Tag: ask

when you are far from Home: 3 tips to help you through

Karla Lees

Like Mary, Joseph & Jesus, you too may feel far from home…. in a strange city, foreign country or in an awkward family gathering.

You too may be longing for the familiar surroundings or faces you are missing.

If you too feel far from home right now, here are a few tips to help you find your way back:

1. Love the ones you’re with:

You are never alone. There is someone around you most of the time- whether family, friend, coworker, barista, boss, server…

If you can’t be at home, make others feel at home around you. Throw out the welcome mat to your kindness.
image

2. Ask for help:

If you are struggling, speak up. Get help if you can’t cope. The beat thing I ever did when I hit a sudden depression many years ago was make a list of how I was feeling & what I thought was contributing factors, after praying about things. List in hand, I ran it by a wise person I respected to ask if they thought I should talk to my doctor. She said yes.

My doctor read my list, asked me a few questions to clarify, and then told me he would have been in his doctor’s office getting help if he had half a list as long as mine. Six weeks later, I had improved enough to stop taking meds.

You may not need physical help, you may need spiritual or emotional help. Whatever the help you need, find the right resource and ask.
image
Not asking for help when you need it makes you the main problem.

Don’t miss this step if need be to help make it back home.

3. Remember, home is with you everywhere you go.

You carry home with you everywhere you are. All the good memories? With you!

image
Tune out the loneliness by taking a trip down Remember Road and reexperience the joy Home brings you.

Have you caught sight that Home is not just a place yet?

Mary & Joseph weren’t the first to bring God home with them at Christmas.

Holy Spirit resides in all who believe. He moves in and begins to make Himself at home.

Home moves outside our walls and within us.

We take Home with us everywhere we go.

As we end this year, and this series, you may be dreaming about when you will get back Home. It may not be about missing a physical place or loved ones. It may go deeper than that.

When you feel far from Home?

A simple prayer invites Him to move in.

God with us.
God within us.
Home.

#TheWhenSeries
#LoveCameDown

PS. Don’t forget to pray before you act. God will lead you, just as He used angels and a star to bring the Carpenters, the shepherds, and the wise men to Himself. If you need another reminder that He is trustworthy? Reread the Christmas story šŸ˜‰

let Him decide

Karla Lees

Max Lucado- Let Him Decide

There is an old song that still echoes in my mind from time to time “Take everything to God in prayer.”

Most of us, if we are really, really honest with ourselves, go elsewhere first.

To a touchable breathing live person.

One we already know will be there for us, to listen, comfort and be with us.

Why do we run to people instead of God?

For me, I honestly have felt I wasn’t important enough to bring my little things to Him. Why would God care whether my favorite shirt ever is missing from my closet since Mother’s Day when I last wore it? (which is absolutely true, by the way!)

The bible tells us the truth from a different perspective.

Jesus valued me, you, us enough to give up His life on the cross so we could truly live.

You don’t die for the ones you don’t love.

You give your all for those you love.

image

The Bible says God has numbered the hairs on my head, knows each tear I cry, has prepared a place for me to be at hone with Him,  provides for me, made me and understands me beyond my comprehension.

If someone loved you like that, wouldn’t He be the first person you would run to when the news comes you can’t bear on your own? Your loved one becomes seriously ill? You are afraid your marriage won’t make it? You didn’t make enough on your last pay cheque because your child was sick and you may not have enough to make ends meet?

Priscilla Shirer teaches about God meeting us beyond our beyond in the Faithful, Abundant & True teaching dvds.

Our beyond is based on how we dream and think.

God’s beyond is based on how He dreams and wants to bless us beyond our beyond.

Priscilla gives a few examples, but I will share the one that made the illustration come alive for me.

You are away from home for the weekend, and your teenager has promised to clean their room before you come home. That is your beyond.

You walk in the front door, and not only is their room clean, but they cleaned the whole house and dinner is in the oven. Reeling from shocked joy, you head to your bedroom to put your suitcase away, and there is a bath drawn, hot and bubbly, and waiting for you to hop in and relax.

That would be beyond our beyond. Exceedingly abundantly beyond what we can imagine. (Ephesians 3)

God is waiting for us to bring Him our cares, hopes, dreams, stresses, grief, pain, hurt, ailments. All of it.

When my kids get hurt, I don’t ignore them, whether it is physically or verbally. Words can cut in ways blows cannot, with bullies coming in all shapes, sizes and guises.

The momma in me riles and I want to protect my child as much as I offer them comfort. After they are feeling better/calmer, then I am willing to offer my wisdom if they ask for my help.

God is the same.

As much as a person is able to be of comfort, God is able to see the whole picture, beyond what I share to what is really at the heart of the matter.

Nothing is too small to bring to God.

Let Him decide if what is bothering you is important to Him. I know you will be surprised by His answer. He is more than able. He is the best listener, comforter and peace giver in any circumstance. He offers not only the best advice, but helps us make the changes with His strength. He is always available, forever alive and has seen in all, literally!!

“Ask and it will be given to you.
Seek and you will find.
Knock and the door will be opened.”
Matthew 7:7

So God, about my favorite top that is missing? Can you help me find it please?  Thanks! I love you too.