"THIS IS MY STORY"

As I have continued taking rest in the USA from teaching English at a college in Ethiopia, it’s been so interesting being back in my “home area.”  Many memories have come to mind while driving by old schools, visiting friends from high school, and in walking and stopping by old workplaces. In some places and people, there has been so much change- you wouldn’t even recognize the place or person. In other places and people, nothing had changed at all or things had gone downhill.

All of this has made me think about my overall “life story.”

What has been my story? As I’ve been running the path of life, what have been the lessons learned? What changes has my story brought in me?  

What will my story continue to be and look like?

I guess for me at this point looking back- I see so many weird twists and turns. And sincerely I see so many falls. How many times should one person “fall” on a life run?  Not just stumbles mind you, but complete and total wipe-outs? Some of these wipe-outs should have disqualified me from continuing.

There have been so many instances of missed opportunities where I didn’t maximize time or fell short of expectations.  

And mixed in with those have been several continents and different jobs with different roles. I’ve been humbled to do many things far beyond my qualifications and have had the unique opportunity to live beyond our borders. 

But in looking back in recent days, what has seemed very clear about my story is my ability to fall down and fall down pretty hard and often.

And it is more evident to me than ever before that what has “saved” me through all and why I’m still here at all- is incredibly big mercy and grace- A Savior who caught me time and again when I fell and helped me to get back up and keep going.

The falls I’ve made in different seasons and even cultural contexts, still had me landing on a Cornerstone, a person who I put my trust in years ago.  God’s Son, Jesus, died for my sin, and laid His life down for mine- to become my Cornerstone. He’s the Rock, the anchor that holds. His righteousness covers my unrighteousness, and in my weakness- He shines as strength.

Without this Cornerstone, I would be NOTHING in my own story. This foundation, this cornerstone, has held.  Jesus has helped me up time and again and has encouraged me to keep going, He is with me and will keep me with Him until home, He is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. He will never leave me or forsake me, nor will He ever leave or forsake you.

This song has been blessing me so much….

“Cornerstone” by Hillsong

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izrk-erhDdk

CORNERSTONE

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus name

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus name

Christ alone; cornerstone
Weak made strong; in the Savior's love
Through the storm, He is Lord
Lord of all

When Darkness seems to hide His face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
My anchor holds within the veil

Christ alone; cornerstone
Weak made strong; in the Savior's love
Through the storm, He is Lord
Lord of all
He is Lord
Lord of all

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless stand before the throne.

These verses have been encouraging me so much too…

Isaiah 28:16

So this is what the Sovereign Lord says:  “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic

Ephesians 2:19-22

…you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.  In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.  And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

1 Peter 2:6

See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.

Romans 8:31-39

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?  Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Corinthians 3:11

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ

Psalm 18:2

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 40:2

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand

I’m SO grateful through changing seasons, our foundation, our Cornerstone... REMAINS.

I’m not sure what’s next in my life story…but whatever is to come, I have to trust my Savior, the foundation that He is.  He will hold me when I fall and will never let me go.

Onward with You!

Prayer Requests

-Please keep me in prayer as I continue to take rest in Ohio with my family that God will bless our time.

-Please pray for a mission training in Richmond, VA- I will be attending with my sister the next two weeks.

-Please keep staff and students in prayer in Ethiopia, as the semester gets organized to begin again soon

-Please keep my book in prayer as I continue to write.

-Please pray for clear direction for me for the time ahead!

Thank You So Much!!!