Vickie

How Can I Forget That?

Published on October 27, 2025 by VickieLeave a comment

I was at an event last weekend when my memory failed me. It wasn’t the first time, but I think it’s the first time it’s lasted, and I’ve pretty much given up remembering her name. She had such a kind face, and I recognized her right away, but I couldn’t for the life of me remember her name. And it scared me. She recognized me and remembered who I was as she took the initiative and started a conversation. Apparently, she was a former employee of mine. Someone I had trained and invested time and resources in and entrusted clients to, and I can’t remember her name? As we carried on the conversation, awkwardly on my part, I kept hoping her name would come to my mind, but it never did, when I could have saved face. But it didn’t, and it hasn’t yet.

Usually I will have an “aha” moment in the middle of the night or the next day but not this time. I wish I could understand why. I can remember some of the most insignificant things from decades ago. I can remember all the names of my elementary school teachers. First through 8th grade. Not that they are not significant, but believe me, that was a very long time ago! I remember which day of the week we had cinnamon rolls and chili from the school cafeteria. Wednesdays. The color of my first Troll doll’s hair; apricot. And how she smelled like new plastic. How significant is that?

This leads me to worry about my memory of important things, like my faith and all I’ve learned from the Bible about Jesus and all the things God has blessed me with and what to say when someone asks me why I believe what I believe. But, thankfully, I was reminded of a verse in the Bible, John 14:26:

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said to you.

So, as I reflected on that experience last weekend, I felt the Holy Spirit wanted me to learn an important lesson. I should have swallowed my pride and told her that her name escaped my mind and apologetically asked her for it. I should have enjoyed her reaching out and connected like any grown up should do. Here again, I got distracted by my inability to remember. I repented and hope to do better next time.

Dear friend, it is bound to happen, forgetfulness and regret. What is so telling is that John 14 is a chapter I committed to memory a few years back. I couldn’t recite it today but I did remember that the verse about remembrance was there. Maybe that is what Jesus meant. We can’t even hope to remember something we have not read and meditated on or at least made a conscious effort to notice. What Jesus has said to us in His word is certainly worth paying close attention to so He can bring it to our minds when we need it.

There’s a popular gospel song getting a lot of play this year, called “Still Waters” which can attest to this. It is by Leanna Crawford, and I hope you give it a listen.

https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=f7a6058318a4f26b3094688bec4854a48aaac86202911c990965b5c4151ea064JmltdHM9MTc2MTQzNjgwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=0c821e72-e43b-6ce1-19b5-0e27e5596d7e&psq=lyrics+to+still+waters+by+leanna+crawford&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vd2F0Y2g_dj1HS0d1X2U3WU1yQQ

Let’s all follow “Aunt Maurine’s” advice. I know if we do our part, the Holy Spirit will do His.

Use Your Words

Published on October 4, 2025October 4, 2025 by Vickie2 Comments

I witnessed a really heartwarming moment during an evening of VBS this summer. This little fella was just wailing when he ran into the church building. As he cried, he ran to find his mama, pointing to the outside where he had just been playing with a group of kids, when something went terribly wrong at his game station. He was absolutely distraught about something that had just happened out there and came to the home of his mother’s arms for comfort and help. I was so impressed by this loving mom who, stooped down to his eye level, held him close and calmly kept repeating in his ear “Use your words, tell me what’s wrong, use your words.” After a few moments and after he had told her what happened, and received her wise suggestions, he was calm and ready to go back out there and rejoin the fun.

Wouldn’t it be a much better world if we would all just use our words, and take the advice of wise counsel and rejoin, with new insight, the situations that cause us such upset? But where do we turn when we aren’t kids anymore and we just want to run to someone and empty out all the hurt and the rage that overwhelms us? I don’t have all the answers, but I know a Person to bring your questions to. A Friend that never condemns you or betrays your confidences.

In the Bible, we are taught that we have a Savior that cares for us and that wants us to bring all our cares to Him. 1 Peter 5:6-7 says, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties upon him, because He cares for you.” Not just some anxieties or things that crush your spirit, but ALL of them. Whatever you’ve experienced in your past, whatever you’re going through right now and even those things the future holds. You are His child, and just like that mother whispering in her young child’s ear, Christ invites you to use your words to tell Him everything that concerns you. In fact, He delights in it because He delights in you.

Sometimes we don’t know the words to pray. Or we open our mouth and all that comes out are groans and sobs. Have you been there? The Bible tells us in Romans 8:26, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” He’s got you covered even when you can’t use your words. He has searched your heart and knows what you so desperately need from Him and prays that prayer for you. It’s like having a soul translator communicating on your behalf. That is the Holy Spirit and He is for you! He is your greatest Advocate and Comfort.

The next verse assures us that our answer will be perfect because it is in the will of God. Romans 8:27 goes on to say, “And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” There is that “will of God” clause. That’s where the 1st Peter verses shed some light. To choose God’s will over our own requires us to humble ourselves. God loves humility. Jesus embodied it. In the Garden of Gethsemane, when the emotional pain was so great that he sweat blood, He remained committed to His Father’s will, not His own. He used His words and surrendered to God’s will till His dying breath.

I believe God answers every prayer according to His timing and the ultimate outcome of His will. To deny that would be to deny the sovereignty of God. He is in control. Sometimes the answers to my prayers look just like I wanted them to. Sometimes they do not and sometimes I don’t see the answer at all, yet. But I know if I use my words and pray the “will of God clause,” and mean it, I have done the most important thing and all that is left to do is to trust Him. And He has more than earned that trust.

The apostle Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to “Pray without ceasing.” I believe this means that we are to remain in a constant attitude of communication with our Savior. It can be done, no getting on your knees required. Words, from your mind, directed to our God. A song to hum, a verse to meditate on, or a Christian podcast preaching into your ear pods while you do housework or gardening. Taking seriously what is taught in Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” That means the mundane as well as the great. Asking ourselves how the manner in which we conduct our lives pleases God, just like His Son did. This would be using our words for God’s glory. And isn’t that the ultimate goal on this journey? Giving Him glory.

I look back with regret to the times when my words were so poorly chosen. Thinking I had to fill a silence, I’d just say something whether it was appropriate or not. Thank goodness I serve a forgiving God and had forgiving friends and family that were on the receiving end. Words can hurt and there is no shortcut to always knowing the right things to say, plus even if we think we are saying the right things, we have no control over how others receive our comments. Words can hurt, cause people to run away from us, or worst of all, think badly of our Lord since the hearers know we are supposed to be His followers. Be quick to apologize and forgive when the words spoken land wrong in the ears and hearts of the hearers.

Ultimately, we should be using our words in a way that reflects how we use God’s Word to transform us into the godly women we long to be. Listen as others use their words and humbly pray for grace to always speak the truth in love. And with that calmed heart, let’s go back out there and enjoy the blessings of our days.

Retirement Fog

Published on September 26, 2025 by Vickie2 Comments

It’s been three years since I retired from my nursing career, and the fog is starting to lift.

At my desk as I write I glance up at the wall that holds my retirement plaque with all the best wishes from the amazing women I worked with at the “end.” All the kind words about the best yet to come and all the adventures that lie ahead. Congratulations and Happy Retirement sentiments. But can I just say that even though there’s lots of hopeful meanings in the messages, I’ve struggled a bit to realize them? This is my attempt to reflect on why.

On a very foggy winter evening, I was driving my husband and I home from an event when I became so disoriented that the route I’ve driven over decades of my life was unrecognizable to me. I had to stop the car to try to figure out where I was before I could go any further. Before I was allowed to figure it all out, he took the wheel, and we eventually made it home safely. This analogy helps me clear some of the fog that has been closing in on me to see a clearer path forward. The path where God is at the wheel.

One question I grew to dread post-retirement was, “How are you enjoying your retirement?” Of course, I loved being available for my family more and spending more time with grandkids and not having to try to trade hours or make sure I had vacation to cover an absence. But still something was nagging my soul. I know that I am not discovering anything new here, the decision fog of what to do with your time when you are the one appropriating it. But it was new to me. When every day is potentially a day off, and you get to decide how to spend it. I had never truly been there before and you, my dear reader, may have this ahead of you, be in the fog right now, or are gloriously living beyond it. It is my prayer that this helps you not to dread that kind and caring question.

There are purposes and plans for us that may not be tied to our careers, or age, and we do not have to have a productive day to verify our worth or prove to the world that we are worthy to take up space. God is allowing each breath we take and will never fail to continually shower us with blessings as we seek Him. I have seen this in my own life and want to encourage you to reflect on all the good things He allows in your days. Give gratitude to Him and become more joyful, stronger in faith, and peace filled. This is our ultimate purpose. Living in God’s will is the plan.

Ask God what the next assignment is. Then listen and watch as He speaks into your heart with a clear direction. Then follow it. That’s obedience and He loves it. Ask the Holy Spirit for discernment for God will never ask you to do anything that is contrary to His Word. That is why Bible Study is so important if we want to live a clear, godly purpose in this world. This doesn’t mean it will be easy, in fact, it may be truly difficult to stand for truth and speak the truth in love. But there is no greater joy than to know that Jesus is with us; I have experienced the sweetest times in His presence when the pain I was experiencing could not be relieved by what this world had to offer.

So, the fog is clearing, with God at the wheel, I can navigate new-to-me territory, and the view is amazing. I wish I could say that I’ve made the best use of my “free” time, but that would not be the truth. I wish I would have spent less time wringing my hands and wondering what to do and more time seeking, asking and receiving. But some lessons take a while to learn and there’s always forgiveness, restoration and redeeming of “lost” time. That’s what only God can do, if we let Him.

Let Him.

Pray that His Holy Spirit will guide you to do the things, speak the words and live your days for His glory. If you have trouble finding the words, borrow some from King David. After 13 verses of praising God for His creation, His Word and expressing his longing to be using his time and energy and all he is in ways that please His God, David says in Psalm 19:4, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”

And for those of us regretting the time spent in the fog of indecisiveness, let’s take heart in the promise of God that we find in Joel 2:25, “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.”

Just the thought of these consuming critters sends chills up my spine. But they remind me of how if we live fearful of stepping out of our comfort zone, or are preoccupied with what the world thinks, those fears can eat away at our resolve and before we know it, the great gift of time that God gives us to live for His glory and serve Him for His glory can slip away. Don’t let it.

For His glory, I believe I have my answer ready the next time someone asks, “How are you enjoying retirement?” I can honestly say, “It’s a good journey and I truly am happy to be on it.” As the fog clears.

With Open Arms

Published on January 23, 2022January 23, 2022 by VickieLeave a comment

Body posture is super important; it can be welcoming or make people want to stand back. and I have never liked machines, but I have to tell you, I love this one. Mainly because it was a gift from my kids. They listened to me when I made comments about it. Before it was mine. and this Christmas they gave me the funds as a gift to “just do it.”

It’s arms invite me to step on and go for a walk, or a run, always allowing me to choose the pace and the incline. And I think about God. How “He walks with me and talks with me and tells me I am His own.” He welcomes me with open arms, He sets the pace and the incline and it is always the perfect one for me.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
Romans 8:1

My favorite verse, from my favorite chapter in the Bible. The one that set me free when I believed it. I quit trying to be good enough to get God to look away from my sin and accepted the fact that I was not under the penalty of it, because Jesus paid for it all. All I have to do is walk in that truth.

“But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
1 John 1:7

So as I walk literally, in the open arms of this machine, exercising my physical body, I am reminded that my spiritual journey with Jesus, in His open arms of love and grace, exercises my faith. And I am grateful for the gift that He uses for my good and His glory.

“Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Hebrews 13:20-21

As I am working out, He is working in. And that, dear friends, is where it really matters. To Him be the glory.

Flowers In Winter

Published on January 16, 2022 by VickieLeave a comment

I am captivated by the beauty of flowers, especially when the cold and dormant days of winter try to snag my attention and steal my hopes for Spring and new life. Somewhere, beauty is blooming and this rose stands to defiantly attest to it.

No matter how dark and dreary things look in winter, I can be thankful that God’s goodness is still blooming. And gratitude for what was, what is, and what is to come is the key that opens my heart to joy and hope!

“Whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory,”
1 Peter 1:8

We need better vision. We need to have the eyes of Christ to see the beauty beyond the things we see as ugly and unwanted. The last thing we think we need, may be the first thing required to prepare us for the life He wants to give us. And the time between the now and the not yet yields the important stuff that causes our hearts to be ready to receive the full weight of the glorious reward.

I’m there right now. I’m waiting. I have hope and I am learning to rest in grace.

“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you in the revelation of Jesus Christ”
1 Peter 1:13

This is a thinking thing. A mindful thing. God has to be the God of my mind. My thoughts are to be brought under the control of the Holy Spirit. They are not to run amuck with the worries and cares of this world. My thoughts are just my thoughts; they cannot control me. They can float by or be acted on according to the information and the permission I give them. They are to be informed by the transforming words of The Bible. Scripture. Truth. Then, and only then, will my faith bloom, even in the midst of a cold and harsh winter season.

Defy the dark today. Make a list of your blessings. That warm cup of coffee that coaxes you awake. The shelter of your home. Things you have or have not because the God who loves you beyond measure only allows what is best for you at the best time for you. And there is nothing that can separate you from His love. (Romans 8:38-39)

Winter Wonder Land

Published on January 8, 2022January 8, 2022 by VickieLeave a comment

Ever wonder when things are going to get better?

There’s no dark and cold that can hold back the new day. There are always new mornings that break through the old mournings because there is a faithfulness that is beyond ours. There is hope when we remember there will always be mercy and compassion that will never fail.

“This I recall to my mind, there I have hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. ”
Lamentations 3:21-23

You may be mourning this morning. What a difficult way to start the day. Maybe a loved one that you are missing terribly. A family mess that seems hopeless. An assault to your neatly-filed and nailed-down faith because your prayers are yet unanswered. Sit with that. Sit with the Word, Jesus. You will not be consumed. He cares and more than that, he feels your pain. To have compassion means to co-suffer. To experience deep sorrow and desire to help alleviate suffering. Jesus has that for you.

“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul that seeks Him.”
Lamentations 3:25

You can rest. Take a deep breath, let the Light in and feel the warmth of His love.

I was a much “younger” believer in Jesus when I came across these verses from Lamentations. They were life-changing for me. Way back then, I felt like it was possible for me to drown in all my questions and failings. I thought there was a limit to what God would tolerate and just zap me out. Take me “home,” or heaven forbid, not let me in. And at times, I forget. I need to recall, remember, over and over that God’s mercy, compassion and faithfulness are in a league all Their own. He has no limit, “they are new every morning.”

When Jeremiah penned this chapter, God was pretty angry with His people. They had defiled themselves with false gods. The One True God hates this. In chapter two we read, “The Lord has purposed to destroy the wall of the daughter of Zion. He has stretched out a line; He has not withdrawn His hand from destroying; therefore, He has caused the rampart and wall to lament; they languished together.” (Lamentations 2:8) My study Bible says of this Scripture, “When God stretched out a line, He intended to destroy His city. Jerusalem had been measured, marked, and numbered for judgement.”

Then we hear from God’s prophet, Jeremiah. He laments for those who experience God’s wrath. He reveals the mercy of God and the hope that is still there in the midst of their disobedience. Jeremiah remembers that God is compassionate and full of mercy. God’s wrath is His love that knows there is no other way to get our attention. This is really a growing-in-my-faith belief that has taken me years to confess. Wrath scares me. It sounds so negative, doesn’t it? Yet as a mother of 4 grown children, I have had to display a little of my own in order to get results. However, I believe it grieves God to see us suffer for our own sinfulness. Because He suffers with us. Immanuel. He is with us.

Jesus came to be with us in all of the stuff that makes up our lives. He came and lived and died and rose again to show us the heart of His Father; to pay the price for all the disobedience we just would never be able to make right. He came to make peace with God’s wrath towards our sin. He came to show us that there is just no way he will leave our side, no matter what is going on. He came to show us that none of our stuff will separate us from His perfect love, mercy and compassion.

New Things

Published on January 1, 2022January 1, 2022 by VickieLeave a comment

Happy New Year!

This verse from Isaiah begs us to pay attention to God’s words. In this new year, God wants to show you new things. Things that may have been hidden from you before. Beautiful things, hard things that will carve into your life good, strong character. Always with the purpose of transforming you, renewing your mind and making you more like Jesus, (Romans 12:2). This is my prayer for myself and you as this new year begins. May every new victory and every new trial bring us closer to what God’s purpose for our life is.

Preaching to my own heart this morning, and purposing in my own heart, that He will cause me to live each day more in His strength than my own, (2 Corinthians 12:9). Recognizing that on my own, I am prone to be prideful, striving to improve myself instead of allowing Him to perfect every little detail concerning me, and it is a work of His hands, (Psalm 138:8). I am prone to over emphasize one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit, (Galatians 5:22-23), when all of them are required to make my character like Jesus. And that I can’t grow any one of them, without His Holy Spirit, teaching me and helping me remember the lessons, (John 14:26).

If you read this far, thank you. I am praying for you to enjoy a new year of God’s grace. “And of His fulness we have all received, and grace for grace.” John 1:16

Christmas Day 2021

Published on December 25, 2021December 25, 2021 by VickieLeave a comment

This is the final touch to my Jesse Tree this year. One thing I determined to finish as sort of a gift to Jesus, since there is really nothing He needs, except a heart that really wants to do something to honor Him. In November, I reprinted the paper ornaments from Ann Voscamp’s site on shiny photo paper. Added some glitter and glue and each day, after reading the Advent devotion, I would place an ornament on this little fake tree, post a reflection on Instagram, and carry those thoughts with me throughout a season full of distractions. I have to tell you it made a difference. This year’s been a doosey, hasn’t it? I think we are all feeling it and the one thing we might be looking forward to, like Christmas, has us still getting sick and struggling with all kinds of problems.

Jesus came on the scene as a babe in a stinky stable, placed in the feed manger for a bed, for crying out loud. And during the darkest days in earth’s history. There were very few looking for His coming and fewer than that welcoming it. Whatever was going on around His birth did not matter because the Answer to all our problems and questions was born and we could breathe safe because He was with us now.

I needed to be reminded of that this month. Every. Single. Day. The end of the year of anxious moments adding up to anxious days and anxious months can be upended when we realize He keeps His promises to us. We can experience renewed hope and restored relationships, because He came. And we can be sure that Christmas means that the Gift will never be taken away, and even in suffering, the Gift stays with you. When we focus on this, focus on Him, how beautiful the tapestry of our faith life becomes.

Dear reader, you are beautiful, not because you have always been kept safe and comfortable from the trials you have experienced, you are beautiful because of how you have welcomed Him into each hard place. You have allowed Him to be your strength and comfort. Women like that can change the world. Women like that show others that bitterness and unforgiveness cannot exist within a heart that is truly grateful for Immanuel. God with us.

The Good Soak

Published on February 7, 2021 by VickieLeave a comment

The Good Soak

I love doing dishes, call me crazy, but dishwashing is my favorite household chore. I enjoy getting my hands into warm, soapy water and turning something visibly soiled into something sparkling clean and ready to be used again. Yet in all that fun, I can get annoyed if things take a little too much elbow grease to get clean. Baked on, caked on debris can be a bit of a challenge so I always put those items to soak as soon as possible. After the soak has had its say, the dish comes clean with a minimum of effort and all is well again at the kitchen sink.

Translate this to our spiritual lives and there is a similar pattern. When we feel the dirty, caked on grime clinging to our souls from sin and shame, nothing reveals this and makes it easier to remove than a good soaking in the Word of God. This is where lies are revealed for what they are and truth makes a way for the wrongs to be righted and the sparkling, clean and new you can emerge for a brand new try at following Jesus, moving on, with His mercy and grace.

God tells us in Psalm 103 that he has not dealt with us after our sins; nor regarded us according to our iniquities. (vs.10)

“For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103: 11-12

This washing makes the soiled soul rejoice because there is just no way we can “clean-up” ourselves. A favorite promise of mine in the Bible is 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This promise starts with an “if” which means we have freewill to choose to obey God in confession and if we do, the fulfillment of the promise follows. And that act of forgiveness is huge because it not only means God says He forgives us, but He cleanses this sin from our record. Removes it, never to remember it again.

Confession is the key. Recognizing our sinfulness, we let God know that we know what we’ve done. We agree with Him that it was wrong and we need His forgiveness, first and foremost. How do you know, that you know that you have done wrongly, except to know His Word and listen to His Spirit as He convicts you until He convinces you that you need a washing.

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved, us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” Titus 3:5

After a soak in His Word, and confession from a repentant heart, you emerge: a sparkling, clean vessel, ready to be used again.

Love you in Christ, Vickie

New

Published on January 7, 2021January 1, 2022 by VickieLeave a comment

I try every year to find a word. Sometimes it doesn’t come till half-way through the year but I’ve experienced that certain words pop up in my life in a repetitive fashion during particular years and cause me to believe they are from the Lord.

There was the year of “surrender” where white flags kept popping up everywhere and I could not get the hymn “I Surrender All” out of my head.

The year of “abide” when Jesus beckoned me and I realized that His Presence in my minutes, hours and days was all I needed to comfort and strengthen my heart.

This year it’s “new.” At the end of last year I got hungry for something new. I couldn’t look at the old things and be happy. Mainly myself being the “old” thing. My energy seemed to be waning, my skin sagging, my initiative lagging. I was lost in thoughts about what I used to be rather than living in the reality of who I am now and looking for a vision of what God by His grace has for my future.

I refuse to believe it is just a coincidence that this word started popping up. In a Christmas gift from someone I love and respect and know has a close relationship with God. In a sermon I listened to on the internet. In a long-forgotten, unread book my eyes fell on while looking for something else.

I have found that in order to please most people, you stay the same. They know you that way and there is comfort in the known. But God never intended us to be that way. With each new day, month and year, we are to keep growing and learning and becoming all He planned for us to be. I am not commanded to settle for the “me” of my past.

When I was saved, I became a new creation in Christ. I knew there was a difference in the old me and the new me. The old me no longer defined who I was, the new me had Jesus, the hope of heaven and in the meantime a Friend that sticks closer than a brother and never leaves.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

But the newness doesn’t have to stop there, and shouldn’t.

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

If I want something new in my life, I need to do some pressing-in to what He has for me in my future, and dwell less on what my past holds. My past has no hold on me if I am pressing forward.

Imagine with me a race where, at the finish line the runners press forward with their upper bodies to be the first one to touch the tape. The last kick of their energy aimed at the finish line. That’s the vision for my future, and the future of every believer serious about finishing well.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and run with patience the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1

But the Scripture that I have found so rich with the “new” word is Isaiah 43. The Lord is speaking to “every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.” (vs. 7) “I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no savior. I have declared, and have saved, and I have showed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.“ (vs. 11-12) “Behold I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” (vs. 19)

What this tells me is that God made me, saved me and I am to be a witness for Him. I am to hate sin and never make anything this world has to offer a false god to me. And He makes the way for this to happen. He will even clear the wilderness in my life and water the dry places when I thirst for His living water. That He is doing new things for me and for you dear sister. Just press-in to His Word and let go of the past and press on to the new things He wants to do in your life. I’m so ready, how about you?