Word for the Year?

Many people like to pick a word for the year. In times past when I have done this, the Lord has a way of showing me He had a different word in mind.

I started off the year with "Be not afraid, only believe" as my battle cry. So I focused on the word BELIEVE.

Then in my Bible reading I kept coming across the word ENDURE.

"Endure hardness as a good soldier. "
"...after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise."
"...ye endured a great fight of afflictions."
"...for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible."
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith: who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your mind."
"...endure chastening..."

ENDURE




And this leads me to another word I have been focusing on: BRAVERY.

Audie Murphy said, "I'll tell you what bravery is. Bravery is just determination to do a job that you know has to be done." This quote hangs on my frig. It is a reminder to keep putting one foot in front of another. To do the job that has to be done.  Whether that is dishes, make supper, grade papers, help a son with math, pray with a friend, or battle the enemy in my thoughts.

BE BRAVE.

ENDURE.

BELIEVE.

My Redeemer is Faithful and True

13 years....of widowhood.

And as I remember the night that forever changed my life, and the times since then, these words echo in my mind and my heart...

My Redeemer is Faithful and True

I wrote these words to another widow this past summer:

• Something Pastor told me years ago, that I wrote in my Bible, was that we were privileged to have Jim taken. It didn't feel that way for a long time.

• But God uses pain to help people in ways they cannot understand. And to deepen His relationship with them in ways they never knew existed.

• And when He uses you to share truth with others it is such a privilege.

• God is our Redeemer & He never wastes anything. Not even pain. A mom who was dying of cancer said that phrase "God never wastes pain." It spoke powerfully to my hurting heart.

• The Bible says He collects our tears in a bottle. So I imagine He gathers up the pain too.Then one day when the time is right, He does something amazing with it

• Knowing that doesn't take the pain away, but it gives purpose to it. Gives life to something that is so deadening. Gives hope. And everyone needs hope

• God is the Great Redeemer, not just of my soul & life, but He has redeemed all the deep pain & sorrow and used them to give life to others. I stand amazed He chooses to use little me to do such a thing.

• Through the years I have had to visualize putting my children into Jesus' arms and begging Him to heal them, to speak to their hearts. To fill in the huge hole in their hearts with more of Him, to melt the anger and break down walls. To trust He will redeem their pain too. And He is trust worthy & has shown Himself faithful.