Spiritual gifts...

Last night was one of those nights...I wasn't feeling well, again. Which don't get me wrong, at this point in pregnancy isn't rare and I am used to it somewhat and I certainly am willing to deal with it since I know the prize is soon to be arriving! Have I mentioned I'm thrilled to hold that little prince in my arms?! I'm bursting...anyway, that's besides the point. What I was getting to is that I've come to the realization over the last few years that I'm so not good at some things that other Christians are....as in ministering through words. My honey on the other hand...he can debate up a storm and encourage and when he does he sounds so intelligent, he has this patience that is way beyond what I could have when discussing religion, faith, etc. Me, I sound like a babbling idiot....and then eventually get so frustrated, not only with myself but the other person....that mostly I choose to avoid the situation. I've had to stop trying so hard to minister through words because I think I make things worse when I use words! I have in the past gotten very frustrated with myself over this...HOWEVER... last night reading my bible, it did click that I'm not a completely hopeless case...I just have a different way of ministering.

"Just as each of us has a body with many members and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is SERVING, let him serve, if it is teaching, let him teach, if it is encouraging, let him encourage..." Romans 12:4-8

Notice SERVING is capitalized. I think that is my gift. I love to do things for others. In fact, I wish I had the energy and means to do it more. I love to give gifts, I love to make meals for others and care for them when they are ill....make them feel better through my actions...if that makes sense. Words, they fail me everytime. No matter how well-intentioned they are.

Ah...getting older and slightly wiser....or at least I hope so! ;P
Happy Wednesday!

Strengthened by faith...

With a season of many changes ahead of us, it is often easy for me to get a little panicked about what is to come. Will we be able to find the right church that feels like home, find the perfect jobs, find the right home, will I find time to finish school and further my career, all the while (and more importantly) caring for my infant son? Those are all questions that run through my mind on a daily basis. Most days I try to push them aside other than when we are praying about it...because I do not want to allow fear to creep into my heart and stop me from taking leaps of faith. What a boring life that would be. However at the same time we want to be sure we are following GOD's lead, not our own. It is such a fine line to balance on...sometimes it can be a frustrating process figuring out exactly what GOD is calling you to do.

Yesterday while reading my bible, I stumbled across this verse...

(Talking about Abraham)"Yet he did not waiver through unbelief regarding the promise of GOD, but was strengthened by faith and gave glory to GOD, being fully persuaded that GOD had the power to do what he had promised" Romans 4:20-21

Found this one a little while back when we really started considering our move...

"Commit to the LORD whatever you do and your plans will succeed" Proverbs 16:20

Another verse from yesterday, "It was not by the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promis that he would be heir of the world, but through righteousness by faith" Romans 4:13

This one was also from a while ago when we started to pray about this specific decision..."Whatever the righteous desire will be granted" Proverbs 10:24

...so even on days when it all seems overwhelming, I'm choosing to believe that with faith, hope, and lots of prayer, GOD will show us the way and continue to bless our lives. :)