Messy Beautiful Days

Have you ever had one of "those" days? (or weeks, or months, or even YEARS?) You know the type.... When Nothing seems to go right There isn't enough money to pay bills Your spouse has been cranky for three days Your hormones are out of whack and your mood changes by the minute Your co-workers are insensitive Your children are unappreciative and you can't seem to get in touch with any friends when all you want to do is vent. Or you can't stop crying You mourn over a loss You are stressed You are lonely Another holiday is approaching that reminds you once again of the family you don't have or can't celebrate with. Or there is news of more cancer The death of a friend The loss of a job

The betrayal of a loved one

And that To-Do List just keeps growing

What does it make you want to do? RUN AWAY? GO SHOPPING? EAT A GALLON OF ICE CREAM?

KICK AND SCREAM?

GO OFF ON THE NEXT PERSON WHO ASKS YOU TO DO ONE. MORE. THING.?

OR JUST CURL UP IN A BALL UNDER THE COVERS AND WAIT FOR IT ALL TO HOPEFULLY PASS SOON?

And all you want is this:

One moment of peace

An empty to-do List

More time to spend with loved ones

For just one day struggle-free

Well, this week has been like that for me....

I cried for almost 2 days straight (mostly just hormones, but still - UGH!)

I was disregarded by others

I was hit with the reality that once again, I am leaving a job that feels more like family than a job

As Mother's Day approaches, I mourn the children I have in heaven and the ones I raised on earth that I no longer get to see

I realized within the next two weeks, I will be saying goodbye to one of the most amazing church families I've ever been privileged to be a part of - yes, I'll get to visit occasionally.... but it just won't be the same!

and to top it off, the enemy of my soul constantly attacked my mind with thoughts of past failures, disappointments, and ways I'll never "measure up"...

You may be reading this and thinking "Wow, your life sure sucks this week..."

And guess what?

You would be correct.... but only partially...

While I've been under a lot of stress and have faced some emotional obstacles this week, I have also been reminded of God's goodness and grace IN THE MIDST of every storm.

Even though I had every "right" to have a pity party, I also had the awesome privilege of getting to CHOOSE to look through the lens of God's word and see what HE has to say about it all. And I praise Him for the grace to do that!

(On a side note, I also want to praise Him for my co-worker Gayla, who not only asked what was wrong, but actually stopped to listen, pray with me, and give me a hug!) It was like getting a hug from Jesus Himself.... NEVER underestimate the power of ONE kind gesture toward another.

This is what my Lord and Sovereign (always IN CONTROL) Redeemer and God said:

"Count it all joy, KATHY, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you (KATHY) lacks wisdom, let KATHY ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to her. But she must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind." James 1:2-6

"For momentary, light affliction is producing for KATHY an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison," 2 Corinthians 4:17

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion,” says KATHY'S soul, "therefore KATHY will hope in Him." Lamentations 3:22-24

"Therefore, since KATHY has been justified by faith, KATHY has peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we (KATHY) can rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we (KATHY) can rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our (KATHY'S) heart through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Romans 5:1-5

It's been a long time since I took those scriptures and placed my name in them, being lovingly reminded by God, that He IS with me, and He will never forsake or stop caring for me - NEVER!

Oh what peace we (I) often forfeit... all because I want to be in control... all because I want to call the shots, to "fix" everything, to attempt to make messy situations all better instead of fervently calling out to God, crying to Him, carrying those burdens to HIM, and taking on His yoke, which is light, His burdens easy.... then exchanging my weakness for His never-failing strength.

I truly cannot comprehend how empty and tragic life must get for those who have no personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

There is only one Person who can transform us,

Who can turn hurt into Hope,

a test into a Testimony,

an impure heart into a Holy Heart,

a mess into His message,

and a wretch into a Warrior!

Jesus Christ is the only way, the only truth, and the only life worth having!!

The change we all need is always the same - it's a heart completely surrendered to the Lord...

a heart that says "Not my will, Lord, but Yours be done."

Is it messy? Sometimes

Is it worth it? Always

Will there be failures? Definitely

Will there be faith to get back up? Yes, By His Grace alone

Now, the question is this: Will you take your messy heart and give it to Him?

Just as you are....

broken at times,

bent by sin,

bitter and cold some days,

raging mad on others....

My friends, know THIS:

God loves you.

He left heaven to die on a cross to pay for EVERY sin committed - past, present, and future...

He has already PAID THE DEBT for ALL your sins.... all of them!!!

And He says this:

Simply come as you are, repent.... believe.... surrender to Him as Lord of your messy heart and life

(or for the Type A Perfectionists - surrender your neat, tidy, orderly, yet still full of sin, prideful heart and life)

Hear Him whisper to your soul....

You are completely KNOWN,

you are DEEPLY loved,

you have already been FORGIVEN!! And He has a plan and purpose for your life that only YOU can fulfill!

If He could do it for me and my messy, really jacked-up heart.... I KNOW He will do the same for you.... right where you are!

Only Jesus can give you eternal peace, a life of NEVER having to be separated from God, and secure, constant access to Him through His Spirit!

(If you are reading this and you want to know how to have a personal relationship with Jesus, please call me - I would love to take God's Word and show you!!) 706-982-5433 :-)

I want to leave you with the words of an old hymn that has been a comfort to me today. May it bless you as well!

What a Friend We Have In Jesus What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer. Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer. Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer. Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer! In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer. Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.