Footprints

As I reminisce another year coming to pass, I realize that I've had the biggest spiritual growth spurt in my entire life. I think I've taken a few others for the ride and they have also grown in faith right along with me. I've been blessed with good friends, unlike the poem, Iooking back there were many times in my life where I saw more than two sets of footprints in the sand. I had several sets walking with me and I am really thankful and blessed by the company and support. These were not just my friends, but prayer partners who held me accountable to my faith and to my Lord and Savior. For all I know, they could be angels in disguise, but it's truly a blessing that I won't take for granted. You know who you are, and if you happen to be reading this... THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH... I LOVE YOU!!

Also, there were many crucial moments in my life where there was just one set of footprints. At the time, I didn't realize the Lord was carrying me, but now it seems sooo clear. I can recall specific moments when He lifted me up in my darkest hour, from deep despair to pure joy... even in a matter of seconds (all I did was silently call his name). It truly is "amazing grace"... and it really is more than just a song.
posted by spirit filled 11:31 PM

And the Greatest of These is ...Love

Wow!! What a challenging year I've had! I think the Lord has blessed me with an extremely important gift, not only did He exhibit it towards me, but He taught me how to express it verbally and nonverbally, not just to family and friends, but to people in general that I encounter daily. Man, it may sound corny, but the kind of love He taught me was a Godly love... an extremely challenging lesson, very trying, and sometimes burdensome, but that's where God comes in.

For example, can you love someone without expecting anything in return (even to be loved back)? Is it possible to love someone even when they hurt you (and bad)? Is it possible to forgive continually and bear it with love even when they don't apologize ? If you can't say 'yes' to any of the above, than your love for others is conditional. Love means not being easily offended when a friend says something to you or about you that was completely inconsiderate or rude. It means going an extra step further when someone asks you a favor even when you don't feel like it. It means acting out of love when noone is looking and you won't get credit for it. I can't say that I can still do all these things perfectly or that I'm good at it, but I can definitely say I'm constantly working at it and it's truly been a refining experience. As is written in the chapter of 1 Corinthians 13 in the Bible, Love never fails!! It's true, and I've had a whole year to come to that conclusion. It keeps close friends close. It keeps families from destruction. It allows Jesus to shine through you. It rewards your recipients and God always finds a way to reward you... because even when noone sees it... He sees it ALL!!

Luke 6:32 "And if you love those who love you, what credit is {that} to you? For even sinners love those who love them."
posted by spirit filled 11:09 PM

What? A new entry?

Dinah is probably one of the only people that checks to see if I've updated my blogger yet. Honestly, I've always been this way. I've never been able to keep up with a diary or a journal even though I've started one numerous times. However, I will make a little bit more of an effort to update, even though I'm convinced noone reads this anyway, but for the sake of looking back it's worth it. It's my own cyber "footprints in the sand".

posted by spirit filled 10:35 PM