Spiritual Sunday. Hard Places

Thanks Charlotte and Ginger for always being there...and hosting.....Spiritual Sunday

I know God will not give me anything I can't handle.  I just wish that He didn't trust me so much.  ~Mother Teresa

I've spent the week with friends...listening to them share their hearts.....their struggles......their fight.  Some dealing with an illness or addiction....some worried about problems in their marriage or home...others afraid they wouldn't have enough money to pay the mortgage.  I heard the stress...the strain in their voices. I saw the worry in their eyes.

It seems no one is exempt from the the toughness in life....those things that pull and tug...trying to make us lose hope....and courage. Everyone's fighting some kind of battle.

When I was fighting the darkness....stuck in those things I thought I'd never be free of.....running scared....I didn't know life would ever get better. So many times I wanted to give up....let go....give in. I got angry at God...and challenged His claim of being loving...caring....

I think life ebbs and flows...the bad comes to everyone....so does the good. Things change...the darkness lifts....peace comes....and with Him in our corner....it's guarenteed....we'll be okay.  

In the darkness......I didn't know....joy....peace...even happiness could be possible. Everyone around me....family, friends....professionals said impossible....But something I learned - with Him....nothing is impossible. Battles aren't forever. Maybe someone else can't see where you want to go...what you want to be.....what you hunger to accomplish....

But I've learned never to let anyone limit what I want to strive for. What I lived has become my strength....and what I know for sure.....even in the really hard places.....flowers can grow. 

The struggles I'm facing...the chances I'm taking might knock me down...but I'm not breaking.....

Thankful Thursday

Linking up with Dayle at Simple Pleasures. 

"Be present in all things and thankful for all things" Maya Angelou 

First week in January....and it's already a great year. My goal - to kick back.. embrace life...give life my best....and enjoy the simple pleasures of life...I'm learning.....thanks for that Dayle. This week I'm grateful for:

-Dave...I was trying to pull a screw out from a lock on the front door. It wouldn't budge. Dave was standing outside. I didn't know him...but he saw me struggling...came over...took the screwdriver and pulled that screw out. I mumbled thanks. He flashed a huge smile. His action...his kindness....and his smile turned the day into something pretty neat.

-My oldest walked into the kitchen while I was washing dishes. I splashed a bit of water on her. She pushed her hand under the faucet and the water fight was on. Loved hearing the sound of her laughter. 
-Sparked up a friendship with some new neighbours who just moved from overseas. Even our kids hit it off.    
-Went to my first toastmaster's meeting. I want to push past my fears...and learn to have my voice in front of people.  The group of twenty were the kindest people. Even though I felt really nervous.....I've decided to stay. I'm thankful for all of them.
-Hope and joy - I wake up feeling it...even though there's no real reason except I know He's there..in my corner...whispering...it's okay now. You can do and be anything you want. He's making all the difference. He makes my heart want to sing.