Thoughts Along the Journey

Life is never smooth, is it?  There always seems to be some trial--big or small--that puts stumbling blocks in our path, and tempts us to take our eyes off Jesus.  These verses are ringing in my heart today.  I wanted to share them with you, to encourage you.  No matter how hot the fire seems to be today, trust Him.  He's refining you.  Fire does not consume gold.  It purifies it.   * * * * * * * * * *  When He works on the left hand,   I cannot behold Him; When He turns to the right hand, I cannot see Him. But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside.      ~Job 23:9-11 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

What does it mean to truly trust God? Is it the absence of all doubt? Is it to be completely void of all fear? And how does one get to that place????????

"Jesus said to him, 'You may go; your son will live.' The man believed what Jesus said to him and left." John 4:50 If you don't know the story this verse is taken from, you will miss out on a wonderful gem! Jesus returned to Cana in Galilee (which is where He had turned the water into wine). There was an official whose son was sick. He came to Jesus, asking for his son to be healed, because the son was about to die. Jesus' first response: If you don't see sign, you won't believe. But the man persisted. When He did, Jesus spoke the words of the verse above. WITHOUT QUESTIONING FURTHER, the man simply believed and went home! On his way home, the man's servants came to him to report his son's miraculous recovery. They ascertained that it occured at the same moment Jesus said, "Your son will live." The end result? "He (the official) believed, and all his household." (verse 53b) I find some incredible lessons from ...

"...Be my rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me. For You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name's sake, lead me and guide me." Psalm 31:2b-3, NKJV

Pat over at Living on Grace has been posting about the changes in life. She just entered the life of retirement! (Congrats, Pat!) She quoted one of my favorite passages from Ecclesiastes, about there being a time and season for everything. I, too, am entering a new phase of life. Actually more than one. I have home schooled our sons for 5 years now. It wasn't an easy decision at first, but I grew into the role of mom/teacher/wife eventually. Now we have decided to send them to our parish school. It's a little scary (okay, a LOT) to let go of them. But, I know it's time. The big question everyone is asking me is: What are you going to do with yourself while they're in school? Honestly, I don't know. I'd like to take a little time to remember what it's like to just be a wife and mom, if that's okay. If you have read this blog for any length of time, you know we recently came into the Catholic church. It is a time for our entire family to see where we ...

I have heard the sermon illustration of a father in a pool, calling to his child, "Jump in! I'll catch you!" I've always thought that was a great picture of our trust in God. Or the illustration of falling backward into someone's arms, believing that they will catch you. Or the illustration of the man crossing Niagara Falls who called out, "Who believes I can cross this wire carrying a man on my shoulders?" The crowd cheered. "Who will be the first to let me carry him across?" The crowd was silent. The crickets chirped. True faith would have been a brave soul raising his hand to volunteer. Those are all really wonderful examples of trust in God. Each one has drawn an "amen" from my heart and/or lips. But living that out is really tough, isn't it? Our family is at one of those "who will be the first..." moments in our journey. We have walked away from so much that was familiar, and are now walking toward what i...

"But now thus says the Lord, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine. When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior...' " Isaiah 43:1, 2a There are people in my life who amaze me. They are not the people who seem to have everything together all the time. They are not the ones who always speak as if life is never tough, but only full of goodness and joy. The people who amaze me are the Christians who walk through trials, allow the tears to flow, ask the tough questions, and still hold onto their faith in God as strongly as ever. Two of those people are my aunt and uncle. They have been ministers for over 50 years. Even after retirement, my uncle has worked in their...