“Be still and know that I am God.”

Psalm 46:10

I grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in a small town named Newberry. We lived across the street from our church, “Messiah Lutheran”. There wasn’t much to do there when I was young and so the church was the “gathering” place. Both of my parents were very involved with things at the church. I attended Junior Missionary Society and Luther League activities. The majority of my friends were involved there too, so I had a good background of church activities.

As I grew older and married, my new husband Don and I attended church on a regular basis and always brought our three children. I was always busy being “a Mary” and making meals for others. I worked many funeral lunches and enjoyed attending our Women’s Bible Study groups. However, it wasn’t until I faced a crisis, that my connection with the Lord changed.

On August of 1988 I went into a treatment center for alcoholism. I only share this with you  because I was in bondage to the disease, and could not free myself. I needed help and God was there to help me through the crisis, and has forever blessed me with His love, grace, and forgiveness. I laid in Hudson Hospital for a whole week, severally physically and mentally disabled. When God allows things like this to happen, I learned what His grace and forgiveness really meant. That took place 33 years ago and He met me where I was mentally, physically, and spiritually broken. I now know, He let that take place so I could call upon Him and gain His trust to help me to change my life, to live in the light of His life and love. I can not put into words the gratitude I have felt for His divine intervention. I have learned to relax, call upon Him for direction, and most important to “Be still and know He is God”. He supplies my daily needs for serenity, and I couldn’t be more blessed. God is my light and my salvation.

I had a good friend whose mother told me, “Linda, God never closes a door without intending to open a window”. I have had many doors closed since then, only to experience new windows being opened. That’s God at work and today I recognize His concern for His sheep. Today I hope His light and love will shine through me, to share my daily walk here on earth. I pray I will be a good sheep in His flock.

Prayer: Thank You God for Your daily walk and love that You provide each day. Thank You for the courage to share and be open to my past which no longer defines who I am today.