Amanda Stephan's Blog: God is Good, God is Great, page 51

Book Review: Until Forever by Darlene Shortridge

I know you're probably wondering why I am posting a review on a Tuesday. The answer is simple, because Amanda has something awesome for y'all on Friday!!



"Jessi hung up the phone. That was the fifth time she tried calling home with no answer. She had just started eating lunch when she remembered she had forgotten to call home. It was something she would never forgive herself for.




It was something she would never forgive herself for…




It wasn’t until lunchtime that Jessi remembered to call home. No answer. She tried calling several times while she ate her lunch. Still no answer. She closed her eyes and rested her arms and head on her desk. She breathed deeply, wishing she had remembered to call earlier.




Until Forever is a story of a young family that is torn apart by the devastating effects of alcoholism. Can healing take place in a relationship when an unforgivable act is committed? Will Jessi's pain and Mark's guilt keep them apart forever, or will unforeseen circumstances bind them together?"  (book description)




I have to say that I absolutely LOVED this story. I felt the heartache and pain that each character went through. The characters were well thought out and the story line was fully believable. Though the paragraphs were a little over worded from time to time, the book was well written. Jessi reminded me of myself a lot in that letting go of past hurts is a very difficult thing for me. And Darlene showed how sometimes God has to bring us to the end of ourselves before we are ready to accept him in both Jessi and Mark's lives. I actually found myself crying in the last chapters of the book as the characters realized all that God had been saying all along.




This is definitely a must read and I can't wait to get the next book as soon as it comes out!




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Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com

The How To of Cooking!

There are so many great books to read for the sheer pleasure of reading, but often we forget about what I like to call the "How To Books". These are books that instruct us how to do some particular thing like crafts, building with Legos, gardening, and much more. Cook books are a big hit at our house because I love to cook and my daughter loves to help me. She loves to help so much that she told me when she was four, "I am a good cook mommy. I know how to make coffee (this from watching my husband), sandwiches, cereal, and salads." Now that she is seven, her expertise includes toasting bagels and English muffins. She has also helped me with many a batch of cookies, brownies, and cakes.   



As an avid collector of old cookbooks found at auctions, garage sales, thrift stores, and bargain basement rummage sales at local churches, I wondered if my Betty Crocker's Cook Book for Boys and Girls was still available. Much to my surprise, this 1957 classic can still be found at Amazon. I thought with summer quickly approaching I would try to involve Emily in more cooking projects. Two particular recipes that I think will be fun to try are the Ice Cream Cone Cakes (who wouldn't love one of those?) and the Good Kid Cookies which look like faces of boys and girls.



At the end of summer perhaps I'll post a pictures of our creations. Meanwhile, I would love to hear what kind of "How To Books" you and your sprouts like? 



So ends another episode of Kids Korner with me, Children's Author Aileen Stewart. Join me next week for another exciting episode same krazy time, same krazy channel. And feel free to drop by my personal blog Aileen's Thoughts any day of the week for even more on reading, writing, and life in general.Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com

Sundays with Kristi - Blessed

What does it mean to be blessed?

We’re starting a series talking about what it means to be blessed. Today we’re going set the stage for the weeks to come and look at this important question above. We’re going to unfold the verses that have commonly become known as “The Beatitudes.” (You can always look back at previous weeks by clicking on the “Sunday” tab above.) These Beatitudes are the first verses of Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount. Even though they are found in multiple gospels, we’re going to look specifically at the verses found in the beginning of Matthew 5.

This week, let’s take a look at what it means to be blessed and make sure we understand the context and setting for this amazing passage of scripture.

The Setting

The beautiful Sea of Galilee. This sea, which is actually more like what we in the United States consider a lake, has beautiful scenery with tall hills along both the east and the west sides. According to tradition, Jesus and the disciples were along the bank on the northwest side, next to where the fishermen were docking their boats. A crowd had started to gather to hear this teacher that spoke with an authority that their local rabbi’s did not. Literally a stone’s throw from the houses to the water itself, this side of hill had a beautiful, natural concave shape that meant it mimicked the sound qualities of the Roman amphitheaters. Therefore, one person could stand down at the bottom of it and speak in a normal voice and the sound waves would bounce around and amplify so that even the person sitting on the grass 100 yards away could hear with perfect clarity. There Jesus stood, with the Sea of Galilee as his backdrop, looking up at the thousands of people who had thronged to hear Him and He was able to speak and be heard by every person present.

The People
Jesus had already made quite a name for himself. He’d chosen his twelve disciples and had been traveling the area teaching, preaching, and performing miracles. He’d stirred up the crowds and had already raised the ire of the Pharisees, the local religious group.

The group following him was a diverse group indeed. This group was full of those who had followed Jesus from another town, those who had heard and seen Jesus and were eager to see more. Then there were those who had heard about this amazing teacher and were curious about what He would say or do. Also sprinkled through the crowd were the Pharisees, trying to find out more about this man who was gaining so much attention and saying things that seemed so contrary to all they had been taught and raised to believe. There were probably people in the crowd who were just there because they didn’t have anything else to do and wanted to see what all the fuss was about.

The Message
What would Jesus say to this crowd gathered? What great truths would he strive to impart to them? Jesus opened His mouth and the first word out of His mouth is the word “Blessed.” What does it mean to be blessed?

The people would have understood that the “blessing” was of great importance. Every son wanted to receive the blessing from his father. Jacob was willing to lie in order to steal his father’s blessing from his brother (Genesis 27). To be blessed means to be set apart, to be found worthy, to receive special honor and recognition. It is a highly desired designation and Jesus starts out His message telling the people what type of person is worthy of such high praise.

Matthew 5: 3-12
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The people couldn’t have been more confused. Surely Jesus was joking. This does not sound like the people that they had learned to revere. This didn’t sound like definition of success they had learned. How could these people be considered blessed?

Are we confused about what it takes to receive the blessing of our Heavenly Father? What does this look like in today’s success driven world? As we look at each blessing over the next few weeks, we need to look at our own lives and recognize that our Heavenly Father blesses us and sets us apart for special purpose. We are His and we are loved and we are special. We are blessed!

Father, as I look at my life, I often don't feel very blessed. I know that You love me and I love You, but my feelings and perception of what it means to be blessed get in the way. Help me to be open to learn exactly what it means to be blessed and set apart by You.

May you live out His Word today!
Kristi Burchfiel
Check out my daily devotions either on my blog or on my Facebook page

Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com

Will My Broken Heart Ever Be Whole?

At some point in our lives we will suffer a broken heart at
the hands of someone we love dearly. 
Whether that person is a family member, romantic interest, or a friend,
we will be inflicted with pain so deep that we will doubt survival or wholeness
is even possible.  While lightning may
not strike twice, it is highly probable that we will suffer a broken heart more
than once in our lifetime.  That’s the
bad news.



The good news is, we can heal from the brokenness and sorrow
we feel and regain the capacity and desire to freely give our hearts to
another.  How do I know this?  I have personally experienced the searing pain of a broken heart
and lived to love another day because of the grace and love of Jesus, my Healer.



As I was recovering from a heart badly and unknowingly
wounded by a close friend, I spent hours pouring out my heart to the Lord
during my quiet time.  I wrote pages –
chapters, actually – chronicling the events leading up to the heartbreak, words
that were spoken, and the silent rejection that blindsided me.  I prayed it through, cried buckets of tears,
and came to the realization that no one – NO ONE – could love me the way Jesus
does.  The beautiful thing about Jesus is
that he never condemned me for the way I felt, the thoughts that plagued me,
and the memories that became strongholds in my mind.  Instead, he patiently waited for me to empty
myself of the memories and hurt so that he could fill my longing heart with
more of himself.



It took many years to recover from that heartbreak, but
Jesus met me in the darkest hours of my sorrow. 
The light of his love broke through the shadows of my pain as I allowed
him to enter into my grief and guide me out of the heartbreak and into his
loving arms.   Somewhere along the way,
the hurt and the Healer collided and I became a whole person again.



Perhaps your pain is not from a broken heart but from a
heart that cannot understand why God has allowed illness, loss, or
hardship.  Even though we may not understand, God uses the disappointments and hurts of our lives to draw us into a place of refuge, intimacy, and
love that we would never discover otherwise. 




If you are hurting today, I pray that you will find comfort
in the Healer’s arms and in the lyrics of MercyMe’s song, “The Hurt and the
Healer,” which you can play by clicking on the video below. God is with you.  Grace and peace be yours.
















****************************************

"Dear
Dee Dee" is the featured Saturday column at Sisters in Cahoots! We
encourage our readers to write in with their questions. If you have a question
you would like answered from God's Word, please email deedeewike@gmail.com or write to:

Dee Dee Wike, 728 Peterson Lake Rd, Collierville, TN 38017-1851



****************************************Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com

The Monster of Discouragement

Discouragement: to deprive of courage or confidence: to attempt to dissuade.







We've all been there. Somewhere. Sometime. Discouragement has been a part of our lives at one point. Perhaps you wanted to do something in particular like drive a yellow Lamborghini really fast through your town square and some well-intentioned person told you that you will probably get a ticket. Maybe they even told you they'd call the police on you! just kidding...





But discouragement does happen. You have a goal. You have a dream. You set out to accomplish that dream/goal. You share your excitement with friends or family during a time when it seems nothing could stand in your way. On the flip side, you've shared your disappointment with those same people when things were falling apart and you needed a shoulder to cry on or a willing ear.



One of my not-so-favorite trials in discouragement happened 19 years ago when I met my husband. We worked together, he was in the shop, I was in the office, and when people found out we were dating, everything was fine. I mean, it's only dating, right? That all changed the day I walked in with an engagement ring.

What are you doing? He's not the right one for you.
I wouldn't marry him if I were you. He's, well, (looks around to make sure no one's listening) he's different.
You do know you're his first girlfriend, right?
Your dad is going to disown you if you do this.
How many times have you been engaged before and you really think this is going to work out?
What are you going to do when he leaves you? You know he will.
And we could go on. I'm serious. These are things that were actually said during our engagement. Sheesh! Talk about mind blowing, right? Anyway, those were discouraging words. They hurt. These people, however well-intentioned they were, were pretty much trying to dissuade us from marriage because, for some reason or other, they didn't think we were meant to be.



But discouragement isn't the type of monster that only plays in one area of our lives. Job promotions, job changes, children raising, homeschooling, sewing, baseball, karate, etc. You name it, the monster of discouragement will be there. It may even be hiding behind someone's nice. little. smile.



I have a dream. I want to be a good writer. I want to use my talents for Jesus Christ. I want to live for God. But, there is a person who is always telling me to quit. This probably isn't for you. I used to want to do....but it never worked out so...God probably isn't helping you because...maybe God has something different...maybe He's only allowed this because it's something you say you want...and again, the list goes on.



I know this person just may be right. Maybe God doesn't want me to do this. Maybe this isn't what He wants for my life. Perhaps I'm just being stubborn.



How to find God's voice in all this chatter? How to find God's will?

Pray. Ask for guidance. Ask for peace that only God can give. And, when that discouragement is pulling you down, remember that He is God and that He has a plan for you and a will for your life.



Be careful for nothing: but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. - Philippians 4:6-8



Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. - Hebrews 10:35-36



And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. - Galatians 6:9



What about you ~ are you dealing with the monster of discouragement in your life? What do you do to defeat this giant?



Lonely Hearts The Price of Trust 
Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com

Characterization Part 2

Last week
we looked at the author's need to choose carefully what information about his
characters finds its way onto the pages of the story.  This week I would like to share a concept I read from an
instructor of fiction writing.  (I tried to backtrack and find the exact source.  I believe the gentleman is Larry Brooks, but I couldn't find the exact blog entry...)




His
premise is that there are only two purposes for scenes in a story:

1.    To further the plot or

2.    To deepen characterization.




This may
seem like an obvious statement, but let's think about it.  If we think about the purpose of every
scene, it should make our writing more focused.  Less milling around in the middle.




I recall
a scene in my first book that was thrown in mostly because I felt the need to increase
word count.  Embarrassing to
admit.  And thankfully my editor
called me on it.  She referred to
the scene as a "history lesson".  Although I think it may partly have been because the characters were visiting an ancient site, it was also probably because it could have been likened to a boring lecture. The scene had no
real purpose other than the fact that I needed my characters out of the hotel where they
were staying because the "bad guys" were planning an ambush
(simplistic paraphrase, but hopefully you get the point).




So I had
a choice.  I could ax the scene and
find another way for my villains to play out their revenge, or I could make the
scene relevant.  I attempted the
latter.  Because the scene did not
truly advance the plot of the story, I focused on characterization.  My characters admitted
feelings for each other that had beforehand only been internalized. 




Our
instructor also suggests that we choose a primary focus for each scene so the
reader can attend to either plot or characterization.  If we muddle the scenes with a little of
both, it leaves our readers feeling the same (muddled).  That is not to say that a scene meant
to advance the plot has absolutely no characterization, or vice versa.  But our main focus should be on one or
the other.




On the flip side, as writers we should be conscious of every scene we write.  If a scene has neither plot nor characterization, but is simply a "filler", then it will most likely cause the reader either to become bored or confused. So, just as we carefully craft our characters to make them realistic, we should just as carefully put them in scenes that matter.




What are some of your favorite practices involving characterization?  




Happy writing,









Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com

Friendships

Friendships are as vital to women as breathing is. We cling to our relationships. We may love our husbands to pieces, but it’s the women in our lives we turn to when our hearts are broken and we need encouragement and advice.





I mean absolutely no disrespect to my husband. He truly is the most important earthly relationship I have. But, that relationship has its limits.



He does not think the way I do. He does not have the same gamut of emotions that flow through his being every time there is a crisis. He doesn’t even worry the same way as I do. How can I expect him to understand when my emotions are everywhere, our lives are falling apart (that’s the dramatic side of me coming forth) and I just need someone to say, I know exactly how you feel, I’ve been there.





True, he may be exactly where I am at the very same time I am, but he still doesn’t get it. Never has. Never will. It’s just the facts and I have come to accept them.



But, give me a phone and a friend and in ten minutes, I’ll be feeling better. Guaranteed. That too is a fact.





Women know when to cry with you, when to listen and when to call your butt on the carpet and tell you how it is. We just know. I can’t explain it. And if you are a woman, you understand exactly what I am saying.



The good news is, God created us. He knew what he was doing when he gave us emotions and tears and drama. All those things add up to being a great nurturer, not only for our children, but also for our friends.





This past couple of weeks I have needed my friends and thankfully, they have come through. Like they always do. I have awesome friends. I have friends who pray for me, encourage me and lend a hand when they are able.





Today, I want to just say thank you to my friends. The women in Sisters in Cahoots are some of the greatest friends a woman can have. I feel as if I could share anything and they would care enough to cry with me, listen or set me straight. It’s not every relationship that is that tight.





Ladies, thank you for being the friends that you are. I am very grateful for each of you and I pray that God blesses you for being the faithful friends he has called you to be.



Love you all!

Darlene






Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com

Monsters that attack us

I saw a question on one of the groups I belong to, and I wanted to post my thoughts about it here. It was in regards to jealousy. That green-eyed monster that attacks all of us--even if we don't admit it.







As I'm sure you've noticed, this blog isn't written just by me. No, we've grown to an authorship of 7 total awesome women & writers. Did you notice that last part? Writers? 




Let's look at the authors of this blog.

Aileen Stewart is the author of children's books.

April McKinnon is our resident reviewer (aka author of thought-provoking reviews)

Darlene Shortridge writes Christian romance

DeeDee Wike writes Devotionals for busy people

Karina Harris writes Christian romantic suspense

Kristi Burchfiel writes Devotionals and Bible studies

and I, Amanda, write Christian romance/romantic suspense



Do you notice a pattern here? Each of us are authors. (I consider April McKinnon an author as well. Have you read any of her reviews? They're not just hokily put together words. No, she's an excellent reviewer with talent! Trust me. You need to read what she thinks about books.)



There are even writers in our group that write basically the same genre. Kristi & DeeDee both write devotionals. Darlene, Karina, and I all write Christian romance. Now, please bear with me a moment while I digress on purpose.





When I first started my writing journey, I was green. A newbie. And, I noticed things about authors. I noticed there are know-it-all authors you can't tell a thing to because they know it already. There are authors that are friends with you for a short time while you help them. And then they never return the favor. (I call those the user-authors.) Some authors absolutely refuse to acknowledge you as a writer if you're just starting out. Or aren't just like them. Or...you get the idea. There are even a few that will read your book and happily slam it because you're not as good as they are. Trust me. That one hurts...!



Then, there are the elite few. Those that want to help others. Those that want more Christian books out on the market. (Yes, unfortunate as it is, the groups mentioned above, most are/were from the Christian genre.) Those that instead of looking for fame and fortune, are using opportunities to serve God, because they have a passion. They want to reach the lost for Christ. Some write devotionals that inspire people to live for and love God. Some write children's books because they want to reach the young at an early age. There are those reviewers who love a good book with a message, and they spread that word around. Some write fiction, because let's face it. Fiction books can oftentimes go where preachers and ministers aren't welcome and minister to those that would normally not listen.



So, let's answer the question I've been asked.

Aren't you jealous when another Christian writer obtains something you want?

My honest answer? (like I'd lie to you...!)

At the beginning of my journey? Yes.

As I traveled and have  grown on this winding writer's road?

Not anymore. In fact, I'm thrilled for them. I root for them. I try to help them promote their books.

Because, frankly, I don't have time to write every Christian book out there and we're using our talents to serve our amazing God. When they have a victory and I've helped, I consider it my victory as well. And I'm glad to be a part of the team!



What about you? Have you ever been attacked by the green-eyed monster? How did you defeat it?












Lonely Hearts The Price of Trust 
Winner of the Sisters in Cahoots $25 Olive Garden Gift Card....Crystal!Thanks to all who stopped by!
Grand Prize Winners of the John 3:16 MN Kindle Giveaway...





KINDLE WINNERS



have been announced at http://john316mn.blogspot.com



as well as shown below!












Let's thank the following John 3:16 Authors for sponsoring our 2 free Kindles



Deborah McCarragher Joy Hannabass, Rose McCauley Elaine Cooper

Amanda Stephen Tom Blubaugh Paulette Harper Theresa Franklin

Susan Craft Carol Brown Lynn Dove Martin Roth Saundra Dalton-Smith

Katherine Harms Heather Bixler Lorilyn Roberts Laura Davis

Bob Saffrin Sid Frost Sammie Chandler Donna Dawson





Congratulations to the Grand Prize winners:



marniepohlmann@shaw.ca  Marnie Pohlmann



pattersday@gmail.com   Patricia Day





Winners of our two Kindles from the John 3:16 Marketing Network Giveaway Blog Hop!

Thank you to all those who participated last week!  Also, if you signed up to win some prizes at the other participating blog sites, winners have been announced and if you were a winner, you will be notified by email within the next couple of days.

 Names were selected using random.org.







Blessings,
Lynn
www.shootthewounded.org
http://lynndove.wordpress.com/
http://wordsalt.wordpress.com/



Lorilyn

http://lorilynroberts.com

http://john316mn.blogspot.com

http://lorilynroberts.blogspot.com












Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com

Classics at Our House!

  



What makes a classic? I have often heard it said that a book is a
classic if it stands the test of time. I guess that means if someone
from generation A writes a book and people from generation B are still
reading it, then it must be a classic. Following this guideline leads me
to believe that many of the books my daughter owns might be classics.



No,
I don't just think they might be; I will say with certainty that they
are! I can make this statement because I read them when I was her age well
over thirty years ago (said under mumbled breath). I know of course that
comment makes me sound very aged     (I mean wise), but that is a story for
another day.



Some of the books bulging out of my daughters book shelves include: Goodnight
Moon, The Little Red Hen,  Corduroy, The Country Mouse and the
City Mouse, and The Monster at the End of This Book. Books that, when I saw them at the flea market a few years ago, caused me to squeal in delight, "I had those books when I was a little girl!"



And
if you are wondering; yes, I did get some strange looks from others
standing nearby. But being the true book lover that I am, I merely
shrugged it off knowing that those poor unfortunate souls would never
know the joy that I did. So go out and find some classics of your own and share them with your special half pints!



So ends another episode of Kids Korner with me, Children's Author Aileen Stewart. Join me next week for another exciting episode same krazy time, same krazy channel. And feel free to drop by my personal blog Aileen's Thoughts any day of the week for even more on reading, writing, and life in general.



Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com

Sundays with Kristi - "I Feel Inadequate"

I don’t really like Mother’s Day.

I realize that probably comes as a bit of a surprise to many people. I don’t mean this as anything against my own Mom, she’s wonderful and I love her very much. There are actually some issues at play that resulted in my dislike of the holiday. I do better now, but for years I dreaded this annual celebration.

Today we’re talking about inadequacy. You know, the feeling that we’re not worthy, that we can’t ever live up to what we feel is expected of us; that feeling is inadequacy.

My Story with Inadequacy
I think we all have faced this feeling at some point in our life. Eleven years ago I had a plan. My husband and I had been married three years. I was almost done with my Master’s Degree and we decided that it was time to start a family. Fast forward 2 years. My husband and I are pastoring in a church. I’m working a full time job. No kids, and not for lack of trying. We decided to get some medical advice. The tests came back and my doctor called me and told me, rather bluntly, that based on the results, my husband and I would never have children.

I was devastated. My plan had fallen to pieces. Just a couple of weeks later was Mother’s Day. We went to church, as usual. They gave out flowers to all the mothers, as usual. I didn’t get a flower. I went home. I was completely devastated.

I began asking for, well it would be more accurate to say demanding, answers from God. Why weren’t we able to have kids? Had I done something wrong? Did He know I wouldn’t be a good mom? Why was I broken? I felt such a sense of inadequacy and worthlessness.

The Truth
God didn’t leave me. God wasn’t bothered by my anger and frustration. In fact, He was waiting for me to get to that place. He wanted me to get to the end of myself. I had to get to the place where I realized that I couldn’t control my life, so I would be ready to learn. He had me work through my inadequacy and He brought me to three passages:

Psalm 139:1-2, 14
1 O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar.
14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.

Ecclesiastes 3:11
11 He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.

Romans 8:28
28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

God taught me these truths about feeling inadequate and out of control. First: He made me, He knows me better than I even know myself, and He thinks I’m wonderful. Second: God is at work and has been at work since the beginning of time. I will never know everything that He has done and will do. Third: God is in control and as I am following His purposes, He works out everything for according to His good.
What did that mean for me? I realized that I can trust God to do for me exactly what is best for me in exactly the right time, even if I don’t always understand why and am not able to know what God is doing. I found (and still find) comfort and peace in this trust. I was able to find peace in thinking that I may never have children. God had already blessed me and my husband, and while I was still disappointed, I could still have peace in knowing that it was His plan that was the reason, not my adequacy or inadequacy.

Three years later, God chose to bless my husband and me and opened opportunities for us that resulted in our having our beautiful baby girl. Two years after that our son was born. God chose to allow us to have children, but even if He hadn’t, I would still trust that His timing and plan is perfect. So while I do better on Mother's Day, I still know that this day can be bitter

Finally, enjoy this day. Thank your Mother for all that she has done for you, or even just for being willing to give birth to you. Be respectful to those who see this day as bittersweet for any number of reasons. Remember, God has a plan for all of us.

I am not inadequate. I am so valued by God that He has a special plan just for me and He thinks I am wonderful.

You are not inadequate. You are wonderful. You are valued by God. You are part of His perfect plan. Remember that today and every day, for it is true.


May you live out His Word today!
Kristi Burchfiel
Check out my daily devotions either on my blog or on my Facebook pageLonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com