encouragement

Springtime Blessings

| Heather Britain

Picture1What can beat a mixture of family and nature for springtime blessings?  Not much in my opinion.  Here is a throw back photo of my daughter at springtime in the past.

And what a relief to see your friendly smile.  It is like seeing the face of God!  Genesis 33:10 NLT   I thought the picture to the left was perfect to go along with this scripture.  I love this scripture because it’s how I feel every time I get to see my daughter’s beautiful face or even talk to her on the phone, although when I get to see her it’s under much better circumstances than when Jacob said these words to his brother Esau.

I spent this past Memorial Weekend 2015 with my daughter.  I can hardly put into words how rejuvenating the time was…beautiful weather, springtime flowers, humming birds, good coffee, bible reading, and quality time with my daughter.  Oh, how I’d love more times like this with my baby girl.  Nothing compares to the loyalty and genuineness of family.  Just being present in an environment like this makes a person thrive spiritually.  No matter what we’ve both grown through together, we both want what’s best for each other and want each other to succeed in life. Her presence in my life is such a blessing.  I get so filled with Holy Spirit Joy with our visits.  Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him.  Psalms 127:3 NLT

I know at some point in the next few weeks I’m going start missing the friendly family environment that so fills me up with joy.  Feelings of lonesomeness will hit and I’ll have to be double diligent at encouraging myself with God’s word, my blessing journal, riding my horse, and fellowshipping with a few gal pals.  I’m so looking forward to my next visit with her!!!

My daughter at Grandma & Grandpa’s house in springtime past.

Below are some pictures I took of Springtime 2015.

I will bless and praise the Lord with my whole heart! Let all His works throughout the earth, wherever His dominion stretches, let everything bless the Lord!   Psalm 103:22 TPT

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ASK FOR PERMISSION Heather Britain and Blessed At All Times, April 2015.Unauthorized use and/or duplication of written material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.

Filled With Holy Spirit Joy

| Heather Britain

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What an amazing weekend of fellowship and worshiping God.  I had the privilege of attending my 2nd Women of Faith Conference in Billings, MT last weekend. Pictured on the left is my new Bible and coffee cup from the conference.  As the saying goes…You can bet my weekend mornings will be filled with a little bit of coffee and a whole lot of God!

I enjoyed connecting on a more personal level with a few church family ladies.  It’s nice to fellowship with each other doing fun activities besides just seeing each other at church every Sunday with not much time for anything but a quick hello.  It’s a great way to get to know each other beyond the surface.  The whole experience was a healing balm my soul needed to recharge me with Holy Spirit Joy!  2 Timothy 2:22 (NLT) says, “Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts”.  It was indeed a weekend of good companionship and memories I will savor!

The speakers and stadium full of women from all walks of life amplified the joyful atmosphere.  Matthew 18:20 (NLT) says, “For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”  And the Holy Spirit was definitely among all of us, educating us and inspiring us!

It was exactly one year ago I jumped into a vehicle with a few ladies I had not met or knew anything about and attended my 1st Women of Faith Conference.  Who knew (besides God) that experience would become the introduction to an awesome church family and newfound joy!  God is certainly amazing how he connects all the dots and makes everything come together!

My Prayer:  Lord, help me to remember that Your joy is my strength, in Jesus’ name, Amen!

ASK FOR PERMISSION Heather Britain and Blessed At All Times, April 2015.Unauthorized use and/or duplication of written material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.

More Things Go Right Than Wrong

| Heather Britain

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“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”   Psalm 126:3 (NIV)

Thinking back on the bumpy road of my life up to the present moment, I can definitely say no matter what challenge is going on at the time, more things go right than wrong at any given time.

For example, fairly recently a relationship I had  such high hopes for fell apart fast and hard, within the same time my mother found out she had stage 4 colon cancer, and in 2½ months passed away.  While all of this was going on, someone I had called friend and agreed to roommate with to help with our cost of living expenses turned out to be not such a good a friend, violating the friendship and damaging it to the point that the dynamics changed and it won’t ever be what it used to be.  Talk about feeling kicked in the guts! Three aspects of my life changed in a big way all around the same time.

After an appropriate amount of time grieving the loss of my mother, although I still shed tears now and then for her, the feelings of sadness, loss, betrayal, you name it swirled around inside me for long enough.  I was feeling so blah so much of the time.  I had to start encouraging myself and remember what was going right in my life.

Keeping a blessing journal has really helped me encourage myself, by keeping track and reviewing my blessings in remembrance of what God has done for me.  In which God instructs us to do in Isaiah 46:9 (NLT) says, “Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me.”

I had heard about keeping a blessing journal several times and always thought it was a good idea, but didn’t put in it to practice until the topic came up again in my women’s bible study group when we read One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp. After doing that study I actually put it into practice.

A few things I had written in my blessing journal concurrently going on at the same time during those challenging times were:

  • I have a roof over my head.
  • A working vehicle to get my daily living done.
  • Food in my belly.
  • Hot running water.
  • A comfy bed to sleep in.
  • Admiring beautiful sunrises/sunsets.
  • Someone told me the positive qualities she sees in me.
  • My daughter’s love and support.
  • The presence of my horses is good medicine.

Also listed are a few answered prayers and several fun surprises God blessed me with.  I can literally declare, God has done great things for me and I am filled with joy!!!

Amidst any struggle, God sure shows his love with blessings that just seem to blend into the background of our lives and sometimes get overlooked.  For most of us, whatever we are struggling with, simultaneously these blessings are still there in the backdrop of our daily lives and are going right.  Now whenever a challenge comes up, I allow myself to feel what I need to feel because it’s important to acknowledge our pain, then as soon as I can I start encouraging myself by saying, “Heather, more things are going right than wrong.”  By picking up my blessing journal, counting my blessings, and giving thanks to God my inner wellbeing shifts.

Are there a few circumstances in my life I’m not too crazy about and would like them to change, you bet!  Do I sometimes slip and get weary by giving my circumstances too much attention, guilty!  Do I think life can be unfair at times and feel upset at injustices? Oh yeah!

In times like this, I have to make a conscious choice to pick up my blessing journal, start reviewing it, and honor God by obeying Him and keep in remembrance all he has done for me and is doing for me presently.  Sometimes if I need and extra boost of feel good I will call or fellowship with a friend who can offer words of encouragement.  Reading my Bible or other scripturally inspiring books helps too.

To some degree we will all experience being hurt or discouraged in life.  Remembering more things go right than wrong and counting our blessings will help bring peace to the heart.

My Prayer:  Lord, no matter what is going on in my life, may my thoughts return to all you have done for me and fill me with joy.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

ASK FOR PERMISSION Heather Britain and Blessed At All Times, April 2015.Unauthorized use and/or duplication of written material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.