Changes

Sisterhood of Widows S.O.W.  Psalm 126:5-6  Please share on your Facebook so that others can see my blogs and maybe help them through their grief.

Changes? Ughh...

Have you said this to yourself?  Since I have been a widow, I have said this a lot.  I have never been a fan of changes and I have found the older I get the worse I feel.  Widowhood throws you in a world of constant changes.  Everything from daily routines, jobs, friends, school, finances, and sometimes our church/spiritual life.  Oh and one more thing about this, all of these changes happen all at once.  When a loved one leaves us, their loss is felt in every aspect of our lives.  For some of us, this will affect our health and sleep patterns. 

If you lost your beloved over a period of time, then you probably experienced changes several times a day.  You had to "go with the flow" on a day to day basis.  This will still not help with that final big change of the passing of your loved one.  With me, Kirk passed suddenly in an accident.  Our changes were chaotic and unexpected.  Either way, life isn't or will never be the same for any of us.  We must learn to not only roll with the changes, we have to LIVE with them as well. 

However, we can always count on our Heavenly Father because He never changes.  His love for us will remain the same throughout eternity.  James 1:17 NIV says, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like the shifting shadows."  Whenever you get overwhelmed about all the changes you are experiencing, just take a step back, breathe, and whisper Jesus.  Jesus will never change, He is always right there waiting for you.  "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8 NIV

As we go along on this path, we must allow ourselves to believe that not all changes are bad.  Some changes are for our good, and are God willed.  These changes will maybe even give us joy and hope.  My heart song for all of you is to let the changes happen and surrender them to Jesus.  He will see all of us through the good and bad, the pretty and the ugly.  Changes that will bring us sorrow and joy will also flex our trust muscles.  He is there waiting to hear your heart.  Jeremiah 29:11 NIV tells us, "For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  FUTURE!!!  Yes sisters, Jesus promises us hope AND a future!! 

Lord, please help me in accepting every change that comes my way on this path.  I pray that everyone reading this also can handle the many changes this journey takes.  Thank you for the promises of hope, a future, but most importantly You will always be there!!  In Your Precious Name I pray, Amen!!

First Step

Sisterhood of Widows S.O.W.  Psalm 126:5-6  Please share on your Facebook so that others can see my blogs and maybe help them through their grief.

The first step after a major life change is very difficult.  That first step to start on your path is full of unknowns and fear.  Taking that first step shows strength, courage, determination and trust.  What we must remember is that we are not alone when we do decide to take that step.  We have family and friends that will offer love and support. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is right there holding our right hand ready to lead us toward healing and restoration.

What we must do to prepare ourselves is trust that we can do this; we can conquer this storm.  This storm does not own you and it will not define who you are.  Only Jesus can define you; He doesn't make mistakes since he is the only perfect person ever to have lived on this earth.  Trust that He will see you through your storm.  Proverbs 3:5 NIV says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."  Remember this storm is not bigger than our God.  Our Lord Jesus conquered more than a storm, He conquered death; he conquered the grave.  "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God!  He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 NIV.

This journey was never meant to be a sprint, it's a marathon.  And with any marathon, we must train so we can perform at a peak level. Train with God's Word because you will find stories of hope and encouragement; truth and trust.  You will find people who went through similar circumstances and came out on the other side intact and ready to face any trial.  We are told to give thanks while we are in the middle of our storms.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV tells us, "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."   Weird right? To thank Jesus for the current trial you are enduring?  I thought so too and then I learned that thanking Him always you are showing trust.  Whatever your circumstances, just trust and thank Jesus.  Jesus knows your outcome already, He knows that your trial today will be used for His glory tomorrow.  Our story of our journey will one day be someone else's blessing. 

My prayer for all of you is that you trust that your outcome will be glorious.  This storm will not define you, but it will make you a person that learns to trust Jesus.  The testimony of your path will glorify God and will draw those far from God back into His glorious Kingdom.  I pray that you take that first step of healing and lean on Jesus.  He is always right there by your side ready to lead you.  All you need to do is trust, surrender, and walk!!!

THANK YOU LORD JESUS!!!  MY CHAINS ARE GONE I'VE BEEN SET FREE!!

I am holding onto You!!

Sisterhood of Widows S.O.W.  Psalm 126:5-6  Please share on your Facebook so that others can see my blogs and maybe help them through their grief.

Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy.  The Lord is my strength and shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.  My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.  Psalm 28:6-7 NIV

The holidays are over and the soft glow of Christmas lights have turned to darkness.  This can also describe how must of us feel after we go back to our routine lives after a long deserved Christmas break.  January has always been a tough month for me; even before my husband Kirk suddenly passed.  But now four and a half years out, winter seems even longer and darker. 

But even in our darkest winter night, we are all promised a bright light that shines for all the world.  Jesus is that light and He came to shine in each of our hearts all year.  Jesus tells us in John 8:12 NIV, "When Jesus spoke again to the people he said, 'I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life."  So when we are at a low point and the long winter nights get you down, just remember Jesus is the light.  Grab your Bible and read the Psalms, they are full of hope, love, and encouragement.  Psalm 119:105 NIV says, "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."  Jesus is not only our Light for our lives, His Word will guide us toward Him.

Storms will come and go in our lives; none of us are immune.  Our Lord and Savior will always be with us in the storm that threatens to engulf us.  Remember that Jesus is your shield against the howling winds of your storm.  Psalm 28:6-7 NIV states, "Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy.  The Lord is my strength and shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.  My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him."  I know it's hard to trust Him in the middle of your struggles and cries, but keep trusting Him.  I promise you He will hold you up and sit your feet on solid ground.  It will take time, patience, tears and joy but it will happen!! 

Lord I pray for everyone that is holding on to you as tight as they can.  Lord please show them love, compassion and mercy as they trust You to deliver them out of their storm.  You are our Redeemer and Counselor that will never betray or forsake us.  We are holding on to You!!  In Your precious name I pray.  Amen