Telling our stories

"If all you ever attempt is that which you know you can do or have the resources for, how will you ever discover what He can do"

My Jesus is . . . . Everything!

by Anne Graham Lotz

When you think back on your life, and remember all of the times when you had absolutely no clue how you were going to get through whatever it was that was looming in front of you, I'm sure there are memories of just how God made a way.  Sometimes it really does feel like I'm Moses, standing in front of that magnificent sea with the Egyptians' chariots and horses thundering up behind me.  There are times when, no matter which way we turn, there just isn't a good choice available.  And, for me, I've found it very discouraging when all of the choices in front of me seem to be "bad" choices.  As in, the consequences of each particular choice appear to be pretty dismal.  And I don't want to deal with those yucky consequences!  Because it is impossible to do the right thing in the wrong way.  We do sometimes find ourselves in situations that have been created by others around us, but we are still left to make decisions and choices in response.

But then there are the times when we just really feel called to do a particular thing, but the possibility seems hopeless.  Such as when we knew that bringing our Annie home from China was our next little task along the journey of our lives, and we had no resources with which even to begin the process.  Many of you who follow IOW regularly have heard our story of "Bringing Annie Home," but just to reminisce a bit . . . . with no money even to start the adoption process, we called the agency and explained our situation.  Annie's file was about to be returned to the Chinese government adoption department for the third time, meaning she would be taken out of the process for adoption.  I guess it really is "three times and you're out!"  We had to make a decision THAT day, so we did, and took one step at a time, and now she's going to be starting first grade in the middle of corn fields in the American midwest.  A long way from Nanchung, China! 

And that brings us here, today, in the midst of a recession where we are all struggling in one way or another.  Many of us wonder, "Is this a Depression yet?"  But then I know that even if we reach 10% unemployment . . . . . that means there are still 90% of the people still employed.  So there's a "glass half-full" way to look at it!  Except when you are wondering how you will pay the mortgage this month, or the car payment . . . . and if I pay the mortgage, then how will I buy groceries . . . . it really doesn't matter that 90% of Americans are still employed.  BUT . . . perhaps now is one of our "Annie" moments.  Will we step out in faith, to do the next task on our "Eternal To Do List," or will we cower and become paralyzed with fear?  That's my biggest struggle;  the anxiety that I fight, moment by moment, wondering about this and that and everything else.    So, I constantly need to remind myself to remember . . . . remember . . . . remember . . . . and re-tell the story of how God brought our Annie home from China.

Maybe that's what we all need to do every day, no matter what our circumstances, is to tell the stories of God's faithfulness.  To ourselves, to our children, to one another.  So, "tell me the story of Jesus .. . . sweetest that ever was told."

(Sorry for the delay on Mr. Linky . . . I forgot how to find him!)

 

Please visit the other women who are participating today, In Other Words . . . .

Comments

[Tami Boesiger]

Thanks for reminding us with this quote that God can do the impossible, Nina.

And thanks for hosting. My post can be found at:

The Next Step
Chasing a Miracle Requires Trust

Thanks for hosting!

[Tami Boesiger]

Whoops, my link didn't publish right. Sorry!

Find my post at:

http://tamiboesiger.blogspot.com/2009/07/chasing-miracle-requires-trust.html

[Miriam Pauline]

This is an amazing quote that spoke volumes of encouragement into my life this week. Bless you! Thanks for hosting us at your place.

http://mipasmonologue.blogspot.com/2009/07/in-other-words-in-god-we-trustor-do-we.html

[Denise]

Wonderful quote. My post is here: http://shortybearsplace.blogspot.com/2009/07/in-other-words-tuesday_14.html

[Karen Gillett]

We do need to tell more often the stories of God's faithfulness. They are wonderful and encouraging like the story you tell. Thanks for hosting today.

[Denise Hughes]

"Maybe that's what we all need to do every day, no matter what our circumstances, is to tell the stories of God's faithfulness. To ourselves, to our children, to one another."

Your words here are so encouraging. I'm new to the blogging world, but the very reason I wanted to start writing a blog was to do that very thing - to remember and write down the stories of God's faithfulness! I'm also inspired by your story of bringing Annie home from China. My heart longs to adopt children from all over the world. I keep praying that someday it will be possible for us. Thank you for sharing your story.

Denise Hughes :)

[Jen]

Thank you for hosting and sharing this quote...I needed to reflect on our own "stories of God's faithfulness" this morning as I typed. I appreciated yours, also...very different circumstances, but the same big God, working big miracles!

[Kathryn @ Expectant Hearts]

Nina, thanks for sharing this. I am not all that familiar with Annie's story so appreciated hearing it!

Mine is finally up at:
http://expectanthearts.blogspot.com/2009/07/in-other-words-tuesday-july-14-2009.html