Change

      Well I just got back from Florida....after this long winter of snow and ice, the warm sun and swimming pool were refreshing. It felt good to stay outdoors.....what a nice change......
      When I got back the cold air hit my body with the reminder that our winter weather is not over and I would have to endure it for a while yet. Thank the Lord for seasons.....this is not the never ending "always winter but never Christmas" of Narnia. We enjoy all four seasons in New Hampshire, never stays the same....as I've heard it often said...."well if you don't like the weather just wait 5 minutes.."
     We had our home meeting last night and during our time of worship one of my friends, through tears, said, "Thank you Lord, in this ever changing world, You NEVER change." I immediately felt overcome with gratefulness to the Lord. I have experienced such change in my life.....the most dramatic change in years. My beloved husband went home suddenly to the Lord and I was left without him. For over 30 years we did everything together, worked and served and lived side by side. I found great comfort in being Mrs. John Fortin. Now I am alone.........yet here we were in worship and I was reminded again that my God does not change, does not have to change, will NEVER change. What a comfort and a relief in a world of constant storms and seasons this knowledge is. How easy it is to focus on the seasons and lose perspective of real life. Jesus Christ is our life and He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. (Hebrews 13:8) One of my favorite things to say to young people is, "Jesus is the North in the compass. Everything in life comes to its right place when we focus the compass of our lives on Him, for He is true North."
      Though my husband is not physically here with me, he lived before me constantly as one who was settled in Christ in a world of constant change. Thank the Lord his lesson to me has not been lost.......
 
      Let Jesus be your Rock, your Guide, your Anchor, your Peace in this ever changing world..............He will not change.......He doesn't have to......we do.....
    
    

Gust of Wind

     Today I had the pleasure to fellowship with three believers who have a great love for the Lord. As we shared, we  could see how He is directing us to live set apart from the ways of this world and abide in Him. Though we have received righteousness from faith, sanctification is a deeper path. While cleaning out my basement of clutter to get it ready eventually for sale, I came across some of my husband's journals. I spent time reading them this week and would like to share a few of his thoughts with you....
      "the depth of Christ-like character in a Christian will most assuredly affect the world. The deeper the depth, the more profound will be the affect."
      "living for self will waste your life away..........what is life's purpose? what are you doing with your life?....self will forever stop and hinder you in your pursuit of God.....self takes your eyes off Jesus. When self goes, just think of what's ahead! Wait and be patient...trust in Him......Your life is but a vapor. IT'S SO SHORT.....How will you spend it? Our days on the earth are as a gust of wind. But what an important gust. The direction in which it blows will determine your destiny."
      As I read these words , (which my husband wrote in his 20's) I saw how his life reflected these thoughts. He lived each day putting self aside and sought to have that deeper Christ-like character. I have seen and heard the ripple affects of his life from so many people I have lost count. And I can testify that as his wife of 30 years I had the privilege of having it demonstrated to me daily. What a gift! What a life! ....when we don't live for ourselves! We are eternal beings, with eternal purposes.....it is not about us. My prayer, my heartfelt intercession is to be focused on Christ and not on me, to be changed, to live set apart for the master's use, to know that I am not my own, I have been bought with a price, with the blood of Jesus Christ and I am His. It is late, but I have been stirred again by my beloved John to worship my Beloved Lord....

God is Never Surprised

       Today I spent the afternoon after work at a friend's, first a make-up party, then an episode of "I Love Lucy"(tee-hee), a game of "Shutes & Ladders" with her daughter.... then supper, then one on one fellowship. What a fun time and fulfilling one as well. During our fellowship time we discussed and shared the things God was putting on our hearts. I shared one truth that keeps coming to me and keeps me going.... God is never surprised. 
       No matter how surprised we are, no matter how shocked or shaken, He is not. If I didn't believe this, I would be unable to function or face life as it is for me right now. The night John went to be with the Lord, I felt this. I was shaken, I was in great pain and grief but I knew where John was (and is...), I knew the Lord was welcoming him home. As I finally collapsed in fatigue the next day I would wake every hour and the stabbing pain would hit me, John is not here anymore....but at the same time within seconds the Holy Spirit spoke the Word to me...., "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides alone, but if it dies it brings forth much fruit." John 12:24......I would hear it again and again for weeks on end each time I would wake up in the night, it was as clear as a bell. This spoke volumes to me.....He is aware of everything, He knows everything, He is God.  What happened  has brought me to a place of opportunity. Will I choose to grow in faith or fear. Is it easy to go through? No! But He is with me every step of the way. Sometimes He has to carry me. I will choose to follow and trust Jesus Christ no matter what. Am I challenged? Yes! Am I perfected in this? No! But I am learning daily........ This truth, this love, this Lord......will keep me going......