Lines

Looking in the mirror,  I can see the lines of life creasing the skin around my eyes and covering my brow.  I used to say I didn't mind getting older.  But as I age, I can see the trials of life like a road map on my face.  Pridefully, it bothers me.  However, I know deep down that they are what's left of walking some pretty rocky roads.  Roads I wouldn't trade for anything now.  Roads that brought me to my knees, knowing there was nowhere else to look, but up. I had to look up for peace and comfort and to press on and take another step.

I can honestly say, those lines are not without a purpose.  They are present because of the lessons I needed to learn in this life.  The trials I had to walk through to bring me to where I am now. One might call it Refiner's fire.  When we endure trials it's our chance to glorify Christ in how we handle situations.  Did God know they would happen?  Yep.  He knew He would have to carry me at times.  He was there. At every step. He showed up through His living word, kind people and in times there was no other explanation other than Christ. Things that happened that were too bizarre to be a coincidence.  He knew I would walk away closer to Him and with new found wisdom I could share with others.

These hard times changed my heart and my life.  They have given me an eternal perspective. I've never doubted God's love for me. But I have been angry at Him for my circumstances. His peace surpassed my understanding many times. I have learned about kindness, gentleness and love through hardship.  I guess that is what James was talking about when he said, "Consider trials of many kind pure joy." (James 1:2-4)

Today, I have pure joy because of the lessons I have learned, the person I have become in Christ and the relationship with my Savior that I cannot live without.  I now have a testimony to share that is full of God's grace and His provisions for me. I have a duty to encourage others.

So, thank you, infertility, international adoption, divorced parents, marriage struggles, parenting struggles, almost losing a child...I could go on.  But I won't.  All part of the beautiful tapestry God is weaving.  I am only a small part. I have faith in His plan when I cannot see. The struggles are not over yet.  Not until I face the gates of Heaven one day.  My prayer is as long as I walk through this life people see Christ in me.

May I be aware of those struggling this Christmas season. May I be a steady hand to hold pointing them to the only one who matters.

So, I guess I will have to take the wrinkles with the wisdom and thank my God.

Hmmm, I'll take the wrinkles with the wisdom.  That would be a good quote for a necklace or a art print huh?  Maybe Anna can design it for me.

Can anyone recommend a good eye cream for my stocking stuffer this year....

There have been many crazy blessings along the journey.  Here are 4 of them.