Greetings dear brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus,
I pray that you all are doing well in mind, body and spirit. God is truly good to us. (even in difficult times. ) Would you agree?
The last few weeks have been somewhat challenging in my spirit. Keeping things bottled up for the most part has not been a wise choice.
Rolling waves come crashing down on me. Again.
“Lord, I don’t know how I am going to get through this but I trust You with the outcome.” These words have been going through my mind over and over as the days pass.
My family lost a loved one last week. My uncle passed away but God bless His soul…. before he became ill and died from cancer on Monday he gave his life to the Lord! Hallelujah!!
Feeling overwhelmed doesn’t even seem like the right word to scratch the surface of how I have been coping with life. Why was I trying to keep it together and stay afloat the best I knew how without crying out in desperation is beyond me. I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve and yet I found myself closing up. Not one word to utter out loud to my Savior; the very One who sustains me. My heart cried out and soon I found myself needing face time with my Lord.
I needed to talk. I needed to pour out. I needed to be held and comforted unlike any other time.
Facetime. Something we all need with the Lord. Not only should we go to Him with our heavy hearts and burdens but also to lift Him up and glorify His name. He is to be exalted, praised and lifted up! Let us share the good news of Christ and all He’s done in us and through us. Amen?!!
As I found this time of retreat and solace beginning to take its place within me, I was still having unsettled peace reside.
I wasn’t giving up control.
My sister Patricia (link) contacted me as well as my other sister Dulcinea (link). They were not giving up on me at all! Each one came in at a time to give me a word of encouragement and shown me love when I wasn’t seeking it. Or so I thought. God’s arms stretch wide and His words of comfort come from afar. He knew just what I needed and though I had alone time with Him, He gave me more. He poured into me through others. All I can say is: timely. God shows up right on time. He’s not a minute too early or a second late. He comes right on time.
My God blessed me. He lifted me up from the hollow and dark place that I had been sitting in and fighting. I tell you and I encourage you all to not give up. I encourage you to rise up from the pit that tries to hold you captive. We are free in Jesus. The chains have been broken. We do not have to be enslaved to things that hurt us. I want to share a portion of a message Patricia sent me. I wish I could add the voicemail that Dulci (Sissy as I call her) sent me but I can’t. I love these women with all my heart. Thank you Jesus for them!! Here it goes:
“I know that it truly is a process at times, but be encouraged by the fact that God’s Word never changes and neither does his love for you. He understands every single bit of what you’re going through and every emotion that you have, and he can dry every tear and hold you stronger and tighter than anybody can!”
Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning. (Psalm 30: 5)
Faith Triumphs in Trouble
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:1-5 NKJV)
Are you in need of FaceTime with the Lord today? Seek Him today while He may be found. Today is of the essence. Tomorrow may never come. Come one, come all and call upon the Name that’s above all names.
JESUS
Living Simply In Abundance 
The older I get, the more I seek peace. I watch young people all around me getting caught in drama that is captivating every second of their lives with meaningless, empty activities. I used to think the more I was involved in, even things I was involved in for God, meant my life was FULL. But that is the exact opposite of how God wants us to live. Finding His peace is just a matter of giving ourselves over to Him. Carrie Underwood sang, “Jesus take the wheel, take it from my hand…” No words could be truer for a Christian who want the peace of God. Thanks for this wonderful reminder, my friend. Bless you, Sandy
Amen Sandy. You have touched on things that I totally agree with concerning our young people as well as myself growing older and the things I choose to seek to have in my life. You have shared great things that make me reflect. Thank you! I love that song by Carrie Underwood. It stands to be true. It’s walking it out that I need to cling more to as I travel this road in life with our Lord and Savior. Many many blessings to you my friend. God is amazing…..
Terra
I am here for you…in thought, prayer and listening.
Brother LeRoy, I receive it wholeheartedly. Thank you so much. You have been such a supportive friend to me. I look forward sharing with you. Bless you.
Bless your heart. I am praying for you. Be encouraged and know that He continually holds you in His loving and caring hands. Blessings
Thank you, Edith. I thank you for your heart and your prayers. God is providing for me and I am walking in it. Your encouragement blesses my heart. Blessings
Terra, sweet Terra. I am so sorry for your loss. Praying for you and your family. Yesterday, you were on my mind so much…I even went through and read some of your old posts as I was thinking about you 🙂 You are so loved, Terra. I pray you feel the Lord with you everywhere you go.
(((HUGS)))-
Nat
(((HUGS))) My dear sister Natalie, Oh how I become filled with joy when I hear from you! Thank you for your prayers for me and my family. I also thank you for thinking about me. You actually have been on my mind as well. I should have called you. Sorry about that. I feel loved and God is showing it to me and I am receiving it. I can only go up. I wanna be living in His peace and joy. I praise Him for His hands, feet and mouthpieces that come my way through you all. I love ya much! 🙂
I am so sorry for your loss and also what you have been going through. I am so glad that you know the Lord and seek him. Thank you for the reminder that we all need face time with him. I will pray for you.
Thank you T. God has had His hand on me. I am so grateful that He does not give up or leave us alone when we are going through. He knows us better than we know ourselves and will come to our aid. I am very grateful for the love and support you and and others. Your prayers are appreciated. Indeed we all need face time with Him. God bless you sis…
Terra,
Oh my goodness. I cannot believe how wonderful the Lord truly is… I lost a dear friend that was like a father and mentor to me this past week. He passed from cancer, and is with the Lord now 🙂 singing praises to His name. However, I was overcome with grief…and couldn’t even say or sing a word to God. People were truly an encouragement to me by speaking words of life and comfort to my soul. And last night, I read the passage: Romans 5:1-5 at a bible study, and the Lord has put it on my heart to memorize it for this week. And at the end of your post, you posted those verses. It is so sweet how the Lord works, and confirms His work in us. I am praying for you beautiful soul as you go through this trial. I am praying that He restores your joy and laughter. Tonight, I laughed for the first time in awhile – I felt a tangible joy running through my soul, and felt lighter. This morning I prayed that Isaiah 61:3 – a garment of praise for a spirit of heaviness would happen in my soul…just pleading God to do a work in me, for my heart was/is wounded and needs the hands of a Healer. And of course, He is putting a new song in my mouth. God is so good and faithful!! Thank you for sharing and posting this!!!!!! You are such a joy! Love you so much!
Ash
My Lord, how wonderful it is to see Your hand at work in us! Ash, words are running through my head wondering what to say. While I am full of joy reading your message, my heart is with you as you have lost a loved one as well during the same time frame. I am in awe of the Lord right now. He brought us into a place that is helping us both as well as anyone else this post touched. I just so happened to be thinking about the very scripture you added yesterday some time after I posted. (Isaiah 61:3) The verse above it “to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning” say deep in my heart. The beauty for ashes echoed seemingly out loud. It also has been on my heart for almost a week now I believe. This was my hearts desire just as you have yours for your soul. Praise the Lord, Hallelujah!!! I am about to ramble on but you have written so much that it mirrors my feelings. This is nothing BUT the Lord doing this for us. I am so happy to hear about how you are feeling now my friend! Its been a while since I heard from you. What a joy!! I love you too sis!!
Hugs and blessings to you,
Terra
God’s’ grace and peace to you Terra.
Thank you. God’s grace and peace to you as well my sister in the Lord.
Welcome and Thank you.
I am thankful that God has gifted you with encouragers to come alongside you and hold you up when you can’t possibly do it on your own. Love the song…I sing this one on our praise team!
Side note…great picture. You are a beautiful lady 🙂
Hi Valerie, It’s really good to hear from you. I am thankful to the Lord as well for gifting me with encouragers during a time as this. This was really a tough time for me but I praise Him for bringing me out and putting a new song in my mouth and a dance in my feet! My heart rejoices! Thank you for the words of encouragement as well as the side note about my picture. lol I’m blushing! Its great to hear that you know this song as well as that you sing it! It is a BEAUTIFL and uplifting song! Jesus Jesus Jesus!! 🙂
Reblogged this on Inspiration for Daily Living.
I am so sorry for your loss dear Terra! I have been in this facetime with the Lord for the past few months. Praise God for as I draw nearer to Him, He draws nearer to me! May God bless you and all your loved ones my dear sister in Christ!
Oh thank you for your heart and kind words. I really mean it! While you can understand having FaceTime with the Lord, I pray that your time with Him continues to envelop you on your journey. On behalf of my family and I, we lift you and your family up. God bless you each day granted. May His mercy and grace clothe you and renew the essence of Who He is in your lives.
Hugs!
Terra
Hello dear sister. I read this the day you posted it, and I was so humbled by your words and the way our Mighty Father allowed little ‘ol me to be used in such an encouraging way. I honestly didn’t know what to say, but the most important thing which is hallelujah and praise the Lord!! He knew exactly what you needed as you were in the midst of this challenging time, and it’s a blessing to know that in the same way He cares for you and keeps watch over your heart, He does for all of His beloved children. I love you with my whole heart and I’m grateful that God blessed me with our friendship!!
Love, love, love you!
Patricia
P.S. I’m so happy this song moved you and really spoke to your worshipping spirit. It’s one of my all-time favorites and breaks me down every.single. time! xoxo 🙂
Amen!! He DID know exactly what I needed. You were in the place to minister to me. Gods plans may go unknown as to why who says or does something specific but it indeed was received. Love love love you sis! You are appreciated!