Hop on over to Mommies with Hope...

Thank you for visiting me today!  I pray you are filled with HOPE in the face of whatever greets you.  I want to invite you to join me over at my ministry's site, Mommies with Hope!  We are having a Monday Fun Day and you are invited...there are some great giveaways going on.  Just sayin'.  See you there!

Greeted by Gift of His Word

I had been anxious in the days leading up to this particular day; a day that held possibilities unknown, yet potential for exciting new ministry endeavors on the horizon.  To say I was nervous was an understatement.  I rested well the night before this day of meeting.  The morning, however, began differently than most others.  Typically, my mind is consumed with thoughts of tasks, deadlines, and to-do's.  Before I can even open my eyes, my brain is in overdrive as I think of all the demands that greet me each day.  


Yet this day was different...as I began to rise from my sleep, my heart was filled with eager anticipation for what the day held and and my mind was clear.  I felt a sense of peace as I transitioned from restful sleep to a refreshing morning.  I find it hard to describe, but the next thing I know I experienced an overwhelming sense of comfort and these words echoed in my mind:  "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.  Show me the way that I should go, to you I lift up my soul."  I repeated these words to myself until I was fully awake and then realized the value of this gift of His Word.  I knew these verses from previous Bible study, believed they were from Psalms, but couldn't recall the reference.  More importantly, I knew they were words for me ~ for that particular day ~ straight from Him.  


Even though I had already known the significance of His Word, this sacred experience was an epiphany of sorts for me.  You see, I usually rise up each day and have to get myself into His Word.  This day, I arose and His Word had already gotten into me!   Might we be so consumed by Him that His Word be the last thing on our minds as we rest at night and the first thing we think about as we awake each day.  


As the day drew on, I reflected on those words, His Word, over and over.  Father, you are unfailing. Lord, I trust in You.  You will show me the way.  I give this all to You.  I went about my day, doing the tasks that He had set before me, attended the meeting that I had been anxiously awaiting, and carried on with a refreshed perspective of all that He had set before me.  His Word truly is a gift; a gift to receive, embrace, and to share.  


During my ministry related lunch meeting, I shared this story of how I started my day.  I then took out my tattered bible and found these verses in Psalm 143.  The 2011 NIV translation records these truths as follows...

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.  Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life."

Psalm 143:8

...to You I entrust my life... may this be our heart's cry!  First, for the salvation of our souls and secondarily for each and every detail of our lives ~ even little ole' lunch meetings!

Torn...

There are seasons, situations, and circumstances in life that each of us face when we are just torn.  I'm not talking about the "Should I go with the Wheat Thins or Triscuits" kind of torn.  No ma'm!  I am talking about the tough stuff, where the implications possess the powerful ability to build up or tear down, unify or break apart.  Oh I am in one of those seasons, friends, and it is so very hard.  Balancing family, work, and ministry is at the crux of the matter and each one of these areas have some major changes and challenges.  Some days, I feel scattered into a million pieces, torn by my priorities, my commitments, my obligations, and my desires. I admit, sometimes everything is out of balance.  Most days I go with the flow and prepare myself for the craziness that is sure to unfold.  And on some days - very rarely I might add - things go just as I hoped they would.  I've learned, however, that the key to all of this is not about how things go.  Rather, it's about Who goes through it with me.  I'm relying on my Jesus because I know I can't do it on my own.  

He gives me strength when I'm tired to the bones.  
He gives me encouragement when I feel defeat.  
He shows me love when I am hurting.  
He brings me peace when life is nothing but chaos.  
He provides comfort when my soul needs consoling.
He carries my burdens when it's too much to bear.

And at the end of the day, He pieces me back together when the craziness of life tears me apart.  He mends every tattered and broken piece because He loves me.  And you know what?  I love Him too.

"You hem me in - behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me."

Psalm 139:5

Majesty

I took this picture at sunset this evening as I peered outside of my hotel room in LaCrosse, Wisconsin.  I am here through Tuesday and will be attending a conference related to perinatal bereavement.  Looking out across the horizon and seeing the majesty of God's handiwork is a  reminder that He is Creator.  Over the next few days, I will learn more about the very real and difficult circumstances parents face when a baby has died.  I will likely relive some of my very own bittersweet grief moments myself.  I am comforted by a view that tells me, as if God Himself were speaking to me..."Teske, I am so far above all of this.   I am Creator of heaven and earth and every living thing and person.  I know you and I know your babies.  I love you."

Take a moment to recognize the beauty that surrounds you, today....wherever you are.

My Story...

I have started adding content to this site!  Check out "Teske's Story" to learn more about me...

Stepping Out

Tonight, I sit in a local coffee shop as I write this post on a blog that didn't exist three hours ago. I came here to write, yes. I ended up creating a new blog, prompted by a tug in my heart to step out. In faith. In obedience. In love. In surrender.

I love how God messes with me. When He's messing with me, I know He's molding me. So tonight, I'm just allowing Him to continue to fashion me according to His will. I don't know whether this blog will be read by many or any. I don't need to know. It's for Him. I'm stepping out. For Him. Only Him.

So here it is...an incomplete blog, written by an incomplete woman. There is much work to do; both on the blog and in my heart. He's not finished with me yet. I'm just stepping out.


If you have any specific questions or topics that you'd like me to post about, feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments!