​Tonight, I am sitting in the still and peaceful moments of a day that is about to find its end. The sun is shining through the trees, with shadows lying across the lawn…and it’s just God and me, which I just love!  Moments such as these help me to reconnect to God and remain close to Him, after the trying moments of a busy day.
How many times do we take the opportunity to lay aside the weight, worries and cares of a day, to spend time with God? Don’t we realize that He is there…even more than the problems that surround us each day? I have truly come to see that even though the day has a way of taking me down…one thing I know…God is always there to lift me back up to my feet.
Many times, I think we try to stand tough on our own…holding tightly to what is attempting to take us down, when all along…we really don’t have to bear these difficult and draining moments alone.  I remember a time in my life, when I would hold onto whatever had taken hold of me…until I fell beneath the weight of it all. Why do we allow ourselves to suffer in such a way, when there is a loving God…waiting with open arms to hold us and help us through these times?
These past few days have been very trying for me, while I attempt to get up and walk, from one room to another. I think that the hardest thing for me to cope with; is the thought that life isn’t as easy as it once was; but God continues to remind me that He is there for me…to hold me up and steady me, on the path that He has set before me.
One thing I have truly learned…through the hard and difficult times of my life; is that it isn’t about what I can’t do; but rather, it’s about doing what I can do. Maybe it’s not always easy…compared to the way that other people do it; but I’m doing it…and I’m accomplishing everything I set out to do…of course, with the help of my best friend Jesus Christ.
Life definitely isn’t always easy; but I have come to see that it’s not about focusing on the bad news…or the latest news of the day; but rather, it’s going beyond the bad news, to let God show us that we can truly do all things through Him. (Philippians 4:13)
A while back, I was saying to my husband; that if I would have taken hold of everything that has been hard to overcome in my life; then I wouldn’t have accomplished anything in life…and especially in the past 18 years of ministry work.
You know…I think that if we are going to throw a powerful weapon back at Satan…for what he attempts to do to us; then that would be a weapon that deadens his. In other words…when he says we can’t…then we rise above the problem with God’s help and prove to him that we can.  You know…sometimes I may feel as if I am barely hanging onto life…but I am…and that is all that counts.
No matter what you are walking through right now, may I encourage you…through my own hard and difficult times, to press on with the strength of Jesus. Don’t allow Satan’s weapon of affliction to serve the purpose, for which it was meant to serve; but instead, let Satan know that no weapon that has been formed against you shall ever prosper. (Isaiah 54:17)
One thing I’ve learned through time; is that we definitely can’t get an attitude with God; but we can with Satan…and maybe it’s about time that we stand up to him…through the power of the Most High God, rather than wallowing down to these weak moments of affliction.
I have a saying that I wrote several years back and it goes like this… “My body may be getting old…I may not be rich…and the trials I go through may not always be easy; but I’d rather give praise to my God; then bow down before my weaknesses.”
As we travel this ruff and rugged narrow path to heaven…I pray that we will allow God’s grace to lead us there…a grace that is more than sufficient to help us over the obstacles and ruts; that attempt to slow us down and remove us from His presence…Amen!
Have a very blessed day!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

I wonder how many of us forget that God is near, while facing the uncertain and difficult times of life. As I have traveled many miles with Him, I have come to see that when He has brought me through a time, when I didn’t think I would make it…that it was His footprints left behind; that reminded me of His love and faithfulness to me.
Yesterday, it was time to do my monthly grocery shopping…as I have been going not as often, due to the condition of my legs. The day before knowing that I would have to go, I was struggling greatly with my health; but as I prepared to go to bed early that evening, I began to have a talk with God. I poured out, what seemed to be every part of my being before Him…asking Him to give me the strength needed, to get through a cab ride…shop and then store everything away once I returned home. Then, as I ended my time with Him, I asked Him to help me wake up with a smile…something to help brighten my day…before even heading out the door.
As I sit here today, I am now looking back on everywhere God’s footprints have taken me…footprints that are now a reminder, as to how God had answered every one of my thoughts and prayers. In fact…everything went so well; that I was home earlier than what I first thought I would be…and the cab ride was great…and I didn’t even have to wait very long.
While sitting here…listening to some music; God continued on with these thoughts, by showing me that it’s His footprints of grace that are actually the ones that are leading us bit by bit, to our true home in heaven…for every step we have taken with Him…is taking us one step away from the hardships of this life, to experience a new life with Him…for all of eternity.
One thing I know for sure…the steps through this life aren’t always easy…and there can even be times, when I feel as if I can’t take another step; but that is when I begin to see His footprints laying out a way before me. What a God…and what a friend He truly is!
Listen people…these times we are facing can make us feel crippled in life; but God has me here to remind us all; that when we feel as if we can’t take one more step; that it’s His footprints that will be there to show us the way through these troubling times…that is, if we are looking for His footprints.
There is one thing I’d like to say, as we close our time together…don’t follow the footprints of this life…footprints that are directed by the problem and even more by Satan…for these footprints will only walk you deeper into despair. No matter what you are facing right now…just take hold of God’s hand and let Him make the footprints for you to walk in…and as you continue to walk in His steps…just know that He will lead you out of these troubling times…onto a path that will eventually lead you to a place of eternal peace called heaven…Amen!
Have a very blessed day…and may you always know that God’s footprints are always there for you too!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane
“Your road led through the sea, your pathway through the mighty waters—a pathway no one knew was there!” Psalm 77:19

In these hard and difficult times we’re facing, we can easily become discouraged and brought low. These past few days have been some very hard times for me. After finishing my project in the kitchen, I went through two very difficult days, after the pain began to subside…and this afternoon, as I was thinking on all the struggles I’ve been facing lately, I began to sink low within these thoughts. As I called out to God for some help; He began to speak to my spirit and remind me that when these moments take us down; it’s only because we have allowed ourselves to become more in tune with what is happening around us, rather than being closely connected to Him…and you know what…that is so true.
Late this afternoon…after resting for a short time, I began to slowly push myself off the daybed and take a shower. I didn’t really know if I would be up to writing or not; but after getting around; God just seemed to continue on with His answer to my hearts prayer, as I began to see that even though there had been a lot of pain and sickness these past few days…there was something positive I could find out of all that I had been through…and that was how God could allow beauty to shine through the difficult moments of pain, which has meant more to me than the kitchen itself.
You know…probably from here on, I will walk into that kitchen and not just enjoy the fresh new look; but I probably will be reminded of what I was able to accomplish with God’s help, which will continue to bring hope, for other moments that may not be as easy for me.
How many times do find ourselves stuck in a rut of discouragement, while focusing deeply on the hardships of this life? Do we realize that these are traps…set up by Satan, to keep us down and out of commission with God? I’m not saying that life is always easy…and I’m not saying that these moments are easy to overcome…because they aren’t; but if we could only remember two things. First…to keep our focus tightly fixed on God, rather than deeply embedded within the problem…and second, to always look for the good through the bad. I have truly come to see that when we can remain close to God and look for His blessings through the storms of life; then these two things alone will give us a reason to never give up; but rather, to keep moving straight ahead…no matter what may cross our path.
The thing I praise God the most for today; is that when I am weak, with my head barely above these troubled waters…His love reaches down and gives me a means of escape. You know…I have come to see that when we can allow the brokenness within, to bring us to God’s level; that is when we always receive the help we so desperately need…and this is what happened to me today. Thank you Lord, for ALWAYS being there for me!
Now it’s your turn. Maybe today, you are feeling stuck within one of these ruts in the road…and the discouragement has kept you there. May I encourage you to disconnect yourself, from these moments that are attempting to take you down for good…and instead, plug into God? One thing I can tell you for sure today…is that when you do this and begin to look beyond everything that seems so bad…to experience something good; that is when you will begin to also experience a new view of the circumstance…one that will once more bring hope back into your life.
Have a great day with God and many blessings on your day!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane
​

Lately, I have been experiencing some difficult times with my health; so if you don’t always see me throughout the week…that just may be the reason why.
You know…some Christians believe that we should never suffer…and if we do; then we should expect God to heal us instantly. Now don’t get me wrong; but I have also come to truly see that God uses these pain and unusual moments in our lives, to teach us new things…and even more, to experience His wonder working power…as I have experienced so much within my own life.
As we begin our time together today, I would like to share a Bible verse that has truly helped and encouraged me through these trying times in my life, which can be found in Psalm 34:19…and we read… “The good man does not escape all troubles—he has them too. But the Lord helps him in each and every one.”
Just ask yourself today…how would we ever grow and become stronger in life…if first, we were never weak in spirit. I have come to see numerous times; that the weak moments have truly produced much more within my life, which has brought about much change and a closer relationship with God. In fact, I can tell you today; that if it wouldn’t have been for the pain and deep heartache that I experienced in life; then I definitely wouldn’t be here visiting with you right now.
God has a way of working in our lives…and at the moment, when we feel as if He has forgotten us; He is actually working through those weaknesses, to produce something greater that will carry us further into life with Him.
I think that the hardest thing for me to experience; is one day of extreme chronic pain…only to crash and weaken the next day…and why…because I love life. In fact, my mind and body seem to be battling one another at times, as the mind has all kinds of things it wants to do, while the body is slowing me down, through the pain I experience each day.
No matter how difficult it is…and no matter how discouraging it can be…I know one thing and that is that my God is with me all the way. Moments such as these can truly look grim at times; but never has there been a time, when my God hasn’t brought me through them.
One thing I’ve learned to do over the years; is to see the good through the bad. In other words…maybe I struggle to walk and do the things that others find easy to do; but I make it…and that is what my focus is on. Satan may use moments like these to try and bring me down; but what I praise God for; is that He keeps me standing physically…emotionally and spiritually.
This journey that I have been on for most of my life hasn’t been an easy one. In fact, there have been many times in the past, when I didn’t think I’d make it; but just as the verse says above…the Lord helps us in each and every trial we face…that is, if we are willing to give Him a chance.
Maybe today, you are facing your own battle…or maybe this new way of life has beaten you to the very core of your being. May I encourage you…from one who has been deeply afflicted; to let God use these moments in your life, to bring about something greater and stronger…something that will continue to give you the strength to press on. You know…all He is waiting for; is for you to fall into His loving arms…it’s just that simple…and once you do that…and once you let everything of yourself go into those arms of love; that is when He will definitely take it from there.
Have a great day…and many blessings on your day!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane
​