More

Let me start with a preface: When I blog- I normally just sit down at my desk and write whatever comes into my mind- I don't plan it- I don't force it. I just write. (There are a lot of things I WISH I could write, but I choose to not let my flesh get the best of me.) This post will be different. Last week after I posted about "what would you like to see"..a small whisper came through someone else's post on Facebook. I made my comment- then on Sunday, our Sunday School lesson confirmed what I needed to say.

Too often I hear people, "Christians" for that matter, say "God will not give you more than you can handle" when others are going through a rough time. If you believe this lie, I have to question your basis of your entire faith.

 I learned in 2012 that I didn't want your anyone's advice if it wasn't scripture based. Don't tell me what to do because that is how you see it- tell me what Jesus says about it- because in the end, that is the only thing that will hold true against whatever the world throws at you me.  

Back to "not more than you can handle". Where is that verse? That's right, it isn't in there. Scriptures are very clear that God will indeed allow you to go through so much more than YOU can handle- but it comes with a promise and a comfort. Let's look at some specific examples to convince you more.

Noah. God told Noah to build an ark (arky arky- out of gopher barky barky- flashback to church camp). Noah didn't know what an ark or rain (See Genesis 2:6) were, because he had never seen them or heard of them. God said build me this monstrosity of a boat (Genesis 6:14) because I am sending floodwaters (Genesis 3:17) to cover the earth because I regretful for making humans because they have disappointed me. Noah made the ark and was on it for a really long time- with lots of animals (and animal smells) and his family (closed in and no way from getting away from them- or the smells). This was much more than Noah could handle- but God provided for Noah and his family because of his faith. Never again will the Lord flood the earth because Noah listened and trusted God.

Abraham. Our Sunday School lesson was about Abraham and how he trusted the Lord to provide during an uncertain time. God had promised that Abraham would "be the father of many nations" (Gen. 17:5)- numerous as the stars. Then, the unthinkable happened. God told Abraham to take Issac to Moriah and sacrifice him unto the Lord. God had given Abraham a son after much long waiting- and promised that his descendants would fill the earth- and now he asked him to sacrifice him as an offering to him. Again, more than Abraham could handle. Abraham listened and did as he was commanded- and God saw his faithfulness and saw how much Abraham truly trusted him. God provided on that mountain. (Read the rest of the story here).

Many others come to mind when thinking about having to deal with more than they could handle- only for them to fully trust him and have him bless them because of it. (you will have to read the stories to see how they ended)

Moses. You are going to free the captive and lead them to the Promised Land-in the desert. It is your responsibility to get them there. 
Joseph. Your brothers will turn on you and drop you in a well.
David. I need you to slay this giant.
Gideon. Go wipe out the Midianites- oh and I am cutting your army from 32,000 to 300. 
Job.  A lot of awful things are going to happen to you- you will lose everything. Plagues, death- but just stay true to me. 

Mary. Hey you are going to have a baby and still be a virgin- and he will redeem the lost for my sake. But this is no ordinary baby- so just trust me.
Joseph. Your fiance is pregnant- not by another man, but by a miraculous sign of me- and you are to be his dad and raise him.
Any of the disciples of Christ. Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men. He didn't give any more details- but just give up your life to come with me. 

Do you not think any of these were "much more than they could handle"? I think they were exactly that and more. Try and put yourself in any of their positions. The ultimate example would be Christ himself.

Son, I am sending you, in your perfect form,  to earth for the redemption of mankind. You will live among them and then be killed by the same ones. You will bear the sins of all mankind- even those yet to come. You will not just die, but you will be brutally tortured and beaten, mocked and spit upon, and be crucified- the most awful form of death possible- only to show my great love for the world. You will still love these people and go through all of this to bring many sons to glory. One last point. When you do die, you will be separated from me. But- trust me through it all.

No. That isn't more than he could handle. Totally doable. 

Right.  

Jesus said he was "overwhelmed, even to the point of death".(Matthew 26: 38).  Yes, it was more than he could handle on his own. Luke even says that Jesus was in so much anguish, his sweat was like drops of blood (Luke 22:44).

Jesus trusted God, (as did those mentioned before) even in his weakest point, because he knew that God was going to provide. Jesus' story doesn't end at the cross, thankfully. Through his death and resurrection, we have everlasting life in him. I am grateful for his faithfulness! As the song says "Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer But this I know with all my heart His wounds have paid my ransom" (Listen here).

 The next time you hear/see someone use this phrase, I hope you choose to convince them otherwise. God does allow you to go through more than you can handle, only for you to give it to Him- so that he can make all things new. 

Things would be very different in these stories had these people not trusted God. He provided- more than they ever could dream because of their faithfulness. 

Stay with Christ, even when the hard times come- and he promises to stay with you (John 15:4). Find hope in these verses about hard time.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time.  
Psalm 66:10 For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver.  
11 You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs.
12 You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.

James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

1 Peter 1:6-7 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed

2 Peter 2: 7-9 and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—  if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. 

This one was a long one- but thanks for reading. Leave a comment on my FB as to why you read it or what you want to see- or on here- so I can enter your name in a giveaway. A beautiful hand-painted watercolor is up for grabs!

It just takes one

Just one bad thing to ruin your day. Whether that be your hair not cooperating- your closet not bearing anything worthy of being worn- or the sight of someone you don't want to see- it only takes one.

As a girl- I can say we have a lot more "one" days than guys. Makeup, shoes, the whole getting ready process- the shopping process- you get my drift. My husband is making his own gun and when his drill bit became consumed in whatever he was drilling- he was mad but he didn't dwell on it. When he broke something of some kind of ring for the gun- he got upset- but didn't stay there. 

Not me. I am not like that- but I wish I was. That one thing then turns into a million for me and I just let it eat me up. The whole day is a waste. Why do we get so frustrated? Well, maybe you  don't- but I sure do. 

A long time ago someone (jokingly) said Hezekiah 4:7 says "Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape". A good virtue- but not an easy task. 

"I can't win for losing" "If I didn't have bad luck, I wouldn't have any luck at all" "Everything and everyone is out to get me" "Could this day get any worse"- I have said these words to myself many many times. Over pointless things. (well at the time they do not seem pointless, but when I tell someone else, that's when I realize how worked up I have gotten over something small).

I was really frustrated today about something that was out of my control- but created a  REALLY awkward position for me to be in. Social media I swear is going to be the death of me. Get in trouble for this. Get in trouble for that. Don't you dare make a comment here- and don't you dare have a picture here- or there. Grief. 

Today on my way home to lunch I was reminded of how much God blesses me. I heard this song from Dave Barnes- I had never heard it before- and I just had to stop. Stop and really think about where I am and why I am frustrated.

After I got home, I reminded myself of the words my husband (he is so much calmer and discerning than me) told me earlier- and I just paused and thanked God for the blessings. Kevin said "Look at your left hand". Hmmm. That is enough for today. "Do my best to change what I can- I've got more than I ever thought I would". 

I hope you too on this Monday find the "good" in your life. It only takes one good thing to far outweigh that one bad thing. Listen to this song when you are down- and know that God is still in the business of blessing and I am praying for you. 

-Rachel 

A new start-and goodbye to the end.

2014 has come upon me a lot quicker than I anticipated.

Let's cut to the chase. Here are the things we will be leaving behind from 2013- that I, we, will not bring in to 2014. No way no how- not now. (A little Dr. Seuss for you on this arctic chill day).

D-R-A-M-A  drama- oh oh- you got that way because of your si..and just like that we leave it there. Team Pope has vowed to not let the last 2 months of 2013 hell carry over into the rest of our lives. One side of the coin is much better than before, praise the Lord!- but the other side- well, we are just leaving it flipped over and not worrying about it any more. Leaving the Jerry Springer episode to be continued (but in my mind- honey the show has been canceled and we movin' on up).

Negativity. You and all you bring have no place or welcome in our home or mouths or lives. Holla.

Pointless investments. We don't have the time, effort, or desire to engage in things that are not worthwhile. Bring on the real stuff, because  we ready...we ready..we ready for yall. (if you don't get that music throw back, I am getting really old).

The daily comparisons. You are out like power in a snow storm. We will take what we have been given and rejoice in it- and not woe is me ourselves when we look at what our friends have been blessed with. 

Now- on to what we hope for and are excited about in 2014. 2013 was incredibly good to us, despite our family feuds, so I can't fault it too much.

We look forward to White Cosby's 70th birthday in February- Kevin's 30th in May- and mine (oh. em. gee.) in August. Thank you Lord for a late summer birthday, so I can hold on to 29 8 more months! We will celebrate 1 year or marriage in April- that is crazy we are at the 8 month mark. Time flies when you marry the man of your dreams.

Kevin will take a big test soon for work and we are hoping for good results. He is pretty smart, so I think he will do fine. 

My mom will get a much needed knee replacement and we are praying this goes well and that it is a huge help to her. You can join us if you like. 

My sweet Jackson- the oldest of the elite 8- will be 13. I think I am going to cry. 

We hope to establish some sort of ministry with friends in the coming months. My heart is heavy laden to use our house for good, and my husband gives me his full support. 

We plan to enjoy every moment we can together. Lately we have gotten really good at watching movies and hanging out. I'm not complaining. 

I see our spiritual lives getting stronger- because of the deep desires we both have to be the best we can be for our other half and to serve the Lord. It is an amazing thing to hear your husband pray- even when you dont have the will or the words. It also makes my heart smile to know that my husband's relationship with the Lord is much stronger than the relationship we have. 

We will try new things, take in the view, and be ever mindful that that Lord has been good to us. We will listen more, pray harder, and be in the moment. We will allow God to be the potter and we will be the clay. 

I hope to make some meaningful investments in people this year. I had the privilege to work with the youth for the past 7 months and we pray for new relationships for this year. 

So there it is. A different approach to a new year. Positivity and a whole lotta prayer. Although weight loss and fitness would be nice (cause let me tell you...married life looks gooood on me. A little too good if you know what I mean.) 

Thanks for reading! Stay tuned. Mondays will be blog days. I really am committed to see this thing through this year. Keep coming back. I just might do a giveaway soon. :)



- Rachel