I was reading my devotional today from Proverbs 31 Ministries and it really spoke to me. It spoke, not only to me as a mother, but me as a child of God. It spoke to the heart of the issues that I have faced and still face.
You see, I have had a “defeatist” attitude these last few months. I failed to see Gods fingerprints all over my circumstances, and I have really been convicted of that.
I have forgotten the one thing that I shouldn’t have:
Its not about me.
During my accountability meeting with Michelle last night, we chatted about our lives and how much we both have had to endure over the last two years. Its easy to see Gods fingerprints in the trials of someone else, but so very difficult to see them on your own. As she was talking about their trials, I was thinking “Yes, but God delivered” & “Yes, but don’t you see, He was right there in that circumstance.”
Then I said something that really convicted me. Really. Convicted. Me.
“You need to look at your glass as half full, instead of half empty.”
That one sentence stopped me dead in my tracks.
You see, I have been looking at my glass has half empty for the past several months. I have moped and been discouraged that God wasn’t delivering the answers to my prayers. He wasn’t responding with a yes or no… in fact He wasn’t responding at all.
It was as if He was silent.
When, in actuality, He was holding my hand through my tantrum and patiently waiting for me to realize that His fingerprints are all over my circumstances, even if I cant feel his hand on my life. He was gently standing right next to me, waiting for me to look around and wake up. He was quietly saying to me “If you would just look around you, you would see.”
I was too busy looking behind me.
Then I read this verse in my devotional:
“You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great.” Psalm 18:35
He gives me His shield of victory. He holds me in His right hand. He stoops down to make me great.
Its not about me. This life isn’t about me. These trials that I face aren’t about Heather.
It’s all about Him. Its about His plan for my life, even if that plan makes little sense to me right now. Its about trusting Him to do His will in my life… even if it isn’t according to my plan.
Its about quietly resting my heart in His hands, and giving my life completely over to Him.
Completely. Not just the parts that I think He deserves or would make Him proud, but the parts that hurt and that are vile. The parts that just plain suck.
Those parts.
Its about believing that nothing is impossible with Him, and everything is impossible without Him.
I needed this this morning. In the midst of so much trouble in life it is good to remember that it’s not about me. Thanks for the reminder. – Julie
thank you for the reminder-I needed this especially this morning. I have been really battling with my response to my children’s behavior and know that the Lord is teaching me through it all. Especially now and especially through His word.
Thanks again
Amy
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Beautiful words today Heather. Words I needed to hear for me too. His fingerprints are definitely all over our lives and our circumstances. I love you and am praying for you.
Laurie in Ca. :wub:
You’re right Heather it is all about Him. How sweet that the Holy Spirit brought that message to you today. ((hugs)) My friend and co-writer posted a devotion about peace in the midst of a storm the other day. I pray it will encourage you:
http://www.agministries.org/2009/01/he-calms-storm-in-me.html
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Heather,
It’s nice to see that we’ve both “woken” up afresh and anew. Thanks for your perspective. It made me smile. BTW we have two foster children in our home – Sarah is going great as is Jenny. The foster children have been such tremendous odds it’s hard not to say – God was definitely putting his hand around them for 12 years. (The oldest girl is 12, and boy is 11.) Keep us in your prayers as well. How is Dr. F?
Hugs,
Heidi
Words definitely worth sharing. Thanks.
HE is amazing, isn’t he?!
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You are such a constant source of encouragement and your transparency is a continual blessing… praise God.
After reading your thoughts I just had to recommend a book that I am currently reading by Elizabeth Elliot. It has been such an amazing blessing to me as a child of God. It is called Keep a Quiet Heart.
Thanks for being honest and being a light in this dark world of constant struggles and trials always lifting our eyes to see His glory.
JOYfully in Him,
Kelli
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Thanks for sharing. Your words are so true. I need to just let them sink in deep. Life would be so much better if I would just surrender it all and trust Him.
Thanks for this reminder Heather.
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YUP YUP YUP!
love Ya :kissing:
I’m glad that you had this epiphany; it sounds like it might make life a little bit easier for you =) Thank you for having the honesty to share it.
Oh this was great Heather…
The video, INCREDIBLE. One of my all time favorites. I’ve never seen it with these scriptures.
Thanks for sharing :heart:
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I was just thinking about you Heather. Sorry I haven’t posted much. You’re in my thoughts often. Great post, as always.
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Hi Heather, I came across your site and am so thankful I did. My husband also had a grade 3 AA that unfortunately underwent malignant degeneration to a grade 4 GBM in Oct. It has been a very, very difficult journey w/staggering odds to contend with. Your outlook is shocking – I am so humbled by your joy, peace and humility. God is doing great work thru you and I’ve already been invaluably blessed by you – I will keep up w/your site. God bless you, Rachael
Sometimes, the hose gets a kink in it. All we need is a friend to say, “Let me help you with this.” Once the kink in the hose that we are is straightened out, The Holy Spirit can flow freely. After all, we are just a conduit for God’s Grace to flow.
Flow Spirit Flow set the world on fire!
Because of Jesus, Bobbie
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