OCTOBER

Once again, I love the Lord's timing.
A year ago, when I chose each month's newsletter theme/topic for 2021, only God knew how relevant they would be each month.
Last month He knew gentleness was going to be needed, so that was the theme selected.
This month, He knew I would be struggling in faithfulness and therefore we have the theme.
The theme in which I study, research, and discover how we can best apply it to our lives.
I share with you all because, perhaps, you are struggling too.

To be honest, I considered skipping this month's newsletter and have considered taking a big long break from any type of ministry.

But there it is, FAITHFULNESS.

Our lives have been so busy and it's been difficult to carve out family time and even Jesus time.
I feel super sinful in my thoughts, attitudes, and words.
It makes me feel unfaithful and then I just want to throw my hands up and quit everything.
Because following Christ is hard. Dying to myself is hard. Setting boundaries with kids is hard. People are hard. This world is hard.
And then I'm reminded of some wise words my mom once told me: 
"To whom much is given, much is required." (Luke 12:48)

It's not easy being faithful in certain seasons. Seasons that may not look how we thought they would. Seasons where we feel we have no control. Seasons of waiting. Seasons when we can't seem to hear God.

I look back at how faithful I once seemed to be and long to be that person again, but what if God is calling me to a deeper faithfulness?
One that isn't just faithful in the big but faithful in the minute and unseen?
What if He is just calling me to a season of faithfulness in prayer?
On my knees, doing the most faithful work possible?

In my ungratefulness, I sometimes wish things were different...do you ever wish that? 
It causes me guilt and shame even praying for anything different because I am so very blessed in so many ways.
We can't look at other's lives and assume they are void of difficulties.
My hard may not be your hard, but we all have hard things. Hard seasons. Times of unrest. Times of spiritual attack. Seasons of stretching.
Maybe this is just one of those times.

In all, God has remained faithful, as He does. So I will share what I've learned on our topic of FAITHFULNESS.
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When we want to quit, be faithful.
When life seems hard, be faithful.
When things seem beyond our control, be faithful.
Do the next faithful thing.
Even if that is a load of laundry or dishes. A smile when we feel like crying or yelling. Serving when we just want to be selfish and go to sleep.
Do the next faithful thing God has put in front of us.
When self pity is swarming, remember Jesus and His faithfulness on the cross.
When thoughts are negative, distractions are many and we are hearing everything but Christ's voice, know He is there with words more powerful than the noise.
When it all seems too much, hand it over to Him.

Ways to be faithful:
KNOW God is always with us and always working, LOOK for the good in all. His faithfulness is apparent in the good He reveals to us, even in difficult times.
TRUST in HIS faithfulness, SEEK Him above all else.
REST in His love and grace, and REST when He calls us to. Let grace seep into all of our "should haves" and remember when we are weak He is strong.

It's OK to pour out our hearts to Him, He is a safe place, our Father.
It's OK to be done, to throw our hands up. This is where He can do the most work, in our surrender.
It's OK to let Him into all the ways we are disappointed or hurt. He is the true healer and helper.
It's OK to lament, it's what moves us to praise.

What I heard and the truth that really secures me is this:

BECUASE GOD IS FAITHFUL EVEN WHEN I'M NOT, HIS GRACE WILL SUSTAIN ME.

And He has and HE will you, too, friend. We aren't alone. His Spirit will help us and guide us into faithfulness.

GOAL: FAITHFULNESS
VERSE: "If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny who He is."
2 Timothy 2:13
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FAITHFULNESS: the quality of steadfast loyalty or firm adherence to promises

THIS MONTH: I honestly don't have much of a plan other than to be faithful, so hopefully that means I show up here with a few posts- but if not, I won't beat myself up and I'll see you in November when we tackle self control...again, God's perfect timing!

Praying faithfulness for each of us. Praying, no matter what we are feeling or what is swirling around us, we stay loyal to the Lord and adhere to His many promises and truths.