There are many ways that we can feel the healing presence of God in our lives, whether it is a physical healing or a spiritual healing of our hearts. Like most people, I have always struggled with lacking self-confidence. I can remember many times [+]There are many ways that we can feel the healing presence of God in our lives, whether it is a physical healing or a spiritual healing of our hearts. Like most people, I have always struggled with lacking self-confidence. I can remember many times that I would pray just to survive certain difficult situations and events in life. Though I am a giant chicken, through prayer, reading the Word of God and a giant dose of grace, God has helped me to achieve some things that I dared not even dream about. Several years ago, I remember telling a room filled with my neighborhood ladies that I did not have a talented bone in my body. I was as sincere as could be, and laughed when they insisted that I must have some talent. Well, God disagreed as well, and one day spoke up inside of me strong enough for me to hear, "I've got big plans for you". I couldn't imagine anything more wonderful than being a wife and mother, which was what I'd always wanted and so enjoyed. But, the thought came again, and was such an overpowering feeling that I called a friend and one of my sisters and said, "If something unusual or wonderful happens with me, I want you to know that God told me it was going to happen". I wanted to make sure that I gave all the glory to God if something did occur. Well, within months I began writing: First a collection of poetry, then childrens books, then novels. I now have two full-length novels completed, 12 childrens stories, and a short story that was published in Chicken Soup for the Pre-teen Soul. I knew it was God who was helping me write these things and I felt immeasurably blessed. However, He wasn't finished with me yet. Gradually, He gave me the idea that He was calling me to use my voice to praise Him. I didn't know I had a voice and thought that people were out of their minds when they suggested I sing for church. In my mind, a giant leap to the moon was more likely. But needless to say, the harder I fought the idea, the more convicted my spirit became every time I said no; until at last I gave in and did the scariest thing I could imagine. I sang solo for a church filled with people! What a miracle! I had never sung in front of anyone until I began singing for church. In fact, I couldn't say my name at a baby shower witho
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