As you all know, life is not predictable. You get over one problem and you think, "Good! I can relax a little!" But no, something comes in to spoil your peace.
I am originally from California, growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area. It may be the land of fruits and nuts but it is also a beautiful place and I miss it sometimes. I am now in Texas and I have grown to love the people and many things here. BUT I do not like some of the wild weather and the bugs that cause problems inside and outside my house.
My mother and I have had trouble with our house since she bought it. Before she died suddenly, she gave me the house, which was such a blessing. But I still have problems with the house and keep being reminded that life is never easy. I keep contemplating selling the house and moving into a smaller place but some problem always comes up to stop that process.
After Harvey I noticed boards in corner of my den that were starting to raise and buckle. I called the insurance, because it looked like I had a leak during Harvey. I am so grateful my house didn't flood but this was a shame ... and another house setback. An adjuster examined my house inside and out and filed a report. Since then I have waited and looked at the boards! I don't like to wait! Not only did I get no word from insurance, but I couldn't find someone to work on the problem, with all the damage in Houston.The other day I got a call from the insurance company telling me they were sending me an advance. (Thank you Lord!) And my contractor neighbor said he would come over this weekend to start the work. WELL, it was a good thing the Lord had the promise of some money first, because my den not only had a little water under the hardwood floor but the sign of some bugs too!!! Yuck! That is not what I wanted to hear.
But, even with this mess, I see the Lord working. I am getting some money from my flood insurance to help with this problem (as far as I know). And I am taking care of this before I sell the house. And I feel rather peaceful about it all... for now. I feel peaceful because I know God is with me and He is "raising me up", as we talked about before. I know the Holy Spirit will be with me through all this. Jesus promised his disciples and it applies to us too. Look at John 14:15-17, reading from The Message.
15-17 “If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you. I will talk to the Father, and he’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can’t take him in because it doesn’t have eyes to see him, doesn’t know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!
I know, my friend, that you are going through something right now. I don't know what it is. But I know you are not alone! I praying the Spirit will nuzzle up to you and love on you and give you the wisdom and strength to get through this problem. "He will never leave you nor forsake you!"
All the best to you!
Life is not easy, whether single or married. But I hope this blog will let the Lord speak to me and then share with you. Join me on this journey called life.
"Live in Jesus"
As I mentioned a little on the first post, I just started the Bible study by Melanie Shankle "Church of the Small Things." In the first lesson, she mentioned some of my favorite verses in John 15. I read them in the NIV and then in the Message. Wow, how beautiful they are! Let me show you.
John 15:4-5- 4 “Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me. 5 “I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing."
Isn't that beautiful! I don't take advantage of "living in Christ" as I should. I waste the time with Him and abide in self-centeredness or confusion or worldly desires. But I must remember I have all this open to me and waiting for me. I can be joined to Christ and He to me and so can you!
Just as a side note, do you ever feel like your emotions are so fragile and sensitive and that you can start crying at the drop of a hat? I do. Not sure if it is fatigue or hormones or just God's spirit, but I start crying at moving stories and touching needs. Today I burst out crying after listening this wonderful story on the Moth (a program of personal stories on NPR). The man talked about growning up being very non-athlete but becoming a great writer. His father wanted an athlete but tried to understand and support. Now he has a son who is an athlete, and while he does not understand sports, he is trying to love and support his son, just as his dad had done. It turned out it was Neil Gaiman, the author I had just researched for my book club. I loved the story and cried for his frustration and success but also because the Lord has been pushing me toward writing and it was a tiny message of "Go for it!" So listen to your emotions- cry with those who need tears and feel something with a poignant story of movie. But use the tears to clean your heart and draw you closer to God, who gave us all these great emotions as we "live in Him." God bless!
John 15:4-5- 4 “Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me. 5 “I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing."
Isn't that beautiful! I don't take advantage of "living in Christ" as I should. I waste the time with Him and abide in self-centeredness or confusion or worldly desires. But I must remember I have all this open to me and waiting for me. I can be joined to Christ and He to me and so can you!
Just as a side note, do you ever feel like your emotions are so fragile and sensitive and that you can start crying at the drop of a hat? I do. Not sure if it is fatigue or hormones or just God's spirit, but I start crying at moving stories and touching needs. Today I burst out crying after listening this wonderful story on the Moth (a program of personal stories on NPR). The man talked about growning up being very non-athlete but becoming a great writer. His father wanted an athlete but tried to understand and support. Now he has a son who is an athlete, and while he does not understand sports, he is trying to love and support his son, just as his dad had done. It turned out it was Neil Gaiman, the author I had just researched for my book club. I loved the story and cried for his frustration and success but also because the Lord has been pushing me toward writing and it was a tiny message of "Go for it!" So listen to your emotions- cry with those who need tears and feel something with a poignant story of movie. But use the tears to clean your heart and draw you closer to God, who gave us all these great emotions as we "live in Him." God bless!
Abiding in a God that will "raise you up"
Thanks to all the people who read my blog the other day. I appreciate it. The Lord gave me the idea and helped me write it. And I am hoping this blog will bless all who read it, both those who are single and in any other stage of life.
I was hoping to write each day but I have been busy with other responsibilities (and yes, I admit it, watching the World Series :-)). But as I thought about what to write, I was not in a good place. This week has been hard...frustrating...discouraging...lonely. Yuck!! I didn't feel good. I was feeling unnecessary at work and in my life. I started worrying about home repairs and taxes and other earthly problems. Where would I find what the Lord wanted me to learn? I didn't want to just complain on this.
Then I thought about the lesson God has been teaching me for a LONG time. I need to abide in Him and not let the world close in and discourage and beat me down. I must "remain in my (Christ's) love" and abide in his care. I must remember "apart from Me you can do nothing." (John 15: 4,9) I have started each day determined to read the Bible and pray and get out of the house on time. But did I take time to really release all that burdens me to Him? Did I remain in Him all day, as I got ready, went to work and faced all that came? Or did I pick back up all the stress and worry and carry that with me? Probably the later, I am sad to say. But I keep reminding myself abiding is much better.
Yesterday I thought about the beautiful song "You Raise Me Up". I sang it to myself when I got down and need encouragement. Do you remember it?
When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary
When troubles come and my heart burdened be
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence
Until you come and sit a while with me
[Chorus]
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up, to more than I can be.
What a great song, especially when you realize the Lord wants to raise us up and make us strong. We don't have to do it all ourselves, for He is with us and loves us.
I had one more thing on my heart. Make sure to hug your husband, your child, your parent, your friend today. And make sure to hug someone that just needs a hug, because they are now alone and don't get those very much. I used to get lots of hugs from my mother and encouragement too. I miss that and sometimes ache for a kind hug and loving encouragement.
So I encourage you to be that hugger, that encourager to someone. You will be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Have a great weekend! God bless and draw you near.
Oh, yes, and GO ASTROS! :-)
Love
Leona Hoegsberg
I was hoping to write each day but I have been busy with other responsibilities (and yes, I admit it, watching the World Series :-)). But as I thought about what to write, I was not in a good place. This week has been hard...frustrating...discouraging...lonely. Yuck!! I didn't feel good. I was feeling unnecessary at work and in my life. I started worrying about home repairs and taxes and other earthly problems. Where would I find what the Lord wanted me to learn? I didn't want to just complain on this.
Then I thought about the lesson God has been teaching me for a LONG time. I need to abide in Him and not let the world close in and discourage and beat me down. I must "remain in my (Christ's) love" and abide in his care. I must remember "apart from Me you can do nothing." (John 15: 4,9) I have started each day determined to read the Bible and pray and get out of the house on time. But did I take time to really release all that burdens me to Him? Did I remain in Him all day, as I got ready, went to work and faced all that came? Or did I pick back up all the stress and worry and carry that with me? Probably the later, I am sad to say. But I keep reminding myself abiding is much better.
Yesterday I thought about the beautiful song "You Raise Me Up". I sang it to myself when I got down and need encouragement. Do you remember it?
When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary
When troubles come and my heart burdened be
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence
Until you come and sit a while with me
[Chorus]
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up, to more than I can be.
What a great song, especially when you realize the Lord wants to raise us up and make us strong. We don't have to do it all ourselves, for He is with us and loves us.
I had one more thing on my heart. Make sure to hug your husband, your child, your parent, your friend today. And make sure to hug someone that just needs a hug, because they are now alone and don't get those very much. I used to get lots of hugs from my mother and encouragement too. I miss that and sometimes ache for a kind hug and loving encouragement.
So I encourage you to be that hugger, that encourager to someone. You will be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Have a great weekend! God bless and draw you near.
Oh, yes, and GO ASTROS! :-)
Love
Leona Hoegsberg
Let me introduce myself
Hello- I have written a blog before but not one so personal. But I realized I do have something I can share. Welcome to my blog! Thanks for reading. :-)
I am a Christian single woman, never married and no prospects in quite a while. I try to be an adult every day but sometimes I feel like a little girl in a woman's body. Life is too overwhelming for me!
Do you ever feel like that? I want to be happy with how I look and the life I live and the job I do. But if I listen to the world, I can feel like I don't measure up and don't matter.
BUT then I look in the Bible and I see verses that encourage me. I read about God's love for me. In John 15:9 Jesus said, "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love."
I am not single because I am not worthy or beautiful or smart enough. I am single because God has a plan for me. And He has a plan for you, wherever you are in your life. Jeremiah 29:11 is a favorite- " For I know the plans I have for you, "declares the Lord," plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
God bless you! You are loved!
Leona Hoegsberg
I am a Christian single woman, never married and no prospects in quite a while. I try to be an adult every day but sometimes I feel like a little girl in a woman's body. Life is too overwhelming for me!
Do you ever feel like that? I want to be happy with how I look and the life I live and the job I do. But if I listen to the world, I can feel like I don't measure up and don't matter.
BUT then I look in the Bible and I see verses that encourage me. I read about God's love for me. In John 15:9 Jesus said, "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love."
I am not single because I am not worthy or beautiful or smart enough. I am single because God has a plan for me. And He has a plan for you, wherever you are in your life. Jeremiah 29:11 is a favorite- " For I know the plans I have for you, "declares the Lord," plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
God bless you! You are loved!
Leona Hoegsberg
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