““Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.””Ruth‬ ‭1‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I can relate to Naomi’s mindset. Sometimes we blame God and question His faithfulness. For me, three long years of cervical screenings, biopsies, and procedures had me questioning God. At times I felt forgotten about. Thankfully I have had many Ruths along my journey to be faithful prayer warriors, a listening ear, and a shoulder to cry on.

In Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬ ‭NIV doesn’t say that God makes all things good. It says that God is working the good, bad, and ugly for our good and His glory; “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” ‬‬

What mindset did I take on? Making the best of my story. We may not have control of the beginning, middle, or end, but God is in control. We can take our thoughts and point them towards Christ. The best action for me has been being proactive with preventative medicine. Following my Doctors recommendations. Cervical cancer, along with many others can be a silent killer. I encourage all ladies to get their screenings. Husbands, Dads, and sons, encourage the women in your lives to get their screening. I have included a schedule chart published by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists.

Is your mindset pointed towards Christ? What if our mindset was to give God the glory. I encourage you to worship with Give You The Glory by Hope Darst, featuring David Leonard.

This week I am sharing a very personal journey. Each day will be something different about my journey. If you missed Sunday’s post, you can follow the link, Story Sunday.

“And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭43‬-‭44‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Can you imagine living in biblical days, when no one wanted to come near a bleeding woman because she was considered unclean? Can you imagine this going on for twelve years? What bold faith to walk out in a crowd of people and reach for Jesus; “Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”” Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭48‬ ‭NIV‬‬. Thankfully we can reach for Jesus. God sees us all the same, worthy to be healed.

Have you ever felt like an outcast, unwanted, or unclean? I can relate to the story of the bleeding woman. We all know that Satan is good at making us feel like an outcast, unworthy of God’s love and healing. I have been on a three-year health Journey that at times has tested my faith and my worth. This week I will be sharing my story each day in hopes that through my transparency I can bring awareness and help others.

Here my story goes. Three years ago I was diagnosed with the Human Papillomavirus, otherwise known as HPV. At times I have felt outcast and unworthy of God’s love. I would eventually learn that HPV lives in everyone’s body at some point in their lives. Many times HPV goes away on its own. For someone like me, I have the cancer-causing kind. My immune system isn’t fighting it, thus surgical methods are warranted.

We all have trials we face. Through God we can have courage to face those trials; “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”” Deuteronomy‬ ‭31‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬.

I encourage you to listen to, Me On Your Mind by Matthew West. Some of the lyrics that speak to me are; “Who am I that the God of all grace Wipes the tears from my face and says, “Come as you are”? I don’t know about your story, but I do know that you and I are invited to come to God as we are. No one walks alone. I pray each of us can go to God through word and prayer to be healed mentally, physically, and emotionally from whatever trial we are facing.

For more information, visit the CDC.gov on Cervical Cancer

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.””
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭91‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭17‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭36‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I am fascinated with shadows. Often when I am on a walk, I am drawn to the shadows cast on the ground around me. This week, while walking with my walking partner at dusk, the above shadow caught my attention. It seemed like we were enveloped in the shadow of limbs. I was reminded of God’s love that surrounds and encompasses us at all times. What a safe feeling!

On this Faithful Friday, spend some time reflecting on the above scriptures. Allow God to remind you of times when the shadow of the Almighty gave you the strength, courage and protection you needed. Allow the promise of God’s shadow to comfort you and strengthen your faithfulness.

“He said, “Come ahead.” Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!” Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, “Faint-heart, what got into you?”” Matthew‬ ‭14‬:‭29‬-‭31‬ ‭MSG‬‬

It’s Water Walking Wednesday! Seven years ago this month, Julie and I began our journey together as bloggers. Even today, saying I am a blogger sounds surreal to me. I always knew I would become a teacher, a wife and a mother. But never did I imagine blogging would become almost second nature to me. In fact, for years Julie even posted for me! I would spend a week writing, email it to her, and she would post.

We began our Water Walkers blog as an assignment in an online class we took about sharing your faith through social media. I remember how nervous and hesitant I was before each post was published. What would people think? Was I doing God’s will? Would anyone read the blog?

Now, writing for the blog has become second nature. God is always faithful to inspire, guide and direct my words. Towards the end of each year God always leads Julie and I in next steps to stretch us and grow our blog. My prayer is that we never forget how it felt to jump out of the boat like Peter. I pray we always listen when Christ directs us to “come ahead.” May we always keep our eyes on Christ instead of “the waves churning” beneath our feet.

How about you? When have you jumped out of the boat and walked on water? Is God calling out to you now, “Come ahead”? Today, may each of us have discernment and courage to jump!

Click here to read my post from 7 years ago!

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today is Transformation Tips Tuesday and it is All Saints Day. Click here and spend a few moments reading about All Saints Day in the United Methodist Church. What are the traditions of your faith? Do some research this morning on All Saints Day and celebrate the saints in your life who have helped to transform your faith journey and now surround you. Meditate on today’s scripture and resolve to keep your eyes on Jesus as your faith journey continues. Lastly, read The Message version of the same scripture and be transformed by the words of inspiration.

“Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭MSG‬‬

This morning praise God for the pioneers who blazed the way, the great cloud of witnesses, that surrounds us. Feel them cheering us on. Now go forth, keeping your eyes on Christ!

“Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”” Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Tuesday, November 1st is All Saints Day. However, we had All Saints Celebration at our church yesterday. On All Saints day we recognize the saints who have passed away during the year. Sadly, we lost 9 members of our church family this past year. As we recognized the lives of these precious individuals I reflected on my time on earth and the importance of making the most of every moment.

On this Mindset Monday let’s meditate on today’s scripture which features the Great Commission. Jesus calls us to spread the Good News and make disciples. How are you doing with your calling?

Last week Julie reminded us that God has a purpose and a plan for each of us. Although we may feel unworthy, God will equip us with all we need to fulfill the Great Commission. We simply must remember to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us.

As you pray about God’s calling on your life, Click here to listen to “The Commission” by Cain. As this song was sung during worship yesterday, God reminded me of the importance and value of each moment. This Mindset Monday allow the words of the song and your reflection on the saints that have gone before you to shape your resolve to share the Good News and make disciples.