Choices

Just sharing what's on my heart today :)


We wake up every day with choices.

To get up early. Or even on time. Or to just sleep in a few more minutes.

To choose what we want for breakfast. Or if we even want to eat. Coffee? Tea? Juice?
Lots of choices.

Some we can make easily. And some take time.  

And some choices we really take our time on, because they have a cost to them.

When I have a choice to make, and I feel like it's a pretty big deal, I know I need to slow down, pray and ask for direction.

Sometimes God is silent, and He lets me go the way I decide.  

When I met my husband, I was hurting.  There had been a breakup after a 2 year relationship, and I was afraid to get into another one.  I determined that I would not get serious with anyone for a long time.

But prom was coming, and I had no date.  So my friend did what she thought was a great idea- and thank goodness she did.  She set me up with her boyfriend's handsome marine friend - and the rest is history.  Today is his birthday - oh I'm so glad he was born. :)

I could have made the choice to stay home for prom - and not agreed to her plan.

I did NOT pray- I didn't even know Jesus or care about being in line with Him or His plan.  But He knew me - and even though lots of bumps were ahead for us - He knew what we would become and He knew His plans.

When we moved to Texas- the plan was not clear - in fact it was very foggy and the only sure thing He put into our hearts was, "Serve and lift the arms of Gary and Carolyn..."  

So we prayed. And we counted the cost. And we cried many tears.  And we said goodbye.

We made the choice to sell our home and move across the country to follow what we felt God was saying for us.  It has not been easy.  It has not been clear.  But it has been full of joy.

Sometimes He confirms we are right where we are supposed to be. And sometimes He is quiet.  And the quiet times are hard.

You also have the power to choose your emotions. Anger, disappointment, peace, sadness, joy.  To choose to love. To choose to hope.

Someone hurts us- on purpose or not- we can choose.
Something doesn't go the way we had hoped- we can choose.
Things end and you didn't want them to - we can choose.
A really great thing happens... to someone else - we can choose.
The world comes crashing down as we know it- we can choose.

That's the thing about choices.  They are ours. 

Jesus came to give us life more abundant - life to the full.  A life of blessings. And we can have it - if we choose.

I hope you choose well <3

Christa 


"Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!"  Deut. 30:19

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

He knows my name.

Seven months ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. 

No warning. No insurance. And no money to pay for it all. 

I felt scared, lonely and weak.

 But He knew my name.

Today I went for my surgery post op appointment. I am healing well. My tumor had shrunk to the degree that it wasn't detected on a mammogram and looked like scar tissue. She removed it and it's GONE! Another part of the process is done. 

I felt stronger and more like myself when I woke up this morning. A little stronger every day. 

Going through struggles and tough times can bring out the worst in us. Things we thought we had overcome - come out of hiding places and show their ugly faces. 

But nothing happens that God isn't aware of- that He doesn't allow... So it's all for His glory. The pain, suffering, the ugly. To make us more like Him- and to strengthen our faith. And I have learned that this is truer than true- that God loves ugly. He embraces it. At my worst, at my ugliest point- he loved me. He knew my name. And I was enough. 

Though I am not thankful for cancer- I am thankful for this season. I have learned so much about myself. I have learned that I am tougher than I had believed. And that I have a savior that accepts me and everything about me. 

He knows my name, but He calls me beloved. Even when we are unloveable, ungrateful, and ugly. Today I'm so grateful for life. I get to laugh with my husband, play cards with my babies, enjoy time with people I love, serve in ministry. My heart is so full. 

And I'm determined in my heart that I won't take life for granted. I want to soak up every opportunity, forgive those who hurt me, and love well. Love Jesus and people with all of my heart. 

Because what else really matters?

Won't you join me? ❤️

Christa