The Beauty of Hardship

The beauty of hardship is a newfound thankfulness.

When your health is compromised, failing, or a constant trial, a newfound thankfulness for wellness emerges.

When you lose a loved one, a newfound thankfulness for those you love still living abounds.

When something you desire for your life doesn't turn out as planned, but you get a chance to fulfill that desire later on, a newfound thankfulness is felt.

Even if that desire never comes to fruition, a thankfulness comes as you see the timing was all wrong in the first place.

There are a million stories, situations in each of our lives, all unique, some happy and some full of pain.

So when you feel sad, lost, hopeless, and depressed.....their is a side of beauty that exists.  Search for it, and there you will find thankfulness.  It may take a while to get there, but strive to see it, peace exists there.

Desire

This "systematic" Christian life feels so disconnected.
I desire TRUE connection with my Father.
I desire to feel peace without following "formulas."
I desire relationships from the heart, a TRUE experience.
Authentic, REAL, honest, and life-giving LOVE!
THIS IS POSSIBLE!
But, sometimes, I do not know how to BE this.
Lord, help me and teach my formulaic soul to yield to the
Unforced Rhythms of Grace- YOUR ABILITY!

I am tired of being confused,
Tired of feeling alone,
and tired of being self-centered.
Show me how to BE your daughter and break the bondage of
Falling into the DO mentality.

I know your will is for my life to be an experience of
PEACE
LOVING RELATIONSHIPS, and
SERVANTHOOD for your children.
Teach me YOUR ways Oh Lord,
For man is not my strength and knowledge.
YOU ARE!
I desire a PEACE and LOVE for mankind,
That only comes from You.

Unplugged Update

I have been VERY intentional to my commitment to unplug.  I've had far less screen time and much more face time.  For a few weeks, I removed Facebook from my phone.  I knew it would be tempting to get caught in the trap of looking for a bit and staying on too long.  I purposefully became present in life.  It's been a constant goal, but I am a bit more focused on living "BEING" here completely.
I've struggled in some areas, and am realizing sometimes I look at the screens of life to avoid some painful realities God is prompting my heart to see.  But, I'm okay with that.  I know my Father is big enough to help me overcome.

It's really cool how that oBEdience thing works.....following those promptings even when they seem challenging, and seeing a nice fruitful harvest.  And truth is, it usually is not as hard as the enemy tries to make us believe.  The anticipation of being obedient is actually the hardest part, and that's our flesh screaming to hold on to something we'd be better off without.  Another truth is I already have what it takes to succeed, I just have to BElieve it.
I'm not sure of a lot, but I am sure that God has our best interests at heart, always.