Words...

I was given a word from a women's conference back in April and at the time I was not in a place where I believed it could be true. I'm not sure I was really in a place where I believed God really wanted to spend time with me or that if he did that other people would be interested in what He had to say.

However, for whatever reason I kept the piece of paper - I think I knew it might become relevant. I read it again yesterday and my attitude is so different now - praise God! I really feel that God is taking me to a place where it's true, and where I believe that the words I speak are really important because they're from Him.

This is what it said...

"Dear Annie,

Ps.19:14 "Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord my strength and my Redeemer"

God has given you a voice; a voice to speak out the revelation He shares with you in His Presence. He has given you things to say that those amongst whom He has placed you, are hungry to hear. Keep your ear close to Father's chest as you enjoy His Presence, and He will show you when to speak, what to speak, and how to speak in a way that brings life in abundance.

Be at peace - He will take good care of what people do with the words he give you.

Amen!"

I love that God can give you a word but that He will also give the interpretation in His perfect timing. I'm really praying that as I enjoy His Presence he will teach me His timing and the words to say.

Stepping out in Faith

At Church on Sunday I heard a talk about the woman in Matthew 9:20-22 who had been bleeding for 12 years until she stepped out in faith and touched Jesus' robes to get healing. At the end of the service there was time to pray and ask God if there was anything we needed to do for Him in order to step out in faith and I felt God saying He wanted me to give him an hour of my time every morning throughout this next year. Immediately thinking I was not up for that this year I tried to push it to the back of my mind and hope I'd misheard! However, I was reminded of it constantly over the next 24 hours and felt that actually it'd be really important for me to commit each day to Him afresh every morning. So, I decided I'd do it...
So far, I've managed it once and even then it wasn't quite an hour! I had a dream a friend told me to try it at least 3 times and woke up thinking "Brilliant, I'll do it 3 times and then I can stop!". However, I know that if I do it 3 times I'll start to really enjoy His presence first thing in the morning and won't want to stop! It's just planning that hour and trusting in Him to provide for me even if I feel I haven't had quite enough sleep...

I often think stepping out in faith refers to things like going abroad to do mission or moving to somewhere completely new. However, I'm really aware there are ways in which I could step out in faith daily, even if only to talk to that person standing on their own in a room.

So, today I'm praying that I will listen to the Holy Spirit's prompting and step out in faith in those small, seemingly insignificant ways and that God will use those acts of faith, by His grace, to share His love with others.

A good woman?

Not long ago, I had some time to think about what kind of person I am and what kind of wife I could be. I read Proverbs 31 a lot during this time and really felt that I was not in the place to be the "good woman" described. I also realised I could only become that kind of woman whilst I was single. I'm really praying that as I seek God I will become this woman and he'll prepare for one day when I will meet a man who says "Many woman have done wonderful things, but you have outclassed them all!" 

Enjoy...

"A good woman is hard to find,

and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,

and never has any reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long.
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places

and brings back exotic surprises.
She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organising her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,

then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,

is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,

diligent in homemaking.
She's quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn't worry about her family when it snows,
their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,

and dresses in colourful linens and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected

when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them,

brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.

Her clothes are well-made and elegant,

and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,

and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,

and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her,

her husband joins in with words of praise:
"Many women have done wonderful things,
but you've outclassed them all!"
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised 

is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-GOD.

Give her everything she deserves!
Festoon her life with praises!"

                                                                               Proverbs 31:10-31 (Message Remix)

Why blog?

This post begins a blog which I hope will accompany me through what promises to be an incredible year.

A year characterised by:
a life"as free as complications as possible" (1 Corinthians 7:32); 
becoming completely vulnerable and open to His will;
intimacy with Jesus;
singleness!;
freedom to love in abundance for everyone whom I encounter;
and complete dependence on Him to provide all I need.

And what better way to become completely vulnerable then by sharing this journey openly. If just one person can learn something from this then it'll be totally worth while.

Last year was an interesting year. I suffered from depression, struggled to cope with Uni and things happening at home and went through a break-up. Jesus has taught me so much through it all and under pressure my faith has grown stronger. Now, I want to totally put my focus on Him.

I'm committing to focusing on God this year and giving Him my need to be with someone and desire to be married so that I can learn and really know that He is enough for me.


This verse has really inspired me to make that decision...

                "I want you to live a life as free of complications as possible. When you're unmarried you're free to concentrate on simply pleasing the Master. Marriage involves you in all the nuts and bolts of domestic life and in wanting to please your spouse, leading to so many more demands on your attention. The time and energy that married people spend on caring for and nurturing each other, the unmarried spend in becoming whole and holy instruments of God. I'm trying to be helpful and make it as easy as possible for you, not make things harder. All I want is for you to be able to develop a way of life in which you can spend plenty of time together with the Master without lots of distractions." (1 Corinthians 7:32-35)

...what an amazing way to spend your time!