Fulfilling My Destiny

Good morning! It is a rainy Wednesday morning here but I am thankful for another day! Although the sun isn't shining it's ok because I know that Spring is here and in order to get to the "sunny" days we have to go through the "rain/storms" to get to those beautiful, warm summer days and nights! Spring is evident by the buds on the trees, the chirping of the birds, neighbors taking advantage of the warm weather (even though it may be temporary!) and walking together as a family and just the overall sense that the early darkness of evening will soon turn to beautiful sunsets! Seems like a metaphor of life, doesn't it?! Sometimes it seems like we're overwhelmed by the "rains" in our lives but I am learning to look at them in a different way. I am learning that "rain" is also a way of cleansing, nurturing & growth!

Everyday I get an email from Bill & Marsha Burns. Marsha writes daily motivation emails with references to scriptures for women. I have been receiving them for quite some time now and have been absolutely blown away by how close to my heart and circumstances they have been. Until recently I had just read them and thought, well yeah, that's great and it does seem like she's speaking directly to me, but until I started this journey of changing my life I never really tried to take action in applying her advice to my life. If you don't mind I would love to share today's entry with you:

Small Straws In A Soft Wind by Marsha Burns - March 19, 2008: I speak to you, my people, and tell you that I see you in your dilema. I know your heart when you feel as though you have no place and do not fit. I understand your sense of isolation, for you are not going through anything that I Myself have not endured. Yet, you will also fulfill your destiny as I fulfilled Mine. Do not fear that you will be forsaken because I am with you always and will not leave you alone, say the Lord. Be courageous and stand strong, for you will soon find your niche. Take heart, and rejoice. It will be as though you, as a piece of the puzzle, will be put in place.

Wow and DOUBLE WOW!! Fulfilling our destiny. Only God knows what my destiny is but I am so looking forward to walking with Him and fulfilling my role in this journey of life!

I have been reading in Proverbs for my daily devotionals and have been so drawn to two specific words that are written over and over, wisdom (followed with prudence) and knowledge (followed with discretion). After reading about how important it is for us to have wisdom and knowledge I decided that I needed to look up the definitions of these words so that I would fully understand their meaning and how to apply them to my life. Once again, WOW!

Definitions from Webster online:

Wisdom: Ability to discern inner qualities and relationships. A wise attitude, belief or course of action.

Prudence: The ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason. Skill and good judgment in the use of resources. Caution or circumspection as to danger or risk.

Knowledge: The fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or association. The fact or condition of being aware of something. The sum of what is known: the body of truth, information, and principles acquired by humankind.

Discretion: Ability to make responsible decisions.

Now I understand why they go hand in hand! What good is knowledge if we don't have wisdom in how to use that knowledge and what good is prudence if we don't have the discretion to discipline ourselves and apply good judgment to our lives?

Many of you know that this past year has been a particularly difficult year for me and my family but as I sit here and reflect I realize that many of our choices were made without using any of these qualities. So much heartache that could have been avoided however, had we not made the choices we made we wouldn't have learned and grown from them and we would not have been stronger as a family. It is in times like these that can either make or break you and times like these that bring you to a place inside yourself where you learn and discover just what you are made of. So, I choose to look at this past year as one of learning and growing, one that has made me stronger in every aspect of my life. I can't go back and change it and you know, I have decided that I wouldn't if I could because then I would never have known myself as I do today!

Ok, so it has been another one of those amazingly lengthy blogs and I apologize, I just have so much that I want to discover, so much that I want to share, so much living to do! Thank you all for being patient with me and for allowing me to pour out my heart to you!

I will end with an update on the family. Jeff, Bri and Taylor are doing great. Bri was supposed to have a softball game last night but due to the rain it was cancelled. Taylor did a wonderful job on his homeschool work again. Mom wasn't feeling the best yesterday. She never complains but I could hear it in her voice. I was looking through some pictures last night of the American Red Cross event where Taylor was inducted into the Wall of Fame and I saw pictures of my precious Mommy and Daddy. They are beautiful to me! My heart broke as I looked at them because on one hand, the physical condition that Daddy was in was absolutely AMAZING but on the other hand seeing how great he looked then compared to now, well, there is no comparison. Looking at Mommy, you can see the toll that all of those long, vigorous days she spent with Daddy in the hospital had taken on her. You can see the exhaustion in her precious face. But, once again, NEVER a complaint! And my children, well, I just couldn't believe how little they were! Seems like only a few months ago! Oh, how the time flies!

Mom, when I finally grow up, I want to be just like you! :)

Until tomorrow,
Beth