In the Aftermath of Winter is Spring!

It has been a long hard winter.

I’m more than ready for spring.

I’m thinking of you and hoping your winter is over too.

Because in the AFTERMATH of winter is spring.

And spring brings new beginnings and HOPE.

On my drive to Montana today I saw old dirty snow melting into flowing springs.

The springs water the trees as they squeeze out new buds.

Seeds planted long ago burst forth and bloom as their roots are watered.

Here, the image of a fresh spring evokes the spiritual cleansing and renewal that God brings to His people. This is the kind of cleansing God has brought to me this year.

And I hope He brings it to you too.

So I’m praying for you tonight

• I asked God to bring you a spiritual cleansing that will renew your joy.

• I prayed for the sun to shine on your winter season.

• I asked for cleansing of your family relationships.

• I hope for the refreshing of your broken heart from that winter season of your past.

• I trust He will show you the way – like He did for me.

Because He loves you so much.

God bless your heart with this encouraging Scripture from Isaiah 58:11:

Isaiah 58:11 (New King James Version)

The LORD will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

Because God always gives us HOPE in the AFTERMATH with springs of living water…

Gigi Murfitt

www.GigiMurfitt.com

Hope in the Aftermath

I have a new favorite song.

It is on the recently released album by Hillsong United.

Aftermath is the name of the album and also the song that spoke to my heart.

Here is a link to the song: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/aftermath/id413410016?i=413410253

I hope you’ll listen to this snippet of the song – or even better – buy the entire album. I love it.

Here is a link to the album: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/aftermath-deluxe-edition/id413400156

As I’ve shared in a number of posts, I’ve been working on my memoir for almost ten years. Geesh!

My book has morphed and changed and grown up right along with me as I learn to seek and trust God in the aftermath of life’s challenges.

Recently I was brainstorming ideas for a new title of my book. I’ve never been settled on the title Hope in Hard Times.

Guess what? One of the names I had come up with was:

Hope in the Aftermath – Stories of Encouragement in Difficult Times.

Then I found the album and the song! What a God STOP for me. :-)

This line from the song tells much about my story…

And in that moment of glorious surrender was the moment you broke the chains in me

Lifted out of the ashes I am found in the AFTERMATH

My chains have been broken and in the process of rewriting my book, God met me on each tear-stained page.

I’ve grown and changed and I hope to help you do the same.

Over the next several months I’m going to share bits and pieces of the book as we finalize it for publication later this summer.

Oh! I can’t wait to share it with you….and bring you the same hope.

God Bless Your Heart with Hope in the Aftermath

Gigi Murfitt

www.GigiMurfitt.com

Job 11:17-19 (New Living Translation)
17 Your life will be brighter than the noonday. Even darkness will be as bright as morning.
18 Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety.
19 You will lie down unafraid, and many will look to you for help.

Lenten Love Letter #1

It's Ash Wednesday. The count down to Easter has begun. That means it is time for my Lenten Love Letters.

During the forty days of preparation for Easter, some people give up a favorite food or activity. I've heard of several friends giving up social media this year.

When I was younger I gave up favorite snacks like Reeses Peanut Butter Cups or Pepsi. In middle school I sacrificed my sleep by getting up at 5:30 am to walk to St. Paul's Grade School where I played my guitar during morning Mass.

Today I chose to hold off on my morning stop at Starbucks for a Chai tea. In addition to giving something up, I prefer to take time each day to do something positive.

Several years ago I started a tradition of writing one encouraging letter or card per day during Lent. I ask God to bring a name to mind as I write. It is so much fun to watch God at work.

The recipient of Lenten Love Letter #1 is Sister Maura Percell - a retired nun living in a Mother House in the midwest. She is the sister to my Aunt Pat Devine. Sister Maura blessed me when my dad died in 1965 when she walked me down to the Woolworth store and bought me a porcelain tea set. So in giving up my tea today I remembered her gift to me in a time of great sorrow.

We recently reconnected and today's letter will hopefully lift her spirits as she recovers from a fall.

If you know someone who needs a note of encouragement, please leave a comment and I'll add them to my lenten love letter list and send them a card or letter.

I pray that God will bless you today for the next forty days.


God Bless Your Heart
Gigi

http://www.gigimurfitt.com/