SCRLLC14 #10 Worn

Good Morning,

This is my card for SCRLLC14 #10 - a challenge using Songs and Scripture.  You can find this one HERE.  Ever feel just plain WORN out spiritually?  Usually it comes gradually.  Sort of sneaks up on you, but what recently happened to me was not gradual. It came suddenly and I was more than worn.  I was wiped out.

Early this week I received an email from a friend that hurt to the core.  I read it and was shocked, hurt and numb.

My first thought went to God because I was feeling helpless.  I told Him "I can't handle this.  I don't know what to say.  I don't know what to do and I hurt.  HELP.

I next forwarded the email to my husband for some wise advice and to make sure I had read it correctly.  Then I just sat with God.  When there IS nothing else you can do, it comes easier.  To my shame, it's not always the first thing that I do.

Then God stepped in.  I can't describe what happened except it was like a calm surge of positive power to do what was right.  I listened and thoughts came of exactly what to say.  I knew that my only choice was to forgive, and this is the hardest thing for me to do.   My friend and I are communicating.  It may be a bit uncomfortable for awhile, but I feel because of God's graciousness, I was able to forgive.  I can NEVER do this on my own.  I always want revenge and this wears you down. 

The verse I picked was Ephesians 6:12.  Our struggle is not against flesh & blood (people)...but against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. This verse helps me to remember that I should never be upset with the person who hurt me, but realize that there is another force trying to wear each of us down.  God is always there to catch us if we fall and He is far more powerful.

 

SCRLLC14 #9 Broken Hallelujah

I apologize for all the inactivity on here, but I do have a card today.  This is my card for the Song and Lyric Challenge SCRLLC14 #9.  The Song is Broken Hallelujah.

The first time I heard this song I decided I probably didn't like it.  It's very nice to listen to, but I told myself it didn't relate to me.  And when I thought that thought, a tiny voice in the back of my heart somewhere told me to 'beware' of that thought.  I, of course, ignored it.

Seemed like every time I turned on the radio, I heard it, so I chose to leave the radio off.  Then when Sundays came around I looked for a new challenge and a new song, and for reasons unknown to me, there is still not a new song.  Hmmm.  Then things changed in my life a little.  I will skip all that but just say that I woke up this morning a very needy person.  I knew right away that I needed to spend extra time with Jesus this morning, so I did and wouldn't you know I got the "nudge" to go look up this challenge and make a card.  But first I needed to do a little cooking and I like the radio on when I cook, so I turned it on.  I always ask God to have them play my favorites and I did.  Lots of good songs.  I finished the dessert I was making and decided to listen to ONE MORE SONG and then turn off the radio and go upstairs.  You guess it.  Broken Hallelujah.  I made myself listen to the entire thing and decided it applied. (I'm slow)

If your mother or father ever had to get your attention and said, "Come here and listen" or "Sit down and look at me" or a number of other things, I believe you understand when I say that the first verse I picked out is God saying much of the same to us.  "Be still and know that I am God.  I will be exalted..."  Psalm 46:10

The flowers on my card start out reaching for God, but they are black.  They represent the Broken Hallelujah. We are  hardly able to praise God, or recognize who and what He is because we are fighting Him.  Once we stop kicking and screaming and recognize just who it is that we are fighting, we are able to sing, "How Awesome is the Lord Most High" (Psalm 47:2) Here I have added music notes and color to the flower.  And once I listened and forgave, God was faithful to give me peace.