In the darkness, in the night,
Only One can bring forth light.
In the lonely broken places, places no one else can see,
Awaits my loving, gracious Father longing to meet with me.
He holds me close and though I’m weak and fear I cannot stand,
He draws me nearer, ever nearer and lovingly holds my hand.
There is something He has shown me—that though I feel alone,
He will never fail to meet me as I kneel before His throne.
There are questions needing answers; there are many things which I fear,
Yet there is peace within the storm as He relentlessly draws me near.
How can it be that the One who sees me, He who knows me like none other,
Refuses to leave me to myself, staying closer than a brother?
He is my God, whom I am learning to trust, though storms gust and gale winds blow,
Lessons learned midst crashing waves must be faced for one to grow.
And yet He draws me nearer, ever nearer, He never leaves nor turns away,
Ever so gently He does direct me through fog when days are grey.
Strongholds must be stripped away, and though the pain is great,
He continues to draw me nearer as I kneel before Him, trust and wait.
I know that He will keep me, though storm clouds temper my mind,
So I pour out my heart to the One who draws me near, as I ask, and seek and find.
In the middle of my weakness, in the broken shattered place,
He lifts my face toward heaven, ever filling me with His radiance and grace.
So, though my heart cannot understand and though my mind cannot perceive,
As He draws me nearer, ever nearer, I will stay here in His presence and humbly
receive.
For there is nothing else that matters, when in His presence I do stay,
I will ever love and seek Him; so draw me nearer, Lord, I pray.
Stay the Course...
Sheila Cote
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
In The Middle
There are landmarks when we travel that tell us where we are. Sometimes they are helpful and other times they are only informative; such as the small town in Wisconsin which informed me I was half-way between the North Pole and the equator. Knowing I was in the middle of something which wouldn’t impact my life one way or the other seemed perfectly safe.
However, in life—real life, I am learning that being in the middle of something looks much different. Truthfully, being in the middle of a difficult season can be confusing. There are no signs posted along the way letting one know that though it may feel like the middle, there may be a long road ahead still to travel before reaching the end. Being in the middle of something can last for minutes, days, weeks, months and even years.
The dictionary defines “middle” as an equal distance from the extremities of something; central. “Middle” is the point or position at an equal distance from the sides, edge, or ends of something; being at neither one extreme nor the other. Yet, in real life, being in the middle of a difficulty or hardship can most definitely take you to the end of something—yourself.
As challenges present themselves, we attempt to discern if our own struggles should remain a secret or if we are safe to share the truth of what our world looks like, even in the messy middle.
Oftentimes, we may feel validated to share of a dark season or a deep valley experience after we have reached the other side. Once we’ve put ourselves back together and are “all better,” our stories become safe as we cross from the middle of crisis to the safety of the other side.
Being in the middle of pain, heartache, fear, and circumstances beyond our control can cause us to retreat and fade away deep into the basements of our souls. Hope fades from sight when time does not bring us a happy ending.
I am learning that though I can easily lose faith in the middle of a tumultuous season, God still remains faithful. I am learning that sometimes dark seasons can only be brightened by the truth of God’s Word. I am learning that many things are lost during a storm, but there are two things which God tells us we must hold onto-- our courage and our hope (Heb.3:6).
If you are in the middle of something, may I encourage your heart today with Truth? Although there is much joy when standing high on the mountain; there is no place closer to God’s heart than when we are broken and messy, smack dab in the middle of high waves.
God is not hiding from us in the middle of our circumstances; instead He lovingly holds us as we allow Him to reveal all that must be revealed so that we may learn to trust Him and to know Him.
In the beginning there was God, in the end He will remain faithful—and in the middle He is the rock upon which we will stand.
Stay the Course...
Sheila Cote'
However, in life—real life, I am learning that being in the middle of something looks much different. Truthfully, being in the middle of a difficult season can be confusing. There are no signs posted along the way letting one know that though it may feel like the middle, there may be a long road ahead still to travel before reaching the end. Being in the middle of something can last for minutes, days, weeks, months and even years.
The dictionary defines “middle” as an equal distance from the extremities of something; central. “Middle” is the point or position at an equal distance from the sides, edge, or ends of something; being at neither one extreme nor the other. Yet, in real life, being in the middle of a difficulty or hardship can most definitely take you to the end of something—yourself.
As challenges present themselves, we attempt to discern if our own struggles should remain a secret or if we are safe to share the truth of what our world looks like, even in the messy middle.
Oftentimes, we may feel validated to share of a dark season or a deep valley experience after we have reached the other side. Once we’ve put ourselves back together and are “all better,” our stories become safe as we cross from the middle of crisis to the safety of the other side.
Being in the middle of pain, heartache, fear, and circumstances beyond our control can cause us to retreat and fade away deep into the basements of our souls. Hope fades from sight when time does not bring us a happy ending.
I am learning that though I can easily lose faith in the middle of a tumultuous season, God still remains faithful. I am learning that sometimes dark seasons can only be brightened by the truth of God’s Word. I am learning that many things are lost during a storm, but there are two things which God tells us we must hold onto-- our courage and our hope (Heb.3:6).
If you are in the middle of something, may I encourage your heart today with Truth? Although there is much joy when standing high on the mountain; there is no place closer to God’s heart than when we are broken and messy, smack dab in the middle of high waves.
God is not hiding from us in the middle of our circumstances; instead He lovingly holds us as we allow Him to reveal all that must be revealed so that we may learn to trust Him and to know Him.
In the beginning there was God, in the end He will remain faithful—and in the middle He is the rock upon which we will stand.
Stay the Course...
Sheila Cote'
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
The Dreaded Drift
Our family made a trip to Lake Michigan the end of last summer. Our youngest daughter wanted to be water baptized in a lake that looks and feels like an ocean. We wanted something memorable and less traditional to mark the special milestone in her life.
The weather was a bit rough as large waves rocked the shoreline. Our daughter and her friend, both lovers of the water, took off giggling into the jagged water, fearless and free. My husband and I, along with our friends who came along to celebrate the event, watched from the safety of the shore as the strong wind whipped sand into our eyes, hair and teeth.
Our daughter and her friend jumped into the waves and swam around, oblivious to the fact that they were slowly being carried further and further away from the protection of the four sandblasted adults on the shore. Their bodies grew smaller and smaller as they drifted down the shoreline out into the deep body of water.
Eventually they glanced our direction and we motioned for them to come back to where they could be protected, closing the gap between us. This process repeated itself throughout the afternoon as they continued to be captivated by the immediate joy of water and waves.
This morning, months later, as I sat down planning to read the book of Hebrews, I couldn’t get past the first verse of chapter two. Paul, the author of Hebrews, gives us a warning, “We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.”
I sat and pondered the verse, unable to continue. I hate it when that happens. I think it’s called conviction; God nudging me to reflect on the true condition of my own heart. It’s as if God is saying, “You need to get the impact of what I’m saying here!”
It’s easy to look in the rear view mirror and see the times I have drifted from the safety of God’s will. In those moments when I have chosen disobedience, the rebellion of my heart has blinded my eyes from Truth. Although God does not move nor change, as I become engrossed and captivated by this world, I slowly drift away from the One who whispers, “Be careful, pay attention!” Without an anchor, the undertow slowly pulls me away. Eventually something snaps me back to reality as I look around stunned that my surroundings are no longer familiar. In those moments, God seems far away as He stands on the shore patiently waiting for me to turn back to Him.
When we lose sight of our vantage point; we drift. Peace and joy escape us as chaos takes up residence in our Inner World. It takes only a small wind to set us off kilter. As we slowly begin to go with the flow, our senses dull as we drift away from all we know to be true.
Going against the dreaded drift has required me to surrender to my own independent will and surround myself with those whom are not afraid to call me out when I lose sight of my purpose.
As we hold ourselves accountable to those whom God has joined us with on our journey, we will stand firmly planted, unable to be moved by even the strongest current.
Stay the Course...
Sheila Cote'
The weather was a bit rough as large waves rocked the shoreline. Our daughter and her friend, both lovers of the water, took off giggling into the jagged water, fearless and free. My husband and I, along with our friends who came along to celebrate the event, watched from the safety of the shore as the strong wind whipped sand into our eyes, hair and teeth.
Our daughter and her friend jumped into the waves and swam around, oblivious to the fact that they were slowly being carried further and further away from the protection of the four sandblasted adults on the shore. Their bodies grew smaller and smaller as they drifted down the shoreline out into the deep body of water.
Eventually they glanced our direction and we motioned for them to come back to where they could be protected, closing the gap between us. This process repeated itself throughout the afternoon as they continued to be captivated by the immediate joy of water and waves.
This morning, months later, as I sat down planning to read the book of Hebrews, I couldn’t get past the first verse of chapter two. Paul, the author of Hebrews, gives us a warning, “We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.”
I sat and pondered the verse, unable to continue. I hate it when that happens. I think it’s called conviction; God nudging me to reflect on the true condition of my own heart. It’s as if God is saying, “You need to get the impact of what I’m saying here!”
It’s easy to look in the rear view mirror and see the times I have drifted from the safety of God’s will. In those moments when I have chosen disobedience, the rebellion of my heart has blinded my eyes from Truth. Although God does not move nor change, as I become engrossed and captivated by this world, I slowly drift away from the One who whispers, “Be careful, pay attention!” Without an anchor, the undertow slowly pulls me away. Eventually something snaps me back to reality as I look around stunned that my surroundings are no longer familiar. In those moments, God seems far away as He stands on the shore patiently waiting for me to turn back to Him.
When we lose sight of our vantage point; we drift. Peace and joy escape us as chaos takes up residence in our Inner World. It takes only a small wind to set us off kilter. As we slowly begin to go with the flow, our senses dull as we drift away from all we know to be true.
Going against the dreaded drift has required me to surrender to my own independent will and surround myself with those whom are not afraid to call me out when I lose sight of my purpose.
As we hold ourselves accountable to those whom God has joined us with on our journey, we will stand firmly planted, unable to be moved by even the strongest current.
Stay the Course...
Sheila Cote'
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Tsunami
I am up right now in the wee hours of morning, awakened by a dream so terrifying that even after waking up and realizing it was only a dream, my heart is still captivated by fear.
In my dream I must have lived close to an ocean. Unknown to me and everyone else in my dream, a tsunami was hitting. Water began to consume the streets. Fear quickly led to complete chaos; every person fighting to save his or her own life and that of their family.
I do not know how long my dream lasted, possibly seconds. However, it felt like a long time before my eyes opened and I slowly realized it had only been a dream.
As I lay in bed, still fearful, I began to pray for God to help me go back to sleep. Sometimes after a troubling dream and the realization that it was only a dream, peaceful sleep follows—but not this time. I wasn’t asking God for the dream to make sense, just wanted to go back to sleep and wake up forgetting that the dream had ever happened.
Instead of sleep, God took me back to my childhood and to memories that I thought were dead and buried. It was as if a video of the most terrifying moments of my childhood were being played back to me. I was reminded once again that some things in my present world are still being impacted by those things that happened to me as a child.
I was reminded of the many times I felt trapped; overpowered and helpless as I did in my dream upon realizing that I was no match for a tsunami. In each instance I remembered the terrible feeling of being a victim; fighting for that part of me which should not have been taken. Fear would strike my heart and paralyze my body. Many times my strength was not adequate to protect the tsunami from striking.
I believe that God is a God who heals. Oftentimes our healing comes in layers, each layer touching those parts of our hearts that have been marked off with yellow tape. The words “CAUTION, STAY AWAY” warn those who dare get close that the outcome of trespassing to those wounded areas of our hearts are dangerous and unwise. Yet, God in His goodness continues to bring us back to those dark places as we learn to surrender every part of ourselves to Him. He heals our wounds and lovingly clothes us with His character.
However, until we are willing to visit those dark places, they never get to heal. Instead, they lie dormant for a time, taking up occupancy in our hearts, as we attempt to live our lives tiptoeing around the yellow tape that holds us gripped in fear as victims. When we least expect it, a tsunami rises, revealing that which we had hoped time would forget.
Sometimes we get to take our pain straight to our Father; healing flooding our hearts as we weep in His presence. Other times we are asked to share our story with others; our vulnerability giving others permission for their own wounded hearts to find healing and freedom.
Ultimately, those things from our past which have marked us, no longer have the power to control us, as we allow God’s love to captivate our hearts in ways that are as powerful and overwhelming as a tsunami.
Stay the Course...
Sheila Cote
In my dream I must have lived close to an ocean. Unknown to me and everyone else in my dream, a tsunami was hitting. Water began to consume the streets. Fear quickly led to complete chaos; every person fighting to save his or her own life and that of their family.
I do not know how long my dream lasted, possibly seconds. However, it felt like a long time before my eyes opened and I slowly realized it had only been a dream.
As I lay in bed, still fearful, I began to pray for God to help me go back to sleep. Sometimes after a troubling dream and the realization that it was only a dream, peaceful sleep follows—but not this time. I wasn’t asking God for the dream to make sense, just wanted to go back to sleep and wake up forgetting that the dream had ever happened.
Instead of sleep, God took me back to my childhood and to memories that I thought were dead and buried. It was as if a video of the most terrifying moments of my childhood were being played back to me. I was reminded once again that some things in my present world are still being impacted by those things that happened to me as a child.
I was reminded of the many times I felt trapped; overpowered and helpless as I did in my dream upon realizing that I was no match for a tsunami. In each instance I remembered the terrible feeling of being a victim; fighting for that part of me which should not have been taken. Fear would strike my heart and paralyze my body. Many times my strength was not adequate to protect the tsunami from striking.
I believe that God is a God who heals. Oftentimes our healing comes in layers, each layer touching those parts of our hearts that have been marked off with yellow tape. The words “CAUTION, STAY AWAY” warn those who dare get close that the outcome of trespassing to those wounded areas of our hearts are dangerous and unwise. Yet, God in His goodness continues to bring us back to those dark places as we learn to surrender every part of ourselves to Him. He heals our wounds and lovingly clothes us with His character.
However, until we are willing to visit those dark places, they never get to heal. Instead, they lie dormant for a time, taking up occupancy in our hearts, as we attempt to live our lives tiptoeing around the yellow tape that holds us gripped in fear as victims. When we least expect it, a tsunami rises, revealing that which we had hoped time would forget.
Sometimes we get to take our pain straight to our Father; healing flooding our hearts as we weep in His presence. Other times we are asked to share our story with others; our vulnerability giving others permission for their own wounded hearts to find healing and freedom.
Ultimately, those things from our past which have marked us, no longer have the power to control us, as we allow God’s love to captivate our hearts in ways that are as powerful and overwhelming as a tsunami.
Stay the Course...
Sheila Cote
Friday, January 27, 2012
Revelation
I have been praying for something for a long time; a deeper revelation of God. “Father, please reveal more of Yourself to me,” has been the simple cry of my heart.
This morning I have been awakened from another restless night of sleep. It is early. My thoughts are clear and the house is quiet. I am not distracted by anything or anyone; though part of me wishes for a distraction.
God has given me a revelation. He has shown me that sometimes His revelations are eye-opening exposures of the parts of me that must change so that I may become more like Him.
This is not the revelation I was hoping for.
I was hoping for a deeper revelation of God’s love. I was hoping for something warm and fuzzy.
The more He reveals to me about Him, the more the parts of me that don’t match Him are leaking out, shocking even myself with the truth of their disclosure.
He is showing me that to hide His Word in my heart requires much more than simply reading His Word and knowing it in my head. A person can memorize and know many things without the knowledge changing his or her heart.
As God, in His goodness, has slowly been revealing the darkness within, I have wanted to keep it a secret. I have longed to be made pure and holy and righteous in the sanctuary of my own home. Me and God’s little secret. I wish to hide away from the world until I am “all better.”
Thankfully, God is not revealing my sins to punish me or to make me feel like giving up. He’s answering the deepest cry of my heart- to be more like Him. Not even a hint of impurity is hidden from Him. My unwillingness to admit my darkness does not fool Him.
During this time of “revelation,” I am drawn to God’s Word like never before. I am desperate to be made clean and holy. One thing I know fully; I cannot change myself.
I know that I am not alone. James says it well when he says that “we all stumble in many ways.” (Jas. 3:2) Paul shares in Romans that we are to “not let sin reign in our mortal body so that we obey its evil desires.” (Rom. 6:12) We are also told that we are “sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to darkness.” (I Thess 5:5).
Our Inner World, the very core of our being—is the place where the Holy Spirit resides. The Spirit is not timid. We must not ignore that which leaks out and is brought to the light. The Spirit is power and love and self-discipline.
As we continue to ask God for a deeper revelation of who He is, I trust that He will continue to open our eyes to those parts of us that do not match Him.
Perhaps that is why He instructs us to “love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (I Pt. 4:7)
God will not relent until He has every part of us —are we willing to trust Him with the darkest parts of our hearts?
This is not the time to hide in our secret worlds. Our enemy, the devil, is prowling around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. It’s time to hold onto Truth and learn to pray to the God of our souls for a deeper revelation.
Light always overcomes darkness.
Stay the Course...
Sheila Cote
This morning I have been awakened from another restless night of sleep. It is early. My thoughts are clear and the house is quiet. I am not distracted by anything or anyone; though part of me wishes for a distraction.
God has given me a revelation. He has shown me that sometimes His revelations are eye-opening exposures of the parts of me that must change so that I may become more like Him.
This is not the revelation I was hoping for.
I was hoping for a deeper revelation of God’s love. I was hoping for something warm and fuzzy.
The more He reveals to me about Him, the more the parts of me that don’t match Him are leaking out, shocking even myself with the truth of their disclosure.
He is showing me that to hide His Word in my heart requires much more than simply reading His Word and knowing it in my head. A person can memorize and know many things without the knowledge changing his or her heart.
As God, in His goodness, has slowly been revealing the darkness within, I have wanted to keep it a secret. I have longed to be made pure and holy and righteous in the sanctuary of my own home. Me and God’s little secret. I wish to hide away from the world until I am “all better.”
Thankfully, God is not revealing my sins to punish me or to make me feel like giving up. He’s answering the deepest cry of my heart- to be more like Him. Not even a hint of impurity is hidden from Him. My unwillingness to admit my darkness does not fool Him.
During this time of “revelation,” I am drawn to God’s Word like never before. I am desperate to be made clean and holy. One thing I know fully; I cannot change myself.
I know that I am not alone. James says it well when he says that “we all stumble in many ways.” (Jas. 3:2) Paul shares in Romans that we are to “not let sin reign in our mortal body so that we obey its evil desires.” (Rom. 6:12) We are also told that we are “sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to darkness.” (I Thess 5:5).
Our Inner World, the very core of our being—is the place where the Holy Spirit resides. The Spirit is not timid. We must not ignore that which leaks out and is brought to the light. The Spirit is power and love and self-discipline.
As we continue to ask God for a deeper revelation of who He is, I trust that He will continue to open our eyes to those parts of us that do not match Him.
Perhaps that is why He instructs us to “love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (I Pt. 4:7)
God will not relent until He has every part of us —are we willing to trust Him with the darkest parts of our hearts?
This is not the time to hide in our secret worlds. Our enemy, the devil, is prowling around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. It’s time to hold onto Truth and learn to pray to the God of our souls for a deeper revelation.
Light always overcomes darkness.
Stay the Course...
Sheila Cote
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Things Are Not What They Appear To Be
Many years ago while employed by a large company in Anchorage, Alaska, I learned a valuable lesson that I have never forgotten.
Sprawled in large letters on the blackboard in the employee break room were the words, “THINGS ARE NOT WHAT THEY APPEAR TO BE.” It was drilled into our heads that we were to “assume nothing” and that open communication was a must.
Whether or not our position seemed important or insignificant, everything hummed along quite smoothly when we all worked together as a team. We learned quickly that there was no such thing as an insignificant position.
What about church?
Sometimes, as I walk through the front doors of the church, my heart is troubled; my thoughts far away. I mindlessly make my way through the maze of people in the foyer, through the doors of the sanctuary, plopping into my seat; hair in place, smile on face, children all in a row. Things are not what they appear to be.
Other times, I pray in the back room prior to service and my heart hurts for the people who are walking through the front doors of our church, and churches across America. I know there are those whose hearts are broken and whose faith is hanging on by a thread. They want to give up; but something called hope forces them through the doors, perhaps for the last time, in a desperate attempt to be seen and to be heard.
They may look polished and poised. They may have a smile on their face. They may look unapproachable or unfriendly. There are many “faces” one wears when full of pain or shame or heartbreak—only God can see to the truth that lies within. However, if we take time to look into the eyes of those who cross our paths, we may see that things are not what they appear to be.
There is no such thing as an insignificant person, just as there is no such a thing as an insignificant position. In order to reach the lost, the broken, and those without hope; we must assume nothing as we link arms, working together as a team.
God used a prostitute for His glory. God used a man whose bad attitude led him to a three-day-stay in the belly of a great fish. God used Moses and Abraham in their old age. God used Samuel when he was just a boy. God used David mightily although he was both an adulterer and a murderer. God used Ruth when she was a grieving widow and Joseph even though he was boastful.
From appearances, not one of the above mentioned men or women were qualified to be used by God. The Word of God doesn’t reveal their sins or weaknesses so that we can feel better about ourselves; but rather so we may more clearly identify with the real issues of our own hearts. In so doing, our hope is renewed as we see God’s ability to see past our humanity.
In the moments when we are willing to admit the truth regarding the depravity of our own hearts, God chooses to use our brokenness to reflect His love to others.
The next time you make your way through the maze of people in the foyer, through the doors of the sanctuary, plopping into your chosen seat, take a moment to look into the eyes of those around you, and remember…THINGS ARE NOT WHAT THEY APPEAR TO BE.
Stay the Course...
Sheila Cote
Sprawled in large letters on the blackboard in the employee break room were the words, “THINGS ARE NOT WHAT THEY APPEAR TO BE.” It was drilled into our heads that we were to “assume nothing” and that open communication was a must.
Whether or not our position seemed important or insignificant, everything hummed along quite smoothly when we all worked together as a team. We learned quickly that there was no such thing as an insignificant position.
What about church?
Sometimes, as I walk through the front doors of the church, my heart is troubled; my thoughts far away. I mindlessly make my way through the maze of people in the foyer, through the doors of the sanctuary, plopping into my seat; hair in place, smile on face, children all in a row. Things are not what they appear to be.
Other times, I pray in the back room prior to service and my heart hurts for the people who are walking through the front doors of our church, and churches across America. I know there are those whose hearts are broken and whose faith is hanging on by a thread. They want to give up; but something called hope forces them through the doors, perhaps for the last time, in a desperate attempt to be seen and to be heard.
They may look polished and poised. They may have a smile on their face. They may look unapproachable or unfriendly. There are many “faces” one wears when full of pain or shame or heartbreak—only God can see to the truth that lies within. However, if we take time to look into the eyes of those who cross our paths, we may see that things are not what they appear to be.
There is no such thing as an insignificant person, just as there is no such a thing as an insignificant position. In order to reach the lost, the broken, and those without hope; we must assume nothing as we link arms, working together as a team.
God used a prostitute for His glory. God used a man whose bad attitude led him to a three-day-stay in the belly of a great fish. God used Moses and Abraham in their old age. God used Samuel when he was just a boy. God used David mightily although he was both an adulterer and a murderer. God used Ruth when she was a grieving widow and Joseph even though he was boastful.
From appearances, not one of the above mentioned men or women were qualified to be used by God. The Word of God doesn’t reveal their sins or weaknesses so that we can feel better about ourselves; but rather so we may more clearly identify with the real issues of our own hearts. In so doing, our hope is renewed as we see God’s ability to see past our humanity.
In the moments when we are willing to admit the truth regarding the depravity of our own hearts, God chooses to use our brokenness to reflect His love to others.
The next time you make your way through the maze of people in the foyer, through the doors of the sanctuary, plopping into your chosen seat, take a moment to look into the eyes of those around you, and remember…THINGS ARE NOT WHAT THEY APPEAR TO BE.
Stay the Course...
Sheila Cote
Saturday, January 14, 2012
He Finished Well
As I awaken to a soft snowfall, a blanket of white covering the ground, highlighting the tree limbs in my backyard, I am deep in thought.
A new year has barely greeted us, new snowfall is all around us, yet the question I find myself asking is, “What really matters?”
I’m not trying to be negative, and at this moment I don’t have a bad attitude; but there are “happenings” in each of our lives that cause us to stop in our tracks, look around, and ask ourselves, “What really matters?”
Yesterday I found out that my Uncle Jim, after a difficult battle with cancer, passed away. Upon learning that I only saw him a handful of times in my growing up years and only twice in the last 20 years, you might wonder why such news could impact a person.
I am realizing that there are people in our lives who impact us greatly, and it has nothing to do with where they live, how often we see them, or whether or not they are related to us. Instead, they are people who make a mark on the fabric of our souls, and once having been around them, we are simply changed.
Each one of us has been put together with the hands of the same Father. Although each unique and one of a kind; there are some internal wirings that match across the board—such as our desire to find a person who’s character emulates that of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We need to know that this walk of faith can weather the trials and tribulations of time. We need to believe that a person can not only start the race strong, but more importantly--that he or she can finish well.
Yesterday, I’m happy to say, I knew a man who finished well. Uncle Jim was a talented artist, a professor at a university in California, a tall man with a gentle nature and a strong heart to live for God. Uncle Jim was a loving big brother to my dad and absolutely adored his wife, Ana, a spitfire from Panama who loves the Lord as boldly as her personality.
As I have been pondering the true reason I am feeling the weight of the loss of my uncle, I believe it is because of the strength he held within; his determination to live a life of obedience to God. Although the Word of God is laced with example upon example of men and women of faith; Uncle Jim was tangible.
Perhaps you have such a person of faith in your own life; perhaps you are that person in another’s life. You may think that your life is not making an impact; let me assure you that whether or not you are aware of it, your life has far-reaching ramifications.
People are watching. People are longing for a tangible example that exudes the character of Christ.
There is no better life than one lived fully and passionately for God. When we draw our last breath, may it be said of each one of us that we finished well.
I believe this is what really matters.
Stay the Course...
Sheila Cote
A new year has barely greeted us, new snowfall is all around us, yet the question I find myself asking is, “What really matters?”
I’m not trying to be negative, and at this moment I don’t have a bad attitude; but there are “happenings” in each of our lives that cause us to stop in our tracks, look around, and ask ourselves, “What really matters?”
Yesterday I found out that my Uncle Jim, after a difficult battle with cancer, passed away. Upon learning that I only saw him a handful of times in my growing up years and only twice in the last 20 years, you might wonder why such news could impact a person.
I am realizing that there are people in our lives who impact us greatly, and it has nothing to do with where they live, how often we see them, or whether or not they are related to us. Instead, they are people who make a mark on the fabric of our souls, and once having been around them, we are simply changed.
Each one of us has been put together with the hands of the same Father. Although each unique and one of a kind; there are some internal wirings that match across the board—such as our desire to find a person who’s character emulates that of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We need to know that this walk of faith can weather the trials and tribulations of time. We need to believe that a person can not only start the race strong, but more importantly--that he or she can finish well.
Yesterday, I’m happy to say, I knew a man who finished well. Uncle Jim was a talented artist, a professor at a university in California, a tall man with a gentle nature and a strong heart to live for God. Uncle Jim was a loving big brother to my dad and absolutely adored his wife, Ana, a spitfire from Panama who loves the Lord as boldly as her personality.
As I have been pondering the true reason I am feeling the weight of the loss of my uncle, I believe it is because of the strength he held within; his determination to live a life of obedience to God. Although the Word of God is laced with example upon example of men and women of faith; Uncle Jim was tangible.
Perhaps you have such a person of faith in your own life; perhaps you are that person in another’s life. You may think that your life is not making an impact; let me assure you that whether or not you are aware of it, your life has far-reaching ramifications.
People are watching. People are longing for a tangible example that exudes the character of Christ.
There is no better life than one lived fully and passionately for God. When we draw our last breath, may it be said of each one of us that we finished well.
I believe this is what really matters.
Stay the Course...
Sheila Cote
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