2011: BLOOM

I've never officially done a word theme before. I mean it's not like I've been busy these past few years having babies, raising babies, or moving three times. *insert sarcasm here* I decided to try it out this year and have been praying for about a month that a word would come to mind for me to use as a focal point for some emotional and spiritual goals this year.

Yesterday I spent some time praying for friends, family, my community, and myself at a Prayer Journey at our church. It was a pretty powerful experience to be able to go from station to station and really spend some quiet, alone time focusing on God. Then I got to the healing table...

I always have a hard time with the healing table, because my pancreas broke when I was 7 years old. And it's still broken.

I began to pray and read some of the Scriptures that were provided at the station.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 hit me in a way it never has before.

"Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. ⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. ⁹ But he said to me,“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me..."

^{Here's the awesome part!!!}

^"10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

I began to cry.

I've lived with a disease where I am reminded that I have a "thorn in my flesh" almost every hour of my life. Finger pricks, set changes, carb counting, low blood sugars, high blood sugars, ketones, insurance coverage; there's always something on my mind.

But the God of the whole universe gave me His grace. His grace is manifested in me. And when I am weak in myself, I HAVE to go to Christ and receive His strength. He sustains me in all my troubles, my hurts, and my frustrations.

I have learned so much over these past few years.

2007= A year of extreme pain and learning

2008 = A year of forgiveness and letting go

2009 = A year of growing and new experiences

2010= A year of new beginnings

This year I feel I am finally ready to BLOOM. I feel rooted and thankful and excited.

I feel refreshed.

This year my children will both become school age. I will turn 30. And I will have been blessed with a "thorn in my flesh" for the 23rd year. A thorn that reminds me every day that my strength does not EVER come from myself, but ALWAYS from Him.

Happy New Year Everyone!

The Shack- Book Recommendation

PREFACE:
I used to be a reader. And then I had two kids in 4 years. Now I rarely have time to read. So if I read a book AND take the time blog about it. It has to be good.

I haven't really done any book reviews since college and I don't really like writing them, so we won't call this a book review, but a book recommendation. If you want to know more about the synopsis of the story you can google The Shack or visit The Shack Website

I just wanted to say that this is one of the BEST books I've read in a long time!! It is a fiction story that is almost a modern day parable that describes God's love in simplicity and profoundness. It was a little difficult to get through at times, just because it hit some deep emotions with me... but it took me on a spiritual journey that was incredibly worth it. I found myself laughing, crying, and even worshipping at times. I can not recommend this book enough. It is written for anyone and everyone who has ever had a problem forgiving, letting go, trusting God, or feeling unworthy of God's love. (Ummm... so that's pretty much ALL of US unless you're in some serious denial!!!)

Even if you aren't a big fan of God or church or religious stuff.... I STILL encourage you to read it. It's a N.Y. Times #1 best seller and this is an amazing story. I haven't been this engaged in a story in a long time and it felt good to escape for a while and get lost in this story. If you don't think it was worth the time, you can send me nasty hate mail.

This author is brilliant. I just loved this book.