Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Journey of Faith, Hope and Love

Wow, 2013 has came and went...It definitely has been a journey of faith, hope and love. I never in my wildest imagination, would have thought I would have endured some of the hardships that my life has had this past year.

2013 began with a crushing heartbreak; Last New Year's Eve was a really tough time for me.

It was then in my brokenness that God began to do an amazing work in my life...I had been serving God and didn't understand why God was having me evaluate my heart and motives.

I had been deeply hurt, and my heart was shattered. I needed healing and restoration for my heart and soul. So this journey of faith, hope and love had to begin with me...through His Word, through His presence, through other brothers and sisters He had placed in my life. God began to comfort me and restore me and began to show me His love.

I learned a lot through trial and error and by leaning on my own understanding and strength. Many times I have failed but God has always extended His hand of grace upon me. Throughout it all I have learned to put my hope and trust in God.

Over and over, I learned the meaning of true unconditional love. Over and over, I learned how to forgive. And over and over, God taught me to me to trust and hope in Him alone.
He led me to forgive...
He led me to have hope...
He led me to love unconditionally...

I'm not sure where God is leading me, but I know that I trust Him to lead me. No matter what circumstances life throws at me, one thing will remain and that is His love for me. Although, I endured that pain and heartache this past year, I know that it was for a purpose.
Romans 8:28 "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

I encourage each one of you to embrace 2014 with all its challenges, learn to love unconditionally, put your hope and trust in God, and never take a day for granted.
May God bless all of you in 2014 and the years to come. Happy New Year!!

This is only the beginning of a new chapter in my life journey and yours as well.
(My theme song for 2014)


P.S. Out of respect, I spared a lot of the details of all that happened. 

Sunday, December 29, 2013

He came with a purpose

Jesus Christ was born into this world in the most humble surroundings.
Mary gave birth to her firstborn son in the most uncomfortable circumstances one could even imagine.
God's ultimate plan...for His son to take on flesh as a man, and destined to lay down His life for our sins.

It took me sometime to think about this, who do I relate to? Is it Mary? I know what it must have felt like to give birth to a baby boy, after all I am a mother of 6.
And I know the feeling of being afraid and uncomfortable, oblivious of what to expect as a mother for the very first time. Surely, I can relate to Mary in many aspects.

But what rings even more in depth in my heart and soul, was the ultimate divine plan that God had for His son Jesus.
And in many ways I can relate to Him more significantly.

When I first encountered the grace of God for the first time, I was helpless and vulnerable, much like baby Jesus and my surroundings were not so shabby either.
I wasn't sitting in a pew saying the Salvation prayer nor was I at the altar, with someone praying over me.
I was sitting on my living room floor...poor, hungry and helpless.
(Psalm 40:2, sums up my testimony.)
In my own humble surrounding I cried out to God.
I was born again, made new just like a newborn baby.

That was 6 and a half years ago; I have been on this amazing and challenging journey with my Lord and Savior.
And much like Jesus, had a purpose, to be born into this world.
I too, am finding God's purpose in my life.