Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Asking, Seeking, Knocking...

"So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." Luke 11:9-10

Wow...I read this scripture recently and this is where I am at. Only the Lord can answer my many questions and help me to move forward in this process. I haven't written in a few weeks because I have been in a holding pattern with the Lord. (Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I AM God.") I have been praying and waiting for the Lord to guide me in the next steps of my new life.

It has been nine months since Jay passed away, and so far it has been the usual roller coaster of emotions that you read about in all of the grief books. But along with those emotions, God has given me plenty of opportunities to share my experience and minister to people as they grieve. I have received a lot of healing by being able to comfort those that are hurting just like me. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says it perfectly, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." Simply put - if you receive comfort from the Lord; extend that comfort to someone who is hurting and in need of comfort. I pray that I can continue to be used to extend this comfort. My heart goes out to the broken-hearted.

Since last writing, the Lord has revealed much to me. I will be moving at some point in the near future. My house is officially on the market to be sold. Prayerfully, the house will sell and I will move out in the Lord's time. There aren't many houses selling in my neighborhood these days, but the Lord is ABLE. I believe that there is a perfect person meant to purchase my home. It will just take patience on my part. One thing that I was told about selling my house is that I have to disclose that my husband passed away in my home. Well, that really stinks in a big way! I asked my realtor if we can make sure everyone knows that Jay passed away peacefully of cancer and it wasn't some murder-suicide or homicide or anything like that. LOL You know, like all that stuff you see on the news! Oh my goodness! LOL

Along with selling my home, I am trying to shed some of my 20 years worth of stuff. I will most definitely be downsizing to an apartment or condo when it's time to move. I'm only one person...I don't need that much stuff. And along those lines...another thing that the Lord has been able to etch on my heart is that it really is "just stuff". There are a few things that hold sentimental value to me in my house, but the Lord has given me the ability to look at it from His point of view and see that it isn't important the amount of stuff I have, or how nice it is...material items really are just that...material. It is the memories that you hold onto, not the item that gave you the memory in the first place. It will be nice to shed myself of all of this and take the next step in my new life. In the Lord's time, of course.

The Lord is faithful to continue to teach me what is truly important. FAITH in HIM! As I seek Him in faith; the plan will be revealed. I have FAITH that He will see me through; HOPE in His promises; and LOVE...the LOVE of Jesus Christ. The greatest of these truly is....LOVE.

Father, thank You for Your faithfulness to guide my steps as I seek You. I am grateful for the chance to serve You and glorify Your Holy Name. I pray that You will continue to use me as your vessel and use my testimony to show others Your greatness. You are bigger than my circumstances. I trust You, Lord, in everything that happens. Help me to see Your plan for my life, and help me to take the necessary steps to fulfill that plan - even if I hesitate, move me. Thank You for loving me, my Abba Father. In Jesus precious name. Amen.

5 comments:

Carrie Stuart said...

Beautiful, Jamie...I'm amazed at your insight...and humor, LOL! Your faith is inspiring. Thanks for sharing this post. *hugs* Carrie

Deana said...

As one of the people who you have help comfort, I can say that God is using you for good. One of the things that god is showing me over and over in the last few weeks is exactly what you wrote: Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I AM God."
Of all the questions I have had, of all the concerns I have had, and of course all the lies in my head from the enemy, the one thing that God has told me is just to be still. It's hard when you are not used to it. JUST KNOW that He is and that is all. So your blog is one more affirmation that He wants me to know that HE IS.
<3 Deana

Unknown said...

Carrie - Love you, and miss you guys!

Deana - HE is! Always has been; always will be. Love you, Sister. I am praying for continued healing for you. God is faithful.

Dana Kruckenberg said...

Hello Jamie,
I will share this post with a recently bereaved friend who has lost 30 lbs while telling herself she was fine...she will be joining a ministry I was asked to lead at Calvary Chapel MoVal, taking food and fellowship to the women who need a touch from God because of severe illness or abandonment.
Thank you, Dana

Unknown said...

Dana,

Thank you for sharing my blog with your friend. I will pray for her. The Lord is faithful to meet her where she is at. She need only reach out. If you don't mind, please keep me posted on her progress through her sadness.

God bless you.

Jamie