Where Have I Been?

"If you think of this world as a place intended simply for our happiness, you find it quite intolerable; think of it as a place of training and correction and it's not so bad." -C.S. Lewis


Hello Blog World! It's been quite a while. Where have I been? Well, amongst all the holiday cheer, of course! It's been a month of training and correction for sure, but joy as well. I have been stuck in Luke 6 for the past couple weeks. Christ teaches. I've just been soaking in the words of my God. 

"Blessed are you poor, 

For yours is the kingdom of God.

Blessed are you who hunger now,

For you shall be filled.

Blessed are you who weep now, 

For you shall laugh.

Blessed are you when men hate you,

And when they exclude you,

And revile you, and cast out 

Your name as evil, 

For the Son of Man's sake.

Rejoice in that day and leap for joy!

For indeed your reward is great in Heaven."

I've been trying to fully grasp this. There have been a lot of situations lately of being excluded, reviled ad cast out. Not in every situation does it involve me, but I've been surrounded by so much hurting. I haven't been exactly sure how to handle it, so I've prayed a lot. 

This morning as I read these words again (I rIally think I will sit in this chapter for a while) I prayed for understanding. I prayed for changed attitudes, changed perspectives, changed hearts, and for peace. I pray for an overflowing of grace in my own heart, and in the hearts of those around me. Also, for compassion. 

I desire to rejoice in even suffering. I have been sad at the circumstances, conversations & attitudes I have encountered, but the Lord is calling to rejoice & also to take action. My prayer today was that I would be filled with an attitude of grace in all things. To give it, to know how to live under it and how to receive it. In all circumstances, conversations and with EVERY person. 

I pray this for you today, as well. Jesus goes on to instruct us how to live this out, even and especially towards those who do exclude, revile and cast us out, and His words are beautiful. 

Check it out for yourself! 

I'm also reading a good book called "One Thousand Gifts". It's written by Ann Voskamp. A great read so far, from someone who lived for so long in hardness, and was set free, it has encouraged me to daily live in thankfulness to the Lord for even the smallest gifts and wonders, because they are ALL from Him, its the choice we make to give Him praise in it. 

That's all for now, but I hope you are encouaged & blessed. 

May the Lord bless you & keep you, may He make His face to shine upon you & give you peace <3 

xo Jess