It really will be okay. I think so much of what I hang onto is such a false sense of security anyways. It's also a lot of self preservation. I don't want to risk looking foolish, needy, unwise, or immature. I also don't want to risk hurt or rejection. What happens when we stop risking though? For me, I just get stuck. Stuck in a rut. I get lonely. I also get really sick of myself.

Jesus tells us in giving away our life, we find life. In dying, we live. In giving, we receive. In forgiving, we are forgiven. In loving, we our loved. When we hang onto our life, we lose it. We just get stuck. Or, at least I do. I talk a lot about how I want my life to be. I hope and dream about having a full life of loving others. Part of me really wants that. Part of me is scared to reach out to others. What am I afraid of? Rejecting, I guess. Or being uncomfortable. Having people invade my comfy space. That comfy space I'm trying to hang onto that just gets me in a rut. I don't want to miss out on all that God has for me. I'm tired of being someone who talks about loving others. I'm going to start taking risks. Really I am! Stay tunes. ;o)

Risk Anyone?

To dare is to lose one's footing momentarily. To not dare is to lose oneself.

Freedom

About three years ago God whispered something to me that has echoed in my spirit ever since I heard it. "Walk free," He said. I looked around me and within me and gave him all the reason why I couldn't. His reply to all my reasons was, "Walk free." It's been a journey the past 24 years since I asked Jesus to be Lord of my life. A journey of freedom. I've been bound by fears, doubts, and insecurities for most my life. It's been a daily struggle. I get tired. God tells me, "Walk free." I'm actual beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel. I'm a slow learner. I can finally really see who He has called me to be. I'm finally really letting the chains fall. My head is high and I am walking free. Who am I? I am His child. I am fully loved. Completely accepted. Completely forgiven. Completely set free.

Once I was broken, now I am restored. Once I was sad, now I can rejoice. Once I was afraid, now I have confidence. Once my hands hung down, now my hands are raised to Him. Once I felt usless, now I am worthy. He has given me Life. A life to walk out in freedom.

Isaiah 61 tells me what to do as I walk:

The Spirit of the Lord is on me because He has anoited me. He sent me to preach good news to the poor, heal the heartbroken, announce freedom to all captives, pardon all prisoners. God sent me to announce the year of His grace, and to comfort all who mourn. To care for those in need. To bring a message of joy instead of doom. To encourage those who are discouraged.

Walk free and bring freedom to others. What a wonderful message God speaks. Walk free.

I love trees. God tells us we are trees of righteousness. In Isaiah 61:3 it says, To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. Our healing, our growth, our joy, our praise is all to give Him glory. Our lives are to be walked out to give God the glory. How am I walking? Am I glorifying God in my life. Am I walking in truth, mercy, justice? Micah 6:8 says:

He has showed you, O man, what is good.

And what does the LORD require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy

and to walk humbly with your God.

So simply. Yet I fall short daily. I want my heart to break for what breaks God's heart. I want to have the courage to stand up for truth in the midst of opposition. I want to show mercy to those who need mercy. I don't want to turn my head away from those who make me uncomfortable. Because, truly, that's where I find Jesus. He is with the broken hearted, the sick, the poor, the needy, the oppressed. He is there wanting to give them joy, healing, praise, and beauty. He gave it to me. He wants me to give out what He has given to me. He did this work in me so that He can be glorified. The world needs to see Him. How can they see him? Through us. Through me. Through you. Don't let fear stop you. Take courage. He is with you every step of the way. Face what is before you with confidence that He is with you.

We are trees planted by water. God is our living water. Psalms 1:3 says:

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

God is with you. His life sustains us. So that He can be glorified.

Proof that I live with a bunch of turkeys!

Anna's go-cart!

Anna at Fieldhaven Cat Rescue