Thursday, May 9, 2013

#Blessings101


#Blessings 101

Oh, God-of-the-Angel-Armies, If you’ll take a good, hard look at my pain, If you’ll quit neglecting me and go into action for me. 
1 Samuel 1: 11 (MSG)
 Blessings, lesson number 2013. Yes, each year has a lesson. This year a final exam of the  truth. Taking a hard look past hurts and pains takes tenacity. It takes repeating the same  look over and over again. You could do it so repeatedly that it becomes part of your normal  routine. That tenacity can take you places that remind you of who you were, not who you  are. That repeated reminder can take you far from Jesus. This year I decided that taking a  hard look at my pain would be my final exam at it through my tearful eyes and see it  through the grace of our Lord. My neglect for misplacing my blessing into repeated hurt was final.


He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. 2 Corinthians 1:4 (MSG)

 He has been beside me the entire time. That day I found out I was going to be a Mother for the first time. And an unwise time at that. My first thought was to be afraid that I would forever be out of the good graces of everyone I knew. Especially the one that continued to whisper into my tears every Sunday. There were so many good people around me then, just trying to walk me through. I was just so afraid to be less than they hoped for, less than the Jesus girl I was brought up to be.

They defeated him through the blood of the Lamb and the bold word of their witness. Revelation 12:11 (MSG)

The bold witness is the epitome of Godliness. Being defeated by my choices held me captive for many years. It just didn't figure in that I may be able to forgive myself for my untimely choice. My choice to bring a baby into a world of a young Mother. That first day, I sentenced myself to a lifetime of unforgiveness.  That was binding of pain that Jesus didn't plan for me. He died for me to be able to live. The whole time I held myself in that pain, I defeated his purpose for me. Jesus meant for us to be bold in witness to others of both our failures and success 

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2: 10 (MSG)
My Blessing in life has been delivered to me with instructions. Those instructions were to given to me with a promise. A promise that I was loved even in my darkest choices. My choice to take an unplanned pregnancy to a clinic where shouts of defeat lined the path. My choice to listen to the angel that sent me home that day. My choice to have a baby in dire circumstances of an unprepared Mother. My choice to seek a Family that would be her Family. A Family to bless with my choice.



9 comments:

Jennifer said...

Thank you for sharing your sweet heart Marcie. Wishing many blessings upon you. Love you!

Jennifer Newsom
OBS Exec/Teaching Team

Unknown said...

You are on an amazing path, my friend! God is blessing you to bless others. So many will benefit from your words in this blog. Love your heart and I love you!

Kelley Murphy said...

Oh Marcie ~ we are our own worst enemies most times. Tying our hearts up in bondage that is self-inflicted and would never come from our Heavenly Father. Praying that you have released yourself from that bondage ~ and have set yourself free. You are a beautiful sister in Christ and your testimony makes you the awesome child of God you are today. HUGS and Much Love! I think you'll pass the 2013 exam beautifully!

Beth said...

I second what Kelley said! Beautiful post! Thank you for sharing your hurt and your heart. You ARE a beautiful daughter of God!
Love and Prayers,
Beth A.

Shelly said...

Beautiful, Marcie! I am so thankful God never leaves us and His grace and mercy abound even through the choices we make, good and bad. We all have things that try to chain us to our pasts but He has indeed come to set us free! Praising Him with you today and love your beautiful heart!

Love,
Shelly (OBS Leader)

Anonymous said...

Sweet Marcie! You are such a blessing to me and I'm so thankful that you shared your story. Your heart for others is apparent every day and to read how God has walked with you through the years is such an encouragement.

I too have been burdened by areas in my life where I feel as if I made the wrong choice or feel defeated by the picture of what I thought my life would like at this point. However, I hold onto His promises and am strengthened and blessed by the wonderful women that He has surrounded me with here. Each of us have a unique story. And, if I feel discouraged, I know that I am surrounded by a heavenly and earthly angel army. Love that song!!! Wish I could just give you a huge hug sweet sister. Love you!

Blessings
Kristi Seat
OBS leadership Team

Unknown said...

I was blessed to read your story, thank you for sharing, I to was a single mother for years, I know the pain and the joys that comes with unplanned little angels sent from God with love.
As you and all the other OBS sisters everyone is an inspiration. God bless you and your Angel,

Everyday Dealings said...

Beautiful, Marcie. God is going to bless you through this story, your story, His story. I pray that you will just rest in His arms and and be assured of His unwavering love.

Martha F. said...

Thank you for posting this. God is using you to touch lives. Blessings & (((hugs)))
Martha