Sweet Lessons

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:24)

There are many lessons I have learned through Dad’s Accident.  There are so many things that God continues to teach me through it.  I really don’t want a moment of this to be wasted.  This is far too difficult of a storm to let a moment pass without gleaning as much as I possibly can from it.  I want to learn all that God has for me.  I want to embrace the lessons of the cross and mature in my faith through this.  My spiritual muscles have definitely been stretched in this whole process.  And that stretching has hurt quite a bit but through it I’m experiencing God in a whole new way.  I want to share my many lessons with you and pray that God will teach you something new through your current struggle.

My Top Ten Lessons

1.  Prayer is Essential ~ I can’t survive any storm with out utter dependence on the Lord!

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)

2.  Time with Jesus ~ My time in the Word needs to come before anything else.  The only way to remain effective through a storm is to constantly embrace God’s Truth.

“I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.” (Psalm 119:32)

3.  Be a Giver of Grace ~ It’s so important to give an abundance of grace to those who walk through the difficult storm with you.  I know I needed to be shown grace many times through this and have needed to extend it as well.

“From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.” (John 1:16)

4.  Feed the Spirit, Starve the Flesh ~ The flesh gets hungry and acts in ugly ways.  My flesh has gotten ugly a time or two or three through this.  God has shown me how much I really need to feed my Spirit and respond in love.  I need so much more of Jesus so that I can be more Christlike when things like this come my way.

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:26)

5.  Strength comes from God Alone ~ I do not have enough strength to walk through anything difficult let alone something this difficult.  I constantly need to depend on the Lord’s strength and allow His strength to be made perfect in my weakness.

“It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.” (2 Samuel 22:33)

6.  Balance is Important ~ It was a lot easier to run and be there for my family when I didn’t have a husband and son.  This was the first major storm that I faced with my family while having to balance my own life.  It’s been tough to find the balance between being with my dad and taking care of my husband and son.  I have learned how important it is to constantly stay balanced and not get off kilter by the things that hit my life.

“But seek his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:33-34)

7.  Take the time to Listen ~ I’m better off when I stop to listen to the Lord and His direction.  I get in to less trouble if I follow His lead.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

8.  The Value of Family and Friends ~ Walking through the storms of life tends to be a little easier when you have people to count on.  I have an increased appreciation for my husband, my son, my siblings, my dad, my mom, my aunts, my uncles, my in laws, my Sunday School Class, and my friends.  Wow, thank you God for blessing me with so many people to walk through this storm with me.

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17)

9.  Make Your Moments Count ~ I have learned to embrace the sweet moments.  I have tried to make the most of everything I’ve faced in these last almost six months.  I’ve stopped to appreciate the little things and enjoy the tender moments that I’m given.

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.” (Colossians 4:5)

10.  Keep an Eternal Perspective ~ This earth is not my home.  Tough times will come and go.  Through it all God will be faithful and through every tough season I can look forward to all that my Father has waiting for me in Heaven.  Where there are no tears, no pain, and no sorrow!  Oh, what a joyous day that will be.

“But our citizenship is in heaven.  And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20)

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

Dear Father God, thank you for every sweet lesson you have taught me in these last five and a half months.  I’m thankful to be serving a God who is always in control despite how out of control life feels.  I’m ever grateful that You never let go.  Thank you for being faithful and true!  Thank you for being my Abba Father, the One I can always count on.  I love you so much!

Thanking God for the Sweet Lessons!