Finding Blessings in the Battles

 
It dawned on me this past weekend, that in my attempt to get ready for the "Remember December" classes I have coming up and the kits that I have still to make, I had completely disregarded November, all in one day.  Just like that, BAM...November..GONE!  It was almost as if once Halloween was over on Saturday, Sunday was all about Christmas and I REFUSE to tell you that we have our Christmas lights up on the house (even though we do! It is a little manly competitiveness we have brewing on our street...)

Anyways, I sent myself directly out to the ol shead-teau to create something (pictured above) to get myself into focus and to be the home for the many "thankfulness-es" & "Great-Full-Ness-ess" I have in my life.  I will be adding things to this book through the month and will be sharing them right here on my blog (lucky you!)

Now, do not get the wrong idea, ooohhh no....I am already listening to holiday music (occasionally) but I am going to respect November all month long and at the same time, will also focus on Christmas and my love for all things holiday-ish. Part of my "Thank-ful-ness" stems from the fact that there would be no "Remember December" classes or special blog, no scrapbook paper covered in holly and berry leaves, no die cut dancing snowman throwing glitter in the air, no chestnuts roasting on the open fire....nor any holiday excitement had it not been for one thing...

Jesus.

Hello, duh!  and when I think of Jesus, I stop and in my own nerdy, "can-not-pray-out-loud" way and I thank him, for him,

and 

for my family that loves me unconditionally

for my friends that support me through thick and thin

for my bible study that teaches, reminds and strengthens my faith

for my blog family, so that when there is a need, I can call out and I know that you will be there

for my feet, so that I can run, focus and pray

for my mind & hands, so that I can create

for my church that gives me so much comfort

for my battles

for ...

for my battles????

yes, for my battles. 

Here is the good news of the day...

"You do not have to be perfect to help others" whew! In fact, the worse the battle, the better the helper you will become...that is, after the fact.

Are you picking up what I am putting down????

My battles and my weaknesses may make absolute no sense while they are happening, may be direct result of poor choices and /or circumstances, BUT...they are what I learn from, what I share with you and what I am able to reflect on when I need to be there for someone.  I learned this past weekend at church that my greatest ministry will flow out of my pain. 

Isn't that strange??

Up until this last Sunday, I truly thought that it was my strong points that were what I was to reflect on when helping others, ya know, like learning and then teaching others how to make a paper flower, or being able to doodle...when really, it is not about a paper flower or the doodle at all...those things are just bonus parting gifts.

So, here are things to remind yourself EVEN WHEN IT IS DARKER THAN YOU EVER THOUGHT POSSIBLE....

when YOU are in the midst of a battle, feel like you are underwater, feel like you just can not go on, want to crawl up in a ball, etc...PLEASE try to remember this verse because it APPLIES to every single on of us REGARDLESS of faith or religion...

and just in case you should want to print this out and color it yourself...here is the link. 

I know that it will sound completely absurd, but the BATTLE that you are facing, struggling with or will deal with in the future will help you help someone else and that,my friends, is a BLESSING!

Comments

[Alisha B]

I was forgetting all about November too. I was thinking about my trees all the little stars I want to hang, Thank you I need to think about November and being THNAKFUL!!

[Monica G]

I read this tonight and it totally hit home! I cannot tell you how much I needed to hear this tonight! I am facing a "battle" of sorts and have been trying to wrap my brain around it and the lesson I am to learn...thank you for showing me the path! This is God's ways, how he works through people to help us see him! Wow, what a revelation for me! Going to print this off right now...it is what I need right now, today! Thank you!

[sharyn]

Love your writing style. I was forgetting about November too and may have already played my Christmas CDs starting yesterday :)

[SusanC]

Thanksgiving has always been a big time for me. A time to reflect on my blessings, what/who I am thankful for and more. My Mom's birthday was in November (actually fell on Thanksgiving many years) and she was wonderful, thoughtful, giving - I could go on and on. I've found through the years it really is the battle that enables us to be stronger, fighter harder and be that much more helpful to others who are battling - God works in so many ways. Thanks for the reminder.

[Linda Cloer]

Thank you for sharing you life. I am thankful for my family and my health and a whole lot more. I love Thanksgiving as it gives me a chance to get all of our family together and catch up on their lives. I love to make a BIG DEAl out of Thanksgiving like hosting for my husbands family meal.

[Debby S]

you always say just the right thing to get me back to what is important. Thank you so much for sharing your life and for making me remember to stop, focus and just live.

[Susan Shintaku]

So true! So true! Thanks for the reminder :-)

[Nicky]

Wonderful post! I, too, want to celebrate November and "thankfulness". How can one go into the Christmas season without a thankful heart????

[ashley]

Oh wow. Thank you for sharing this. I always wondered why I went through what I did, and I knew it was to help someone else. That's why I chose the field I did, but you know, you made it really hit home this time. Thank you for that.

[stacey42]

Thank you for sharing. I've always thought of November as a thankful month

[Lori Franklin]

I needed this today! Thanks Stephanie!

Lori

[karla]

many blessings Sweet Lady!!

[Maggie Moran]

You sound like such a neat person to know. I start a fresh battle every day. I have a disabled husband and it's getting more difficult. But you are right. "In God we trust."

[Pam Klank]

I just read this--3 months after it was posted! It is never too late! I am thrilled to see something positive, uplifting and spiritually influenced shared with so many people. I believe everything you said. I know my battles have made me a stronger and better person. God does some funny things we wonder about and question. Sometimes we do not know the answers right away-if ever. There have been times in my life when I thought I knew the answer for my dark times only to find out, God had a much better answer waiting for me. Thank you for sharing yourself and your beliefs with us! I have never seen your site before but I plan on looking at it much closer. Thanks for the inspiration--I hope to meet you one day! God Bless!

[stephanie]

Hi Pam..thank you for your kind words and so glad that you found me!

[Pam Klank]

I WILL MEET YOU!!! I have signed up for your class at Grove's! I can't wait--I am kind of new at this stuff so I am not sure what to expect or what to bring but that makes it all the more fun! My friend may even come with me which would really enrich the experience! See you soon!