LIFE IN BLOOM

Learning How to Flourish in God's Grace

Category Archives: Faith


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Overwhelmingly Thankful

This has been a whirlwind year.  I can hardly believe that it’s the end of November, and that soon 2013 will be here. As I reflect on the year, there’s so much that I have to be grateful for.

My life has changed dramatically this year. I have moved to a new (but familiar) place. I left my job and started something new. I got married. All incredibly wonderful things that have made 2012 a year of change and transition, setting me up on the path to truly move forward in 2013.

None of that could be possible without the love, support, and encouragement of some really good people. Preacher man (the hubs) and I always reflect about this around the thought of “people don’t have to be nice and they don’t have to be nice to you.” When I think of how I’ve experienced both people being nice and people being nice to me, it’s overwhelming.

This year I have truly witnessed and benefitted from people giving so unselfishly and sacrificially. So much so that all I can say is thank you, which is right, but also seems to be so horribly inadequate. But the truth is, I could NEVER repay what was offered and provided to me. There’s not a price you can put on some things, and even if I tried, it wouldn’t be a full representation of the gratitude I feel.

I am so overwhelmingly thankful to God for all these blessings that He has continued to provide for me and my family.  And for all of those who have blessed, encouraged, loved, and supported me this year; my prayer is that God continue to bless you and keep you, and that you are granted favor in all that you do.

Happy Thanksgiving! Thank you, Lord, for all you’ve done for me!

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” – Numbers 6:24-26


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My Heart’s Cry

If you’ve followed this blog for any amount of time, you’ll know that it’s changed. It’s changed because I have changed.  And that’s okay.

This blog has always been about my thoughts and feelings; the things that I think are important.  And there was a time where I blogged for readers; seeking a huge following.  That doesn’t happen much anymore.  I’m actually surprised that people read what I write, especially as the focus of the blog has shifted to deal with me and how I reconcile, negotiate, and handle (or get handled) by my faith.  Yet, I post my blog in public forums (such as Facebook and Twitter) because I always desire to encourage people in the grace of the Lord.

I’ve recently given a lot of thought to “my mission statement” (posted just over to the right of this entry), which states:

“I want to help people live their best life. I am passionate about Jesus, serving others, education, and leadership development; and I desire to use those things to help people be who God has called them to be. I will live a life that will make God and my family proud.”

As I continue to think about that, the cry of my heart leads me to the song “The Greatness of You” by Don Moen (or Lakeview Worship).  The lyrics are EXACTLY nearly an exact interpretation of what I mean in my mission statement:

“I wanna sing of Your love/Wanna sing of Your mercy/I wanna tell the whole world/Of the greatness of You/So I’ll sing of Your love/And I’ll sing of Your mercy/And I’ll tell the whole world/Of the greatness of You/Jesus, we lift up Your name…”

THAT is what I want. And by doing so, I will be helping people to live their best life.  Could it be so simple?  Perhaps.  But with a heart surrendered to God, ordinary things can be used as an act of worship and praise.  So often we get caught up in the hype that we must do BIG things for God some of the time.  However, doing little things for God consistently; things like faithfully serving the poor and the widows, tithing to our local church, helping to lead children in the way of the Lord; can have a huge impact for the Kingdom, and can change lives, hearts, and minds.

Lord, help me be faithful in the little things so that You will know that You can trust me with the big things.  Show me how to merge my mission and my heart’s cry in a way that will give You glory.