Painful Memories

How y'all doing today?

Is everything in your life great right now or are you suffering?

Painful memories?

I can relate.

Life's journey can be painful sometimes. We all wish we could have 80 years of the "good life" but that isn't REAL life, is it? Recently the Lord gave me a helpful insight regarding painful memories that I would like to share with y'all.

God is faithful and will walk with us each step of the journey. He'll never leave us nor forsake us and His grace and strength are always sufficient... even though some days you may doubt it... *shrugs*

There are many things that had happened to me in my childhood and life in general. I've went through more than most people do in a lifetime. Another lesson is that even though we've forgiven ourselves and others, painful memories tend to keep coming back. During a quiet time with the Lord, I asked Him, "How can I stop the memories from coming back?"

He reminded me of the verse in Philippians:

"That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His suffering." (3:10)

He told me to thank Him everytime I'm reminded of my painful past. Why, you ask? Well, that's because He also reminded me that I have the privilege of feeling a little of Christ's suffering during His trial and crucifixion.

When I look at the experience from God's perspective, suffering becomes a privilege I can share with Him. We get to know Him in a deeper way. I would not have chosen some of the deep valleys I've gone through, but now I'm thankful for them.

Jesus, our Master and Friend, said we could expect trouble when we follow Him. We shouldn't be surprised! But He's there with us, feeling our pain, strengthening us, loving us, giving us grace and wisdom.

Father, we want to know You. Thank You for reminding us about the "fellowship of His suffering". Thank You for the painful times in life. Thank You for walking with us each step of the way. Amen!

I believe I will meet the right person someday, somehow.

My Future Life Partner

He has to be someone who loves the Lord fervently.

And he must be musically inclined, romantic, compassionate, mature, caring, loyal, intelligent and sociable... ;P In other words, he has to be:

- someone who knows how to appreciate me

- someone who knows my love languages

- someone who can click with me

- someone who lets me be me and accepts me for who I am but is not afraid to correct me openly when I'm wrong

- someone I feel comfortable with

- someone I can write songs with

- someone I can share musical opinions with

- someone who is both my lover and my best friend