I haven’t posted here in almost a year. I’m not sure why but I’m almost positive it has a lot to do with that four letter word – “LIFE”. Funny but sad really how we all let “LIFE” get in the way of things we really like to do, things we need to do, things we may even have a passion for.
I guess it was around the end of March last year when the activities I participate in at church and my responsibilities within them changed. My “LIFE” had become a bit more chaotic and truthfully, it’s not hard for me to be thrown off when something goes awry or doesn’t follow my “normal” routine. I don’t know if chaotic is the right way to describe it but I feel I have been on a downward slide lately fighting forces I cannot see. Dark weighing forces that cause doubt and fear, raising tension, dissension, and discouragement within the soul and between what I believe are strong spiritually encouraging relationships. These negative forces I attribute to the work of Satan trying to drive a wedge of separations between myself and a few of my closest friends and loved ones.
Several events happened last year that threw me off, my youngest son Matthew moved back home and then left again within a three month period of time. In March a need arose in the addiction outreach program at my church and I became the head leader of the teen girls group. I also became a member of the church I have been attending since May of 2012. The obligation I felt to be a member of the 60th Street Baptist Church was not motivated by the church it was for the spiritual welfare of the girls. They had already had two leaders leave unexpectedly it just wouldn’t be right for me to leave them too and besides, they were growing on me. And they have been more of a blessing to me than I believe I am to them.
How great is our God to equip us to face head on and overcome our fears having more confidence in us than we have in ourselves. During the past fourteen years I have prayed to God that He would lead my eldest (and estranged) son Jeremy home. I cannot tell you the joy and fear I felt when he walked up the driveway that Wednesday afternoon in June with his three year old daughter Abby in tow, needing a place to live. Even now it brings tears to my eyes of thanksgiving to God Almighty to be witness of His wonderful gifts of mercy and love. I know now that when God gave me responsibility over the girls, he was equipping me to be a better example of love for Jeremy.
Jeremy and Abby have been home now since June of 2013 and like most families we are struggling in every way imaginable. Jeremy and I don’t agree on morality or Christianity or parenting methods or even political standpoints. We struggle financially because neither one of us has found full time employment. It’s now three years and though I am still sustainably unemployed and facing homelessness, God has blessed me with a part time opportunity cleaning my church. I am still determined to make a living selling my handmade jewelry online and I have surrendered my life to serving my Lord and Savior Jesus.
I confess that this has been one of the toughest years of my “LIFE” and only by the grace of God, and a few dear friends, am I still here to share it with you.
Thank you and God Bless you all!
“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”
Philippians 4:6, 7 KJV
The Kat House 