Don't Give Up

Words. Words have never come easy for me. I have a hard time expressing myself. I tend to draw a blank. I don't have a wide vocabulary. I tend to keep to myself because of this. At times it comes across rude or that I don't care or that I'm just shy. Words have always been a struggle of mine. So, bare with me as I write...

Music. Music has always been a way to help me express my feelings. Music helps me cope. It helps me deal with whatever life has brought me... hard times, sad times, happy times, lovely times, confused times, and so much more. It's almost as if I'm in a different world. I appreciate every note. I learn so much through music. There are times that I can't sing along because I am so overcome with emotion. It's a way for me to sit at the feet of Jesus and rest in Him. 

I am listening to a song right now called "Don't Give Up" by Shawn McDonald. 

This season has been quite challenging for me. I have felt so overtaken. I feel like giving up. 

I have had a busy year with full time school, being a military wife, a mother, a homemaker, bill manager, a daughter, a sister, a friend, and now trying to build a career on top of all of that. I have fallen down many times and it seems like I can't get back up. When will I overcome? When will I reach the end of this journey? I'm really not sure where the end is. I don't know what that looks like. This song reminds me that I've come so far and God has a plan. I can't deny it and I can't give up. I need to just hold on. He's kept me going this far. He's provided. He's been my stronghold. 

I'm now listening to another song by Shawn McDonald, called "Beautiful". It's a song that I have held close to my heart for years now. I listen to it a lot at night when I can look up into the stars. It speaks so much volume to me. It just reminds me that God is so much bigger than I can even imagine. He is so beautiful and what am I to be called His?! It helps me to refocus and gives me perspective. There are so many bigger things going on that God has His hands in... but yet, He holds me in those same hands. It brings me to tears every time.  He truly is beautiful. 

 

Life has so many ups and downs. Remember that God has His hand in it all. He never promised that life with Him would be easy. It might not be exactly what we planned. It might be really hard at times. There may be storms that make it seem like we are drowning. BUT there is hope. He called out and said "TRUST IN ME" and we are able to walk on the waters with Him. Keep your eyes fixed on Him and nothing else will matter. Life with Him is the path to an eternity of no pain, no tears, no storms, no loss, no sadness, no hurt. Forever in His hands. 

Beautiful

I was trying to figure out what my first blog entry would be about and I came across this song...

Beautiful is written by Shawn McDonald... a favorite!!! 

Growing up I often looked out my window to the stars, pondering life. It was one thing that I held onto tight in my relationship with Christ. I look back to all that has happened in my life and I can recall so many nights of star gazing... nights of joy and nights of pain. Looking at the stars always seemed to give me the comfort that I was never alone and somewhere out there I was loved. God created the stars, He created me and He holds them both (and more) in His hand. SIMPLY AMAZING. Last night I had a chance to show my son the stars and it was such a blessing to see his eyes light up. I don't stop to look at them as much anymore these days and I wish I did. Living in Hawaii, we see rainbows on a daily basis though and it is definitely another reminder of God's beauty, grace & love.
I encourage you to take a moment and look at the stars OR the next time you see a rainbow... think about the beauty of all that God has done. You are a part of that... one of His beautiful creations!

Psalms 147:4 He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.


Psalms 8:3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;


Isaiah 40:26 Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.


Genesis 9: ¹² And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: ¹³ I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. ¹⁴ Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, ¹⁵ I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. ¹⁶ Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”