What's Flying in Your Sky?

Over the past 18 years, I've learned a lot of aviation lingo and phrases from my father-in-law who is a retired pilot.  One of the phrases that I've heard him mention time and time again over the years is a "holding pattern."  A "holding pattern" is typical for large airports. For the major hubs, a "holding pattern" is necessary to keep control of all the airplanes in the sky that are waiting to land. As a plane approaches it's destination, it must enter the "holding pattern" before it can touch down.  The airplane simply gets in line for landing.

God has given me a visual of a "holding pattern" for all of my thoughts and habits.  He is showing me that there are a few fears, doubts, and habits that I've allowed into my "holding pattern."  He is ready to help me land those things that do not give Him honor and glory.  He is showing me that there are too many "planes" flying in my sky, and He is ready to help me clear my "sky."  God IS the control tower, and HE is able to see everything.  What's amazing is when He starts showing me planes on the radar that I didn't even know were there.  Yikes!!!

Bringing down the planes that are not of God can sometimes be hard, but the peace, and joy that comes from our obedience outweighs the rough landings.  HE promises us that we will not crash and burn if we look to HIM for help and guidance.

As we get ready to celebrate New Year's, I'm eager to usher in a NEW year with less planes flying in the "sky."  New beginnings, fresh starts, and Godly redos are available for all who seek God and His forgiveness and repentance.

What does your radar look like?  Do you want to start a new year with the same "holding pattern?"  You have a choice and you are in control of what flies in your "sky."

Psalm 94:11 The Lord knows the thoughts of man;  he knows that they are futile.

Romans 8:9-10 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.  And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.  But if Christ is in you, your body is dead of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Isaiah 43:18-19 Forget the former things;  do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up;  do you not perceive it? . . .

Isaiah 58:11 The Lord will guide you always . . .

Are You in the Race?

On your mark, get set, GO!!!  This is how most people approach Christmas.  Once Thanksgiving is over, the race is on.  Everyone is running to get things down.

With four short weeks between the two holidays, how could anyone possibly add a long to-do list to his/her already busy schedule?  Decorating a tree and house, shopping for family, friends, teachers and co-workers, wrapping gifts, sending out Christmas cards, hosting/attending parties, visiting extended families, baking yummy cookies, watching Christmas movies, driving around and looking at lights, and attending Christmas programs are just a few things that take place before December 25th.  Whee!  I'm out of breath just thinking about what all takes place in such a short amount of time.  What happens when sickness or an unexpected event occurs during the race?  The pace begins to slow down to a crawl and anxious thoughts and feelings can easily fill ones mind because he/she "needs" to keep running - there isn't anytime to slow down.

Sadly, I hear so many people say that Christmas time is their least favorite holiday because of how crazy, busy things tend to get.  There is truth to that,  however, it breaks my heart to see how we (Americans) have turned Jesus' birthday into a mad dash to the finish line - forgetting the true reason for Christmas.

What's the solution?  I'm not sure, but I do know that the more time I spend with the Lord asking Him what's important and what's not - the more my eyes are open to what HE wants and there is less of Karla running around like a crazy woman trying to keep up with the Christmas race.

The verse, "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10) is one scripture that I have to keep close to heart throughout the year but especially throughout the Christmas season in order to stay focused on what's important.  God doesn't say to stay busy, busy, busy and try to do everything under the sun.  Instead He wants us, He wants our time, He wants our thoughts and praises.

How much of you, your time, your thoughts, and your praises have you given to Him this Christmas season?  Or have you been BUSY running the race?  He is waiting for you.

Diving In

After a year of asking God what he wants me to do about an idea in my heart, I finally got the answer.  The answer might seem very simple for many people, but for me it sounds big.

The idea in my heart is to write for the Lord, but write about what? And who do I write for? These  have been my questions. Let me back-up for a minute.  After adopting a precious child from China and blogging about the adoption experience, I was encouraged by some very close women in my life to continue writing.  I was puzzled by what I heard.  I am not the type of person who likes to write, and I certainly wasn't the type of student in high-school or college who made great grades in writing and language arts. Writing does not come natural nor does it flow out of Karla.  However, I've noticed that as my relationship with the Lord grows, HE uses me to communicate His love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness through words.
I know this is a gift from God because this is not typical for Karla to do on her own.

As I have been praying and seeking God about writing for a year,  I certainly didn't want to step out into faith if this truly wasn't a God thing.  The final confirmation came 2 weeks ago through a friend on facebook that I haven't seen since we graduated from high school.  I was praying specifically one day, "Lord, just show me if you truly want me to write." Lo and behold I received a private message on facebook from this particular friend letting me know how much she enjoys reading my posts and how she finds encouragement from them.  That was it!

Here I am and I'm diving into what God is calling me to do, and I am looking forward to sharing how I've come to know the Lord through a personal relationship that has set me free in sooo many ways. God has lifted me out of the mire and I am here to praise Him for His love and guidance.  I am very open and transparent about many of my thoughts and feelings, so as I unzip my heart through writing, I pray that someone will come to know the Lord in a new way and realize that He is real and His word is alive.  He gets the glory!

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well"
Matthew 6:33