Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Three Word Wednesday: Faith ~ Hope ~ Love


Three years and three months ago I wrote my first blog post. This will be my 382nd post. There is nothing significant about this post other than a desire to share with you how the journey of becoming a military family and faith in God collided.

I began writing under a different blog name ~ From an Army Wife and Navy Mom. (The writing was bad . . . very bad.) My first post was written while my husband was completing his training to become a soldier and my oldest son was preparing to leave home to become a sailor. The intent of my blog was to share the journey of being a military family.

At the time I was not a follower of Christ — my husband and I were not followers of Christ. We had never been a church-going family.

The words from 1 Corinthians 13:13 were spoken on our wedding day but they were just words . . . just a verse. Doesn't everyone share the verse on their wedding day?


I started my sixth blog post by writing, "I wouldn't normally talk about faith…." I ended that same post with two words: "Have faith." God had begun moving into our hearts. With those two words a new journey began.

"Have faith in God." ~ Mark 11:22

It was a new journey not only for me but for my husband too. We were miles apart from one another yet God planted a seed in both of our hearts. The journey of becoming a military family became a journey of having faith in God. I had no idea how having faith in Him would change our lives. He really does make all things new (2 Corinthians 5:17).

We became what I believe is a testimony of the miracle only God can perform: a transformation of two hearts. We were a couple joined by God but never really knew God. And then suddenly, even though we were miles apart, we were led down a similar new path of allowing Him to become greater in our lives.

"He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less." ~ John 3:30

Having faith in Him united us in the way God always intended.

***

Here my husband and I are again miles apart from one another. While my husband may be on the other side of the world, the same God here with me is the same God with him.

We both have moments when we are weary from the separation and wonder why He chose this path. The moments of doubt don't draw us further from God — they remind us of how He did choose this path for us and He will surely bless us for our obedience. Our hope is in Him.

"He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name." ~ Psalm 33:20-21

We depend on Him. He is everything we need.

My words at times may reflect a weary heart but I hope they also reveal how God is moving in my life in ways that leave me in awe. He chose this path of becoming a military family for us because it was the path that led us to Him. The time we spend apart is teaching us to lean on Him for strength. Absolutely nothing we experience in this journey will be wasted. He will use it all to show His glory.

"And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory." ~ Colossians 1:27

When I reflect on this truth, it brings me to my hands and knees singing . . . "Here am I, all of me, take my life, it's all for Thee…"

***

In January 2013 I launched my current blog ~ withlove-simplybeth. My writing may have begun with a plan of sharing the journey of being a military family but God had another plan. His plan? For me to simply share how He has transformed my life.

What I hope you find here is love . . . as this is what God is teaching me: to love more and more. I pray you find encouragement here no matter where you are in your faith journey.

I often wonder if my posts are to inward focused but all I know to give you is my heart — so I share my heart with love. It’s a love He planted in my heart three years ago — His love. I pray you see Him and His love for you through the words I write.

"God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them." ~ 1 John 4:16

And the words from 1 Corinthians 13:13 . . . they are no longer just words. They are so much more.

33 comments :

  1. God had a vision and a purpose for "separating" you two but then "bringing" you together through Him!! ♥ What a blessing when you put it into this perspective; He has great and mighty plans for you sweet girl! And He was just waiting, with patience and grace; waiting for that "transformation"! How sweet is that? ♥ You are blessing and encouraging others more than you know!

    Sweet blessings Beth! ♥
    Denise

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    1. Thank you, sweet friend. Your comments always bless me. {Hugs}

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  2. I enjoyed reading this post, Beth. Amazing to read of the path God has you, Scott & your boys on. We began blogging just about the same time :) I am grateful our God crossed our paths as you have truly encouraged me along the way. I look forward to all that He has yet in store for you, my friend!

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  3. Beth, I enjoyed learning more of your testimony. I never would have imagined that just three years again you didn't know Christ. What wonderful testimony of God's love and transformation.

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    1. Thank you, Wanda. I'm so grateful He is now my everything! Blessings to you.

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  4. Don't you love how our blogs, our writings, our calling, our faith changes and morphs over time? Thanks for giving us a peek into your life, your love, Beth. I know you miss your man deeply.

    Well, I had no 3 Word post today, so I slipped back into the archieves and am sharing something that is true to this springtime season ... which I think is finally slipping through the back door.

    Delightful!

    Hugs.

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    1. I'm so glad you slipped to the archives and still shared a post with us, Linda. I look forward to reading. Yes, I do think spring is finally here. :) Love you.

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  5. Everyone seems to be telling their "story" this week and Beth, I find yours encouraging and uplifting. You are sharing your new faith journey with the blogging community and I for one am grateful. It really is an amazing story you and your husband have. Thank you for sharing.

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    1. Thank you, Susan. So glad you are here. I appreciate your kind words. Blessings to you.

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  6. I love hearing about this part of your journey. So thankful our paths have crossed, thanks to blogging. You're a treasure.

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    1. Me too, Kristin. I'm SUPER glad you are on my team!!

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  7. Beth, you write "Love" here always. Your sweet spirit in the Lord is conveyed in everything you write. What an amazing journey the Lord has taken you on--and in just three short years. Hearing your story was encouraging. As a military family, too, I want to rejoice that our son will be coming home soon from a 7-month deployment. The Lord has done so much for us during that time!

    For your readers, GIVEAWAY of "Love Idol" at my place for leaving a comment. Two winners will be drawn. Tomorrow last chance to enter. http://heartfilledmoments.com/2014/03/approval-seeking-dreams/ Winner announced on Monday.

    Blessings, Janis

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    1. Rejoicing with you, Janis. It is so wonderful to hear of your son coming home soon. YAY!! I'm off to see my son before he departs on his first deployment. Grateful for you. Thank you so much for your kindness. {Hugs}

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  8. Beth, you always show the heart of God in your writing here. You always invite others to come to Him. You showcase Him in all you say. Love you! Heart Hugs, Shelly <3

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    1. Thank you, sweet friend. I adore you!! {hugs}

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  9. Hi Beth,

    Congratulations on your three year blogging anniversary. Thank you for sharing your heart and journey with us. I wanted to let you know that I do see Him working in you and through you for His glory.

    God bless

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  10. I think it is the hardest prayer to pray...that God will do whatever He has to in our lives in order to draw us close to Him. So glad that He spoke to you and Scott and drew you to Him and to one another. What a precious journey it must have been. Thanks for sharing it with us and encouraging us to let God do His transforming work in us regardless of where it takes us.

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    1. I'm so glad too. Thank you for all your love and encouragement, Holly. I'm so blessed to have you in my life.

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  11. You, my dear friend, just rock. Really. I love you and am so happy to know you. God is awesome.

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    1. I love you, friend. We WILL meet one day soon. God IS awesome indeed! {Hugs}

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  12. Your heart is beautiful, Beth. I am inspired by your journey. Sometimes I also wonder if I'm too inward-focused in my posts. But, like you, I'm writing about the way God works in my life - and He takes our personal faith walks and spreads them to others. We are all inter-connected, and we are blessed by Him and by each other. Right?! :-)

    GOD BLESS!

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    1. I have been so blessed by how you share your heart, Sharon. I loved how you put that... "He takes our personal faith walks and spreads them to others." He uses all of it. He is an AMAZING God. Love you, friend. I'm so grateful our paths have crossed in this blogging world.

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  13. Beth- you encourage me! You are a beautiful light for Jesus.

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  14. Beautiful testimony of God's grace. I'm so glad you are here. So glad.

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    1. Thank you, Lisa. I'm so glad to know you...glad God brought us together in this blogging world. {Hugs}

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  15. Hi Beth! Congratulations on your 3/3 anniversary! That's a long time of writing and sharing, does it seem like a long time ago?
    I was just telling someone today that I looked at my first few blog posts...oy. Not so great.

    But what a wonder that you can feel that your writing has gotten better since your beginning days, and that your following has grown too. God is so good. And to think that it started without the Lord, and yet now, faith frames everything for you. Wow. Big change right? His grace is flowing in you.
    Blessings!
    Ceil

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  16. "Absolutely nothing we experience in this journey will be wasted. He will use it all to show His glory." Amen.

    Thanks for sharing your heart, Beth, as always...

    Grace and peace,
    HBHW

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  17. God always has a plan...and His plans are always great! What a celebration was made in heaven the moment you and your husband gave your lives to Christ! I'm so excited for what God has done in your lives and for the journey He is taking you on!

    Blessings & love, Joan

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  18. Beautiful, Beth. It's it amazing how we look back and see how God was there all along -- gently wooing us and calling us to Him. I am thankful that I am thankful for the ongoing transformation process (and that He is patient with me!)

    Love that Scripture you shared from Psalm 33. :)

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  19. I love your journey, how God brought you and your husband to the saving knowledge of Christ. I love your words. I know what you mean about sometimes the writing can seem inward, but it's through sharing our own struggles, the messy chaos of our own journey, that others are truly blessed. I love you dear friend.

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Much love to you.