I’ve been trying to keep weekly updates about what God is teaching me throughout this experience. This week has been a bit different than the previous weeks. My enlightenment did not come from a dynamic message, or digging deep into the word of God. No, actually it was from a reflection on the last several years of my life.
One night this week the Spirit convicted me to stay in and spend the entire evening writing out my testimony. It’s a story I’ve told time and time again, but as I began to write I realized how much doesn’t get shared. I begin writing and memories just began to unfold. Things were being placed on the page that honestly I had forgotten all about. For six hours I found myself just sitting and writing page after page after page.
The more I began to write the more I saw such a comparison to my life and the life of the Israelites. It was a story of an unfailing love. A story of rebellion and bondage yet a story of deliverence time and time again. I sat amazed grasping the concept that truly His grace is enough.
I know that time is hard to obtain, but I encourage you to take some time this next week and write out your story of redemption. I think it’s crucial to have it in written form. I realized that if something happens to me then my words perish with me, but if they’re written out then they can be passed on from generation to generation. Parents I espcially encourage you to do this so your children can hold to your story of God’s unfailing love. And perhaps you’ll find great joy in seeing how His grace has been and will be enough.
You are so right. Putting things in writing and actually seeing the ways that God has blessed us and the things that He has carried us through is something that we should all do. I find it hard to do not only because of lack of time, but the feelings of guilt for failing Him in so many ways. There is a song that ask ” Does He feel the nails every time I fail”. How it breaks my heart to think about causing Him pain, because of bad choices that I have made. Yet I know that He loves me and forgives for anything that I have done. I thank God for His unconditional love and forgiveness. I thank Him for the sweet peace that only He can give. I also thank you for your faithfulness in sharing your testimony. You may never know in this life what a blessing you have been to all of us. I will never forget the women’s retreat that you led us in. I learned then what a strong christian young lady you are. I could see the love that you had not only for Christ, but for others. My prayer is that where ever God places you that you will continue to seek His face and share your strength and courage with others.
jill! i just found your blog (after i sent you the facebook message). hooray! i love reading your heart-thoughts; they are so transparent and beautiful. i will check here for your updates so i know how to pray for you. please post pictures sometimes if you get the chance! love, julia.
JIll, I haven’t blogged in a while. Sorry. But that does not mean I have not been praying for you. Today I was feeling guilty because I have not written in my spiritual journal in a couple of weeks due to being gone for the holiday. I know thats no excuse. and you remind me how important that it is to write down things. You have no idea how much you mean to so many people. I thank God for you and others like you who can go do His will. Thank you. God bless you today and everyday.
Jill, you are doing a great job at updating once a week. Just writing to say I am proud of you for that! Ha, maybe you are staying up too late or something.
What do I say? Besides, I pray for you more than I pray for myself, I think? I just want to get out of the way and let the Lord shine upon you this very day or night what ever the case may be. I feel so unworthy to
even try to put something in the computer for you to hold on to. What do
I say or what do I send that you may get a little encouragement out of.
Dear Lord,
We thank you for this day. We thank you for allowing us to be able to see and hear this morning. I’m blessed because you are a forgiving God
and an understanding God. You have done so much for us and You keep on blessing us over and over with each new passing day. Forgive me this day for I have sinned. Keep us safe from all harm and danger’s way. Let us start this day with a brand new attitude and lots of gratitude. Please help me to make the best of each and every day and to give my best in all
that is put before me. Clear my mind that I may hear from YOU. Help
me to accept all things, whether good or bad. Let me not whine or whimper over things I have no control over. And when the world closes
in on me as it does from time to time let me remember jesus’ example to slip away and find a quiet place to pray. This seems to be the best response when I’m pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I cannot pray to use me to do thy will. Continue,to bless me that I may be a small blessing to others. All these things we ask in the most wonderful name above all other names and that is
JESUS CHRIST ALMIGHTY,
AMEN….