The Light Within

 "The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it." 

John 1:5

"There is a light at the end of the tunnel!"

How many times have we said this to someone going through a tough time? Or, how many times has someone said this to you as you were going through a trial?

I readily admit I've said this and had this said to me at various times in my life.

I'm in the midst of a tough time now and repeatedly said to anyone within earshot that I'm ready to see light at the end of my tunnel! Just how long is this tunnel? And, where is the speck of light?!

I'm a happy person and I enjoy spreading that happiness to others. If I'm honest, this has been hard for me the past several months being so overcome with what seems like endless darkness.

If you know me or have read any posts in my blog, you know that God's Word is paramount in my life. I rely on it daily, and have since I was given my first bible as a young girl. 

So, I know what it says. I can recite it to you even. The sole reason I went to seminary was to understand God's Word better, and teach others to interpret it correctly.

But...

I still could not find that light at the end of my long tunnel.

Until...

Until I came to the end of myself and remembered God's truth. Until I let it sink into my dark places...

"God is light; in him is no darkness at all." ~ 1 John 1:5

"The LORD is my light and salvation --- whom shall I fear?" ~ Psalm 27:1

"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ." ~ 2 Corinthians 4:6

"The LORD wraps Himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent." ~ Psalm 104:2

"You are the light of the world." ~ Matthew 5:14

So, the light is not external to me, it's internal. I have Jesus Christ living in me, therefore, I already have the light. It's not somewhere at the end of a tunnel.

Light-bulb moment! (pun most certainly intended)

Friend, if you are struggling, hurting, or wondering how long, and if you have Christ within, the light is already there.

He is within you. The light of life. The light of the world.

Look to Him. He will never leave or forsake you. He walks with us. He is Emmanuel, God with us. 

Be encouraged this day and shine. Walk in the Light and illuminate that tunnel as you walk through it victoriously. 

"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all." 

1 John 1:5

The Power of God's Word

 "I have refined you, but not as silver is refined. Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering." ~ Isaiah 48:10

"Lord, through all the generations you have been our home!" ~ Psalm 90:1

"For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires." ~ Hebrews 4:12

Oh, my friends! The power of God's Word is real. 

I've been reading God's word since I was ten years old, sitting on my couch, highlighting verses from the new bible my mother gave me. And now I am a fifty-three year old soon-to-be grandmother, and let me tell you, IT WILL CHANGE YOU. It will change your perspective. It will change your heart. 

As the Hebrews passage tells us, God's word has power. It has the power to show us who we really are and who we need to become. Without fail it will do this, if we will just read it and let it penetrate our heart and mind.

Throughout my life, with each dark valley I've walked through...mentally, physically, emotionally, or spiritually, God's Word has lifted me up out the miry clay every single time.  It has set my feet on a firm foundation and brought my mind and heart to Christ. He alone is the answer to every single issue we have or ever will face. 

Moses reminds us in Psalm 90 that throughout all generations, God has been our home, our dwelling place. And He forever will be. 

Living in a new place geographically for the past few years after leaving my beloved home in San Diego has been one thousand percent difficult. Many tears have been shed. I've agonized and been sad more days than I can count. The missing of what once was has been a sort of heartbreak for me. The adjusting to what now is has been slow. I'm not there yet either.  Everything that I could do and enjoy in my old home and city has been lost. No awesome weather nearly every month of the year (hello Wyoming), no garden (my backyard floods), no butterfly raising (brutal weather), no walking in the summertime without being bit by a thousand mosquitos (OK, I'm using hyperbole here, but this is what it feels like). No large home space to entertain like I used to. No familiarity with doctors. No old friends to hang out with (thank goodness God has blessed me with a few great new friends that I will be eternally grateful for).

Are these life or death situations? Thankfully no. I'm the first to admit all my needs are met, and none of these may seem like a big deal to you and that's alright. But, it's a huge adjustment nevertheless and none of us is exempt from difficulty in this life.

But!

Here is where God's Word is truly transformative. I read my Bible every single day, and I read through it in its entirety every year.  If there is ONE thing I would recommend it's this. Nothing will change you like immersing yourself in God's Word. Submerge yourself in it. Swim in it. Marinate in it. Soak your mind in it. Fill your thoughts with it. Do this and you will be changed from the inside out. 

Here's the power of it: when I'm wallowing in what once was, I recall to mind and therefore I have hope...GOD is my dwelling place, no matter where I am geographically. I could be in Miami and God is still my dwelling place. I could be in Rome, and God is still my dwelling place, or, I could be in Wyoming, as I am now, and God is my dwelling place. It's not a geographical place, it's a person.  God is my dwelling place. 

And...

When we are in difficult circumstances or life situations, and we know God is refining us in that uncomfortable furnace of suffering, immersing ourselves in God's Word is paramount. Nothing will soothe our souls like meeting with God each day and pouring over His word and allowing it to penetrate us and soak through to our heart. 

Be encouraged. Be encouraged! God has not or never will leave or forsake you. Cling to Him. He has given us His word to comfort us and lead us on the right path. Immerse yourself in Him and soak yourself in scripture. 

It will transform you and you will never be the same. 

"I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in your words." 

Psalm 119:147

New Year Same God

A brand new year is upon us and everyone is making goals and resolutions... all with the hope of self improvement in some form. 

"New Year New Me!" is the mantra.

 This sounds great,  but doesn't work. The reason for this is the fact that it's completely self-focused....and highly annoying! 

Focusing on ourselves is futile since we are imperfect. Only when we take our eyes and focus off of ourselves and out of our own head can we begin to truly change.  Transformation comes from within not from without.

We as humans have things to deal with in this life that go beyond our ability to improve ourselves through positive thinking.  Things that are imperfect, unfair, hurtful, painful, discouraging, and unjust. There is no way to process it all in our own strength. Those "why" questions begin to pop up. When we are tempted to give in to discouragement, we must return to the Truth. When we have big God questions, we start with what we know is true of God and His Word and go from there. 

Perhaps instead of a "new me" what we all need is a fresh reminder of the same God who never changes...

When our earthly father abandons us, we have a Heavenly Father who is faithful. He will never leave us. 

When we are in unfamiliar surroundings, Jesus is with us. He is Emmanuel. Literally God With Us.

When we feel burdened, we are instructed to come to Christ and He will give us rest.

When we are prone to worry and anxiety, Jesus tell us not to worry or be anxious about our life. He also reminds us that worrying cannot add one single second to our lives. 

When we are completely undone, Jesus tells us that He gives us His peace...a peace that this world cannot offer.  He tells us to not let our hearts be troubled.

Every human need we have, Jesus Christ is the answer. When we focus on ourselves, we will be left lacking. When we're focused on Christ, we are given a sweet peace that is complete.

Last year was tough. I completely dismantled my life, my surroundings, and my belongings. Everything that was familiar was no more. The only thing that got me through it was my daily habitual reading of God's Word. From Genesis to Revelation, I read a portion each and every day and it was my saving grace. I completed my reading of the Bible last month and started anew a few days ago. The Word of God brings life. It is the only constant in a world of chaos and change. I encourage you to commit to reading the Bible through this year. It will change you and keep you.

So, in 2022, I will not focus on a new me, but rather, I will set my mind and heart on the same God. He never changes. He will never leave or forsake me, and only He can give me true peace. He Himself is the Prince of Peace, and He is Emmanuel...God with us. 

This sweet picture of my beautiful happy Romeo frolicking in our backyard snow reminds me that location does not matter. What matters is who we have with us. He is happy because he is with us, the family that loves him. The same is true for us. When we have Christ, we are at home in Him, no matter where we are.

                                     "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing." ~ Psalm 23:1 

Transplanted

 I love a good analogy...especially when it relates to gardening or food.

One of the hardest things for me to leave behind when we moved from Southern California to Western Wyoming was my beloved garden. It was my place of joy and peace. My husband built all of my gardening beds and potting tables as well as the most beautiful butterfly house. 

I miss it all.

All of my plants and veggies too.

The one thing that makes it easier is knowing that my monarch and giant swallowtail butterflies and many of my plants couldn't really thrive here. So instead of bringing them, I gave them away so they could be in the environment they were accustomed to.  This was not easy! 

Shortly after we moved here, I attended a Mother's Day Luncheon at our new church.  The theme for the event was "Bloom Where You're Planted."  One of the speakers gave a message about being TRANSPLANTED in order to bloom even better. Of course this gardening idea hit home for me. I was instantly encouraged about our move. 

Whenever a plant...indoor or outdoor, is not thriving, it's telling me it doesn't like its current conditions. The best gardening tip I've learned thus far in my journey is from Monty Don, my favorite gardener. He reminds often to never plant something or force something that does not want to be there. Of course our plants tell us this when they fail to thrive. They also tell us they love their current condition when they are verdant and lush. 

I believe the same is true for us.

When we are thriving our lives are rich. We produce good fruit in our lives...faithfulness, joy, peace, patience, kindness, service to others, love, self-control, goodness, and gentleness. 

When we are in need of being transplanted, our lives sort of become stagnant. The growth stops. 

We need to be transplanted in order to bloom better.  This is exactly what I needed, but I didn't really see it until I was removed from my life in Southern California. I have bloomed here in Wyoming. 

It's easy to get comfortable in our familiar surroundings. We don't have to learn anything new. Often, we have stopped challenging ourselves and just coast along in our cushy lane. This was me. Maybe it's you. If it is, don't be afraid to change lanes and bloom.

When we transplant ourselves, the sun shines on parts of us that cause us to grow and bloom and reach our most beautiful potential. 

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." ~ John 15:5 

A Very New Season in the Cowboy State

 It's been  six months. Six months as a Wyoming resident after living in Southern California for forty-one years.  

 We downsized greatly...so while our home size shrunk, our life just completely expanded in every wonderful way.  Living only an hour from our daughter and son-in-love has been a huge gift! My heart was never the same after my daughter moved away when she got married three years ago, and now it feels whole again. My mother's heart is filled knowing all my children are near each other...and near me!!!

We have the most lovely neighbors who tell me they specifically prayed for Christian neighbors. How beautiful to think my family has been the answer to someone's prayer.  

The best part of our move has been our new church! We recently became members and I'm thrilled to be teaching once again! Mark and I will be able to teach God's Word each Sunday in Sunday School. The friends we have made there have made our lives so incredibly sweet. 

God the Creator has made a world in which new seasons come on a regular basis and for that I am so grateful. Too much of any one thing is never good, although we may each yearn for our favorite season to last the whole year, we would tire of it. 

Until you're forced by necessity to leave behind a lot of your precious possessions because they simply would not fit on a 26ft Penske truck, you don't really understand the adage: The most important things in life aren't things. I fully realize now that I had no idea. 

I now see that I placed too much of my identity on my things...my home...my kitchen...my garden. None of these things are wrong, but lasso-ing our identity to them sure is. Because when they are gone, the question then becomes: Who am I now?

Our true identity, and the only one that matters eternally, is who I am in Christ. I am a child of God.

God has certainly blessed me and my family and our move to Wyoming. It was one of the hardest things we've ever done, but looking back now, a full six months later...I'd say it was completely worth it and we are content. Our new town has felt like home since day one. 

 I sure do miss my friends in San Diego, and my heart is still very tender about that. But...if friends are like flowers in a garden, mine is blooming abundantly. 

Let me encourage you today...if you are faced with a change, embrace it and look for all the open doors. New seasons bring a necessary change, and often that is just what is needed. 

 PS...big bonus to being in Wyoming...Our golden boy, Romeo absolutely loves it. He embraced the snow as soon as he realized it could be eaten and rolled in.  😊

Do Not Worry

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life." ~ Matthew 6:25-27

It's terribly difficult to avoid worry. It's a continuous struggle for me, and I know I'm not alone. These difficult times magnify every worry and there does not seem to be an end in sight. Now, our beaches are closed again...San Diego has no date to reopen...masks are mandatory. People are hurting in every way possible. Sickness, loss of businesses, loss of jobs. SO MUCH.

How can we help each other? We all have something that someone else needs...maybe it's food or maybe it's a listening ear. Let's not despair. Please reach out. I'll listen. I'll help in whatever way I can.

Each new sunrise brings hope. 💛

Peace

Peace in our World.

My advent candle was peaceful symbol for me at Christmas, so I thought I'd bring it back out during this time when peace is something we all need.

Take care of yourself and each other. Call a friend. Maybe they need to hear your voice...and maybe you need to hear theirs.

💛Be the light.