Welcome to our Blog

Welcome to our Blog

Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NLT)

"A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. THREE are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken."

Monday, January 11, 2010

Challenging Times

Just this past Sunday, our pastor talked about "The Serenity Prayer" in its' entirety and what that means to us. It was an amazingly powerful sermon and really hit home with Dave and I as we are faced with many challenges and uncertainty in this particular mile of the journey we call "life". Some of these trials include: dealing with residential and commercial property investment issues, getting our house ready for market (LOTS to do!), actually selling our home for a fair price (by Owner), searching for a new home within a family-friendly neighborhood in a good school district (at a fair price), job hunting and all that entails (Dave wants to return to mechanical engineering full-time), keeping up our home (snow removal, cleaning, laundry, etc), all while continuing to raise three vibrant 5-year olds and keep up with their daily needs, activities and energy. It's been exhausting, especially for Dave, which is why this well-known prayer (and our pastor's sermon) gave us the extra inspiration we so desperately need right now.

The Serenity Prayer - by Reinhold Niebuhr
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it;
Trusting that he will make all things right
if I surrender to His will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next.
AMEN
And one of my favorites I have posted in my office:
TRUST in the Lord with all your heart
and do not lean on your own understanding;
in all your ways, acknowledge Him,
and He will direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

What a wonderful reminder to keep our focus on Him and He will guide us and lead us according to His will. We pray that if any of you may be suffering from worry, stress, financial difficulties, job issues, marital problems, depression, self-doubt, etc.........lift up your burdens and hand them over to God - He will gladly take them and lighten our loads. We ask for your prayers for our family over the next several months. In return, please just ask and we will GLADLY return the favor. Prayer is incredibly powerful.
God bless you!!!

3 comments:

Peter and Alison plus 3 said...

We're praying for you! Our family could use some prayers too...we (like a lot of people) are pretty financially stapped. We daily lift it up and know we will be taken care of by our great God! Know your entire family is thought of and prayed for in these challenging times!

Danette Fettig Halloran said...

Tina, the prayers are truly comforting. Your intentions will be in my prayers. We are also juggling some big decisions and I do believe and take comfort in the power of prayer. It is hard sometimes to hear God's whisper through all the "chaos" in our everyday lives. The prayers you posted are such a good reminder of this. God Bless you!

Unknown said...

Tina,
I LOVE your blog. Your faith you and your family have is simply wonderful to read about. I had someone in my office just a few days ago who shared with me the extreme difficulties he has had in his life, to the point where he tried to commit suicide. His heart stopped twice but the doctors revived him. He checked himself in to the hospital for help and that is the first time he had seen the serenity prayer. The prayer introduced him to Jesus. He raised his hands and gave his life to God. Since then, many blessings have fallen on him. He is okay. Thank you for sharing the serenity prayer. Thank you for sharing your love for Christ.