Encouraging One Another

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 

(1 Thess. 5:11 NIV)

I have so enjoyed following my friends Brittany Willard (thesehappytimes.com) and Jennifer Watson  (jenniferreneewatson.com). I may never blog to the extent they do, but I am thankful for the encouragement along the way. Sometimes the enemy of our soul tries to twist things so that instead of an encouragement from others we compare ourselves to others, but there is no time for those comparisons! There are people who desperately need the hope of Jesus. I am excited to jump into this blogging community and join in with those who make a difference with the words the Lord is giving them to share. 

Here’s to no more hiding! I look forward to sharing more of what the Lord is doing in my life! Thank you for coming along with me on this journey. I pray you will be inspired to no longer hide, but allow Jesus to move you forward in His plans for your life as well. 

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up. (Ecc. 4:9-10, ASV)

Leaving Excuses Behind

So, the more I thought about writing and then about blogging, I couldn’t get away from the thought that it’s all been said before. Why should I write when there are others who do such a good job. I mean, that’s their profession. They are professional writers! "God, why in the world would there be a place for me in writing?" Isn’t that how all our excuses go when we want to hide? But, when my husband called me the other morning and said “God wants you to quite hiding,” I knew that meant I would just have to give up those excuses and move forward. We all have excuses. The bible is full of the great men and women who obeyed God in spite of their reservations. Why? Because they trusted God. May we all choose to be brave and strong by putting our trust in the Lord!

Trust the Lord! Be brave and strong and trust the Lord. Psalms 27:14 (CEV) 

Quit Hiding

Today is the day! Today I will QUIT HIDING (with the help of the Jesus)! You see, earlier this year God told me to start something new. Through another individual, God asked me to write. I almost laughed out loud! Honestly, writing is the last thing I ever thought I would pursue. I’ve wrestled with the idea all year long; knowing that God told me to do it and earnestly seeking the “what will I write, Lord?” This morning as I read the account of Abram being called by God to leave everything for “a land I will show you,” (Genesis 12) I was challenged to trust God with the “what” later on down the road. For now I just need to be obedient and write.  

Sometimes I wonder how the patience of the Lord can last through my indecision and my procrastination. I think He must be so frustrated. Just like I get frustrated with my daughter for behaving timid and shy. Even at 5 years old she still burrows deep into my legs when we enter a new and unfamiliar place. She loves caring for others and watching them, but she is so slow to interact with the unknown. I don’t know where she could possibly get that from! :) Thank goodness God’s mercies are new every day!