Seeking Beyond

Congratulations!  You are reading my very first blog post on this site!  What an honor, huh?

Okay, I will admit that’s a bit overdramatic… just a tad… a wee bit… I mean it’s not like I’m famous, right?

Ahem.  Anyway…

So as this is my first post it’s only proper that I share my life story, right?  Here goes:

It all started in a hospital in North Dakota one sunny day…

Oh sorry, you don’t want my whole life story?  Yeah, I suppose that is rather an overload of info.  I shall just stick to the basics.  Well, I’ll try.  I do tend to ramble, go on rabbit trails, digress and diverge… yadayada so on so forth.

Okay, to be more serious, I am a woman who has battled depression and anxiety and by God’s grace come through stronger.  I’ve gained some wisdom but have much farther to go, learned from some mistakes and repeated too many, faltered and fallen, risen and pressed on.  I hope to make the most of what God has given me and use that to encourage and help others. 

As it says in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”  (NASB)

I don’t know about you but I’ve had many opportunities to experience the truth of this verse.  And God has proven faithful time and again. 

Of course I am not always good about turning to Him right away.  Even though it really is nonsensical not to reach out to the only one who fully understands and who is fully capable, too often I try to figure it out myself, or simply fall into despair. 

Then when I finally wisen up, let go and let God have it, I have peace and comfort.  Circumstances may not change immediately, but that’s okay, because I am in God’s hands.

And when I have passed through the storm and can stand steady again, I can reach out to others who are having similar experiences and give them hope. 

And that brings me to the reason for this blog.

Too often I get caught up with the stuff of life, and I forget what is really important.  Too often I look only to myself to find solutions.  Too often I give up.  Too often my view is rather narrow.

I want to challenge myself to seek beyond that.  Look up, out, all around.  I want to be seeking beyond, and seeing the King, Jesus. 

And I would like to challenge and encourage others to do the same.

Who’s with me?

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”  Matthew 6:33