February 17, 2011

A Small Token

You've risked arm and leg whilst jumping off the {negative} trains of thought with me the past few weeks! Silent prayers have lingered on my tongue for you, as you were so kind to comment about which train you're de-boarding. My sweet mama raised me right and taught me to share. So, in response to your comments, below are a few conversations the Lord & I have had about you! From the bottom of my oh-so-grateful heart, thank you for your companionship on this ride! {p.s. I would love to pray for you too! Please leave a comment and I'll respond. Thanks!}

Tokens o
f my appreciation!

Lorna
commented~ I'm jumping off the {negative} train of thought that tells me I'm lonely. The truth is I am not alone - I have my Jesus with me. I turn to the Word and He is there; I turn to a song, He is there; I turn to talk to a friend, He is there; I read another one's blog posting, He is there. I pray, again, He is there.

Dear Faithful Friend, thank You that You shelter Lorna in the shadow of Your wings (Ps. 63:7). You carry her, Your beloved, on Your shoulders (Deut. 33:12). You surround her with Your songs (Ps. 32:7). You call her Your friend (John 15:15) and daughter (Gal. 3:26). Thank You she can rest knowing You will never abandon, leave or forsake her (Heb. 13:5). When doubt creeps in, remind her that her "whispers for love have been heard by a heart that is gentle and kind" (M.P. Jones; Psalm 5). Lorna is loved by You and others! Amen.

Kandi commented~ I have been working, for a long time, to jump off the train of not feeling good enough; that I don't measure up. It doesn't really matter what anyone else says, the fact that I woke up this morning tells me I am good enough in the eyes of Jesus.

Dear Marvelous Creator, Thank You that there is no mistake in Your marvelous creation, Kandi (Ps. 139, msg.)! She is beautiful; flawless; inviting. She ravishes Your heart and is Your delight (S of S 4). Remind her that You love her more than life itself; You simply love her (John 3:16). She is Your masterpiece, created anew in Christ (Eph. 2:10). You care so much about Kandi, that You called her by name (Jer. 1:5). Corrie Ten Boom reminded us that "The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation.” Thank You for ALL Your gift, Kandi, donates to us! Amen.

Wendy
commented~ I'm jumping off the train of questioning my calling. Instead of trusting God's leading, direction and provision this past year as I hit the speed bumps of life, I am sent into a high speed wobble.... My whispered prayer...I'm Yours. Teach me to do Your works.

Dear Steadfast One, We rejoice that You called Wendy by name to answer Your call for such a time as this (Isa. 49:1; Est. 4:14). Your eyes will always watch over Wendy's path and establish her ways (Pro. 5:21, 4:26). When she's tempted to be afraid or discouraged, please whisper the truth that she can be strong and courageous because the battle is Yours; You always have her back (Josh. 10:25; Zech. 3:2). Like D.L. Moody put it, "Lighthouses don't fire cannons to call attention to their shining - they just shine." Wendy shines!! Thank You for Your precious servant Wendy. Amen.

Eileen commented~ I'm jumping off the train of finding my identity or my worth in people and seeking their approval. My identity is in Christ. I am currently leading a WBS all about God-confidence. Staying in the Word and regularly talking to God in prayer about it seems to be things that keep this thinking in check. God accepts me just as I am...but He also doesn't leave us just as we are. He's constantly working on us!

Dear Hope Filler, It is clear through her sweet words and gentle encouragement that Eileen abides in You, and You in her. (
John 15:1-17). She was chosen in You before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless. In love, You predestined her for adoption in accordance with Your pleasure and will. Eileen is redeemed through Your blood, and the forgiveness of sins, through the riches of Your grace You’ve lavished on her. She is included in Christ, marked with the Holy Spirit. She's Your girl! (Eph. 1) Through every season, let her find Your light in her darkness; her life in Your death. Your joy in her sorrow. Your grace in her sin. Your riches in her poverty and Your glory in her valley (A. Murray). Amen.

9 comments:

Isabel said...

Oh, Sam! This is beautiful...the whole post. Precious prayers. I'm goin' to copy mine...k?

Love ya!

Kandi said...

This was a little bit of tear jerker of a post.

I am going to copy mine too!

Blessings.

AnnaLisa Smith said...

As I sit here, sipping on my chicken noodle soup, I'm just amazed.
I'm amazed at the women who were brave enough to comment. I remember when I was in each of those spots and will probably visit them all again as this spiritual {thought} war continues. I hurt for each one of you. Yet, I see the jewel that God has made and am grateful that our stories don't have to stop here! I was not brave enough to open myself up like you ladies did when I was there the first time. (As I fight these battles, it gets easier to open up about them to encouragers.)
I'm amazed at Sam's heart. It is people like her that has helped me fight my various battles and have made me who I am today. Sam, you may not ever know just how much of an impact you (and people like you) have/make here on earth. I can tell you, though, that I am alive today because of people just like you.
I'm amazed at the total awesomeness of our sweet Jesus. Jesus has written this dance we call life. He's the one that brought healers into our lives. He's the one to open our hearts, clean them up, fill the gaps, and make us anew! He CHOOSES us and gives us hope. He pulls us from the muck and mire and tells us, "Live!"

Sam, at the moment I'm not struggling with negative thoughts. Because of that, I have come besides my brothers and sisters in Christ and am offering encouragement as much as I can. I'm standing in the gap and praying with you for the people that read this blog and those in my personal life.

Thank you for your servant's heart,
AnnaLisa

Eileen said...

So very beautiful Sam! Thank you for your words of encouragement and prayers for each of us. So thankful that when I went blog surfing a few months ago that I came across your blog. A coincidence? I don't think so. Love all the lovely encouragement the Lord seems to give each of us through peoples words and experiences
Have a beautiful weekend Sam!

{Lorna} said...

Ok . . . I was going to comment when I first read your post Sam but everytime I went to comment . . . I cried. Today, as I re-read your post, I still cry, because it is no small token that you have done. You have touched my heart in a way only Christ can. Thank you for allowing Him to use you. Thank you for your prayer and the video is Perfect. Praying that God blesses you in all you do.

Fields of gold said...

Y'all are so sweet and generous with your words! Thank you for your encouragement through reading my meager words. It's a joy to pray for you!! Blessings to you sweet friends!! Hugs, Sam

Fields of gold said...

Hi AnnaLisa,

Thanks so much for your uplifting words! It can be hard opening up...vulnerability is raw. I'm grateful too for the openness of these ladies and hope and pray Jesus heals and breathes truth through eveyr word He's given me.

Thank you for praying!!
Sam

Sharon Sloan said...

You are just the sweetest!!

Love you Sam!! Thank you for your sincere, loving, prayerful heart!

Sharon

Fields of gold said...

Thanks Sharon!! What a joy to 'hang out' with other sisters on their journey!

Love you!