Hello Friend,
This past week, I had one person come up to me at school and another friend e-mailed me and said pretty much the same thing, “You must have x-ray vision, you seem to know just what is happening in my life.” Well, of course, I don’t. When I sit down to write, I spend time reading Scripture, perhaps listen to Christian music, but never fail to have a time of prayer for inspiration. I try to be an instrument for God’s message. My guide is often John 12:49 “For these are not my own ideas, but I have told you what the Father said to tell you…and I know his instructions lead to eternal life; so whatever he tells me to say, I say!” On rare occasions, a burden on my heart propels me to write on a particular subject.
So how do I know what’s going on in your life—I know because we are all in the “same sinking boat.” We all have issues, bad habits, failures, discouragements, malfunctions, collapses, breakdowns and letdowns. “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings have a human experience” (Pierre Teilhard de Chardin). Sure I don’t currently deal with childcare and discipline, but I have in the past and I understand your frustrations. I may not currently have marital issues, but give me a few days and I’ll emphasize with you. I struggle with weight and you might struggle with another kind of addiction. As my pastor is fond of saying, “If you are not currently suffering, you have either just left a difficult situation or, hold on to your bootstraps, you are headed straight into one.” That is just life!! The good news is the Gospel (good news). Within the pages of your Bible are stories of others who have struggled, stumbled, picked themselves up, and gone on to greatness. David committed adultery with Bathsheba, arranged the murder of her husband, and directly disobeyed God. Yet he was described by God himself as a man after his own heart.
We will always continue to make mistakes, but our sins are forgiven when we trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. And I will continue to try, to the best of my ability, to point you in the direction of peace, love, and hope.
Prayer: Lord, forgive my sins. Give to me ears to hear your message and a heart willing to obey. Your friend in Christ, Linda