Over the last couple weeks, I've grieved with a sweet friend who lost her forty-two year old sister to an untimely death. I've listened to a dear friend describe how her marriage is falling apart. And I myself have been diagnosed with a chronic disease.
It's times like these when we ask "why?"
Why the pain? Why the sadness?
I wish I could give you an answer that would make it "all better."
I do know this: God is faithful, and all things really do work out for good to those who love God. (Romans 8:28)
And I know that God understands our cries. In fact, He welcomes our cries. Isaiah 58:9 says "Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and He shall say, 'Here I am.'" (KJV)
So if you're hurting today. If you're tired or grieving or sad. Cry out to Him and know that He will hear you. More importantly, know that He is with you.
As He said in Isaiah, "Here I am."
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Sunday Night Blues
It's Sunday, and the day is winding down. I enjoyed a wonderful time of worship at my home church this morning, did some shopping with my husband, played with the dogs . . . typical Sunday "stuff." It's been a nice relaxing day.
But now I face the "Sunday Night Blues." You know what I mean: You've enjoyed your weekend even if you had tons of things to do, and now you know that the work week starts in just a few hours.
Sound familiar?
Now, I'm fortunate to work at a wonderful company, and I really do love my job. The problem is that I love my husband and home and ministry more, and it's hard sometimes to balance all of it.
So, what do I do to get over these blues? What can you do?
There's a verse that helps me to actually look forward to Mondays: "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men." (Col 3:23)
Remembering that my job is a gift from God and that I'm called to work to glorify Him makes it easier to get over those Sunday Night Blues.
I pray that this will help you as you prepare for another work week.
Be blessed!
But now I face the "Sunday Night Blues." You know what I mean: You've enjoyed your weekend even if you had tons of things to do, and now you know that the work week starts in just a few hours.
Sound familiar?
Now, I'm fortunate to work at a wonderful company, and I really do love my job. The problem is that I love my husband and home and ministry more, and it's hard sometimes to balance all of it.
So, what do I do to get over these blues? What can you do?
There's a verse that helps me to actually look forward to Mondays: "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men." (Col 3:23)
Remembering that my job is a gift from God and that I'm called to work to glorify Him makes it easier to get over those Sunday Night Blues.
I pray that this will help you as you prepare for another work week.
Be blessed!
Sunday, August 13, 2006
A Servant's Heart
Lately, I seem to be reading, seeing, hearing a lot about being a servant. I'm currently going through a Charles Stanley Bible study on the topic. Within the last month, I've read two books on leadership that focus on it. And I just attended a conference for leaders that discussed it.
So why all this talk about serving others? Because that's what we're called to do as children of the King. Jesus served His followers by washing their feet. We can't do anything less.
I've felt very convicted about this lately, and I've been challenged to find ways to serve. I've been wanting to mentor a younger woman, so I'm starting to look at opportunities to do this. And at the other end of the spectrum, I've missed having my grandparents (I lost my last living grandparent last year), so I'm looking into "adopting" a grandma.
But beyond these, I'm also looking for every opportunity to serve others with a joyful heart. I realized that I can clean my house--something I don't really love--with a servant's heart because I'm doing something to make our home more pleasant. I can complete tasks for others at work without grumbling. I can ask for specific ways to help my friends and family.
What can you do? How can you be more like Christ? Serving others actually serves God. And serving God brings glory to Him.
Find ways to serve today. And cultivate a servant's heart.
So why all this talk about serving others? Because that's what we're called to do as children of the King. Jesus served His followers by washing their feet. We can't do anything less.
I've felt very convicted about this lately, and I've been challenged to find ways to serve. I've been wanting to mentor a younger woman, so I'm starting to look at opportunities to do this. And at the other end of the spectrum, I've missed having my grandparents (I lost my last living grandparent last year), so I'm looking into "adopting" a grandma.
But beyond these, I'm also looking for every opportunity to serve others with a joyful heart. I realized that I can clean my house--something I don't really love--with a servant's heart because I'm doing something to make our home more pleasant. I can complete tasks for others at work without grumbling. I can ask for specific ways to help my friends and family.
What can you do? How can you be more like Christ? Serving others actually serves God. And serving God brings glory to Him.
Find ways to serve today. And cultivate a servant's heart.
Monday, July 31, 2006
An Amazing Child
I spent the weekend with the most amazing child! My niece, Sarah, and her husband, Chris, visited from Oregon, and they brought their one-year-old son, Christopher Jr, aka C.J.
Now, there are hundreds of thousands of great aunts out there. I realize this. And I realize that each of these hundreds of thousands of great aunts thinks her great nephew or niece is the sweetest, the cutest, the smartest, etc. etc. etc. But I have to say, my great nephew really IS the sweetest, the cutest, the smartest, etc. etc. etc.
God didn't bless my husband and me with children, and I've lived somewhat vicariously through the lives of our nieces and nephews. My eldest niece--I call her my "first born" because I was only nineteen when she was born--has always had a special place in my heart, and when she married in 2004, she honored me by asking me to be an attendant in her wedding.
And then when she gave birth to that amazing child in 2005, she and Chris asked me and Russ to be "honorary grandparents."
So, this weekend, I was able to love on that baby!
And I was reminded of something: God loves me. Even though He had a different plan for Russ and me, I've had wonderful relationships with children that He's brought into my life. And now I have the opportunity to have a relationship this new little one.
God is faithful. He really is!
Now, there are hundreds of thousands of great aunts out there. I realize this. And I realize that each of these hundreds of thousands of great aunts thinks her great nephew or niece is the sweetest, the cutest, the smartest, etc. etc. etc. But I have to say, my great nephew really IS the sweetest, the cutest, the smartest, etc. etc. etc.
God didn't bless my husband and me with children, and I've lived somewhat vicariously through the lives of our nieces and nephews. My eldest niece--I call her my "first born" because I was only nineteen when she was born--has always had a special place in my heart, and when she married in 2004, she honored me by asking me to be an attendant in her wedding.
And then when she gave birth to that amazing child in 2005, she and Chris asked me and Russ to be "honorary grandparents."
So, this weekend, I was able to love on that baby!
And I was reminded of something: God loves me. Even though He had a different plan for Russ and me, I've had wonderful relationships with children that He's brought into my life. And now I have the opportunity to have a relationship this new little one.
God is faithful. He really is!
Sunday, July 23, 2006
He leads besides the cool waters
Here in Southern California, we've been having some record heat. It's been in the high nineties to low 100s where I live, and the humidity has been unusually high. We've even experienced some thunder storms. My two Labrador retreivers haven't been enjoying this heat at all . . . and neither have I (my husband jokes that I do well only when the temperature is between 70 and 75 degrees, and I'm sorry to say that he's right!).
We've had power outages and hot nights that have made sleep difficult. It's enough to make the calmest of us a bit grouchy.
What do we do when the weather gets so hot, so miserable? We can seek the cool of air conditioned homes and malls. We can hope that the power stays on long enough to keep the indoors at least tolerable. Or we can just keep our fingers crossed that the weather cools down.
But what about when our spirits experience the "heat" of the world? Those of us who know Jesus Christ know that trials and struggles and pain will come. We know we'll face the heat, the parched desert times.
When those times come, we can go to our Shepherd, the One who can cool our heated souls. Psalm 23 tells us that the Shepherd will "lead us beside the cool waters" and that He will "restore our souls."
If you're facing the heat of the day, go to the Lord and ask Him to cool your spirit.
And for the weather? Join me in praying for a cold spell!
Be blessed this day and this week.
Sauni
We've had power outages and hot nights that have made sleep difficult. It's enough to make the calmest of us a bit grouchy.
What do we do when the weather gets so hot, so miserable? We can seek the cool of air conditioned homes and malls. We can hope that the power stays on long enough to keep the indoors at least tolerable. Or we can just keep our fingers crossed that the weather cools down.
But what about when our spirits experience the "heat" of the world? Those of us who know Jesus Christ know that trials and struggles and pain will come. We know we'll face the heat, the parched desert times.
When those times come, we can go to our Shepherd, the One who can cool our heated souls. Psalm 23 tells us that the Shepherd will "lead us beside the cool waters" and that He will "restore our souls."
If you're facing the heat of the day, go to the Lord and ask Him to cool your spirit.
And for the weather? Join me in praying for a cold spell!
Be blessed this day and this week.
Sauni
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Welcome!
Greetings to the inaugural posting of my blog!
This blog will touch on some of what the Lord has laid upon my heart. I have a speaking ministry, and my mission is to encourage, edify, and equip. I speak on different topics (you can get more information on www.saunirinehart.com), but I'm highly passionate about two: the struggle with infertility and being married to a spouse who doesn't share my faith.
Over the next weeks and months, I'd love to dialog with others who may be facing the same issues.
Today, though, I want to share some thoughts about what it means to be an encourager. I feel blessed that God has given me a heart to encourage others, and one of the most encouraging thoughts for me is that we are loved by a sovereign Creator. The Bible tells us that God loves us so much that He sent His son to die for us (John 3:16). It also tells us that God will work everything out for good to those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
Because I believe in this God of love, I can have confidence that everything I've experienced--including infertilty and loving my non-believing husband--has a purpose. I look forward to sharing with you how I've been able to embrace the good, the bad, the ugly, and it's my prayer that your heart will be encourage.
So again, welcome to my blog. I hope to see you again.
For His glory,
Sauni
This blog will touch on some of what the Lord has laid upon my heart. I have a speaking ministry, and my mission is to encourage, edify, and equip. I speak on different topics (you can get more information on www.saunirinehart.com), but I'm highly passionate about two: the struggle with infertility and being married to a spouse who doesn't share my faith.
Over the next weeks and months, I'd love to dialog with others who may be facing the same issues.
Today, though, I want to share some thoughts about what it means to be an encourager. I feel blessed that God has given me a heart to encourage others, and one of the most encouraging thoughts for me is that we are loved by a sovereign Creator. The Bible tells us that God loves us so much that He sent His son to die for us (John 3:16). It also tells us that God will work everything out for good to those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
Because I believe in this God of love, I can have confidence that everything I've experienced--including infertilty and loving my non-believing husband--has a purpose. I look forward to sharing with you how I've been able to embrace the good, the bad, the ugly, and it's my prayer that your heart will be encourage.
So again, welcome to my blog. I hope to see you again.
For His glory,
Sauni
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