Category: God is Good

‘Tis the Season…a reflection

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ~
1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

Read Time 2 Minutes

This time of year is filled with many emotions. Warmth, gladness, gratitude, excitement, sentimentalities, sadness from loss or what might be missing, and often life reflections. As I listened to people talk this Thanksgiving about what they are thankful for, I noticed that many people expressed their gratefulness in relation to the last 2 years. I heard, “The last two years have been tough…” expressed more than once. The pandemic seems to have left no one untouched, whether they have had the virus or not, by difficulties due to domino effects that have occurred. What made my heart glad though, was hearing the 2nd part to the statement above, “however, God has blessed me”.

I have my own story from the last two years…a story of challenges during this pandemic. Like many others, this historic time period has often led to a feeling of anxiety due to the uncertain times. Not only did I move across country far from my familiar surroundings 2 years ago, but the stress of a big move and the start of the pandemic certainly aided in emotional distress at times. Beginning a business as a personal trainer was very difficult as well with shut downs that particularly effected restaurants and gyms. There are a variety of circumstances I could continue to share that have provided a challenging past 2 years for myself, but like I heard other people express, I too can say, “however, God has blessed me.”

One of my blessings is being able to move into a new home after a year and a half of apartment living. The way God allowed this progress forward in a time when so much was at a standstill has been amazing! More blessings include having family finally make the trek to the PNW to visit us this past summer, a loving husband to share these times with, the beauty of Washington state that surrounds me, overall good health, and new friends and adventures.

However, the biggest blessing that stands out to me is that God never leaves me alone. Now while it is true that I am never alone because He is always with me, that is not what I’m talking about when I refer to Him not leaving me alone. What I mean is, no matter what hardships I have already been through in my life and overcome through clinging to my faith in Christ, He still does not stop challenging me to overcome more difficulties and grow deeper in my faith walk. So, I give thanks that He delights in me so much that He keeps on shaping me like pottery on the wheel. He is continuing a good work that He started in me. I am thankful for the trials God has allowed in my life these past 2 years because He has been and still is using them to grow me closer and closer to Him. I am thankful that when I ask God, “Why are you allowing this?”, that He gives me reminders of His perfect goodness and also pours out tender mercies and blessings through troubled waters.

As I now look towards Christmas, and think about the the perfect gift of Jesus in this imperfect world, I am thankful for something else too! Due to the past 2 years and all the uncertainty that it has held, I feel a heightened since of peace in the one thing that is always certain…Immanuel. God is always with me, He never changes, He is always good, He never breaks a promise, He will never leave me, and I will be with Him forever one day! Halleluiah!

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. ~ Hebrews 13:8

See, the virgin will become pregnant
and give birth to a son,
and they will name Him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us. ~ Matthew 1:23

May your Christmas be merry and may your new year be filled with many blessings from above!

The Fun Side of God

“Delight yourself in the Lord;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4

Read Time 5 Minutes

Ready, Set, Go, And STOP! At the beginning of this year, I wrote a blog post called, “2021…Ready, Set, Go”. Shortly after, I stopped writing. I started off the year inspired to live a victorious 2021 through Christ who strengthens me no matter what the year held. Now it is September. How am I doing?

At times I feel fatigued with life and the world around me. I stopped writing for a variety of reasons including the drain of everything surrounding the pandemic, our country, and the world. I really began to feel that I wasn’t living the victorious way that I had hoped. Recently, I realized that victories can be small and can be daily! Just overcoming obstacles on a given day by grabbing God’s hand and ending the day at peace is a victory. Waking in the morning after a hard day before and feeling God’s new mercies available to me is a victory!

Then, just a couple of weeks ago, right in the middle of a continuing pandemic, I had the opportunity to visit Juneau, Alaska. Yes, I had a chance for recreation and refreshment in the form of a visit to “The Last Frontier” State! In the midst of chaotic times and a very weary country (Covid-19 issues, divisiveness through media and politics, controversies, and confusion), I played! And, God reminded me that in addition to Him being All-powerful, Almighty, and many other perfect characteristics, He has a fun side! This is the multifaceted side of God that creates, that wants to delight us, and that wants to shower gifts on us! He certainly did all of that for me in Alaska!

He is a fun Father! As a parent, I wanted to create delightful experiences for my daughter as she grew up. It was a joy to watch her have fun in every new adventure or every new activity that I provided for her pleasure and growth. Just think how much more God wants to shower us with amusement and happy experiences as our Heavenly Father. He loves us and loves to give us good gifts! He is the ultimate Creator. Creating is fun, and God wants us to enjoy his majestic creations. It was evident to me that God must have been having great gratification being the Creator when I saw the amazing environment of Alaska. When I spied for the first time a sparkling blue glacier calving, I thought to myself, God must have had fun creating the scene that I was viewing! I also felt that He must be feeling great joy that I was happily immersed in His beautiful creation, for I am His daughter, a daughter of the one true King!

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17

My experience went beyond just being awakened to God’s fun side. It also reminded me of what a personal God He is to each one of us. He showed me that the fun He was allowing me to experience was a very personal gift from Him to me. Each daily adventure seemed to be perfectly timed. I encountered sunshine, rain, misty low clouds, and mild temperatures…all which seemed unmistakably to work well with each activity. Also, as cruise ships disembarked many tourists to flood the area, I somehow began or ended my excursions around the cruise ship crowds without any awareness of their schedule. Thus, I had a very quiet and peaceful time as well as private moments in Alaska.

On top of all of that, I received answered prayer! My favorite part of God’s creation is His animals. I prayed that I would have animal encounters and I especially wanted to see a bear. Oh!!! He must have been having such a wonderful time watching me play! God provided multiple humpback whale sightings. One such sighting was in a very secluded moment when I had just stepped out of the car to take in the views of Auke Bay. I first heard the distinctive sound of blow and then turned to look. There were 2 humpbacks feeding very near the shore…I believe, a mother and her calf! He also allowed me to see four mountain goats feeding and resting on the steep mountainside while on a boat tour. On that boat ride while I was taking a picture of the mountain goats, a Pacific white-sided Dolphin leaped 2 times right by the side of the boat! The glistening two-toned creature is still vivid in my mind. Seals were added to my list of animal sightings as I witnessed them lounging on the sea ice.

And finally, on the last morning in Alaska, I saw my bear! Not in the wild on a hike, but very boldly strolling down the sidewalk in front of gift shops! He seemed to be doing his own souvenir shopping and then turned a corner and climbed over a fence before disappearing. Once again, there were very few people around. I know God was delighting in my delight in that moment as he answered my prayer!

My reflection on this Alaskan adventure includes more than the reminder that God is fun. More importantly than that is the fact that the same God who created mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, and amazing animals is not only personal, He lives in me! My heart is His home. In that reality, I can face everyday in victory…in confidence, and even in joyful playfulness!

Also, as I watched the antics of the animals, it struck me that they were so relaxed in a potentially dangerous and harsh environment around them. They were not worried about what the next day would bring. The seals were totally at ease as the glacier calved giving them a ride on the sea ice. Their behavior seemed to amplify the fun of life as they bobbed in the wavy water as though they were in the lazy river at a water park.

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” Matthew 6:25-26

So… Ready, Set, Go! Take some time to recreate! Have some fun! God is in control!

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17