So, Let Me Ask You, Do You Have Hope?

Fantastically Fun-Filled Fabulous Friday! As I read K-Loves Encouraging word this morning, I just am overwhelmed with emotion. You could say I've walked a bumpy road, you could even truthfully say I went in the complete wrong direction a time or two, bound and determined to have my way. We all have a past. We all have something we are not proud of. But do not let that hold you prisoner. For that is not what your Father has suggested you should do. Here is today's encouraging word from K-Love:

Come back to the place of safety,all you prisoners who still have hope! I promise this very day that I will repay two blessings for each of your troubles.

~ Zechariah, Chapter 9, verse 12, NLT

What a call to return home! A promise to bless you twice for each trouble. Not just come home, I'll show you some love. No. I will REPAY TWO BLESSINGS for EACH TROUBLE.

So, let me ask you, do you have hope? If you do, I urge you to invest that hope in your relationship with God. The closer you get to Him, the more you will witness a difference in the ways things unfold in your life. Prayer matters. It part of your armor. I don't know about your daily life but throughout my day I run into others that seem to be having a really bad day. If you are not prepared to come under attack, these run ins will really throw you into a loop. I talk a lot about renewing one's mind. So many of us are watching these so called 'reality shows' with MAJOR drama in the mix. You can believe all you want that these shows do not impact the way you yourself react to certain things, but if this is all you are pumping into your mind, I can promise you this is a natural result.

On the other hand, if you are delving into God's word, if you are renewing your mind in as many positive ways as humanely possible, I can also promise you that situations will not escalate in the same manner. If you add prayer to that formula you will often witness unbelievable events. Like a child lifting a car off a parent or vice versa as an example. Or like me, you may be blessed by becoming a tool in the healing of another individual! Perhaps you might meet another sister in Christ who has a message for you, given to her by your Heavenly Father! This could lead to so much more. I know this to be true beyond a shadow of a doubt. Of course if you have read my blog "Show Me A Sign" as well as "Unpacking Treasure, show me a sign part II" you know this actually took place in my life as well. By being introduced to my sister in Christ, I ended up meeting her sister at a fundraiser and today I am a part of her ministry. I am telling you, your whole world could explode in blessings!

I have to laugh, because last night at bible study we were talking about how we are instructed to rejoice always. Not just in the good times but through the mishaps of life as well. We happened to be reading about Paul and Silas in Acts, Chapter 16. They had just been dragged into town by the slave owners of a fortune telling girl who, due to Paul ordering the demon to come out of her in the name of Jesus, had lost her talent and in turn the slave owners risked losing their profits. The slave owners made the false claim that Paul and Silas were throwing their city into confusion, being Jews, and claimed they were proclaiming customs which were not lawful for Romans to accept or observe! The crowd rose against Paul and Silas and the chief magistrates tore Silas and Paul's robes off and ordered them to be beaten with rods. After striking them with many blows they hauled them off to prison. The jailer threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in stocks. This is the first recorded account of anti-semitism! So next, we learn that Paul and Silas were not only praying, they were also singing hymns of praise to God. It also says all the prisoners were listening to them when suddenly there was an earthquake so grand that the foundations of the prison house were shaken and All the doors were opened and everyone's chains were unfastened! I cannot imagine what that scene must have looked like! One thing is for sure that is some exciting stuff!!! 

 this past Thursday I had posted this on my 'You Are Worthy Too' fan page: Tremendously thankful thoughtful Thursday! Indeed I am thankful. Yesterday my 'world' could have blown up. I admit I cried out loud. I called a friend quickly and asked if she would pray for all of us as I was a mess. She did. In the end what was meant for evil became good. Thank you Father God. As your word claims, it is true:

As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength.
~ Psalm 138:3, NLT

In the midst of absolute fear of what may transpire, I was able to keep my head about me and leaned upon my heavenly Father. He not only gave me strength, He provided me with insight. 

****** I started this blog post on Friday. It is now Sunday. In the last 5 days I have dealt with massive fear 3 times. I cannot imagine what shape I would be in right now were it not for my relationship with the Lord. I'm about to purchase some knee pads, for I have fallen on my knees several times in a few short hours. At the end of the day, my children are safe, my mother is safe, Mike is safe. Thank you Father God for your protection and your love. I feel like I have survived a train wreck. Amazingly enough I was even able to chuckle at a couple of mistaken words on a face book posts. The whole message changes when pray becomes pay and letters becomes lawyers. Laughter truly is a medicine. 

Father God I ask that you help those in pain find a way to laugh through their tears as you have caused me to do tonight. You truly are a loving Father. Where would I be without you? I shudder to even think what life would be like were you not there for me to lean on. The evil one is banging at my door Father. He is trying to steal, kill and destroy. I ask that you bind him. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

Wendy

© Wendy Glidden, 2013

Back Flash

What a journey this has been. I knew the pain of my giving Amanda Rose up for adoption was going to be something to relive. I was not prepared for how overwhelming it turned out to be. If I could have cut out my heart, I think I would have. I cried out for relief. Even in reflection it is still so raw my eyes fill with tears and my heart is heavy. I think it is why I have been calling out to others that are in a dark place right now. I encourage you to press on. Find a Friend. I'll be your friend! I'm already your long lost sister! I know heartache. I am familiar with the thoughts that it would be easier to go to sleep and never wake up again. That is what the evil one wants you to believe. It is a lie.

Life always has twists and turns. Aren't you interested what may be around the next corner?

My life has been a roller coaster for sure. So, this is where I was at. In pain. I see the road ahead I'm being called to share and again I called out to My Father. What next? I have had signs. He has shared things with me. Things I had tucked back in the recesses of my brain. Lately I have been that obstinate child saying how do I share that? I know the answer. I listen for the title that He will give me. Once I hear it and type it in He gives me the rest.

Unfortunately, I've been too busy voicing my fears and concerns over what I am led to share to open myself up to hearing my next chapter title. Ever hear the phrase, "I'm dragging my feet."? Yea, that would have been me.

I resolved last night to pray for direction, protection and strength. This morning I was awakened with my next title. As always, it is so perfect. Back Flash. I've been having a lot of them. So funny that I never thought of the title myself. I know it was because I simply was not ready and willing to proceed. I want to thank all those that prayed for protection over me. I felt lighter yesterday and was able to write a blog. I know it was more for me than anyone. It helped me lift my head back up. So thank you my fellow prayer warriors!

In my blog, The Only Baby I Ever Planned, I shared how Bruce had called me saying that this was all too much for him and he had changed his mind. In the heat of writing that blog I was still in the same mental shape I was in the first time. I was confused and full of overwhelming heart ache. I just did not get how he felt it would be better to abandon me and the baby he had begged me to have with him. I was angry at him still. I had never put myself in Bruce's shoes. I allowed him no grace.

Recently I have had many back flashes and they have not been pleasant to say the least. Somehow I knew I'd have to talk about the turmoil I lived through regarding Jeff and our mutual children. I now understand what it was that was too much for Bruce and in my heart I can no longer be angry at him. Allow me to paint the scene.

My divorce from Jeff was far from easy or pleasant and the repercussions of leaving him haunted me off and on until our children were teenagers. Anyone that has ended a relationship knows full well the battle that often ensues do to each parties hurts. This relationship was one of those. I think it happens more in abusive situations than others and if you've read my blog Staring Down the Barrel of a Shotgun you know full well that mine was an abusive relationship.

If you have never been in a physically abusive relationship and you know someone who is currently in one you may question why this persons stays there. Perhaps you wonder why don't they leave? The most asked question is why do they go back?  I know why. You see, I was that girl.

I promised to publish this blog before the end of the day and it is 11:48 pm EST. I am exhausted but know what I am being led to share. I don't care for it. It's not anything I care to relive but I know God is showing me something. Who knows perhaps many of you will figure it out before I do!

Today I come before you Father asking for more strength and clarity on how I am to share all of this. I thank you for getting me through every rough spot I have been in. I thank you for your Grace. Where would I be without it? I stand in awe of how you have led me to writing again. I thank you for all my education over the years. I thank you for helping me find fellowship. I pray Father that anyone secluded from others find fellowship with fellow believers. I also pray for all who are living in an abusive situation. Please lift them up. Fill them with the Faith you filled me with the last time Father. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Wendy, Mom of Many

© Wendy Glidden 2013