Words of a Belle

  It’s funny how little things can instantly bring back memories. Someone special gave me a pen… That someone was a person who loved others, gave their time & talents to serve others, would make sure that anyone knew Jesus loved them— that person is no longer with us.  Even though I miss her terribly, I know she’s with Jesus & that I’ll see her again. It’s been over a year since she passed and honestly, I’d forgotten about the pen by now.  I carried it with me from time to time, then life happened and it ended up being a sweet memory of a kind gesture.  I can honestly say that I don’t remember exactly why she gave me the pen, but it was the thoughtfulness that meant so much more to me than the item itself.  Little things can be powerful reminders of a person’s legacy. 🫶🏻

2023 has been tough. It’s challenged me in ways I never expected.  It’s gotten me thinking. We often blame God for bad circumstances and praise Him when things go right. I think there are 3 things we often forget easily:  1. God gives and takes everything with a bigger purpose in mind.  Isaiah 55:9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” 2. Trials are promised, not something we’re exempt from as Christians.  James 1:2 Testing of Your Faith Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3. Jesus does understand  His death was the most painful kind possible in His time and He was tempted just as we are.  Matthew 4:1 The Temptation of Jesus “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” That doesn’t mean that trials are fun to go through. It means we need a mindset shift. Instead of being surprised by them we should expect them.  Instead of looking