Surrender

I have been thinking a lot about surrendering lately. I find that is such a hard thing to do. To surrender I feel weak. Ever play mercy? I have, oh how I hated to surrender by saying mercy it made me feel weak. In my adult life I find that surrender is not weak at all. To surrender to God I find strength. So how is it we have this misconception at a young age it is showing weakness? I have found when I surrender to God he is in control of my life and great things happen! Have you ever surrender something at the altar and find that you picked it back up? I certainly have. Once in a sermon the pastor shared about a child who had his hand in a cookie jar. He had ahold of the cookie and would not let go for nothing. His hand became stuck and he refused to let go because he wanted that cookie. How many times have we all refused to let go of something in our life? You see surrendering is all about letting go and NOT picking it back up. Now I'm not saying the child coudn't pick the cookie back up. However, had he let go his problem would have been solved. God is waiting to solve all of our problems if we will just simply let go. What is God trying to do in your life and he can't because you won't let go? To surrender to God we are giving him control of every detail in our lives. I myself and working on surrendering. Complete surrender where I don't pick it back, I want to leave it at the feet of Jesus.

As Joshua approached the biggest battle of his life, he encountered God and fell before him and surrendered his plans. It resulted in the victory over Jericho. What battle are you fighting today? Are you ready to totally surrender to God? What are you waiting for? I challenge you to pray to God right now and totally surrender to him. Let go of what you have been hanging onto for so long. Don't let it way you down any longer. Sit back and watch God work once you have been able to let go. Letting go gives you HIS strength. Remember, "I can do all things in Christ which gives me strength." Phil. 4:13.

Missing Dad

I recently lost my father due to complications from strokes. He died 4 yrs ago and they brought him back. He always said, "God brought me back for a reason but I'm not sure why". I know why, he taught me so much the past 4 yrs. I have learned to listen more & try to understand people better. Dad was a great at listening. He found something good in everyone he met and focused on the good in them. He really was a lot like my heavenly father. He set such good examples for me in the last few years. He was such a humble man. During his last 11 days on this ,on his death bed, he praised God. He would raise his hands and say "I love my Jesus". What a witness! I received many cards of encouragement upon his passing. Some from nurses who were touched by his faith. Some Christians, some non-Christians. We never know just when God is going to use us. I remember when he died 4 years ago I flipped completely out. I screamed, hollered, jumped up and down acting like some 2 year old. Then I found out they brought him back. Those memories I am not very proud of. However, upon his passing December 26th, 2009 at 12:53 p.m. I had peace. I had the assurance of knowing he was with Jesus. He was in no more pain, he would never hurt again! The peace I had could have only come from God. It was an amazing experience. Then I begin to think of what I had lost. I would never see his face, speak to him again or hold him again while on this earth. I began sobbing. Sobbing for my loss, for me. I missed him so much and only a few minutes had passed. The next few days were so overwhelming. But with no regrets on my part. God give me 11 days with him. We must have told each other we love you hundreds of times. More than I could count. I rarely and I do mean rarely ever remember us telling each other that. What a gift God give me!!! Missing you so very much dad, I love you!!! your baby daughter.