thankful

This morning at MOPS three women got up and told our group their individually unique stories of how they each have been through the wringer and yet came out praising God on the other side.  I am not exaggerating, these women went through THE WRINGER.  Trials of fire where I would have given up, laid in bed and pulled the covers over my head.  Yet these three in their vastly different stories all had a common theme of God walking with them, guiding them, and making them stronger in Him than I’m sure they ever could have imagined.  They are more than conquerors because they reside in Him.  Theirs are stories I will replay over and over in my mind, ever hoping to learn more about our God and His love and power.

I am quoting Beth Moore here, quoting her from a study that I have not yet done, but in a loose paraphrase she says that we are all in our sphere of influence for a particular reason, which makes me think of this verse.  The idea of being an influence to those in  my circle of friends and family is powerful and a bit daunting, but after this morning I am so thankful that these women are in my sphere of influence; that I can draw from the wisdom of their lives and their reliance on the Almighty when difficult times came; to rejoice with them now in where He brought them.

This morning also got me thinking about how we all have a best friend in our loving Father and how He works in specific ways for the good of those who love Him.  How He helped one He did not help another because they each needed something different.  A one-fit-cure-all is not His answer.  He is in the trenches with us, ready and waiting to help us in our particular situation.

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me.”

Revelation 3:20