Is it just me?

Is it just me, or is everyone's circle of family and friends going through difficult times? The great (or he is in my eyes!) Charles Stanley said "before Jesus ever sets before us an "impossible" task, He knows what He is going to do. But He watches us and tests us to see how well we will react - either in fear, confusion, or faith!" When Jesus was getting ready to feed the 5,000, He asked Phillip, "Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" John 6:5.. It goes on to say that Jesus said this to test Phillip (vs 6) Jesus knew He was going to feed these people with no problem. The test is do we trust Jesus when He brings an impossible situation in our lives? My first thought is fear. Wow, do I have lots of work to do to overcome fear.
I would say to those family and friends, there are going to be hard days, no doubt about it. Don't think you are exempt because you pray and read your Bible, and even go to church! God is ready to test your faith. Will you pass the test? Through Bible study and prayer is where you will grow your roots in Christ - stay grounded; and of course, go to church to worship and fellowship with other believers. Until the day Christ returns, we are going to have trials -
"Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near!" Luke 21:27-28. Hallelujah and Praise God. I can hardly wait!!

Blessings!
Gayle

P.S. Don't forget to hug your daughter!!

His Yoke is easy....

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30..
What does it mean "take my Yoke upon you and learn from Me?" According to the Life Application Study Bible, A yoke is a "heavy wooden harness that fits over the shoulders of an ox" from there, a heavy piece of equipment is then attached and the oxen pulls it." When Jesus says, "take My Yoke upon you" that doesn't mean He will take the burdens away, but He will give us the means of carrying them so that they are not too much for us. We will always have sorrows, pain and discomforts of the world, but He carries them instead of us. Why is it so hard for me to give up all those "things" that He will gladly carry for me? Why does my stubbornness prevent me from just giving it all up?

I recently had someone tell me "aren't you glad you have the Lord in your life?" I cannot even fathom living this life without Him and learning from Him.. I know there are many Christians who are just plugging along carrying all the loads (including me most days) I don't know about you, but I want to live for Him, serve Him, not compromise my beliefs for Him and rest in His Love. Plus, give Him all my burdens and struggles. I have been excited hearing the Lord speak to me these past few weeks and I look forward to see what He has in store for me next!

My prayer for you is that your load will be made easy by letting Jesus just do His thing in your life today!!

Blessings to you & don't forget to hug your daughter!
Gayle

"To Everything there is a season..."

My husband and I traveled to Morrison, Colorado on Saturday December 26th to visit with Jason and Christopher - I anticipated being a strong, rock-solid Christian; ready to take-on whatever God had in store for me. Ready to be strong for Jason (my son-in-law) who has struggled with the reason that God took Robin home so soon; for Christopher who talks about his mommy being in heaven, and not understanding why she doesn't come home. Upon arriving at their home, I was flooded of memories of Robin. Unfortunately, they were sad memories of the struggles she had this past year; the struggle to breathe, the struggle to gain weight, the struggle to fight off infection; and I could go on. I realized how frail my emotions are and that I was not going to be the strong rock Jason and Christopher needed! I looked forward to going to church this morning, first of all for comfort from my Heavenly Father through His Word and teaching, and second to visit those who were such a blessing to Robin. When the first person said "how are you? how was your Christmas? Was it hard?" I fell apart and remained that way for the rest of the day. God is showing me how weak I really am, He is showing me that I need to cry and cry often. He has told us in His Word "To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under Heaven...A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance.."
I am weeping and mourning - I look forward to laughing and dancing again. It may not be until I meet Jesus, but I am sure of one thing; His promises are true and I choose to believe them!! I pray your new year will be filled with laughing, dancing and singing!

Blessings to you, and don't forget to hug your daughter!
Gayle

Meeting in Heaven

When Robin and I were spending so much time in the hospital in August, I met a young woman who was almost in the same situation as Robin - Her name was was Jayme, she had a 5 yr old daughter and she was fighting the same battle as Robin; rejection of lungs she had received in a double lung transplant along with the battle of Cystic Fibrosis. I told the Lord I did not want to be involved in "another situation" that caused me heart ache. I told Him that I had enough on my plate dealing with Robin.
Robin had communicated with Jayme over the last few years as they dealt with the same problem and she wanted me to visit with Jayme in her hospital room down the hall. I complied and did get to visit with her and her mother. I have kept track of Jayme's condition over the last couple months, and of course Jayme was very sad when Robin lost her battle. Jayme met Robin in heaven this last week and I'm sure it was a glorious reunion as they were unable to see each other face to face here on earth due to their illnesses. I am praying for her parents and the little girl she left behind. I do not understand why God takes mommies and daddies home leaving their small children behind to grieve; but I do know that I trust God completely in His reasons. I can either Believe God for who He says He is, or I can doubt Him. I choose to Believe God!! On another note, there was a young man who also had Cystic Fibrosis and rejection of his double lung tp in Utah. He died the same day that Robin did! They both met Jesus and each other at the same time. How cool is that?

Blessings to you and oh yes, hug your daughters!
Gayle

May the Words of My Mouth...

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart; be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord my strength and my redeemer. I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made - You have made me glad, I will praise You for as long as I have breath.. Praise You Father.

Faith....

In Nancy Misslers book "Faith in the Night Seasons" she talks about "real faith is not seeing, not understanding, not feeling and not knowing. Real faith is simply trusting, no matter what we see happening, no matter what we understand to be true, and no matter what we feel like, that God will be faithful to His Word and perform His promises to us in His timing and in His way." Wow, do those words hit home with me. I still am not able to see why, and understand why Robin had to suffer so terribly in her last months of life. I may never know why while I live on this earth. I do know that I have a loving Father who says, Gayle, My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways... My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.. Is 55:8-9. Just to think, His plans are so much bigger than I could ever imagine. That motivates me to want to hang on to this ride He has me on... Wow! God is so incredibly awesome and powerful! I pray you will dig into His Word and rest in His comfort

Happy Thanksgiving!

I would like to wish all my family and friends a wonderful Thanksgiving for 2009. I have been so humbled by your wonderful emails, cards, comments, love and encouragement. Many days are difficult for me; sometimes just an hour is difficult and other times the whole day. I realize God is continuing to work in me and thru me as I journey down this road of grief. As I stated before, my request to God is that I do not want to go back to where I was spiritually before Robin became so ill. I really believe my roots have dug down deep in the Lord and I praise Him for that happening.
I am asking that God will be your comforter this holiday season, as many people are grieving for a loved one that they may have lost.

Blessings!
Gayle