He Does Not Change

 To tell you the truth I have been down for while......part depressed, part illness and the rest, just life. We made a big move at the end of 2015 for a job for my husband. It sounded great, it looked great on paper, but sometimes things don't always work exactly like you think they will.

Struggles.....we had a few. About the time it felt like we were getting settled in, I was diagnosed with COPD and CHF. it was blow to say the least. I walked around a little bit dazed for a while. I just couldn't figure out how this happened. You know how it goes, you start reasoning. I tried to do everything right,so that I would not get any type of illness like these. I was angry, sad, scared....you name it. Finances got a little rocky. I had a daughter getting married. I have a son graduating high school. It was a lot going on.

Depression crept in. Thats how depression will do you though, it's a creeper. It certainly doesn't announce itself at the door, right? Throw a bout of pneumonia and strep throat on top of that and it is the perfect storm. There are times I want to quit. Sit down and stay down. The illness alone is difficult some days. If it was just the illness, I think I could manage better.

Today my oldest daughter shared a post on facebook from her church about the dreams that God has given you and which of those are you going to go after in 2017. That post gave me a nudge....and I remembered.....

I remembered that I am the Daughter of the Most High God, I am an Overcomer, I am Resilient, I can make it. He calls me Worthy, He calls me Friend, He is the Lifter of my Head, He is my Source, He is the Grace Giver.

I remembered the dream He gave to me. How that He gave me the ability to tell a story, to write, to speak. I always dreamed of touching people's lives, inspiring them, watching people be set free from any and all bondages.

I remembered that He is a big God and just because my address changed, just because my health changed, just because the job situation changed.....He did not change. The situations I face may be beyond my control, but they are not out of His reach.

I'm going to go after the dreams He gave me...I'm hoping you will do the same.


Still walking this journey with you, my friends,

Regina

I am HIS

  I am God's child....even when I mess up and do the things I don't want to do, I am still His child and He still loves me. Look guys, none of us get up in the mornings with the thought of intentionally doing wrong, causing pain or hurt. We don't wake up dreaming of being so angry that we lash out at others....but sometimes we do those things and worse. In those moments, God never quits loving you, He never gives up on you, His love endures forever!

It's just like our own children, they make mistakes as well....and sometimes they will lash out at us in anger. Do we stop caring for them, do we stop loving them, do we exchange them for a new child? No, we would never do that. That is the same way God cares about you.....

If you find yourself doing things that you know you shouldn't, and you feel that all is lost.....take comfort today....God still loves you and wants you to just turn around and run toward Him! He will wrap you up in His arms, He will listen to your cares, your frustrations, and anything else you are feeling because He cares so much for you today!

Walking with you on this journey,
Regina

photo credit: David Bowman 
contact@bowman-art.com

Sharing Christ Even in the Hard Places

I have been reading some excerpts from this book by Kate McCord and listening to an interview with her on ReviveOurHearts.com

This is a remarkable young woman that had such a burden for the women of Afghanistan. After 9/11 she was able to go there in a humanitarian role. She shares Christ and His love for all people through everyday circumstances with women who feel they have been forgotten by God. The women she meets have difficult lives, many are in abusive situations, all are in arranged marriages, life is very hard for them, but, the stories are beautiful. The way she brings God to the situations she faces and the women behind the blue burqas  is extraordinary  I am inspired by her faith. After listening to her story I am encouraged to continue to share Christ with my friends, neighbors, and family, even in what I feel are hard places ......Give this book a read and let me know your thoughts

Regina