This JESUS thing

You know, I’ve been doing this JESUS thing for a long time. This relying on the SAVIOR in times of smiles and frowns…

I have caught up to my granny’s words, “Just keep saying good morning.” I can hear my mother saying, “Trust God.” I can see my Uncle singing songs exalting the name of the Lord with a genuine heart. I can hear pastors of my youth covering me with lessons to apply; now I have lived a few of the tests.
The teacher will always test the knowledge they have given you. The greatest of them all (The Father), is no different in His assessment. He’s given me things to be faithful over, like a salary and multiple streams of income. He’s given me stewardship over a house and a truck. He’s given me multiple gifts and talents, and watched how careful I handled them. He’s planted seeds in the people around me that become the garden of blessings that never wither. He’s groomed me and pruned me; some don’t call anymore, come by, or even recall me anymore. He’s shed some unnecessary weight called guilt, built up a muscle called respect, molded character, and polished humility in me. For that, I have learned to apply obedience, when I didn’t want to. I have created this habit called paying my tithes. I have endured the troubled waters, and went back to float someone else through the bog. I have looked at spirits and spoke the blood of Jesus in their midst. I have prayed through storms, surgeries, depressions, recessions, marriages, births, transitions, smiles, tears, bitterness, and joy. I have witnessed and I have hid in His hand.

God has been good to me. I have stood, fallen, gotten back up, crawled, laid out, and crumpled under the care of the Most High. I don’t do all the things I used to do. I have changed. I acknowledge that this life isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. I know that God had a plan for Jeremiah and He has one for me. If Hadassah can deal with a Persian King, and still carry out a mission for the kingdom, I can stand up in a world that doesn’t agree with me. I still have attitude adjustments to make and I have room to grow, but I am on my way. You have a story, whether you tell it now or later… someone needs to know that it’s possible to overcome. This isn’t the end.. it’s only the beginning. My sis, Tonia Bivens, read a post from 2009 that popped back up on her TL. I was shocked by reading my own words. I’ve been walking this road with Jesus a long time… He’s been ALL THAT to me.

Ivy Out