It's All About H.I.M. . .

The Mission/How Great Thou Art ~ Arrangement by The Piano Guys
(Please click for background music as you read this message of H.I.M.)

Regardless of how old we are or who we are, we are ALL storytellers. From the moment we take our first breath until our very last, with each "new morning" God grants us, our life’s story is being written in the Book of Life.  Along the way, there may be some chapters in our lives that are more significant than others, which we may remember more passionately.  Nevertheless, each of us is the author to our very own “special” biography to share with others; custom-made by God’s design. 

Recently, I was asked why I felt the need to write. Due to this past year's health scare and life-changing event in my life, without hesitation, I knew exactly why. It is definitely not for self-importance.  However, it is all about ~ Hope – Inspiration – Motivation.  In other words, it’s all about H.I.M.  It is my heartfelt passion to encourage others during their life’s journey when facing their mountains or unexpected detours in life. Although this past year has appeared to put my life in a mess, with God’s compassion, grace and guidance, it is my devout mission to turn my life’s mess into a “message,” rather than wallowing in my own fears and tears. I am, therefore, inspired, more than ever, to give H.I.M. to others, who may be hurting while their life feels like it may be crumbling all around them.  It is only by the divine power of God and seeking His will for my life that I am an instrument writing these messages of H.I.M.

As we begin to read the first two and a half chapters of Lamentations, we, like Jeremiah, may feel afraid, alone, discouraged and in despair. However, as we read further into Chapter 3, we see that rather than Jeremiah concentrating on his own troubles, he begins to seek and trust God. Hence, he begins to experience God’s "compassion" and "great faithfulness".  He also learns to “quietly wait” (patiently) for God’s deliverance for hope, inspiration and motivation. As a result, Jeremiah then begins to share H.I.M. with others.  
  
• Hope – “The Lord is my portion; therefore, I will hope in Him.” (Lamentations 3:24)
• Inspiration – “Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning, great is Thy faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23) 
• Motivation – “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:25-26)

It is, therefore, by the school of life's lessons of Jeremiah that we, too, can experience God’s unwavering love, great faithfulness and never-ending mercies cascade into our lives when we seek and trust Him. For I have learned that I will never walk alone, while the chapters of my life continue to be written, and as I continue writing all about H.I.M.  I sincerely pray that you will experience H.I.M. in your life too!    

“The past is a source of knowledge, 

and the future is a source of hope. 

Love of the past implies faith in the future.”

~ Stephen Ambrose ~

Peace Under Pressure. . .

Heart of the Forest ~ Arrangement by Dan Gibson (Solitudes)
(Please click for background music as you read this message of H.I.M.)

  
It is hard to believe that only a year ago, on this very day, I would be given the diagnosis of breast cancer! It is a moment I will never forget for as long as I live.  Yet, from that very moment I can truly say that I have had peace under pressure.  However, it most certainly has not been of my own doing, but rather through much prayer and soul searching, as well as trusting and believing in: 
•  God’s Peace ~  
    “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you…Let not          your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)
•  God’s Power ~ 
    “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might."
     (Ephesians 6:10)
•  God’s Presence ~ 
    “Lo, I am with you always, even until the very end of time."
     (Matthew 28:20)
•  God’s Promises ~ 
    “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your
     God. I will give you strength and I will help you.” 
     (Isaiah 40:10)

Do you ever feel like you are living in a pressure cooker? Are you dealing with pressures unimaginable, unthinkable, or unforgettable? Do the pressures of life feel like they are squeezing the life right out of you?  As I ponder on such pressures in our lives, I know that it is only when we release all of life’s pressures into God's hands can He work in our lives.  

Only when I meditate and savour God’s Word, can I find and receive the “spiritual” nourishment I need to help me cope with life’s daily pressures.  I am encouraged when I read, “We are troubled on every side; yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair” (II Corinthians 4:8).  If I did not have God’s promises to cling to, I would become faint of heart rather than having a contented heart and peace of mind.  I would see this time in my life like a dead-end rather than a doorway of opportunity. 

I know life will never be free of pressures, but I have learned it is only when I let go of my inner turmoil, due to my outward circumstances, can God give me the inner peace and outward contentment for my life.  It is only through the pressures of life, especially this past year, have I learned what the real purpose and priorities in my life are through much prayer and self-examination.

Therefore, as I thank God for the peace He has given me to face life’s daily pressures and the aftermath of breast cancer; it is my sincere prayer that you, too, can experience peace under pressure. 

“May the Lord bless you, and keep you; May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you; May the Lord turn His face toward you, and give you peace.” 
(Numbers 6:24-26)

God’s peace is far greater than the fear of life’s pressures.
~ By Bonita ~

   

Rest & Refuel. . .

Hymn to the Old Growth ~ Arrangement by Dan Gibson (Solitudes)
(Please click for background music as you read this message of H.I.M.) 

As Jake, our beloved dog, who is my constant companion, and I stroll around our neighbourhood during our daily walk watching the welcome sight of robins singing while they scour the grounds for food or the “spring” bunnies scurry across a lawn, I savour these moments.  Lately, every new morning seems to reveal more signs that spring is finally on its way.  For example, I can now see the delicate white snowdrops cascade around the rock bed of our big maple tree, while the hyacinths and crocus slowly edge their way up through the ground as the warmth of the sun melts away the last of the ice and snow in our backyard. Meanwhile, my husband and I were delighted to recently see another sign of spring when we saw hundreds of “tundra” swans, who flew up from their winter habitat in the Chesapeake Bay area, stopover at a nearby wildlife conservation area to rest and refuel.  We quietly watch and marvel at the moment. I cannot begin to fathom the long, arduous journey they still have to endure or the many obstacles they may have to overcome, in order to reach their final destination in the high Artic region between Alaska and Baffin Island.  However, every year, for a week or two, thousands upon thousands of these magnificent-looking birds arrive in our region for a short while before continuing their migration.  

Although it feels like we have been consumed with a long, dreary, harsh winter, the recent signs of spring are bringing with them new beginnings, new growth and a new hope for brighter days ahead. Just like the tundra swans, we may find that we, too, must “rest” and “refuel,” due to life’s trials, difficult circumstances, or when experiencing moments of loss, tears or sorrow. We wonder if we will ever have the strength to carry on and get through these challenging times that make us weary, exhausted and discouraged.  As I search God’s Word to refuel emotionally and spiritually, I am comforted, encouraged, and at peace when I read Lamentations 3:22-25.  For I am assured that "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end.  They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion" says my soul, "therefore, I will hope in Him." The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul that seeks Him."

I do not think I would be the person I am today were it not for the struggles I have experienced throughout my life.  For I know these challenging circumstances, especially the diagnosis of breast cancer, have most certainly taught me to not only persevere, but to wait on the Lord and have hope in the Lord as He nourishes, restores, strengthens, and heals me every new morning. It is only through His compassion can I find rest and refuel my soul as His calms, comforts and cares for me, regardless how big or small my circumstances may be.

It is, therefore, my sincere prayer that I may have a Christ-like compassion towards others, who, too, may need a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear or a word of encouragement when life's trials seem overwhelming.  By resting our hope in God, I know that He will refuel us with the strength to confront all obstacles in our lives, and through His infinite mercies we can savour these moments one day at a time! 

"God comforts us in all our troubles, 

so that we can comfort

 those in any trouble with the comfort

we ourselves have received from God." 

(2 Corinthians 1:4)