I just finished my first year as a group leader in BSF (Bible Study Fellowship)!  This venture was a huge step of faith for me as I don't feel I am a natural born leader. When I was asked into leadership, my first reaction was to say "no", but as time went on and I prayed about it, I knew in my heart that if I did say no I would be disobeying God.  And I'm so glad I followed the Holy Spirit's nudging in my heart.  It was a wonderful experience - such a time of growth for me as I continued to lean on and trust in God's mighty promises.  This year's BSF study was on Genesis and through the lessons I repeatedly saw how God used imperfect people to fulfill His perfect plan. Week after week I was reminded how trust in God is vital to peace and joy when facing tough situations in everyday life. God was so faithful to me each week in my new role as a group leader! I made some mistakes, did some things well, and through it all He covered everything with His grace!  See where a step of faith can lead you to!

My furry best friend

This is my current furry best friend Sophie!  She is a buff-apricot cock-a-poo. Full of love and affection, her passion is my lap and stuffed animals or socks - she is a true "material" girl. 

I don't think it is a coincidence that dog is God spelled backwards.  This ball of soft curls is a wonderful example of true unconditional love.  I'm so glad that God helped me to find her - and even more blessed that Sophie decided to keep me.  She is truly one of the desires of my heart and holds a special place there.

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4 (NIV)

A Different View

This week I had a new experience!  I don't know what I did, but it felt like I had a burning knot in the lower left part of my back - if I twisted just right (or wrong), it felt as though someone shoved a knife in that spot.  My first response was to ask God to remove this terrible hurt (and huge inconvenience as I needed to take the day off from work).

As I was praying and crying out to God, I remembered something I had read about praying for strength to get through a problem instead of asking Him to remove it. As nothing touches me (or you) that hasn't been allowed, limited and overcome by God and used for His glory, I wondered why He had allowed this in my life at this particular time.  Perhaps it had something to do with a good friend of mine who has horrific back pain even after 5 back surgeries. Did He want me to have a better understanding of what she is and has gone through?  Ironic thing was that she happened to call me that evening out of the blue (just a coincidence?) and ended up ministering to me - giving me some wonderful tips on how to deal with my situation.

I was fortunate to have the intense pain go away fairly quickly (thank you Lord)!  However, it was a wonderful reminder to me of three important points:
1) God can use absolutely everything that comes into my day for His glory
2) Fellowship with the people in my life is invaluable
3) Actually going through an ordeal helps me to be much more sympathetic and empathetic with others

Is there something going on in your life that is troublesome?  An issue you have prayed and prayed about it ... and God does not appear to be taking care of it?  Perhaps looking at it from a different viewpoint would help. He may be using it to strengthen you or teach you.  Or He may want you to see something through another's eyes. Perhaps He just wants you to lean on Him.  In the midst of it all, God is always there with you ... loving you the way no one else can. Trust Him!

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.  Isaiah 55:8