My “Extra” Ordinary Days

Holley Gerth’s God-sized dream team question for this week…

Sometimes when we’re really focused on the destination we can miss the journey along the way. What’s a typical day in your life like right now? How can you see God’s hand in the middle of the “small” and ordinary too?

A typical day in my life sounds ordinary.

I’m a wife and a mother, so I juggle schedules and responsibilities, trying to make sure everyone gets where they need to be, while keeping up on laundry, housekeeping, meals, and well, you get the picture.

I also work at my church. I assist the senior pastor, so I juggle schedules, meetings, and projects, trying to make sure he knows where he needs to be and when, while keeping up with all the other behind-the-scenes necessities.

In my, ahem, free time, I write, while also trying to spend time reading, exercising, dreaming God-sized dreams, and spending time with loved ones.

And, I can get super-stressed-out…sometimes I handle it well, but more often than not, I don’t.

See? Pretty ordinary.

Except, it’s not, because there’s a piece I didn’t tell you.

I’m a daughter of the King, and I walk with Him every day in this journey of life.

He’s there to guide and correct me.

He listens and encourages me to talk with Him.

He speaks wisdom through His Word, and He’s patient when I just don’t get it.

He leads me in the God-sized dreams He’s planted in my heart, and opens my eyes to new possibilities.

God takes my ordinary days and makes them extraordinary.

That’s because He has plans for me. From the moment He thought to create me, He knew.

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

When my days seem endless and without hope, I know there’s more to God’s plans for me.

When I don’t understand how life took this turn, I know it’s not the end of the road.

When I’m at the end of my rope, God lengthens it and ties a giant knot for me to hold on to.

He adds the “extra” to my ordinary days.

What is an ordinary day like for you? Where do you see God adding the “extra?”

In Christ,

Laura  

Linking up with Holley Gerth, #TellHisStory, WholeHearted Home, Winsome Wednesday, Thought Provoking Thursday, and Faith Filled Friday.                                                                                                                                 

Come and Talk With Me {Psalm 27:8}

My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”

And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”

Psalm 27:8 NLT

In Christ,

Laura 

Linking up with Jumping Tandem - The Sunday Community and The Weekend Brew

Joy Found in Christ

As I’ve been thinking about joy this week, I’ve realized there is a big difference between God getting me through hard times, and walking with God through those hard times.

The first is a promise from God, the second means that with the promise comes joy, even in the difficult times.

Let me back up for a moment.

I’ve always believed in God. I have prayed to Him my whole life, and at times, I’ve even begged Him for help.

But I didn’t know Him.

I didn’t know Him as my God who wanted to spend time with me, and I certainly didn’t know how to spend time with Him. I went to God when I needed His help, but I didn’t spend time with Him—through the good and the bad times. There is a difference.

I have no doubt God got my family through the rough times all those years ago. Without Him, life would have turned out much differently. I just don’t remember hearing from God when I was young. I’m not saying He didn’t speak to me or try to get my attention. But I didn’t know what to listen for or how to hear Him.

Fast forward to the present.

God has walked with me through many trials. I’ve felt His presence and heard His voice. And during the times God choses to remain silent, I still know He’s there…because I know He promises to never leave.

Back then, I didn’t know how to walk with God and let Him get me through. I was surviving because I had to, but I felt alone the entire way. 

Now it is a very different story. The issues and situations are no less painful than they were back then, but facing them with God makes the journey one in which I can even find joy—joy in knowing that God is at work. I can feel Him and see Him at work.

Does living in Christ mean there will no longer be trying times? No, not at all. It means that I’m not going through it alone.

Living in Christ allows me to see God’s blessings along the way, even when I’m going through something I would never wish on anyone else.

Knowing God’s voice and presence means I can focus on Him instead of the chaos around me. I’m human, though, and it’s easy to lose my focus. But now, it’s easier to hear His voice when He says, “Laura, over here. Look at Me.”

Living life with Him enables me to see how I’ve grown and changed, much of it happening during the bad times.  

My memories of recent trials include times of His comfort and guidance. Yes, I still remember the bad stuff, but it’s diluted with the joy I’ve found in Christ. While my memories of the long ago past focus on the hurt, anger, and hatred during that time.

What a difference! Back then I didn’t know God’s comfort or love. Now, I lean into Him because I can’t get enough.

In this life we will have trouble, but even through the trouble, we can find joy in our relationship with Christ.

Undeniable joy—the kind that can be hard to explain, but when you feel it—you know it.

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

John 16:33 NLT

In Christ,

Laura 

Linking up with Holley Gerth, Jennifer at #TellHisStory, Winsome Wednesday, WholeHearted Home, Thought Provoking Thursday, and Faith Filled Friday.

Image by © Royalty-Free/Corbis

What Brings You Joy?

Tuesdays are God-Sized Dream days, when Holley Gerth’s team gets together to explore the dreams God plants in our hearts.

Holley’s question for this week is…

What brings you joy—especially when it comes to your God-sized dream?

A God-sized Dream is a desire in your heart for more of what God has for you.
~Holley Gerth

For me, joy is found in my personal relationship with God.

I’ve always believed in God, but I didn’t know Him personally.

I knew Him as a God I could pray to, but not as my God whom I could talk to all day long, about anything.

It was when God began to capture my heart that I knew I wanted to know Him better.

As I turned to Him, He drew me closer. I could feel His presence and I grew to know His voice. I began to see how He was working in me and in my life.

And I found joy.

Joy is knowing that when I’m at the end of myself, I’m not alone. God never leaves me.

Joy is seeing the blessings along the rocky roads.

Joy is learning to focus on Him, and not myself.

Joy is the peace He brings, when nothing in life feels peaceful.

Joy is in knowing I can trust God in everything, because I’ve seen that He always keeps His promises.

Joy is leaning in to God for a hug, sharing something exciting with Him, and crying on His shoulder.

Joy is knowing He’s never too busy to spend time with me.

Joy is knowing God wants to be in a relationship with me. One-on-one. Him and me.

How about you? What brings you joy?

In Christ,

Laura  

Linking up with Heart to Heart with Holley, #TellHisStory, Sharing His Beauty, Soli Deo Gloria, WholeHearted Home, and Winsome Wednesday.