Walking for a Worthy Cause

I haven't been around blogland much this past week because I (along with my DD) were in 'training' for a walk-a-thon.

Back in February, I wrote about an organization called Teen Challenge (see their link on my sidebar). The Teen Challenge women's choir visited our church, and along with a wonderful performance, shared some very moving and powerful testimonies of addiction and how establishing a relationship with Jesus is helping these women put their lives (and families) back together.

Well, we learned that this group was having a 5-mile walk-a-thon to raise money for a new roof for the grand victorian building that they use as a campus and home. Most of the walk took place in the beautiful Roger Williams Park in Providence. So, my family signed up to do what we could to help this great organization.

For the past couple of weeks, once I got home from work, my daughter and I would lace up our sneaks and head out for a walk. It was usually two to three miles at a stretch. I'm so glad that we were well-prepared for today's five mile trek.

The weather was overcast, but that really worked in our favor, because if it were warm and sunny, I'd probably would've dropped from heat stroke. My husband, daughter, and I had a wonderful walk with about 50 others and enjoyed a great time of fellowship with some of the residents of Teen Challenge. We were given a tour of the building and we all enjoyed a great BBQ afterwards. I'm pleased to say that the walk-a-thon was a great success and a good amount of funds were raised to repair their roof. They are also holding yard sales and car washes to continue to raise money.

I also want to express my sincere appreciation to all of the service men and women, past - present - and future who have and who continue to risk their lives and sacrifice time from their families for me and my family. Thank you and may God bless you and keep you safe.

--Liane

A Refreshing . . . . . . . .

Today has been an awesome day. God has given me a refreshing that I so desperately needed.

Lately, I have been feeling somewhat out of sorts. Definitely not myself. I have allowed an issue to bother me and pick at me for the past several months. I have carried it with me wherever I go, talked about it and have gotten angry about it more times than I can count. I kept trying to give it to the Lord. Not that He wouldn't accept it. I just can't seem to take my hands off of it. I keep looking at it with my eyes, through my perspective. The way my stomach has felt the past couple of weeks, I think it's literally eating away at me.

Actually, that's not true. There are two issues that have been bothering me. (so the 'it' in the previous paragraph is actually 'them')

I want to trust in God. I say that I trust in God. But I'm not actively trusting in Him.

Today at church we had a special visit from the Teen Challenge Women's Choir. Teen Challenge is an organization that helps adolescents, men and women who are held captive by addictions. Teen Challenge helps these souls establish a relationship with their Lord and Savior, Jesus, and with His love, work through their problems. The ladies of the choir not only ministered to us through song, but they also shared powerful testimonies of their struggles and how God is working in their lives.

Basically, they showed me that through these issues, I need to praise Him. I need to look up and praise the Lord, even when I don't feel like it. Because when I focus on Jesus and all that He has done for me, I cannot feel angry and bitter. I cannot complain if I'm singing to Him. I cannot look at the faults of others if I'm looking up at Him. I cannot grumble about the attitudes of others if I'm thanking Him for his love for me. I cannot accept his mercy if I am not merciful to others.
I need to stop carrying these 'issues' around with me and keeping them like pets. I need to hand them over once and for all and Be Confident that He will do what He does.

I'm thankful for this day and the refreshment I received.

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