Sheltered From the Storm

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This evening I went grocery shopping. It was raining when I came out of the store. I had four bags in my hand and did not have the ability to hold an umbrella. There was a lady standing beside me in the lobby. I turned to her and said, “I’m trying to figure out how I will hold my umbrella so I can cross the street without getting drenched.” She quickly offered to carry two of my bags while holding her umbrella over us while we crossed the street. I said kindly, “thank you” as we departed.

It didn’t take long for the bus to come. I jumped on the bus and rode to my connecting stop. It was raining very hard by this time. However, it didn’t take long for the next bus to come. I jumped on the bus and while I sat there I watched two women get on the bus with a plastic poncho. One of the women sat directly in front of me. I was staring at her white hooded poncho as she got off the bus. I never really liked those things, but at this time it really looked nice and I desired to have one.

The temperature had dropped and I was wearing a summer top with leggings. I was uncomfortable, cold and wet. My shoulders were bare and I was very cold from the air condition blowing on my wet skin. I was debating whether I should get off the bus to get one of those plastic ponchos to cover myself.

There were two stops that I passed. I continued to look out the window because I just didn’t want to get off the bus again. I also wasn’t sure if the store would sell them so I decided to take the risk and walk in the rain. How bad could it be to get rained on in the summer anyway? I got off the bus and was waiting to cross the street dreading the 15 minute walk home. In the corner of my eye, I saw a connecting bus that would carry me down the street and drop me exactly a few feet away from my home! Usually that never happens to me! When I got off the bus, a lady got off the bus with me. I turned to her and told her how worried I was about getting caught in the storm but I said, “Where God guides, He provides!” She let me share her umbrella as we walked up the street and we spoke about how good God has been to us. Surprisingly, I only walked about 3 feet in the rain!

When I got home, I thought about my experience and was motivated to share my story. So often we worry about the storms we are going through in life. We are trying to figure out what we should do or how we will do it. We plan our course of direction and we are not prepared when the storm comes our way. We may even see a solution to the problem but it may be out of our reach.

When you walk through the storm, the Lord goes before you and provides protection, provision and favor. He carries you through the storms of life and leads you to your destinations. The timing of God is always perfect. Did you notice in the story how smoothly my connections were made. When God is working, your path opens without resistance and without a struggle. In Him, you may rest. For the good sheppard knows what you are in need of exactly when you need it, so trust Him. When we allow Him to work out our problems, we will be covered through the most heaviest storms of life.

“He that dwells in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the almighty. “Psalms 91

Set Free

As we go to barbeques, head to the beach, watch the fireworks and enjoy many other outdoor activities.

Let’s not forget that we have been set free by the Blood of Christ who paid the debt for our sins. It’s in Him, we move and have our being. Remember that we have been released from the bondage of sin and death. After we proclaim the Lord as our Savior, He pours His spirit into us. We are renewed beings and are now representatives in Christ to share the love with others. We have been redeemed from our sins and forgiven. The past has been washed away. So we are free from mistakes, burdens, negative thinking and attitudes, addictions, pain, guilt, condemnation and all other attacks from the enemy.

We are alive in Christ! So, let’s celebrate our liberty!

Happy July 4th!

Vision

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For the past couple of months, I’ve been thinking of a topic for my blog. Unfortunately, I’ve had writer’s block and I’ve been struggling for a subject but the word vision kept popping up in my mind. Since we just closed the month of February and we have entered into the final month (March) of the first quarter of 2011, we can revisit what we took hold of on January 1st and refresh our memories while we prepare for the Spring. We are still in the early part of the new year with many hopes, dreams and expectations for the coming year.

Having a clear vision of where you would like to go, what you would like to do and achieve is still very attainable. I look to Spring as a new beginning. It’s a time when things come alive again. Flowers bloom. Weather gets warmer and the daylight is longer. It gives us energy and motivation to move ahead with what we want to gain in 2011.

Let’s take each day and take advantage of the time that is given to us. Be open to new opportunities and meeting new people who are different from how you think. Be willing to develop and grow and get out of your comfort zone this year. Make it an unforgettable year. Be the vision. “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Prov 29:18

Keep your vision alive and keep moving forward…..