Devotional for Thursday, August 18, 2016
“Living, Loving, and Releasing”
by Dona Hake
Our Lord has given us all that we need pertaining to life and godliness. Everything that we need to stand strong in spirit is within His Holy Word. He desires that we continue to grow, prosper, and move forth with spiritual vitality. When we come to those dark valleys He has promised to walk through them with us. Even in the darkest of times He is right there instructing our way.
Today I will share with you about a particular time of my life in which I saw the Lord strengthen my heart in a great way. I can still remember the day I stood watching my two little next door neighbor girls playing in their backyard. They were like three and five years old. A few tears streamed down my face as I began to reminisce when my sons were that little. The “empty nest” thing was trying to get me down. One of my sons was now married and the other was serving our country. It seemed like yesterday that they were only little boys and people would walk up to me in a store and say “Enjoy them, because they grow up all too fast!” Wow! was that ever true.
I can also remember the day that God helped me see that we all have chapters in our life, and as one chapter ends another exciting one begins, and He desires that we walk into it with joy in our hearts. The joy that touched my heart upon seeking His help made me determined that the “empty nest” syndrome was having no place in my heart or mind! As for myself I can say life is about first of all loving and serving God. He desires that we enjoy each moment, love those around us, and also release them to be all that God wants them to be. I am so thankful for the young men that I proudly call my sons!
When we realize that God has a plan for us and all those that we love, we can rest and enjoy our lives as He intended. It is so awesome to know that God has a special and unique plan for each of us. He is not finished until we take our last breath either. Yes, life has it’s pain that we all have to walk through, yet He has promised to be there and keep us strong if we trust in Him. Let us think about how we can love, grow and continue to release in this life. God is ever preparing us for growth and new chapters.
Philippians 1:6 (TLB)
“And I am sure that God who began the good work within you will
keep right on helping you grow in his grace until his task within
you is finally finished on that day when Jesus Christ returns.”
