Growing Strong

Some gifts you can give this Christmas are beyond monetary value: Mend a quarrel, dismiss suspicion, tell someone, "I love you." Give something away--anonymously. Forgive someone who has treated you wrong. Turn away wrath with a soft answer. Visit someone in a nursing home. Apologize if you were wrong. Be especially kind to someone with whom you work. Give as God gave to you in Christ, without obligation, or announcement, or reservation, or hypocrisy.

Charles Swindoll

Many things happened this year that I wasn't expecting, but again I know in whom I believe and I know He watches over me....

I found out a few months ago my daughter is a lesbian, and she married another woman. I was in total shock. I never in a million years would have thought she would be in this relationship much less take it to this level. She was in the ministry with us for years and knows the Word. I don't really understand.

So you know what I did. I cried, I got some wise counsel, and took it to God, then did the only thing I could do. I chose to love her anyway. She is still my baby girl, I love her so much. I pray for her day and night, sometimes in the wee hours when I wake up. God knows and He has shown me it is for Him to work out cause I can't fix anyone or make them be who I want them to be, all I can do it pray they become who He created them to be.

I also found out this year, my other daughter and her baby boy left my son in law. She finally told me, she thought I would be disappointed. I could never be disappointed in her, when she hurts, I hurt. Thru all of this and while Chuck was home recuperating from the cancer procedure, she came over and prayed to accept Christ as her personal savior. We thought she had accepted Christ years ago as a child, but she said she had never actually prayed and asked Him into her heart.

She has since went back to her husband but at this point, it is a constant struggle for her, she is unhappy and I don't know from day to day what is going to happen. Again, I take it to the one who has the answers, that is all I can do, is pray, love her and hang in there with her.

My son I found out was going thru counseling this year and struggling with issues in his life. I thought he had everything together and everything was wonderful. He is so amazing and so loved by everyone. You never know what's behind the eyes of someone you know and love.

So as I read this quote by Charles Swindol at the front of this post, I was reminded, there are many around us hurting. Alot of times we focus on our hurt, we look inwardly, not outwardly. I have become stronger thru all my struggles..

Today, I pray for your family and for mine this year, may God be with you in the valleys and on the mountaintops!!