Loss

Loss....what does that word bring to your mind?   For me...it brings about tears, challenges and victories.  How can such a small word bring about so many different emotions.   

So far, in 2013, I have experienced the loss of weight...the loss of my mother...and the loss of direction and momentum in my ministry!   That's a lot of loss for just 7 months into this year!  I have handled each loss differently and have felt God's loving hand upon each experience.   

My weight loss has been a long journey that started in Oct. of 2011...losing over 100 pounds!   God's constant grace and direction showed me such new insights and purposes that made this loss such an unbelievable joy!   

Losing my mother was another loss that I just recently walked through on May 28th.   I was on the road driving to NY (a 4 day trip) to go and see her, when I got the call!   I can't begin to tell you the prayers that were going forth for my family and myself....and I felt God's presence in that car every mile that I put behind me!   This loss brought about many different types of grief through out these months...again a challenging type of loss and emotion.


Another challenge has come through feeling the loss of direction in my speaking ministry and also the changes that have been coming about in the Open Gym ministry that I have been involved in for 15 years.  I have known that I don't always handle change well and I do best when I have my agenda and list close by....so when I needed to make some changes in my ministries...I struggled deeply.   Again...God in His graciousness and love...showed me what I needed to back away from and how to redefine what He was calling me to due in this season of my life.  

So as you can see....losses come in different packages!    Our response to each loss shows how we have either invited God into that loss...or we have blocked Him out!   My hearts desire is to invite God into each loss....looking to Him for change and purpose.   Whether these losses are good or bad...God needs to be apart of each one.   There are wonderful and difficult things we need to learn in each one.

Let's look at some scriptures...
Ephesians 2:10   For we are His workmanship,  created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

James 1:17   Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above,  coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow.

Joshua 1:9   Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Ecclesiastes 3:1   For everything there is a season,  and a time for every matter under heaven:

May we all embrace our losses while nestled in the arms of our loving Heavenly Father...who sees all...knows all....and loves us with an everlasting love!