Showing posts with label hands and feet of Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hands and feet of Jesus. Show all posts

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Lost OR On a Mission?

Today I am truly thankful that God always keeps His word! There was a point in my life that I honestly believed that all the wrong I had done over the years prevented me from being useful to the Lord. I wholeheartedly believed what Satan whispered to me repeatedly. Today I know better! Satan is the BIGGEST liar to ever walk the earth!!

God, however, has countless promises, little treasures in Scripture, for us to discover and place our faith in. One of my favorites is that he will take what I thought was worthless and use it for good. It is one of the reasons why for my birthday I have wanted a "coat of many colors" the last several years.

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. — Genesis 50:20 NASB

Those that have read my story, know full well that I have worn a ton of various shoes; many of which I wanted to hide from public view and pretend I had never taken a single step in them. This was not God's plan for me at all! A few years back, I was blessed to have a glimpse of what my coming forth and sharing could do for another person.

Back in 2014, I was on my way home from work, I thought I'd bypass a detour and save myself a few minutes. I was still relatively new to Reno and was honestly used to the streets and the way they work in Indiana. This is why when I turned on 6th Street, I didn't realize it would curve around before I was able to get to the cross street I needed to take.

I didn't really worry too much as I still believed I could jog over a street or two and get back on track. WRONG! Just when I was beginning to think I was really lost, I found myself at an intersection where a young lady with bright pink hair quickly crossed in front of me. I was admiring her hair in my rear view mirror as the light turned green and just happened to catch a man who was jay running across the intersection behind me. Needless to say, I was compelled to turn around and make sure this girl was okay. As I whipped my car into an empty parking lot and turned around, I rolled down my window and clearly heard him yelling profanities in her face as he held onto her. She jerked her arm out of his grasp and took off running toward a business she was close to. I actually witnessed a man step out the door and told her to take it down the road. I helplessly watched her take off as fast as she could out the other side of that business' parking lot and back onto the sidewalk with her pursuer close behind. As soon as the light changed I gunned my car and raced down to her. I was driving our jeep and it's got a glass-pack muffler so when you gun it, it's quite noticeable lol. The man halted as I raced right up to the girl and called out to her, "You need a ride ~ Get in!"

She hesitated for only a moment and then she jumped in. As soon as she closed her door, I locked all of them and put my car back in motion. I went around the corner and then quickly around another corner to ensure that he had no idea which direction we were going in and then I asked her, "What's your name?"

She instantly busted into tears telling me her name and finishing with the belief that her life was over and then admitted she just wanted to die. My heart broke for her and I asked her, "How old are you?" to which she answered that she was only 25 years old.

I gently asked her why she thought her life was over and she began telling me her story and all that had taken place in the last year. I listened. She had been abused by this man and had been successfully in hiding until he had found her again that day. When she finished talking, I asked her how she felt about God. She told me she believed in God but didn't understand why He was out to get her. I smiled at her and began sharing my own story. Several times she looked totally in awe and in the end she gave me the biggest hug I've ever gotten from a total stranger.

I reminded her that often when we are not seeking God, we miss the signs and blessings He presents to us during our lifetimes. I told her that I had thought I was lost but realized that I was simply a foot for Christ and that it was a blessing that I was there to be used by Him to deliver her from the hands of this abusive man to which she wholeheartedly agreed.

I shared some of Job with her and assured her she could go safely to God with all that was on her heart even if it was anger but that daily she should go to him. I reminded her that all relationships take work and that if she didn't talk to God she would have a darn hard time hearing what He had to say to her. I also told her that she was a daughter of the Most High God, beautifully and fearfully made. I ended with saying that her story was a lot like mine was 25 years ago and that most likely it was Satan who was attempting to keep her in bondage due to the great purpose that God had created her for.

After she hugged me and was getting out of the car, I said, "You really are stunning. You know that right?"

She bent down looking at me through the window and said, "All I've heard lately is how atrocious I am, I can't tell you how much I needed to hear that. Thank you." To which I replied, "You are down right beautiful, don't ever believe that you are anything but beautiful."

I drove away and bawled my eyes out and thanked God for using me in such a powerful way.

Sometimes when you think you are lost, you are actually on a mission for God. Today I am thankful that He uses me for such blessings. She may think she was blessed by meeting me, but the way I see it, I was blessed by meeting her!

Today I come to you Father with thanks. I still get choked up sharing this story. I pray that you continue to use me in such ways. I can't think of a better blessing! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen!

Wendy, walks with God, Mom of Many

© Wendy Glidden 2014 / slight rewrite in 2020

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

He Calls Me Friend!

So this morning I wake up to this song playing in my head, just this one line and I truly hope I am able to find the song on You Tube so I may share it with you. In the mean time, I will share this single line:

'I am a child of God, I am a Child of God, I am a child of God,  He calls me friend.'

Talk about music that will put a smile on your face! Occasionally in our home, we have a mini-dispute over the music being played on the radio. I would prefer to listen to either Moody and its teachings or K-Love for a constant flow of music. Mike still likes to listen to good old rock n roll. So the other night, last night specifically, I was in our room working on laundry and Mike was cooking in the kitchen. He asked for some jams so I put it on the only station I know of outside of those two and went back to processing the laundry.

After about fifteen minutes, I came out to make myself a cup of coffee and move the loads when I heard a song from my own past; I want my M TV.

I couldn't help but giggle over the silliness of the song and I began singing it on my own. The children began giggling at me which honestly only encourages me to keep being silly. You don't get moments of pure laughter often enough.

Mike and I were laughing about it all as the song ended and then Marie came around the corner smiling and I looked at her and started the chorus line: I want my, I want my, I want . . . and I looked at her and she finished up by singing "my own TV".

I think Mike and I cracked up for a straight three minutes. All of them chimed in marching around as they sang their own version of the song. After all, they had no clue that there was such a station as M. TV, M being for music. Laughter truly is the best medicine.

Often, sadly, we get so caught up in all the things this world tells us that matters that we lose sight of what truly matters. We are all children of God. Even though our own children sometimes seem more like burdens than the blessings they are meant to be, if we remind ourselves that the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, than we may more appreciate all the blessings we are given while we are able to enjoy them.

As parents I think we feel the pressure to perform or for our children to perform. We all want to succeed in life. I think perhaps sometimes we measure success the wrong way. It is not in money or fame that we succeed. True success is found in the growing of viable fruit in ones life. If we can pass on this to our children we not only have success, we have guaranteed them success.

How do we go about such an endeavor? We feed our minds with truth. We read the word, we breath the word, we sing the word, we fill our minds with all things good. What goes in will come out. It clearly tells us that wisdom comes from God. It also tells us that everything begins with the renewing of our minds. With so many choices on what to watch or read or listen to, it is tempting to fill our minds with things of this world.

I believe the closer you draw to God, the more you truly seek what He has to say. I know there were many many many years in my life that I did not converse with the Lord. I shut Him out. In moments of trouble, should I call on Him, He never failed me. However, I still shunned Him on a daily basis. Today, I cannot imagine not talking to Him. I am back where I began as a child. I am truly a friend of Gods again. I can't think of a better friend to have in this life. I don't have another friend in this world that can pull of absolute miracles and save me from situations that look utterly hopeless.

I heard the other day that God always has one more move that we ourselves just don't see when we find ourselves in a check mate situation. With our backs up against the wall, we see no way out in sight. Trapped. Lost. Believing the game is over, our souls cry out to the Lord.

It is all He needs to step in and show you there was one more move to be made. One that totally changed the game and moved it all into your favor. That is something only God can do.

Often I have wondered why He waits until the last moment to step in. It is my belief that it gives us something to talk about and in doing so, we bring Glory to His name. Everyone loves a good story. They are the ones that get told and retold. It is often through a story that one is introduced to the glorious ways of the Father. This is truly why we are to share our stories and our testimonies.

I know this is why God called me out to share my story. It is hard to believe that He began encouraging me to do just that back in September of 2012. I laugh that we think God doesn't move fast enough when in all reality often we don't move as fast as I am sure He would like us to!

I shared a post that I made on Face Book back on September 19th, 2012 in my latest book. In a gist, I mentioned that I recognized the voice in my head that was talking to me about sharing my story in written form. I really began the process almost 3 months after He initially prompted me to begin. Baby steps is often the only way we get to where we can run freely! Now two years later I have written over 130 blogs and have published 3 true life books!

I would encourage you today to open up the line of communication. Your father would love for you to get to know Him. The only way that happens is for you to knock on that door. I promise you it will be one thing you will NEVER regret doing. Blessings to all who knock.

Father today I come to you singing songs of thanks. I am in awe of the mighty ways you are working in my life. I am excited to see what today has to bring and to hopefully catch glimpses of your hand moving things into position. It truly leaves me as a child in awe when I do. Daily I hear of others taking their own lives. Hopeless and lost. There are so many. The evil one is winning the battle on the ground and we need more soldiers in action on the forefront. I cannot help but recall that the harvest is plenty but the workers are few. Please help me be a tool that helps others Father. Let my words that you have given me to share reach their ears and their hearts. Give me the right words to speak to them Lord so that I may be a worker with a large harvest. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Wendy, walks with God, Mom of Many

© Wendy Glidden, 2014


Lol, okay the words in the song are really 'I am a friend of God, He calls me friend' ~ I think it is pretty cool that this morning I heard it as I am a child of God, He calls me Friend. I love knowing that I truly am a child of God. Took me a long time to believe it even on my worst days! I love you. Please support me in my next move by purchasing one of my three books. They truly can be read apart from eachother but as a set they make a moving testimony to the Love the Father has for all of us and the great desire the evil one has to rob us of feeling the Love. By purchasing my books, you allow me the freedom to keep writing! You can get all three for less than $13 in ebook format and less than $22 in print form! Won't you help our my cause today. I assure you, you will get your money's worth and more! Thank you <3,

Your sister in Christ, Wendy

you can find all 3 of my books on amazon by going to www.amazon.com/author/wendyglidden

or google this to find each one on their own, they are available on ITunes as well:
You Are Worthy Too: In the Beginning for book 1
You Are Worthy Too: Marriage, Motherhood and My Moral Meltdown for book 2
You Are Worthy Too: Angels, Answers, Signs and Wonders for book 3