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Day 8 with Beth Moore is about Jesus walking with us. Just as we are. Where we are.
It is so easy for me to slip away onto the Isle of Discontent. That mode of thought where I start thinking I\’m not good enough or doing enough or load myself down with all sorts of other \”not enough\” baggage. Where I wonder if I should be somewhere else than where I am. Should I be doing this or should I be doing that?
Enough already, right? It\’s that kind of thinking that makes me think I need to be bigger and better than just be who I am, where I am and how I am. It\’s okay to be an ordinary small person and let an extraordinary BIG GOD do all the other stuff that needs to be doing.
I am trying to be very open to God in my life – but I have to stop the thinking that God is calling me to be a Super Christian. Don\’t think so. I think the biggest thing God is calling me to be – is to be content where I am.
A joy-filled Christian is the best witness there is in my book. That\’s my desire. To get into the mode of being joyful in all circumstances. Practice it in the little things everyday – so that if something BIG does drop down I can handle it with the same spirit of joy. Sometimes the news scares me to pieces if I think about it – but then I have to be still and trust God.
Some of the most important, important people in my life have been people that were known to very few. People like my small circle of friends and family. Like those who have followed me through my journey of faith in the monastery and out. When I was in the monastery it was as if that identity made me into a somebody – but truthfully I am still a somebody no matter where I am.
God is with us today. God will be with us tomorrow. Where ever we are. No matter if the earth shakes and falls about us – God will be there. Whew. What a relief.
Hi Patricia,
What you wrote is so true, to be happy and joy- filled everyday with the little things, it is something we all need to practice and strive for. So much energy is wasted on worrying about things we do not have control over.
In my book Patricia, you are special and important and someone I admire. You have touched the lives of so many people in and out of the convent. You are where God wants you, you are one of his precious children as we all are.
God bless you Patricia.
Thanks Cathy, It has taken me a few years out of the monastery to get to a point where I solidly believe it. But I do think so now. The part of being where I am supposed to be.
I knew it when it was time to go – it was like a door God opened for me to go through – but it was still scary and self doubts of whether God would continue to use me in the future. But now I do believe God is always ready to work with us where ever we might be or whatever we might do.
I will say for sure and by golly your help and friendship along with others has been the light and joy that kept me going! And still does of course!
I have found that it is pretty much a “control thing” for me. This stems back from my childhood and that is OK. It made me who I am today. When I give up this control idea and realize that God is the one who is guiding me, my life seems to go along much better. I know He won’t let me down because He never has before. Why He would love someone so insignificant (in the grand scheme of things) as me is simply amazing. In particular, I have found that it is so important to be ready and open to His message and direction. Being close to Him as I can be in my daily life helps. God is always there – just waiting.
God is always with us no matter what, in the most dark moment of my life, when my ex-husband left the pain was so deep inside and I said where is God, and He was with me and carry me all the way and straight the road that the devil try to ruin, the pain was there but I function, did what I have to do, my kids and I survive, Angels (friends) always came with something that we need and I don’t know how they have known, it wasn’t easy but He was there and carry us and survive and I saw the miracles daily, now I am different and my faith it is strong, I love the Lord with all my heart, with all my strength. I enjoy your reading your journey and you have grown and learn and all of us with you, God bless you and remember “He that dwell in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: My God in him will I trust” . God bless.
Hi Patricia
You are so very right, we all need to follow your way of thinking. The way you write your thoughts and feelings help me to see life in a better way. What is that saying “don’t sweat the small stuff”. There is a lot of truth in those little words. I just have to practice it more often. And You are so much bigger and better than you realize. You touch so many people in so many different ways, you are a true gift. Thank you for who you are and all that you do.