Keep Going!

All of us have a desire to be seen at our best.  We have a face that we prepare daily. We wake up and outfit ourselves with smiles and pleasantries in hopes of disguising our pain and the reality of our current self. But deep inside we say:

If only they knew.

My struggle. 

My heart. 

My thoughts.

That I cry at night.

I wonder.

I question.

I’m uncertain.

I’m scared.

I worry.

If only they knew.

So we sit quietly

Waiting. Not letting anyone in.

What would happen if they knew about our gaping wound that bleeds throughout our day? It presents itself in the form of: Impatience. Anger. Sadness. Fear. Frustration. Fatigue.

Friend, you are not alone. Most of us are where you are. We are hiding. Hoping that tomorrow will be different. Praying that our situations will change.

There are so many of us that are going through difficult seasons. I am overwhelmed by how much is happening each day in our world.

"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." John 16:33

There is HOPE!

Jesus knows. He is not surprised. He knew when He created you that this season would come.

This is not the part where I say share this post with ten people and in ten days your prayer will be answered.  I will not list seven steps to freedom from worry, frustration, sadness, etc.

Sometimes we don’t need a complex answer. We don't need to share, click, or type "Amen." We need hope!

Here it is!

“Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”  Romans 5:2-5 

 I just want to encourage you to keep going. He will answer.  I don’t know how. I don’t know when. I don’t know what will happen when He shows up but He will.

You will know it when He comes because God’s presence ALWAYS produces evidence.

So no magic.

No steps.

Just wonderful assurance and hope.

You are not alone. He’s there.

He will answer.

Keep going.

“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” I Peter 5:10

Blessings!


Copyright 2015 www.shundriariddick.com All Rights Reserved

Use Your Wings!

Days are busy and summer is NOT a break!

I've fooled myself for many years thinking that summer was a break from the stress and schedule of the school year. But I've come to realize that we just fill the time slots with many other activities. Swimming lessons, music lessons, camps, practices etc.

I'm just as busy now as I was a few months ago. I must say that I prefer this kind of being on the move. I am enjoying every minute of it!

Having three kids means I'm usually dropping off, picking up or trying to coordinate with my husband in making sure we end the day with all three. Seriously!

As I hurried to pick up a kid from another activity, I noticed a bird trying to walk across a busy street. Cars were moving quickly and it stood waiting for the right moment.

Huh?

I thought to myself "Why is the bird walking across the street?"

I shook my head and thought "You can fly! What are you doing?"

I just assumed that it was trying to get to food in the middle of the road. That had to be it. Why would a bird, with the capability of flying over the madness, choose to walk through it?

Immediately, I heard the Holy Spirit whisper "Exactly.Why are you trying to maneuver through situations that you were created to fly over?"

Goodness Gracious!

This one hit me! HARD!

Some struggles are not for me. There are some situations, people, or feelings I should not attempt to engage or entwine.

Am I the only one?

How many of us are hiking through the terrain of unproductive situations, relationships, feelings, debates, and conflict that we are meant to circumnavigate?

"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." I Corinthians 15:57

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If  God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:37


Why are we developing strategies to march when we have been given wings to soar?


Blessings!



copyright 2015. www.shundriariddick.com All Rights Reserved

Flying, Turbulence, Trust, and the Insane.

I've missed this place. I took two weeks off and I can't promise that I won't do it again! End of the school year projects, concerts, awards, testing and competitions leave no rest for the weary.

The last couple of weeks have definitely been a lesson in trust.  It has reminded me of a plane flight I took in June of 1993.

It was a Delta Flight. Dallas to Houston.

Oh how I remember...

Flying was always something that I enjoyed. I loved everything about it. The sounds, the window seat views, and the faces of the passengers. All of it.

This particular day I was on my way to a wedding. Like always, before take off I bowed my head and prayed a prayer of safety and protection.  When I finished, I heard the Lord ask "Do you trust me?"

I thought it was odd but my obvious answer was "Yes!"

It's the answer that most of us would give. Of course we trust the One who loves us most. We worship. We pray. We read his word. We know that He's a healer. He's a protector. He's a provider. He's a deliverer.

We know.

So for me to answer anything other than a yes would have been disrespectful and according to my heart, absurdity.

As the plane took off I was feeling pleased about my answer. Looking out the window, I marveled at His handiwork!  It was breathtaking. I closed my eyes and told Him how much I loved Him.

As soon as I started to get comfortable on this one hour flight it was time to land. The pilot came on and said that there was a storm in Houston. We were going to have to fly in a holding pattern until we were cleared to land.

I thanked God for safety and protection and waited patiently.

One hour later the pilot announced that we would start our descent. He told us to fasten our seat belts. I didn't think this was out of the ordinary, as this was the normal sequence of many flights before.

And then...

I LOST MY MIND!

The turbulence was dreadful.  Bumps. Drops. Swaying. The noise of the engine. Clouds. Screams.

Me screaming.

Plane descending.

Me screaming.

Bumps. Drops.

Shaking.

I looked at the faces of the flight attendants. Calm.

Me still screaming. Wondering if they were just okay with the fact that we were obviously dying.

Turbulence stopped.

Calm.

Plane landed.

Everyone clapped.

I didn't.

I needed to get OFF!

As we taxied in, I could not stop shaking. I cried. I couldn't believe what just took place. Never in my life had I been through such an experience. It was horrendous. I couldn't imagine getting on another plane.

I got my things and ran off the plane. Pushing many people out of my way too. I needed to put my feet on the ground!

When I got to sure foundation, (as the older saints would say),  I thanked the Lord for answering my prayer of safety and protection. I was more than relieved.

Then I heard Him ask again, "Do you trust Me?"

Then it began to unfold.  I was so focused on the bumps and drops during the storm, that I didn't trust the one who I had just told I trusted.  I didn't remember that He was a deliverer or a protector. I didn't even remember my own prayer!

I thanked him for answered prayer after it was over but I did not trust Him during the process.

He even showed me in the faces of the flight attendants that we were fine, and I questioned the assurance. *sigh*

And OF COURSE I remembered Matthew 8:23-27

And He got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying "Save us, Lord. we are perishing." And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose an rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying "What sort of man is this, that even the winds and sea obey him?"

Nope. Not one of my best moments. Now I can laugh at my foolery. I was insane!

Even though I was such a mess, He still calmed the storm and landed that plane. In spite of my response, He remained God and in control.

Oh how I love Him!

I could keep going on and on about this one.So many lessons from this one flight but I will leave you with this...

He loved me enough to show me that my perception of our relationship is not always reality. He showed me that trust is by experience like any good and healthy relationship.

The only way to get to know Him is by experiencing Him. I can hear and read about His deliverance but I will never fully know Him until I have been delivered. I will never know Him as a provider if I've never needed provision.

So many of us are going through some really tough times. These are difficult days. Can I just encourage you to keep your focus one the One who speaks to the winds of your situation?

I know it's easier said than done when you are in the bumps, sways, and drops. But He has promised in Psalm 34:19:

The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all;

He's there. Holding you. Protecting you. He's in control.

Do you trust Him?

Blessings!

copyright 2015 www.shundriaridick.com All rights reserved.

Mother's Day Reminder

Mother's Day was yesterday and the best gift I could ever receive was the bedtime prayer of my sweet 8 year old.

"Jesus thank you for letting my mom be my mom."

I. die. 

Not a gift card, spa package or flower can reach in a grip a heart like the words of a grateful child.

So Precious and I am so thankful to hear his prayer. I cannot tell you the joy in my heart to hold the hands, touch the faces, and kiss the cheeks of the children I never thought I would have. 

His sweet prayer was an answer to a prayer I cried through 16 years ago. 

As much as I love this day, I do not get through it without thinking of those of us who love to see it leave. It's a reminder of what we do not have or what our heart aches for most. 

After having a few conversations this week about the loss of children, I couldn't help but re-post a blog that explains the silent struggle of us who have endured this day.

I'm Glad Mother's Day is Done

Blessings!

copyright 2015 www.shundriariddick.com All Rights Reserved.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Tick Tock The Game is Locked!

I enjoy memories of playing outside as a little girl...

Jumping rope and singing rhymes. Playing hopscotch with rocks and not jumping far enough to 8 or 9. Girls competing against the boys in freeze tag. Playing kickball and getting hit by the ball so hard that it stung!

Playing jacks was my all-time favorite! Bouncing the ball, picking up jacks, around the world, lagging, and making it to 10's were all kinds of fun! Playing with my sister was one thing but when I had the opportunity to play with girls from the neighborhood, that was even better.

I remember once excitedly spotting a game and being ready to join in on the action. As quickly as I ran to play, the girls shuffled, held hands and yelled "tick tock the game is locked!" That was the signal saying that I was not invited to play the game.  I was left out and had to stand back and watch while they played. I was excluded for whatever reasons 9 year old girls could make up.

I smile now but at the time I was so hurt. Not only did they not want me to play, it felt as though they didn't want me. Something was wrong with me. What did I do to not get invited? Why were they having the fun and I only had the unfortunate privilege of watching?

So now that I'm older and as I talk to others I think adults are having the same feelings!

We see or hear about all the success others are having. New homes. New cars. Traveling. Great careers. Great ministries. Great health.

Singles see their friends going out on dates and having the audacity to have fun or even get married!

Parents see the successes of other children as ours are battling difficulty.

We see others have financial blessings as we struggle.

It's as if we are watching and they are saying "Tick Tock the Game is Locked!"

Children often make decisions about their world though their limited understanding of it. Most difficulties in their lives are often explained through themselves. So it wasn't unusual that I blamed myself for not being invited and not the inconsistencies of little girls. It made me think twice about joining in the next time I saw them playing.

Unfortunately as adults we tend to make decisions about our circumstances with limited understanding of them and with limited knowledge of God's Word. We conclude that we have been forgotten,. We are convinced that something is wrong with us and we have not been chosen for a purpose. As a result, we limit our involvement with others. We isolate ourselves. We blame us instead of the lies of the enemy!

As long as we nurse this lack of understanding and knowledge, we are rendered ineffective for the Kingdom of God. If we can continue to believe the lie that it's just us, we are too self focused to turn our attention to purpose. Meanwhile, as Jesus said in Matthew 9:37 "Then he said to his disciples, The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few."

We often think that the enemy or Satan only wants us dead. Or we declare that he wants us destroyed.
He does.

However, he will also be content with us being ineffective.

Not a threat.

Powerless.

Isolated.

Uninvolved.

What he doesn't want you to know is the truth of God's Word!

And here's the truth!

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us then who can be against us?" Romans 8:31

"Our Master Jesus has his arms wide open for you." I Corinthians 16:23 (The Message)

"All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out" John 6:37

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God" Ephesians 2:8


You are IN!

GO!

Blessings!


copyright 2015 www.shundriariddick.com All rights reserved.

Still Under Construction!

I am constantly running interference on behalf of my children. So many things are pulling at them for their attention and their hearts.  TV, movies, games, and music are all aimed at deceiving them into a world of discontent and a hollow form of happiness.

We have to steadily find opportunity to fill them with the truth of God's word while modeling a fulfilled life in Christ.

That's work because this world is after us too! 

More money. More things.

More anything!

If we are not diligent in being fixed on our purpose in parenting, we can easily be distracted while leaving our children uncovered and ill-equipped.

Parents, we can attend weekly church services and still not prepare our kids in living a life for Christ.

While fighting for them this weekend in prayer, I was reminded of a previous blog post from April 2013.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION!

I wanted to share it again because it encouraged me so much and gave me new energy at the importance of building Kingdom in our kids!


Blessings!


copyright 2015 www.shundriariddick.com All Rights Reserved.

Re-Define!

Where do your beliefs come from?

The importance of our childhood is often overlooked.  The saturation of pop psychology in our society has made us incurious and negligent regarding the events or situations that assembled who we are and what we believe. Nonetheless, our childhood is what gave us our infrastructure in which we shaped our lives.

The presence of both parents or the absence of one consigned to us our philosophy of love and marriage. Their attendance, or lack thereof, and quality of participation dictated our theory regarding faith, self,  relationships, commitment, responsibility, and work to only select a few.

Our home environment, family relationships, culture, traditions, entertainment and more during our formative years have remarkably influenced how we live our lives as adults. These experiences guide us in making from the least and trivial to the most significant decisions in our lives.

For example, if we experienced the divorce of parents at the age of 9, we form ideas regarding men, women, commitment and marriage.  As adults, even though we have greater aptitude and competence, we typically do not change these ideas. Instead of challenging these conclusions, we continue to make adult decisions in these areas with a 9 year old's understanding and feelings.

Many of us are continuing to live our days through our limited views as children.

Wait...

I'm not saying that every aspect of our childhood has to be viewed differently. Many of us had great experiences in our homes and with our families. The commitment and love of my family have shaped the structure of my home today. However, I'm emphasizing that some of our most difficult issues currently are a result of earlier mishandled experiences and decisions.

But God!

Re-Defining these experiences through God's Word is essential in healing and living out an abundant life in Jesus Christ!

"I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works and that my soul knoweth right well." Psalm 139:14 

Whatever situation or circumstance we were born in, left in, or given, we are purposed in being here.

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them". Ephesians 2:10

And BLESS the Lord for this!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17

Thank God that our value is not evidenced in how we were treated. Nor is it placed in our circumstances or descriptions given by others.

"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1 

At some point we need to challenge our beliefs about faith, love, life, relationships, marriage, self-worth, success, etc. We need to question those ideas that were formed on the frailty of human behavior and the restricted comprehension of a child. Unfortunately, some of our current arduous situations are dictated by these ill formed axioms.

We need to abandon any theory or definition that is not from God and embrace our identity and purpose in Him!

What do you believe?


Blessings!


copyright 2015 www.shundriariddick.com  All Rights Reserved