Life is happening oh so quickly

So the past couple of days I have had a small fear gripping me... it's always been there but sometimes it speaks up and sometimes it doesn't. Considering where I am in my life right now (dating again) it's rearing it's ugly head but not making a huge impact. Just kind of staying present in the back of my mind... until last night, and until this morning.

One of my biggest fears in life is that I don't want to end up like my parents did, divorced, remarried, and still overall unhappy. My parents are wonderful, loving people but they have had a hard, hard life. I think they are on the road to being happy now, probably one more than the other, but it's been a long road. I know that life isn't going to be easy, the love is not easy, marriage is not always giggles and sunshine, but I do believe that you can have more great moments than bad, and that if you have the love of God in your heart and at the center of your life you always have the "right thing" guiding you that ultimately it will be ok.

Last night in mentioning this fear I realized a few things... 1. I am at a very different place in life than my parents were when they got married. Neither one of my parents knew or loved Jesus when they were married, they were about the same age as me but definitely didn't have the life experience I have had in my life so far and don't have the spiritual peace that I have found. 2. they had friends but definitely don't have the support group that I have now! 3. They didn't have them to tell and show me (even when I don't want to hear it) that something isn't right or nudge me in a different direction. My parents have always been the "let me make my own mistakes" people but will definitely let me know if there's a great possibility that I will not like the result of what I am doing.

The way God is working in all of this because HE is AMAZING. After admitting this very real fear last night I read my short daily devo before going to bed... Last night's title "God gives us courage"... interesting huh. One of the bible verses was "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9. Thank you Jesus for calming my heart. This morning, excited to read my devo because of last night, I got after it again. This morning's title "The past, present, and future"... hmm oh hey God. I hear ya! This quote was included in the reading today "There is only one minute in which you are alive. This minute. Right here right now." The rest of the passage was talking about using God's grace to keep us calm, give us wisdom, and comfort our hearts when we fear. One of the bible verses for today was "As for God, his way is perfect; the world of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him." Psalm 18:30. Wow

Also this morning I listened to a sermon from Brentwood Church that I missed in August. The title was Growing Up and he was talking about fear holding us back. The take home message in this sermon... God redeemed us so that we can love like Him! Fear will try to hold us back but we must admit our fear and then fight it to find the love to help us move forward. When we are faced with fear and love we must always choose love!

God's love is fearless... will I live my life that way? I sure hope so but I know one thing for sure today. My God heard my fear, and without me even asking, gave me wisdom, grace, and comfort for my heart and soul to continue to reaffirm me that he wants me to pursue love, be stretched, and love like He does. What an amazing God.

If you want to checkout the sermon I was talking about here go to www.brentwoodchurch.org and choose listen online and Jon Dupin on Aug 14th. Enjoy!