Puppy training. It’s not for wimps. Just when I think that I have little Lucy figured out, she decides to blow the whole deal with a mess up! Ugh! I am not sure if she is ever going to “get it”!

So, today I have little Lucy on a short leash. She is tethered to me…Oh Joy! And, she must follow me everywhere I go. This way I can advert her accidents and her natural bent to messing in the wrong places. I am quite sure that she does not like being attached to me and having her free reign spoiled. But, in time, she is going to learn what she needs to know. The short leash is part of the process.

Life tests. They aren’t for wimps either. Just when we think we have something figured out we are thrown a curve ball through circumstances that are out of control. Ugh! Not sure life tests ever go away. And, short leashes…yep! God often has to tether us to His side too. He keeps us close so he can advert our accidental bad choices, and lead us in the right direction. The short leash is part of the deal of spiritual training, spiritual growth, and learning to live God’s way.

Just like puppy training, life tests have a purpose. They shape us into the women that we were created to be.

Today’s Truth: James 1:3

“the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

The tests develop something in us. Tests are part of God’s development plan. We must be tested so that we can mature and become complete. Believe it or not, the tests will complete us in such a way that we will not lack anything!

Tests, Leashes, whatever you want to call them….God is using things in our lives to change us. Today embrace the short leash, the new test or trial, and put your focus on the promise of development and change. And, as James says, “Count it all Joy!”

Today’s Prayer.

Lord Change Me through this leash, these tests. Make me mature in you, that I would lack nothing you have for me.

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25 years ago today I was in the hospital in Bakersfield, California giving birth to my second child, Cameron Jaymes Brier. He has been a gift and a joy!

Happy Birthday. Believing God for the Good things to Come!

Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart. “

Love you Cam! Mom

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All of us are familiar with slogans and cliches. Some are cute, others catchy, most have a meaning that we want to hold on to. Many times Scriptures or a variation of a Scripture becomes popular cliche, seen on plaques, cross stitch kits, and the like…

And, so it goes with today’s verse.

Today’s Truth: Romans 8:28

“And we know that all things work together for the good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.”

For me it started with a friend named Jinny. She was an older mentor type friend and she fiercely clung to Romans 8:28. Those 3 numbers, 8 2 8, were part of her, and she had no problem talking about them often or reminding me of them, applying them to my life. Those numbers and the verse they represented seemed to make her a different kind of woman, one that I wanted to know how to be.

She trusted God, really trusted God. She believed in Grace, really believed in Grace. And, she committed her disappointments and failures, all of them, to the God who would indeed work everything in her life together for His good and His plan.

This type of faith is contagious. Though I will admit that I was young and smug and thought that she was a “little over the top” about those numbers and a little too careless with throwing around the promise. Truth is, I had lots of learning to do, and lots of unbelief within me. I did not understand the power of what Paul was teaching here in Romans. But, now…28 years later…I do.

Not only do I understand, but I am over the top too! Those three numbers and the meaning behind them, have changed me…and continue to change me, the more I believe in them and the God who promised them.

Now, I can hear you saying….”wait a minute sister…all things in my life are not good, and some things never will be!” Yep, I agree, my life too. So, I would be amiss to not mention the three numbers in context. 828 is followed by 829…check it out…

“For whom he foreknew, he predestined to be conformed into the image of His Son.” Romans 8:29

Things are not necessarily going to be turned to good like a faith flick of a spiritual magic wand. But everything in our lives is working towards a purpose…to conform us into the image of  His Son. Every circumstance is shaping us. Every hurt is changing us. Every day is working together with the last to get us where God has always wanted us to be.

I liken this verses to a puzzle. God knows the picture, just like a box top from a puzzle shows the completed picture.  But when you open the box it just looks like a mess.  In the box you find pieces of all shapes, colors and sizes mixed around in a heap, making no sense at all. That is what our life looks like.

But, God in His Sovereign knowledge over our lives, sees all the pieces fitting together to make the final outcome…our life. He knows, and He is making sure we have the pieces we need to accomplish His purpose and will.

Some of my life pieces have been bad, very bad. But, God has later used those to shape me and to give me a heart for women dealing with bad pieces like mine. God knows. He is working. We can trust Him…that is what 8 2 8 means to me.

God knows. God is working. I can trust Him.

Today’s Prayer

Father I thank you for your promise over my life. I trust in You working. I trust that You know , and I trust that you have the pieces and are fitting them together according to your greater bigger picture and plan. Thank you Lord. Thank you Lord…I can not thank you enough!

P.S. The 828 story of how I met my husband, a true 828 happening, is in my book, Deeper: Living in the Reality of God’s Love. ( Revell)

If you have not read that book, I encourage you to get it. It deals with…A women’s self-esteem, spiritual identity, and the four core truths of God’s Love: He knows you, He protects you, He made you and He values you. Tell a friend. Together let’s spread the truth of God’s love for women, so that we can all be healed of our negative opinions of our selves and learn to trust God for the bigger pictures of lives that are His.

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