I'm following Nike's advice and just doing it!
My strongest spiritual gifts are mercy and encouragement. Many years ago, before the Chicken Soup book rage began, I thought how I would love to write a book with short stories of encouragement. Apparently I had a great idea! The truth is I hate to write, especially long hand!!! And I don't have the prettiest handwriting either, I blame that on being left handed. But for many years now the desire in my heart remains to encourage others. While in comparison to some others' lives, mine has been pretty easy. I do completely understand what it feels like to question God and experience deep depression. Most of my heartache has been from bad decisions I've made, but not always. How wonderful it is that God can and will use our stupidity for great things! So, while I know there's no one following my blog, except my loyal daughter Meghan, I am going to just do it! I'm going to blog as close to every day as I can and start putting in hard copy all those thoughts racing around in my head and heart. Maybe one day down the road I can take the thoughts/lessons I've blogged about and arrange them into a book.
Last week I read a book called "Finding Grace" by Donna VanLiere. If you see it in the bookstore I highly recommend it! It spoke to me many times. It's all about finding God's grace in unexpected ways. I could share HOW the book spoke to me, (over and over) but I would have to share half of the book with you and I don't want to type that much! Plus, God might not show you what He showed me. One quote she used I will share, "It is invariably true, that God conceals Himself from those who tempt Him, and manifests Himself to those who seek Him." Blaise Pascal, French Scientist, Philosopher and Mathematician. This is always my answer to someone who wants to argue about God... If you TRULY seek God you WIll find Him. Even when I was angry at God, my heart wanted to understand, therefore God did speak to me in many ways. When I was a little girl my mother always told me to never question God, but it's my nature and I feel safe questioning God, it shows I know He loves me, unconditionally. There is also a difference between questioning God and condemning/cursing Him.
Now that I've hit the ripe ole age of 53, I understand the saying "older and wiser" we certainly get wiser as we get older because of all the mistakes and life experiences we have year after year. I hope somewhere down the line something I've written speaks to someone, encourages, gives strength to keep on keeping on or sometimes just entertains. If so, then I'll be grateful I "just did it".
