So, it’s New Year’s Eve.
We’ve had an incredibly exciting day here. Really, I hesitate to share because I don’t want to create envy and bitterness over the fabulousness that is my life.
P has fever and hasn’t felt well all day. I spent the day setting up a new bed in Caroline’s room and cleaning out her closet. Caroline left to go out to eat Italian food with Mimi and Bops and then spend the night with them.
I’m so proud that our four year old is having a more exciting New Year’s Eve than her parents.
Of course I did go to Central Market and pick up some chicken noodle soup for P, so it’s not like my day has been completely without fun and adventure.
And now, we are sitting side by side on the couch in our flannel pjs watching the Chick-Fil-A Bowl. Dick Clark can only hope his New Year’s is this rockin’.
But, in all honesty, I couldn’t care less. I have had my share of festive New Year’s celebrations. Including one unfortunate year that involved me wearing red jeans, a sequined shirt and being overserved to the point of getting lost on my way back from the restroom at Chuy’s Mexican Restaurant.
I don’t know what’s saddest about that event, but I’m pretty sure it’s the red jeans. Although the sequined shirt is a close runner up.
There was also the New Year’s that P and I broke up because he wouldn’t come home from the ranch to celebrate a “fake holiday”. Gulley and I ended up spending that New Year’s together. We ate way too much at Carrabba’s and I think I had too much wine, which is my only excuse for how many times I belted out Faith Hill’s “It Matters To Me” because I felt like it best summed up my feelings about P’s New Year’s Eve apathy.
I bet Gulley doesn’t remember that year as her favorite New Year’s celebration.
But P shot a nice 10 pointer on New Year’s Day, which only served to confirm in his mind that he made the right choice.
And these days I tend to agree with him that big New Year’s celebrations are highly overrated. In fact, we received an invitation to an unbelievably fancy New Year’s Eve party this year. The invitation was hand-delivered. In a box. With a beaded chandelier inside the box. The attire was Couture/Black tie.
We turned it down. Because these days we prefer non-couture flannel. And watching bowl games. While taking lots of Sudafed.
But, because it is the end of another year, I have spent some time over the last few days thinking about 2007. I will now share those thoughts here because this is, after all, a record of my life. And while there are so many things I tell y’all on a daily basis, there are many that I don’t.
2007 has been a year of incredible transition. If someone had sat me down in January of 2007 and told me all the things this year would bring, I think I may have curled up in the fetal position and stayed there for the next twelve months. It’s been a year that has refined my faith in ways I didn’t even know it needed to be refined.
This year has been a 12 month process of God stripping away everything in which I’ve tried to find security. In January, I was faced with false allegations that made me fear I’d lose my job and just the thought of that possibility sent me into near hysteria (or if I’m being completely honest, full blown hysteria). The allegations were proven false, but then some other things happened along the way that led P and me to make the decision for me to resign in April.
The pharmaceutical job I’d held for ten years was gone. The income, the company car, the benefits were gone. But, I consoled myself with how well P’s business was doing and how much money we had in various accounts. We were totally fine.
And then P’s best employee ended up going to jail (it’s a long story), which slowed down the progress they were able to make on various jobs. Shortly thereafter, P’s back went out again and we knew he was going to need surgery.
Our new insurance didn’t want to pay on some of the claims which left us with medical bills higher than we expected, the brakes went out on P’s truck, we had to get some major dental work done, and finally, someone wanted to break out my car window right before Christmas.
We began to joke that we might as well just start flushing hundred dollar bills down the toilet because it was a more efficient way to drain our bank account.
The Bible study my group did in the fall was “A Woman’s Heart” by Beth Moore. In Week 2 of that study, Beth wrote, “Take the risk of inviting Him to do whatever He must to fan your flame again.” I knew as soon as I read it that God was calling me to take that risk. And I didn’t want to because I was scared.
But I did it. And y’all need to know that I did it with much fear and trembling. I had no idea what was going to happen but I knew that I had lost some of my passion for Him and I wanted it back. Ultimately, my need was stronger than my fear. Which means I had ALOT of need.
And that’s when the bottom fell out. But, honestly, it was almost comically apparent what God was trying to show me about myself. I have been so guilty in finding my security in the things this world offers. It’s not even that I love money so much or have to have it, I just like the security it offers. I felt like as long as our bank account had a certain balance then everything would be okay.
The irony is that “A Woman’s Heart” follows the Israelites as Moses leads them out of Egypt and to the Promised Land. I spent a lot of time being like the Israelites grumbling to myself, “I don’t know why God led me away from my job and all that security if He’s just going to hang us out to dry like this.”
But then God reminded me how He provided manna for the children of Israel every morning. He gave them what they needed for that day. Their security had to be in Him and in His provision. FOR THAT DAY. And that’s what He’s promised me, He will give us what we need for that day.
His provision doesn’t hinge on what the bank says we have or what the stock market does. He is over all those things and He is faithful and just to provide.
I’ve spent this year being refined in a way that I have never before been refined, but I can also say I have drawn closer to Him than I ever have before at any time in my life. When all the fears and worries begin to rise up, I’ve learned to run to Him instead of adding up bills in my head and trying to come up with my own solution.
At one point this month, after another setback had come in, I sat at the desk and started to cry. I opened my Bible and this is the passage I found:
“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.” Isaiah 42:16
And as I’ve prayed for 2008 and all that this new year holds, the verse that keeps coming back to me is:
“You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock – the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven. The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.” Deuteronomy 28: 3-8
2007 has been a year of God leading me into a new land. A year of me questioning what I believe and how much I believe it. A year of me learning that it’s okay to ask Him to help me overcome my unbelief. A year of me literally putting my money where my mouth is or more accurately where my heart is. A year of learning to trust in Him in ways that I have never trusted before. It has been a hard year and there are still struggles ahead, but I know that He that began a good work in me will carry it on to completion.
And as I completed my Bible study of Moses and the tabernacle, I learned something that I had never realized before. It’s something that really resonated with me. From the time Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, through all the grumbling in the desert, through all the hardships, to the completion of the tabernacle, one year had passed. ONE YEAR. How is that even possible that all that happened in one year? As Beth says, “It had been the worst year of his life and the best year of his life.”
I feel you, Moses. I think that’s how I’ll remember 2007. The best and the worst. But I already know that, like Moses, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
I’m sorry this is so long. I knew it would be, but my heart was full of so much to say and I had to get it all out. If you’ve read this far, then God bless you for your patience.
I wish you all a Happy 2008 filled with all good things! My life is richer because y’all show up here every day.
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I happened to check your blog just before heading to bed. I’m so glad that I did.
Thank you for sharing your trials as well as your triumphs. It’s inspiring! God never puts more on us than we can handle, it’s just that sometimes we don’t realize how strong we are–or are being made–during our times of testing.
May 2008 be a blessed year for you and your family!
Sweetie, you said what I needed to hear. 2007 will go down as best forgotten in my book, other than for the birth of a beautiful granddaughter in September. There’s been some refining going on all over, and I think more than just the two of us have been a part of it.
Here’s to 2008…the Year of Blessing!
beautiful post. i hope you have a wonderful year!
I’ve read between the lines over the last year since you resigned your job, P had back surgery, car troubles and such. God’s been doing this work all along in your life, but sometimes we need to just meditate on what He’s accomplished in our lives as you have here, Melanie.
I have to tell you, as much as I thoroughly enjoy your humorous stuff from day to day, I also enjoy these too rare posts when you pour out your heart. You write from a serious standpoint just as well as your funny posts.
Happy, healthy, blessed and prosperous New Year to you and yours, Melanie.
Love and hugs,
Diane
What a great post! It is the exact reminder that I needed. Thank you so much for sharing your heart and your hard learned lessons!
May God bless you and your family abundantly in 2008!
Marsha
Great post…Happy New Year!
Hope P feels better.
Happy New Year, Big Mama!!
Beautiful post. Prayed the scriptures aloud for your family. God loves the new. New days, new manna, new songs, new hearts, new life, new beginnings…He loves to do the new thing.
I wrestled something down with the Lord just today that went on for most of this year. Closure came today (well earlier today) on Dec 31, 2007. How precious that for me, 2008 will be different because He’s made ME different, made me NEW.
I sense the same thing with you, and I will pray for you each time I visit your site in 2008.
Many, many blessings in the new year!!!
Angela Cottrell
Happy New Year. Lovely post.
So I guess having your blog sabotaged by BooMama wasn’t really that big of a thing in comparison to the rest of the year, huh.
Mmmmm, mmmmm, mmmmm.
Thank you for putting this to paper. I just got up from sleeping for two and half hours. Two and a half! That’s the longest stretch I’ve slept at night in almost 3 months. This after a night filled with panic attacks, terror that brought physical illness.
He is faithful. He does know. He hears. He’s there.
Sometimes, it takes abit more to get our attention- at least it does me.
So, I’m claiming that this was my year in the desert. And now, I’m ready, hopeful for the land of milk and honey. Regardless of the path that will take me there.
I love ya- Happy New Year.
After all that I think you’re right–flushing hundred dollar bills down the toilet would be easier. But you know that the Lord must love you something fierce if He’s trying and testing your family so that you recognize your need for Him. I think He wrote the book on ‘tough love’.
I hope this new year is wonderful for you and your family.
So, you know, I’m crying.
This year has been a wild ride, my sweet friend.
Here’s to 2008 – I’m so grateful that we get to walk into it together.
And here’s a fun fact: a year ago? WE DIDN’T EVEN TALK ON THE PHONE!
I KNOW!
It’s 1:40 in the morning. And I just saw Angela’s comment. So now I feel like I need to go put on some sassy jeans just because she has been here.
She would be totally disappointed in these flannel pajama bottoms I’m wearing. Not to mention my paint-stained t-shirt.
Yeah, I spent the night playing computer games with my husband. And I’m happy with it. I agree w/ P – it’s a fake holiday…. I’ve definitely had a few fun New Years in the past, though none of them involved red jeans… Do you have a picture???
Amen sister. I can’t belive how God has taken such horrible and weird circumstances this year and turned them into beautiful and mighty things. It was like he was saying, “see Karen…do you see Me?” God bless!
This is one that I may need to read again and again. He is faithful to bring us through the trials! And He makes us new. That’s a great deal if you ask me.
May He shower you (and all of us) with abundant blessings in 2008.
(I don’t often comment here, but I read every day and really love you and your writing!)
Am I ever glad I read this! It’s amazing what similar struggles you and I have been through in 2007. But like you, my setbacks have taught me much. I pray that 2008 is a prosperous one for you and your family!
hello from dallas. I’m a lurker ~ not sure how I found your site, from a link on someone else’s site, I think. Anyhoo. I find myself coming to your blog almost everyday. I really feel drawn to your sense of humor & your life. I’m a 35 year old woman ~ not married, no kids. So it is kinda funny b/c our lives are very different. I’m in the dating scene
hello from dallas. I’m a lurker ~ not sure how I found your site, from a link on someone else’s site, I think. Anyhoo. I find myself coming to your blog almost everyday. I really feel drawn to your sense of humor & your life. I’m a 35 year old woman ~ not married, no kids. So it is kinda funny b/c our lives are very different. I’m in the dating scene & I work a lot … I just love the way you write. You’re too funny!
and love your fashion fridays too. I’m not overly religious, consider myself more spiritual ~ but I’m really glad for your post tonite. I’ve had some trials this year (esp this month!!) & I needed it. You are really & truly touching people … just wanted you to know that.
have a happy, happy New year. Hope it is the best yet!
xo, courtney
Much refining going on here too. This was a beautiful post, and I am so glad you wrote what was in your heart. Giant leaps of faith seem to be the order fo the day!
Thank you for your inspiring post. I, too, have had the worst year but I know God is faithful and will turn it all for something good and positive. Happy New Year and thanks for blogging.
I feel the same way about 2007. I know 2008 is going to be better, because I’m a little better myself. I love your blog it always makes me smile. At the same time its nice to hear your heart because alot of us can connect to that as much as the funny stuff!
Happy New Year!
Lovely, sweet, timeless. Your words could have been the words of so many of us out there with just small differences in the events we’ve dealt with this year. I’ve been on my own journey this past year and am both excited and terrified to see what He brings to me this year.
Thank you for covering it so beautifully!
What an incredibly encouraging post! Thank you so much for sharing!
Thanks for sharing this with all of us. May God (continue to!) bless you this new year.
I love this post. Thank you for being so transparent. That’s something that’s very hard for me to do on The Blawg, and yet ironically I posted something similar this morning. My trial was health-related, not financial, but like you, God brought me through it stronger than I was before. Now if we can only hold onto him that tightly in the good times, you know? that’s what I struggle with. Now that all is well, I find myself neglecting my relationship with Him. I hope to right that in 2008.
Happy New Year!
Thank you! I really needed to hear that. I am at a crossroads and I needed to hear (again!) how important it is to rely on God. I ALWAYS know it in my heart but then my head gets in the way. Thank you for reminding me.
Thanks for sharing your heart. It’s easier to share the funny stories and fashion faux passs…what exactly is the plural form of faux pas? Anyway…thank you.
“Safety is not found in the absence of danger but in the presence of God” This was from a devotion I received this week. I think that you could easily replace ‘danger’ with ‘fear’.
“It is important to note that in order to expect God’s protection, you must be in God’s presence.” This is something that God has been showing me recently. I spend far too much time on this computer than I do in His word, in His presence.
Praying God’s blessings and peace for you and your family.
We’ve had trialsome years, but the Lord doesn’t mean for us to have the easy road to go. If it is all easy, we don’t learn anything. (At least, that’s how we feel in our house.) Your year is something that we would term “something that we didn’t sign up for,” but the Lord has your back. He’s got you covered and how we rejoice in that! We all have moments in time where our faith is shaken, not that we don’t believe, but that we sometimes just don’t know what to do. He’s got you covered, girl. Cheers to a much better 2008!
I pray all these things you wrote about for you and your family Melanie. We are all such family after all these months (for me) of reading and getting to know you and go through a smidget of life with you….you are a sister in Christ and I love stopping by here for a thought, a funny, or a prayer.
May 2008 be a blessings~
Fran
Loved this post. Loved what Angela Cottrel said. I want a new thing!!!
Hope 2008 brings many new and different and wonderful and faith enriching days.
I agree with the person who said your serious writing is just as good as your funny, which is saying a lot.
Thanks for this post, it is helping me reframe some of my year as well.
Refining years have a way of showing the purity of the gold underneath that you didn’t know was so strong to make it through the process!
Happy 2008 to you and your family!
Love, The Gossoms
I recently discovered you and Boo Mama and am now a devoted reader. This post really touched me though. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for being so honest. It’s good to learn, and it’s great to share what you’ve learned.
Happy New Year!
I know how it feels to depend on the balance in your checkbook and allowing that to determine feelings of security. We’ve been through tough stuff, too, where we almost lost everything. God was faithful, even when really bad choices were made and resulted in a financial mess.
As you shared about Moses and the way God moved the people out of Egypt, it made me think of another verse that I just had to share. Deut. 29:5 says “And I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have not worn out on your feet.” What does that say about God’s provision? Their clothes and shoes did not wear out for 40 years, even as they experienced God’s judgment. God is definitely an awesome Provider, and He’ll never leave us high and dry.
Happy New Year!
What a year! I have had similar struggles – the security/money issue. That is a big one for me! I know in my head that my security comes from Him, but I wish my heart could believe it at all times. . .
Anyhoo, you are a joy to me, sweet girl. Thank you for being you, day after day, for being genuine and open. You are a treasure!
Amen! Amen! Amen!!!
You have so touched me in this post…I think you need to put this in your sidebar and through out the year….when things get tough we will all have this post to go back and look at and say..God will get us through whatever we may be going through.
I havent been here long..but really enjoy you…..you are a gift a true gift..and may I add one more thing? Re Sequin top???I had one too…lol!
Thanks, Big Mama! I needed that. I struggle with feeling “secure” w/finances and seeing a certain # in the bank account. God gives us what we need and provides richly. And I need to remind myself to just pray for today and not get anxious!
12am found me reading SoapOpera Digest and hubby snoring. I heard fireworks go off and told hubs Happy New Year. And I did a long post on my blog while hubs snoozed on the couch.
Happy New Year!
Wahhhhh! That was so beautiful, really. I am toasting you with my first cup of coffee. From one flannel clad pj mom to another. I just love you BigMama. Happy New Year.
Wow! What a wonderful post, thank you for opening your heart and sharing.
You have blessed me with your words this year, thank you for your words.
Blessings to you in the New Year!
I’m so glad you wrote this. I predict that you will be amazed next year at how much of this you have forgotten about. Which, in some cases, is not a bad thing.
Thanks, Melanie. Not only do I tend to be anxious for myself, but for others as well. A dear friend lost her husband to cancer this year leaving her with 4 kids under the age of 8. I needed the reminder that even that situation isn’t too big for Him. Happy New Year to y’all!
Thanks for sharing your story of this past year. God does do amazing things when we get brave enough to ask, doesn’t He? This was a really neat testimony.
Beautifully written. I keep rejoicing in the idea that God wastes nothing, and that all the junk will be redeemed. I love the scripture you shared. I’m going to dig into that one further myself today; thanks! Happy New Year, girl.
Thanks for trusting your blog world friends with such a deep, meaningful post. God is so gracious and knows the path he has for us. Keep clinging to him for that guidance in 2008. God bless you for the words you give us each day. Happy New Year!
What a wonderful post–thank you. I have experienced similiar struggles before. I found your blog this year and I love reading. Happy New Year!
Like the other comments, I too thank you for being so honest and living your faith, giving praise and thanks to God. We all should be reminded and remember to put our faith in God and deal with whatever comes our way knowing he will look out for us. Peace and blessings for you and your family in 2008.
Great post! God uses all the trials and tests to draw us to Him, to remind us that we can’t do it without Him. May you draw even closer and be blessed generously for your diligence in the coming year.
Hi BM,
….and yet, through all of your grief,and hardships, you kept a stiff upper lip and still made others LAUGH! That is so cool of you! Please allow your blogging sisters (and non blogging ones, IE ME) to pray for your needs, if they arise. We are all here for each other.
One big happy family of blogging sisters!
AMEN!
Happy New Year, God’s peace over you all year long.
Kelly in Michigan
What a blessing you have been in 2007.
Thanks for sharing something we can all relate with you on. God Bless.
The very decision to move into the Promised Land and set up housekeeping puts us in the heat of a battle that cannot be won without the Angel of the Lord fighting on our behalf. It is what seperated the “men from the boys” in the Christian life. While part of me wants to go into Canaan and settle, the constant war with the enemies of the land wearies me and sometimes makes we long for the “leeks and onions of Eygypt.” I trust 2008 will be a year we will all break free of the bondage of the past and move into the land flowing with milk and honey!
Thank you for including my Bible study on Proverbs on your Favorite Things. Your words were very kind and encouraging. I am grateful the study was a blessing to you.
Blessings for a glorious new year in the Lord. Jean Stockdale
Now that is good preaching Big Mama! Thank you so much for sharing with us. Your words are so encouraging to me.
I pray so many blessings for you and your beautiful family in 2008!
You are a blessing to all who read your blog. Thank you for this post…God is using you to minister to other people. Happy New Year!
The last 2 years have been something of a stretch for our family, both personally and ministry. The Lord has stretched me as far as I thought I could go, then stretched some more. But He is faithful! He brought me a verse – it is simple but makes my heart sing. “The Lord has done great things for us. What Joy!!” Psalm 126:3
May this year be a year that continues to stretch you and increase your faith! May you know He sings over you and quiets you with His love. Happy New Year!
Laura
What a beautiful, encouraging post! Thank you for your honesty and for your wisdom!
I wanted to comment with something profound and encouraging, but I can’t get past the fact that ANGELA COTTRELL READS YOUR BLOG!!
Sorry, got to go get a paper bag to hyperventilate in now…can’t type…must breathe….
Happy New Year to you- whatever that will be.
And brevity is overrated. :>)
2007 was the hardest year for us well. BUT, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. God showed off for us so many times. We learned so much about Him and I love Him so much more today than yesterday. Great, now I’ve got that song in my head….
Happy new year and I pray that God blesses every part of your life this year!!
Stephanie
I LOVED this post…so encouraging to all of us. Happy New Year to you and yours. I, too, will be praying for you & blessings in 2008!
Love, Sarah TN
Thank you, Melanie…you are a blessing to many. Yes, God is using you!
Thank you for sharing – I can totally identify! Thank you for writing this blog – it’s the highlight of my morning every day! You are so funny and entertaining and I just love reading you!
I hope you and your family have a very happy new year and that 2008 is a much better year full of blessings!
Thanks for sharing. God is so good, not only to bring us through the trials, but to show us that it was good for us to have gone through them, that we are better for it.
What a beautiful post! So honest.
I have felt the stripping away this past year too, I am not a fan of vulnerable.
You presented the beauty, reality and absolute devastation of what God wants to do in all of us to bring us closer to His heart.
Thank you!
Hmmm…thanks for sharing this. Always a good reminder that God uses our circumstances, good or bad, to shape and refine His children. He does it FOR OUR GOOD! That’s so hard to believe at times when you feel like He’s not listening or your constant, fervent prayers are going unanswered. It’s been a tough year for me spiritually, as well. Husband is struggling with the core of his faith, and that tends to rock a wife as well. That, and having our first little one has taken me out of my routine of being in the Word every morning. Hoping to get back to it and stay in 2008! Best to you and yours!
Good stuff. Thanks for your authenticity. God has done a great work in you this year.
I loved this post. I thank you for ministering to me this year through your blog. You are truly an inspiration and the refining is making you beautiful. You know that verse “when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold”. You are golden my friend…
Hi there – thank you for this post. This year has been a stripping away from me as well. When I think of trials, I think of my old pastor that used to remind us that even though we experience hard times, it won’t always be that way. He used the verse Psalm 27:13 “I would have despaired unless I believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” God wants us to experience goodness and joy while we are still in our earthly home and that is very comforting to me.
I love your blog and I pray you have a wonderful year of God’s goodness.
my daughter showed me your blog last month and i have been reading ever since…..just lurking.
well now i am delurking..
i can totally relate to your year….also to Gods hand in your/my year.
many blessings to you this next year!
lori
God is so faithful to lead us where we need to go, not necessarily where we want to go.
Great post, Melanie. Happy 2008. May the adventure with God only get more exciting.
Thank you for your honesty. It is so hard sometimes to let people know exactly your struggles because we feel like we can only share the triumphs… thanks for sharing both. This is such an encouragement to me. I have been thanking God that this year’s over and that I’m still standing but is also good to reflect and see the bigger picture. I haven’t really been doing that, so thanks for the reminder!
I can so relate to your post! Praying you have a wonderful year full of God blessings. Thank you for blessing me with your words and thoughts this year.
The verses you have shared are some of my very favorite that God used with me over and over again. My husband had 6 jobs in 4 years all paying thousands less than our living expenses. I have never seen God like during that time. He constantly amazed me at His multiplication. I found myself understanding a little bit more about the loaves and the fishes story as I watched Him multiply.
Many blessings,
Julie
You are very inspiring. I just found your blog last night and have returned today. Although, I am “old enough to be your mother”, I feel that you have perfectly described a few years that we’ve endured. Thanks to the Father we’ve come out on the other side of adversity. But we learned much from that refining. Our years consisted of leaving and loosing jobs in the medical field, starting a food business and the subsequent failure of that business, starting a food business again in a new location and sale of that business. Our income was cut by more than half and we survived with savings, friends and church family. Our dear pastor assured us that God had not brought us this far just to drop us off!!!!Jumping ahead 5 years, we are still in the same type of business, but more secure. Our faith has grown so much and we now know that we can put our future into His hands always. We are still under some of the financial burdens of those years, but face it postively and with hope. We maintained our health and home. Our son entered and graduated from college. Our marriage has survived almost 36 years. God is good, all the time.
I will be a regular reader of your blog. May God hold you and your family in the palm of his hand.
Wow… those two scriptures hit me right between the eyes. The last couple of months have been really tough — and not the sorts of things you put in a blog, not even between the lines. Thanks for feeding my soul today after what feels like a long stretch in the desert.
You are awesome!
Thank you for saying the things I’ve been thinking. Isn’t it amazing (ironic?) that God always wants what’s hardest for us to let go of? That thing we think we have to have. Once you let go of it, however, you discover you don’t need it as much as you thought you did.
Absolutely awesome post!
An old pastor I had once said “God is interested in your character not your comfort.” Don’t think that hasn’t passed through my mind hundreds of times since. Oh, how I wish to live on Easy Street. But one day we will and it will be way more than we could ever dream.
I, too, am impressed that Angela Cottrell reads and comments on your blog. Too cool!
Beautiful. I learned at the Nashville Deeper Still event that when we go through life-shattering events, God wants to brag on us for remaining faithful to Him in spite of our circumstances. I’m picturing God bragging on you right now. The enemy wants to steal, kill and destroy but God wants to give, live and create. You, dear BigMama, are your Father’s daughter. You give, you live abundantly and you create so many great things that touch our hearts. Thank you for the friendship you offer to all of us and also for the laughter and tears. This post brought tears. I’m still laughing at Caroline’s ELF imitation. May God bless you richly in this new year. It is a NEW thang…
Moses also marked my year in a huge way…I wonder if he had any idea whatsoever he’d still be leading us home today?
Beautiful post, Melanie..
Lisa
Oh my goodness, thank you Sister! I needed to read this today. It’s a NOW Word for me. Thank YOU for sharing this!!
I graduated in Dec. ’93 in Management (Should have been ’92, but alas, I tarried), so I would not be surprised if we had some classes together!
Praying for you and me, as we walk with daily bread through this desert.
Much love in Christ,
Holly
PS I have a little give-away with an Aggie question. I thought you might want to play
Real life. So many times people are afraid to share the struggles. The reality is that WE ALL DO STRUGGLE at one time or another! This post beautifully captures life and your total dependence on Christ. Bless you for moving forward with your head held high, I pray that the Lord will pour Himself out on you and your family in 2008.
Thanks for the reminder that He is really our source, in good times and tough ones. It is so easy to read others’ blogs and believe their loves are so much better / easier / more perfect than ours… this was a humbling reminder that we all have struggles in one way or another- and that there is One Who can carry us.
You are an encouragement and an inspiration… I have been praying about leaving my job for the last 6 months, and have read your story eagerly:-)
Blessings in 2008!
Melanie, I love your blog and read it everyday. These honest posts are so rich with encouragement to me – and we don’t even know each other. 2007 was the worst and the best for me too. We had 2 adoptions fall through and just a few days ago we found out that we might be adopting a baby girl in February. Like you, I’ve grown spiritually from the setbacks and now have more understanding of His grace and provision. God is so good.
Thank yo so much for sharing your heart with us. I was very uplifted because my family is going through some similar trials right now.
Sweet blessings to you and your family,
Sarah
Girl, you got some comments to read! The money issues really resonate with me, especially this year since I quit my job to stay home with my 2 little boys. Even though I am constantly checking the bank account the blessings are more being home with my little guys. I wish you much joy and prosperity in the New Year! Here’s to a wonderful 2008! (it even looks better typed than last year’s number!
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Amen! Thanks for keeping it real. 2007 was a year of change for me too. Praying that the Lord blesses you in 2008 in ways that you could never think nor imagine.
The verses you shared really spoke to me. Happy New Year!
Probably the most significant post you’ve ever written. Awesome.
I’ve read your blog for a few months and never have been prompted to comment before, but this particular post was so encouraging. I am learning to expect big things of God and it is so cool to see someone else who has “gone ahead” so to speak. Thanks so much for taking out the time to do this blog.
Thanks for sharing your heart here. I was really blessed and encouraged today. For me, it’s also been the best and worst year. God is so good in it all. Happy New Year!
Beautiful, beautiful post.
Thank you
What a blessing this post was to me. 2007 was a year of trials and tribulations (career change for hubby which was a huge cut in pay for hubby is happy, hosting an exchange student, blah, blah, blah) for our family too. The scriptures you quoted were something I needed to be reminded of. Thank you!
I’ve been a lurker on your site. Found you through Rocks In My Dryer (I think). I read you daily and thoroughly enjoy hearing about your goings on.
He hears and He’s here…..two things we need to always remember. May you be abundantly blessed in 2008.
Great post. Hard year here, too. But good. GOD IS good. I’m so grateful that He is in control and I can trust HIM. Sometimes the circumstances stink. And yet there He is in the middle of it all. Know you aren’t alone. Thank you for the encouraging word.
Wow. As I read this post, it was like you were recounting my 2007. I needed to read this post. Thanks for being so transparent. I’m still struggling. I’m still holding on with white knuckles, but I sense the Holy Spirit drawing me. But I continue to resist the surrender—why? I don’t know. Thank you for this post.
He was a carpenter. We invite Him to build a house for us, a comfortable, humble place to live. But suddenly, we are uncomfortable, bumped about, hammering happening here and there. There is noise and chaos, things are changing all around us, and we wonder if we made the right decision. But when all is said and done, we learn He was not content with a house. He has built us a mansion.
I didn’t come up with this analogy on my own, I don’t remember the source, but take comfort, He builds us to be more than we ever could alone.
We all go through our own wildernesses. It’s amazing when we realize that we’re not on our own while we wander. I mean that we’re with God and each other if we’ll just turn our heads. God is doing wonderful things in you, Melanie. He loves you too much to not send you on your journey of betterment. I can’t wait to see his future destinations for you!
That was beautiful, Melanie. So many of us internets can relate. You really spoke to my heart. You know the faith that can move mountains thing – - that is some big stuff, isn’t it ? ! But when you have faith that can move mountains, the peace – - it comes. The peace comes. My problem is that I have faith but sometimes it comes in waves. Some days strong some days not so strong. I want to have it at all times and I am praying for that. I kinda think you have a similar thing. My hope for 2008 is that I can get to a place where the faith is always there, ever strong – George Michael singing in the back ground and all. (Did you see that TV show starting soon with something like that, I saw a commercial, did not come up with that one on my own) Hee hee. Heres to many blessings for you and yours in 2008. – Jen P.
I cannot tell you how refreshing it was for me to read your post. Sometimes when I go and visit blogs I think that there must be something wrong with me as most seem to have perfect lives, perfect children, perfect husbands, etc. I too have been through many struggles this past year and one is still not over but once again God has proven himself faithful to me. He is helping me not to try and figure everything out on my own, running around like a chicken with its head cut off, but to seek him and trust in him and listen for his voice. When I am actually able to do that peace comes. Once again as someone said above I so appreciate your being so transparent. God bless you.
beautiful post, thank you for sharing your heart! I am starting this same study in 2 weeks, and your post has me excited about it as we too have had some interesting life experiences in the last year. As Beth’s studies always do, I’m sure this one will meet me right where I am.
Thank you for sharing your peaks and valleys from 2007. We too had an interesting year, especially AFTER the great healing that happened with our oldest. Strange, but I learn nothing BUT faith and trusting in the Lord this year. I have always known that, but experienced it first hand ALL YEAR LONG. Thank you for being transparent and allowing God to use you. This WILL impact somebody, somewhere in the blogspehere.
Awesome!! Preach sister, preach! Thank you for the good word (or rather words). That is such a great testimony and accurate description of life in the true spiritual trenches. This should be required reading for all worn believers. I was very encouraged and challenged to let the Lord fan my flame in 2008 as he sees fit. It’s like when you work out real hard and know that the pain and sweat will eventually bring about good in your body, despite everything in you that’s screaming for you to get off the treadmill.
I don’t have a blog but I love reading other blogs. My husband thinks it’s a huge waste of time…which maybe is true..but this post really hits on why I do it. I have gotten so much encouragement from bloggers who are willing to be vulnerable and share about their struggles and faith. I’ve cut back on the blog-reading so that I can do other important things like clean the house…but yours is one I continue to check out consistently…you are a great writer and super funny but I also really appreciate your heart when you choose to reveal it.
Thanks!
Hey Melanie!
While I do not comment often, I read every day. I love your witty sense of humor and relate to the ups and downs of being a SAHM. I just had to write to say that this was a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing your heart and what God has been doing in your lives this year. It is an encouragement!
I understand where you are…thanks for sharing this and making me think. I needed to read that scripture today.
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