Taking Stock - Part One

I have come to know one thing for sure:  My hope is in Jesus, my faith is solid and my hope is strong. I'm quite certain that this is what the Lord has been teaching me all these years through the struggles and the joyous time.  Regardless of what is happening in my life, only Jesus is solid, only Jesus gives me what I need, only Jesus saves me now and only Jesus gives me peace that surpasses all understanding!

When I injured my back, my first question was why. I had just started leading a Bible study at church, I was involved in the prayer ministry, the jail ministry and was working in the church office one afternoon a week.  I was starting to paint on canvas, a long held dream of mine.  I was back with my painting group after taking a four year break because of my illnesses and my hubby's illnesses.  In other words, I was doing all kinds of wonderful things that I enjoyed and also that I felt the Lord calling me to do.  Why in the world would He allow my world to just stop?!  I wasn't sure, but now I think I know.

During the last six months, I have been forced to be quiet.  I have been forced to spend a lot of time with me. It hasn't always been easy spending time with me, but I haven't had much choice.  I have been really looking at what I do, who I am and what the Lord wants me to do with my time and with my (for lack of a better word) talents.  I've realized one thing.  I have not been faithful to what the Lord has truly called me to do.  I've known it, but I've ignored it, even though I know that the Lord wants me to do, and further more, told me to do.  I believe now that the Lord stopped me in my tracks and forced me to take a look at what I was not doing for Him.

I will elaborate further on this next time... until then,

God bless you - Julie