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Marico Early

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Don’t Panic, Trust God

Don’t Panic, Trust God

Approximately seven years ago I went through a very traumatic divorce.  As a result of the divorce, I was left struggling financially.  I had an Interior Design business that I had started prior to my divorce, and I simply could not let my dream of having my own Design Business die. I had prepared well for it, by majoring in Interior Design in college and I had even gone through two different internships.

I had wanted this as a career since my 10th-grade year in High School. I just knew that it was a career for me. Unfortunately, there is a price to pay when you are starting your own business, such as long hard work days and many financial sacrifices, not to mention a few sleepless nights here and there.

During the process of my divorce, I moved to another city approximately an hour and a half from where I was living. I got a small 1 bedroom apartment because I knew that I would have to really watch my budget since I had not fully established a clientele yet.

After thinking and praying, I decided to get a part-time job to tide me over until I got paid for some of my design jobs.  And oh, did I mention that during this time I had to end up purchasing a new vehicle also.  Have you ever heard that when it rains, it pours?  Well, I was soaking wet by the time it stopped raining on me!

In my new job, I was blessed to meet some real sweet people, who became my new friends.  I was starting to adjust to my new life really well.  One of the guys at my new job invited me to attend his church one Sunday and after several visits, I placed my membership there.

Things were starting to look up so I thought.  The design connections were starting to happen, but very slowly.  I had flyers made, and every day I would drive miles and miles going into the new subdivisions, meeting builders, and putting flyers on brand-new homes to advertise my business. I was definitely putting in the hard work, but the money was not rolling in yet, and what I was making at my part-time job was not as much as I really needed to make ends meet.  I had depleted my savings making the move, and making payments on my new car. By the way, this was not a brand-new car, but it was new to me, and in mint condition so I was very thankful.

After a few months, I found myself running late in making my monthly rent payment.  I was told that if I could not pay it by a certain date, I would receive an eviction notice.   Oh my goodness!  I cannot tell you how that felt, because, in my heart, I just knew I was supposed to pursue Interior Design.   I remember praying daily asking God to help me find a way to pay my rent.  I kept thinking I would be ok if I can just make it through this month.
God did provide my rent, and guess what?  He did it in a way that I could do nothing but give Him the glory.

One night very late and actually about my bedtime, someone knocked on my door.  I could not imagine who would be coming to my door at that hour.  I was not expecting anyone so it was a bit scary.  When I went to answer the door it was my mom and dad who lived six hours away making a surprise visit.   My dad said that I had really been on his mind for several days, and he thought that they should just get in the car and come to see if I was ok.  I must say that I was surprised and happy all at the same time.

As we sat there talking after quite some time, my mom said “Oh, by the way, as we were leaving your Aunt Jimmie came by and asked me to give this to you”.   She pulled a white envelope out of her purse and handed it to me.   When I opened the envelope it had $400.00 dollars in it, the exact amount that I needed to pay my rent. Look at God!  Needless to say, I was so overwhelmed with gratitude that I burst into tears.  Only God could have orchestrated this, and may I add that His timing is always perfect.   After I pulled myself together, I explained to my parents what was going on.   I am thankful that I was blessed to have a dad and mom who walked close enough to God that when He whispered to them, they knew to be obedient and not delay.

Suppose I had panicked and decided to give up on my Interior Design career because life got hard. I would have missed out on what became a very successful twenty-year career.  My point in sharing my story is to encourage you that if you are currently struggling in some area, don’t panic.  Pray and hold on.   Know that God hears your prayers and he sees every tear that falls from your face.  When the time is absolutely perfect for you, He will work out the details, and He will show up in ways that you can’t even imagine.   It may not be in the time frame that you would like, but He will be right on time.  Remember His ways are higher than our ways.   He knows what He is doing and it is always what is best for us.
  So don’t panic, just pray and trust God. It will be ok!

28 “for in Him we live and move and have our being..
Acts 17:28
 Psalm 112:7
They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Hebrews 13:6
So we say with confidence,“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.[a]
Psalm 91:1-6
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Surely he will save you  from the fowler’s snare  and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
Psalm 112:7
They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Hebrews 13:6
So we say with confidence,“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.[a]
Psalm 91:1-6
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Surely he will save you  from the fowler’s snare  and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
Dedicated to Leading Women to Live Victoriously by Empowering them to Step into Greatness.

 

 

 

 

 

Until I Became A Mother

Until I Became A Mother

Isaiah 49:15
15 “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget, I will not forget you!
Proverbs 31:28
28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
Exodus 20:12
12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

Until I became a mother I could not fully comprehend the sacrifices that my mother made for me, without reservation each and every day.
Until I became a mother I couldn’t fully appreciate the late nights that my mother sat up, waiting for me to get home from a ballgame or a date.
Until I became a mother I never realized how many prayers must have gone up on my behalf.
Until I became a mother I never realized how many days my mother must have stood in the kitchen exhausting what little energy she had left that day, to prepare a meal for our family.

Until I became a mother I never realized the depth of love that my mother had for each one of her children.
Until I became a mother I never realized that there were times when my mother might have wanted a new dress for herself, or a new pair of shoes, but she always made sure that I looked nice first.
Until I became a mother I never realized how many nights my mother must have stayed up with me, weary from exhaustion as I lay in bed sick.
Until I became a mother I never realized that my mother may have had dreams that she put on hold to make sure that my dreams were possible.

Until I became a mother I never realized, that being a mother is the hardest job on earth, but also the most rewarding job.  I am convinced that only God could create in mother’s the capacity to love so deeply and freely.

This coming Sunday is Mother’s Day, a time set aside to honor mothers.  If you are blessed to still have your mom, I encourage you to let her know how special she is to you.  Thank God for her daily, after all, no one other than God will ever love you like your mother.–

28 “For in Him we live and move and have our being..Acts 17:28

Dedicated to Leading Women to Live Victoriously by Empowering Them to Step into Greatness.

 

 

 

Clarity And Direction

Clarity And Direction

Are you sacrificing peace, clarity, and direction for comfort and ease?   Last week I came to the realization that I had been doing exactly that.

For over forty-seven years now, I have been writing my prayers and journaling.  At one time when I was really seeking to hear from God for direction and guidance, I was rising at 5:00 AM to pray, and to journal.  I was amazed at how I would receive downloads from God for my day.

This 5:00 AM appointment time with God all started during a really challenging qualification period that I was going through in my career.  God laid it on my heart during that time to rise at 5:00 AM to spend time with Him.

I continued this 5:00 AM meeting time for a while, and then I eased back into a time that was most convenient for me.  You see I am not what you would consider a morning person at all.  I usually wake up moving in slo-mo.

Although I continued reading my Bible and praying in the mornings, I just found that it more was more convenient for me, to write in the evenings right before bedtime.

I am currently in qualification for another big goal in my career, and God has laid it on my heart to start writing in the mornings again.  Thank goodness He has not urged or prompted me to do 5:00 AM again. I am twenty years older than I was when He instructed me to do that the first time.  And honestly, it would be quite the challenge at this stage in my life, considering other things that I am currently going through.  However what I do know for sure, is that if He calls me to it, He will give me the strength for it.

So this past week I got up early one morning, read my Bible and prayed as usual and added my writing back into my morning routine.  Boy did I see God show up!  It is absolutely amazing what blessings come from being obedient.  God started to give me downloads and ideas for my day.  I recognized some things that I had never caught before. Talk about clarity it was definitely happening.   Just because I did as God had asked me to do.

He revealed to me that I needed a new tracking board for my business and that I needed to create a whole new Goal poster.   I created the tracking board and the Goal poster and I was absolutely amazed, that even my penmanship appeared clearer.  This whole process was a really neat experience.  God revealed Himself to me through something this simple.  I have now been prompted to pray for strategy.  Wow! God will even help us to know what to pray for.

Needless to say, it made me wonder, how many God wink moments like this that I have missed because I wanted to be obedient, but obedient my way.   May I encourage you today to learn from my mistake?  Don’t sacrifice peace, clarity, and direction for comfort and ease.  It will make your journey a lot longer and not nearly as enjoyable. Do it God’s way to experience His perfect peace and blessings.

28 “for in Him we live and move and have our being..
“Acts 17:28
Dedicated to Leading Women to Live Victoriously by Empowering them to Step into Greatness.
Psalm 63[a]
 You, God, are my God,  earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land where there is no water.
Psalm 143:8-10
7-10 Hurry with your answer, God!  I’m nearly at the end of my rope.
Don’t turn away; don’t ignore me!  That would be certain death.
If you wake me each morning with the sound of your loving voice,
I’ll go to sleep each night trusting in you.
Point out the road I must travel; I’m all ears, all eyes before you.
Save me from my enemies, God—   you’re my only hope!
Teach me how to live to please you,  because you’re my God.
Lead me by your blessed Spirit into cleared and level pastureland.
Psalm 37:23-24
23 The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him;
24 though he may stumble, he will not fall,  for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

Are You Headed For The Ditch?

Are You Headed For The Ditch?

When I was a little girl approximately 4 years old, my mom and I were about to leave home, when she realized that she needed to run back into the house for something.   When she jumped out of the car to go back into the house,  I quickly jumped into the driver’s seat of our new salmon-colored Ford car.  I put the car in drive and headed straight for the ditch, barely missing our mailbox while gripping the steering wheel as though I knew what I was doing.

I probably had seen my mom and dad do this at least a hundred times or more, so I decided that I could do it too.  Needless to say when my mom came out of the house, she was in total shock, and thankful all at the same time that I was alive.   I think the only reason I didn’t get a spanking for my little escapade that day, was that my mom was so relieved that I was still all in one piece.

You see even as adults if left to our own devices we would drive our lives straight into the ditch.  So many times we want to do just as I did as a child. We want God to get out of the driver’s seat so that we can take over. Trust me, when I tell you,  that the safest thing that we can do, is ask Jesus to take the wheel.  Not only should we ask Him to take the wheel, but also to keep the wheel, because He can see a lot further down the road than we can. He knows where the potholes are, the curves as well as the detours and He knows our destination and we don’t.

What I am saying to you today, is to trust God with your life. He knows what He is doing, and He knows your purpose for coming to this planet.  Allow Him the space and time to reveal those things to you, as He sees that you are ready to handle them.  Then and only then will you get to experience all that He has in store for you. He’s the ultimate chauffeur. Stress less and enjoy the ride, you are headed for a safe arrival.–

28 “for in Him we live and move and have our being..“Acts 17:28
Dedicated to Leading Women to Live Victoriously by Empowering  them to Step into Greatness.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart  and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,  and he will make your paths straight.[a
Psalm 62:8
Trust in him at all times, you people;  pour out your hearts to him,  for God is our refuge.
Jeremiah 17:7
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,  whose confidence is in him.
Psalm 37:23-24
23 The Lord makes firm the steps   of the one who delights in him;
24 though he may stumble, he will not fall,   for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
Isaiah 30:21
21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Isaiah 58:11
11 The Lord will guide you always;   he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden,  like a spring whose waters never fail.
Psalm 32:8
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;   I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

 

 

Knowing When And How To Be Content

Knowing When And How To Be Content
Philippians 4:11-13
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.

Today’s lesson is about contentment.  I would like to first ask you a few questions that will help you to determine your level of contentment.

1.  Do you struggle to have peace in your life?

2.  Are you always reaching for bigger and better, or are you satisfied with what God has provided for you?

3.  Do you often think when this happens or when I get this I will be happy?

4.  Do you find yourself complaining a lot?

5.  Are you jealous of what others have?

If you are answering yes to any or all of these questions, you are not living in a place of contentment.

In the society that we live in today, there is always the pressure to have more and to be more.  Please hear my heart on this.  It is a good thing for us to strive to be the best that we can be.  There is nothing wrong with having goals that will take you to the next level in your life.  However, when this quest for more causes us to sin, by worrying or being jealous of others, or grumbling and complaining, it means that we are starting to be ungrateful for what God has already blessed us with.  Ingratitude causes discontentment.

May I be transparent for a minute?  Years ago I had a career as an Interior Designer.  I was blessed to go in some of the most beautiful homes imaginable.   I remember starting to crave the lifestyles that I was constantly seeing.  I became discontent with what I had already been blessed with.  I wanted the big house and the luxury cars and the designer bags and the clothes too, that went with it all.   As I have matured in my walk with God, I now realize that I wanted success for all of the wrong reasons.  It wasn’t about anyone but me.  I even remember being a bit jealous of those who were living the life that I dreamed of.  How sad it must have made God, to see me so ungrateful when He had already blessed me with so much.

So you may be asking, what did I do to go from discontentment to contentment and live a life of total peace?   To answer your question, for many years now I have been keeping a gratitude journal.   At the end of each day, I write down the things that I am most grateful, for that day.  This habit has literally changed my life.

My focus has shifted from the frustration of what I don’t have to be grateful for what I do have.  It has helped me to even be more appreciative of the very small things.  I now look to see the blessing as well as the lesson in everything, and that even includes the things that most would consider difficult or unfair.   It has been amazing to see that when I stopped worrying about many of these things, God blessed me with them anyway.    Through spending time with God, reading His word, and journaling, I can honestly say I am no longer the same person that I was years ago, and I praise God for that!   So today if you are not in a place of contentment, stop looking at the person in the mirror, and start looking up.  When you start to focus on God, peace will flood in like a river, and all of a sudden your perspective will start to shift and your dreams will start to align with God’s will for your life.  Don’t forget, look up!

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
Luke 12:15
15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
2 Corinthians 12:10
10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Proverbs 30:8-9
Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches,  but give me only my daily bread.
Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal,  and so dishonor the name of my God.
Psalm 23:1
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

 

 

 

Because He Lives

Originally posted April 16, 2017
Mark 16:1-6

1 Saturday evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went out and purchased burial spices so they could anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb. 3 On the way they were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4 But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside.
5 When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, 6 but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead!…

Is Anything Too Hard For God?

I was recently reading the story of the promise that God made to Abraham and Sarah.  God promised Abraham that his wife Sarah would have a son.  Sarah happened to hear the promise being made, and laughed at the possibility of bearing a child.  You see they both very old, and it didn’t seem possible that she could conceive in her old age.   Oh, but she forgot that what is impossible for man, is totally possible with God.

Reading this made me wonder how many times God has given us a dream, promise or vision for our lives and we laughed like Sarah did, due to our unbelief or our feelings of inadequacy.

Sarah laughed because she was looking at things from a human perspective, but the promise that God made to her was from a spiritual perspective.  We tend to forget that God’s thoughts and ways, are higher than our thoughts and ways.  We also tend to forget that all power in heaven and on earth are in His hands.  Therefore with God all things are possible.

God healed a ninety year old woman’s womb, so that it would function as though she were in her twenties.  Because He can do more than we can ask or imagine she was able to carry and give birth to a healthy bouncing baby boy.  If God can do this, He can do anything. What are you currently believing God for?   When you start to doubt whether or not it will happen, ask yourself Is there anything too hard for God?  Let me assure you, the answer is No!  Believe in His promises because they are true!  All things are possible with God!

Genesis 18:14
14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”
Matthew 19:26
26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Jeremiah 32:27
27 “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?
Luke 1:37
37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
Mark 10:27
27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
Job 42:2
“I know that you can do all things;  no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

It’s Not Always About You

It’s Not Always About You

Last week I had an interesting conversation, with a lady that I had not visited in nearly three years.  We met through our businesses, and she would frequently call me for advice or coaching from time to time, regarding her business.  We had a great conversation just catching up with each other’s lives.   She told me that she had wondered how I was doing from time to time and that she was so glad to hear from me. 

When we got ready to end our conversation, she said. “There is something that I think that you should know, I sent you a text about an event and you never responded”.  She proceeded to tell me that she thought that I along with others was trying to block her from attending a special training event.  Go figure!

 I was absolutely stunned!  I honestly did not remember the text at all.  I apologized to her because it was very obvious that she was still hurt over this and still held resentment about it.  I was absolutely clueless! 

My next thought was why would she think that I would not want her to get the special training?  After that I thought, why would she hold something like this in her heart for three years, giving it an opportunity to fester unforgiveness and bitterness,  when she could just pick up the phone and ask me about it, instead of assuming?   Finally, it dawned on me that the enemy was at work here.

When I got off the phone, out of curiosity, I decided to scroll back through the text messages that I had received from her, and there it was.  Next, I looked at the date that the text came through, and it was August 19th of 2020.  My husband had open heart surgery during that time and a week before his surgery I was released from the hospital and rehab after being away from home for twenty-one days. No wonder I didn’t see her text!

You may be asking why I am sharing all of this drama.  There are several reasons.   Here are some lessons that I learned from this encounter.

1.  Unresolved issues are at the root of unforgiveness and bitterness.  Satan loves it when we are full of unforgiveness, bitterness, and even hatred toward our brothers and sisters.
2.  Ask don’t assume.  Many times things are nothing like we assume them to be.
3.  Don’t take things personally.  It’s not always about you.
4. Look for the good in people not the bad.
5. Even when you are not the one wrong, be respectful of the other person’s feelings.  It may not make sense to you, but it’s real to them.
6. Pray for those who thrive on drama and love them from a distance.
7. People will disappoint you, but God never will.

Ephesians 4:2
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.
Proverbs 17:9
9 Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.
Ephesians 4:32
32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Colossians 3:13
13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Hebrews 12:15
15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.

 

What Makes A Woman Beautiful ?

Many women don’t think that they are beautiful until they are wearing the perfect designer outfit, with matching shoes and a designer bag to compliment it.  Some don’t want to even be seen in public until their faces are perfectly done and every hair is in place.

Please hear me, there is nothing wrong with wanting to put your best foot forward when you are going out and will be seen by others.  I have been in the beauty business for almost twenty-seven years, so I know that these things are important to women, and I agree that our appearance should matter.  I also know that when we look good, we feel better about ourselves.

My point in writing this blog today is just to remind you, that real beauty is not based only on what is happening externally, but rather on what is going on internally.

You see, you can have on the most gorgeous clothes, with your hair, nails, and makeup perfectly done. But if your heart is not clothed with love, joy, and kindness, what have you accomplished?   Don’t buy into the world’s view of what’s beautiful, because you will miss the mark.  Go to God’s word and read about his standards for His children.

We are not called to just be pretty women, we are called to reveal God’s light, and to be His representatives in this dark world. Therefore, we must be clothed also in His righteousness.  We are to look like God inside, and in turn, we will start to have what I call God Glow because our character will start to resemble His.    No matter what outfit, makeup, or nail color you choose to wear, trust me, it won’t surpass that God Glow that you will have if you start to spend time with God consistently.

Just think, if everyone would spend as much time focusing on their inner beauty,  as they do their outer beauty, what a different world we would live in.

Today, as you are deciding what you are going to wear, make sure that you are clothed first, in the character that God is calling us to be clothed in.  Then you will know that you are looking beautiful, not only on the outside but on the inside too.

Proverbs 31:30
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Proverbs 31:25-26
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
1 Peter 3:3-5
3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands,
Psalm 139:13-14
13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Changing Bit By Bit

Changing Bit By Bit

Earlier this week I had a doctor’s appointment.  When my doctor finally entered the room, I was totally amazed at how different she looked.  She looked absolutely amazing!  I have been going to her for the past two and a half years, and during that time she has been on a quest, to lose weight and get healthy.  During this two and a half years she has lost close to one hundred pounds.  Which is quite the accomplishment!

 I had noticed the gradual changes that were taking place, but now all of a sudden she no longer resembles the same person that I initially met.  Her body is totally different.  When I saw her this time, her face looked completely different as well.  When I say completely different, I mean to the point that I was thrown for a minute when she walked into the room.  I finally noticed her wedding ring and realized that it really was her.  Now that’s a transformation!

Later that evening the thought came to me, that this is exactly how God changes us, when we decide to surrender our lives to him.  Bit by bit we become different.  The way we think changes.  Our desires change and we become less consumed with our own desires and more concerned about how we can please him.  Our attitudes towards others even starts to change.    Soon to those who knew us before we became followeres of Christ, we become unrecognizable, and thats a good thing.  We become new creatures, that are starting to look more and more like our Savior.   We even start to exhibit the Fruit of the Spirit, in the way we act and respond to others.

Know this, we will never completely reach perfection on this side of heaven, but we can certainly start to resemble the one that we follow.  By living a life that is totally committed, surrendered and wholeheartedly dedicated to our Christian walk, the world will see the transformation that comes with becoming a follower of Christ.   Yes we are changing bit by bit!

 

17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

26 And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.[a]

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.