It’s that time of year again when I prepare garden beds for flowers, vegetables, and fresh herbs. Unfortunately, I’d allowed the weeds to gather and cover the beautiful soil, and I had a time trying to clear them all out. At first, I ran my gloved hand across the top of the soil and pulled as many as I could by hand, but these roots were so deep I needed a tool.

However, even a tool could only pull the large weeds. It couldn’t pull all the tiny hair-like roots that thickly invaded the soil. I knew anything I planted would be robbed of necessary nutrients, choking out the good roots of flowers, herbs, or vegetables that I wanted. Ugh.

I felt the heartache of hopelessness.

These weeds reminded me of the habits that take over the soil of my life. They were entrenched—firmly established, and the soil in my planters was hopelessly ruined. I could saturate the soil with weed killer and ruin the good soil with chemicals but then, I wouldn’t want to grow anything edible in that kind of soil. I could completely dump the weed-filled dirt, add fresh soil, and start all over with an empty planter. That seemed the easiest answer to the gardening problem.

What about the weeds in my heart?

I couldn’t very well replace my heart with a new one, could I? Can you? Of course not. But Jesus can. When we receive Him as Savior, He gives us a new heart, but we must guard it, protect it from invasive sin, realize we must deal with bad habits the same as we manage weeds and daily inspect our hearts as we do the soil.

Distinguish the good from the bad.

Think about it. Just because a weed has flowers, doesn’t mean it is beneficial, and it could even become out of control. (I Corinthians10:23). Every time a weed pops up or we recognize a bad habit is forming, we must do something about it quickly. We can’t let it linger and take root. Just as we turn the soil in the garden regularly to expose the roots to the sun, we must expose bad habits to the Son of God. Let Him scorch them out, forgive us, and help us start again. His love is the best weedkiller out there!

How do you manage the weeds in your life?

Remember, wherever you are, you are at the right place when you come to my website and read my blog. Come on back and share a slice of life with me.

The post WEEDS OF THE HEART appeared first on Shelia Shook.

Have you ever shortchanged God with your faith? Let me share a story.

The devil wanted to steal not only my joy, but my trust in God’s plan.

A few weeks ago on the eve of an arctic vortex, I was staying with family outside of Denver in Monument, Colorado. It was time to go home, but I worried my flight home to Houston the next morning would be canceled. After being up most of the night checking the weather report and flight status every few hours, I finally prayed and told God I would accept either way as being His will.

I said, “LORD, if the flight is canceled, I will take it that You want me to stay in Colorado another week. If it is not canceled, then I know You are ready for me to go home.” I took a deep breath and drifted off to asleep.

The next morning, I awoke to find snow and ice covered the driveway, yet the flight had not been canceled. My family and I started out early because a travel advisory warned to stay off the hazardous roads. We bundled up, grabbed a coffee, and headed out despite the warning. The usual one-hour drive took two hours in the blowing snow and frozen roads. I felt doubt creeping in, but I prayed and felt a peace that God would get us to the airport safely and on time.

At last, we arrived.

I said goodbye to my family, and they drove away to face the treacherous road back to Monument. I usually need wheelchair aid to the gate due to my bad knees, but they refused to take me due to the distance and length of time to get there. They said boarding would start in fourteen minutes. I argued that it was still an hour until they closed the doors. The manager of the service found an elderly man who would make the attempt to get me to the gate on time, but not to blame them if not.

However, the attendant was slow l, but there was literally no one in line at security so I felt a bit of hope. But then when we went through security the birthdate on my boarding pass did not match my driver’s license and I had to go back to the checkin desk to get it fixed. I was so disappointed. With the slow wheelchair driver, I knew it would be impossible to get the boarding pass fixed, go back through security, and still get to the gate on time.

Resigned, I called my family to come back to the airport for me.

However, while I awaited their return, I questioned God. “Why, LORD, would You allow the flight not to be canceled, and allow us to arrive safely through a gauntlet of snow so heavy that only one lane on the freeway was open, then allow me an hour to spare for me to then not catch the flight?”  Tears welled up and I blinked them away. “Whatever You want Lord, but help me understand. My family have gotten up before daylight on a horrible weather day for nothing?

I felt a nudge.

Oddly, hope began to swell. Then a stronger nudge sent me hobbling back to the wheelchair desk to ask again for an attendant to take me to the gate. I really expected them to refuse, but they didn’t. They asked me to wait for them to find someone again. I waited, unsure whether to call my family again or keep waiting. I prayed again.

Soon, a different elderly attendant approached me. “I want to help you,” he said. “I’ve been doing this job for six years and I believe we can get you to the gate on time.”

With my birthdate on the boarding pass fixed, he rushed me through security, wound me through and around groups of slow walking people, caught three elevators and we rode two shuttles to get to the gate. And when we arrived… the victory of our race had us both praising God. There were at least fifty people still boarding and another, maybe, seventy-five boarded after me.

I had prayed for God’s will.

He knew I was in a hurry, knew the odds were already foretold that I wouldn’t make it. So, if it was His will for the flight not to be canceled, and His will for us to arrive at the airport safely and with an hour to spare, why didn’t the rest go smoothly? Why was the birthdate on the boarding pass wrong? Why did my first attendant walk so slow? And why on earth was the gate so far?

I believe God wanted me to know without a doubt that it was HIM who got me to the gate on time. There could be no doubt, only God could have provided for my need.

And to think I almost gave up. I called my family back to let them know I had boarded the plane. I was in my seat with time to spare, and a long line of people still boarding. Had I not responded when God nudged me, I would have missed my flight. Had to stay in Colorado for another week for the weather to clear enough for me to fly home.

God came through for me.

He will come through for you too. Sometimes, we think if something is God‘s will, then everything should run smoothly, but maybe God wants to show us HE is the one answering our prayers.

I was prepared to miss the flight if it was God’s plan, but the Holy Spirit nudged me not to give up. I am so glad I didn’t. What a lesson I learned. And the wheelchair driver too. Prayer works. Next time you are about to give up listen to the little nudge. It may be the Holy Spirit.

Remember, where ever you are, you are at the right place when you come to my website and read my blog. Come on back and share a slice of life with me.

The post FAITH IN THE SNOW appeared first on Shelia Shook.

While it is true, we are wise to take care of ourselves, it doesn’t necessarily mean having a spa day. Taking care of ourselves involves our physical health, mental/emotional health, and our social/relationship health as well as spiritual. There is a little book I got somewhere in my life titled I DARE YOU, written by William H. Danforth, Founder and Former Chairman of the Board, Ralston Purina Company, Checkerboard Square, St. Louis, Missouri and published in 1958 by the Danforth Foundation. It has been in my personal library for decades and is a book that haunts me now and again. It is a reminder to look at the balance of my life.

Am I lacking in one area while spending too much time in another?

Danforth explains people are four sided beings. Let’s take a look at what they are and how we can take care of each of them.

PHYSICAL SELF: by eating right, getting fresh air, and exercising our muscles and joints to keep them strong. Getting enough rest, sleep and tending to our hygiene.

MENTAL HEALTH: by reading, learning, figuring math, science, and playing mentally challenging games. In other words, feed and work your brain as you would your physical body.

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL SELF: by spending time with others, the old saying No man is an island, is absolutely true. We are social beings. Giving and receiving support and feedback is important to our social health. Our relationships encourage and uplift us. And there is no relationship as uplifting as one with the Holy Spirit.

SPIRITUAL SELF: by connecting with GOD; praying, worshiping, serving others; practicing the Fruit of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Meekness, and Self-control. And by maturing in knowledge and applying our understanding of Scriptures.

Of course, God wants to be the priority in your life, but He also wants to be a part of who you are—each side of you, not just your Spiritual side.

God created you to be four sided. And each side has purpose.

Think of your life as being a four-sided square. Draw a square. Make it, say, two inches on each side. In the center put your name. On one side of the square, write Physical, on another write Social, and on another, Mental, and last but definitely not least, write Spiritual.

A balanced life should look like an equally four-sided square.

Our Spiritual, Social, Mental and Physical sides connect to one another.

Sometimes I spend too much time sitting, thinking, reading, playing games, or studying things, and neglect to add movement to nourish my old joints and strengthen my bones. So, my mental side is no longer equal to the other sides. It is longer and, because I sat around all day, my physical side is shorter.

But if I am working with someone else to strategize a game, my Social side is fed. Or, if I am reading or studying Scripture, I am feeding my Spiritual side along with my Mental side. So, now that changes the balance yet again. Could be listening to Christian music while jogging. The premise of this exercise is to dare yourself to be the best you can be in each area of your life. To be well rounded.

What does your square look like? Is it lopsided, a rectangle? Or an equal sided and balanced square?

Remember, wherever you are, you are at the right place when you come to my website and read my blog. Come on back and share a slice of life with me.

The post Take Care of Yourself appeared first on Shelia Shook.

A Fifty-year Friendship

Today, I want to share something special with you—a letter of gratitude and thankfulness to my longtime friend, Gayle. This year marks our fifty-year friendship. Throughout this time, she has been a constant, faithful friend. This letter is my tribute to her and the incredible friend she has been to me and my family. 

As you read this, I hope it inspires you to reflect on the meaningful relationships in your own life and maybe even to express your feelings to those who matter most to you. 

Dear Gayle,

As I write this, I can’t help but think of the incredible journey we’ve shared over the years. From our first meeting in the Spring of 1974, to the countless memories we’ve created, our friendship has been a constant source of joy and support in my life.

Memories

Remember that time at my house in Galveston when we laughed our conspiratorial way through the movie, My Fair Lady? And the time we used a home-frosting kit on your hair at my apartment, and you sped back to your place to rinse it out? And then you got stopped by the policeman with your hair in foil? How about the time Bill sent me house hunting and you went with me. We blindly took a road trip in search of some small town and drove for what seemed like hours until we finally ended up in Dayton, Texas? We thought it was in the middle of nowhere and you laughingly said you would never live so far out of the city. Now, we’ve both bought our homes and raised our families in Dayton, and within fifteen minutes of one another.  It didn’t take long for our families become friends as well, and now the holidays would not be the same without you and your family.

Best of All

The most meaningful time for me, though, is the nights we’ve spent talking about our faith, fears, and everything in between. Each of these moments has etched a special place in my heart, and I am so grateful to have shared them with you. Your unwavering support and understanding have been my rock through thick and thin. You’ve seen me at my best and at my worst, and through it all, you’ve never wavered in your friendship. It’s rare to find someone who truly understands and accepts you for who you are, and I feel incredibly thankful to have you in my life. 

Friends Always and Forever.

Love, Shelia 

Do you have someone with whom you need to express your feelings?

Wherever you are, you are at the right place when you come to my website and read my blog. Come on back and share a slice of life with me.

The post APPRECIATION AND GRATITUDE appeared first on Shelia Shook.

When I was a little girl in Sunday School, we sang:

“He’s got the whole world in His hands,
He’s got the whole wide world in His hands,
He’s got the whole world in His hands,
He’s got the whole world in His hands.”

That was repetitive, I know. But those of you who know the song sang along, didn’t you? As a child, the world seemed big yet was actually very small. It consisted of family, neighbors, and school. As I grew older, my perspective expanded to include other states, countries, cultures—people.

The Expanding Reach of Today

Today, with the internet, we have Zoom and conference calls that can connect people literally all over the globe. So now, even though my sphere of influence is so much larger than when I was a child, it doesn’t feel so big anymore, and Jesus’ command doesn’t feel so impossible. My life overlaps with yours, and your life overlaps with the lives of others, and so forth. I believe if we each influence those in our own circles, we are fulfilling the Great Commission.

Fulfilling the Great Commission

Connecting with others brings us closer to the vision Jesus talked about in Mark 16:15 (NIV) when He said: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”

Though we may have wanted to be missionaries, many of us were not. A sense of regret or failure may fill us at times, thinking we didn’t do what we wanted to do.

Witnessing in Our Own Communities

Remember, you may not have been called to go overseas to a foreign country to witness for Christ, but you have witnessed to your own people. It is a matter of defining who those people are.

Ezekiel 3:5-6 (NIV) says: “You are not being sent to a people of obscure speech and strange language, but to the people of Israel—not to many peoples of obscure speech and strange language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely if I had sent you to them, they would have listened to you.”

As Christians, we each contribute to our own environments. This may be even harder, as God inferred when He talked to Ezekiel. Foreigners might be more inclined to listen to your witness, than your own family and friends, but we have no excuse as He goes on to say, “whether they listen or fail to listen ….” they will know.

Embracing Our Influence

Let’s embrace our surroundings, knowing that our influence, no matter how small it seems, is part of a larger tapestry woven by God’s hands. Together, we fulfill the Great Commission, one connection at a time.

The post Embracing Our World: A Reflection on the Great Commission appeared first on Shelia Shook.

Do you struggle with living in the topsy-turvy nature of today’s world?

I’ve read plenty of opinions on social media regarding the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony and its disregard for Christians and their values. It is heartening to witness the overwhelming support for the Christian community following the inappropriate displays at the Opening. The whole subject gives an opportunity for people to speak out about their beliefs.

It is hard to write this blog.

But I feel compelled to share a post to encourage and uplift my fellow Christians as we Learn to Cope during these end times. It has taken me two weeks of thought and prayer. I’m convinced we must keep on keeping on standing up for our LORD and His righteousness. Be the light and salt of the world. Be bold, but like Jesus, we must love the sinner while we hate the sin. Adopt an attitude of love and prayer, not judgement and hate.

Pray for them

“For the god of this age (Satan) has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”  2 Corinthians 4:4 NIV.

The Paris 2024 Olympics declared their slogan: “Games wide open” as they committed to providing a Rainbow room. It was always their intention to support these minorities and make them feel welcome. I have people in my life who are in this same minority. I love them, but they are sadly wrong. It has nothing to do with judging someone’s sin, because one sin is no greater than another. Sin is sin. LGBTI sin is no greater than mine or yours. The difference for me is that when I sin, I am ashamed of my behavior while they flaunt theirs.

BUT is what they flaunt a sin? Paul, in Romans 1, says it is.

“26 That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned from the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. 27 And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.” Romans 1:26-27 NLT

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil.” Isaiah 5:20-21

The Olympics Board of Directors took a step too far for Christians to accept. It is said to merely reflect the “artistic” Feast of the gods, by Jan Harmensz Muller— instead it is merely a reflection of our times. When the pagan ideas and lifestyle of past centuries grew in popularity, they led to the persecution of Christians. Today, we are not far.

Imagine living in Biblical times.

We are upset now over a visual depiction of mockery, but just imagine living in Biblical times. How difficult would that be? For instance, when the Roman Empire crowded the Colosseum with spectators to watch the famous games where gladiators battled to the death, and Christians were thrown to lions. Today we are only facing the battles of the pagan religions being honored and lifestyles being accepted. No one has died—yet.

Imagine being pulled from your homeland as the Israelites were when they were exiled to Babylon. There they were forced to give up their holy practices and the rulers even disgraced the temples.  

Jesus said trouble would come.

He said there will be division because you follow Him.  “Brothers will turn against their own brothers and hand them over to be killed. Fathers will hand over their own children to be killed. Children will fight against their own parents and have them killed. Everyone will hate you because you follow me. But the one who remains faithful to the end will be saved.”  Matthew 10:21 NIV

He warned us to be ready.

“But be alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21:36 NIV

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”  Ephesians 6:12 NIV

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua1:9 NIV

“And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season, we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 NIV

Where do you stand?

God knows. He sees us when no one else does. And loves us anyway. That is why He made a way for us to repent and receive forgiveness.

I would love to hear your comments.

Come on back and share a slice of life with me.

The post BE ENCOURAGED, GOD SEES appeared first on Shelia Shook.

I thought of the experience I had last month sitting on the porch during the storm and the excitement of feeling the power of the wind and seeing its effects. (WHEN STORM WINDS BLOW – Shelia Shook)

The Wind

The wind showed itself in the movement of the clouds, the rain, my hair. I called it exhilarating. Who could doubt the presence of the wind? We see its effects everyday across all nations, oceans, peoples. The wind is invisible, isn’t it? Yet we know there is wind. It is an energy we can feel with results we can see.  Meteorologists even report how fast the wind blows using miles per hour, though they cannot see it.

Atmospheric Pressure, Gravity, Electricity, Goodness, Justice, cannot be seen yet they exist

Can you see these? You feel them and witness their effects.

Hurricanes and tornadoes stir the wind to the point of violence. This is why people fear storms. The wind is unharnessed power. It can blow as gentle as the breath of a baby against your neck, or as savage as the breath of a roaring lion standing over you.

When there is no breeze, the air is still there. As you whiz down the freeway with your windows up and the AC on, the air is blowing past you. Or are you blowing into the wind? When the air is thick with fog or smoke you can see it as it holds other substances. It is measured by its own substance as well. Earth’s breathable air is made up of a combination of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide (along with pollution.)

God is like the air. He is always there. His presence can be seen, felt, and measured by His effect on individuals who believe in Him. I admit it’s hard to prove God’s existence without His scripture. But just look at the beauty of his creation. and compare it to the evil effects of His, and our, enemy. Someday, the enemy will be defeated, and evil will exist no more. Thankfully, God blesses us with a glimpse of the beauty to come.

Psalms 19:1

“The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.” Kenneth Robb Kersey shares other scriptures on his website: God’s Other Ways (godsotherways.com) If we look, we can see many scriptures to support an all-powerful, all knowing, ever present, invisible, Spirit God. Check out 2Corinthians 4:18 and Hebrews 11:1. Also, see those below.

John 3:8

“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So, it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

We are warned in Romans 1:20 (NLT)

“For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities–his Eternal power and Divine nature. So, they have no excuse for not knowing God.”

Can you trust what you cannot see? We do it every day. What are some invisible things you trust?

Thank you for coming to my website and reading my blog. Come on back and share a slice of life with me.

The post Can You Prove GOD Exists? appeared first on Shelia Shook.

A heavy mist blew off the rooftop and added a strange swirl to the already pouring, blowing rain. I watched the darkened sky and counted the seconds between lightning and thunder, and then laughed aloud when the thunder crashed and rolled. I sat on the back porch amidst the blowing fierce winds and rain blowing in every direction for about thirty exhilarating minutes. I wasn’t afraid, I loved it. It was wild and glorious. Quite the adventure. I thought of Peter and James and John. How must they have felt when their fishing boat was tossed about in the storm.

Now, if I was in a real boat, out on the water, my faith, too, would have been truly tested.

Today, I knew Jesus was with me in the storm.

A light spray hit my face. Thrilled, I loved the joy of being in the hands of the living, all powerful God. My God. He was in charge of the storm.

Unfortunately, the after math of a storm is not so joyous. My yard looks like a lake, but not in my house as some of my sweet friends have suffered. Loss of electricity and homes and businesses flooded, yet again. We ask why? And only God knows. Only our unconditional faith in Him is the answer. When you see a storm, see His ultimate power and trust Him. It is only with unrestrained trust that Paul can say: “to live is Christ, to die is gain.”

To die is gain for the Christian because we go to eternal life with Christ. But what does it mean “to live is Christ?” To live, but be injured? Live, but lose my home or worse, a loved one? I wish I could say I have that kind of faith amidst the storms of life, but like most people, I tend to get caught up in worry and fear. I forget that God is in charge of life’s storms, too. I pray the faith given me while I sat on the porch this morning will someday be an automatic reflex so when I am faced with the trials of life, I will respond as I did today—with awestruck joy.

Am I crazy? Maybe.

Oh, but to have that much faith as to be exhilarated and joyful in trials, knowing He is in charge.

Wouldn’t it be great to be able to laugh when the thunder of life rolls? When the storm blows in?  

Remember wherever you are you are at the right place when you come to my website and read my blog. Come on. Back and share a slice of life with me.

The post WHEN STORM WINDS BLOW appeared first on Shelia Shook.

Yesterday, my daughter, Cynthia, would be fifty-eight had she not passed away in an auto accident in 1996. (A SINGLE FLOWER) My comfort is knowing she’s in Heaven and I will see her again. Oh, how my Cindy would hate being over fifty—much less near sixty. A free-spirit, young, wild, and carefree all her young life, yet, in many ways, she was an old soul.

I am visiting my granddaughter in Florida this week and writing from her workplace. It is a joy seeing Sammy Jean’s professional side as regional director over area funeral homes. I watch the transformation from granddaughter to professional as before we get out of her car, she kicks off her flip flops and slips into a pair of strappy heels. Cindy would be proud of her success. And of the success of her sister, Marie, a homeschooling mother of six.

Sammy and I watched an old movie the other night: Grace and Glorie. (https://www.google.com/search?q=grace+and+glorie+hallmark+movie&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#ip=1) Throughout the story, Grace, an elderly hospice patient, is knitting a sweater. Her hospice volunteer, Gloria, becomes close to the grandmotherly woman and asks her how she can find her purpose in life. Grace responded with a meaningful quote: “Like a knitted sweater, each stitch is connected to another, and If one stitch breaks the sweater comes apart. We may not know our purpose, but maybe it’s just like a stitch in the middle holding the stitch before it to the stitch that comes after it.”

Isn’t that so like life? Aren’t our lives knitted together like stitches? Our purpose may seem small and insignificant at times, but all stitches are important. If just one stitch breaks the sweater can unravel. Every life touches other lives and forms a connection between them, between stitches. Each person serves to hold the sweater together.

Your purpose may be profound, or maybe it is simply like a knitted stitch. Each generation has someone who holds the future generation to the past generation. Keeping alive the connections.

Is That You?

Missing stitches can be repaired, but like grief, the new stitches don’t always match or blend in with either side of the missing stitch. However, over time, and with work, the restored sweater can function again. After my daughter died, I found myself to be that mismatched thread trying to repair the hole left by our missing stitch.

The sweet broken lives of my granddaughters are not without scars, but today, they serve as the missing thread in my life’s sweater.

What are your threads connecting to? You are a necessary connection to those around you.

Remember, where ever you are you are in the right place when you come to my website and read my blog. Come on back and share a slice of life with me.

The post We Are The Threads of Life appeared first on Shelia Shook.

MY ACT I

It was Wednesday night, and I was nine years old. What was I doing at the youth group with my sister? I guess I needed a babysitter, and she wanted to go to youth. I was a little intimidated by the group, but they were kind enough to me.

Snarky teenagers, practical jokers interrupted the speaker with whispered jokes. Was anyone listening to the message? After the youth leader spoke, he prayed, and the room got quiet. No more interruptions, no more giggling, poking. No one trying to be cool. The small room with teens sitting on hard benches became reverent and we sang a song that in children’s church, we sang all the time. But tonight, it touched my heart in a way it never had.

Into my heart, into my heart. Come into my heart LORD, Jesus.

I stood there and sang. I knew the words well.

Come in today, come in to stay, Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.

I don’t really remember the verses just the chorus, but it repeated over and over in my head. I found myself, along with a few others, walking to the front of the room and getting down on my knees at a wooden bench. I prayed that song like a prayer and meaning it. The song was over, and I went back to my seat. The service was over. No one spoke to me. My sister and I left, and nothing was said between us. I felt odd.

WE DIDN’T TALK ABOUT IT.

I didn’t talk about it with my parents either. I knew I had made a decision of some importance, but life went on. I still told lies, still disobeyed my teachers, talked when I should’ve been listening, but something had happened to me. Somehow, I felt different.

When my parents fought, which they did— every time my daddy drank, which was often I prayed, and I asked God to help me, and somehow, I was comforted, and was no longer afraid. Sometimes when I was in trouble, I would admit I was guilty. I’d say, “I lied. I’m sorry. I deserve my punishment.” My mother thought I was being snarky. But I knew I had done wrong. I knew I deserved to be punished. Throughout my life, I have found myself telling on myself when I did something wrong…. usually lying.

GOD HAS BEEN WITH ME THROUGH SO MANY THINGS, I KNOW HE’S REAL

I have seen Him working in the answered prayers throughout my life. I trust Him. HOW? He helped me before, and I know He will do it again. I know He is faithful to His promises. My hope lies in Jesus Christ. My faith is that He did die for my sins. And He did resurrect on the third day, and I believe He will come again to receive me unto Himself, just like He told His disciples:

JOHN 14:2

“…I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am there ye may be also. And whither I go, ye know and the way ye know.”

Thomas asked, “LORD… how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man can come unto the Father but by me.”

What is your story? Please feel free to tell me in your comments.

Remember, wherever you are, you’re at the right place when you come to my website and read my blog. Come on back and share a slice of life with me.

The post EASTER SUNDAY appeared first on Shelia Shook.