A Promise Fulfilled

One year and three months ago, my sweet childhood friend Tammy Nischan, “laid down a gauntlet” at the feet of my sorrow.  She laid it down in such a way that my self  had to pause, to breathe and to think about what she suggested, no, at what she challenged me to do.

“Write, Lesa”  “Pour out your heart onto blank pages so that a year from now, even years from now, you can see how God is working on your heart and spirit.  What is unclear to you because of the fog of pain will become more clear as time passes.  And, if you write it down, you will have a record of this journey you are on.  It will evidence God’s walking beside you and with you and it will show  you that you are,  nor were,  ever alone.”  It will be the season in which He gives to you a new heart.

In trust, I began writing. 

And today, as I opened the box which contains my “Blog book” (thank you Hannah Rhodes Rogers for the idea), I am ever so grateful for Tammy’s challenge.  At the time, I didn’t fully understand nor appreciate Tammy’s words, but as I write this today,

I do.

Those fifteen months ago, I found and claimed this verse from Ezekiel 36:26

“I shall give you a new heart, and put a new spirit in you.”

That was my prayer those many months ago, and as I read through the hundreds of words which poured out of me, I find truth in this verse and in His promise.  It is all there…in black, white and at times even red. 

The journey and His presence.

And, I am grateful.

Blessings,

Lesa

A Promise to Myself

A Promise to myself….

As I turned 50, a priority goal is to read through my Bible in a year.  To effect that possibility, it became clear to me that reading would have to be my priority.  And, so other things would have to become a lessor priority.

And, so they will.

Prior to birthday, I committed that beginning today, April 1, 2012, I will not give fb, cell phones, internet searches, nor work, nor coffee, nor sitting on the deck watching the sunrise priority in my life until I give my daily reading its due time.  This also applies to throwing in a load of laundry, eating a banana and getting up my children for school.

Fortunately, I am an early riser, and find getting up in the early morning to read a joy and a blessing.  As well, I am a before I go to bed reader and will be able to ensure I honor my commitment as sun sets.

A promise. 

Not one made to my husband, or my children, my parents or my family.

Truthfully, not even one made to God for He does not need my promise…it is His assistance I seek in honoring my word.  But, I believe He will bless me as I strive to follow through.

It is a promise to the woman I am to become these next 365 days…the woman God wants to grow me into which he cannot as long as I place other things, other people, other ideas in my forefront.

I personally find joy in the things I list above….I enjoy hearing your voices on my phone, watching the sun rise and set from our deck, and following your family on Facebook.

But, if I do that and fail to place God first in my day, then I have failed at the number one purpose in life and that is to be a reflection of Him in how I live my life.

Sadly, I have done that many times….the failure part.  And, I always ask myself why, when deep down, I know why…

Because I give Him my left-over me not my priority me.

So, I have made a promise to myself.  I write it here because I believe what you write and can see with your eyes you are better able to live by….we do have the best example of that in The Bible.

And, I write so you can hold me accountable (as some of you will really do…and, I love you for that)…..

So, Yes, I did read this morning before reading and posting this…and, I pray that God will grow me into a woman who will take time with Him each morning before I do another single thing that day.

For if I truly “love him with all of my heart”, I will give Him the very best of my heart and that means the first of my heart.

Please be praying that I am able to honor my promise….

And know, I will be praying for you.

Blessings,

Lesa

“Which is the first of all Commandments?”  Jesus replied, “This is the first; Listen, Israel, the Lord our God is the one, only Lord, and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength.  The second is this: you must love your neighbor as yourself.  There is no greater commandment than these.”….Mark 12: 28-31