I've officially given into the blog! I'm not much of a writer so I never thought I would... but now that both my sisters have started and I realize how much I enjoy reading theirs, I've joined the club! I figure this can also take the place of journaling during my daily devotions... I've been meaning to do that too :).
Jesus has a funny funny sense of humor... It seems like every time I question his plans for me, He tests my faith to let me know to remember He is in total control! I did a 3 week fast to focus on what God's plans are for me and make a conscious effort to obey Him and just listen- boy did He ever reveal Himself! As I grew leaps & bounds in my faith those 3 weeks, I came off of the fast feeling refreshed and energized. Funny how as soon as we are confident in our faith, the devil tries to knock us a million steps back. Ever since the day after my fast ended, I have struggled with feeling defeated by several little things that Satan has thrown my way. Each day that I face a trial I think about the simplest words from the simplest song that we used to sing at Young Life camp when I was little: "Cast your burdens unto Jesus, He cares for you." It seems like I sing those words to myself on a daily basis these days. As I sing to myself I remember the other lines to the song... reminding me to lift Jesus higher and stomp Satan lower. It's amazing how much better I feel just making a conscious effort to stomp Satan lower when I feel him trying to steal my joy!
It has been apparent to me that even though I work in a faith-based agency with Christ-centered values, it isn't always bright and cheerful in the walls of The Next Door. Working with women who have been abused physically, emotionally and sexually and who have walked down the dark roads of addiction in and out of prison can be a very dark and challenging thing! I find myself having to pray constantly that Jesus will keep his angels around me and my co-workers so that the evil that has been stored up in these women will leave and that they will slowly be re-filled back up with the love and hope of Jesus. How can I give myself daily to 14 broken women if I haven't put the armor of God on myself first? I am a work in progress, but I am learning every day!
