Give Me Wings

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I wish I had wings like a dove.
I would fly away and find rest.  
Psalm 55:6  
Good News Translation 
Ever feel that way?  Sure you have.
Thinking back, I remember when my father was alive and had a feeding tube.  I had to go to his home four times a day, starting at 5:30 a.m. At that time, I had two active boys under the age of six, at times worked at the church, and watched other children in my home, not to mention the other things that came caring for a home/family.  I was exhausted.
Walking up to my Dad’s home, about two blocks away, I often looked up at the dark, clear sky seeing all the stars and would say, if I could just fly away.  Thankfully, buying the house several years before, was a definite God thing because I could not have done this otherwise; to care for him daily, his home and my own.  As tiring as it was, I have no regrets taking care of him, just wish I had more time.
On top of all of this, dealing with grief from my mother’s recent death, my marriage was dying.  I knew it deep within but had to function as best as I could in the roles before me.
Each day turned into the next and you just make the most of it, I know I did or I at least tried.  It wasn’t long until my father died and then the estate and sure enough family issues.  There is always somebody that causes discord within the family and this in-law did just that to cause division.  Does it ever end?
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Even today, thinking back of everything that I endured, I really do not know how I did it.  But God…..  He saw me.  He heard me.  He collected my tears.  He had heard all the nasty lies about me.  If it had not been for Him, I would not be here today.  It took its toll on me and family issues with estates are pure hell.
T9BD1EC50-D334-4E56-9301-6F1E881275B3oday, as I do my job and watch the clock ready to leave the office, I am tired and ready for a vacation, which is only six weeks away.  I am so ready.  I found myself saying, if only I was a bird, I’d fly away, which brought back years of memories.
Sometimes life can get overwhelming in so many areas to where you’ve had enough.  It’s at those times, you pray that the Lord uphold you with His right hand.  Cover you with His wings and shelter you and give you peace.
Trust Him 9EACD893-AD30-4D74-8677-32D9F42E2707

Winds Are Blowing

FB12F8C0-B7F0-4FA7-83ED-75D40CD61625As I listen to the winds blow outside for hours now, hearing creaks in this old house of mine, the clanging of my wind chimes, I am reminded of the winds that blow in our own lives.  With wind, there is no control, it’s going to blow and with each burst, in hopes the structures are able to sustain the force.

Many times through such storms, I have curled up in my chair listening to the force outside or feeling the force within me, wondering if either can stand through it all.  So many times I have thought or said, ‘Lord, calm the storm’ or ‘Peace. Be still.’

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Amazingly enough, we are stronger than we think we are.  Even if my house falls in the midst of the winds of the storm, He will be with me to rebuild.

It comes down to, for me anyway, that He will help me no matter what circumstances are before me.  I have to trust and have faith in that and mostly in Him.  I may struggle to get there for a bit… but I do.  As in most struggles and trials in life, the worst is when alone, at the midnight hour. ACEB5344-6FB1-417B-A354-0FAA1BF3D956

Lord, calm the chaotic winds within and around my very being so I can be a testimony of your faithfulness.

If you are facing storms in your own life, Trust Him. Easier said than done, I know, but He is our peace.

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Isolation Stops Here

63BADBC8-34A8-4B71-83EB-6A330D5AE5DDWhile being alone at times can be helpful in order to get re-charged, spend time with God, which is all normal but other times it can be detrimental.

Years ago, after several family estate issues I tended to and lies were said about me to many, I begin to believe the hurtful lies and question my own worth.  You can believe that the enemy took hold real quick.  I avoided life itself, a prison within my own home and within myself.  I was dying and actually that would have been a relief.  Satan wants nothing more than to kill, steal and destroy.  I knew that but no energy to fight.

I had a choice, to live or to die.  I’m still here!  It has not been easy and heartache and pain still hits.  I know the ones that are still lying and saying things about me to those that will listen.  I cannot control those situations.  Some thrive on drama and such.  Know them by their fruits, forgive and move on.  The Lord said He would fight my battles.  I have to trust Him.

Dealing with a situation recently, I wanted to crawl back into the dark pit of despair of isolation.  To not trust anyone, feeling sadness, anger, depression, etc.

While I canceled one social event because of being emotionally overwhelmed, I had another event today.  I came very close, a couple of times to do the same, but I pushed through.81519706-EA83-4A56-942B-4F914147BAA2

I never want isolation to control me ever again causing rejection, inferiority and every other evil plot that Satan can throw at me.

I have worked too long and hard through the last four years to drop back down to the depths of despair.35FFCE95-2B34-42F7-A7B8-5CE71FB049A8

Plus, I love the fact that even through this pull to remain within my four walls, the Lord has been gracious enough to open up His Word to me, reading various writings of exactly what I am dealing with, as if they were written just for me, which increased my faith and to remind me of His Love for me.  That’s God.

Push through the lies, push through the despair within and draw close to the Lord.  You may feel dead within and walking blindly.  Through the anguish, if all you can say is Jesus, He understands you and He knows.

(Personalize the following)9F84ED27-50EB-4647-A778-6CE4A1A3BD90

He knows your (my) name.

He knows where you are (I am).

He loves you (me).