I will gladly strive...

Hello, World!

I guess since I already messed up today by sleeping late, I might as well make the best of the rest of my day.

I may not be able to go to church, but I can still spend my time in prayer and with Jesus and in reflection.

Speaking of reflection:

This year really hasn't been a bad year. It's probably not one of the best years I've had (that was last year), but I really can't complain too much.

I started out the year learning a new job that I never thought I would be working or even that I would like doing. For the first time in my life I was proud of where I was and who I had become.

At times, it wore on me as I fought to stay the person that God had led me to become. It was mentally taxing and I wasn't really sure if it was a fight that was meant for me.

So, God used my imperfect judgement to take it all away, and He opened doors that I thought had been closed in order for me to have hope and survive.

I've seen so many doors opened for me that I thought had been closed this year for good. And if God can open a closed door, then maybe all hope is not lost and I'll find myself back where I was at the beginning of the year next year.

Because as I said in yesterday's post, I have learned that nothing is final.

This year I have come into contact with people that I thought was a permanent part of my past and had no place in my future. But God has shown me that relationships are as much His to build as they are my responsibility to maintain.

Life is a struggle. Living it and embracing the struggle with all your might is what makes the American dream come alive! And, it's what makes me proud to be who I am.

I don't know where I'm going to end up next year but I know God has blessed me this year. I know He blessed me this morning to be able to wake up and look at the beautiful day ahead. He has open the doors of heaven and looked down from his throne and told me, "Shonda, my child, I love you!"

And, looking back, I can almost hear Him whisper, "Just wait. The best is yet to come! Watch what I can do!"

So, no matter what troubles I have today, and no matter how uncertain my future seems right now, I know that God is in control and everything's going to be alright. And I know He has a reason for everything. So, if my struggles are meant to give me a life more abundant then I will gladly strive.

Have a blessed day!

I serve the God of all time and wonder...

Good morning, World.

I don't know which way this country is headed. I don't know what God has in store for tomorrow. I don't know if it is going to be a busy day at the hospital today or not. I don't know if I'll even be here tomorrow, or if you will.

I don't know if I'll lose my sister or brother to the violence that seems to permeate our world at times, or if my niece's and nephews will survive to have children or see their grandchildren in this world that is slowly growing more chaotic every day.

I don't know if I'll lose my mom or dad to some sort of foreign outbreak that makes its way to this part of the world, or if disease and plague will be the talk of the day.

I don't know if my own children will make choices to stand for peace, light and hope in this world of darkness and suffering.

But, I do know one thing. Jesus is coming soon. Right now, I pray that God walks with us through these valleys and over these mountains and through the raging rivers and on the tidal waves of our lives. I pray that His Will is to protect us, and love us, and provide for our every need. His word has already said it was so. And, I believe He will do what He says.

I believe that God never changes. The same God that spared Noah, knocked down the walls of Jericho, made the sun stand still, divided the Red Sea, fed the Israelites with manna from heaven for forty years, comforted Elijah with bread and oil from a poor widow who had poured her last drop into a cup, healed the sick, caused the blind to see, cast out demons and so much more, is the same God I serve today.

He is the same God that breathed life into my oldest son who was born lifeless. He gave me shelter and food when I was homeless. He helped me and a friend walk away from a car that ran up a tree and flipped over 3 times with minor concussion and scratches. He gave me a job that allows me to give more to others, by what I do as well as what I have. He has given me everything I own at minimal cost, if any at all, to me. He helped me pay off debts in less than half the time allowed, when I had little money. Every single day He performs miracles in my life, and in the lives of those around me that I can see and experience and Praise Him for.

And, no matter what happens in this world, I know that He loves me, He is with me. And, He is watching over me and my family, and my friends daily.

Come quickly, Lord Jesus. I wait for your final deliverance from all of this evil.

My day is always blessed, no matter how I feel.

I hope yours is, too.