Monday, June 23, 2008

So many

So many of you to thank. Lots of you have sent me emails...it means so much and makes me happy to know you are encouraged or inspired or just laugh and cry along with me on this Nitty.Gritty. journey through life.
God is Real.
I think there just aren't enough people sharing their stories of how Real He is, and therefore mine looks pretty amazing or incredible or even 'unbelievable' for some people. So thank you for many of you for contacting me and sharing how God is real in your life. There is so much "fluff" and meaningless stuff out in the world- from the media to people not living authentic lives and lots of messages come at us that sometimes it's hard to know what to believe.
I am grateful to be learning that I do know and hear Truth and am seeking each day to understand it more fully and to have God be even more real to me. He is blessing me as I call out to Him. Some of you made mention of my 'deep faith' and even wished you had such a thing. I am here to tell you that it is not unique to me. It is free and available to anyone who calls on the name of the Lord. God will hear you. He is knocking on your heart's door and waiting for you to come to Him.
When is the last time you cried out to Him?
Have you wondered about God's purpose and plan for your life?
Do you believe you can have as much Joy and Hope as Christ has?
You can.
And it's free to all who seek Him.
I hope, if anything, that my life and words occasionally make you want to know Him more deeply- more fully- more passionately.
He is worth whatever you have to give up inorder to find Him.
I'm no saint and I certainly don't have all the answers.
But I continue to seek and I am humbled and appreciative that so many of you are seeking Him too and find my stories encourage you on this journey.
Thank you for coming alongside me- even anonymously or unknowingly often times. I was moved by how many of you wrote to me for the first time. I am still reading your emails and hope to respond to as many as I can! You have encouraged me. I would love to chat with you over a Starbuck's or bowl of carrot cake ice cream. You sound so nice and interesting and many of you have been broken in this world too. I would love to listen to your stories, and I'm sure that I would find God being real to you too.
I'm grateful that Truth always has a way of touching people and I will never be ashamed of sharing my story and my convictions as long as I know they come from my heart...that they are true. Thanks for many words of encouragement. I appreciate you and them!

11 comments:

Carla said...

Hi Jody,
I have been reading your blog for a few months now.
I truly enjoy reading when you post! I haven't read the older posts, yet. You'll never be able to please all your readers, so just be you!!
Sure wish I could find that Carrot Cake Ice Cream!! Not in our local Wal-Marts!
You have such a beautiful family!! Feel free to visit me at eightisenoughfornow.blogspot. com

Anonymous said...

Hi Jody,

Glad to see you're back and just as True as ever. Thank you for sharing.

Lisa

Mere said...

Another fabulous post! I'm walking with God and have been for as long as I can remember! He is AMAZING! Glad to see you're posting again!

Love, Mere

Michelle said...

Carrot cake ice cream???!!!! Where do I find that? (You know, to focus on the important things...)

Jody said...

Michelle~
The Carrot Cake IceCream I found was at our Wal-mart...their "Great Value" brand. And it is good. If you'd rather, just come on over in about an hour or so. I'll have warm banana bread out of my oven to share with you. =)
And yes...sometimes life IS about the 'little' important stuff.
Good luck tracking down the ice cream!
And thanks for the comments from all of you.

sarah, rsm said...

Jody,

Keep on keeping on!

Blessings,
Sarah

http://acomfortablecupoftea.blogspot.com

Kelly said...

Jody,
Thank you just doesn't seem like enough to say for helping my faith to grow. However, thank you is all I have. So from a friend and sister in Christ keep up the good work! :)

Anonymous said...

Jody - with so many things in this world of no substance, I find your honesty and ability to share very refreshing! I also find my faith get stronger when I see how God is working in your life.

Your children will feel blessed as they grow up to find their mom to "be real", and it will help them to be better able to express themselves rather than be molded into what the "world" wants them to be.

Thank you for being a blessing and inspiration to those of us who read regularly!

Dawn said...

I enjoy your blog and appreciate you being real. Your family is beautiful. I enjoy reading your stories about Teagan. She is truly an angel in Heaven.

Tenille Rauls said...

I, as so many have said, ventured your way from Audrey's site. How blessed I have been because of that simple click. Your honesty and openess is so refreshing. Thank you. May God bless you for allowing God to use you in such a public domain. Tenille Rauls
http://tenille.blogplot.com

Dean Tipper Diva said...

It is with such ease that you allow the message of salvation to flow. So often we worry about nonsensical things like being politically correct...when what people really need to know it that JESUS SAVES. And that there is power in His name, healing in the hem of His garment, and unconditional love for His children.

May God continue to bless you!!!

(If I can drop about 20 more pounds, I'm going to have to try that carrot cake ice cream!)