Day 197 Walk Humbly

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Philippians 2:3

I want so badly to walk humbly and to consider others better than me. I love to encourage people and I try not to be selfish.

But I have to admit that selfish ambition and vain conceit have reared their ugly heads in my life. They show up as a fear of what others will say about me and have caused me to do things I never dreamed.

In this season of writing I'm working on the story of my college years. Wow, that was thirty years ago. Where has the time gone?

 

I saw a pattern in my journals as I captured my story. More often than not I was worried about what others were thinking and I was not honest with my true feelings. I wanted people to like me so I did what they wanted me to do. I lost my voice.

In the process I also lost a sense of self worth which didn't help when I was in relationship with controlling and insecure people. And boy was I confused!

I've been spending a lot of time with the Lord lately trying to gain some understanding of what I have lost because I didn't speak up when I should have. I'm trying to regain my voice which was stiffled in a crowd of noise called a large family.

I'm learning to stand tall and be honest with myself and with others. It has taken thirty years but I'm getting there.

I'm so very thankful that God drew me in to a close relationship with Him. He has given me a community of people who seek the best for me. I am encouraged by the authenticity of our relationships.

I have to tell you that writing this book has been a humbling experience. Especially as I write it with an honest heart hoping that someone out there might learn from my story. I really want my reader to learn how much God loves them – even when they haven't always done it right.

So thankful for God's grace today.

God Bless your humble heart.

Gigi

http://www.gigimurfitt.com/

The idea for this blog post came from the July 18 devotional in God Calling by AJ Russell.

Day 193 True Success

Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. Joshua 1:3

I want to be sure that every place I set my foot is where God wants me to be. I spend time with Him praying, studying the Bible and listening so I know where next to set my foot.

I've already taken detours from the path of God's will and stepped out of line. Let me tell you it is NOT fun.

This week I'm writing the section of my book about the stormy season of my journey. I'm retelling the story of my college life through my late twenties.

As I write the story my heart swells. I remember how God was there with me through the roller coaster ride of life. He wasn't sitting up in heaven pointing a judgmental finger at me. He was with me encouraging me to get off of the wild ride because He had a better plan. But the noise of the world prevented me from hearing His voice. He picked me up when I fell.

I have some scars from a few harsh detours. But now these scars are reminders of how gracious God is and how He never left me. He redeemed these years and set my foot on the path again.

Oh Lord, Thank you that you have kept me and protected me.

When my life is surrendered to the One who loves me more than I will ever know, I find true success.

My prayer for you today is that God shows you the steps to take toward the success He has planned for you.

God Bless your heart with true success.

Gigi

http://www.gigimurfitt.com/

The idea for this blog came from the July 14 entry in the devotional book God Calling by AJ Russell published by Barbour Publishing.

Day 105 Never Feel Inadequate

And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for me: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

April 15. Tax day. I need strength.

STRESS! I'm posting my blogs a little late this week because I had to focus on some tax issues.

This devotional theme was good for me today because I was feeling inadequate and overwhelmed. But God's grace was enough to get me through.

The funny thing is that sometimes when I'm busy I don't spend as much quiet time in the morning. But it is in sitting before God that I hear Him speak to me and it gives me strength to complete the task at hand.

So here I am back in quiet meditation recovering from my own fretting. I've learned from God that it is important to remain calm. I can't carry out anything when I'm agitated.

I pray about everything then I focus on a few things until I get those accomplished. No need to stress about the rest. It will all work out.

I threw in my new Deluge CD on my trip to the post office to mail my tax return extension. I smiled the whole way as I belted out the new songs I've learned. Worship is a great stress reliever.

God sees, not as I see because he sees all things. So I think I'll leave it up to Him and stop stressing. I may be inadequate but He certainly is not.

Give him your stress today.

God Bless Your Heart,

Gigi

The idea for this blog came from the April 15 devotion in the "God Calling" book edited by AJ Russell.

Today I wish a Happy Birthday to Ken Beckwith. God bless you Ken!

Day 73 God’s Touch

Forget not all His benefits…who satisfies my mouth with good things; so that my youth is renewed like the eagle's. Psalm 103:2,5

Writing about my life in my journal for so many years has allowed me to have a place to forget NOT all of God's benefits. They are recorded with pen and paper as a reminder of His goodness and mercy.

I'm working on my next book titled Hope in Hard Times – Stories to Help Build a Strong Foundation for Difficult Times.

I've had one of those weeks of digging deep into my well of stories and sharing the truths about God's touch on my life. In conversations with my friends and family I've shared some stories I'd not thought about in years. It has been a week of laughter and a puddle of tears.

In the laughter and the tears, I am ever grateful for the refreshing of my soul that renews my strength and helps me run this race God has set before me.

When I go back over the words in my journals and the prayers I prayed – some answered, some not – there is one thing sure. God's touch on my life is very real.

He has satisfied my life with good things. I have learned some very hard lessons along the way. But the teaching has been worth it because it is making me more like Jesus. God's guidance has been sure. He has not led me astray.

I only wish I'd listened more often and obeyed what I was hearing. I'm sure I'd have a few less scars from the ditches I fell in on my own personal life detours.

But Grace! Oh the grace of God has given me the forgiveness I do not deserve and the power to live His way each day.

God's touch is full of Grace.

Grace and peace to you today my friend.

God Bless Your Heart,

Gigi

http://www.gigimurfitt.com/

The theme of this blog was taken from the March 14 devotional in the God Calling book edited by AJ Russell.

Day 32 Another Start

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-15

Oh Lord. I am ever thankful that the wisdom written all throughout the Bible. The promise of a fresh start has been so life-giving to me.

Oh yes, I admit my past failures. But it’s nice to know I don’t have to keep looking back. God wants me to move forward.

For a time in my life I hid one particular past failure. Why? Perhaps it was fear of man. For sure it was pride.

Shortly after I graduated from college I married the man I had dated off and on for five years. (The off and on pattern should have been a clue but I ignored it.) We had a huge wedding. I sewed almost all of the thirteen bridesmaid/flower girl dresses. It was quite a production.

But this beautiful fairy tale wedding ended six months later in a painful annulment. Both of us had deeply hurt the other in our selfishness and pride.

We sought the council of priests and friends but in the end I made up my mind it would never work. My heart had wandered away and I did not want to turn back.

This was one of the most difficult seasons of my past. I moved to Dallas, TX to start over.

But I told no one in my new home about my failed marriage. I was too embarrassed (or prideful) to tell the truth. I wanted my new friends and coworkers to like me. I thought they would think less of me if I told the truth about my failed marriage.  I was full of pride.

Because of the guilt and shame I worked hard to somehow make it up to God by volunteering in the Sunday school class room and going to Mass several times a week. I went through the long process of obtaining an annulment in the Catholic Church. I worked hard at looking good.  It didn't suit me well.  It was ugly.

Oh how the enemy loves it when we choose this way over the truth.  This cover up left me in bondage for years.

So God wants us to give it all to him and receive His forgiveness without looking back.

I’m so thankful that He has given me another start through Christ’s life and the forgiveness offered by His Grace.  It is powerful.  It is life changing.

If you need another start, I hope you will come clean with God and move forward.  If you need to talk to someone about your situation please feel free to email me so I can encourage you in your walk.

I'd love to help you find a new start where mercy and forgiveness runs deep.

God Bless Your Heart,

Gigi

http://www.gigimurfitt.com/

The idea for this blog post came from the February 1 devotional in "God Calling" edited by A.J. Russell and published by Barbour Publishing.