The Best Compliment

Today, I was paid the best, most wonderful compliment that anyone can give me.

Who doesn't love compliments? I do...

Especially ones about my children, cooking, crafts, art, etc.

(Although I don't take compliments well.... I'm working on that!)

The one I received today, tops them all!

I was complimented on my "evident walk with Christ."

This person said it was obvious how close I was to the Lord and that I was filled with the Holy Spirit.

By the way I was speaking, he could tell that I had a very personal, up front, up close, walk with my Savior!

I love it when someone can see that!
 

Although, I have to admit, this very personal and very close walk with Jesus...

 did not come easily.
 

I have gone through some extremely hard times...

several traumatic and tragic events have happened to my family.

It took these horrible events and the many, many aftershocks that followed,

(It has been four years and we are still dealing with the after effects of this tragedy!)

to strip me completely of myself and bring me to a place where Jesus was all I had.

At one point, I wanted to end it all.

I didn't want to live here on earth anymore where such horrible and cruel things could happen to "good" people,

to innocent children.

I was done with this place!!!

I figured why not start my eternity a little earlier... better than this joint!

I am so glad I didn't do that!!!

I can see more clearly now.... 
 

At first, I was so angry with God that I did not speak to Him for six months!

NOT ONE WORD!! 

I was too mad at Him for allowing this to happen.

And... if I prayed about it...

it would mean that it really did happen. 

I was in denial.  

I asked people to pray for me and my family, simply because I could not.

It was during this dark time that a friend said to me,

"Sometimes you just need to climb right up onto our Savior's lap, and cry and cry while he comforts you."

And this is what I finally did...

over and over again.

I spent hours and hours in prayer and reading God's word.

 

Psalm 1:2

But his delight is in the law of the Lord

And in His law he meditates day and night.

 

I would sob until I had no more tears, then be still, letting my Savior comfort me...

Until the waterworks started again.

I couldn't sleep anyway, so I would talk to God... sometimes all night.

At first I prayed, "WHY? WHY? WHY?"

It was when my prayer changed to "What?" that my walk with my Savior began to change.

I realized that God was going to take this tragedy that happened to my family, this horrendous thing that almost broke me,

 and He was going to use it for something amazing. 

I began to pray differently,

"What can I learn? What can I do to help others? 

How are You, oh Magnificent Heavenly Father, going to make such a horrendous tragedy into something beautiful?"

James 1:2-4
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
But let patience have its perfect work,
that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
 

Before all of this happened, I used to think I was doing ok...

teaching my kids "stories" from the Bible.

Teaching them what it means to be a Believer, a follower of Christ.

Now I know, that there is so much more.

Now, my children see me turn to the Lord on a regular basis...

many times throughout the day.

If we are making a big decision, in need of money, comfort, health, anything and everything, 

I am teaching my children to turn to the Lord.

God continuously blesses my little family.

He wants to pour His blessings upon those that seek Him out, those that follow Him, those that are doing what He asks.

He wants to pour His blessings upon YOU!!

Philippians 4:19
And my God shall supply all your need
according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
 

He loves us, His creation, His children, more than we can possibly imagine.

And I can't wait until I can be face to face with Jesus and feel His loving arms wrapped around me, my safe place, a place where I learned what it means to be truly loved...

A place I continually go to when I need comfort, rest and most of all peace.  

 

Isaiah 26:3

You will keep him in perfect peace,

whose mind is stayed on You,

because he trusts in You.

 

I have been asked many times over,

"How did you get through it?"

Or heard comments like,

"You are really strong."

But the truth is...
 

It wasn't me!!!!!!!!
 

All I did was focus my eyes on Jesus.

Even now...

He provides my strength... I have none!

He provides my peace... because I trust Him!

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

 

It has been a long, weary road,

and is even longer still.

As long as I am walking with my Lord and Savior,

I know I will get there,

and I won't be lonely along the way!!!

 

One day I will share the whole story,

many have said I should write a book,

but not yet....

My family's story isn't finished yet!
 

God is creating beauty from these ashes!!!

Mt Shasta, CA