Wednesday, July 30, 2014




It's been awhile since I have posted. Sorry about that. Mostly it is because I kind of got lost- just a little bit. Once I realized it, I created a plan to help me find my way back. I'm
not used to getting lost; haven't been for a lot of years now. It isn't something one chooses to do, just something that happens for a variety of reasons, some of them being:
the death of a loved one, financial difficulties, the loss of jobs, the loss of a home. There
is the grief over runaway children too- children on drugs, and of course serious health issues. The list is endless.


My getting lost didn't surprise me. Not really. I mean, how could it? When we have too

much on our plates it's hard to remain centered. The more trials there are- the heavier their weight- the more painful, the more likely it is that we'll lose our way. Life is hard!
Very hard!


Our sufferings, sorrows and trials  cannot be avoided. And though we will all experieince
them it's not something anybody looks forward too. Our burdens can feel so painful, so heavy that we feel isolated from God. Our faith falters, sometimes disappears for awhile, as if it never existed. Doubts follow suit, washing over us like the ocean against the shore.

We see our trials as a bad thing, either forgetting, or not realizing, that it is midst our darkest, most difficult moments that God is the  nearest- as close as our breath.
 

I used to believe that God allowed trials in my life in order to teach me something. I never began to grow spiritually until I understood that I had everything backwards.

God didn't use my trials to teach me something (though I usually learn something from them). What he wanted, was for me to recognize that I needed to unlearn something.
 He wanted me to understand that because I was going about something in the wrong
way, nothing in my life was going right. And until I truly understood that, he was unable to set the crooked paths of my life straight.

Now, every time  a new trial confronts me, I know to look for God in it,
rather than be intimidated by the trial. The more I do this- the larger, more
strong my faith becomes. Whatever your burden today, however heavy or painful, I encourage you to look for God in it. If you do, peace will return to its rightful place in your life.


Part of this post is from today's post in my Spiritual blog. I'd not planned on writing in this manner, not in this blog. But considering how things are in the world these days, and considering how hard life has become for us all, I thought sharing it to be a good thing.

I am praying that all of you are doing well, are happy and surrounded by the people who love you, believe in you, treasure you, and appreciate you. I hope you never forget how much you mean to me, and will always mean to me. Some of us don't comment much on blogs any more, but do it via email or Facebook. Things change,I know. But to be honest, I rather enjoy seeing comments, even if only a couple. It reminds me of former times, when J-Land existed, and each morning, and sometimes during the night, we'd visit one another- often till the wee hours of the morning.

Stay sweet. Be good to your hearts.  Keep them full of love, patience,

kindness, tolerance, faith, and always Hope.


Love you much,



7 comments:

Crown of Beauty said...

It was good to receive a comment from you on one of my June posts, and yes, it was also good to read another blog post from you. YOur posts lift me up because they are written from your heart. It is true, when trials and difficult circumstances come our way, they are opportunities allowed by God for us to learn, and also to unlearn something.

I suppose that we can never really learn unless we first unlearn. Empty our hearts of preconceived notions that get in the way of new things.

I also do appreciate comments, even just a few, on my blog. But these days, people find it more convenient to comment on FB.

Be blessed, dear friend. I am keeping you close to my heart.

Love
Lidia

Sarah! said...

Hi Barb...Just come over from Facebook.
I have also been on a downward spiral and it was hard to recognise what was happening. It is so easy to get caught up in circumstances, in my case health and worrying about others around that make us forget about ourselves, our own needs or to function properly.
I haven't been around on facebook much either. It feels like everything is such an effort...sigh! But, I am trying.
Take care Dear Barb. You are always in my thoughts. xx

Jeanie said...

I am one of those who has forgotten about their Blog. It was a sad day when AOL closed down. Most of us have moved to Facebook but that doesn't lend itself to meaningful and long interactions like this entry of yours Barbara. I have grown to love the person you are and admire your soul. I can only hope some of you rubs off onto me.
A truly thoughtful entry today. Thank you!

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

What a lovely heartfelt post and that butterfly you pictured is lovely too. I so agree with you. I've had to unlearn the same things over and over it seems. God is near and always with us. He never leaves us even if we forget Him for awhile. Losing focus is easy but thankfully we get a lesson now and then that makes us remember. Another blogger mentioned the fact that perhaps blogger was becoming a thing of the past recently. I certainly hope not.

Kath said...

Testing trying again.I carn't seem to get a comment to publish Barb.So trying first.

Kath said...

Ah!!! at last it has worked.I called by the other night and tried to comment on your other Blog,but it wouldn't publish..So frustrating at times.This post lifted me no end Barb,as your words always do.It seems every time I need lifting,you do a post. Sorry my comments are few and far between due to health probs.God Is Good and YES he is with us always.Love and miss you so much.Take Care God Bless Kath xx

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