Hello dear friends and quiet readers,
It's been on my heart to write something, so here goes...
I want this place, my little spot here in blog land to be a safe haven. Surely we need that right now. I want it to be a place where if you are burdened or feel you have no one to listen to you, you can share here or send me a private message (ladies only). What I don't want is this place to be used for gossip, or any divisive talk.
If your like me, your a Keeper of the Home and this is what fills your day. You may have family to care for, children still at home and or grandchildren. This all requires a lot of work, love and commitment. Our minds and hearts need to be peaceful to do this well, and if our hearts are heavy because of different things then frankly it make life very hard indeed. I would say emotionally, the last year has been my hardest ever. With losing my Dad and sister + all the scares about covid and other things happening in the world....but even more than that. What's caused me the most pain and sadness to the point of tears many times is the division that vaccine issues has caused within families and my own. I want to share this scripture:
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.
This scripture is dear to my heart and is a measuring rod for me to hold myself accountable in my daily walk. These days it seems vaccine issues have drawn new 'lines in the sand'. I just see the enemy having a field day. He loves nothing more than Christians criticising and judging each other and pitting one end time world view against another. So what if your eschatology is slightly different to mine? God's interested in the heart and whether or not we're growing in the fruits of the spirit. If I'm loving my neighbour and giving God the glory by the way I live my life each day. I'm not seeing much of that around me right now. These are surely dark days and it makes me so sad.
My heart goes out to people who are backed into a corner, like we are. Our government leaves no option for most people. If you don't have the vaccine, you will lose your job. This applies to nearly all jobs. Some people have a lot of money/property investments behind them and have the option to make a choice that will not affect their livelihood, but most people do not. I really don't think voluntarily leaving your job and going on the unemployment benefit is an option either? or having to sell your home and go where? Some people forced to take the vaccine have become ill because of it, that saddens me terribly too. I feel we are like guinea pigs. I do not trust our govt in this country. They lie, quite blatantly. They leave no freedom of choice. I am pro choice.
Many people because of compromised health have taken the vaccine....because they feared getting a bad case of covid. If you've had the vaccine I don't judge you, we had to take it too. I didn't want to, I was frightened and wrestled with the whole thing and now the endless boosters. I haven't had the booster and don't want to...Oh Lord help us. Even if your pro the vaccine I don't judge you. Maybe you think me a fool for my opinions? When I spent countless hours praying about this situation, I felt the Lord impress upon my heart to choose the narrow way, to walk in it and to have compassion and mercy for people on all sides..in all situations. That's where I stand.
As I look ahead to 2022 I have no idea if it will be as difficult as 2021. I've never suffered loneliness and rejection like I have this past year. My heart has been so torn and I've felt so confused at times I thought I might lose my mind. People who I love acted in ways I would never have imagined. But what I do know is GOD WAS AND IS MY ANCHOR. My faith did not waver, not even one little bit. Many nights when I couldn't sleep, I would repeat scripture verses over in my head or repeat the name of Jesus over and over to dispel the darkness that tried to swamp me..and it worked every time.
I truly feel like a pilgrim. I think I shared here 2 years ago that we had to leave the church we attended as we found out that they were connected with ungodly/unscriptural practices. It's too much to go into and I don't intend to. We had worshipped there for 10 years. I live in a very small town in a country area and because of our Christian values there is no where else to attend; so there again we are on our own. Yet we are still faithful. We have daily morning and night devotionals, bible reading and prayer. We have to make the best of the circumstances we find ourselves in. We are faithful and committed to the Lord.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
So if you read this, and feel alone many days too,
then know I am here for you.
Let's stick together and walk in love as believers in Jesus,
supporting each other through our struggles.
May we still shine our little lights
and show love where we can.
May the Lord bless you,
~ Linda ~
Oh sweet friend, I will be praying for you, we see what is going on and we are praying. It's quite a trial here too but nothing like what is going on in your world. There is quite a bit of corruption in institutions here too and it's affected our family and friends directly, tragic losses. I feel like the closing scene in the old movie, "Mrs. Miniver" as they sing in the war torn church sticking together in unity after huge losses. I understand how you must feel and I can certainly relate to the quote by Einstein on the previous post, it's so true, nothing so satisfying as our Father in Heaven. I understand the walk you are speaking of, yes, I do. It truly is a lonely walk at times but the Father is with us. Even when churches fail morally, how awful and disappointed you must feel on that. We must hang on to the Father as I know you are doing. I hear your heart and so does the Lord. I hope I haven't missed anything, it's late here and I'm not 100 percent.
ReplyDeleteLet's stick together as you write. God bless and be with you, I also think of the scene in the movie, Sound of Music when the nun at the end tells Maria that God will be with them. A warm hug to you, Love, Amelia
Sweet friend, your words are such a comfort...my thoughts and feelings see saw so much. Sometimes I have a good spell where I'm okay and 'settled' in myself, then something will happen to set me off again. I don't like being up and down. Yes, we will stick together :) I also pray that you will come back to full health if your unwell. Love ~ Linda
DeleteHi, Amelia! Good to see you. 🙂
Delete..and thank you for praying for me Amelia, I sorely need those prayers (big hug) ~ Linda
ReplyDeleteLinda, thank you for this post. A place to sit a bit in the quiet with a friend and listen, that is a good thing.
ReplyDeleteI am a homeschool mom in the USA. I fold laundry. I clean things. I teach my kids history. I feel like all of history has been rolled up and here we are where nothing matters. This whole world seems like it hasn't learned a bit of anything from any hard day or war. It looks like a mess of ungrateful souls screaming at the sky, screaming at God. But in his great mercy He responds, not with rage, but with, "I love you. This is the way, walk in it." Many hear. People you did not expect, would be drop-jaw shocked to see, are walking along the way now with us. No, it's true.
And this, from Amelia (hi!) above: "...Even when churches fail morally..." This digs into my heart. But you know what? It's like the story from the bible where God is able to raise up children for Abraham even among these stones, the cry for morality returning will come from most unlikely place. From those wrenched from the grip of sin. In these days that cry will come from these people, not the "holy" ones. It's the sick that need a physician.
Don't lose hope. Something good is coming.
Bless you 💙
Sandi, what a kind friend you are. Your words are so true, wise and thoughtful. Thank you ~ Linda
DeleteHello Dear, you have definitely gone through a very trying time! We have all felt the pain and confusion and hearing all the lies are heartbreaking! There is a remnant and the truth will prevail! Jesus is our only Hope…
ReplyDeleteBlessings Roxy praying for you!
Thank you dear Roxy for your prayers and kind words of truth. Blessings to you ~ Linda
DeleteThank you Linda especially for these last two posts. So much of what you have spoken about has resonated with me also. I am so sorry for all the disruption and sadness in your life this past year. I feel that it is best to keep a humble heart in all situations and realize that If we are serving the Lord with our whole heart, he will direct our paths and keep us in His care in the difficult decisions.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I want to thank you for the lovely photos of your beautiful garden! We are in winter here in the USA and seeing your photos brings me so much joy and hope for the future. You and your husband are a fantastic team indeed!
God bless you, from a quiet reader in Arizona��
Thank you quiet reader Sue :), so lovely of you to leave a sweet comment. Your words bring comfort and wisdom. Bless you ~ Linda
DeleteYes, we need a safe place; a quiet, peaceful place where there is rest from the worries and troubles around us. Your words are comforting and encouraging. God bless you!
ReplyDeleteThank you Mrs White, we are all sisters on a journey and need each other for encouragement. Bless you. Your writings encourage me too ! (very much) ~ Linda
DeleteThank you for your encouraging and heart felt words, those of us in Christ must now help each other along this uncertain road, these are strange times, but we have a powerful and faithful God who will never leave or forsake us.
ReplyDeleteBless you
Amen and thank you Mrs O'Sullivan for encouraging me !! Yes we certainly need each other :)
DeleteI agree with you that the saddest part of all that is happening is the divisiveness, especially among believers of the Bible. How gleeful satan must feel, watching people tear each other down in fear. I'm so sorry to hear you don't have a church family at this time. That is one of the things that has kept my household so sane and normal, being able to spend time with our church group. I wonder if you have found an online church or community that you can connect with. I am on the other side of the world, but my church is online as well, if you would be interested in seeing what is going on there, I could send you more information / a website.
ReplyDeleteLast year, my uncle gave me a book about a Russian holocaust survivor; she was a believer and knew a lot of scripture. I was reminded that sometimes our books are taken away, everything we have, but what we have memorized can never be taken. You are wise to read and memorize scripture!
I hope you find new hope and encouragement for your journey in 2022.
Regards from Colorado.
Karen, at karenzeph@aol.com
Thank you for your kind and caring words Karen (hugs) :) We do have a group of Christians we meet with once a fortnight and we have a time of worship too. This is such a blessing. I heartily agree with you regards scripture memorization. I also find great comfort in the many hymns I have sung over the years as they will come back into my mind so often and they are also so wonderfully encouraging. I too love to read about survivors of the holocaust. I have such a heart for the Jewish people and all they have endured and even still experience. Shalom and blessings to you this day Karen ~ Linda
DeleteThank you for this post. I have recently found your blog and it is a haven of rest. --- Elaine
ReplyDeleteThank you Elaine for your kind words. Blessings to you ~ Linda
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