Today’s a new day!
So many good books out right now. Here are a few I have read or currently reading:
Something Needs To Change by David Platt
Free Cyntoia by Cyntoia Brown-Long
The Final Race by Eric T. Eichinger
Me by Elton John
Wham! George Michael & Me by Andrew Ridgley
The Beautiful Ones by Prince
What Set Me Free by Brian Banks
~OC
Here are a few things I do everyday:
Pray
Study the Bible
Listen to Music
Read
Spend Time in Reflection
Give Thanks
Makes for a complete day. ~OC
Dear God, I continue to pray for those who are hurting, that you will use the storms they are facing to strengthen them from a “What If” faith to a “No Matter What” faith. ~OC
Life is hard. I think we can all agree on that one. We are either experiencing a storm, coming out of a storm or getting reading to enter a storm. Can I get an Amen? That is how life tends to work for most of us. So how can we find Hope during or after the storm? Here are a few things that have helped me as I walk through my own crazy beautiful journey.
God Is In Control. I know sometimes that is hard to fathom, when we are in the middle of the storm or dealing with the aftermath of a storm. But if God is in control during the good times, that means He must be in control during the rough times. Also, if God is God, then nothing good or bad happens apart from His knowledge. One of my favorite scriptures and one that has helped guide me through my almost 18 year crazy beautiful health journey is 2 Corinthians 1:8-9:
For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.
God Never Forsakes Us. Sometimes that is hard to believe when we are walking in the middle of the storm. It can appear that God has left us to find our own way. We have all faced those moments in life. The poor diagnosis, the broken relationship or the lose of a loved one. But God promises us in His word that he will always be with us. One scripture that has given me comfort during my own journey is Deuteronomy 31:8:
It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.
God’s Timing. I used to use the old Christianize, God is always right on time all the time. But during my health journey, I have started looking at this in a different way. When I used to use that phrase, I felt like I am saying that God had left my side at some point during my journey. I truly believe God’s timing is always perfect, because He never leaves us. *Just a side note. I do not have a problem with people using the phrase. This was just me sharing my perspective. Sometimes I still find myself saying it.
I pray these words will encourage you as you walk through the storms of life. God wants us to seek Him during the good and bad times. He is always there for us. We just have to reach out to Him. ~OC
For the past 17.5 years, I have spent countless hours at doctors appointments, treatment centers & the hospital. During those times, I have had the privilege to talk with hurting people experiencing life changing moments. I have had the honor to pray for people who wouldn’t see another year. I have rejoiced with those who experienced a miracle in their medical journey. I have never taken one of those moments for granted. None of those precious moments have been about me. God placed me in those moments to hopefully encourage someone. The truth is, most of the time I have been the one walking away feeling encouraged. Never miss the opportunity to encourage someone. It could be life changing. ~OC
I apologize to all the English teachers out there. I just have to be real with this message. God Don’t Make Junk!
As we travel this crazy beautiful journey, sometimes we look at our current circumstances and think God cannot use our mess. Our junk. How can He use a man with a broken down body? How can God use the addict? How can He use the divorced person? How can God use the person that just keeps screwing up? Have you ever felt like junk? I know I have.
During those moments of brokenness, we need to seek after God. Because the world will tell us we’re worthless. That we are broken. That we are junk. Please do not believe the lies. God made each of us for a wonderful purpose in life. Our mistakes and brokenness make us stronger. Our past failures help us find our true purpose in life.
As you walk this crazy beautiful journey, I pray you will remember God don’t make junk- so we need to be living like our lives are masterpieces. There are storms we will face along the journey, but there are also many blessings. Keep striving to be the masterpiece God has created. ~OC
Today’s a new day! Do not ever feel sorry for me because of my crazy beautiful health journey. I view this journey as an opportunity to get life right. The blessings have far outweighed the negatives. I plan on Staying Focused and Finishing Strong. ~OC
The Blessed Overcomer 