One thing that I have never really liked is....uncertainty. I like to know what's happening, when it's happening, how it will turn out, and if anything changes I have a back up plan in place. Seems tiring? It is, but I like to be prepared. Some call it OCD, some call it controlling, some call it annoying but it never really mattered what anyone else called it because they weren't suffering the consequences when things fell apart, I was.
Even with all of my planning, scheduling, preparations, and and endless thinking...things STILL do not always run smoothly. That's when disappointment sets in. I've come to learn (the hard way!) that I ultimately have no control of what happens. I can plan my course but God directs my steps. (Proverbs 16:9)
Disappointment.....ahhh that terrible feeling that we all feel when things do not turn out the way we wanted it to. I can say without a doubt, that I've been MORE disappointed this year than any in a very long time. The person that I depended on the most let me down, the plans that I made were no longer happening, my son and I were both diagnosed with a disease that has no cure, my house had to be gutted in a day and I couldn't do a thing about it, my kids lost someone that they looked up to, I came to the realization that I am not superwoman! I have more appointments in a week than most have in a year, I'm 42 and not where I thought I'd be by now. Talk about disappointments! Those are only the big ones!
So....why is my title He gives and takes away??? This is where it turns good....
God is faithful! He gives and takes away (Job 1:21) When He takes away....it hurts! We don't understand it and we may never know why but when He gives.....He gives good! Amen!
He's given me a great job! (although I have to remind myself of that when it gets tough..lol)It's been 7 years and they have supported me through some tough times!
He's given me 3 amazing kids that He trusted ME to raise!
He's given me circumstances good and bad....to help me grow.
He's redeeming me from a very bad relationship and allowing me to have the things in life that I deserve... was blinded by the devil's schemes.
He's given me the greatest friends ever and have made some AWESOME new friendships! I absolutely LOVE the encouragement they've given. You all know who you are. xoxoxo
He's given me a mom and dad that have always adored me.
Yes he's taken away...but I don't want to focus on those things.
I want to focus on what He's given me...even during the past 3 weeks..I've had 45 tubes of blood taken...yes 45! I wanted to crack under stress and my support system lifted me back up with calls, encouragement, visits, flowers, food, prayers. OMG! I LOVE MY LIFE!
Thank you God for giving and taking away......
I'm going to have to change my title....my daily doses of inspiration do NOT come on a daily basis. lol
I haven't been able to blog lately ..I will hopefully get back to writing soon, until then ...I am passing along some great encouragement. I hope that you enjoy them as much as I do. :-)
WARNING THERE IS A WOLF ON THE LOOSE!!!!
Stay Alert!!!!
You may not notice him at first glance because he will probably be dressed in sheep's clothing!
What you hear and see will be false! He will spitting out half-truths, distorting teachings and doctrines.
He will act upon your emotions with fear and doubt, and if possible will cause chaos in your life.
Remember, when he shows up what you hear, what you see, and think is not God's reality....so check God's Word regularly.
He will be shooting out fiery darts so lift up that shield of faith....If you get hit, act quickly!!
Take thought, repentance might be necessary.
Don't forget to put on your full armor of God daily, that you may be able to stand against the devil's schemes.
Ephesians 6:11
11 Put on
the full armor of God, so
that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our
struggle is not against flesh and blood, but
against the rulers, against the authorities, against
the powers of
this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13 Therefore put
on the full armor of God, so
that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after
you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the
belt of truth buckled around your waist, with
the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your
feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition
to all this, take up the shield of faith, with
which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the
helmet of salvation and
the sword of the Spirit, which
is the word of God.
