FROM HIDING TO THRIVING!

Hiding could seem like a negative action. It can mean to conceal oneself. to keep from being seen, found, or observed. It is interesting to note, that in Gen. 3:8-10, Adam and Eve hid themselves because of guilt and consciousness of sin. God asked them, " WHERE ART THOU?"  But God knew exactly where they were and why!  The lesson it teaches us is that WE NEED TO LOCATE OURSELVES and where we are really at!                                                                                          

Interesting word, LOCATE: To determine or specify the position of!  Funny, POSITIONING myself was to be my WORD for 2015!  The circumstances I have had to go through since last fall into this nearly end of this year has been a process beyond words! Maybe you are going through unusual circumstances right now! What has kept my mind in perfect peace, is the fact, that we can (go in hiding) to a certain degree-to seek refuge in God and from Him alone!              

Ps. 27:5  "For in the time of TROUBLE, HE shall (hide me) in His pavilion: in the secret of His tabernacle shall He (hide me): He shall set me upon a rock."                                                                                           

Maybe you can relate to a time of being overwhelmed and need to be reminded of Jesus' words  in Mt. 11:28-30,

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on (religion)?  COME TO ME!  Get away with Me and you will RECOVER  (your life!) I will show you HOW to take a (REAL REST!) Walk with Me and work with Me! Watch how I do it!  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace! I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly!" (Message).                                                                         

What I have found is that hiding in God is a good thing! I have learned so much through the good and the bad! The best lessons have been because of mistakes, weaknesses, vulnerableness,  and many flounderings!  I now can say as Job said, "I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear: but now my eyes seeth Thee!" (Job 52:5)                                                              

When we hide in our God, in the shelter of His wings, in His everlasting arms, we can regain strength, stability, and healing of our innermost wounds.  David said in Ps. 51:6, "Behold, Thou desirest TRUTH in the inward parts: and in the (HIDDEN PART) THOU shalt make me to know wisdom!".
                                                         
In all actuality, so much is hidden from us!  You might be like me, having experienced a lot of hard things to deal with in life.  But now, looking back, it took all that to shape me into what God ALREADY SEES ME AS!                                                                        

God is such an expert in drawing out the small details of our lives; those hidden/buried issues we'd rather leave alone! If you are like me, I'd rather not rock the boat, or have to go back to that pain or to the root of the problem that only God sees!                                                                                          

I personally feel that there is a time God allows us to hide!  Not calculated in days, weeks, or even months; but a SET TIME; whatever it takes for us to be restored, renewed & rejuvenated. Then, like a mother bird, He rustles the nest and makes us get out on our own again. I just think He says, "ENOUGH HIDING! TIME TO THRIVE!"                                    

Now thriving is also a process of blooming, growing and flourishing; a condition of health and vigor. Natural health as well as spiritual health. In ROM. 12:11, Paul exhorts us to be "FERVENT IN SPIRIT" "keeping fueled and aflamed!" (Message).
                                                                                    
I am no expert!  I am in the process of learning how to thrive at this wonderful age; knowing more days behind me than before me! But, IN THE MEANTIME, I would like to share the journey, hoping to inspire & encourage!

Thank you for coming by!

BEGINNING AGAIN!

This is a term, a place I am much too familiar with; starting over, getting up, commencing one more time!  My first blog was "Home Is Where Your Story Begins" in 2013, with all intentions of sharing of caring for my special needs son as a single parent by the grace of God! Coming into the knowledge that he was my first ministry. It simply wasn't the right timing to open up about many things!  

I am one of those sisters that too often hide behind the smile, become too consumed by the pressures and demands, and extreme hardness on myself and my performance, not receiving the grace and mercies of God! Not hearing Him say, "You've done well!".  Can you imagine GOD standing back with His chest stuck out, saying, "Girl, you are AMAZING!". I KNOW! It's a lot to take in, about the love of God!

".........the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love.  Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives!  Full in the fullness of God". Eph. 3:18-19 (message)      

                                                             
Since 2013 trials came; 2 surgeries for my son. Honestly, it took all that I had to just stand through the storm!  BUT GOD!  " It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.".                                                                                                     

I read a wonderful blog post by Kristen Armstrong. She wrote, "Times of transitions are strenuous, but I love them. They are an opportunity to purge, rethink priorities, be intentional about new habits and we can make our NEW NORMAL!".  I have found that sometimes your heart needs more time to accept, what your mind already knows! I am still finding my new normal!  IN THE MEANTIME will be JUST THAT!  Time between one occurence and another!  I am coming  OUT OF HIDING!  Not a bad hiding, but a hiding God does allow us to come into in the time of crisis!

PS. 57:1"......... In the shadow of Your wings I make my refuge!".  

As one of my favorite book titles, "Saying Goodbye To The Survival Mode!".  And begin THRIVING AGAIN! I have an even fiercer passion to share the faithfulness of God in spite of my messy, cluttered, even kind of "GEEKY" self with my notebooks, binders, postits, books devotionals, which have taken on a life of their own!   I give myself permission to JUST BE WHERE I AM AT!  I want to be pliable in the Master's hand.

Jer. 18:4-6 "......whenever (the pot) the Potter was (working on) turned out badly......the Potter would simply (start over) and use (the same clay) to make another pot!"  (Message).  

I had several images to share. But I'm sorry, this is my first time with a phone!  Much to learn!