Wednesday, September 4, 2019

No Chapter Wasted





Confession:  I’m a Pinterest addict.  I mean, seriously, I need PA – Pinterest Anonymous.  I scroll daily on Pinterest.  I may not scroll for the same purpose as most.  I scroll for inspirational quotes.  I scroll for recipes as well; but, mostly inspirational quotes.  I know, I know, lame, right?

For some reason, I feel like these quotes help express the emotions stirring inside.  These quotes often become little cheerleaders to help keep me on the positive track.  Some even feel like a little hug and confirmation that everything is okay.  The other day, I read one in particular which deserves an, “Amen!”. . .

Don’t judge my story by the chapter you walked in on.
~anonymous

You shouted, “Amen!”, didn’t you?  It’s okay, no judgement here. 

The people we meet in life have no clue the path we walked to arrive at this point in life.  If you met me today, judgments may begin when looking me up and down or as I speak.  The person standing in front of me has no clue I battled an eating disorder, infertility, anxiety, depression and fought for the woman I am today.

I do not list the things above for sympathy by any means.  I list them to prove a point.  We must not judge when meeting someone regardless of their actions, appearance or words.  We have no clue of the battle they faced, face or will face in this life.  It takes a moment in time that could place you in the same battle the person across from you experiences.  Don’t judge.  We are seeing only a page within a chapter of the book written describing the history of another’s life. 

I may not be where I would like to be in my journey of recovery from the above list; but, I have fought hard to get here and I am thankful for the journey. 

I need to edit the above sentence. . .God fought hard to get me here and I am thankful for the journey He has walked me through.  He is the only way I received healing.  He is the one providing Truth to guide my steps.  He is the life, laying the path I must work diligently to stay on daily.

God continues to fight for each of His children.  The difficult part enters when our pride denies the assistance offered by the One who can defeat the enemy.  God provides the protection required to deflect the fiery darts of the enemy.  God provides the Truth to overpower the lies of the enemy.  God always wins. 

We need the daily reminder found in God’s Word that He will remain by your side today, fight for your peace and lead you in a life of purpose.  He will not waste any page in your past, current or future chapter in life.  He uses all for good as you follow the path laid by Him. 

The chapters written in the past will reveal ugly, messy, bad decisions in my life; but, our Father in Heaven has transformed each moment into useful tools for the pages being written in the present time.  His blood shed on the cross washed all the ugly moments in my past clean.  His sacrifice on the cross transformed the messy years into a ministry.  His acceptance of this sinful woman allowed growth from the bad decisions in the past. 

Remember in this life that those you meet are walking a journey, building a chapter and moving forward in this life.  Be the person that meets them along the journey and helps guide in the positive direction.  Be the person that encourages healthy growth for their next page written.  Be the person that Jesus would have been in the years He walked this Earth.  Treat others as Jesus would treat them.  You never know the battle they faced, are facing or will face.  The enemy attacks us all in various ways. 

Shine Jesus wherever you may travel today! 



   

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 
Sheree Craig

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