Tag: beach

by Abi Leah
Posted on October 25, 2014November 7, 2018

The Gift of Family

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Sometimes taking a step back helps clarify a stressful moment. This year, I’m facing a lot of change. It’s overwhelming to look at it all and hear the questions rattling around in my mind. What if it doesn’t work out? What if I make the wrong decision? What if I’m wrong? What if I’m rejected? What if I have to start all over? All of those questions create so much noise. It can be exhausting. But, when we step back, we can get a better perspective. Christ calls us to look towards Him when the going gets tough. He says, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29) Jesus is saying, “I know it’s hard but I will give you rest. Don’t look at the burden. Look at Me.” He’s asking us to trade our burdens for His, knowing that when we obey and move forward in serving Him, He gives us everything we need. It’s hard to let go of control, to trust God for the future. But it’s harder to go through life on our own. In what way do you need to trust Him? What do you need to trade in order to receive His rest?

Joy comes in the little things like simple blessings found in the everyday. A day of cleaning turns into a day of treasure hunting as I search for happy memories tucked away in random places. The photo stuck to the bottom of a drawer. An extra bottle of my favorite nail polish I had forgotten I bought. A stash of pumpkin spice tea I saved for just the rainy day like this. Or my favorite: a note I had written down in the back of a notebook, a simple reminder of hope. This weekend, may you find a reason to smile in the most random moment. What is a simple thing that always brings you joy?

Growth. It’s slow and painful. It takes time and patience and learning. It means sometimes uprooting yourself to allow for more room. But most importantly, growth requires a good foundation and strong roots. Change leads to growth. But without being rooted in something eternally firm, change can devastate. Being rooted firmly in Christ not only prevents that, it brings peace in the midst of it all! Christ never changes. God never changes. And so as we stand in Him, we have confidence that even in the midst of the change, He will still be the same. Colossians 2:6-7 is a great one to remember: “so, then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Where are you rooting yourself? In dreams of success? In relationships with others? In academics? Or in Christ and the stability only He can bring?

Delighting in the Lord will give one righteous desires and thus God will give the desires of one’s heart. . It’s amazing to me how resistant I can be to His plans, even though I know He always has my best in mind. The change, the effort seems too hard and too painful. But His promises are greater. His purposes are greater. And the pain He is ultimately saving me from is greater than the initial pain of change that I face in the moment. It’s a daily thing asking God to make my will His. Will you pray for that today?

NEW BLOG POST: Change sometimes comes towards us like a freight train. It seems all I can do is stare straight ahead and hope the impact doesn’t destroy me. But God calls us to trust Him, to let go of the expectations, and remember that He is perfectly in control. Go to HappilyAbi.com or click the link in the bio to read today’s devotional.

Quiet time with the Lord is one of the few things that keep me sane in times of stress and change. And yet, it’s often during those difficult times that I least want to take the time to remember and praise Him for what is He doing. This year, I’m challenging myself to have Bible time every morning. I’m am grateful that my classes are starting later so I can set aside time in the morning for Him. I encourage you to purposely set aside time to read your Bible and meditate on what God is speaking to you. It’s such an encouragement and a peace when times are difficult.

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Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 358 other followers

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Sometimes taking a step back helps clarify a stressful moment. This year, I’m facing a lot of change. It’s overwhelming to look at it all and hear the questions rattling around in my mind. What if it doesn’t work out? What if I make the wrong decision? What if I’m wrong? What if I’m rejected? What if I have to start all over? All of those questions create so much noise. It can be exhausting. But, when we step back, we can get a better perspective. Christ calls us to look towards Him when the going gets tough. He says, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29) Jesus is saying, “I know it’s hard but I will give you rest. Don’t look at the burden. Look at Me.” He’s asking us to trade our burdens for His, knowing that when we obey and move forward in serving Him, He gives us everything we need. It’s hard to let go of control, to trust God for the future. But it’s harder to go through life on our own. In what way do you need to trust Him? What do you need to trade in order to receive His rest?

Joy comes in the little things like simple blessings found in the everyday. A day of cleaning turns into a day of treasure hunting as I search for happy memories tucked away in random places. The photo stuck to the bottom of a drawer. An extra bottle of my favorite nail polish I had forgotten I bought. A stash of pumpkin spice tea I saved for just the rainy day like this. Or my favorite: a note I had written down in the back of a notebook, a simple reminder of hope. This weekend, may you find a reason to smile in the most random moment. What is a simple thing that always brings you joy?

Growth. It’s slow and painful. It takes time and patience and learning. It means sometimes uprooting yourself to allow for more room. But most importantly, growth requires a good foundation and strong roots. Change leads to growth. But without being rooted in something eternally firm, change can devastate. Being rooted firmly in Christ not only prevents that, it brings peace in the midst of it all! Christ never changes. God never changes. And so as we stand in Him, we have confidence that even in the midst of the change, He will still be the same. Colossians 2:6-7 is a great one to remember: “so, then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Where are you rooting yourself? In dreams of success? In relationships with others? In academics? Or in Christ and the stability only He can bring?

Delighting in the Lord will give one righteous desires and thus God will give the desires of one’s heart. . It’s amazing to me how resistant I can be to His plans, even though I know He always has my best in mind. The change, the effort seems too hard and too painful. But His promises are greater. His purposes are greater. And the pain He is ultimately saving me from is greater than the initial pain of change that I face in the moment. It’s a daily thing asking God to make my will His. Will you pray for that today?

NEW BLOG POST: Change sometimes comes towards us like a freight train. It seems all I can do is stare straight ahead and hope the impact doesn’t destroy me. But God calls us to trust Him, to let go of the expectations, and remember that He is perfectly in control. Go to HappilyAbi.com or click the link in the bio to read today’s devotional.

Quiet time with the Lord is one of the few things that keep me sane in times of stress and change. And yet, it’s often during those difficult times that I least want to take the time to remember and praise Him for what is He doing. This year, I’m challenging myself to have Bible time every morning. I’m am grateful that my classes are starting later so I can set aside time in the morning for Him. I encourage you to purposely set aside time to read your Bible and meditate on what God is speaking to you. It’s such an encouragement and a peace when times are difficult.

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