Encouragement

"My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
2 Colossians 2:2, 3

Folks, I let this whole week slide by without offering one word of thoughts that were given to me. Why? I really can't say other than the overwhelming consuming thought that I have nothing to say that was worthy of writing. Well, in hindsight, reluctantly I have to admit, that I fell prey to a famous lie of the enemy -"You have nothing to offer, who are you?" And I am sure he was happy to quell my keyboardin' fingers for a week!

Thoughts would come to me, and I'd say, "Nah!" not gonna write about that. The Bible tells us not to quench the Spirit...and I was fed stories all week, but poo-poohed each one as they came - out of doubt. Doubt that it was worthy of writing, doubt that it would help or benefit anyone, and doubt that it was from God.

I also shared with my husband how I was distressed because "my site" was getting bigger than "I" wanted. I only felt led to share the site with a few people that I knew. But then those folks kept forwarding the blog link on to other people that I did not know! (insert scream here) NO! That's not what "I" had in mind! Now suddenly it was "my" site - not what I was doing on behalf of our Lord and Savior. Not good.....

My dear hubby looked at me and shook his head, saying, "Why are you trying to limit God? Why are you trying to limit your ministry? Evidently God is expanding your ministry to reach and help many more people than you know yourself." Gulp. At this point I stared at him blankly. Limit God? My ministry? Hmmm... Neither of those phrases had ever crossed my mind...especially the words "my ministry". And hubby is right. Who am I to limit God? I don't know anything, except that I have to obedient to the Spirit of God.

I never went into this endeavor seeking any praise or anything from people. I started this blog because I definitely know that I was led to do this by God to help others. Specifically how it helps them individually, I'll never know- that is up to God. I just have to be obedient, and do my part. But you know what? When I needed a little help, some encouragement to keep on keeping on, reinforcements were sent in to help a fellow soldier on the battlefield.

God sent several of my fellow soldiers of the Lord to encourage me today. One by one they came to me, and offering how the journals in the blog have really helped them see some things in their own lives. One shared that she sent the link of the blog to help a sister who is suffering from a disease, and the sister said it was encouraging to her! Another sister shared how my "Chicken Box" Story came to mind when she was in a similar situation, and she determined within herself to "do the right thing" by God's standards. Halleluyah! A brother even shared how he enjoyed the site. Another sister shared that she sent the link to her daughter to be blessed!

Wow! God is using this site for His own glory the way it is supposed to be. Now that I have confirmation of that inside of my frail humaness, I am ENCOURAGED!

Why is it even when we KNOW that we are doing the right thing that we still allow doubt to creep in? Lord, forgive me. And as if that were not bad enough, in the midst of the doubt that ol' ugly ego gal named "I" was unknowingly exalting herself. No wonder I couldn't write. But in spite of me, He still had mercy on me, and loved me, and sent encouragement my way.

It sure is nice to be loved unconditionally. Halleluyah! That should be encouragement enough.

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