Because of HIM

art work by Janice Van Kronkhite

Okay, so I should really be in bed right now trying to get some shut eye so I can some what function tomorrow at work. Honestly though, if I were to put this here computer down and try to go to sleep I would find myself drowning in a lake of tears. Yes, you heard me right. I said, "a lake of tears". I know I don't normally show a whole lot of emotion on here (my blog). But this is one of those few times that I feel as those if I don't release it (my overwhelming emotion) it's going to come out on it's on through my aching heart, and at this point my aching heart can't take anymore pain. It's liable to go into massive cardiac arrest.

Little dramatic, huh? Yeah, well that would be my life at the moment. Ehh, who am I kidding. That would be my life period! 

This world I am living in right now is not the world I grew up in that is for sure.

Nuclear plants leaking into our oceans and atmospheres.

People filled with such anger that they feel the need to gang up on a single un-armed adult and beat them to near death with everything but the kitchen sink. These are men, woman and children and this is not even considered news worthy.

Children divorcing their parents and siblings. (I know of this first hand)

Abortion/the murder of innocent life, becoming birth control and not only every woman's right but every tax payers and employers responsibility.

And

Love - no where to be found. 

In the family? Where? You raise a child to love and respect and forgive. Then, when they grow up they turn on you. Spit in your face. Where is the love? The respect? The forgiveness? There is none. 

Perfection. They expect perfection. You have none. You are not perfect, no one is perfect but God. Still, they see themselves as righteous in themselves and turn there back on you.

So, love, in the church can you find it there? No. The church is busy looking for love itself. Busy, busy, busy. Going here, going there. Never really getting any where. All the while so many in the church just needing to be loved. Needing someone to love.

How about in the world? Can you find love in the world? Perhaps. Perhaps if you wander to and fro you will find a love for a time, but noting that will truly satisfy you deep inside.

No. Not deep inside.

However, I have found it. I have found love. 

The love that satisfies. I have learned through the years. Through the betrayals. The loss. The tears. I have found HIM who has pursued me.  I have found HIM  who has followed me and walked along side me.  I have found HIM who has kept me safe, through the fire and the storm.  I have found HIM  who has held me close when I was all alone, abandoned and confused. Yeshua is His name. 

Since I have found HIM, who has been pursuing me I have never been the same.

Through all the trials. All the heart ache. All the pain and tears. I know in my heart HE will turn it around for me. So I know I can make it and in this I have peace and take JoY. 

Because of HIM.

What's Wrong with this Picture?

After posting my blog about forgiveness I had a friend email me about a situation pertaining to forgiveness in her life.  She had lived through some very difficult times and some of the closest people in her life; co-workers and friend and family had really let her down. Now she had forgiven them. She was certain. This had been many, many years ago. However she went on to describe her life circumstances over the past years; what had transpired in her life. Where she was socially and such and then asked me this question,

"What's wrong with this picture?"

It was clear my friend was not content with where she was. Certain she had forgiven all those who had wronged her. She had gone over, in detail, every offence and laid it at the cross. Again my precious, dear friend wondered and asked me,

"What is wrong with this picture?" 

This was my answer. 

I thought it was worth posting on here. 

Dear Friend,

I honestly can say, I don't know that there is anything "wrong" with the picture itself. I have found in life that when I see the same picture over and over again and it seems to be upside down or sideways or something like that. Generally it is  the view from which I am looking at it. The picture ITSELF is just fine.  It's just the view from which I am looking at it that needs to change.

Now - this is where YOU and your time with the Lord really plays an intimate role. Only HE can show you which way to turn the frame so the picture looks better. :) Or if you need to stand father away from the picture or sit down and look at it or what ever.

You very well may have "forgiven" all of these people in your life. 

Willed-to forgive them.

However, forgiveness is a VERB. 

So as much as we may desire to forgive someone - this is only half of the process.

It is, I believe, and scripture supported, the hardest and most important part. 

The next step is a partnership with the Lord and us. It's where the healing takes place. Not so much hard as it is or can be, painful.  (personally, I think this is why so many don't get beyond this point; because it is so painful. they are not willing to go through the pain)

You would know better than anyone Friend, where you are in the process of all this, with all those that have hurt you. When you have been through so much with so few to support you you learn to stand strong and become less than emotion. I know, I have done this myself. It is a survival mode. 

It is possible though Friend, to forgive the worst of offences. In some situations learn to love those that have hurt and betrayed you and even forget offences that most in this world would kill over.

I have done so. Only with hand of God in my life. 

Friend, I have had so many ask me, "How? How have you gotten what you have with the Lord?"

All I can say is, "Sacrifice and suffering."

Friend, you can take all you have lived through and focus on it for the rest of your life

or

forget it...leave it at the feet of Jesus....and move on.

I love you sister.