HIS Strength, Not Mine!

My life's path has been treacherous at times. More times than not it has taken many twists and turns toward the unknown. There have been numerous painful places. I have forged ahead, sometimes crawling out of despair on my hands and knees.

So many times, my friends and family have said, "you are the strong one!"

Last night, I cried out to GOD, "I do NOT want to always be the strong one....why can't I be the child?"

HE said, "you are the child...MY child...I am all you need!"

From as early as four years old, I remember crying out to GOD in prayer! My strength comes from HIM! I am never alone. HE is always with me. HE has called me to a difficult journey. A journey I am not sure I want to face, yet I know I must.

"See, God has come to save me.I will trust in him and not be afraid.The Lord God is my strength and my song;he has given me victory.” Isaiah 12:2

"But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.They will soar high on wings like eagles.They will run and not grow weary.They will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,
Andrea

Healing and Protection

¹ Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
      will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
 ² This I declare about the Lord:
   He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
      he is my God, and I trust him.
 ³ For he will rescue you from every trap
      and protect you from deadly disease.
 ⁴ He will cover you with his feathers.
      He will shelter you with his wings.
      His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
 ⁵ Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
      nor the arrow that flies in the day.
 ⁶ Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
      nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
 ⁷ Though a thousand fall at your side,
      though ten thousand are dying around you,
      these evils will not touch you.
 ⁸ Just open your eyes,
      and see how the wicked are punished. ⁹ If you make the Lord your refuge,
      if you make the Most High your shelter,
 ¹⁰ no evil will conquer you;
      no plague will come near your home.
 ¹¹ For he will order his angels
      to protect you wherever you go.
 ¹² They will hold you up with their hands
      so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
 ¹³ You will trample upon lions and cobras;
      you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
 ¹⁴ The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
      I will protect those who trust in my name.
 ¹⁵ When they call on me, I will answer;
      I will be with them in trouble.
      I will rescue and honor them.
 ¹⁶ I will reward them with a long life
      and give them my salvation.”
Psalm 91 NLT

Over the last 45 years GOD has never allowed more pain in my life than I could endure. HE has never allowed me to be consumed by the enemy. Though the enemy has come close, my GOD has remained faithful to protect me.

There have been times where I have stumbled and crawled into HIS arms battered and bruised. Each time, HE lovingly healed my heart. HE used the broken and cracked pieces of my heart to mold me into the person I am today.

Our HEAVENLY FATHER is greater than any obstacle in our lives. Do NOT allow family drama, dysfunction, judgement, or other circumstances to sway your focus from HIM who loves you most. When your earthly parents fail you step into the arms of your ABBA FATHER. HE will "never" fail you!

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea

Embrace The Journey

Oh, my friend, it's not what they take away from you that counts.  It's what you do with what you have left.  ~Hubert Humphrey


Often, we dwell on what is missing in our lives instead of the blessings. Today, I am reminded of all GOD has done in and through my life. I count it a joy to look backwards knowing I grew through the journey. I am who I am today, because of where I have been.


"The joy of the Lord is my strength." Nehemiah 8:10

What are you doing with what GOD gave you?
Are you embracing the journey with eager expectations?


By His mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea


 

Submission

This weekend, our daughter Lauren rode her young horse, Keyo for the first time. She raised him with gentleness and love and trained him with a firm and gentle hand. Lauren prepared for this day for almost 2 years. Keyo performed  "a little dance" before he submitted.

As I stood by photographing this monumental event, I realized the similarity between Lauren and Keyo to myself and my Heavenly Father.

~I have the training!
~I am loved!
~I have been disciplined with love!

Often, I too "dance around" before I submit to God's call on my life.

How about you? Are you still "dancing around" or are you fully submitting to HIS call on your life?

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea

Just Enough Light

I took this picture while we were on vacation. When I uploaded all the images to my laptop, I was amazed. I have tried many times to capture a good image of the moon and this time it worked. Don't ask me how I did it, because I have no clue. It is definitely a "God Thing!" I can not take credit.

I have always loved to look at the moon. When my children were little I use to sing a song we called, "The Moon Song." Often, they would say, Mommie, "Sing us the moon song." The words go something like this:

"I see the moon and the moon sees me. God bless the moon and God bless me!"

I can not look at the moon without thinking about this song. Many of my friends and family are scattered around the world. Each night, as we gaze upon the beautiful moon GOD has given us, our hearts are united in praise. We may be thousands of miles apart, but we are together in spirit with our Heavenly Father as our guide.

~If your nights look too gloomy or dark, look to the heavens. Your/our Heavenly Father is blessing each of us with just enough light to make it through the darkness.

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea