Saturday, August 19, 2006

What is it about her anyway?

Earlier today I was torn away from the computer to give my kids some morning lovin' and get them breakfast. I had kind of gotten sidetracked in my blogpost anyway, so now I am back trying to bring back my original thoughts and make sense of them for you to read.
I was humbled, once again, when earlier in the week I started getting emails from people via Carrie {Colbert} Batt's blog. She and I met at my awesome scrap event in Birmingham back in April. We talked maybe 10-15 minutes, snapped a photo together and I remember thinking how I could never imagine being her- tall, smart, beautiful, young and seemingly had life all figured out.
Anyway, she blogged some really nice things about me, and I am grateful to her for that. I didn't beg her to say those things, there was no exchange of money...nothing like that. I did however, earlier in the week, pray and ask God for my blog to touch someone who needed to hear a word from Him. I asked God to use me for His purpose. And do you know what? The next day I opened my inbox and had more than one note answering this prayer I had just prayed.
I don't know why I find it amazing. I mean, I should totally expect that God would do something so simple- such as my blog. I mean, in the past He has used burning bushes, floods, giant fish, small loaves of bread, blindness, prostitues, tax collectors, donkeys, angels, and even rods and snakes to make Himself known. So, why I should I be surprised that in this century, He even uses words on a computer screen?
My point is that I want to make it perfectly clear, that I am not the one responsible for who I am and how I have been able to respond to the difficulties in my life. I have had a personal relationship with God, who has held me together when my world was falling apart. He has shown grace and mercy and given me more blessings than I deserve. I have a hope that there is something beyond this life that He has waiting for me someday. If it were not for my faith and this hope, life would simply be a cruel hoax.
Instead, I have found that God is true to His promises- offering me comfort and peace and joy in my life, despite my doubts, anger and hurt. He has taken the brokeness of my life and transformed it into something that makes me look good most of the time. =)
I know that not everyone shares this same faith that has sustained me in life's most trying times. I know that life still has some rough spots ahead...just as it holds for many of you. It may be financial struggles, relationship issues, or physical conditions that strike to the very core of your heart and mind. And yet, I believe that it is at times such as these, that God wants us to hand Him all our problems. I think He wants us to realize there is nothing we are able to do about these things on our own. When we recognize this need, and then hand Him the problems we are facing, the questions we are asking, and the pain that we are feeling, it is in these things that He makes Himself clear. Perfectly clear...if we are willing to seek Him with our whole heart.
That is what you see in me. {I hope.} That when I had nothing but pain and hurt and anger and bitterness and emptiness to offer this world and those around me, THAT is when God began to pour Himself out into me and make me something totally different.
I am constantly seeking to become more of that. I choose to ask God for all that He can be in and through me. Anything good that you see in me, comes not from anything I could have said or done on my own. It comes only from being willing to be a vessel for God to be seen in me. That's what my faith is about. I encourage you, if you don't share this faith, or if what I am writing creates more questions for you, that you will simply ask God to make Himself known in your life. If you have hurt, anxieties, challenges, or any issue consuming your thoughts and clouding your joy, I urge you to hand them all to God. Ask Him to hold you and your mess, and I promise you that you too, will be amazed at what God can do- just by piecing the broken parts of you back together.

16 comments:

becky said...

Jody -
Your words of faith and encouragement have pointed my eyes in the right direction more than once...thank you for being a faithful signpost, pointing me (and so many others!) to the One who is my Life and my All. I'm praying for you this weekend as you speak, that God will give you the words to say to point others to the source of your Hope in the midst of incredibly trying circumstances!

Anonymous said...

Hiya Jody~
Who could've said that better? You have such a way with words. A way that makes me feel like God has taken me by the collar ,sat me down and said "listen to this!" You inspire me to be a better person and to think about things that most busy people don't stop to think about. I admire you also for not being afraid to show your Faith in your blog. I truly believe that God is using you as a tool and thank Him for showing me your blog! You have been such an inspiration to me! =)
God bless you ~
Tammy in Michigan

somebody,somewhere said...

o.k., I was getting TOTALLY stressed! I check your blog DAILY (sometimes, several times daily), and for SOME STRANGE, cyber-related reason, I am sure, from the post about the coffee-flavored bars until today (Saturday, the 19th), NO posts showed up!!!!! YIKES, I wondered where you had been - so here i am, way past bedtime, catching up! :) Love all the pictures, can't decide WHAT color is the best, feel like I'd need to know you a little more to REALLY decide - I like the softness of the pink though! :) I need to get photoshop, no, wait, maybe I don't, I HAVE to sleep SOMETIME! :) Thanks, Jody for your always encouraging words, the LORD is truly using you to encourage and inspire others - thanks for being HIS vessel :)

Anonymous said...

Amen, Jody, amen! God can use anyone, any circumstance and any situation - and isn't it fantastic when you pray for direction and ask to be used - and He answers? You're so brave and amazing to share your story, and your faith. So inspiring.

Dede Warren said...

there is something about you and your blog i connect with. i am glad your here. sometimes i read and laugh, other times i cry. sometimes for you and what you've been thru and sometimes for myself for the same reasons. i am not a praying person, as i usually do it with the wrong motives, unwillingly, but i am thankful for you. and for my finding your blog! you bring what faith i have to the surface. thanks!

Anonymous said...

Jody...found your story and your blog through Mary Ann Perry's blog on Scrapbook.com. Tears in my eyes reading your story...makes me want to go in and hug my kids close to my heart...and never let them go.

Thank you for your inspiration, your story, your witness. I love that you are a scrapbooker and will definitely be adding you to my scrapper blogroll!

God bless you my friend.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your blessings with all of us.

Unknown said...

Hi Jody! I have been reading your blog now for about six months. I don't know how I originally stumbled upon it, but I was immediately drawn to your story about your daughter. I am a scrapbooker too, but I am not yet a mom and I have not yet had to go through the pain of losing someone close. However, I have been thinking alot about my life and honestly, been scared for the day that I do lose someone, like I have been living in fear. I hate living in fear but it helps so much to read stories like yours. I know someday I will have to go through difficult times of losing someone, and I don't feel ready. I don't think I could ever really be ready. But God is there, I just need to remember that. I am going to continue reading your blog because you are so inspiring in your faith.
Thanks so much for sharing with all of us your touching story!

Anonymous said...

I have been reading Carries blog for awhile now. I have never left a remark on any of the blogs that I read. I hesitated the other day to say thank you for sharing your thoughts and talking about the really hard things that have happend to you. Thank you! Today I realized that you have helped me to see that even though my life is really hard right now, I need to keep trusting in God and his plan for my husband, and give all my worries over to him. Your Blog has truly helped me and blessed me.

Anonymous said...

your blog is so honest and open-i totally agree thqt we are all vessels. if we can touch someone with god's word and help them in their walk-that is the best gift we cab give another soul.

Kari said...

Jody-

Thank you for your important words once again. I have been struggling with my faith in the last 10 years and I am looking for the path that suits me and now that I have a 3-year old, I want him to know and love God. I feel so connected with you and your blog...you have been my saving grace and I thank you.

kari

Anonymous said...

I must say that I am one of those individuals that found you via Stacy. Oh my did I need to see your site today of all days. I have just spent the weekend really bickering with my children I have a 12 yr old and a 3 yr old, that seem to be fighting constantly lately and driving me crazy too. It is so easy to get caught up in the right now and not think of the long term picture. I can't imagine, nor do I hope to ever have to endure the emotional and physical tragedy you have suffered. I applaud you for taking tragedy and making you life positive. You gave me just the kick in the backside I needed today to let me know what is important. Thanks.

becky said...

Oops...
You were probably thinking, "What is she talking about?" My source was off by a week...but I was still praying for you yesterday (and will do so next Sunday, too!). Blessings...

Anonymous said...

I too found your blog through Carrie Colberts blog and I just wanted you to know how deeply touched I was by what I have read. My family went through a tragic loss many years ago and were blessed with the same peace that you described. I want to thank you for reminding me to enjoy my children each day and to take the time to spend quality time with them too. I have three children and it is easy to get caught up in day to day frustrations and forget what is really important but today I was reminded and I want you to know how grateful I am. I hope that you continue to feel peace. Thank you again! Lori

Anonymous said...

Beautifully put, sista. :)

Anonymous said...

As one of those who found you through Carrie (and was up until 2am last night, reading all your past blog entries so I could learn about you, what happened, and how you have survived since), for some reason, I have connected to something about you. I wish I had your faith. I know I couldn't get through what you did without it.