It would show my scars."  She said, "Mom, it's okay.  Your scars just show that you've been through something and you made it."

Wow!  That was a very true statement.  How often do we try to hide the scars in our lives?  How often do we try to paint a picture like everything is okay and has always been okay when, in fact, it's our scars that can be used to inspire others in ways that a "perfect" life never would be able to?  Yet the scars in our lives, both emotional and physical, are safely hidden away.  We sometimes think our scars show weakness or failure, but it's the exact opposite.  Our scars are evidence not only that we are over-comers, but that Jesus showed up in our lives.  

In the bible, John tells the story of how Thomas was not with the other disciples when Jesus visited them after the resurrection, so Thomas (who we know as "Doubting Thomas") said he would not believe it was Jesus unless he actually felt the scars.  So when Jesus visited them again a week later, he told Thomas to feel the scars.  Then He said, "Stop doubting and believe."  Only then did Thomas believe it was really Jesus in their presence.  (John 20:24-29) 

Like Thomas, some people will not believe that Jesus can and will show up until they see your scars.  They won't believe the miracles that have taken place until they see the proof.  Our scars say, "He showed up for me!"  No matter what type of scars you have, they are evidence of what He has done for you and is able to do for someone else too.  

The very scars you may be trying to hide, may just be the scars that will make a believer out of the doubter.  Someone else's breakthrough might just be behind your scars.  When they see what God has done for you.  When they see how you made it to the other side of your situation.  When they see that you don't look like your story.  They.  Will.  Believe.

Let me encourage you, don't be afraid to show your scars as proof that He was there.

Love Always,

Shy

http://lovealwaysshy.blogspot.com/

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

The Gifts in the "How"

I had given God a list of options on how to heal me.  I was in so much pain (which I didn't really acknowledge at the time) and I knew He was able.  So, in faith, I said, "Lord, you can heal me by one of these options."  And I proceeded to give him a few suggestions, because, well you know, He might not have considered how to get this done.  

As time went on, I had some good days which I rejoiced in.  But for the most part, I seemed to be moving in the direction of "worse" - worse pain, worse symptoms, worse energy levels.  Fortunately, my faith never got worse.  I continued to cling to the fact that He is able.  I just didn't understand why He wouldn't just heal me in a clean and simple way.  Just let me wake up one day completely well with the doctors looking confused and saying they'd never seen anything like this.  That's what I wanted.

Eventually, my situation led me to the emergency room, and emergency surgery and a change in lifestyle.  That was not on the list of options I gave the Lord.  How did He come up with this and why?  He came up with this to give me the gifts in the "how".  While I was focused on the "what" I needed Him to do, He was focused on the gifts He had for me in the "how".  It was in the "how" that I received the gift of grace.  Grace that I never would have been aware of had He just waved a magic wand to heal me.  I also received the gift of purpose - purpose that would give my story power to give all glory to God.  Lastly, I received the gift of love.  I was surrounded with so much love, that it was healing and soothing to my spirit and soul.  I can't explain the peace I felt even in the midst of my road to healing.  I didn't know how.  I didn't know why (and still don't know all the why).  I just knew He was able.  

I've come to know that the only appropriate response to a gift is "thank you".  So when I opened my eyes in the hospital after surgery, my first response was "thank you".  And from that day to this one, I give thanks.  Thanks for not doing it my way.  Thanks for hiding me under His wing when it looked like the enemy was coming for me.  Thanks for having a plan and purpose for my pain and for my life.  Thanks for the gift of grace.  Thanks for the "how" that showed me that miracles still happen over 2,000 years later!

If nothing else, I want to share with you that if you let God do it His way, you will look back and see all the gifts you received along the way.  Trust Him, then simply say "Thank you!" for the many gifts  you received in the "how".

Isaiah 55:8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts.  Neither are your ways my ways," 
declares the Lord.

Love Always,

Shy

http://lovealwaysshy.blogspot.com/

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