Faith

Faith seems to be a recurring theme in my life lately. Numerous sermons, comments, and discussions concerning this topic. So.....what is faith? The dictionary defines it as believing without proof. Having full confidence in something. Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.

Faith is a word thrown around the Christian community often. Faith is essential. We are unable to see God, touch God, or hear God. We have to DECIDE we believe. Simple as that.

Hebrews 11:1  Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.
2 Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.
3 By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.
4 It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.5 It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.”t For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God.
6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

The rest of the chapter continues on in this same manner. 

Life is HARD. There have been times, when life has tempted me to doubt. When circumstances, or the things I feel, seem to contradict the Word. When life gets confusing, where is your rock? I find such reassurance, having put my faith in Christ, KNOWING how my story ends. I will be in Heaven, praising Him for eternity. I may not have a clue what is going to happen in this life. Let me tell ya, very few of MY plans have worked out. I know that God loves me, that He will use whatever is thrown at me, if I let Him, to bring others to Him. For my future, I know He will be with me. If you chose to believe in Christ and follow Him, He will be there for you too. No matter what. 

What If.....

I have touched on this before, but this is something that has really been going through my head a lot lately. I have found myself making deals with God. Do you ever do that? If You will just make me better, then I will..................WHOA!!!!!! That statement is a BIG problem. In all honesty, there are no guaratees in this life that I will ever see full health. In fact, dare I say, my life nor that of any one of you, will EVER be easy. That is what Jesus said.

John 16:33

New Living Translation (NLT)

³³ I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

But it seems to be human nature to want things easy. At least, it seems to be Katie nature. Back to my main point, will I serve Him, If He never heals me? If He nevers gives me a child? Will I remain faithful? To be honest, I haven't. I have grown so incredibly weary. I haven't always done what I should. I haven't always been the person the Lord has called me to be, treated others He how He asks me to. Sometimes I have not stood up for Him and His Word and His Ways the way I knew I should. Being weary in a lousy excuse, in the light of all that He has done.

This is a real question we all need to face, whatever our struggles. Really face. It is easy to flippantly say yes. I once did. But you know what, He is greater than any desire I have, than any pain I have.

There are some steps I am taking to do better. I am getting rid of things in my life that cause me to dwell on the negative aspects of my daily struggles. I am going to push through. I will win, one way or another. In this life or the next. I am saved by grace, washed in the blood of the lamb. I have fallen short, but Jesus's grasp reaches wherever I am.

If anyone else has faced this, Hold Fast to the One that will never let you go. Because if you have trusted in Him, I promise He is holding on to you. 

I am letting go

This song has really done a number on me. I would strongly suggest listening to it so you understand what in the world I am talking about!! It is beautiful.

I have done quite a bit of praying and thinking lately about where I want my life to be and go. And you know, I have absolutely no clue. Every since I was a kid, I had this picture in my head of what I wanted my life to be. And I promise, the picture in my mind is not really how things have actually turned out. Now, my husband is WAY more awesome than I could have ever imagined. Especially since you only hear women trash theirs. Men can be pretty cool. There are good ones out there, just so all you single women know! Back on track now......I am pushing 30. GASP. By this point, I would have been married almost 10 years, with 4 kids running around. I LOVE children. LOVE them. I would live in ONE town all the time. And I would not struggle to get out of bed most days. I also would not be on chemo most of the times for the last 5 years. Things have not gone as "planned." I could go on and on, but you get the point. But you know, along the way I never adjusted my dreams. I just kept holding onto all my dead plans.

For whatever reason, God has another road for me to travel than the one I planned for me. So I need to let go of my plan. And who am I to say that this course will not work out better? I can guarantee it will not be easier than the one I wanted!! God said we will have tribulation in this world. But you know what? We can have courage in knowing that Jesus Christ has overcome this world. This will be hard. God uses difficult times to build character and bring Him glory. If we LET GO of what we want and go His way. I have been trying to force things for too long. My life is what it is. I am where He has me. I have no clue why. And I probably won't in this life. And I don't need to have my entire life planned out. All that seems to do is really frustrate me. So, I am going to take one day at a time. Right now, my goal is to get in a place where I feel a little better. The new meds are starting to work. Today has been a little rough. After a very bad 2 years, the last 4 weeks have been looking up. I am hoping to start working out again, lightly, soon. I want to find somewhere to volunteer. I need to limit my exposure to people (due to having a low immune system) but I will find somewhere to help. Helping other helps us. I really believe that.

So, talk to me. Comment. Have you ever had trouble letting go, or even realizing that you were holding on? How have you moved past that?

God's Faithfulness

I keep hearing a certain comment from people. It goes something like "thank God, my test came back okay. He is so good." And this comes from well meaning Christians. And believe me, I am happy for you, that you are healthy. But I have a question, would you still say He is good if the test came back bad? This is a reality I have had to face. I have prayed. I have believed. And yet, I keep get sicker. Has God abandoned me? Quite contrary. We are told in the scripture that we WILL have tribulations in this world. Now, the tribulation for each person is different. We all have our struggles. But there is an amazing promise in that scripture. He has overcome the world! You see, no matter how bad thing happen to look, we can have peace and joy. Even in the midst of pain and uncertainty. Now, It isn't always easy.  But it is possible.

For the new year, I want to learn to give my worries to God more. Taking that step, will not only being me closer to Christ, but bring more peace and joy into my life. And that is how He can use me. If I submit to Him, even when I really don't understand why, or how or anything else about my situation. He knows my future. So if I will just follow Him, He will be faithful. Sometimes, His ways don't always make sense. But you know, I am not God. I don't see the big picture. I believe God will use my life, even with all the trials for His glory. As long as I follow His ways, no matter what the diagnosis. :D

The marriage fairytale

So, I need to vent. Marriage is NOT a fairy tale. Contrary to so many of Hollywood's romance movies. In real life, the guy doesn't come along and constantly sweep his partner off her feet. In a real relationship, life happens. Sometimes there are financial difficulties. Or health problems. Or sometimes you don't agree on important issues. Or one of you don't like an in-law. Life happens. Compromise MUST happen. Chances are you are not going to like some things you partner does. But you know want, it will be this way in EVERY relationship you have. The secret to being happy, is learning to live with some of these. Pick your battles. Chances are you aren't the easiest to live with too! :) hearing the news go on and on about the Kim Kardashian divorce has made me think. All the reasons given for their separation simply come down to them being inflexible, having too high.of expecting, and being extremely  selfish. Their "problems" are nothing unusual. Marriage is not going to be perfect. But if you can accept that, and your spouses flaws, then you have a fighting chance. If there is a problem, TALK about it. It is amazing what communication can accomplish. Greg and I have a rule, if either of us is.feeling heated (usually me), we have a 15 minute rule. We stop talking and walk away. It keep US from saying something we shouldn't. I calm down fast. It isn't hard. How can I be mad at him for anything, when I am just as bad? God has forgiven for so.much worse than what I am upset over and focusing on that, usually does wonders!  Before you go and abandon your marriage.because things aren't exactly how you envisioned it, why not look at your expectations? Or your actions? The grass that looks greener on the other side is just better maintained!

Hope

I have recently been reminded how important hope is. Honestly, I hadn't even noticed that I had lost hope. Hope in the future, of feeling better, just of things changing. Until my husband pointed out that I talk about things like they are finished. It may feel like it, but I am not going to always be sick. Things will change. No matter how bleak today is, there is hope that tomorrow will be better. At least as long as I am alive. Lol.

Do you know how I can be so confident? Because God is a God of hope. Check out Romans 8. But it isn't "hope" if I see it. And worse case scenario, life isn't great.......I know there is hope when I die. I know Who I will spend eternity with. Nothing else should matter. So in light of THAT, and not of my present circumstances, I am going to choose hope. To believe that things can be better. Life without hope is aimless. Pointless. And extremely depressing. Trust me. I have tried it.

Long time, no post!

I am back! I am now in an area where I have great signal, so I will start posting again :)
Quick update, we are now in Maryland. Greg is working at a plant here. He works a lot. Busy little bee. I started Zumba. Love it! So much fun. I had just recently found a church. I may still drive, it is about half an hour away. The preaching is just awesome. It is harder than you would think to find a preacher that preacher the word of His for what it is. Not what he would have. Or to make everyone feel good. This preacher is good.
Anyways, how have y'all been?