tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28071525678034610442024-03-05T20:06:18.532-05:00Gloria's Life ReflectionsAs I reflect back on the things that I have lived through and how in those moments (good and bad), God always had His hand on me and made Himself known to me, I decided that I needed to share with others "The things that He has done for me" so that I might inspire and help you draw closer to Him.
My hope is that as I share, I will bring glory and honor to my Savior for the things that He has done for me as I strive daily to humbly walk with Him.Gloria Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01613640199979637917noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2807152567803461044.post-57152280451881172802011-01-15T19:29:00.000-05:002011-08-06T20:56:35.559-04:00To Everything There Is A Season<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlvN314PuMTZMtK-kvLEwSrj7DMFDBmlTt_5InMZkBiIAuDSW96BC4DrqsLILFUUndqy3Zw4dArQmnHwWpXVsUKOnFsA2EvBSPZY6UgZtNYYpY4mW9cF7Ev4n7mTp3DiAUE05A4wY6oAN/s1600/seasons+Of+Life+Large.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlvN314PuMTZMtK-kvLEwSrj7DMFDBmlTt_5InMZkBiIAuDSW96BC4DrqsLILFUUndqy3Zw4dArQmnHwWpXVsUKOnFsA2EvBSPZY6UgZtNYYpY4mW9cF7Ev4n7mTp3DiAUE05A4wY6oAN/s320/seasons+Of+Life+Large.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607078709892941474" border="0" /></a>It states in Ecclesiastics 3:1 that "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven."<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />When I first began my Christian life, I did not quite understand what this scripture meant, but the longer that I live and walk with Christ, the more I began to understand that God uses seasons in our lives to teach us lessons that will draw us closer to Him, to help us mature and become useful for His service.</div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Seasons in our lives give us a testimony that not only helps us to overcome, but that helps others build their faith as we share our experiences. For example, as we testify about an experience that we have gone though and we tell about how God moved on our behalf, the telling solidifies our faith and makes us stronger, and at the same time it helps the hearer believe that if God can do it for them, then He'll do it for me.<br /><br />Seasons, are learning tools that God uses to perfect our faith. Therefore, we must learn to embrace them and trust that God means them for our good and it is not a punishment, but a test of our faith.<br /></div>Gloria Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01613640199979637917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2807152567803461044.post-28543290194477891812011-01-01T19:40:00.000-05:002011-08-06T20:57:32.718-04:00Hiding Behind Masks<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIhOdSQX1psyAWRoZ4eL36DtF5uQFp5dNaULVKTzpo0clAqIHFJvIznqm4qWFQO8KKusPPbAtL1IG6tOxU1FcUBa7ABgZTczzZ57X5KRmHNvXBUwRx9k-jnsaQ1J9JZoOPpYsP7_9a_a_/s1600/white+masks.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIhOdSQX1psyAWRoZ4eL36DtF5uQFp5dNaULVKTzpo0clAqIHFJvIznqm4qWFQO8KKusPPbAtL1IG6tOxU1FcUBa7ABgZTczzZ57X5KRmHNvXBUwRx9k-jnsaQ1J9JZoOPpYsP7_9a_a_/s320/white+masks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513601527604966690" border="0" /></a>At one time or another we have all worn masks to hid our true self from others. Some of us smile to hid the sadness and pain that lurks within us. While others are just afraid to be themselves, fearing rejection. In silence we wear the masks to cover up what is really going on in our lives. </div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Paul Laurence Dunbar wrote a poem entitled "We Wear the Mask" to express why he believed people of his race wore masks. He stated, "W<span style="">e</span> wear the mask that grins and lies...with torn and bleeding hearts we smile" He clearly expressed why masks are worn, but no specifics are provided on how the mask can be removed. However, if you read closely, there is a clue in the poem that might help the reader to begin removing the mask, when Mr. Dunbar states, "O great Christ, our cries to thee from tortured souls arise."<br /><br />Is Christ the answer to help us remove the masks that we wear? Yes, I believe that He is the only one that has the power to help us remove the masks. Only with His help can we begin to become the person that we were always meant to be. The scriptures encourage us to lay aside the old man and to step into His marvelous light because whom the Son has set free is free indeed. As we grow spiritually in Him, the masks we have worn begin to come off because in Him, we find the acceptance that we have longed for and the masks we wore are no longer necessary. Allow Christ to help you remove the mask and allow the real you to emerge.<br /><br /><br /></div>Gloria Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01613640199979637917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2807152567803461044.post-80195583051391114062010-12-15T19:00:00.000-05:002011-08-06T20:53:58.618-04:00Rivers in the Desert<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupOS_GbKEcSYzwik6CUvLcNZmJ955EBgaF6RQgua46jKmnvOgi9BMi9QzXxAVa1F6cKiorZJEfm6OPtdnDiPZETmNSq1AkazeF041SWx0mtStR6JVJz4L6yBf4-DGbDXhzwxg7A-7NLxF/s1600/river_desert_web.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupOS_GbKEcSYzwik6CUvLcNZmJ955EBgaF6RQgua46jKmnvOgi9BMi9QzXxAVa1F6cKiorZJEfm6OPtdnDiPZETmNSq1AkazeF041SWx0mtStR6JVJz4L6yBf4-DGbDXhzwxg7A-7NLxF/s320/river_desert_web.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494157124054381106" border="0" /></a>A few years ago when God pulled me away from everything that was familiar to me and placed me in a new place that appeared to be desolate, I asked Him why have you seen fit to bring me to this desert-like place where I am a stranger among strangers, and nothing I see is something I have known before? Why Lord are you allowing this drastic change in my life?<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />This was the inner response that I received, "I am taking you to a place where the people you will meet are not your own, where everything will be unfamiliar, so that there I can plant you and there you will bloom like an exotic flower in the desert"<br /><br />With these few words, I caught a glimpse into what God had planned for me. I saw a desert place that no matter where I looked, the sand dunes, etc. were endless but in the middle of that vastness, I saw a single exotic flower planted and being sustained by an underground water source that flowed like a river around it, allowing the flower to be alive and full of blossoms. Despite, the arid conditions, this exotic flower thrived and provided the beauty that this desert place was missing.<br /><br />At the time that God revealed this to me, I could not see how He would take the mess that I had made of my life and make something beautiful. I was going through a period of brokenness, loneliness, disappointment and disillusion. Nothing I had done in the past was working. It seemed as if the old ways were no longer sufficient to sustain me. I decided to trust God, because there was nowhere else to go, but to Him.<br /><br />Since then many years have passed and I have continuously seen God restore and cultivate a beautiful garden out of my life that has bloomed and blessed others.<span class="verse-num"> In</span> John 7:38 it states that "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." In believing what God said about my life, I allowed Him the access He needed to transform my life. Day by day, as I placed myself in His hands, He began to remove the dead roots that prevented new growth. As I read His word and prayed for His guidance, He was able to renew my mind and restore me from a young seedling that lacked the fullness of the living water to a tree planted by the rivers of water (Psalm 1: 1-3). He made the difference and showed me a new way. I could not have done it on my own.<br /></div><span class="woc"><strong class="highlight"></strong><strong class="highlight"></strong></span><span class="verse-num"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="verse-num">God told the prophet Isaiah, </span>"Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen. This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise (Isaiah 43:18-21).<br /><br />We need to put aside the former things in our lives that hold us captive and remind ourselves that we belong to Him and He wants to do a new thing in our lives that will transform us even if we find ourselves in desert places. He is the living water and He is able to change us into the strong trees that will have deep roots connected to the water source. All we have to do is begin to drink and allow the refreshing to begin so that we will grow.<br /></div>Gloria Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01613640199979637917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2807152567803461044.post-26663786921797230442010-11-15T09:31:00.000-05:002011-08-06T20:52:55.546-04:00I Am The Lord that Healeth Thee<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrpJZyt0tVYgpqeTu6ehLszzlVnhwHj-jrUkbxyWNQNKCAKZMw5-GeMzz9jgvH_GgQeS5Gzfd-gtsvAZDbW_FbxB7hTrSTMnX_R30NRlm29uKkZVSaJ0LWzcJPNaqTLMcyDI8uh8o7W0V/s1600/ALOE+ARBORESCENS.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrpJZyt0tVYgpqeTu6ehLszzlVnhwHj-jrUkbxyWNQNKCAKZMw5-GeMzz9jgvH_GgQeS5Gzfd-gtsvAZDbW_FbxB7hTrSTMnX_R30NRlm29uKkZVSaJ0LWzcJPNaqTLMcyDI8uh8o7W0V/s320/ALOE+ARBORESCENS.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494534376534224994" border="0" /></a>After recently having some medical tests done, I faced a crisis where the dreaded "C" word was mentioned by my doctor. She stated, "The tests revealed some cancer cells and we need to get you in here right away to take a further look." After she told me this, I do not recall what else was said because all that I could hear was "You have cancer and you know what that means." In one split second, my world was turned upside down and I was paddling hard to stay afloat.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I felt the tears start to run down my cheeks and I was at a loss for words. In the silence of my room as the sun went down, I tried to suppress the negative thoughts that ran through my mind. Then from somewhere on the inside of me, I felt the spark of hope rise up. I felt a glimmer of faith begin to build and in a whispered voice I proclaimed, "This is only a test and He will be with me."<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">After that I put my face to the wall and I prayed. I meditated on the promises of God and concentrated on Psalm 118:17, "I shall live and not die, but proclaim the works of my God." I called on my closest Christian friends to stand with me and believe God for my healing miracle.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">After that more medical tests were done. As I waited for the results, I kept my thoughts on what God had promised me in His word and I thanked Him for my healing.<br /><br />When the final test results came back, there were no cancer cells in my body. Once again, God had shown Himself strong on my behalf. I am so thankful for His mercy and loving-kindness towards me.<br /><br />I am here to encourage you if you are struggling with health issues, trust Him for you healing. If God can heal me, He can heal you too. He is no respecter of persons and wants what is best for His children. Psalm 91:16 states, "With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation." God is concerned about your health and wants to see you well. Call upon the Lord and ask for a healing miracle, thank Him and watch what He will do on your behalf.<br /></div>Gloria Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01613640199979637917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2807152567803461044.post-75767788341750958262010-11-01T19:00:00.000-04:002011-08-06T20:43:53.471-04:00The Lost Gemstone<div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjx5ggc88Su3g8B4kQ4Cp2j4gUVbrP9VVegObIwZyKdVJfBucRQSZ1NuTo9XhlsA6QrjZrXfAMA8QHG6tYfuNK4bTZkBIFzVH9cK6x0huvxSQ5StD58crhV2slAJyUgdzLAKqLYMZ32Ha/s1600/necklace.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjx5ggc88Su3g8B4kQ4Cp2j4gUVbrP9VVegObIwZyKdVJfBucRQSZ1NuTo9XhlsA6QrjZrXfAMA8QHG6tYfuNK4bTZkBIFzVH9cK6x0huvxSQ5StD58crhV2slAJyUgdzLAKqLYMZ32Ha/s320/necklace.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494496884878311138" border="0" /></a>Imagine receiving as a gift a handcrafted piece of jewelry that is one of a kind. An irreplaceable piece that can never be replicated; it is a work of art, special and precious. Anyone receiving such a gift would be elated.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Now imagine wearing it for the first time and before the day is out, a single tiny gemstone wiggles out of the setting an falls off.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This is what happened to me. I received such a gift and in one single moment, it went from being a spectacular piece that could be shown off for others to admire, to a defective piece that no one would consider wearing again, because the flaws were to obvious.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;">I can only tell you that when this happened to me, I was heartsick at having lost one tiny gemstone. I searched high and low for the missing gemstone, but I could not even begin to imagine where I may have dropped it. I backtracked to every place that I had traveled throughout that day. I walked around with my head hung down looking for a clue, a sparkle, anything that would help me recover the missing gemstone. I crawled on the floor. I looked under, behind and around furniture. I even enlisted the help of my friends, to no avail. The tiny gemstone was gone forever.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">That night as I lay on my bed to sleep, the thoughts of the missing gemstone swirled inside my head and I had a sad countenance. I closed my eyes and then I heard a still small voice on the inside of me say, "Do you trust me enough to believe that I can do anything?" I knew it was God speaking to me and I replied, "Lord I trust you." Then I prayed and asked God to give me peace over the situation and to take the sadness from me. After that I drifted of to sleep.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The next day, I went about doing all the things that I had planned without thinking about the missing gemstone. As my work day ended I walked up the street to catch my bus home. As I stood there waiting, I looked down and in the dirty crevices of the sidewalk, I noticed something shiny peeking through. I bent down and with my finger moved the loose dirt and there I saw the tiny gemstone that I had lost. I had to smile because once again God was showing me that every detail of my life is important to Him.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">From this experience my faith was reinforced with the knowledge that nothing is impossible for my God, if I will only believe and trust Him. I learned that He loves me so much that even the minute things of my life are His concern. If He is interested in me, how much more will He be concerned about you and your situation. Trust Him and see how much you mean to Him and you will be pleasantly surprised.<br /></div></div></div>Gloria Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01613640199979637917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2807152567803461044.post-77728082645576511922010-10-15T19:28:00.000-04:002011-08-06T20:52:35.315-04:00Your Breakthrough Is On the Way<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSCR-Gsb6Fspm4Uqj7WXnctBxvyQscTeaP86GJV3Gn2NTUHHoVNjQzsB8OG3A-MtqrHgQ2XySvwUEbjg3gjC47J_LlOLFv-CcbbPBM71gv-IVFLEjtciyyYPogzTb4EC3ZHCc3-CdWcvR/s1600/Flower_-_White_Rose_for_You.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSCR-Gsb6Fspm4Uqj7WXnctBxvyQscTeaP86GJV3Gn2NTUHHoVNjQzsB8OG3A-MtqrHgQ2XySvwUEbjg3gjC47J_LlOLFv-CcbbPBM71gv-IVFLEjtciyyYPogzTb4EC3ZHCc3-CdWcvR/s320/Flower_-_White_Rose_for_You.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511911535670477394" border="0" /></a>Things change so quickly, sometimes it gets worse before it gets better, but no matter what your circumstances are, in the blink of an eye God can turn it around and make a way out of no way.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="UIStory_Message"><br />Ephesians 6:13 states, "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.<br /><br />We need to stand firm on what God has promised us and believe Him for our miracle (breakthrough) for nothing is impossible with Him. Place your trust in Him and He will turn your sorrow into joy.<br /><br />Jeremaih 29:11 states, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."<br /><br />What you need from God may not come when you want it or how you pictured it, but it will come in His perfect timing and even better than what you imagined. He has good plans in mind for you. Therefore, stand firm and do not let the circumstances </span>in your life shake your faith. God is on your side, so who can be against you ((Romans 8:31).<br /></div>Gloria Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01613640199979637917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2807152567803461044.post-90334548206221760812010-10-01T20:59:00.000-04:002011-08-06T20:42:00.232-04:00The Shunammite Woman's Faith<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60lLpBG4Aq7snBRGeSU354Zuen8t8ml7iovvO9QZSu1pVEMugVL8_Ly1wOEPASVihk7gk1xciAwsDIut3PJywiq_aXLN_zUE0ow34Ei3qjOlVoVpHe_6RFufmJ9h1WL3kcwhqtY4gPOBA/s1600/upsidedown-world.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60lLpBG4Aq7snBRGeSU354Zuen8t8ml7iovvO9QZSu1pVEMugVL8_Ly1wOEPASVihk7gk1xciAwsDIut3PJywiq_aXLN_zUE0ow34Ei3qjOlVoVpHe_6RFufmJ9h1WL3kcwhqtY4gPOBA/s320/upsidedown-world.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498987765136958674" border="0" /></a>In 2 Kings 4: 8-37, we are introduced to a woman who was wealthy and well respected. She was kindhearted and used this kindness to provide shelter for Elisha the prophet whenever he traveled and passed by her house. Elisha became a frequent visitor and a friendship developed between the prophet and her family. Her hospitality prompted the prophet to learn more about her because he wanted to repay her kindness towards him. Her reward was a child.<br /><br /></div>Gloria Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01613640199979637917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2807152567803461044.post-61933683992668586732010-09-15T17:11:00.000-04:002011-08-06T20:56:07.709-04:00Patiently Wait On God<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAmy2aDfseJaEFMtZDMqrxLEQj78d-YyL5R0Tgvu1Rhm583SbEgefmTNJu2CB79_VBXZd_ap4lZyHoB8a6zrjvnjbKEcG_Rk37lLJoP6eyoqDbVqQ-Zwx2KHsOiHrNrD2-bgmcnjxTprv/s1600/sunrise.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAmy2aDfseJaEFMtZDMqrxLEQj78d-YyL5R0Tgvu1Rhm583SbEgefmTNJu2CB79_VBXZd_ap4lZyHoB8a6zrjvnjbKEcG_Rk37lLJoP6eyoqDbVqQ-Zwx2KHsOiHrNrD2-bgmcnjxTprv/s320/sunrise.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511936850680801090" border="0" /></a>In the past, I have not always been as patient as I am today. I have always had a hard time waiting for God to answer my prayers. In fact, there have been times when I tried to help God out by manipulating the situation so that the things that I prayed for would come to pass quickly. Needless to say, I failed in my attempts and I messed up everything and needed God's help even more. How foolish I was to think that God needed my assistance so that my prayers could be answered.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">With time, I have come to understand that God is all knowing and possesses all knowledge (Romans 11:33-36). He has insight into my future that my finite mind cannot even begin to comprehend. He is more than qualified to answer my prayers and His timing is perfect. He knows exactly what I need. His ways are not my ways and that is why no matter how much I may try and help Him out, I will always mess it up.<br /><br />Now when I am waiting on God to answer my prayers, I thank Him and trust that He is working it all out for my good (Romans 8:28). In doing this, I am no longer anxious or disappointed if some of my prayers go unanswered because now I know that everything I have prayed for is not always for my good. He will not withhold anything that is mine from me, but in due season He will answer my prayers and it will be exactly what I need.<br /></div><br /></div>Gloria Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01613640199979637917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2807152567803461044.post-15430266942973914282010-09-01T18:56:00.000-04:002011-08-06T20:54:57.138-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSoBS2olw-vHhUzSBXylH3q-VhrLMmVzvi-V1vP0H79uchIZRp2AQMYTa3Gx66z0uon6H-KP4b71oh_EQL9hec2-uEW3BRfU0XH7xdlQSffVTWHhirrRsaqhrv7QphD5SyLz89Ns9UfLe/s1600/doveFlying.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSoBS2olw-vHhUzSBXylH3q-VhrLMmVzvi-V1vP0H79uchIZRp2AQMYTa3Gx66z0uon6H-KP4b71oh_EQL9hec2-uEW3BRfU0XH7xdlQSffVTWHhirrRsaqhrv7QphD5SyLz89Ns9UfLe/s320/doveFlying.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512086614603740594" border="0" /></a>In 1 Samuel 15:22 the prophet<br /><br />We should all seek to live in peace Keep you peace is not always easy Have you ever been overwhelmed by all the problems that seem to pop upGloria Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01613640199979637917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2807152567803461044.post-17698992531149156282010-08-15T17:56:00.000-04:002011-08-06T20:51:00.991-04:00We Fall Down But We Get Up<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgligDFpHymTOl-dBpNlaXVxM_7_6EeNVPvr1NNmBudkfCDWs3MJMz-a24H0AuimVgdPxLTcsfKTph3k4d9Xs-F6EzQGUNGU7avksdYyLCqn1Hqu-Xzf7CWooER0CFaXjMGJbvCqs3G0Pta/s1600/clever_picture.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgligDFpHymTOl-dBpNlaXVxM_7_6EeNVPvr1NNmBudkfCDWs3MJMz-a24H0AuimVgdPxLTcsfKTph3k4d9Xs-F6EzQGUNGU7avksdYyLCqn1Hqu-Xzf7CWooER0CFaXjMGJbvCqs3G0Pta/s320/clever_picture.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494167491904383794" border="0" /></a>I want to encourage you to never give up on what God has prepared for you. If He has shown you something and told you it will come to pass, then, that is what will be if you trust Him and position yourself to receive what He has shown you.<br /><br />I want you to know that no matter what you may be going through or how it may seem, God is in control of your life and he cares about you and what you are going through. Even in our disobedience, He is still concerned about us and He wants to restore us unto Himself.<br /><br />I know that sometimes it is not easy to hold on to your faith when everything appears to be against you, but you have to hold on, because your breakthrough is before you and will come. I understand that taking the easy way and compromising your faith may sometimes seem like the right thing to do, but it is not! Think back on your past mistakes and remember the times that you compromised your faith. What was the outcome? We suffered needlessly, but in a still small voice, He was still calling out to us ready to forgive and restore us. The scriptures state that we have all fallen short of the glory of God, but that is no excuse to give up on yourself or Him.<br /><br />There is a song that Donnie McClurkin sings entitled "We Fall Down." The lyrics are simple "We fall down, but we get up. For a saint is just a sinner who fell down, but we couldn't stay there, and got up. We get back up again."<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I find comfort in this song, because even in an inpatient and disobedient state, there is still the hope that we can get back up again, that we can dust ourselves off and keep going forward. We may be battle scarred, weary and tired, but we are not down. He is there with an outstretched hand to help pull us out of the pit we have fallen into. He is there to restore our hopes and dreams and to help us begin again.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">So be of good cheer my brothers and sisters, no matter what the circumstances are in your life, God can turn it around and work it out on your behalf. So, if you have fallen, look up and reach for His outstretched hand and take comfort and refuge in the arms of the blessed Savior. He cares for you and will never leave you or forsake you.<br /></div>Gloria Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01613640199979637917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2807152567803461044.post-75084367234813013062010-08-01T17:36:00.000-04:002011-08-06T20:39:19.102-04:00One Step Towards Maturity<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh35ogwRwS4IZDx3Ez3jGVO5Ew9ssG-rIHFyrkS8SbWRhleysNXenoYP42PXFCjvmvfwhGJ7IEZVdmS3aB_7_A8fbToHe4aXD1fV912SlTLAdlctfMV_d82B_4eZNLFb7WIgf0xtlZvZatG/s1600/bee_1403498c.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh35ogwRwS4IZDx3Ez3jGVO5Ew9ssG-rIHFyrkS8SbWRhleysNXenoYP42PXFCjvmvfwhGJ7IEZVdmS3aB_7_A8fbToHe4aXD1fV912SlTLAdlctfMV_d82B_4eZNLFb7WIgf0xtlZvZatG/s320/bee_1403498c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489819991669542514" border="0" /></a>Many of us do not know how to deal with the negative past experiences that fester like a bee sting on the surface of our lives. We blame everything negative that has ever occurred to us on others or the enemy. We take no responsibility for the roles that we have played in making a mess of our lives.<br /><br />Lately, I have been examining my life and my walk with the Lord and I concluded that in order for me to continue maturing in my Christian walk, I must take responsibility for my actions and quit blaming others for the mistakes that I have created.<br /><br />One way to do this is to be honest with myself and God. In 1 John 1:9 it states "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Confession is the first step to maturity because you make yourself accountable to God and then He can step in and help you out of the mess that you created.<br /><br />The prophet Daniel states, "To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him" (Daniel 9:9). If we confess our past mistakes, and our rebellious ways, God will be merciful and then He will begin to heal our past hurts.<br /></div>Gloria Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01613640199979637917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2807152567803461044.post-73064276609055941822010-07-15T08:26:00.000-04:002011-08-06T20:51:59.805-04:00Lot's Wife Why Did She Look Back?<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxspPOUjO2Mbs0-jRvuXV_q1_NcT2swI1NviBDDXou3w6zmjzsF7Nw2m89dFM2rM6u-a0vizkUejYYhWOBR50a0g22zn5x3IExw42Ez24-ibbqxAcqAdED8L1SZrw5oIFAyJNeODOh1Zo/s1600/87921359.ykFPJGHd.DSC00961_edited1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxspPOUjO2Mbs0-jRvuXV_q1_NcT2swI1NviBDDXou3w6zmjzsF7Nw2m89dFM2rM6u-a0vizkUejYYhWOBR50a0g22zn5x3IExw42Ez24-ibbqxAcqAdED8L1SZrw5oIFAyJNeODOh1Zo/s320/87921359.ykFPJGHd.DSC00961_edited1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479638938861076002" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >As I study the story of Lot's wife, I ask myself, why is her story important to us and how can it be applied to our lives today?<br /><br />Here are some of my conclusions. <span style=""></span>Lot's wife was a woman torn between what she was forced to suddenly leave behind, which was the only security she had known for many years, to what lay ahead, an uncertain future. <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size:12pt;"></span><br /><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >Lot’s wife was not a bad woman; she was just a woman living in a society filled with wickedness where sin was so prevalent that she had become numb to it and compromised her faith.<span style=""> </span>She lived her life as a woman who took care of her family and ran a household filled with many challenges.<span style=""> </span>Not unlike the women of today’s world, but in her case, it appears that she ignored the world outside her home that desperately needed to know about God.<span style=""> </span><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" ><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >She was the wife of a prosperous business man, which meant she had responsibilities such as entertaining guests.<span style=""> </span>She was a mother of several daughters.<span style=""> </span>Some of these daughters were married and at least two were unmarried.<span style=""> </span>She had son-in-laws and I believe she also had grandchildren.<span style=""> </span>Her life was filled with responsibilities and obligations.<span style=""> </span>She was living a life most of us would consider to be normal and ordinary.<span style=""> </span>But in one night her whole life changed with the arrival of the strangers that God sent to destroy the cities.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" ><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >Suddenly she finds herself fleeing her home in the middle of the night with most of her possessions being left behind, but not before her son-in-laws have refused to join the family in their departure.<span style=""> </span>So, her married daughters and possible grandchildren are left behind in a place where God has promised to bring judgment for sins.<span style=""> </span>Lot’s wife leaves her home with an aching heart filled with uncertainty and a sense of loss.<span style=""> </span>She knows her place is with her husband, but what about all that she is leaving behind.<span style=""> </span>With all these loose ends, Lot’s wife allowed herself to be driven by her emotions and those emotions overruled the plans that God had for her.<span style=""> </span>The price that she paid for her indecisiveness was high and ended her life (Genesis 18:16 19:29). <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" ><o:p><br /></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" ><o:p>Her life was so important that Jesus saw fit to mention her in the new testament as an example for us to study. In </o:p>Luke 17:28-32, Jesus warns the believer that in the last days, we must be single minded for the things of God in our daily lives because when the time comes that the Son of man is revealed; we will have no time to prepare.<span style=""> </span><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" ><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" >As a believer in today's world, I can hear Jesus admonishing us to be people of purpose who are sure of where we stand, not driven by our emotions no matter what circumstances are in our lives. <span style="">He is warning us not to be like Lot's </span>wife; who was a double minded woman that was unsure of the plans that God had for her. He is urging us to examine ourselves and to make changes to improve ourselves so that we will become single minded people unafraid of the changes that God would see fit to bring into our lives. We must be ready to trust God and willing to be obedient to Him so that we will not be left behind rooted to the world as pillars of salt . </span><br /></p><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" ><span style=""></span><span style=""></span><o:p></o:p></span>Gloria Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01613640199979637917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2807152567803461044.post-51228753260287383622010-07-01T07:47:00.000-04:002011-08-06T20:37:37.179-04:00Standing at the Crossroads<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTsMnSvvuMidC08Vjo1v4GoAonZbh3yiK3OLc1aP7jAL-ysobpoewkt0VkrLfJpBFXf13cOWd0gj31slJwdyaSdqN8_0XCZUwk5je6Du0jNqerEO3b8hY_e0aRWU0LR_Kv9iPGajCgQZg_/s1600/Forest.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTsMnSvvuMidC08Vjo1v4GoAonZbh3yiK3OLc1aP7jAL-ysobpoewkt0VkrLfJpBFXf13cOWd0gj31slJwdyaSdqN8_0XCZUwk5je6Du0jNqerEO3b8hY_e0aRWU0LR_Kv9iPGajCgQZg_/s320/Forest.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489646182659361890" border="0" /></a>One of my favorite poems is "The Road not Taken" by Robert Frost. It is a poem that I can relate to when I have come to crossroads in my life that required a choice.<br /><br />In the poem, the person at the crossroad examines the paths that are set before him. He can see that one path is worn and the other has less wear, noting this path is not one normally chosen. As he stands there thinking which one to take, I believe that he concludes, it would be easier if he could travel down both roads instead of selecting one path. This way, he will not make a mistake or miss something important. He eventually selects the road less traveled. He takes a risk and goes down the path that few dare to travel. Later as he reflects on his choice, he clearly states, "It has made all the difference."<br /><br /></div>As human beings, we all come to forks in the road of our lives and at these crossroads we have to make choices that are not always easy. Sometimes, the choices we make turn our world upside down and we wish there was a way to go back and make a different choice. Unfortunately, in the real world that we live in, there are no do-overs and we must live with the consequences of our decisions.<br /><br />After we make a few wrong choices, we begin to learn the "Play It Safe Game." The rules for this game are simple, each time you come to a crossroad in your life, take a road that is easy and familiar in order to avoid making mistakes. Or don't make a choice at all, instead turn around and go back and refuse to venture out on any new paths of opportunities that present themselves in your life. Now if we do this long enough, we become conditioned to no longer take risks in the hopes that we can avoid a negative impact to our lives. Unfortunately, this does not always work.<br /><br />As Christians, we need to understand that this game is a trick of the enemy to keep us from the blessings that God has for us. In order to grow in faith, we must be on the path that God has selected for us. It may not always be a path filled with peace, etc., but nonetheless, it is the path that He has chosen for us because it leads to our completeness in Him. By allowing the enemy to blind us, we begin to live in fear and become paralyzed. Thus, we stay in the same rut, never moving forward or maturing into the mighty man or woman of God.<br /><br />The scriptures make several references about what must be done when we come to a crossroad in our lives. We are to ask the Lord for guidance each time that we are standing at a crossroad, so that He will show us the right road to take. By asking, He will point the way using various signposts, which will lead us towards the direction that we should take (Psalm 25:4).<br /><br />Be assured that God is concerned about your life and He is willing to stand at the crossroads with you. He wants to guide us and we need his guidance in order to take the right path that He has laid out for us. However, you must continue to be mindful that some roads that He guides us to will not always be easy to travel on, but He will sustain us and be there in the mist of any circumstance that we may face. He will not leave you alone even if He has placed you on a road that is less traveled. Lastly, we must acknowledge him in all our ways so that he can make our paths straight, if by chance, we take a wrong turn (Proverbs 3:6).<br /><br />God's word is very clear about what we must do when we come to a crossroad in our lives. In Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV) it states, "This is what the Lord says: Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls."<br /><br />We are instructed to not be hasty, but instead we must examine the path, which signifies that we need to pray and seek God's plan for our lives. We need to ask him for his divine guidance. Lord, "what is the best way for me to go and walk therein." Lastly, once He directs us, we are to be obedient and not worry. We must be at peace with the path that he has placed us on. The poet is correct in this respect, the roads that are less traveled make us stronger and help to develop our faith by drawing us closer to God. The roads less traveled are blessings in disguise that make us better people who can bring hope to others by our testimony. They are roads that make all the difference in our lives.<br /></div>Gloria Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01613640199979637917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2807152567803461044.post-11839381375424090892010-06-15T06:50:00.000-04:002011-08-06T20:32:38.291-04:00Graduation 2010<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07LWX2gVLQSCOY1SrDtiyXTxrFctpXmwR4ZmZSpjuBOSdGI8onQRuCx30cMu6uyrCeQaKDijUNqar6DqO17FNEdWOW4B1YUY9raGclwud0mOKikxHlPVmrDScEqIUH5I64UDtYUbtdZqT/s1600/graduation2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477757147816790674" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 320px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07LWX2gVLQSCOY1SrDtiyXTxrFctpXmwR4ZmZSpjuBOSdGI8onQRuCx30cMu6uyrCeQaKDijUNqar6DqO17FNEdWOW4B1YUY9raGclwud0mOKikxHlPVmrDScEqIUH5I64UDtYUbtdZqT/s320/graduation2.jpg" border="0" /></a>Today my daughter graduates high school. What an important day this is for her. Her dedication and hard work paid off and she graduates with honors. I know this moment is only one of many firsts accomplishments that she will achieve in her lifetime and I am proud of her.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">As her mother, I know the struggles she has faced to get this far and I know that her faith in God was the balancing factor that helped her overcome the handicaps that life threw at her.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">She was raised in a single parent household since she was two years old. She was the third child and the first daughter. She had a loving home where Christian principals were foremost, but where most of the time all the things she wanted could not be provided due to my financial limits.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Despite this, she grew to be a loving an caring young lady with values and goals. She is well liked by her peers and will be remembered as "The girl most likely to succeed no matter what the odds are that come against her." My daughter is a force to be reckoned with and her future is one filled with endless possibilities.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Today as we celebrate her accomplishment, my prayer for her is that God will grant her the desires of her heart and continue to strengthen her.<br /><br />I admonish all of my brothers and sisters in Christ to pray for our graduates as they move on to new opportunities by asking God to strengthen them, guide them and help them. Remember if you can be a blessing towards them, God will reward your endeavors. </div>Gloria Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01613640199979637917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2807152567803461044.post-80446777762453017942010-06-01T09:41:00.000-04:002011-08-06T20:33:15.415-04:00Birthday Reflections<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPXYdg_B-0T09bPH0sRngsGRylM7Lbdlr7HJALEk5TXCAOjU21Uhcewrn1JzkyOaI4vXmApKxJJiZik73zuasDQkIFD4ekkHs8acm2eFsOcwXPfdoJTfeDvDT8Kz3xggklqjrx4C-lfr1/s1600/birthday-omg1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 305px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPXYdg_B-0T09bPH0sRngsGRylM7Lbdlr7HJALEk5TXCAOjU21Uhcewrn1JzkyOaI4vXmApKxJJiZik73zuasDQkIFD4ekkHs8acm2eFsOcwXPfdoJTfeDvDT8Kz3xggklqjrx4C-lfr1/s320/birthday-omg1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489835962697051826" border="0" /></a>We all celebrate our birthdays differently. This year instead of having a big party with all the trimmings, I had several little gatherings to commemorate turning fifty (50).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I was able to spend time with all my children. We laughed and enjoyed being together. They gave me cards, gifts and serenaded me with the "Happy Birthday" song that they learned as little children so many years ago. It was a pleasure to be in their company. I am blessed!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I was also able to take a trip to a small beach town in the great State of Texas, curtsy of my sisters and mother. We stayed in a magnificent beach house that could have graced the cover of any architectural/design magazine with it's beautiful decor and spacious living areas. In this setting, we cooked meals, took walks on the beach, collected seashells, sat on the deck enjoying the ocean breeze and talked about our lives, our hopes, and our dreams. We laughed, we cried, we got serious and we listened to each other. There in our togetherness, I learned that despite our differences, we are family and I need them to be in my life. I believe we were able to reconnect in new and different ways, which ultimately strengthen the cords that bind us together.<br /><br />I am so glad that they felt the need to commemorate my special day by clearing their calendar and spending time with me. Their random acts of kindness towards me healed wounds inside of me that I thought were incurable because of past misunderstandings. How they treated me was like a gentle oil that pour down from the top of my head to the soles of my feet cleansing me as it flowed downward. I felt the need to strife towards building a better relationship with them and to forget the past misconceptions. I was humbled and learned that unconditional love exists in many forms. but sometimes we are so blinded by our own shortcomings and perceptions that we cannot see beyond our own lives. How foolish we are when we allow our lives to be "All about Us," we can forget the most important things, like family, friends and being at peace with our fellowmen. I am old enough now to know that I am not always right and that I can admit it without losing face. Thanks Mom and thank you my beautiful sisters for putting me back on track, I love you dearly.<br /><br />I will always remember my 50th birthday, not because I turned fifty, but because it was the turning point in my life that started me on a different route with a whole new outlook. While I welcome the changes that are ahead, I must be mindful that the things in my past will either make me or break me if I do not acknowledge them, and take the appropriate steps to improve my life, thus, making it better not only for myself, but for those around me.<br /><br />This year as you celebrate your birthday, take the time to reflect on your life. Ask yourself questions that will help you make the appropriate changes needed for a better life. It is never too late to take responsibility for your life. Remember God loves you and He cares about your hopes and dreams. If He sees fit to give us another birthday, He has to have a reason and a plan for us. Do not waste the talents and gifts that He has given you. He created you for a higher purpose with endless possibilities. Acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. Happy Birthday my friends, may you continue to be blessed and be a blessing to those around you.<br /></div>Gloria Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01613640199979637917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2807152567803461044.post-2661137660058469882010-05-15T18:02:00.000-04:002011-08-06T20:36:37.134-04:00Eve the First Mother<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Yw0AIb7x4Oksi91KbcTmvm0HvXn0unbk1DvxGSYfG-k7U9wB-41zF2BK3k83a-aOsR_q8Y7fAs6DcseukHybZzxhAEedNvunmUhMJKJTEFcTpJyhewvd-4djNcWToZU4ue0G_FAW9csj/s1600/CainAbel1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Yw0AIb7x4Oksi91KbcTmvm0HvXn0unbk1DvxGSYfG-k7U9wB-41zF2BK3k83a-aOsR_q8Y7fAs6DcseukHybZzxhAEedNvunmUhMJKJTEFcTpJyhewvd-4djNcWToZU4ue0G_FAW9csj/s320/CainAbel1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477850623744017298" border="0" /></a><br /><br />There are many incredible women in the bible that we can use as role models to make us better people. As I study these women and how they lived, I want to look at them in the role of being a mother, and I want to try and comprehend what it was like for them in the times that they lived, and how it relates to us in 2010.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">In the next few blogs, I will be sharing some of my thoughts on these incredible women like Eve, Moses' mother and step-mother, Hannah, Ruth, Mary the mother of Jesus, and others. My hope is that as we look at their lives, we will be inspired to be better people.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">We all know that Eve was the first mother (Genesis 4) and that she witnessed the strong sibling rivalry between her two sons (Cain and Abel), until in the end one son killed the other. Then the remaining son left home in shame.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Although, the bible does not say if Eve ever saw Cain again, I believe that until the day she died, Eve longed to see Cain's face and never stopped asking God to protect him. Why do I believe this because a good mother never stops loving their children even if they are not doing right. It is the nurturing spirit inside a mother that seeks to be there for their children no matter what circumstance they (children) find themselves in. As believing mothers, we hope that if we cannot be there for our children, God will be there with them to care for them.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">How many of us (mothers) have experienced similar circumstances like Eve when it comes to our children or how many of us were that child who tried the patience of our own blessed mothers and caused them pain. Eve was not alone. In today's world, there are so many distractions that offer us and our children numerous opportunities to make wrong choices and sometimes we fall. Nonetheless, God is faithful towards us as we repent and draw closer to him (James 4:8). He will restore us and heal the broken relationships.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I believe that Eve mourned both her sons and loved them despite their shortcomings. As a woman that walked and talked with God, she came to know Him better after the fall and grew to understand His power and how it related to her life. I believe Eve was a woman of strength and that God showed her favor. He provided her with a husband that stayed by her side. God also filled the emptiness left by the loss of her two sons with more children and she found her comfort in the blessings He provided.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Knowing how God cared for Eve makes me believe that no matter what losses we face today as God's children, God will always be there to restore and comfort us when we call on Him. It is this hope that should keep us moving forward towards Him. Eve is an example of a woman that learned to trust God.</div>Gloria Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01613640199979637917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2807152567803461044.post-60017387182349975182010-05-01T14:03:00.000-04:002011-08-06T20:36:13.881-04:00Mother's Day Memories<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUKAm7-ihOP8xkvmzIjUaaK-Z0aZ0pRoPOwQb8Z2Ca3LrlxY0f4rHpUk6ykjxLe4Ix6K4OjUX_zJqmUyoOSdQ9nNl2r_90lsTpsEJ_YBJoPxj3MymIwHNBTIsluVJFAXTMs_ZRDdDtAd8/s1600/single-yellow-rose.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUKAm7-ihOP8xkvmzIjUaaK-Z0aZ0pRoPOwQb8Z2Ca3LrlxY0f4rHpUk6ykjxLe4Ix6K4OjUX_zJqmUyoOSdQ9nNl2r_90lsTpsEJ_YBJoPxj3MymIwHNBTIsluVJFAXTMs_ZRDdDtAd8/s320/single-yellow-rose.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477834660507157842" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">With Mother's Day coming up this weekend, I am reminded of all the things my children have done throughout the years that let me know they appreciate me as their mother.<br /></div><div align="justify"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">One year, Mikki and Toni wrote me a book and drew pictures to coincide with the story they wrote. I still have those books and when I ran across them two weeks ago, my eyes began to mist. I remembered their small faces filled with joy when I opened their books and read them out loud. They smiled from ear to ear and hugged me close.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">One year Jake detailed my car and it shined and looked brand new. Another time, he turned the dirt in my garden over so his mother could grow the flowers and vegetables she likes so much. </div><br />This year Daniel my oldest sent me a beautiful bonsai pink azalea plant to my workplace. I was so touched.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">My children are the reasons, I strive to be the best mom ever. Sometimes, I do alright by them. Other times, I can only pray for God's grace to help me out. Nonetheless, if I had to do it over again, I would still be their mom.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Do you have any special memories of being a mother or of your own mother that you would like to share? If you do, share them and be a blessing to others. </div></div>Gloria Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01613640199979637917noreply@blogger.com0