Life 101

Guess since I have been on my blog so many things in my life have changed! Now I wish I had kept writing but sometimes life just throws so many curves at you that you cannot figure out where life is going next! Kerry and I got divorced in May...very tough time for all of us! We were married for 26 years and went out for three years! Never, ever did I think this would be me six months later alone in the house of my dreams...I am doing ok and the girls have survived so much this year! I am proud of who they are and what they have been able to go through in life! I think it has made us much better people and will be forever! Kerry lives in Ottawa and yesterday got a phone call that he is looking at moving to Florida...I guess you get the pit feeling inside and I am like most people I will always care about him...I don't love him like I did when we married but caring is something deep inside and I know he is the Father to my girls...he was such an awesome dad before he fell and broke his back! Tears are running down my face as I write this...Life sure isn't what we always dreamed of but we have to keep going and I am...

Very thankful for the friends that have been there for me in the good and the bad times...I am blessed more than I ever imagined! I have met so many new friends and I am so happy to have them in my life! I have so many that would drop what they are doing to help me if I needed them...I have more than I can count on my hands...

I have about five more months in my house till I have to move out but thankful that I have had time to heal and deal with the pain, loss and emotions that go into Divorce...I have to say it is probably harder than death in a way! I now have more sympathy for those that have gone through divorce and now will be that friend to others as they have no clue what it is like! Honestly it is a pit feeling so hard to describe...but I am making it and day by day it seems to get easier! Do I still have crying days? Oh Yeah...do they last as long...No! Thankgoodness!

I have been dating and going places...I never thought this would be me...when I got seperated I honestly didn't think anyone would want to date me...well it doesn't seem to be a problem! Now I just want to find one guy to enjoy life with...Life is going by so fast and the weeks are flying by tooo fast! I am in a Divorce Group in Naperville and Singles groups...they have been amazing support! Meetups.com was a lifesavor for me! I have joined a photography group, wine tasting groups, dating groups! Who would have thought that at 49 life could be honestly good!!! Not me at least ...A year ago I would not have ever thought this is where Cheryl Brown would be at in 2010...kinda now looking forward to 2011 !!! I turn 50 in January and gonna really make a difference in others lives...I have had so many help me that now I want to return the favor! I am planning on going to Africa in May with my church! How awesome to be going to the ends of the Earth and than to be able to give back to people that have nothing! Well, I am back and ready to start sharing my new adventures...I am also being creative and enjoying making things again! Hugs, cheryl

Walk by faith..had to put my dad in the nursing home..please pray!

Friday, June 13, 2008
Walk by faith
"Faith is walking out onto a ledge of nothing, expecting to find something there."

The idea of faith in today's society is that of which we don't see too often anymore. We live in a world of science and factual evidence. Believing in something you can't see or prove is considered to be very naive. As Christians however, Christ calls us to have ultimate faith.

"Walk by faith, not by sight," is a phrase most of us are very familiar with, but do we ever think about what that truly means? His word tells us this concerning faith,


"These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world."~1 Peter 1:7

How many of us can really say that we apply this to our everyday lives? When our husband loses his job, can we honestly say that we praise the Lord for giving us a trial to strengthen our faith in HIM? Yet, that's exactly what we should be doing. HE doesn't give us trials in our lives for punishment. Quite the opposite, in fact. HE loves us so much that it is HIS intention to strengthen our faith and our walk. If we begin to see our faith as "more precious then mere gold," it is my belief that we can be on the road to living a truly abundant life in HIM.

Dear Lord,
Help us to see our trials as great, glorious opportunities to build our faith in you. You see us exactly as we are and for that we are so grateful. Let us challenge ourselves to live more for you everyday and to be obedient to your living word.
In your son's name we pray,
Amen

We had to put my dad in the nursing home last night for at least a week..we were up for three straight nights with him...my mom had a good angiogram now just seeing if she has any blood clots..they still are not sure what is causing the shortness of breath but she does have a few things wrong with the parts of the heart but no major blockage which is a huge God Watch as she had triple by pass five years ago...hugs, cheryl

God's Glory In The Difficult Places

God's Glory In The Difficult Places

When you come to a valley in the course of your life
that seems harder than you think you can bear,
You must look for the glory of God in that valley
and for the purpose that's already there.
For if, in that situation - you walk forward in faith
with your eyes fixed on what's true,
Then the promises of God will sustain and uphold
for the circumstance that comes against you.
And if you let go of false notions and concepts
that you've held about God at the start,
Then God will have a student who is ready to listen
to the things He will speak to your heart.
If your focus is not on the "easy life" of others
but on God and what He's doing this hour,
Then you will be filled with His wisdom and knowledge
instead of bitterness that makes a heart sour.
If you look to the Savior, whom you've already trusted
as your example of what's right and wrong,
Then Jesus will remind you that suffering has a purpose
and that hardship through faith makes you strong.
If you get into God's Word you will come to realize
that the heroes of the faith held on tight.
And they were used by God mightily...tested through trials
for they walked by faith, not by sight.
For if you believe undoubtedly in God's sovereignty & majesty
and don't question all the methods He chooses,
Then you will be an instrument God reaches down to fill
and a vessel that He constantly uses.

©Sheila Gosney

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:11-13 NKJV

Through the Years of Weeping

There were chapters & seasons in this journey of life
that were harder than I dreamed they would be,
Where the climbing and the toiling was an uphill battle
with no end in sight I could see.
But God in His beauty penetrated the darkness
that tried to overwhelm me there,
And I found that the knowledge of His truth was more important
than any heartache that didn't seem fair.
It was there in the tossing...and the uncertainty of life
that I held onto the Anchor that holds.
For the blessedness of His Sprit dwelling within me
was more priceless than mountains of gold.
It was there that God taught me & tenderly brought me
to a truth that I needed to know;
That faith must be tested in the fires of adversity
to be refined and have chance to grow.
Through the years of weeping...my Father was always keeping
my prayers and petitions in His hand.
For the times He answered "no" or said I wasn't ready
He gave the grace so that I could understand.
No matter the circumstances or whatever it involved
God strengthened me with His faithful heart.
And when the trial was over, I knew much more of God
than I ever knew of Him at the start.

©Sheila Gosney

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,
To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.
Psalm 30:11-12 NKJV