Monday...July 27, 2020 | My Life's Journey (Part One)

​Hello everyone…and a very happy Monday to you all! Well…here we go again…another new week; but let me give you the best news ever about entering a new week. I have come to truly see over time that when I enter a new day or a new week; then I am also entering a time of new possibilities…for all things are being made new by God…Amen!!
Some of you may have noticed on my previous writing that my birthday is this Thursday, July 30th…and if you read the “PS” at the bottom of that writing; then you would have seen that I was giving you an invite to my birthday writing on Thursday. Anyways…as I was sitting here this afternoon, I thought that maybe I would do a series of writings that will bring you to the grand finale on Thursday…so here we go…
Most of you may not know this but I no longer ask for birthday gifts on my birthday; not even from my husband; because this is a very special time between me and the Lord. In fact…I see this day, as a time when the greatest gift was given to me…the time when God brought me out of the depths of despair, to experience a brand new life with Him; so on my birthday, I do celebrate my birthday with Keith to an extent; but even more, I celebrate this time with God.
As I look back on my life, I remember many years when I didn’t want to celebrate my birthday; because during those times, I didn’t feel good about myself or I just didn’t really know the reason for feeling the way I felt at the time. Between all the surgeries…pain and counseling, along with a heart that was so shattered, I just couldn’t see any good reason to celebrate life.  In fact…during those difficult times, I only seemed to be in tune with dim lights and dark colors, which I found out later was a sign of depression for me.
Anyways…as I was sitting in my living room the other day…talking with Keith, I found out why I didn’t want to celebrate life during those times…and that was because my birthday only took me back to many bad memories of the past, along with all the physical problems I experienced with my knees. Also…this time of the year became a constant reminder to me, as to the time when my grandfather molested me. After experiencing so many trying times in my life, I just felt that forgetting my birthday would also help me to forget what took place in my life.
As many years have passed by, I have truly come to know Jesus…to the place where I talk with Him all the time. You see…He has become my very best friend…one that I can trust to keep His word…and One that will listen to me and truly care about the needs of my heart.
Through these many years of getting to know Jesus…the memories of the past have faded more into the background of my life, as Jesus now becomes my focal point each day. Because of this, I have truly found a reason to love life again and to love myself. You see...Jesus is not looking at the way I have my hair fixed…or if I’m wearing make-up or not...for the only thing He seems to be interested in is my heart…and I don’t know about you; but that’s the kind of friend I need in this life…One who cares more about me as a person, rather than any other thing.
A Bible verse that has helped me to truly see life in this way is found in I Samuel 16:7…and we read… “But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
Maybe right about now, you just haven’t felt that good about yourself…and maybe you feel as if you have to live up to these artificial standards in life. If so, may I encourage you to make Jesus your friend; for He will walk way beyond the outward appearance, to see your heart…and even more…you will experience a love that is perfect…one that can be trusted and one that will help you to see life in a brand new way…just like me.
May you have a very blessed day…and please come back, as I share something brand new with you each day…right through my 61st birthday, on July 30th!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane