This too shall pass! No matter what the struggle is, it shall pass. Many of us are wondering “when?” But the good news is that it will pass. Hope, courage, and strength are fuel for the trials and found in our Lord. I went to the throne of grace today. How was your visit?
Sandra
When someone smiles at you, do you see a genuine smile or does it look like something is lurking behind the smile? A smile pockets a rattling controversy. This statement takes into account that some smiles may reflect hidden motives. While smiling is important in many professions, what guarantees a sincere and heartfelt smile. When genuine, a smile has warmth and lights up the face.
Sandra Vercellono
My sister and I were talking last week about the aspect of waiting. When I think about our fast society from instant communication to instant food, I thought about this point in relation to God. When we pray for specific things and it does not seem that God hears us, it is called waiting.
I believe that maybe we are under the impression that God is an instant God. He very well may be in the terms of answers because He gives us one of three different answers for prayers. It is either yes, no, or wait. Some may beg to differ and that is fine. I just wanted to focus on the wait answer. Waiting means trusting. When you trust God to provide the best for you, then you wait in peace. You know the answer will come on time because God is an on-time God. As matter of fact, He epitomizes perfect timing.
Waiting means growing, developing character and patience. The Word says be anxious for nothing. You just can’t wait for something and when you finally get it, the anxiety may have changed the flavor of receiving it. By that I mean, it may turn out to be different than your expectation.
Waiting means you have learned the art of appreciation. When you can honestly wait for something, not be anxious or worried, but know that receiving what God has for you will bless you, there is a level of enjoyment, appreciation and thankfulness that you feel in your soul when you get it.
Waiting in line is often viewed as a waste of time for some of us. We get hurried by the things we call life. But life is supposed to be enjoyed. Standing in line can mean saying hello and encouraging a stranger. Never know who might need a kind word, a smile, or just a moment to feel that they matter.
Waiting for that spouse can mean taking the time to prepare for them. Allow God to direct you, heal you , change you or any other element that is relevant to you and be prepared when you meet your spouse. Waiting means preparing for the opportunity to not only get blessed, but more to be a blessing. Waiting means living and growing and enjoying this life. Wait is actually a verb, you know and calls for action. Waiting for a big break, wait in motion.
Sandra R. Vercellono
God does know who you are. He knows what you need and what you need to do. Stay focused on the opportunity He has given you and quit looking at circumstances. You need to be writing. Write when you do not feel like it and more when you do. This is about change. The transition period can sometimes be in the trenches up to your waist in the mundane aspects. Where do you go from here?
Paul was an awesome man of God and the Scriptures that talk about being content with a little or a lot are not just talking about material things. When we are called to change by choice, or by circumstance, sometimes we end up in the trenches. That does not mean we made the wrong choice. Just means we are in the trenches. How do you get out? Realize where you are. If you are lost, acknowledge where you are to be found.
There are so many things I need to know and want to know about writing. Beyond the actual act of writing, I must remember that I can only take in so much at once. As I write to you, I talk to myself and clarify what obstacles lie in the road. Acknowledging the things that need to be moved, changed, or eliminated gives me clarity. Clarity gives me hope. Hope motivates me, and wha la! Here I am, writing to inspire, to encourage, to motivate, to assist, to inform, to make a statement, to hone my craft, to make a living, to glorify God, to understand myself, to move forward, to get out of the trenches.
Sandra R. Vercellono
Friday, was my last day at the retail store and was a very interesting one. I was excited! Not because I was leaving the job but excited about what God is doing in my life. I was told there were not enough hours to keep me working. This job was supposed to be a way to generate enough income with the other income avenues to pay the bills while I develop in this new area of writing. But, it wasn’t available to keep. The excitement of trusting God for what’s coming next is what made it interesting. I realize there may be some challenges ahead but none that can or will overtake God. My focus is to be on the writing and seeking the avenues that are purposeful in developing this area. My mind needs to be on Jesus. “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3, NKJV). My post today is basically an expression of trust and really doing what needs to get done. Worry and fret impair the ability to get things done. When I think of what God has already done in me, for me, and through me, there is no justification for not trusting Him. This year has brought some difficult things in my life. Major change, emotional upheaval, loss of income and residence, and loss of relationship have been some. But in the midst of these challenges, good and positive things have come as well. Strength and vision, determination, and most important, a new level of trust in God. I know that others are going through trying times as well, I am certainly not the only one. But God has shown me that He’s here. “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Joshua 1:5 NKJV). He knows the intimate details of my life and with all that I’ve gone through, I’m still here. Certainly not because I’m superwoman, but because I serve a super God.
Sandra R. Vercellono
Today as I write, I have a better understanding of the balancing act, and that is prioritizing. I decided that no matter what I do, God has to come first. Being nudged by the Spirit for postponing my devotion, I decided that postponing devotion is not properly balancing. I wrote ten articles yesterday, took my son to school, then had to return and take him a change of clothing, then had to work at Goodwill from four o’clock to ten o’clock. I did take time to read the daily message from “The Utmost for His Highest” after getting to work and on my break. I prayed on the way to work and talked to God. My point in recapping my day is that my acknowledgment for God came toward the end.
The Word of God talks about exalting God. What does that mean, to “exalt?” A combination of the definitions include to elevate in rank, honor, character, or quality. The synonyms listed include promote, dignify, or glorify. The archaic definition is to praise. My point in the word descriptions is understanding what it means. I realized that exalting God means putting Him first; not last on my list of things to do. To elevate is to put in the forefront. In truly balancing this balancing act, God has to come first. So, today, writing this post comes after having read my devotion, that was excellent by the way. I did the “Day by Day Grace” from the Blue Letter Bible site (www.blueletterbible.org) yesterday. Sometimes I read the daily message from “The Utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chambers. Other times, I get comfortable and get my Word. Nothing can be more important that putting God first. His peace and His direction for my life and my children are the intangible values that make me feel alive. Isaiah 26:9 “With my soul I have desired You in the night, Yes, by my spirit within me I will seek You early.” (The NKJV of the Holy Bible)
My point is this, each of has a personal relationship through Jesus Christ. Mine compels me to put Him first.
Have a blessed day in the Lord!
Sandra Vercellono
I thought about this post yesterday when driving to pick my daughter up from work. Gratitude and appreciation fill my heart today as God continues to prove His faithfulness and love. Writing is a passion of mine and He has opened the door. Of course, it is His gift to me. The Word of God says that your gift will make room for you. You may be asking how this is related to the subject. When things are chaotic, and you really can’t figure out what direction to take, it’s time to stop, take inventory, and proceed with knowledge and wisdom. The knowledge of truth and wisdom comes from God.
Well, a few weeks ago I attended a service that talked about being aligned with God. This Pastor spoke about receiving strange instruction from God. In his review of the Scriptures, he brought to our attention several instances that showed when the children of God called upon Him in challenging situations, He gave strange instruction. I preface with this because many times when we finally get to that place when we are aligned with God, He has given us strange instruction. It’s not the typical “what I would do in this situation” instruction. It’s what He wants us to do in the situation. Strange instruction may seem just that to onlookers but being in alignment with God is more important that making sure someone understands exactly what’s going on. Many times, we don’t even understand every element of what God is doing.
As I write, and praise God for new paid writing assignments, it has taken me quite a bit of time to be rightly aligned with God. I’ve tried doing my own thing for so long and trying to figure it out, I kept missing the mark. God didn’t withhold blessings but the fulness and richness of His blessing was amiss. I don’t say this lightly and don’t want it to be construed in the wrong way. But, if you evaluate situations that have occurred in your lifetime, check and see which of those had the fullness and richness of God’s blessing. We walk this journey sometimes accepting that we will just get by, and that God will give us enough strength for the next step or carry us sometimes. And, then, there are those times that His richness and fullness brings tears to the eyes because you cannot get this from anyone but Him, your Creator. He fills your heart with His love for you when you realize that He knows the most intimate details about you and fills the needs of those details. Today I praise God! Praise Him with me.
Sandra Vercellono
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