The Gift of Waiting

The telephone rang and I rushed to answer it. I’d been waiting to hear some news about my husband’s job. He had recently interviewed for a higher position with his company.

When I picked up the phone, Michael’s words were sweetness to my soul. “I got the promotion, Babe!”

I squealed for what seemed like a minute or two. I sounded just like the moms of American Idol contestants after their children call them to say they made it to the finals. It was long awaited news that made my heart leap.

Michael had returned to college in 2008 to get a degree that could be used in the medical diagnostics field after being laid off from jobs four different times. He had been in the IT (Information Technology) field in his past job history. But due to his lack of new certifications, he hadn’t been able to get rehired in that field. His dream was to use his IT skills in the medical field somehow.

His long time dream came true that day on February 27, 2012. I’ll never forget that day. It was also the day my ninety-six year old grandfather passed away. I know those two things were connected somehow. I don’t believe in coincidences anymore. God is too big and awesome for things to happen coincidentally.

I can’t begin to put into words what that promotion meant to us. We had waited for years and years and years to see God fulfill this desire and dream. This promotion pushed us closer to our other dream of adopting a child from Uganda. It was worth the wait. Waiting makes it so much sweeter than it does to get things instantaneously.

I remember when I was a little girl; there were movies that I had to wait a whole year to watch. We didn’t have DVDs or videos to watch. So every year, I was excited beyond measure to watch the Sound of Music again or to watch Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Christmas time. It didn’t matter that I had to wait a whole year to see the shows and movies. The waiting made it blissful for me when the time arrived for me to see them again.

Waiting can be hard. We can begin to have doubts that good things are coming. But as followers of Christ, we are promised that all things work together for “good” for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes (Romans 8:28).

There is an old phrase I remember hearing, “Good things come to those who wait.” I love that phrase, but I would add a few words to it. “Good things come to those who wait in faith.”

Are you waiting for something that you know in your spirit is coming? Are you getting weary in the waiting?

Jesus said, “Everything is possible for one who believes” (Mark 9:23). We can rest in His words and know that as we are waiting and believing, His good plans will unfold.

It’s worth the wait. It’s worth it because when you finally receive your blessing, you will have so much joy that you will feel as though you may burst with glee.

Hang on and trust Jesus. Your time of blessing is coming.

And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. ~ Hebrews 6:15 NIV

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. ~ Psalm 27:14 NIV

Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. ~ Isaiah 40:31 NASB

Live Abundantly!

Amy 

The photo was downloaded at http://www.stockfreeimages.com/

Giving Generously in All Circumstances

While preparing for Christmas, I’ve been pondering a conversation I had with someone years ago who believed happiness was attained by achieving financial wealth.

“Having a lot of money does not bring happiness,” I boldly proclaimed. The person I was speaking with said, “As a person who has never had a lot of money, how do you know that?"

I continued defending my belief that money does not bring the joy we long for because happiness can only come deep from within the soul. It has nothing to do with the amount of money we make or the possessions we own.

I lived with a deep sense of joy and happiness for many years when I barely had enough money to make ends meet. 

In fact, some of the most joyous times of my life have been when I’ve been flat broke.

As I tried to convince this person of what I was certain of, he continued trying to convince me that having a huge amount of money does indeed make us happy. I reminded him that some of the most miserable people in the world are financially wealthy. He was still not convinced.

I paused and looked intently into his face while kindly saying, “We cannot take anything we own or the money we make into the casket with us; therefore I will spend my life working on eternal investments—the things that cannot be stolen or destroyed by natural disasters.”  

Our friendly debate ended with my words. He understood the point I was trying to make.

I believe true happiness comes from the ways we give of ourselves to others. Our greatest need as human beings is to love others and to receive love. Giving is part of loving. But we don't have to be financially wealthy to give greatly and generously. Even in times of financial famine we can find ways to give of ourselves to others.

We can give of ourselves by volunteering our time and services. We can give by making handmade gifts—these are actually the best gifts to receive. We can give sacrificially by giving our favorite possession to a loved one—this is the most powerful way to give. 

And most importantly, we can encourage others with our words and compliments. So no matter what the amount in our bank account happens to be, we can give generously and live happily in the hardest of times.

 
This Christmas season and in the years ahead, let us focus on what really matters in life. Let us give extravagantly whether we have an excessive amount of money or not.

May we seek Christ first, and surrender ourselves fully to Him so that we will always have enough to meet our own needs and plenty to share with others. 

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ~ Matthew 6:19 

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ~ 2 Corinthians 9:7

Live Abundantly!
Amy  

Contentment

No matter how much we may try not to be spoiled, I believe it is inevitable while living in America. We have been such a blessed nation. We are so used to having luxuries that people in other developing countries couldn't even fathom.

When my husband lost his great paying job in 1989 and after I chose to work less and eventually quit working in the corporate world to focus on parenting, our income dropped close to the poverty level. God began restructuring our thinking. Those years of having very little income were truly a gift to us.

I learned that contentment comes deep from within the soul. 

Paul said it best... But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing we will be content with that (1 Timothy 6:6-8).
 
Today, I am content and I pray I always will be. I am content not because my husband has a great job now—and not because we have plenty of money coming in each month. I am content because every morning when I wake up I feel the love of Christ embracing my soul. I feel His Spirit consuming my being as I begin a new day of life. It's a contentment that can never come from any amount of money or stuff. It is eternal.

In a world where worth is defined by what we own and what we do for a living, we have been able to learn to put our faith and values in spiritual things.  

When I am gone from this earth I want to be remembered by my loving and generous heart. 

One of my all time favorite quotes sums up what's important in this life: "One hundred years from now, it will not matter what kind of house I lived in, how much money was in my bank account, nor what my clothes looked like. But the world may be a better place because I was important in the life of a child."

I want to make a difference in the world.

I want people to say, "Amy lived a simple life, she poured herself out sacrificially to others. She didn't have too much materially but she was rich in love and spiritual wisdom."

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18

Live Abundantly!
Amy

A New Song

 My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God... Psalm 40:3 (NIV)

It was during the early morning hours. I felt weak and restless as I was facing a challenge in my life that seemed impossible to overcome.

With tears rolling down my cheeks, I fell at the feet of the Father and bowed down. I cried out for strength. I prayed, “Father, the obstacles on the path laid out for me feel too big.” His warm embrace enveloped my heart. His love washed over me. His Spirit soothed my soul. The sweetness of His presence encircled every ounce of my being. His words flooded into my spirit. 

 “Child, nothing is too big for Me. I’ll never ask you to do more than I created you for. Rest in Me. Rest in My love, rest in knowing there is nothing I’ll ask of you that will ever be too big. My Grace is sufficient for you. In your weakness, My strength is made perfect. Arise my child. Let me put a new song in your heart. Let My love lift you up and carry you.”

His strength lifted my spirit. His words permeated my being. My soul was restored in an instant. Joy replaced the tears. Love flooded into my heart. Peace covered me and made me ready to begin a new day with a new song in my heart—a song of joy for celebrating the love I had found in my Father’s arms.

With the love of God, and His strength—life is made beautiful. He carries those who completely depend on Him.

Live Abundantly!

Amy

This post has been revised and edited from a piece I wrote in 2009.

Dancing in the Rain

Children hold the key to a happy life. They are trusting by nature. They are innocent in their thinking, and they know how to enjoy life to the fullest instinctively.

When my children were younger they loved to go out and play in the rain. I have joyful memories of  their little voices begging me, Mommy, if there's no thunder, can we go out in the rain?

With joy I would stand at the door and watch them jump around and dance in the rain. It was full living at its best as they splashed in the puddles. Sometimes they would dance with umbrellas, or they would make a tent of umbrellas on the driveway. Sometimes they would simply stand in the rain on the edge of the street feeling the rush of water flowing between their toes.

The rain didn’t stop them from simply enjoying the day.

A downpour of rain doesn’t hinder a child’s ability to embrace the moment and fully live.

This is how our Father in heaven wants us to live out our lives. When He created us He never intended for us to endure life. His original idea was for us to see Him in the midst of the rain showers and enjoy life to the fullest.

God knew life wouldn't be perfect or easy. I believe His greatest desire is for us to rely on Him in the midst of the rainy days. When we’re dependent upon Him, He continually pours out His grace and love onto our lives in the most unimaginable ways.

Several years ago while praying, I heard words in my spirit that changed my perspective.

"If you stay on the path with Me, you will not be disappointed." God whispered to my heart.

At first I was thinking, "How can that be possible?" But I soon understood what the Lord was trying to get me to understand. He wanted me to know that if I followed Him and stayed close to His heart in the midst of the things that would normally be disappointing to me, He would turn my mourning into dancing instantaneously. His words have proved to be true in my life. I can honestly say—because I have been so wrapped up in His love—that disappointment has not penetrated my heart during the past several years.

Life is full of difficulties and challenges. But when Jesus is the center of our lives, His love overshadows everything else.

My friend and mentor, Bonnie, had a gift for expressing this truth. She said, "With Christ, there are no disappointments. The challenges in life are HIS-appointments." Bonnie passed away in 2008. Her faith in Christ lives on in my heart. She danced in the rain more than anyone I've ever known. The beautiful life she lived continually spurs me on to dance and live fully alive in every circumstance.

Leaning on our own strength leads to more disappointment. It's when we lean on Jesus that we see His glory.

Why not choose the latter?  Why not take the risk to see His Glory in your life? Choose joy. Choose life. 

When the rains pours down, choose to turn toward Jesus and dance.

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness. ~ Psalm 30:11 (NAS Bible)

Children of Zion, celebrate! Be glad in your God. He’s giving you a teacher to train you how to live right—Teaching, like rain out of heaven, showers of words to refresh and nourish your soul, just as He used to do. ~ Joel 2:23 (The Message)

Live Abundantly!

Amy 

This post has been updated and revised from a piece I wrote in August, 2009.

Finding Abundance in Simple Living

But take heed to yourselves and be on your guard, lest your hearts be overburdened and depressed (weighed down) with the giddiness and headache and nausea of self-indulgence, drunkenness, and worldly worries and cares pertaining to [the business of] this life, and [lest] that day come upon you suddenly like a trap or a noose. ~ Luke 21:34 (Amplified Bible)                                                                                      

Read Matthew 6:19-21

It seems that every time I find a sweet spot in my life, something is thrown my way to sabotage the simple life I've been seeking for many years. Over 15 years ago, I read an article in the faith section of my local paper about how simplicity and following Jesus go hand in hand. Shortly after reading the article, I began getting rid of unneeded stuff and making changes in my life.

Last fall, I had progressed in my journey of simple living to the point that I had no unnecessary stress in my life. And out of nowhere, a ministry opportunity got thrown in front of me. I was drawn to it and was thinking about diving in with my whole heart.  But the Lord intervened on my behalf. He showed me that I had finally found a peaceful, slow pace in my life and that I shouldn't be tempted to spoil it by spending time on a ministry that wasn't in His ordained plan for me. He wanted for me to be content in the place He had me. After spending time sitting in silence, I heard Jesus speaking to me about simplicity in my life. I wrote the words in my journal.

I have called you to intercession. See it as an honor to be at home. Be content in your hidden place. You have found the gift of being hidden in My love and in My presence. Stay focused on Me. Do not be tempted to do what you see others doing. I have a perfect plan designed especially for you. Don't jump ahead of Me. Simply wait and enjoy the quiet times. Enjoy your husband. Enjoy your daughter. Enjoy your son. Enjoy a simple life with Me. Aim for simplicity and you will have abundance in your life. An abundance of spiritual fruit is what you should seek daily to grow and cultivate. Maintain a simple life and you will continually live in abundance. Savor this season of rest and don't step off the path with Me.

After hearing the sweet words of Jesus, I immediately canceled all plans to move forward with the ministry opportunity. What freedom for my soul!

There is no greater place than being where Christ has planted us. There is an abundance of joy, goodness, and peace found in simple living. May we—the followers of Christ—always enjoy the splendor and beauty found in living a simple life with Him.

Live Abundantly!

Amy

Stunning Beauty

Joy was overflowing out of my soul as I gazed out at one of the most beautiful sights I had ever seen. I was standing near a 15 acre sunflower farm—something I had been dreaming about for years, but never experienced. My family and I drove over an hour to Rutledge, Georgia to visit a sunflower farm I had discovered by searching online.

As I was gazing at the field from a window in the gift shop, I was exclaiming, "I feel like I'm in heaven!" I told a young woman that was working there that it was my first time to ever visit a sunflower farm. My childlike enthusiasm seemed to touch her deeply as she stood there with tears in her eyes.

Shortly after paying the fee for cutting the flowers, we made our way out onto the field. There were beads of sweat on my face as I walked through the field of flowers. The temperature was about 97 degrees and it was glorious even in the extreme heat!

It was surreal for me as I remembered envisioning this day so many years before. It was over six years ago that I wrote these words: "Today while I was running, the Lord gave me a vision. I saw myself in a long, flowing, gauzy, white skirt and a loose-fitting, matching white blouse…dancing in a field of beautiful yellow flowers. The flowers were above my knees and they were surrounding me for as far as I could see. It was a beautiful picture in my mind of how my heart has been let loose (set free) and longs to be surrounded by BEAUTY. As I was visualizing this I imagined Michael taking pictures of me and capturing how my heart feels…on film... I trust that the Lord will lead us to a field of yellow flowers!"

The same year I had the flower vision, I stumbled upon a huge print of the most magnificent sunflower field. At the bottom of the print I noticed these words: "Take the time to MARVEL at the wonders of life." While reading these words, I knew that someday I would find a field of sunflowers just like the one in the large picture. I purchased the print and hung it on the wall behind my desk in my small writing studio. The theme of my little writing nook became "sunflowers." Looking at the picture of the beautiful sunflower field has been exhilarating for me during the years that I've had it. But it doesn't compare to standing in a real life field of sunflowers.

As I stood there in the midst of the beauty all I could think about was how heaven has touched me with the freedom I have found through the love of Christ.

Jesus wants for all of us to live in His freedom and let Him heal our hurts as they arise from within our souls. He died on the cross so that we could live freely and gloriously! It took me decades to see this and to truly know that Jesus wants me to live free from carrying the burdens of life.

I used to be weighed down with anxieties, hurts, and fears. The disappointments of life had robbed me of the life Jesus had envisioned for me and for all of His followers. I had carried those burdens unnecessarily.

All along, I could have been surrendering my cares to Him. But I held onto the hurt for much too long. When I realized the healing power in the blood of Christ, He began removing the hurts and fears—layer by layer—from my heart and began replacing them with a sense of freedom that makes me want to dance in fields of flowers. So I did that recently. I jumped. I twirled. I threw my arms up toward heaven and rejoiced over the freedom in my heart while my husband was shooting every picture he could. With the camera, he was capturing a visual picture of the glorious freedom that is found in Christ alone.

In Him, we are free to live abundantly...free to dance...free to sing...free to shout hallelujah...free to be what He created us to be...free to bask eternally in His stunning beauty.

Psalm 27:4

One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD And to meditate in His temple.
  

Live Abundantly!

Amy

For more information about the sunflower field I found in Georgia, visit the website:

http://www.sunflowerfarmfestival.com/

Joy in Jesus

For all the people that are enduring hardships at this moment, I want to encourage you to keep pressing into Jesus.

I have endured hardships of all kinds. Marital strife, poverty, chronic health issues were all part of my past. But Jesus placed an unbelievable joy in my heart long before He delivered me from my hard circumstances.

As a woman who has been tested beyond what I thought I was capable of, I can say with certainty that it is possible to have immense joy while experiencing trials.

It was during the most excruciating seasons that I found the most intense joy. Jesus is joy.

Don't give up.

Jesus is with you.

He will reveal Himself to you in unimaginable ways if you seek Him with all your heart.

Press into God like you never have before and you will find immeasurable joy in Jesus.
 
Whispers from God:

Don't look to the left or to the right. Look straight ahead. Keep your eyes fixed on Me. I will sustain you. Know that I am for you. If I am for you then you don't need to worry. Let the joy you find in Me carry you.