I don’t know if I’ll ever get there from here.
Her words are sincere. She desperately wants more of God.
Sometimes her circumstances make her feel trapped. Feeling trapped makes her say things she regrets. Those regrets make her feel as if she’ll never change.
When she looks at the final destination — feeling close to God, transformed, free — it seems a million miles away.
“Where did you start, sis?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “Addicted. Broken. I lost everything I cared about.”
“Where are you now?”
“Not addicted. I gained it all back. . . but I have so far to go.”
We all do. I hear you.
But have you considered how far He’s brought you?
I’m not discounting her longing for Jesus. For freedom.
I’m right there with her. It might look different for each of us, but when you’re marked by Christ as His, you always want all that He is offering.
But don’t forget to mark the miles from where you first began.
Don’t forget to celebrate His tangible presence in areas that used to be utterly damaged.
When we look back, we are able to look forward with assurance.
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:15-17 (NIV)
Celebrate what He’s done and praise Him for the work yet to be completed.
Yes, you are a work in progress, but six months from now you’ll be that much more ahead. And six months from then? Even farther.
But Suzie, will God give up on me?
Philippians 1: 6 says no.
Your Heavenly Father is brimming with mercy and He’s patient.
You don’t have to fit in anyone else’s schedule in the healing process. Every step you take is worthy of celebration.
So, stop.
Look back.
Say it out loud in praise!
I once was [ ] but today I’m [ ].
There was a time that [ ] had a hold on me, but today it doesn’t.
I once lost [ ] but I gained [ ] because of Jesus.
You’ve just grasped God’s immense patience and healing power in you.
No, you’re not where you want to be. . . yet.
Let hope flare up inside of you.
Just as God has brought you this far, He’ll walk with you all the way to the end.
Simply all we need to hear Suzie! Truth for an aching heart! Thank you!
I was cleaning out some older e-mails when I read one of your devotions with Proverbs 31. Since I had some free time, I clicked on the link for your blog. When the page loaded, your graphic was staring me in the face. It was exactly what I needed today at this moment. Thank you so much for being obedient to God and allowing God to pour out His words through you!
Everytime I think I have learnned something new and am changing. I mess up and am so easily taken off-track and fall down because I don’t think before I speak and end up hurting the one I love most, usually my spouse ,Paul. Lord, please help me to become stronger each minute, hour, and day that I spend with you so I am finally going forward more often than backwards.
I realize now how totally weak I am when I don’t begin each day spending time alone with You in the word. I am so vunerable and easily distracted.
I need to daily recommit my mind. my heart and my soul to You and Your word and its promises to become more of the person I want to become. That humble, loving, servant of God.
Thank You for always being “The God of Second Chances” for me over and over again. Iove you Lord and give you my heart. I need to set my mind on your word and promises and make them such a strong part of me so I don’t find myself daily having to once more pick up the pieces and apologize and start all over again. I want to serve You, be your child and allow you to control how I think, act, speak an behave daily. Mary Kaiser
Dear Suzie,
Over the past year or so I have been occasionally writing in the comments section of your, and others on Proverbs 31, blog.
15 months ago I listened to my two precious children, the advice of Godly women I know, some voice deep inside myself, and started the process of leaving my abusive marriage.
6 months ago I moved into my own home. A tired looking, tattered, every inch in need of attention home. I think of the house a bit like me. The bones are good. The location is beautiful. Life has just worn the edges raw and chipped the paint. Those things can be fixed with time, attention, and a whole lotta elbow grease!
I read your blog often. I don’t always comment when I should. I count the “shoulds” as when I’m reading and crying because your words ring so true for me.
I know God is not finished with me. I know I’m farther than I was 6 months ago. I know I am on a wondrous journey and will look around in amazement 6 months from now.
I wanted you to know you are with me on this journey. Your ministry to me has been a source of strength and guidance. Thank you Suzie.
Shelly, I am praying for you. God is not done with your story yet. May He use it for His glory! I love Isaiah 43. God protects us as we go through the waters, rivers, fires – because we are His. After we come through those, He gives us hope by reminding us He is doing something new (Isaiah 43:15-19). May you sense His Presence and love in this season of change. Oh, I loved the comparison of yourself and your home. I am feeling the same as I move through the recovery of the unknown from a very unexpected and serious health issue. So glad God is never surprised and knows exactly what to do. Your sis in Jesus!
Thank you Jesus for understanding and answering at the right time. You are so faithful.
Suzie,
It’s been awhile since I’ve read your blog. For most of this evening since I got back from work, I’ve been discouraged by things happening with my child, for which I’m not in control and have no authority over. I have been living like this since she was born. I’m not her mother in a complete sense. I’m conditioned as to what I should and shouldn’t be, do, how much I should be there for her, etc. this control and conditioning has destroyed my motherhood and affected me to the extent that I fully resent and want the person who has stolen my position as mother to my child out of our lives permanently. There is a lot of anger and resentment I need to break free from. What you shared today is exactly what I’m struggling with. Every time I feel I’m making progress and moving forward, I let all these things affect me and inside I know I’m slipping back.
The third line of the article is exactly what I’m trying to convey. That’s where I go wrong and mess up again and again. I need to get out of this trap once and for all to be the mother I need to be to my daughter, without anyone else in the way who shouldn’t be. The mom Jesus meant for me to be to her, not anyone else. I also need to believe that I am victorious and set free from past failures and bondages. I do believe it, I need to live it victoriously in spite of the evil one trying to discourage me and believe the lies.
I want to see myself moving forward and staying strong and consistent and victorious in Jesus in spite of what the evil one does or whom he uses to bring me down.