What is your Story?

God, our Heavenly Father's providential hand is guiding your story

February is the month of “Happy Valentines“!   This blog is one of God’s love stories to me.   Maybe you can relate in some way.

Psalm 27:10 “Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.” (NIV)    

Maybe when you think of your life you may feel, it is one big waste or perhaps you feel unsettled, dissatisfied, or  living in pain. Are you experiencing another transition? Are you looking for that day when life will feel normal again? You scream, “Will I ever feel settled again?” or  “Will this pain ever go away?” Maybe not, but there is one place you can go.

MEMORIES: 

I have this early memory as a little girl of one of my safest, most secure and restful moments with my earthly father. I would climb up into my parent’s bed, dragging my favorite book with me (at the time it was Black Beauty) and plopping myself next to my dad.

As my dad read his nightly newspaper I would snuggle up next to him.  After seeing me he would willingly put down his paper and read my book out loud to me. It was a shared bonding experience.  I can’t tell you the feeling it brings back as I think about this cherished memory.

Unfortunately,  those moments didn’t last long, but the impression they made is deep-rooted.   You see, my earthly Father hasn’t always been the dad I thought he should have been, even though I love him and am thankful for him.  He wasn’t the husband I thought he needed to be to my mom either.  He left my mom when we needed him most.

I was only 12 years old when my dad left my mom. My life turned upside down.  I didn’t know what was real and what was not.  Life seemed scary and uncertain!

CONTRAST:  

Unlike my earthly dad, today when I think of God as my Abba Father, my Heavenly Father, I think of Intimacy.  This same feeling I once felt with my earthly Father when I sat in his lap as a little girl and he read Black Beauty to me I now feel toward Abba Father.  What a contrast.

The moment above captures in my mind’s eye the Heavenly Father we always have and can count on.  “He is the same today, tomorrow and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) Yes, we can go to Him anytime, climbing up into his lap, knowing that He welcomes us.  No matter how bad life may seem. I know that what is important to me is important to Him.

He’s my daddy, my Abba Father.  I can call on him anytime.  I want to be near Him. I love to listen to His voice. He gives me refuge when I sit on His lap. He is my fortress, my safety, my security and I can rest from the cares of the world, knowing He will handle them. I am reminded that He only wants what is best for me.  He will never leave me!

How do I know these things? The year before my dad left our family, my Heavenly Father was moving in my story to bring me to Himself and to be part of a bigger family His Family!

My parents, especially my mom, would take me to church every Sunday, to a gorgeous Episcopal Church in the heart of my hometown, Greenville, South Carolina. When I was eleven years old, my dad took me out of public school and put me into a private school. His reasoning behind this decision was his concern, at that time, of some of the changes taking place in the public school system.

It was at the private church school where I learned that Jesus died for my sins on a cross, was buried and raised the third day and is alive today calling us to Him.  I learned that if I accepted him as my personal Savior, believing what he did for you and me, then I would go to heaven (Refer to Romans 3:23;6:23, 5:8, and Romans 10:9, and 10).

I knew I was a sinner, even though I was considered a “good” child, and I wanted to go to heaven. I knew that I was lost and the only way to get to heaven was through Jesus.  I wanted Him because He is God and loved me.  I learned that I would be safe in his arms. My true Valentine!

The next year my parents separated and my life became a roller coaster of events.  Even through this difficult time,  I can look back and see my Heavenly Father’s providential hand in my story. And today He continues to work  in my life.

Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.”  (Psalm 27:10, NIV)

Thanks mom for taking me to church. Thanks Dad for sending me to that school even though it was hard for us.  

Today when I don’t feel safe, settled or I am in pain, I know where I can go to find the rest I need and the wisdom to walk through the pain. I get my favorite book and get up on my heavenly Father’s lap and ask Him to read His favorite story to me.

I hope you will continue reading my blog and will see how God can be in your story, just like he has been with me in mine.

Personal Reflections:  What is your story: Do you know Jesus? Can you look back and see God, our Heavenly Father’s providential hand in your life?  Go back and thank someone today for the choices they made in your life.  I would love to hear your story in the comments section on the blog.  

From one woman pilgrim to another, journeying together.

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“Consider how you may spur one another on toward love and good deeds…encouraging one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.  Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

“Together empowering a movement of mission minded women on their journey and calling, so that they may feel valued, significant, purposeful, and confident in making a difference for God’s Kingdom in all season’s of life, one story at a time.”  

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