Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Calmly Trusting Our Shepherd ~ Guest Post by Laura Lane

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. 
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
John 14:27


Dear friends,

 They are all looking at you—looking at me. They're watching to see what we do, what we say, whether we are stressed, or whether we are peaceful. Many people are watching to see if this Jesus thing is real to us. Family, friends, strangers, co-workers are all watching. So, is this Jesus thing real to you?

 When you face a crisis of any kind, first words matter. Are your words of hope? Of fear? Of thankfulness and praise to God? Of despair? Only you can control what comes out first and what comes out most often. Others will use your reaction to judge Christianity and God. Make sure that your first words and all words are life, hope, peace, and joy.  When we are pressed, we are not crushed. We have a father God who loves us and provides what we need and heals us. Do we believe that?  I do. 

  I am an older woman. I've had years of experience with hard times both financial and health challenges. That's an advantage I have over many who are facing their first big challenges with this Covid-19 threat. 

 I've seen God provide when my husband's income was cut in half, because the company no longer wished to pay his salary. He was forced to quit. I've seen God supply when we had a long period of unemployment when my children were little. I've seen God supply when we closed a business and didn't have income for four months while my husband was looking for a position. God always supplies our needs. I've learned to pray and trust him. The trick is to do it without worrying. There's a lot of scripture about that. ~smile~

 God has brought me through pneumonia three times, two of which I was hospitalized. He's brought me through more surgeries than most families have had in total. Lately, he's brought me through breast cancer. I have evidence that Holy Spirit will never leave me nor forsake me. I just have to keep paying attention and praying and praising and worshiping. My faith has been deepened by the numerous trials in my life. I have been refined. 

 We're all dealing with the virus in one way or another. I encourage you to speak life, speak truth, speak hope, speak faith, speak the Word of God. Now is a time to draw closer to Him, and He will draw closer to you.

 Keep calm and pray on!
 Laura Lane

Bio:  Laura married her high school sweetheart thirty-three years ago. You might say they're going steady permanently.  She makes her home in Carthage, Missouri and has four adult children. Two of her daughters live at home and attend college in the next town over. She met Jesus when she was fifteen, and her life has never been the same. She enjoys writing, knitting, sewing, quilting, crocheting, baking, cooking, making jam, and making soup. Her recipes have been included in Gooseberry Patch's Hometown Christmas, Grilling and Campfire Cooking, and Secrets from Grandma's Kitchen.  

Laura is the author of Harvest Lane Cottage where she writes about encouraging others in their faith in Jesus, homemaking, books, and thrifty living. She is a breast cancer survivor since 2017.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Laura's Blog has been a source of comfort and encouragement to so many for so long.  She is truly an inspiration to us all!  I hope you will stop by and visit her!
May the Lord draw each one of us closer to His side.  May we turn to our Shepherd in every moment of fear, anxiety, and worry.  Truly He is our only hope.  As Laura's testimony proves, He is a Friend who sticks closer than a brother, and He never fails.

Keep your eyes on Him.

30 comments:

  1. Amen! Thank you Laura. I appreciate your words of wisdom because I have struggled with anxiety and worry my entire life. I daily hand everything over to the Lord but many days I find myself picking everything back up again. I work on this and work on this and work on this.
    I'm praying that both you and Cheryl have a blessed day.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Betsy,
      You are most welcome. I suffered with anxiety and worry for many years. Sometimes it still tries to come back. I have experienced the same handing over and picking up, too. It helps me to change where my focus is. This has been a challenge since I work in healthcare right now, but I believe that God put me there to be a light.
      Be blessed and trust. God truly does keep his promises.
      Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

      Delete
    2. I trust you have a blessed day, too, Betsy!

      Delete
  2. What wonderful words of encouragement from Laura! She's been through so much and seen God continually working in her life to meet needs. Our God is awesome!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Lorraine,
      Yes, I've been through a lot. I've been thrilled with God's provision during this time, since every time he puts it on someone's heart to help us out or bring us groceries, it's when my daughter is feeling worried about God providing for her about her future. God is using it as a training time. Isn't that neat?
      Blessings,
      Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

      Delete
    2. Many blessings to you, Lorraine!

      Delete
  3. I love your positive attitude, Laura, and your unwavering trust in Our Heavenly Father. Thank you for sharing with us, and thank you to Cheryl, too. God bless you both.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Kitty,
      Thank you so much, Kitty. I do my best to be positive, and it comes easier as time goes by. I think everyone's trust waivers sometimes, but I just turn my focus from my problems to my Father, and it changes things around. I also try to focus on what I CAN do to help the situation. For instance, as soon as I found out toilet paper was an issue in my town, I collected some old t-shirts, cut them in 6x6 squares, and sewed two layers together for us girls to use for tinkling. It has made our tp last a lot longer. ~smile~
      Be blessed,
      Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

      Delete
    2. Thank you for your kind words, Kitty. God bless you, too!

      Delete
  4. Laura, I can't begin to tell you how much your words of hope here have inspired me! Yes, we need to spread Christ's message in these times more than ever. So many are searching for the love and comfort only He can give. That peace that passes all understanding is the most marvelous gift any of us can receive.
    Blessings to you and yours, and to Cheryl for hosting you here!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Martha! Many blessings to you, too!

      Delete
    2. Thank you Martha Jane, I have been through so many hard times in the past with Christ bringing me through, I know there's nothing that I will face alone. It gives me courage to do what I can with what I've got where I am!
      Blessings from Harvest Lane Cottage,
      Laura Lane

      Delete
  5. Sweet Laura... enjoyed your sharing of your heart today! Indeed, our words are so powerful, our response to a situation, and our actions too. It is so true that the world is looking at us and watching to see how we are responding to this current situation. May we shine the love of Jesus into the world around us with the hope that He gives us. Much love to you sweet friend, enjoyed your thoughts so very much! Many blessings to you dear Cheryl as you continue to bless and encourage our hearts with this special series!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Many blessings to you, too, dear Marilyn! I so appreciate your kind words and faithful encouragement!

      Delete
    2. Dear Marilyn,
      This is a perfect time for us to let our light shine...the light of Jesus Christ in a dark situation helps us all through it. God is so good to us!
      Be blessed,
      Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

      Delete
  6. I appreciate hearing from those who have weathered trials in their past, yet still have faith and hope!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do, too, Lisa! Thank you for your visit and encouragement!

      Delete
    2. Dear Lisa, I find that weathering the trials is exactly what has built my faith and hope. I have seen that our LORD is trustworthy, and He love us so very much.
      Hugs to you Lisa,
      Laura

      Delete
  7. Thanks you Laura for your words of encouragement. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your visit, Cindy! God bless you.

      Delete
    2. Thanks so much Cindy. I appreciate your encoragement, too. Be blessed!
      Laura

      Delete
  8. Thank you, Laura, for your encouraging words! Last night my family studied Psalm 37 (livestreaming with our church family) -- My notes included these words...
    Do not fret: trust, dwell, feed, delight, commit, rest.
    Knowing my Shepherd will guide me through even the darkest times gives me such hope. Blessings to you and yoru family!
    (p.s. It's been awhile but at one time I followed you and your blog - so glad to find you again!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for visiting and leaving kind words, Linda!

      Delete
    2. Hi Lisa, those words are so very encouraging. Check out Joshua 1:9, too.
      I'm glad you found me again. I've lost and found blogs, too through the years. I have been reading blogs since the early 2000's when it was hard to find them.
      Be blessed,
      Laura

      Delete
  9. Thank you Laura for the words of encouragement and the reminder that how we react to hardship is being watched! Our pastor talked about that recently. Your testimony is such a blessing!

    Love,
    Annie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Annie,
      Oh how I miss going to church! It's nice to watch on tv, but it's just not the same.
      I'm glad you were blessed. God takes good care of us.
      Be blessed,
      Laura

      Delete
  10. Thanks for comforting words in the darkness..I am so glad that my Jesus can make away when there is no way.I know nothing takes HIM by surprise..Let's all keep holding to His unchanging hand..Remember underneath are the everlasting arms to carry Us safely through..His eyes is watching out for us and He never sleeps,His ears are listing for our cries,His arms,heart and door is always open because He said whosoever came to Him He would in no wise case them out..What a mighty God we serve...He is our hope,strength and healing is in His wings..Friend may we all run this race well.The pay is out of this ole world..Thanks for the good work and words of hope keep on holding on to that nail scared hand..Pray for Me! Love, Elaine

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Praying for you, sweet friend, trusting Jesus to bless and keep you in His tender care, and sending love your way today!

      Delete
    2. Ah, Elaine, dear, Jesus is the light of the world. He never leaves or forsakes us, so we can all comfort with light in our words. He does carry us through everything. He's so good to us.

      Father God, please wrap Miss Elaine in your loving arms. Help her to feel your protection, and draw her closer and closer to you. In Jesus' name.

      Bless you Elaine,
      Laura

      Delete