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Thursday, June 22, 2006

~ He Gave Even More ~

As I have shared at Scrapbookers Bubble Bath, but, I'm not sure if I have mentioned it in Held By Him, we are in the process of moving. Wow - the whole concept of selling, packing, buying etc consumes my every waking moment, and, many of my "supposed to be sleeping moments".

In His greatness, we sold our house in less than 3 weeks - amazing with the market as it is today. And, having met the buyers, we are pleased with who will be buying the home that we have put so much of our time and energy into.

However, after the home inspection yesterday, I have to admit that for a few moments, well, maybe hours, I failed to remember that His power is incomparable (Ephesians 1:19), and, He is able to do all things beyond our imagination (Ephesians 3:20).

We have remodeled every inch of this house in the last 5 years - including siding, windows and driveway. Truly leaving, we thought, nothing else for the buyers to do. So, we were very surprised to find a small part of the roof needs to be replaced.

As I went into a complete panic and, I have to admit, pout mode, I felt like we should not have to give anymore. We accepted a slightly lower offer than we originally wanted, then we came down on the price to cover the buyers closing costs and gave all appliances. Leaving both my husband and I feeling we had been very fair to the buyers and planning to coast through the rest of the process......Until this roof thing.

I found myself whining to my Savior about how much we had given and listing all the stuff we had done and how unfair it was to be put in this situation to fix up even more for someone else I don't even know and on and on. And, quietly, in His loving, yet piercing way, I heard Him say "My child, and, how much more did I give for you, and, even those who don't love me".

Yep, just like that, He put me in my place and, I had to ask for His forgiveness for my pity party and selfish thoughts. It is amazing how He can shake our souls, with just one simple sentence, to set our hearts back on the path He has laid for us.

While I am still praying this roof thing works out to my desire :) my eyes are back on Him and I am back in His lap, letting Him hold me and carry me through just another one of His soul shaping moments.

So, today, if you find yourself whining to Him for all you are giving and all others are taking, go ahead and tell Him your thoughts, but, be sure to remember that He knows in mammoth proportions how you feel, and, your burden He can easily bear.

Sunday, June 11, 2006

~ Perservere ~

Blessed is the man who perserveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him! (James 1:12)

Thursday, June 08, 2006

~ He'll Just Fix It ~

My oldest son has one of the most amazing hearts and continues to humble me as I watch him grow into a wonderful young man........However........he has this fault that I think he inherited from his mother - a very short attention span. And in the last couple of days that little quirk has gotten that poor child into a heap of trouble!

First, he cut down a little tree that was a wonderful shade for the back of our garage - and, as I called my dad in complete panic, since we had put our house on the market just days before - my dad calmly told me of a wonderful way to "just fix" the situation - truly making lemonade out of lemons!!

And, late last night, after leaving the baseball field, my son realized he had left his retainer in the grass! (Now, you must know that he picked a green retainer because it was the color of green baseball grass) :) And, while I think the first response would have been to be angry with him, it was like the Lord just came over me with pity for my son, and, I just calmly drove back to the dark field, shone the van lights in the grass, and the retainer was found.

As I was on my hands and knees searching in the dark grass and praying to find the retainer for my son's peace ~ it occurred to me how many times Christ has had to intercede for my peace as he helped me "fix" my doing with my human ways and sin.

I mess up ~ lots ~ yet, more often then I ever will deserve, Christ lovingly helps me "just fix it" and lets me get back on the path of my life as a wife and mother ~ isn't that His Amazing Grace?!

As I watched my son put the retainer back in his mouth, and listened to him (in a retainer in your mouth kinda way) tearfully tell me that he was praying so hard and asking Jesus to forgive him, I just held him with tears in my own eyes and said "I know honey, I know".

Thank you my beautiful Savior for knowing how to, and being willing to, "fix it" when I mess up. I pray I can have that deep grace for my precious children and the other souls you have placed in my life.

Friday, June 02, 2006

~ My 4 S's ~

When satan attacks us by making our lives crumble around us, we must have words to fight with and stand strong on. We must be ready to proclaim His Word and sing His Praises to cause satan to turn tail and run, or at least make us a fortress that he can not destroy.

I will never forget the first time I heard this song......I think it would be fair to say it was during the absolute hardest time of my life. Even though my world truly was falling around me, I knew Jesus was there holding me, and, I was learning to let myself just be Held By Him and trust in His plan.

Since that time, over and over, I have sung this chorus in praise to Him and rebuke of satan's tactics to cause me to doubt and fear. And daily, in my little mind, I pray and proclaim "my 4 S's" that Christ is to me....

my Shield,
my Strength,
my Shelter, and
my Strong Tower

I'm not sure why this post has been on my heart all day - Maybe one of you need to trust in Him to be "your 4 S's" as well.

Or, maybe seeing those beautiful words in print are just His way of reminding me of all He has been and will be to me....

Made Me Glad
by Darlene Zschech

I will bless the Lord forever
And I will trust Him at all times
He has delivered me from all fear
And he has set my feet upon a rock
And I will not be moved
And I'll say of the Lord....

You are my shield
My strength
My portion
Deliverer
My shelter
Strong tower
My very present help in time of need

Whom have I in Heaven but you?
There's none I desire beside you
You have made me glad
And I'll say of the Lord....

You are my shield
My strength
My portion
Deliverer
My shelter
Strong tower
My very present help in time of need