God Is Always Good!

" ........Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. " Job 1:21 

Today would have been my dad's 67th birthday.  There is no way to begin to describe the hole that was left in our hearts the day that he died last August.  I know many of you have experienced a similar loss and know exactly what I am talking about.  For my family, today is just another "first" since his death.  As I sat here this morning and watched the slide show of pictures that we put together for his funeral the tears began to flow.  I don't do this often but today is just one of those days that I felt it necessary to grieve.  I miss my dad.  He was a wonderful man with a huge heart.  Though I miss him and would love to hug him and talk to him, I know he is where God wants him.

You see when my dad frist got sick and we pretty much knew right away that he would not be alive much longer, many people said how sad it was and that he was too young and that it just wasn't time for him to die. I had seen people in the past that never accepted that it was God who had given them their loved ones and it is God who calls them home.  I did not want to be that person who questioned God and thought He had made a terrible mistake by taking my dad.  I decided to meditate on the fact that God is good.  Everything he does is good and perfect in every way.  It may not seem that way to us but God sees the whole picture and we have to trust him.  He did not make a mistake in taking my dad.  It wasn't too early and he wasn't too young.  It was his time.  Isaiah 55:9 says " For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." I can't imagine how much more difficult it would have been to lose my dad without accepting this truth.  If we turn our backs on God and question why he is putting us through trials, we are hurting ourselves.  He is our comforter and no one can heal our broken hearts like he can. 1 Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. "

So today (for the rest of the day) I choose to rejoice.  I will rejoice in the life that my dad lived, the memories that we made with him, the time I had with him before he died and most of all that we know he is with his Savior.  What better way is there to spend your birthday?!

Stinkin Thinkin

I have been saved since my senior year in high school but I have always been very shy and reluctant to share what the Lord does in my heart and reveals to me through His word.  I guess because I fear what others may think or because I think that surely it wouldn't really help anyone.  This week I have decided to get rid of that "stinkin thinkin" as my pastor would say : ) The Lord did not save me to put me on a shelf and keep me there.  He saved me so that he could use me and by hiding behind my shyness I am only denying his power in my life.  See what I have to understand is that I am nothing.  I could write all day about my ideas on raising children, marriage, health and on and on the list goes but those would just be my ideas and yes I am sure there would be plenty of faults in those posts but you can never go wrong by sharing God's word and what it says.

I started reading a book this week called "A Woman's Secret To A Balanced Life". It is drawn from Proverbs 31 and really lays out the many responsibilities in a godly woman's life.  I was really enjoying it until I came to the part about reaching out to others outside of your family.  This is the hardest thing for me.  I feel I don't have time or energy to do this.  I tell myself that it just isn't me.  I have nothing to offer.   I want to share with you what I found when studying about how God wants to use me in others' lives.

How does God want to use me in others’ lives?

•  “I exhort therefore, that . . . prayers . . . be made . . . for all that are in authority” (1 Timothy 2:1–2)

Do I faithfully pray for the leaders that God has placed in my life (e.g., husband, parents, pastor, employer, elected officials), asking God to bless them, to meet their needs, to protect them, and to make them godly leaders?

When someone in a position of authority fails, do I pray for them, rather than criticizing or attacking them?

• "She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness." (Proverbs 31:27)  

Am I a hard worker?

Am I attentive to the needs of those around me?

Am I faithful in fulfilling practical responsibilities in my home?

• ".... if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work."  (1 Timothy 5:10).

Is my life characterized by compassion, sacrifice, and acts of service?

Do I have a reputation for reaching out to minister to the needs of others?

•  “Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality."   (Romans 12:13).

Am I sensitive to the needs of other believers?

Am I generous in sharing with others who are in need?

Do I open my home to minister to others?

•  "The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;   (Titus 2:3).

Is my life a godly example to younger women?

Am I self-controlled and temperate in the way I speak and in my lifestyle?

Am I actively involved in teaching younger women how to live their lives according to the Word of God?

•  “ That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."  Titus 2:4–5). 

Are my priorities in order?

Am I adequately focused on loving and meeting the needs of my family?

Do I model a selfless, sacrificial, serving love for my husband and children?

Is my spirit self-controlled, pure, and kind?

Is my life an illustration of the “biblical portrait of womanhood”?

My prayer is that I can put each of these scriptures to practice in my life that I will use my life to honor the Lord and to help others.  How are you reaching out to help those around you?

Elizabeth Ewing