Extended Grace....

Yes...I realize I have not posted in quite a while.  That doesn't mean, however, I have given up.  Quite the contrary.  Yes, I am taking a break from intense weight loss focus but I have not gained anything back.  Something of a "rest" might be a good description.  The weight loss was consuming my focus and I needed to take a break in order to focus on where the focus needs to be.  That being said, there is something I want to share.  Something that has been at the front of my mind over the past month  or so as I have let my mind switch gears for a while.  This thought was brought on by a couple friends who know the depth of my struggles in parenting and have questioned me on different occasions with "How do you do it?  How do you not become so bitter towards your child?  I struggle with not being bitter and this isn't even my child."  My answer at the time was "Because of grace.  God loves me in spite of what I do and what I am.  I need to do likewise."  But I have given it more thought, so I want to share that thought because I know some of you have reached out with different scenarios, asking for me to pray for you and the same thought applies to your situations as well.

You see, the things we face every day, whether they are rebellious children, rebellious church families, hard hearted friends, family members who oppose us, or whatever your situation right now,  IT ISN'T ABOUT US CHANGING THEM.  Let me repeat.  It isn't about them changing to fit our desires.  It is, however, about US ALLOWING GOD TO CHANGE US!"  Yes, there are hard days...days that feel desperately out of control...and I really struggle with being out of control...but that is where God can do the most work in our hearts, IF WE LET HIM.  I know I have said this before, but I am so thankful for the Bible verses, Bible passages, and even Bible chapters that I have committed to memory because in those really "battle weary" moments, if I just sit back and focus, the verses flood my mind.  In fact, as I am typing this, a few verses from James chapter one come to mind. 

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (vv 2-4)

 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.  (vv 5-6)

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. (vv 13-14)

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: (v 19)

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. (v 27)

Yep...that is what is going through my mind as I am typing this blog post.  I encourage you to commit not only verses, but whole chapters to memory.  Know it well enough that it just flows through your mind when you rest and focus on the things above.  I have had some pretty big fears over the past few months because of choices of another of whom I have no control over...and these choices have huge potential of affecting our family on several levels:  Spiritually, physically, and financially.  Yes, even a week ago I was in a panic state, not knowing how everything would play out...but as I reached out to a friend via text, I was reminded that this isn't my battle.  It is His battle and He has it all worked out.  

I want to encourage you first to rest and refocus so that you can let your heart be changed for His purposes.  Secondly, I want to encourage you to memorize Scriptures so that you have that armor you need instantly.  And last, I want to encourage you to allow what you are learning to affect others when they reach out to you.  Point them to the One who knows the end from the beginning so that they too can find rest in His promises.  

Not sure if I will be posting again before Christmas...  Once the new year hits, I will be ready to pick up with the weight loss and gym again...and you will for sure hear from me again then.