From a Nobody to Somebody

Endings are so bittersweet.....

Yesterday was our final meeting for the study of Esther. Can you believe it??!!?? We have journeyed with God for nine weeks and it seems like only yesterday we began.

I am very appreciative and humbled at the fact that 7 busy women dedicated 9 weeks to study the Bible with me.....a simple, goofy nobody.

Let me tell you what God did with this simple, goofy, nobody.

He gave me strength. He gave me encouragement. He gave me wisdom. He gave me love.

Like Esther, I have often thought that I could do nothing. But I've come to realize that I am where I am for such a time as this. I never thought that I could lead a Bible study. I've never really felt like a leader. But with God's wisdom and strength, I was able to do this. Through my rambling, I tried to relay what He was telling me. On the days where I was tired, worn out, and unmotivated, God gave me the comforting words of Beth Moore and these women to encourage me to keep on moving. His mighty word touched my heart each and every way possible. I felt His amazing love through His word and the fellowship of these women.

God chose me.
He chose me to be the wife of Jeffrey.
He chose me to be the mother of Colin and Carson.
He chose me to be the teacher of the students in my room.
He chose me to be the leader of this study.
He chose me to be me.... a simple, goofy, Daughter of the King....an Esther.

Eternal
Sister
Through
His
Everlasting
Reign

God chose me.

You know, He chose you too. He chose you to be His. He chose you and has a wonderful plan for your life. God doesn't promise you that it will be easy. He doesn't promise you sunny skies along the way, but God does promise you that He will be with you along the way.

As I finished this study, I was reminded over and over again that God is in control. If I make a mess of myself and my situation, He can fix it. I just have to allow Him. I have to trust Him. I have to surrender all. I have to believe.

I believe in the sun, even when it is not shining.
I believe in love, even when I do not feel it.
I believe in God, even when He is silent.
(Author Unknown)

I believe I am not a nobody. I am somebody to someone because of what God has planned for me.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13

Welcome

Ok, thanks to my friend Kim, I have become quite addicted to reading blogs. So, for the last few months, I've been going back and forth about starting my own. What would I say? Who would read it? Do I have time? Well, a few nights ago, God told me I wasn't going to start a blog if I didn't spend more time with Him. I agreed. After all, He is most important.

So, I decided to start a study group. My mother-in-law got me Esther: Its Tough Being a Woman by Beth Moore for Christmas. With my kids being sick and me going back to work, I hadn't found time to get started on it. Let me add that I was totally intimidated by the book. I thumbed through it several times and just felt overwhelmed. The other day, I called my BFF Hilarie and asked her if she would like to do the study with me. She agreed and our group of two has grown to six.

I decided to go ahead and start my blog to go along with the study. I will share with you how God speaks to me through this study and through our group gatherings. Please PRAY for us as we journey through this. I am excited about spending time with these special ladies.


On another note.....
This morning, I woke up to lots of ICE. It was beautiful! The first thing I saw was a tree branch falling across the street. I thought of how God works to mold us. Our lives are so busy. I should know....a mother of two, a wife, a teacher, a soccer mom (who thanks to my husband was voted to be the 4yr old soccer commissioner), a Relay for Life team captain and committee member, writing cluster leader (ultimately responsible for all those 4th grade writing portfolios - YUCK)....and my list goes on. I'm as guilty as anyone when it comes to stopping and LISTENING to God. Yes, I talk to him, but LISTENING is not my best strong suit. I'm getting better. Anyway, because we are so busy, we don't listen to God. We don't allow Him to mold us into what HE wants us to become. Sometimes we must be "frozen" like those trees and have Him break off our weak branches. We need to slow down and let Him work. (oh, another branch just fell)

Now, why the title A Life Worth Living? I honestly love my life. NO! It is not perfect, but it is mine and God has definitely blessed me. Throughout my entries, I'll tell you about some of those many blessings. God chose me. He has a plan for me, for my husband, and my children. He put us together for a reason. Everything I am, everything I have is because of HIM. My life is a wonderful life.

I pray that as I use this blog, that God may break off my weak branches to make me stronger in Him. I pray that my words would inspire each of you to allow God to do wonders in your lives.