I Choose Today

I Choose Today...

I Choose Today to Recognize Good

Good ideas, good food, good days, good…. Do you ever wonder where all the good comes from? Scripture tells us where good comes from, when it states, ”Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father…“ James‬ ‭1‬:‭17‬a ‭NLT‬‬ Barnes’ Commentary talks about goodness within the context of this verse, he states,  “…where it can be regarded as good as a whole and in all its parts. The general sense is, that God is the author of all good. Every thing that is good on the earth we are to trace to Him.” Even when everything around us seems to be bad, evil, or not going as well as we had hoped, there is always good. How can I say this when I’ve experienced such tragedy and trauma in my life? Because I have seen it first hand, and God also promises it in His Word, ”And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬ ‭NLT‬‬ In those times, and those since, I have intentionally looked for good. And when something good happens

Read More »

I Choose Today my Abba Father

The churches in our area have partnered up with the county to host guests who need a warm, safe bed during these cold winter nights. On one such night when it was our churches opportunity to host, my husband and I were able to be hands and feet. During dinner, we had the opportunity to hear some of their stories. One gentleman was regaling us with stories of his youth; how he was a sports phenom of his day. He was making the papers, setting new sports records, had college offers which would set him up for life. During the course of the evening we spent with him, he kept talking about he had life by the tail when he was young. When asked what changed the trajectory of his life, he said drugs. But then, through further conversation, he tearfully explained his reason for his pain; what hurt he was trying to cover through the escape of drugs. He explained, with all of his games he had in high school, all the accolades he received from everyone at school, in the community, with college coaches, there was something missing; someone missing. You see, his dad never came to one

Read More »

I Choose Today to rejoice even though

Habakkuk lived in a time with a lot of challenges where it seemed like God was either not present or not loving. But yet, he chose to rejoice as he sang, “Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will REJOICE in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!” Hab. 3:17-18 Even though the circumstances of God’s people seemed dire (and it was), Habakkuk chose to rejoice in the Lord. Drawing a parallel from Habakkuk’s unwavering joy in the midst of adversity, I found myself facing a profound test of faith when my 5-1/2 month old son tragically succumbed to SIDS. No explanation, no signs, no perceivable reason. Did I ask God why He took my son from our family? Yes! But honestly, if God Himself came down to tell me all the good things He was going to do because of Bobby’s death, it wouldn’t have made sense to me or been a good enough reason in

Read More »

I Choose Today to live abundantly

Don’t miss the opportunity to live an abundant life because of your trauma. In the days, weeks, and months after my trauma, I can honestly say I did not have any joy, nor was I living a life of abundance. I was in survival mode. I was surviving, not thriving. My focus was on my loss. Who could blame me, right? Up to that point in my life, I had experienced a great deal of trauma: being abused, abandoned, belittled, marginalized, and having innocence stolen. God had brought me through those times, and I was beginning to thrive in a life that was finally good, more than I could have asked or hoped for. I was experiencing joy and abundance. That was until that morning in early June when I woke up to my worst nightmare. In the time following this traumatic morning, once the fog of despair and grief started to lift, I had a choice to make. I had to choose if I was going to continue to live in survival mode or if I was going to thrive with an abundant life. Jesus said in John 10:10, “A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.

Read More »

I Choose Today to share hope in trauma…

He makes ALL things new and fresh! If you have been through something traumatic, then you have experienced trauma. Trauma is not normal. Trauma is not to be minimized or marginalized. Trauma is not meant to be compared. The other day, I was asked to lead a group of moms in our church’s MOPS ministry. The topic was anxiety and depression. One of the discussion questions asked, ‘Have you ever lost something you had been anxious about losing?’ and ‘Was it easier or harder than you had anticipated?’ My answer to these questions was ‘yes’ to both. Yes, I have lost something, and yes, it was harder than anticipated. These questions had me asking the Lord for wisdom on what to share with these young ladies. But I felt the Holy Spirit encouraging me to talk about my traumatic experience of losing my son to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS); a mother’s worst nightmare. But when I talked about my worst anxiety coming true, I also talked about how God was (is) present to help in healing and walking me through the trauma. I talked about even when your anxiety is realized, God is there to: – take your hand

Read More »