What seeds of faith am I planting?

May 22, 2023May 22, 2023 / humblevalleyranch / Leave a comment

Recently, I became a co-admin of a seed library and found out that I would be planting seeds in order to have plants to sell as a fund-raising plant sale. My prayer for this started last year.

I was told that the seed library was receiving only 1/4 of the money raised at the plant sell and I became somewhat righteously angry. I started praying that if it be GOD’s will, that I would be able to donate plants towards the sell so that they would get 100% of the money raised. I was just thinking about a couple of dozen plants.

In March I was talking to the seed library lead and she was telling me that many of the plants that were started earlier in the year had been tossed around by the wind and were not going to make it for the sale. So I was given the “go-ahead” to grow some seeds for the sale. Reminder, I was only thinking a couple dozen plants. However, GOD’s plans are not our plans. I’d been given some Amazon gift cards for a class I took, so found myself looking at gardening supplies….and bought a 40 pack of twelve 1″x1″ square (40*12=480) peat planters. Plus I already had about 60 peat cups. So, I started planted seeds in 540 peat cups! Now mind you, just because you plant a seed doesn’t mean it will sprout or become a plant.

However, GOD’s plans are not our plans. I’d been given some Amazon gift cards for a class I took, so found myself looking at gardening supplies….and bought a 40 pack of twelve 1″x1″ square (40*12=480) peat planters.

Have you ever asked GOD to use something you are doing in the physical for the spiritual good?

As I was planting the physical seeds, I started praying that God would use the seeds that I was planting to bear spiritual fruit.

“ABBA FATHER LORD JESUS HOLY SPIRIT thank You that You are able to use what we do in the physical in spiritual ways. Physical seeds can be spiritual seeds planted! LORD remind us of this and empower us to sow generously in all we do.”

PLANT GENEROUSLY

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (TPT) “Here’s my point. A stingy sower will reap a meager harvest, but the one who sows from a generous spirit will reap an abundant harvest. Let giving flow from your heart, not from a sense of religious duty. Let it spring up freely from the joy of giving—all because God loves hilarious generosity!”

The Aramaic can be translated “the one who sows with a storehouse of seed” (remaining). This describes a farmer who is stingy with his sowing since he has a storehouse of seed he can afford to sow liberally.

All throughout scriptures, we see both natural and spiritual implications of this cycle.

NATURAL: if you plant a few seeds, you will reap a small harvest. If you plant hundreds or thousands of seeds, you will reap a large harvest.

SPIRITUAL: When we “plant” our time, money, talent, and energy into the Kingdom of GOD we are investing in Him and His plan – and He can certainly multiply our efforts.

Some of the seeds just did not come up, they composted (become soil again) or were no longer viable. Which surprised me, because I soaked all the seeds before I planted them (and they passed the viability test).

Some of the seeds became seedlings but either got too cold, too hot or munched by bugs.

And some seeds were slow in coming up because we had an unseasonably cold spring this year. These were brand new seedlings for the sale, so few were sold.

A lot of the seeds became seedlings and thrived to become plants ready to be sold.

Because of all the variables above (becoming compost, dying plants, slow germination), if I would have been stingy in sowing, I wouldn’t have had near as many plants I ended up with.

We shouldn’t give to get though, we are to sow with the right heart. I was not growing plants for me to receive money or acknowledgement, I was growing plants because I desired to see the seed library succeed in their plant sale, so they could succeed in their mission…and praying that GOD would use it to plant spiritual seeds in the community.

Proverbs 11:18 (BSB) The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.

Hosea 10:12 (HCSB) Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love; break up your unplowed ground. It is time to seek the Lord until He comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain.

I read this verse several days before the plant sale. I prayed that GOD would break up the unplowed land of our hardened hearts and to plant righteousness and faithful love. Before that, we had A LOT of rain and no more was expected for the season. In fact, it was unseasonably warm, in the upper 80’s and 90’s.

I was getting some signs printed for the plant sale at a store. I was talking with one employee and when she briefly walked away, I started fanning my face and another employee (who was busy with another customer, leaned over to me and said, “you know it’s going to rain next week!?!”

I laughed! I had not prayed the rest of the verse! “LORD, please send Your righteousness upon us like rain!” It not only rained one day, but on and off for a week!

WHAT ARE YOU CULTIVATING IN YOUR LIFE?

What am I cultivating in my life? Am I cultivating weeds of worldliness or a relationship with GOD? Cultivating a relationship with GOD will bear the fruit of the SPIRIT .

Galatians 5:22-23 (AMP) But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.

The Sunday before the plant sale, I was writing my prayer request for the plant sale “Please pray that GOD will use the seeds I have planted physically for a spiritual harvest.” As I wrote, the person speaking just happened to read from First Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 36-9 (GNT) I planted the seed, Apollos watered the plant, but it was God who made the plant grow. The one who plants and the one who waters really do not matter. It is God who matters, because he makes the plant grow. There is no difference between the one who plants and the one who waters; God will reward each one according to the work each has done. For we are partners working together for God, and you are God’s field.

It gave me great joy, belief and hope that He indeed was hearing my prayers and was already answering them.

I had well over 500 plants by the time the plant sale came. We raised over $700 and somehow I had well over 200 plants left. I know GOD was the One Who brought the success of the plant sale. And I believe that He is growing the spiritual seeds planted into a harvest for His Kingdom purposes.

Ask yourself, “How am I sowing spiritual seeds in my life and the lives of others? What types of seeds am I planting? Am I trusting God will multiply my efforts when I have harvested in his kingdom with the right heart?

Take some time today to reflect on what you’re planting and reaping and ask God to direct your steps.

Please let me know what GOD shows you, what you are sowing into His Kingdom as well as what harvest you see Him bring in through your planting and watering

Journaling

March 22, 2023May 22, 2023 / humblevalleyranch / 4 Comments

I didn’t realize that I have not added a new blog since last May! Crazy!

I seemed to have lost most of January and February of this year with Covid, bowel obstruction, minor eye surgery and minor flood in the house I live in! Interestingly, while I had Covid, I was reading about GOD’s goodness and love. In my desperation, I asked Him to “prove it”! And with each new thing, He proved to me a little bit more of His goodness and love.

I have been journaling again this year. I’d like to share what I have written.

Romans 5:6-8 (NIV) “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly (that’s us!). Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. BUT GOD demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

1 Yochanan (1 John) 1:9 (CJB) “If we acknowledge our sins, then, since He is trustworthy and just, He will forgive then and purify us from all wrongdoing.”

GOD’s MORAL STANDARD

Every human has sinned (except for Jesus). We’ve fallen short of GOD’s moral standard. “Sin” is an archery term which means “missing the mark”. None of us hit the bullseye, even when we are doing what we think is good and right, because none of us can live a perfect life. And missing the mark of GOD’s moral standard, sinning, separates us from GOD. That is, we can not have a right relationship with Him with sin in our lives.

BUT GOD…was not willing for us to be forever separated from Him! Jesus came, born of The Spirit and a virgin that He would be 100% GOD and 100% man – He lived a sinless, perfect life – He died a criminals death, even though He had not sinned. He took the sin of the world – from Adam to the last man – all our past, present and future sin – upon Himself on the cross. He died and was buried. Then on the third day, by the power of The Holy Spirit, He rose to life.

He was our “guilt offering”, the Lamb of GOD who takes away the sin of the world! All we have to do is, by faith believe in Jesus, receive Him and the work He has done for us on the cross then live in right relationship with GOD through Jesus.

Our forgiveness is not based on our faithfulness or goodness, it’s based on GOD’s faithfulness and His goodness. We can trust Him to forgive us and purify us from everything that keeps us from Him. In Christ Jesus, we are free from the guilt and shame of not living to GOD’s standard. His forgiveness should empower us to continue to live closely to Him, following His Word and being faithful to GOD.

Have you believed in Jesus? Have you received Him and the Work He has done for you on the cross? If not, it’s not too late. All you have to do is to call out to Him. Ask Him for faith to believe and to empower you to receive Him into your life as well as the ability to turn from your sin towards GOD. He is faithful and He will help you to do this. In fact, is anxiously awaits your call to Him.

Prayer: GOD, I confess that I have not always been the person You have created me to be. I sometimes fail to love You with my whole heart, mind and soul. I don’t always love my neighbor as You love them. Please forgive me. Please give me faith to believe Your Word and to receive Jesus as my LORD and Savior. Empower me to receive Him into my life and heart. Help me to repent, to turn from my sin and turn towards You. GOD transform my heart and renew my mind so that I can draw closer to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen

You might ask, “Why are you journaling about this if you have already made JESUS your LORD and Savior?”

I have been journaling about the Scriptures I read each day, so this has been what I have been writing about. Also, I believe that there is an urgency for this good news, the Gospel, to be known and received by those who have either not known about it or those who have read about it but refuse to believe.

GOD wants everyone to come to Him. He desires every person to choose Him. So, I am journaling about it and sharing it on here because, like GOD, I desire for you to choose Him too.

Please pray and ask GOD to reveal truth to you in such a way that you no longer doubt or disbelieve. Your eternity hangs on your choice!

How is GOD using the fire and storms in your life?

May 10, 2022March 18, 2023 / humblevalleyranch / Leave a comment

I’m not exactly sure when it was, but for a period of time, I kept finding myself reading verses in the Bible about being in the fire or storm. Daniel 3:9-30, Isaiah 43:1-5, Matthew 8:23-27, the book of Job and others. I’m not sure what I thought at the time, but looking back, I can see that GOD wanted to prepare me that I would be going into the fire…a hot 🥵🔥 one!

Since October 22, 2015 I feel like I have been in the fire. That is on-going pain from surgery with no answers to why, spinal pain which was in the 7-8/10 pain levels for several years (as well as occasionally now, but regularly around 4-6/10 pain levels), for several years inability to get regular sleep, doctors unwilling to help, insurance denials, workplace falsely accusing me of theft, loss of beloved animals, mental breakdown, weakness in my legs taking my freedom to drive, autoimmune disease, noise/light/smell sensitivities, depression, migraine headaches…

; BUT GOD has been faithful throughout. Majority of the verses I continued to see over and over were about being in a fire or storm, BUT most importantly the verses were about WHO IS WITH US WHEN WE GO THROUGH THE FIRE OR THE STORM!

Isaiah 43:1-5 -But now thus says the LORD, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your GOD, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you.

Remember Shadrach Meshach and Abednego; GOD didn’t put out the fire, in fact, the fire was stoked seven times hotter! ;BUT GOD was in the fire with them. It’s not about GOD putting out the fires, it’s about who is in the fire with you.

In Matthew 8:23-27, the One who controls all things, including the weather, was in the boat with the disciples. JESUS calmed the storm with a Word.

For just over six and a half years, I have been in what feels like a fire that’s gotten a little bit hotter over time. I’ve learned that the key to not fearing is to know that GOD is with us through it.

I have also started to see that going through the fire is about healing and restoration. This happens when we surrender every aspect of the fires and storms to GOD and allow Him to use it for our good.

Today it occurred to me that maybe GOD wants to use the fires in our lives to give others life. I was reading a devotional about “heaping coals on the heads of our enemies” and remembered that in the past it was a blessing to give someone a hot coal. It meant they would be able to warm their house, cook food, warm water for drinks and baths, etc.

I’m not quite sure what it would look like to use the fire I am in to give life to others. Maybe instead of just existing in the fires we are in, we can look outside of our fires to encourage others who are going through it and we can pray for others asking GOD to show Himself in their fire.

How is GOD using the fires and/or storms in your life? What is He teaching you? Please let me know in the comment section.

Despite the fires in my life, I desire to see the Church, the Bride of Christ, united together in love. I desire to see the Bay Area to become the Valley of GOD’s Heart’s Delight. I’m not sure how I can be part of this, other than prayer, but I am at least asking GOD to use me.

I pray that GOD will show Himself faithful to you. I pray that GOD will show you, that even though your fire might be getting hotter or that your boat is about to be overtaken by waves, He is with you, He is for you and He is in control of the fires and storms. I pray that GOD will empower you to stop crying out to be saved from the fire and the storm to see that you are safe in the fire and the storm BECAUSE HE IS WITH YOU. I pray that GOD will encourage you, strengthen you and show you purpose inside the fire and storm. I pray that GOD will remove all hopelessness, anxiety, fear, dejectedness, etc and give you His peace that surpasses all understanding to guard your heart and mind. I pray that GOD will soften any part of your heart and mind that has become hardened because of the fire and storm. And I pray that GOD will renew your love for Him, allow a fire to burn inside your heart and that He will show you new purpose. May He build something beautiful from the ashes, bringing healing and restoration in and through your life because of what you are going through.

Waiting for an answer – steps of faith to a sacrifice.April 9, 2015
For awhile now I’ve been getting email updates from my friend Hilda asking me to pray for her husband Lupe’s health. He’s had some liver issues so has had to get regular testing. Now he has liver cancer and had hoped to get on a list for a liver to be donated. Unfortunately, there are … Continue reading Waiting for an answer – steps of faith to a sacrifice.
Counting the cost – more steps of faith to a sacrificeSeptember 2, 2015
Have you ever been asked to weigh the costs of a decision? Maybe you have tried to weigh or count the cost of getting married, or having a child, or buying a home, or becoming a follower of Christ? I haven’t posted since April 9, 2015 because I have been in wait mode as far … Continue reading Counting the cost – more steps of faith to a sacrifice
Up the Ante – even more steps of faith to a sacrifice!September 14, 2015
Is there a blockade trying to stop me – trying to take steps toward a sacrificeOctober 2, 2015
It’s so weird what goes through my head sometimes. Is it just me or does God use the things we’ve had around us in our life times to speak to us? I would feel like it were more from Him if it were something from the Bible. But then, Satan knows God’s Word and can … Continue reading Is there a blockade trying to stop me – trying to take steps toward a sacrifice
Easy Butternut squash ravioliSeptember 6, 2016
I am so excited! I made butternut squash ravioli yesterday…and they actually look like ravioli. I have not tasted them yet…so maybe I should not be so excited. I found the idea for the recipe online. I like to tweak recipes most of the time and sometimes it works. The original called for Mascapone cheese, … Continue reading Easy Butternut squash ravioli
War Room party plans – shhhh! ConfidentialSeptember 6, 2016
I am so excited that I get to host a War Room viewing party for the ladies in my Bible study group this week. Wow, I use “excited” a lot! Is it proper to say, “I am inspirited to host a War Room Viewing party”??? Please leave me a comment below. I have wanted to … Continue reading War Room party plans – shhhh! Confidential
War Room Viewing PartySeptember 8, 2016
I am so INSPIRITED that I got to have a War Room viewing Party! I decided that I use the word “excited” way too often, so I came up with a new phrase, “I am so Inspirited…!” Maybe it will become the new craze. Then I can say that I was ahead of the curve … Continue reading War Room Viewing Party
Making Kingdom use of the timeSeptember 8, 2016
Psalm 90:12 Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Today I was reminded of something I prayed the other day. I am so tired of wasting my time on Facebook, playing games, looking at the guys on Christian Mingle, reading the funny pages…etc! I want to be using my time … Continue reading Making Kingdom use of the time
Attempt, not success but not failure!September 15, 2016
I am not sure why I named this what I did. Interestingly, I had a Bible verse come to mind as I typed the title: Proverbs 24:16 “For a righteous man falleth seven times, and riseth up again; But the wicked are overthrown by calamity.” I have a confession to make. I am addicted to MyCupCakeAddiction. … Continue reading Attempt, not success but not failure!
Lessons from a sacrificeSeptember 19, 2016
Well, donating 60% of my liver was much, much different from what I thought it would be. I had done A LOT of research, I had gone through several rounds of explanation of what was to be expected from all levels of my medical team and even read a lot of stories from people who had … Continue reading Lessons from a sacrifice
Up for a Baking ChallengeOctober 2, 2016
I enjoy a good challenge every once in a while. Do you? Around November of last year a friend and I were out shopping when we came across a kit to make a pineapple upside down cake. I looked at the ingredients and didn’t know what a lot of them were so I put it … Continue reading Up for a Baking Challenge
The God of 10 cars (and more)October 16, 2016
In early 2015, my Mom offered $6000 towards a new to me vehicle, not to fix current vehicle or to have the cash but for her to wire the money to a dealer. My car at the time was a 1999 Volkswagen Passat. I had bought it with 4 miles on it in June of … Continue reading The God of 10 cars (and more)
Just being myselfOctober 30, 2016
One year I worked for a non-profit agency that had yearly fundraisers. The year I worked for them, they decided they wanted to hire a clown to be at the fundraising event. But they were unable to find one. I let my boss know that I was willing to be a clown at the event because … Continue reading Just being myself
The enemy’s Hand has been overturned!November 7, 2016
I don’t usually read prophecies but for a few weeks have been getting daily email from Spirit Fuel. Today I just read the title and it spoke to me, “The Enemy’s Hand Has Been Overturned!” I read what Edie Bayer had to say and it was different from what is in my head. She talked … Continue reading The enemy’s Hand has been overturned!
Christmas Baking Already! Yes!November 15, 2016
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…..well, I usually don’t think that way about this time of the year, but this year I do! A friend of mine got a Kitchen Aide at a fraction of the price and decided to invite some ladies over to her place to make Christmas cookies the first … Continue reading Christmas Baking Already! Yes!
Challenging you to create a PsalmNovember 16, 2016
At the beginning of August, I started reading a Psalm a day. Weeks before, I was asking God to increase my confidence in Him. I decided to use an older Bible that I had not used in a while and when I turned to Psalm 1, I read many notes that I had written in … Continue reading Challenging you to create a Psalm
This is the end….December 1, 2016
Ok, so you are probably wondering why I put a funny cheese commercial at the beginning of this blog post. Well, it’s kind of long story. So, my short-term disability ran out on October 21, 2016. I thought I was going to be getting a fantastic job, but not quite sure if I was ready … Continue reading This is the end….
On With the New….January 4, 2017
Wow, it’s been a month since I have written a blog! I have much happen, so I am surprised I have not written! Oh well… I was going to Nova Job Center throughout the spring and summer of 2016 but for some reason my badge was no longer valid which meant that I had to … Continue reading On With the New….
Handy PrayerFebruary 2, 2017
I was watching a video recently where the pastor was encouraging people to pray for breakthrough (as well as to fast from meats, sweets and breads for a period of 21 days). What struck me was the way the pastor was encouraging the people to pray. Here is a handy way to remember how to … Continue reading Handy Prayer
Encouraged to Write another PsalmMarch 19, 2017
I have been enjoying the “Sweeter Than Honey study of the Psalms” in Bible Study. Last Fall we were challenged to write a Psalm. I drew a picture but I also wrote a Psalm. This year we were encouraged to once again write a Psalm, but this time, we were given full reign to make … Continue reading Encouraged to Write another Psalm
Waiting on God was worth it….May 30, 2017
Oh my goodness, it’s been two months since I was on here! I am still in school at De Anza College getting my Accounting certificate. I am in my second of four quarters, well God-willing I will be able to finish in a year. It’s been 19 months since I donated 60% of my liver … Continue reading Waiting on God was worth it….
Wow, forgot to add something!May 30, 2017
Not sure how I forgot to add this, but I did (blame the pain medicine I guess!). When I posted the video from Encouraged to Write another Psalm, at the end I mentioned that I was expecting to get a van given to me by a friend during the summer and was just looking to see … Continue reading Wow, forgot to add something!
Are you wondering if you should pray???August 3, 2017
In early July I got a nudge to pray for the local airports – specifically that there wouldn’t be any accidents in the air or on the ground. A thought flashed through my head of a plane landing in San Francisco just shy of the runway and lives lost. I prayed right then that there … Continue reading Are you wondering if you should pray???
What’s Your SuperPower?July 9, 2018
Have you ever thought about what your superpower would be? I thought it might be cool to be like Jesus and be able to read people’s thoughts (Matthew 9:4, Luke 5:22). Or maybe to be able to be like something my Grandpa used to say, “I’d love to have been a fly on the wall
In GOD’S StrengthJuly 4, 2019
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 The Message “I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size — abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ … Continue reading In GOD’S Strength
THROUGH FIRE AND DELAYAugust 21, 2019
Have you ever felt like you were studying for a test through the things that repeat over and over during a week or season? This past week, I was starting to get that feeling through the repetition in the devotionals, sermons, verses, and songs I was reading and hearing. Devotional, sermon and verses on Delay! … Continue reading THROUGH FIRE AND DELAY
Waiting for the Right Wave?September 26, 2019
Waiting Preparing for the Right Wave 🌊🏄‍♀️ As I looked over the cliff to see the surfers in Capitola, California sometime between 2008 and 2015, I was spending time with GOD seeking His will in regards to a future husband, I believe that He told me to wait for the right wave. It was then … Continue reading Waiting for the Right Wave?
GOD’s goodness running after meMarch 10, 2020
In my life, I have had two recurring dreams. These are dreams that you have one night and it either replays the same dream over, adds to the dream or replays and adds. I was recently asked if I would be willing to write about some dreams I had when I was young. But I … Continue reading GOD’s goodness running after me
Gifts from GODAugust 7, 2020
In my last blog, I wrote about how GOD’S goodness and mercy are different than what we might think they are. Well, this time I want to write about how His gifts to us can sometimes be quite different than we think, imagine or fathom. Several months ago, a friend of mine was reading to … Continue reading Gifts from GOD
There’s MORE to come please be willing to go the distance.August 14, 2020
Recently I was at an outdoor church service. The breeze was pleasant, the worship music was wonderful and the Spirit of the LORD was present. It seems like I don’t experience the LORD’S presence as often as I used to. I closed my eyes to drink in every drop as though His presence was longed … Continue reading There’s MORE to come please be willing to go the distance.
5th Anniversary of a sacrificeOctober 21, 2020
If you have not already read my early writings, please check them out on my website, here’s the first one. I have written about the process and journey of becoming a live liver donor for a friend’s husband. October 22, 2020 will have been 5 years since we had surgeries. Here’s our update and story. … Continue reading 5th Anniversary of a sacrifice
Funny How GOD WorksJanuary 28, 2021
Few weeks ago, I was watching Christian comedians on YouTube. I was just letting the videos play one after another. I had never heard of Michael Jr, but thought I would give a listen. After the show, another video popped up and it felt sort of like Michael Jr was talking to me. He was … Continue reading Funny How GOD Works
Humble Valley Ranch..it is a real place…at least from a heavenly perspective for nowMarch 13, 2021
Okay, okay! Enough people have asked, “Where is Humble Valley Ranch?” and “What is Humble Valley Ranch?” So, let me tell you what I know. But be prepared, there are lots of details. In approximately 2003, I had my second ever recurring dream. (First one is here) It was the type of recurring dream where … Continue reading Humble Valley Ranch..it is a real place…at least from a heavenly perspective for now
L’Chayim!July 16, 2021
You might be thinking 🤔, “What in the world???🌎 No, I haven’t become Jewish. But ADONAI (the LORD) spoke to me through a Messianic Jewish daily devotional today. I have been struggling with higher pain levels again in my spine. Most days 6.5 or higher. I decided that I would be in pain whether at … Continue reading L’Chayim!
Black birdAugust 25, 2021
I love how the GOD of ALL creation can use anything…. ANYTHING to speak to us. I’ve been wanting to go on a GOD-date again. (That is where I get away from the normal day to day to spend time with GOD. But it’s been hard because I don’t drive. Hard to believe that I … Continue reading Black bird
Let your generosity be contagiousNovember 18, 2021
Today would have been my grandpa’s 100th birthday.
Christmas Christmas time is here…December 22, 2021
Are you having a hard time getting into the Christmas Spirit this year? SIGH, I’m not sure what to write or how to write it. I had a lot of hope and anticipation at the beginning of December. Then I suddenly found myself struggling with depression, yet again! I really thought I would get past … Continue reading Christmas Christmas time is here…
Knee-High to a GrasshopperFebruary 20, 2022
knee-high to a grasshopper phrase of knee-high informal very small or very young. When I was, well, knee-high to a grasshopper, my Grandpa would tell me stories of when he was young. He would usually use the term “knee-high to a grasshopper” to paint the image of how young he was. I was his caregiver … Continue reading Knee-High to a Grasshopper
How is GOD using the fire and storms in your life?May 10, 2022
I’m not exactly sure when it was, but for a period of time, I kept finding myself reading verses in the Bible about being in the fire or storm. Daniel 3:9-30, Isaiah 43:1-5, Matthew 8:23-27, the book of Job and others. I’m not sure what I thought at the time, but looking back, I can … Continue reading How is GOD using the fire and storms in your life?
JournalingMarch 22, 2023
I didn’t realize that I have not added a new blog since last May! Crazy! I seemed to have lost most of January and February of this year with Covid, bowel obstruction, minor eye surgery and minor flood in the house I live in! Interestingly, while I had Covid, I was reading about GOD’s goodness … Continue reading Journaling
What seeds of faith am I planting?May 22, 2023
Recently, I became a co-admin of a seed library and found out that I would be planting seeds in order to have plants to sell as a fund-raising plant sale. My prayer for this started last year. I was told that the seed library was receiving only 1/4 of the money raised at the plant … Continue reading What seeds of faith am I planting?

Christmas Christmas time is here…

December 22, 2021June 30, 2022 / humblevalleyranch / Leave a comment

Are you having a hard time getting into the Christmas Spirit this year?

SIGH, I’m not sure what to write or how to write it. I had a lot of hope and anticipation at the beginning of December. Then I suddenly found myself struggling with depression, yet again!

I really thought I would get past it this year and finally experience the hope and anticipation throughout the month. If you are like me, you need something, anything to anchor onto so that you can make it through the holidays.

I know we are to focus on Jesus, the reason for the season…and Christmas should be in our hearts and lives all year long. I can spend all morning reading devotionals and GOD’s Word. And worship and sing songs of praise to Him all while still struggling with depression.

I’m finding that looking back at past Christmases while asking GOD to shine a light on my memories to show me how He was in them is bringing some relief.

I was at my church’s Christmas Carol sing last week and people were asked to share memories. There seemed to be a theme this year where person after person shared about their family opening Christmas presents for hours for Christmas. My family didn’t do that.

Interestingly, GOD brought to mind not a time with lots of presents, but a Christmas when I was younger after my parents divorced and my Dad had remarried. We were at my Dad’s sister’s house. It was evening and the adults had the kids join them. The adults started to sing (and recorded it on a cassette tape).

GOD shined His light in the gift of His presence. You see, my family were not just singing the melody of the Christmas songs, but were harmonizing with one another. It was like a taste of what it will be like when we get to heaven.

GOD is reminding me of other Christmas memories too. Is it causing the depression to go away? No. BUT GOD is allowing me to have peace, hope, anticipation and even some joy despite the depression. He is able to do that when we let Him.

GOD has an adventure for each of us. He never promised life would be easy. Jesus said that in this world we will have trouble, but He has overcome the world. It’s our choice to take Him up on the adventure He has for us or try to do life on our own without Him.

Having a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit? Ask GOD to shine a light on what He is doing as well as where He was in past seasons of your life. He will show Himself faithful. He will show you where He has been working in your life, even in the hardest parts of your life.

And one more thing, please know, it’s ok to be depressed. It’s ok to not be ok. But know this, you are not alone. GOD is with you and loves you. BUT if you are thinking about taking your life, please call 1-800-273-TALK (8255). GOD will help you get through this season. Trust Him.

I pray that GOD will show Himself faithful in your life. I pray that He will encourage you, strengthen you and give you hope and anticipation of what is to come. I pray that GOD will envelope you in His arms and lead you on the adventure of a lifetime. He is able and willing. I love you friend. Merry Christmas!