Wednesday, June 4, 2008

My Socks Are Off

Brought To Tears...
Humbled...Wow...
In Shock...Speechless...In Awe...
These were potential titles to this blog because they are my feelings right now. My mind is pondering how to even compose this post without making it a book.

As I checked out some of the postings of my regular blog friends, to my surprise God knocked my socks off, indeed! As I traveled to
Mama Mia’s, I was kind of puzzled to see the heading of her post, “A Sweet Pea.” It was odd to see my blog name on there but I automatically assumed she was going to talk about something one of her three girls did. My eyes caught the title of my blog in the middle of her post and I was dumbfounded. I refocused back to read and capture all of her words.

I am truly HUMBLED. I am honored. I thought God had showered me abundantly yesterday through comments on my blog and also emails from friends, but WOW. It's like He was saying "MY Child, you are talented, you are blessing others, you are ministering in My Name, you are a glorifying Me, you are special and loved, you do have a beautiful heart." THEN, for someone to devote a whole posting to me...little ol' me…a heart of gratitude for me being a blessing to her. Not only that but Mia is making her way through all of my posts. She’s taking the time to read ALL of them. Wow!

I do not say this to make light of what others have done for me or expressed to me about my impact on them. I know that I have been a blessing to many that I will never know. To be honored and told such things in this magnitude and in this chapter of my life, that is what is amazing to me.

NEVER in my wildest dreams did I think I would have an opportunity to write and to do it FOR God.
NEVER in my wildest dreams did I think I would be such a blessing to someone in such a spiritual way.

NEVER in my wildest dreams did I think I would make such an impression and impact on so many people.
NEVER in my wildest dreams did I think I would feel God’s love, blessing, and approval through this blog.
NEVER in my wildest dreams did I think I would begin to feel so much purpose and ministry for God in MY life.

I am not worthy of His love, His favor, His mercy, His grace, His compassion but He gives it anyway and I am eternally grateful! I cannot express what the last two days have done for me. As in my post on "Donkey & Dirt, Huh?", never would I think just one short week later I would feel what I do now. God yanked me out of that terrible pit on that holiday weekend and He is now just lavishing me with His love and blessing. His presence CONSUMES my heart!

I have for so long, longed to be used by God in a ministry. I believe He is showing me the way. This blog may just be a phase or a stepping stone for something much greater in the future. I relish in the opportunity I have before me right now. For years, others have told me I have the gift of encouragement as I am known to sends cards for all ocassions or give gifts sporadically. I am now really beginning to see the fruit of that spiritual gift. Plus it’s only been in the last three years or so that I have discovered my love for writing and especially about the Lord!

I think I am still in shock. Wow. MY socks have been knocked off. One of my friends a month or so ago said that God was going to knock my socks off. Boy, did He ever, through Mia and so many others. I think I’m truly beginning to understand, this is only the beginning of Him continuing to knock my socks off! I'll have to show my perty pink toes to everyone, huh?

Wow. I am speechless...well not really as you can tell above.

Shall I say my cup runneth over? I already said that yesterday but now, it really is!

I would like to include Mama Mia's
post for those who may not have time to travel over there or those who are reading this by email. Plus, I would like to have this permanent reminder in my own blog. I keep my postings in a file in hopes of possibly one day God allowing me to write a devotional.

I encourage you to visit her site here as she is a blessing! I am blessed to call her a dear friend.

Tuesday, June 03, 2008
A Sweet Pea
Posted by Mia at 7:11 PM

What's the best thing to do with a blessing? Pass it around. I read a few blogs, every one of them bless me in different ways. One in particular has touched my heart because when I really NEEDED it....I found it. I have been going through a spiritual slump in the past few months. Of course when you think God has gone somewhere its always YOU who has moved. I needed a boost, a recharging of the batteries if you will. Then out of nowhere a very sweet gal left a comment on my blog. As the old story goes...I followed the link to her blog and WOW!! I have some wind in my spiritual sails. His Ways Are Not Our Ways has become my daily devotional. I am working my way through back posts and its blessing my socks off!!! Paula (Sweet Pea) has a way of drawing all and any attention in her blog so it aims right at the Lord. From the beautiful flowers, to meaningful quotes, encouraging scripture to the big pink daisy that greets you when you get there....it’s just SO uplifting! Not only just a feel-good blog it is thought provoking and challenges the reader to "do" for God also. Please visit Paula as soon as you can. I really feel God led her to write this blog and I for one am so glad He did!!

As tears swell in my eyes once more, I can only say I am truly humbled. I am so unworthy of this opportunity yet I praise my sweet Jesus for this. I seriously cannot put into words the depth of what this has done to my heart and what Jesus has done to my heart. I want to shout to Him!

Thank you, MY precious Lord for loving me, for extending such mercy and grace to me, when at times I have failed miserably for you. I have brought shame on You but you have covered me in Your love and forgiveness. You are the God of second chances. May every single moment of the rest of my life be FOR YOU, Lord. May every breath I take be for Your glory. I love you so, Lord, oh how I love You.

Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. 1 Chronicles 16:8
(This says it all and is the purpose of this post)
I thank my God every time I remember you. Philippians 1:3

(I'm thankful for EACH of you.)

His Servant Forever,

18 comments:

valerie said...

Paula,
That is a very sweet post!
I can feel how much that meant and I would have felt the same way.
One of the many things I have enjoyed about this blog is the way other ladies have been so encouraging. It's pretty amazing to not even know someone or in some cases not ever even seen a picture of the person and still feel so deeply for what they are going through.
You do have a very special gift of writing and for encouraging others.
When you start to feel insecure...just hop into the Word and let satan know what God says about you! :)
Thanks for the post on my blog.
We have Hobby Lobby's near my town. I think the closest one is about 25 miles. YES...I love going there too. My daughter got married in '06 and we spent about every weekend there. Great place!
I have decided not to use the accent piece for the back wall with the other tile. I was having a hard time at Lowe's that day and then just looking at it...it didn't match. Plus, it's going to save us quite a bit of money not doing that extra part. I will get pictures on here when I get it all fixed up!
Have a great day!
Love,
Valerie

Kelley said...

I agree with Mia 100%. You are a special blessing to many! It is true that your blog points the reader directly to God and everything you write is an encouragement to others in the LORD! I am glad that Mia seized the opportunity to lift you up....

TeriAnnElizabeth said...

Paula,
I have not read your blog yet or Mama Mia's, but I wanted you to know that I have not forgotten your request.

I have been away from the office catching up on so many things that were left undone during the school year, but most importantly - I needed time with My Father - all day quality and quanity time. I missed HIM.

Before nursing school, after my broken life was restored, I had time to spend days with HIM in HIS word and in prayer and praise all alone while HE ministered love and healing to me. I missed that and I needed it before I felt like I should be pouring out.

I want all of myself to be "not heard" and all of what HE has taught me from HIS word to come forth like fresh water on a hot, dry day.

I, have been praying for you, on my knees before the Father. I have your e-mail printed and I have placed it before HIM.

You will be first on my list of e-mails hopefully tomorrow.

I didn't want you to think your request was going unoticed. You are being lifted up in prayer and I will answer you, I promise.

Blessings and love in HIM!
Teri
p.s. I am going to read your blog as well too!

christi said...

Wow! what an honor to our Father! You ARE such a blessings to everyone who comes to read what the Lord has laid upon your heart.

Keep listening to Him!
Blessing to you!

TeriAnnElizabeth said...

Paula,
You have a gift. GOD has gifted you and because of your trials, you draw closer to HIM and there is so much more to pour out because you overflow. You are hearing your Father.

You will know what gift that is given to you for edifying the body, because it simply works. GOD's gifting works for the good of others in the body.

HE spoke to me through your blog in a place you wouldn't imagine. HE has been quietly but persistently dealing with me about eating properly and getting exercise. I have been so busy with nursing school I've been waiting....and he got more persistent...opening the eyes of my heart to Romans 12:1 when I told HIM that I needed to spend that morning time in HIS word and prayer. Yes, and.....also I needed to take care of the temple that HIS Holy Spirit dwells in as an act of worship...to HIM...not me worshipping my earthly body.

HE led me several places where I saw over and over again that it is wrong to harm our bodies by not taking proper care of it.. AND THEN YOU HIT IT!! :-) You said in the "affair post"...."late night snacking of sweets"...boy..that was a real wake up to what HE has convicted me of. AND Leslie Sanzone that is lying on the floor of my office staring at me ( I ran down to the office to pick up something).

I understand and HE is so patient with me when I need it and so persistent to the point of " I have shown you now do it".

Thanks for your obedience in using your gift for HIM!

Blessing,
Teri

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Well spoken and well deserved. Thank you for blessing the lives of so many with your many encouraging words.

peace~elaine

Shirley Mary said...

I don't think there is anything that brings more satisfaction than to feel that God has used us as a vessel for His glory. There is a song that starts out like this

"Oh, let my life to be thy praise
Oh, Father,
In all I do that thou be glorified,"

Paula, the scripture came to my mind, "He gives beauty for ashes,"
I know that some of your dreams lay at your feet in ashes but God has performed a miracle in your life and brought beauty and joy!
To God be the glory!

mary

Shirley Mary said...

Oppps! I almost forgot! Thank you for the vote on coffee beans blog!

mary

Joyful said...

Paula, the Lord truly does give us more than we can ask or imagine. Rejoicing with you. You are such an encouragement. You always bless my heart when you visit my blog and leave such thoughtful comments.

I'm guessing you'll be walking barefoot for awhile now :o)

Blessings,
Joy

godlover said...

I enjoyed you blog today as you react to a blessing! And what a blessing it was! Keep writing. God is moving in your life!

Marj
Calaveras County CA
http://gdlvr.blosspot.com

GOD'S LADIE said...

Praise GOD! How sweet and awesome! Mia is so right. Your posts are so encouraging and uplifting. You deserve this blessing. I thank GOD for allowing me to be able to read and communicate you via this blog world. Surely, you are walking in your purpose. You have been such a blessing!
May GOD continue to rain his favor upon you!
LaTonya/FL

Natalie said...

You have a wonderful way of connecting the Word with everyday situations and even through pictures. You truly had a gift for writing. I wouldn't keep coming back if it wasn't true. A recognition well deserved!

Natalie said...

I meant to write HAVE a gift for writing...not HAD.

Tracy said...

What a beautiful post! Your gratitude is truly overflowing. Isn't it precious the way God helps to connect us to these blog sisters? People we have rarely met face to face, yet there is such a bond that forms through encouraging one another. It's a beautiful thing! = ) Blessings and congratulations on this special and well-deserved honor!

Mrs.Naz@BecomingMe said...

That is so precious Paula. God is so amazing and it enabled you to touch many lives, which added blessing to your own. How beautiful!!!

Sheryl said...

Thanks for your kind words, friend! You are encouragement to so many. Who knows what God has in store for those of us who've been walking a hard road. I can hardly wait to see.

Love ya,
-Sheryl

Joyfulsister said...

I am truly rejoicing with you my sister, This is your season of healing,and allowing the Lord to use you in a mighty way. God reveals to us how in our brokeness, when we give it all to him we become pliable in his hands and we become the vessel he is molding us to be, to bring glory into his name. One thing that I have learned through my journey is that when we to learn to release what we cannot control into his hands, and take all that energy we put into our hurts, bitterness, etc and turn it around and use it to encourage someone else, he in return touches our lives in ways we could have never imagined.. To God be the Glory for that he has done and will continue to do in your life... Hugz Lorie

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