He Drew Me Closer

Life is ever changing.  We learn, grow, and move forward.  Our path isn't always what we imagine it to be.  At times we stumble or lose sight of what is important.  It happens.  That's when we pick up the pieces, find our way back, and push on in the right direction.

I'm often one to put on a brave face and convince myself that I am unaffected by whatever circumstance falls upon me.  At times it's true, yet not always.  For a few months I found myself feeling very down.  I was unable to shake the sad and negative that had crept up and piled on.  When I hit a point where I could release some of it I felt better, but it wasn't completely gone.

As I began to read an inspirational fiction book, there were points that hit close to home.  I opened my heart a little more and pondered the lessons I could learn from this story.  When I finished it, an ebook that I had gotten during a Nook Free Friday was the next one that popped up.  I was feeling a little under the weather and thought it was a good time to start reading it.  The overview for "When You Can't Find God:  How to Ignite the Power of His Presence" by Linda Evans Shepherd says "You can find hope and peace--no matter what."  This book has pointed me back in the right direction.

Life is not perfect, nor will it ever be, but God is in control.  The circumstances (good and bad) shape us.  My recent struggles and sadness brought me to a place where I reached out to God, yet He was already there, and He drew me closer.

Philippians 4:13   I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

One of my absolute favorite songs...

   Mercy Said No by Greg Long

Origins of Strength

Do you know the Bible story of Samson and Delilah?  If so, you are aware that Samson possessed a great strength.  Delilah wooed and wore Samson down until he revealed the only way to strip him of his strength, by shaving his head.  Delilah then betrayed the man, who fell in love with and trusted her, for silver.

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that many of you also know of the comic book hero Superman.  Were you aware that his super human strength is said to be regenerated by the sun? 

My question is where do you feel these 2 men of steel get their true powers?  The Bible tells us that Samson got his strength from God.  Of course, I feel as though many of us get our most admirable attributes from our Heavenly Father.  As for our fictional character, you will find that he gains a great deal of his heroic attitude, full of truth and justice, from his family and friends. 

When I began to ponder this topic, I asked my children the all important question, "where do you get your strength?"   The answers were simple and and what you would expect from most kids.  M's answer was "water, chicken, apples, bananas, and oranges."  O  answered first with, "water and healthy food."

I decided to reword my question for them once more and asked, "What or who makes you strong on the inside, in your heart?"  My oldest quickly responded with "your brain," and his brother followed without hesitation by stating "God, Mom, and Dad."  O agreed and added "Jesus" as well.

My husband, my children, my Mom, my friends, and other family contribute to making my heart stronger, but I feel as though I ultimately get my strength from God and Jesus.  You see, the struggles and triumphs in this life often teach us something.  Friends are put into our lives when we least expect it.  In my opinion, God leads us to find these friends and places us in these positions at certain times in our lives so that we may grow as individuals. 

Where does your strength come from?  What is your strongest attribute?  Has your spirit gotten a good workout lately?

"That which does not kill us makes us stronger" -- Friedrich Nietzsche