The Winds of Change
As Winter slowly fades and flowers emerge indicating Spring has arrived, the winds of change blow in our lives in other ways as well.
Sometimes things happen that we do not understand. Maybe we’re not meant to understand each and every thing but are to, instead, trust that God has a plan for our lives. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us of this!
There are times when we’re left with our head spinning questioning motives behind individuals that seemed to have made a sudden change in their lives. They say or do things seemingly out of characteristic for them, but then we ask ourselves if we ever really knew the true person that they were on the inside. People are so good at faking it to get what they want, and often times, they take advantage of innocent souls that just want to love and be loved in this life.
Have you encountered a wolf in sheep’s clothing that has come into your life? I think if we’re honest, we all have at one point or another, and this encounter has left us shaking our heads. How can a person proclaim to be one way, yet their actions scream that they are the complete opposite? It is true that actions speak louder than words.
Some may say that we’re the fool for allowing this person back into our lives, but who wouldn’t want a second chance if they screwed up royally the first time? God forgives us, so shouldn’t we also extend that forgiveness to others? What is tricky here is trying to determine who is genuine and true, and who is trying to pull the wool over your eyes. We don’t always know the answer to this until the truth is revealed later down the road. Yet, we still aren’t the fools because of our forgiving nature. They are because they continue on in their foolish ways. One day it will all catch up with them. God doesn’t like ugly, and evil will not EVER win! God will make sure of it!
Ah, but we live and learn. We aren’t sorry for the chances that we gave, we just feel sorry for the individuals who blow it time and time again not realizing what they are losing in the process. Not only are they missing out on an awesome individual that would have done anything in the world for them, but they are letting the entire world know with their actions alone that they are not trustworthy, lack morals, values, and aren’t a person of integrity or good character. Honestly, in the end, we feel sorry for them. After all, you are only as good as your word. We remember when, in the good ole days, your word was your bond. Now, it seems to be all lip service, and they could care less who they use or step on along the way.
Rise up, Children of God, and put on your armor; the armor of God. In the world we’re living in today, we truly need it! When lives are not valued any longer and individuals seem to sink to lower levels, we scratch our heads and wonder what will happen with this generation that feels they are “entitled” and no one can touch them. They say and do things yet aren’t accountable for their actions. The parents that should be disciplining them are the ones teaching them by their bad example. The children grow up seeing parents lie and cheat on each other, often time being their alibi or covering for their parent’s indiscretions. Is it truly any wonder that they turn out the way they do then? Or what about the teens drinking, doing drugs, “vaping,” having sex in the backseat of their cars on the side of the road? Parents don’t seem to think their kids can do any wrong, and if you point it out to them, oh they’ll just cover for the little brats anyway. Right is right and WRONG is wrong!
It’s a sad world we’re living in. And I ask that you join me in prayer for this entire nation! We need God – not just on Sunday mornings when one occasionally wishes to step foot into a church or when they are in trouble and only then think to pray to God. We need God in our daily lives and heart. We need Him in the homes with Godly parents teaching and raising up Godly children who will be our leaders one day. We need people with high morals and values leading the way. Not what we have today with moral decay. It is scary to think of the graduating class this May with some so called “adults” that lack morals, values, integrity and have the character of a lowly snake in the grass.
We need God in the schools – in the classrooms – and we need God in the White House running this Nation!! What happened to “One Nation Under God?!”
God has been taken out of so many things, and yet we wonder why the world is in the shape that it’s in today. Plain and simple, we need more of God and less of the worldly influence.
Rise up, Parents, and raise children that will lead us all straight to the foot of the cross; to Jesus!
He is the only one that can truly save us all.
Mental Health Month
The entire month of May is Mental Health Month. This is a great opportunity to remind everyone that it is okay not to be okay!
As I thought about this topic, I did a little research as to when it first originated. Much to my surprise, I discovered that May has been observed as National Mental Health Awareness Month since 1949. I had NO idea! Did you?
During this month, advocates and activists seek to draw attention and awareness to the mental health issues that touch people’s lives all across this nation.
Did you realize that as many as one in five Americans are affected by mental illness? Neither did I!
I’d say it’s time for us to wake up and realize that people are hurting. Some hide it so well behind the many masks that they wear, but deep down inside, they are in great turmoil! The vast majority are suffering in silence, afraid to speak out for fear of the stigma attached to those with mental illnesses.
When a mental illness is left untreated, the person soon begins to have suicidal thoughts. They are consumed with feelings of hopelessness. This is when we need to be screaming from the roof tops that HELP IS AVAILABLE!!
Sadly, there is a large number that do not seek treatment. The harsh realization is that more people die by suicide than automobile accidents! Does that not shock you and shake you to your very core? It’s time to CHANGE that!
It breaks my heart to think of those suffering in silence, plagued with darkness, feeling as if the only way out is to take their own lives. They’re so afraid of the shame and humiliation they will feel or their family members will feel if they seek help. Yet, asking for help is the bravest thing they could possibly do!!
Will you join me in breaking the silence? Will you join in support for tearing down all the negatives that society has some how placed on those with a mental illness?
No one asks to be mentally ill. NO ONE!
Here at Light Love Hope, we have such compassion for each and every person that has ever struggled with mental health issues.
Please, if you or someone you know is struggling, reach out for help. We need you to know that help is available, and there are proven methods in dealing with mental illness. You do not have to fear being judged any longer. Help is available, and we encourage you to find a mental healthcare professional in your area to discuss options that are available for you.
If you, a loved one, or a valued friend are feeling suicidal, please reach out for support. You can start here, if you feel you cannot ask for help from those around you. Please go the American Foundation For Suicide Prevention where help is available now!
Your life matters!
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Once a movie, now the theme of our lives since January 1, 2016: A Series of Unfortunate Events. Honestly, that is the first thing that popped into my mind to describe the past four months.
There was a series of unfortunate events that spiraled out of control for a bit. It left such heartache and pain in its path, and after the mass destruction, it was hard to pick up the pieces of my daughter’s shattered heart. I’ll never forget her running into the living room crying hysterically as she fell into my arms sobbing deep, uncontrollable sobs. Her heart shattered right there on the floor all around us. I’ve never felt more helpless in all of my life. My daughter was hurting, and I couldn’t fix it. In the past, I could always kiss it and make it better when she scraped her knee or fell off of her bike. This time was way different, and I knew all I could do was hold her and pray for God to help us in this situation.
For months, we prayed. We knew that this was bigger than all of us, and only God could change hardened hearts. While we wished, prayed, and hoped for an answer in January, it just simply does not happen in our timing. When God seems silent, just know that He is working in the background. We just may not ever know it at the time, but if you’re patient and continue to have faith, God will reveal all in HIS timing.
And … He has.
Friday, my daughter called once more in tears. I could barely understand a word she was saying through her sobs. As she cried, I started crying, too. Finally, I grasped what my daughter was trying to say. An apology had been extended to her, out of the blue! We were both taken back by this, and she asked what she should do. Knowing she was about to be late going into work at that point, I told her to just breathe … and set the message aside until after work. She and I would pray about it and decide how to respond.
God … You truly WERE listening when we prayed, and You WERE at work the entire time!
That evening, she responded to the message through tears and nervousness. Hoping, waiting, wanting … And then a message popped up addressed to me. A very humble, respectful apology that I believe was heart felt. We hugged and cried together for God surely answered our prayers.
My daughter cried once more, but this time it was different. Her tears fell out of pure happiness over an opportunity for redemption. For a love she thought she’d lost forever has now returned asking forgiveness and vowing to prove that he is a changed man.
While others may not understand why anyone should receive a second chance after the series of unfortunate events, we know that God has forgiven us ALL for things we’ve done in our lives that were unpleasing to Him. If God forgives us, so shouldn’t we also extend our forgiveness to those that are humble and sincere? I believe we shall take this chance and allow this young man to prove himself. If we didn’t offer another chance, we would always wonder what could have been. And so we go, with God on our side, seeking His guidance and asking for His protection over their hearts and lives.
We know things won’t be roses and rainbows all the time. We also know that there is a lot of work that has to be done here for him to pick up the shattered pieces of my daughter’s heart and put them back together again to make her whole. I believe he is capable, if he invites God into his relationship.
No outside interference from non-supporting friends or family will be tolerated either. If people cannot genuinely support these two, then they need to keep their negative thoughts to themselves.
I believe that people can change if they truly want to. When their heart has been heavy and hurting for so long, they have to make a decision to continue living the way they have been OR to make a lasting change for the better.
I believe out of the ashes and the pain, a beautiful love will emerge stronger than ever.
