Category: Overcoming

Be Light đź’ˇ

Be Light đź’ˇ

by madepiecebypiece ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

This world can seem so dark and many of us are living wounded in a daily struggle just trying get by. We all have internal & external battles taking place. So while my life does have dark moments, even when I am in my own storm, I still must consciously choose to help uplift others who reach out in need. Trust me, when in your own storm this is a very hard thing to do.

Sometimes I feel like I have nothing to give. But as I worshiped him this morning, God reminded me that I do: I have Jesus to give.

When others come to me and they are struggling with heavy hearts I can be a light by reminding them that Jesus is their anchor! I am to let them know that Jesus will sustain them through their storm. He has done it for me time and time again, and he will do the same for them.

When you feel unworthy to be a giver or unworthy to be an example to anyone due to the personal battle you may still be fighting, be reminded that even in your storm YOU STILL CAN BE LIGHTđź’ˇ and you can still help encourage others. Show them to Jesus. That is the very thing which he has called you to do! Make a choice to still serve others and in due time, you too will be blessed and overcome the battle you are in.

Lets Pray:

Father God we thank you. We thank you for loving us when we are too weak to love ourselves. We thank you for the gift of family, friends and sometimes even strangers which you strategically place in our lives to help lift our spirits and show us that there is still light. Father we know that there are dark days we will face in this world. Remind us that we are not alone. Lord Jesus, remind us that we can still be light even when we are fighting our own battles. Give us the strength to run to you when we don’t know the way to go. Lead us, fill us and direct us Lord. Remind us we are yours and that you are by our sides in every circumstance. May we never forget that you are here. Comfort those who feel unworthy, hurt, and incapable of being used. Strengthen us to look to you to fight our battles so that we can help our fellow brothers and sisters in need. Father move in our hearts and help us to walk in the purpose you set out for us. Bless all those just trying to find a way. Remind us we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

In Jesus name, we give you all the Glory for the healing that will take place going forward. Amen.

~Growing with you! ❤️ Sandy

Broken with Purpose

Broken with Purpose

by madepiecebypiece ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

This has been a trying year for me. I have experienced anger, sadness and disappointment after having people test both my character and my faith.

I created this blog to be obedient to the calling on my heart and share experiences in order to encourage others and share with them God’s unconditional love for all. I knew that sharing personal experiences would mean having to be transparent, and frankly, this meant opening myself up to negative criticism.

When you share your faith with the world there will be individuals who will criticize or judge you because they either disagree with you, dislike you, or feel that you’re not good enough to offer encouragement due to your mistakes. Read more ›

Mighty Within Us

Mighty Within Us

by madepiecebypiece ♥ 1 Comment

I am currently enrolled in the last trimester of the International School of Ministry (ISOM) program at my church and in tonight’s class something stood out to me.  The speaker , T.L. Osborn, stated “The most difficult thing to get unbelievers to understand is, God lives in us.”  This statement resonated with me because so many people are blind to the fact that Christ can dwell within each of us.

Often when you tell someone you’re a Christian, they think you are religious and judgmental. We get a bad rap because so many who claim to be Christians are condemning and judging everyone around them. As Christians, our job is not to convince anyone who Christ is and it surely is not our job to judge others.  We are called to love and share the unconditional love of Jesus Christ with the world.  Everything beyond that will be done by the Holy Spirit.

Don’t enter into the business of condemning or judging yourself or others. We live in a sinful world and all fall short of chasing what we desire rather than traveling down the roads God intended for us to travel down.

To the unbelievers:  Becoming a Christian does not mean that one must strive to be religious or try to behave as a Christian behaves.  Becoming a Christian means that you are opening your heart to receiving Christ and inviting him to dwell within. Read more ›

Savoring the Crumb

Savoring the Crumb

by madepiecebypiece ♥ 6 Comments

pablo (2)Have you ever tasted something that was so good you enjoyed every piece of it and savored the very last crumb? The last crumb from a delicious dessert can be quite satisfying.

Have you every been so hungry that you would give anything to have a few crumbs just to hold you over? When you’re starving the idea of having crumbs to savor seems so satisfying.  But reality is crumbs can only hold you over, they are not enough to fill you.

Food is not the only thing we savor.

There are many people who are in a state of brokenness longing for the company of another. They struggle with emptiness and loneliness and would do anything to escape the feelings of abandonment or neglect.

When someone is neglected they crave every crumb of affection they can get. Just like a neglected puppy craves attention from anyone who will love him. Not only do we crave the crumbs but sometimes we feel like one. I recall a time when a relationship I treasured ended.  I couldn’t understand what I did wrong and that unknown made me feel like I held no value to the person.

While some savor the last crumb of their meal others throw away their crumbs. Crumbs can be satisfying to one person yet worthless to another.

If you’re facing any type of rejection know that you are not worthless.  It took me a little bit of time to realize that my value was not tied to the person that left me.  If you are in this place or in a place of loneliness or longing, I pray that you will know that you are treasured and loved.
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A Critical Spirit

A Critical Spirit

by madepiecebypiece ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

via Daily Prompt: Critical

crit·i·cal
adjective
1. expressing adverse or disapproving comments or judgments.

When you are critical of someone or something you tend to be expressing your disapproval or judgement on something they did or said. When I go onto social media lately, it seems that critical comments and posts are the norm. I see battles and arguments over politics and religion daily now. It seems as though everyone is out to prove that someone else is wrong. What happened to respecting others? Does respect even exist anymore?

Many are being quick to speak and put others down and react out of emotion.  This is not always good or healthy.  As a mother, I do my best to teach my daughter to think before speaking or posting on social media. I believe that our words [and posts] are a reflection of our character. While I don’t live my life based on what others think of me, I live trying to be mindful of the way my words or comments make others feel. Of course I am human so I too have made the mistake of blurting something out that I have regretted after the fact, but I do my best to be cautious with my words and statements.

Words should be used to build other up, not break them down.

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A Piece of My Story

A Piece of My Story

by madepiecebypiece ♥ 6 Comments

I thought I would take some time to write a little bit about myself so that my readers get to know to me. Like every human being I have been through many difficult times in life but I have also experienced joy.

I had a rough upbringing, I come from a broken family without a dad in the home. I was raised by a single mom who struggled independently and needed assistance to raise three children on her own. As a child, I never experienced what a healthy family life felt like so it is a hunger I have carried with me my entire life. This hunger caused me to have a blind eye to love. I have a huge heart and allowed my heart to lead me in my choices, this resulted in me having many painful life experiences.

I became pregnant at the age of 17 and gave birth to my beautiful daughter at the age of 18. She represented life to me. She was so innocent and precious so I made a promise to myself to always be her provider and protector. God graciously blessed me by opening doors to jobs that paid me enough money to support my daughter and provide for all her needs. We had all the material things we needed to survive, but somehow my inner hunger for a life partner led me in the wrong direction.

Parenting helped me discover that I have a giving heart. I found joy in providing for my daughter and seeing her face light up. This birthed a strong desire within me to help others. I know what it’s like to be in need so when I see someone with a need my instinct is to help them. I find myself having a desire to make their load lighter. So I try my best to help them in any way I can. I give the encouragement I know I would need if I were them.

I know what it’s like to have a longing for something in my heart and I know what it is like to be broken. I also know what it is to feel hopeless and shattered because the one you trusted to protect your heart left you in pieces instead. So when I come across someone who feels shattered or lost, my heart is lead to encourage and help uplift. I don’t want anyone to feel the emptiness I struggled with in my past.

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True Friends Never Judge 

True Friends Never Judge 

by madepiecebypiece ♥ 9 Comments

It was such a difficult time in my life and I was struggling to hold myself together. I felt confused, conflicted and as if there was no one I could open up to. I didn’t feel like anyone could understand how I was feeling. I remembered how my younger self would share with all my friends (or those whom I thought were my friends), but I was now in a different place.  Life taught me that the advice they all gave made my problems and confusion worse. I had to acknowledge the lesson my past taught me, so I held on for dear life in this internal struggle. My mind went in multiple directions as I sat there alone with tears burning my checks. Why was I here going through this? Why was I feeling this way? I know I am not who I used to be yet here I was in a situation I never imagined being in. Here I was reading insults from someone I thought was my friend…

Why is it that some feel the need to judge your mistakes or sins as if they never fall short?

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