Saturday, August 8, 2009

Confession And Award



















A couple of weeks ago, I received this award. We were getting ready to leave on vacation. I saved the picture as an image and I "thought" I wrote down the information about the award. After returning home, I realized I did not have the information and I could not remember who gave it to me or what to do with it.

You may say, "No big deal." For me it is a big deal. First and foremost, I am ashamed I can not remember the precious bloggy friend who gave it to me. Each of you are "very" special to me and I do not take your friendship, support, and prayers lightly. I am overwhelmed and honored by each readers comment, love, and support.

True Confession time:

Most of you do not know I struggle with short term memory loss. As I travel from one blog to another, I usually make notes about prayer requests and anything else I need to know later. It takes some time before my brain links your name with your blog name. I must keep going back to verify who you are and the correct blog you belong to. It is not that I do not know who you are, but the names do not instantly make a connection.

As I pray about this award and what to do about it, God said clearly, "BE HONEST, tell them the truth."

If you struggle with this same problem, know that GOD will use it to grow you stronger in your faith and closer to HIM. I pray more and I listen more now than I ever have in my life. Before this was a problem, I could remember "everything" and I do mean every detail. Now, I must rely fully on my Heavenly Father.

GOD BLESS each of you for understanding and to the very special person who gave me this award, I am truly sorry. I love you and I pray you are not offended in anyway. You can know GOD used your support to bring this confession forward. Had this not happened, I may not have ever shared this struggle with you. I do not believe in coincidences. I know GOD has a greater plan.

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea

25 comments:

Mary Moss said...

Sister, you know that anyone who knows you and/or reads your blog knows your heart! What a blessing you continue to be to all of us in your life.

I'm preaching about confession this weekend and God seems to have used you as affirmation that I am on the right track with my sermon. Even in our confession and weakness, God uses us to minister to his world.

Blessings overflowing to you my dear sister.

Loren said...

Andrea,

Wow your humility and vulnerable confession speaks volumes! I doubt anyone will be offended and we all know how precious you are and sincere in all you do, for us and for the LORD. It is amazing to me to know that you suffer and your right we never would have know without this confession but even in that God is glorified Andrea! You are always storming the gates of HEaven for us ....please know we will be storming them for you in return! Hope your neck is feeling better too!

love you

Lora said...

Congratulations on your Award Andrea! Your honesty blesses me. I struggle with my memory so much and so often. You are not alone dear one. And I'm believing God does have a greater plan!

Blessings to you!

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Congratulations on your award, Andrea! The one who blessed you with it, will know you well enough to understand your oversight, otherwise she would not have gifted you with it in the first place. Memory loss is a struggle for many of us so you are not alone, dear friend. Have a wonderful day.

Blessings,
Sandi

Yolanda said...

Andrea,

I too struggle with this, more along the lines of where I read something, or perhaps the depth if might have taken with-in me. I love others that are real, and I so appreciate you! Desiring to be the real deal as well. Lovingly, Yolanda

Nikki (Sarah) said...

I love your honesty and openness. I don't think anyone could stay upset you????? Sarah

RCUBEs said...

That's a beautiful award, isn't it? Congratulations! I don't think Silver, who gave it to you would be offended...What courage you had shown to write your honest feelings. It's humbling. I think I remember reading this got passed on to you from "Silver" at Reflections [dreamymoonlight.blogspot.com].

I want to thank you for your prayers. As I went to work, I felt the Lord's protection covering me. Awesome is He! Who hears our petitions. I appreciate it and thanks to your hubby, too. God bless sister. I just got home from work, tired but feeling "a-ok!". Have a great weekend and love you in Christ! Wow! It's amazing to know that there are so many bloggy friends praying for me! I am so blessed.

Heart2Heart said...

Andrea,

Well Rosel beat me to help clear up the memory thing. I hate when that happens. It happens way to much for me, I try and open a word document when I get them and then save it with the blog award attached, along with a link of where I got it from and whom as well as the date. If that helps?

Congratulations on winning this award as well because I think it so beautiful with all the blended pictures that seem to fit so well together and the colors are so brilliant as well as the reasons behind receiving it. You are all that and more!

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

Anonymous said...

May God continue to hold you steadily on His path for He knows His plans for you, Andrea. Your openness enables me to release 'shoulds' and 'what ifs' and be all that God has made me to be... His and His alone.

~ linda @ Being Woven

Chris said...

It is all good! Have a great weekend!

Crown of Beauty said...

Congratulations on the award, Andrea.

And thank you for the honesty.

Thanks for praying for my grandson.

Your life is a blessing.

Love
Lidj

christy rose said...

Congratulations on the award Andrea! you definitely deserve it! I love that you are open and honest. i think it makes us all feel closer because we know that we are not all in any way perfect. You are wonderful!
Christy

God a Have Faith said...

Andrea,

Congrats on the award! You certainly deserve it with all of your wonderful comment and your faith in God! So Show it with pride as you are a wonderful person who definately deserves it!

Keep the Faith!

Steve

Debra Kaye said...

Oh my sweet friend,

I am blessed by your honesty. I once had the ability to manage over 110 couriers using 4 computer screens and 2 radios and 5 phones. All of the medicine i'm on for my heart does not allow for that now and I get things all jumbled up.

God is so good...I loved the confession for a selfish reason...it made me feel so not alone. :)

Big hugs sweet one!

Cynthia said...

As I get older I am amazed at what I forget! I have much more forgiveness for those who struggle with this than I used to have!

Congratulations on the award and on your honesty here that frees us all to be honest in return

Just Be Real said...

Dear one you know I am one that appreciates honesty so much, and I see that you are very transparent and appreciate you so much! Do not worry about the memory loss dear one. Congrats on your beautiful award!!!

Silver said...

Andrea.. that was from me :)

Offended? Of course NOT! i'm glad you're accepting it. ;)

~Silver

SmilingSally said...

It's always wise to tell the truth! Good for you.

Saleslady371 said...

I'm blessed to have an honest friend, like you. Love to you, dear Andrea, you are such a gem and I love your heart. No wonder you were awarded this award. Bless you today!

E @ Scottsville said...

Andrea, I just wanted to drop by to let you know that I'm praying for your neck/shoulder issues. Big or little, God still hears your prayers and each one is just as important to HIM! =0)

Glad Silver told you it was her who gave you the award and now ya know. She meant it to bless you, not to cause you 'guilt', so I love all of the sweet support these comments you've received have given.

Have a Blessed Sunday!

Erica
(Scottsville)
(Five Moms & A Blog)

COUNTRY MOM said...

Andrea, I wanted to Thank You for joining my blog. I have joined yours as well. Congratulations on all your wonderful awards. I hope to get caught up on your posts soon. I love all your pics. I think it makes a blog much more personal when people share pics. You are an amazing lady and I hope to get to know you. Many Blessings, Audrey

christy rose said...

I am giving you this award too! I think you are great Andrea!

Cathy~Mille Fleur said...

Wow!!! Your honesty is amazing!!! I have been blessed by this post!!! Thank you!!!

Enjoy!!!
XOXO
Cathy

Mocha Momma said...

Well I can see the award sender has been found.
I have the very same problem. Someone sent me an award last week and I was not thinking and quickly posted the comment. I can find it cuz it hasn't been too long.

I had to make a list of all of the people I follow with their real names, blog names and maybe a tidbit about them so I could start making the connections. i was really frustrated because I couldn't remember anyone except you and two other people.

I have to make notes too. I get frustrated because I am forgetting words and people's names. I feel ridiculous at times. Like you said, it'll bring me nearer to God and I'll depend on Him more.

Edie said...

I am smiling as I read this because you have a better system than I do. It's not as uncommon as you think. :)