It's Day One!

In my last post I wrote that it was my intention to blog on a Christian Song each day. I truly thought that this would be an easy thing to accomplish. I only listen to Christian Music. I ought to be able to write on the songs that lift me up! Thursday was the first day I was supposed to write on a song. I missed my target by a long shot! On top of giving myself this writing assignment, I began my next two college classes. When I checked into my classes I discovered I had 6 chapters to read and a 3 minute introduction video to create for one class, reading in my other class as well as an introduction revolving certain questions in my other class! You know what they say about when it rains it pours. Just as I was telling myself I had this, my phone rang and I received my first of 3 calls requesting help with business reports for various friends of mine! As if that was not enough to put on my own plate willingly, I realized I had also scheduled another interview regarding my life dreams and going for them Thursday afternoon! As of now, I have completed the business reports, turned in one of my college assignments, sailed through the interview, completed my video https://youtu.be/fErG0OPJjEA , read 4 of the 6 assigned chapters in my one class, and have now resolved to sit down long enough to post something encouraging to anyone else out there who may find themselves a bit overwhelmed with all they had on their "To Do List". I am not sure when I found myself at the place where I was done beating myself up for not achieving my daily goals. I just know that is where I am at. When I fell into bed Thursday night, I was exhausted. I felt bad about not getting to my blog. I told myself that that was what happened when I put off blogging until later in the day. There is truly something about giving the best part of your day to God and I know it! However life with children doesn't always allow the luxury of quiet moments in the morning! Don't get me wrong, I do read my snippet verse that I have emailed from K-love. I turn the radio on and bask in the songs sung by others. All of these things help. What I don't do is take the time to sit down and be still for a moment. You have to have that one on one time with the LORD God; a moment to dive deep into things. I framed my artistic version of how I saw Psalm 46 and it sits in my room where I can't help but see it. It reminds me that not only do I need to dress fully in my armor, but that I should also take time to be still and KNOW that He is God. Its one thing to talk and chat it up to God, it is another thing entirely to take the time to hear what He has to say back. In the past when I found myself failing at something, I would buy into the devil's lies. I would get sucked under. Today I know that God does not think of me like that. He promises His grace is sufficient each day. I don't get a lifetime of it in a few sporadic moments; I get the same amount each and every day. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NASB) ~ And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. That means each day is the first day of my new life! With that being said, I decided to share the song, "Day One" by Matthew West. I have heard him say he wrote this song after talking to people who identified themselves by how many days they had been on some kind of winning streak in life. We’ve all had a winning streak that has come to an end and it is true that it is easy to beat yourself up when your winning streak halts. We are advised in God’s word to renew our minds each day. It is our choice to renew our minds with harmful thoughts about ourselves or to fill them with the Words God has to say about us. Instead of adding up your days, I urge you to see them each as day one of the rest of your life as suggested in this song! https://youtu.be/Qq2Tp3asLU8 Here are the lyrics for those that cannot watch the posted video: Well, I wish I had a short term memory Wish the only thing my eyes could see Was the future burning bright right in front of me But I can't stop looking back Yeah, I wish I was a perfect picture of Somebody who's never not good enough I try to measure up but I mess it up And I wish I wasn't like that I wish I wasn't wishing anymore Wish I could remember that nobody's keeping score I'm tired of throwing pennies in a well I gotta do something Here goes nothin' It's day one of the rest of my life It's day one of the best of my life I'm marching on to the beat of a brand new drum Yeah, here I come The future has begun Day one Well, every single day Your grace reminds me That my best days are not behind me Wherever my yesterday may find me Well, I don't have to stay there, no See my hourglass is upside down My someday soon is here and now The clock is tickin' And I'm so sick and tired of missing out I wish I wasn't wishing anymore Wish I could remember that nobody's keeping score I'm tired of throwing pennies in a well I gotta do something Here goes nothin' It's day one of the rest of my life It's day one of the best of my life I'm marching on to the beat of a brand new drum Yeah, here I come The future has begun Day one It's day one And here comes the sun, yeah Every morning, every morning Every morning, mercy's new Every morning, every morning I will fix my eyes on You Every morning, every morning Every morning, mercy's new Every morning, every morning Sun's coming up, the beginning has begun, yeah It's day one of the rest of my life It's day one of the best of my life I'm marching on to the beat of a brand new drum Yeah, here I come The future has begun Day one It's day one of the rest of my life It's day one of the best of my life I'm marching on to the beat of a brand new drum Yeah, here I come The future has begun, day one Starting over, I'm starting over Starting over, I'm starting over, starting now I'm starting over I'm starting over, I'm starting over Starting over, starting now I'm starting over Songwriters: KIPLEY, PETER / WEST, MATTHEW Published by: Lyrics © ATLAS MUSIC PUBLISHING Read more: Matthew West - Day One Lyrics | MetroLyrics I truly hope you are able to hear the song itself. Music does so much for us just as words do. When you combine them together in positive ways, they can truly begin to renew your mind. So today, if you stumble or don’t accomplish all you had set forth, don’t fret, tomorrow is day one! Father, today I thank you for being so ominous in my life. I know that is in my always putting you first that I find such comfort and truth about things. I know it is in my focus on you that I find both peace and joy in the midst of craziness and chaos. I am so thankful for your grace. I pray for longer moments to catch up with you. I pray for deeper understanding regarding Your Word over these next few weeks of class. Hold me up and keep me firmly moving forward in my faith. I also pray for all those who are caught up in the trap of failure. Share with them your grace Father. Open their eyes to the truth. Shield them from the powers of evil Father under the authority of Christ. Fill their minds with curiosity regarding what you have to say about them LORD God. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Wendy, walks with God, Mom of Many © Wendy Glidden 2015

Unpacking Treasure! Show Me a Sign Part II

Wild Wacky Wonderful Weds. Today my friends, I am unpacking treasure! I am nervous, excited and ready to share what I buried in an envelope and then tucked away in a drawer months ago. On days when I am feeling attacked I pull it out and read it to myself. It helps me recall that day. It helps me feel loved by my Heavenly Father. It helps me every time I read it. It is absolutely my most valuable possession. I felt it was too much to share with the world. Never do I want to appear to be putting on airs. I am better than no one.

About 2 months after I first received this letter, I felt the pull to share it. I sought out the permission of the one who had written it to me. She agreed then to let me share it but asked that I remove her name as she is going through some pretty serious times herself and was seeking to be invisible. I decided with that request, the time was not right. Since then, we have talked through face book about boldness and how we are not meant to cower and hide. We are loved by God. As a song I have shared says, "Whom shall I fear?" She agreed, but I still felt sharing the letter without her being comfortable with it meant the time was still not right.

Shortly after that conversation, I was looking for something and I opened the drawer my treasure is in. When my eyes saw the envelope, I clearly heard, 'You are not meant to bury treasure.' I quickly dismissed the thought and continued in my search for what I was looking for. Then yesterday I received a message from someone that basically said, "I never realized God is real" my heart exploded and I knew I must share this letter. For it leaves little doubt about not only God's existence, it speaks volumes for his love for all of us.

With this being said, first I am going to request that if you have never read my post "Show Me a Sign" that you read it first. This link should take you right to it: http://youareworthytoo.blogspot.com/2012/12/show-me-sign.html

PLEASE read my testimony regarding where I was at when I first met this messenger from God before you even read this scanned inserted letter. It is through both of them you will find it undeniable that God is at work in our lives.

With that being said, it is my prayer you followed my directions. Here is the scanned letter. She sent it to my sponsor for the Great Banquet. He delivered it to me on the following Sunday. Needless to say it left me in tears. I had asked her to share her side of the story for 6 months when I received this at the most perfect time.

This letter reminds me of God's love for all of us. In one amazing "Only God could pull that off" moment, He answered the prayer of two girls. What a gift. I count myself blessed to have received such an undeniable sign. 

It was out of fear of what others would think that I shoved this letter in a drawer. It was God that continued to prompt me to share. With the blatant statement from a fellow sibling who was in obvious pain, the weight of guilt outweighed the fear of judgement from others. I NEVER want to appear grandiose. I am nothing more than a girl who sought God. 

The things that have carried me through the darkest moments of my life have been things like this letter. Being told by a visible angel as a child that I was beautiful and that I was a child of God was a statement I clung to in the dark. 

When I was in the 8th grade we did a study on names and what they were supposed to mean. Wendy was not listed in 1983. My religion teacher promised to due further research. She caught me in the hall one day to let me know what she had discovered regarding my name. She said, "Wendy. I wanted to let you know your name means 'Walks With God'. I cannot begin to explain how that caused my heart to soar. I loved my name after that for I feel as if I indeed walk with God. 

My heart is overflowing with emotion as I come to the end of today's post. Please KNOW you ARE a CHILD of GOD. Please SEEK HIM. HE IS FAITHFUL. I am blessed beyond measure. While it is true I have lived through more than some, it is also true I have lived through MUCH LESS. We all have our own trials and tribulations to overcome. These are much easier to get beyond when you LEAN on God. Why not begin practicing that today!

I heard this song a couple months ago. I am not sure if I have tied it to any other blogs but in a world where the Lord of Air has whispered false names to all of us, I find it fitting to place this song here! I hope it encourages you to change your name! 

Father God, I come before you today with such gratitude, simple words cannot begin to explain how much I love you. I ask that as my sisters and brothers fall to their knees and give their lives to you asking that your will be done in their lives that you in turn answer them as clearly as you have me. We need you Lord. More than ever if that is possible. So many are asleep. So many are lost. So many have been deceived by the Father of Lies. I pray you take off the blinders and allow my fellow brothers and sisters to recognize truth as truth. I pray all ears are unplugged and lies are heard as lies. Give us hope Father. Reveal silver linings to all who seek you even if they seek you timidly at first. We live in a world that has begun to call your words 'hate speech'. How clever the enemy is. He has had too much time here. He is a genius when it comes to deception. I pray his slight of hand, his lies, his deceptions all fall to the ground as useless weapons against your children. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

** I am also adding another song I heard today (December 16, 2013) It's called Friend of God and it is sung by Craig and Dean Phillips <3 God is the Best Friend a girl could ever hope to have <3

Wendy, Mom of Many

© Wendy Glidden 2013