Setbacks or Detours?

What if, instead of seeing setbacks as roadblocks to where we want to be, we recognize them as the detours that take us closer to the heart of God?

This was something that came to my heart a couple of months ago as I was spending precious time at my Father's feet. You see, during this last year, I have seen many setbacks in my life and I would, at times, get very discouraged feeling as though I would never move forward. But God so tenderly wrapped his loving arms around me and gave me this realization. He showed me in that moment that these setbacks were not roadblocks that I couldn't get past, but that they were just detours on this journey of life that would take me closer to his heart.

My desire has always been to know more of my Savior, to seek his heart and in those moments of discouragement, He revealed his face and lovingly drew me closer to his heart.

"But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul." Deuteronomy 4:29

His strength is what we need to make it through the challenges, the setbacks. On this great journey there will be many, but one thing to hold on to is his promise that he will always be with us. Through every obstacle, every hurdle, and every detour, remember that he is there to guide us closer to his heart and in his perfect will.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

My sweet mother gave me such a treasure of comfort recently as I was facing a huge obstacle. She told me to remember that God can get me over any obstacle better than I could ever go around them. What a beautiful reminder! Once our God guides us over the obstacle we get another glimpse of his heart. Strength for the journey and breath to my soul!

Whatever you may be facing at this moment, I pray that you place your complete trust in our great God and take the detour that will lead you closer to his heart!

"Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah" Psalm 62:8

Blessings~

Allison

~ The Gift ~

(This was written the other day by my 11-year-old daughter, Callie, & I was so touched that I asked her if I could post it on my blog. I know you will be blessed!)

Every time you get a gift it’s usually from someone you love. This past Christmas I got a phone from my awesome and best mom and dad, A PHONE!!! That was the best gift! I was so, so, so, so, so happy, but I had to charge it before I could use it. IT TOOK FOREVER! I am a very impatient person sometimes (no lie). So I waited and waited and finally it was DONE! I couldn’t wait to try it out. It was so fun trying it out that I started texting my Aunt Shell right away. She loves it when I text her.

Your phone might be your prized possession, but if you go to heaven it won’t go with you (or any other possession). God is the most Holy One and our prized possession! He’s better than a phone, iPod, iPad, mp3 player, Nook, Kindle, or anything else. Don’t let those get in the way of you and God. Read your Bible at least once a day. It’s better reading it once a day than not at all. I’m trying to read it once a day myself. Read it before you go to bed at night, on your lunch break, and I know no one likes to wake up in the early morning, but try to read it then (maybe some of you like to get up in the morning).

I challenge you to read your Bible at least once a day!!!

Callie

~ Love At First Sight ~

When my kids were first born I could not stare at them enough. I would spend hours just looking at each little finger and toe while marveling at the beautiful miracles that God had entrusted to Matt and me. I would sit and rock them as I sang about how much Jesus loves them and just praise God for those precious souls. Even though Caleb was not with me from the moment of his birth, that didn’t stop those same feelings of the first time I held him at 3 ½ years old. I watched him intently as he slept that first night just in awe of that precious miracle. I spent many nights rocking and telling him how much we loved him and how Jesus made him so special. It was love at first sight for all three of my children! Though they are very different they each are magnificent creations that have their own unique stamp from their Heavenly Father! The love I have for my children could not compare to the love I have for anyone else’s children. Why, because they are mine! As parents, we take so much pride in our children. They are part of our family and there is nothing that we wouldn’t do for them. We laugh when they laugh, smile when they smile, and hurt when they hurt. It is our job to protect them and bring them up in the way they should go! What an amazing privilege it is to be a parent!

Think about the love that our Heavenly Father has for us! He takes so much pride in his children! Though we are all different, we are each made in his image and have his unique stamp on us! Just as I tell my children how special they are, God tells us in his Word just how wonderful we are. Read this passage of scripture:

Psalm 139:13-16 “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. 
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. 
All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

How could we ever feel down about ourselves? We are masterful creations that have been made in his glorious image!

Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

That makes me want to shout “Hallelujah”! Ok, I just did! Woohoo! We were made in the image of God! When we place value on our lives according to what others think about us or how they judge us, we can feel discouraged and worthless at times. But, when we realize how much our Savior loves us and cares enough to know even the number of hairs on our heads, we can rest in complete contentment to know how valuable we are because we belong to him!

Luke 12:7 “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

Think again about the love you have for your children and how special they are. Now remind yourself, through the scriptures we just read, about how wonderful and valuable you are! He protects his children and enjoys our presence. Every time you tell your children how special they are, remind yourself how special you are to your Heavenly Father. He is enamored with you and loves you more than you could ever imagine! Now that is something to ponder!

Have a blessed week savoring his love!

Allison

~ Clearing the Hurdles ~

Watching the Olympics is always an exciting time! I get so inspired when I see those athletes that have trained, many of them, for most of their lives get out there and give it all they’ve got. All their hard training and blood, sweat and tears that they put into their efforts get to be acknowledged and awarded. One of the many games that I enjoy watching is the hurdle event. These Olympians sprint as fast as they can but with such precise technique have to jump over these hurdles that are in their way of getting to the finish line. These athletes make it look so easy and they just glide over those hurdles like it is a piece of cake. There are those that don’t quite clear the hurdles though and then disaster can happen. If they don’t clear those hurdles with precision, then they fall down and their chances of winning greatly decreases. But then you have those that knock over the hurdles and quickly recover and continue to the finish line to complete the task they set out to do. Wow! Such inspiration!

Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

I began to think about my own race through life. Many times it feels just like a sprint and that I am going along with the finish line in sight but then in order to make it I have to clear obstacles in my path. Some of these obstacles, or hurdles, can seem very small and I can glide over with great ease and continue my sprint toward the finish line, but other times, the hurdles are so big that I don’t think I can make it over and want to turn around and go back. Sometimes the hurdles are farther apart and I’m able to catch my breath and regain momentum, but many times they can be so close together that it almost seems impossible to clear one more hurdle. That is where my faith and trust in God has to be solid. If I relied on my own strength to get over these giant obstacles, I would come crashing down and relent any opportunity of winning this great race. But when I turn to my faith and draw strength from Almighty God, then my feet glide over these hurdles and the Holy Spirit carries me on the track to complete the race.

Isaiah 33:2 “O LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.”

I love how my God takes care of his children! There have been many hurdles in my path over the last year and I thank my precious Lord for seeing me over every single one of them! Sometimes those hurdles have been one right after the other but each and every time, he has given me exactly what I needed to make it over and continue on this amazing path of life! I draw my strength from him and I look to those around me to lift me up in prayer. I have the most amazing family and friends that continually pray and encourage me.

Where are you in this race? Are you in a sprint and find yourself continually blocked by hurdles that seem insurmountable? Do you feel like you can never reach the finish line? Well, I am here to tell you that you can be victorious in this race called life! My God will equip you with everything you need to run this race. Just draw on his Word and find others around you to lift you up to the Father in prayer. I know from experience, and God has NEVER let me down! He is the strength, power, breath, comfort, encouragement, and love that we need to fulfill his purpose in life. Remember this week as hurdles come in your path to draw on that strength that is available to you. Continue your sprint and let God take you over the hurdles and remain victorious! If he brought you to it, he will see you through it!

Hebrews 13:20-21 “May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

Blessings~

Allison