Hello everyone!
I am moving into some new opportunities this month, never fear, the writing will continue! I also have a second book to the publisher, an allegory called The Great Journey: A Story of Lorolaen. I will keep you updated!
The Lord is also doing some refining in my life. He is showing me about real friendship and who is just not good for me. He is showing me about people who will never understand why I do what I do and that is okay. He is showing me how to be a better friend. He is showing me about the “pause” I need to take at times so that emotion does not overwhelm me. Without the “pause”, many times we say things we most regret and we forget about love. I am learning to pause and to think about what I say and how I say it so that others will understand my heart if they choose to – after all, He did tell me He would teach me how to better relate and talk to others. He is also teaching me how to better love others. I am thankful for a God who restores our relationships when we don’t pause, think and then speak (we have to do our part too).
He is refining my friendships, my mouth and my views on many issues. I do not care what anyone thinks about me – I don’t have to – the God of the universe is for me so who can be against me? I will say that does not give me license to hurt, condemn or judge anyone in the name of my pride or in “being right”. That does give me license to have joy and joy I will have and keep! Nothing and no one will steal my joy! I will not live in regret, it steals joy. I will not live in my past. I will live in my present and let God take care of the future. Did you know He is in your past, present and future already? Just think about that a second. I will do what a dear friend calls “doing you.” I will do me and let God take care of the rest. He made you to be who you are. Why are you fighting that fact? He knows you better than you know yourself and for that I am thankful. He is the only one who can fix your problems and take care of your pain. Will you not let him heal you? Will you not let him refine you? Will you not come to Him and reason with him? He actually wants to reason and talk with you (Isaiah 1:18)! I can promise you, he does not disappoint!
I am excited to see what all of this refining will do through me in the coming year. I am excited about who it will bring into my life and I am glad it has exited some people from my life. I know that God has what is best for me and no one and nothing can stop His plan for me! My hope is that you will let Him refine you too and go on your own adventure with Jesus. Jeremiah 29:11; For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Job 23:10; Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
Isaiah 48:10; See, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. Until next time, Elizabeth