Today I am heading to Wooster, Ohio to share my testimony at the Stonecroft After Five group. It seems like the few days leading up to when I speak are always difficult. Typically my back starts giving me fits. Then there is always a little chaos thrown into the mix of some sort whether it is mine or someone’s I love. This time some depression is edging its way in as I am still grieving the loss of my brother in October. To ride in the car today for over seven hours with my back the way it is I have a good reason to call and cancel. One might question if I’ll be able to walk by the time I get home tonight. Mama said there’d be days like this.
However, I find that just like anything else in life serving the Lord will have its obstacles. There will be roadblocks in my way at times and frustrations to the point I want to just give up. Fortunately I know where all of the trials and struggles are coming from and it’s not from God. I have never been disappointed when I pushed through and served God despite the storms raging around me. For instance, the small group of single women I lead during the years I was going through my divorce and doing the single mom thing was one of the biggest blessings I’ve had in my life. It was also during the most horrific time of my life. If I would have allowed my sorrows, tiredness and depression to overtake me at that time I know the huge joy I would have missed had I not been obedient and served.
There are some who choose to sit back and give up before they even try. I’m sure you know who they are in your life as they are the ones who are always blaming everyone else for their shortcomings. They enjoy having a little pain in their lives so they can wallow around in it saying, “Woe is me!” You know who I’m talking about don’t you? Are you one that is going to let a little thing like back pain or chaos to stop you in your tracks? I’m not trying to minimize pain and its debilitating powers. I’ve been there and got the t-shirt. However, pain or no pain…sickness or not…we can all be useful in serving God. It may not be driving seven hours to go speak. However, it might be dropping a note of encouragement to a friend or saying a prayer for someone you know needs it. It’s a choice we all make how we will spend our days. The last time I checked God was not making my decisions for me, nor was my husband or anyone else in my life. We are all given the freedom to choose if we will have victory or defeat every day when our feet hit the floor. As Christians, we are all on an even playing field with the same Holy Spirit ready and able to give us guidance and power for our lives. It’s just merely up to us to make the decision as to who’s driving…us or Him?
So today I will be found starting my day at the chiropractor followed by singing praise and worship songs all the way to Wooster. I know God is calling me to speak and tell other women that they too can press on through life’s muck and find the beauty in a life of serving God no matter what chaos rages around them. Will there be hard times? Yes. Will we feel like not doing it sometimes? Yes. Will chaos spin around us as we try to stay on the narrow path? Yes. Will we be blessed for our perseverance? YES!!
Life is what you make it. The choices are yours. How will you make your life count for today?
P.S. By the way, please remind me of this blog post the next time you hear me say I’m not doing something I should be because I am too tired or in too much pain. I’m only human. Mama said there would be days like this…as my friend Cyndy says, “Unfortunately Mama was right.” Be blessed and remember…get out there and be a blessing!
James 1:2-4 (NIV) Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
Lori Kempton, Author/Speaker 