Happy Friday--Be Ready & Renew Your Joy! God will handle it all!

This is my 360th post, which I promised was going to be about circles and 360*--but I have about 7 minutes right now, so I'll add to this post later. (This will be a real test of my typing skills--see how fast I can crank this out!). I was in the worst mood yesterday morning--tired, cranky, in pain--snapping at my husband left and right. It wasn't about him at all, I did apologize and reassure him that I wasn't actually mad at him. I was just super stressed. No excuse, really, but at least I clarified it, you know! Anyway, so we had to go run errands and when we got in the car, I said "Okay, I HAVE to meditate like right now, or I'm going to just explode!" And he goes "duh! I was hoping you'd recognize that because you're acting crazy, and yes, you need to meditate." Yes, honey, I know! What brought this on is that Thursday night as I was going to sleep I stopped and THOUGHT about what I've done in ONE year...A LOT! I've made some of the biggest life changes and biggest decisions in under a year. I've gone through some of literally THE most stressful things in the past year and it JUST hit me. So without rehashing all of that, let's just say I was finally stopping to think about it and boy oh boy, I was feeling a little overwhelmed. 2009 has been a GREAT year so far, just a really busy one, and at the very least, I'm dealing with some VERY adult things! I'm finally a grown up! (For the most part--LOL!). Anyhow, I meditated heavily on the way to our numerous errands and I instantly felt a sense of peace! I put myself in the Presence of God and was just totally OKAY! And that's when it hit me "I'm alright. Yes, I've been through a lot, but so has everyone else, and I'm doin' okay. I'm doing it, I'm getting through it. I'm finding my way. And as long as I stay in the Presence of the Lord, I'll be just fine." SOMETIMES, though not often, I tend to forget that. But every time I just STOP and re-focus my attention and energy, I'm renewed. One of my favorite authors is Joyce Meyer, a Christian minister--and a totally inspiring woman! I have her book "Starting the Day Right," a daily (morning) devotional. And this morning when I got up, I came downstairs and picked it up. And this is what it said for yesterday AND today:

June 4th (yesterday):
"Philippians 4:13 promises that Christ will EMPOWER you for ANYTHING you must face. This means that He will make you READY for anything and equal to all challenges by infusing you with INNER STRENGTH. God will never put you in a position to do something without giving you the strength and ability to do it. You can RELAX and ENJOY your life, for God will "strengthen (complete, perfect) and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will while He Himself works in you AND accomplishes that which is pleasing to His sight."

Okay, now, HOW BEYOND cool and right on is that! I didn't actually read that yesterday, but in the car, after meditating, it felt like I had. God does NOT give us more than we can handle. And pretty much every week this year, I've been told how strong I am, and it's nice to hear, I won't lie. But, MY strength comes from the Lord! And the great support team I surround myself with. I can feel the Lord working in my life. And granted lately, I don't think He's into letting my life be too easy, relaxed or stress-free--BUT, that's okay, because I can do all things through Him. I CAN 'relax and even ENJOY' the so called stress, because stressed is blessed. At least to a certain point. I can deal with anything that life throws at me because I know the Lord is with me. And He wants me to ENJOY my life, and recognize that I am NOT the soul provider, fixer or solution finder of EVERYTHING--that's kind of His job and all I have to do is MY part. I can only do so much and be the best I can be. I can be conscious of how I act, what I do, and what I say...and also what I don't. But beyond that, I say "Bring it on!" because I'm going to win whatever battle or stressful life situation I face. It WILL all work out the way it is SUPPOSED to in the end. So I don't have to spend my days re-living what HAS happened or what WILL happened...God wants me to be present in THIS moment, and be the best I can be and let go of the rest. Let Go and Let God! Which brings me to today's devotional reading, also from Joyce Meyer's book:

June 5th:
"Renew Your Joy: Emotional trauma drains people of their energy [so true!]. Bu the Word says "Be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold. [again, so very true!]. The devil wants to steal your joy because he knows [if he does you will be so] weak so that you won't resist the turmoil he's set against you. That is why sometimes we need each other. [isn't that the truth?] Some days God will send messengers to build you up in faith and renew your joy. Some days He will send you to someone else who is in a weakened condition.....Be someones friend today. They may need a friend to stand beside them and encourage them and to life them up and pray for them."

So that's what I'm going to do today. I'm going to be a friend. I'm going to be a little kinder, a little nicer. Because being kinder and nicer doesn't have to mean being a "pansy" in the words of my best girlfriend, Tessa. It doesn't have to mean taking every one's crap and never standing up for yourself. It means knowing how to be there for others because they are so often there for you. It's about sharing your needs and wants and give-and-take. So much in this life is give-and-take. Trust me, I know. (My husband is recognizing that too lately, thank God!). Anyway, yesterday, I renewed my joy! After a short nap on the couch last night, I got off my butt and went through literally BAGS of paperwork! And guess what? I immediately felt better! My living room looks better, is a lot less cluttered and I threw out a lot of stuff we didn't need! Praise the Lord! I listened to Him, told Him my needs--realized that I needed to REST first and THEN do...realized that not EVERYTHING had to be done TODAY (or yesterday) and that God WILL put me and Colin in the right place/house/space when we are supposed to be there. (I was a bit worried about our lease ending at the end of summer!).

So in conclusion, I AM READY! I have RENEW(ed) MY JOY! And I am going to go out into my day now, and stay in the Presence of God!

And it is my sincere hope that you do too!

Yesterday, I asked the Lord, and my husband, to forgive my pissy mood, and they did! I also had to forgive myself too! It's important to allow yourself to be human and real and genuine--honesty is so important, especially when it comes to yourself and your needs! The Lord knows them all and will take care of them appropriately!

Once again, I hope you all have a fantastic Friday and stay in the Presence of the Lord! (However it is that you view Him!)

God (truly does) Bless Us Everyone!

In Light N' Love,
-Sarah Liz :)

P.S. I'll write more about "circles," and 360* later! Bye for now!