Do you ever think about what God is writing about YOUR life in the eternal realm?
I had the opportunity to talk to several people over the past week about the story that God is weaving through their lives. Many of them felt compelled to write their stories through blogging or book form. One of them is already painting stories. Another one of them is taking photographs of the romance of the relationship with God that she experiences every day.
It occurred to me that we don’t have to be writers to find a way to tell our story – His story — of where He has met us and what He continues to do in and through our lives. We can simply live with the awareness of who He is and what He is doing and let it shine through our abilities and our daily surrender to Him.
- Do you work with children? If so, I imagine You see His handiwork every day in the unique way He has created those little ones.
- Do you manage people? If so, you probably see Him working through you, every day, giving you His wisdom and guidance as you seek to lead people with integrity.
- Are you helping to raise your grandchildren or caring for an elderly parent or spouse? Your story – and how God can work through it – is not lost on your situation. He knows exactly what you are dealing with and already sees the divine appointments you are living out to make an eternal difference in other people’s lives.
No matter where you are or what you feel your lot is in life, you have a story. It was written out for you before the beginning of time. And, according to Ephesians 2:10, you are His workmanship – His handiwork, His masterpiece, His poem – “created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that you should walk in them” (NASB). In other words, He already knows exactly where to display you for His ultimate glory as you yield your circumstances and your God-given abilities to Him.
If you are frustrated with where you are in life, and thinking that God is not using you or your abilities for His purposes, think again. He will not waste a wound or experience of yours as long as you hold it with an open hand before Him and say “I’m Yours, Lord, for whatever you have in mind.”
What is the story He is weaving through your life today? Let me know in the comment section below and I’m sure it will encourage and inspire my readers to look more closely at what God is doing in and through them, as well.
For more on God’s dream or purpose for your life, see my book, When a Woman Discovers Her Dream, on sale for the readers of my blog THIS WEEK ONLY (or while supplies last) for just $8.99 plus shipping.
The Lord has been speaking to me about writing more. This is confirmstion! Thanks!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
HE KNOWS MY NAME
I was diagnosed with colon cancer in April 2008. They said surgery needed to happen – quickly. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t scare me. The word cancer is scary. I was scared. I made the appointment to see the surgeon. All the while I am asking the Lord to give me something I can hold on to. I remember saying specifically ” Lord, I need an intimate, personal word from you that I can know without a doubt that it is MINE”
I was on the way to the surgeon’s office. Had not a made a decision, yet, to even have the surgery, but waiting and expecting to hear my word from the Lord. Chuck & I are sitting in the waiting room with a few other patients waiting their turn as well. The receptionist calls out ” Mr. Upchurch, you’re next”. I look over at my husband in disbelief – Upchurch is my maiden name and it is not very common in the Dallas area anymore. I must be related to this guy! I have to find out!
I go up to the receptionist and ask “Is there any way I could take 5 minutes of that gentleman’s time to see if I am related to him?”. She said ” You have got to be kidding me! We already had an Upchurch reunion a few minutes ago; Upchurch is the maiden name of one of the ladies on staff here”. Well, we all visited and could not make an obvious connection.
As Chuck & I were driving home, the Lord spoke to me and said ” I know your name” . I knew it all happened to get my attention. To remind me that the Lord is bigger than surgery, than cancer and He’s got it all in his hands.
As I lay in the hospital bed after surgery, my grandson Jacob came to visit and brought me a little book called Hugs for Grandma . The first sentence on the first page of devotionals reads:
” I’ve redeemed you and called you by name…..”
God is so very very good.
I love that story! Thank you so much for sharing that. You are a writer. Pursue it boldly. And let me know if I can help. 🙂
Cindi – I love this. After getting my bachelor’s degree and working hard for 13 years, I have spent the majority of the past 8 years feeling this desperation and uneasiness . Trying to be content where God had me. At home with my girls. What I saw as contentment (finally) was waiting for the green light to move…I thought the Lord was growing a desire in me to go back to school to pursue a new degree and career. (I think he was trying to give me hope that life wouldn’t be ‘like this’ forever.) Then my youngest started all day kinder and still I waited… impatiently. Only to find: God’s been growing another seed in me. He gave my husband and I a dream/vision for our future with our teenage girlies years ago. And now I see that he’s changed my heart! And given me a way to make that future dream a reality…and the work it’s going to take from now until then to make it come to fruition. Staying home for good. My ONLY job: to be mama, and an older woman speaking into the lives of the young ladies the Lord brings into our home as friends to my girls. And beginning those relationships now with the little ladies that surround us right where we are. I have no doubt the Lord won’t let all my schooling, knowledge and experience go to waste. He’ll use it. For Him.
Connie, you are a beautiful example of the principle I point out in my book, When a Woman Discovers Her Dream: God will not waste a wound, an experience, or a season of your life. He will, instead, through it continue to shape your dream. I’m so glad to hear you are not wasting these days with your girls by looking to a day when they’re out of the house, but are instead being used of Him NOW and letting Him shape your eternal perspective and the desires of your heart. He is clearly putting into your heart His desires and now His desires have become yours. (Psalm 37:4).
Hi there, your words are encouragement to me! I work in childcare taking care of babies, and I am caring for and live with my Mom who is 80 years old. Jesus is my strength, my joy, and my song! I cannot do anything without Him.💜
Elizabeth, Thank you for your words that are testimony to the fact that you are living obediently and according to His will (1 Thessalonians 5:18). 🙂
Painting her story! How incredibly creative!!!!
I know. Don’t you love it?? 🙂
I am in a dark place. Having to stay in bed. Not able to help anyone much and no one to help me. Took care of my mom and my sister most of my life. My phone is gone, can’t even send prayer texts. I can write and am able to do research for someone and send on this borrowed tablet. That is all I can contribute. Used to be able to do so much more.
I am holding on by a thread. I’m praying that thread is on Jesus’ robe. My light is very dim right now. I am alone all the time, have become very much aware of the presence of Jesus.
Sandy, I’m so sorry you feel so alone right now and believe you are in a dark place. But the fact that you have become very much aware of the presence of Jesus means you are not alone at all, He has promised to never leave you or desert you (Hebrews 13:5) and He tells us in His Word that “even the darkness” cannot hide us from Him (Psalm 139:11-12). God knows your limitations but He also promises that when we are weak, He is strong. I am praying you will find opportunities to give Him glory even in the place where you feel you can’t do much.
Cindi, my husband passed away Father’s Day 2017. We had been married and together 31 years! I really miss him! He was saved (he prayed with me and accepted Jesus) and asked to be baptized and was in 2013. It is so WONDERFUL to know my man is in heaven with Jesus and God looking down on me and I’ll be with him one day! God has told me that my ministry is to minister to couples and make sure both know Jesus and both know they will be in heaven together! I just don’t know where to find them to minister and witness to them! Yes, I’m in a church, but most of the couples are very strong Christians! But, I feel this is such an important ministry! Can you only imagine what I would be going through right now if my precious husband had died and had not known Jesus! It breaks my heart to think of couples that maybe 1 knows Jesus and the other doesn’t! Sometimes it’s hard to minister to your mate or spouse! God just blessed me and my husband felt led to accept Jesus and wanted to be baptized! Thank you, God! Any suggestions on how I can do this ministry? Thank you, Carolyn
Carolyn, I’m sorry for your loss, but I rejoice with you that your husband is in the presence of Jesus. What comfort and peace that must give you. In response to your question, most of the time ministry begins when we just start praying for God to open our eyes to the needs around us. While you may want to minister to couples to make sure both of them are saved, God might want you to minister to women who have recently lost their husbands, just like you did, or younger women who are still dating and need the wisdom of knowing how to select a spouse. Start asking God for opportunities to touch people’s lives around you in the way that He desires and then pray for eyes to see the opportunities right in front of you. God starts with a heart that is willing and available to serve Him however and whenever. As He sees you are faithful in a little He will give you more. Blessings as you look for the opportunities around you.
Hi Cindi,
I enjoy reading your newsletter/blogs! This is such a timely piece, it is exactly what I am working on right now. I began this project several years ago, and am working to complete it now. It will be a weekly devotional based on the stories and lessons of my life. God is so good, it is going great! You can feel when something is right! God bless us all as we seek to do His will and help others!
Thanks, Becky, for letting me know how you are fulfilling God’s calling for you to write. If you get stuck, or need a “next step” with your book, check out my coaching services for writers on my website. I’d love to help.
How can I know what God’s will is for me? My husband passed away 5 years ago this month. After suffering from delete and other health issues, I feel like I am in a time warp. I pray but can’t seem to find answers.
Carol
Carol, thank you for sharing with me what is on your heart. I receive many emails from women telling me the same thing you have. May I suggest you change your approach? Instead of asking God what His will is for you, change your request to wanting more of God, Himself, not His answers. Henry Blackaby, author of Experiencing God, has long said that when we ask God what His will is for us we are asking the wrong question. He suggests we look around at where God is working and join Him there. As we see Him working His will around us, we then get an idea of His will, in general, and the focus isn’t so much on us, specifically, and our personal fulfillment, but on Him, and what HE wants to accomplish in and through us. Many times we just need to focus on Him, being obedient to Him and seeking His will and His desires, not our own. I hope that helps.
Good afternoon Ms Cindi
Let me introduce myself. God is Good..Iam a 45 year old widow with 3 children, ages 22, 19 and 9 and same time looking after my elderly mom who is 79 yrs old..thank you for angels who guided us through a word..like what I saw this words Write-or Live – Story..for the faithfulness of Gods glory…I am really encourage to have a chat with you on how to write my story for his Glory…bless you