redeem.

redeem.

by Kathleen Moulton

I love working outside in the flower gardens. Every spring I am always amazed to see the tender shoots breaking through the soil once again. If we’re paying attention, the cycles in nature teach us so much. Do you think this is exactly what God had in mind?

The earth is capable of replenishing after catastrophic events – wildfires, floods, ice storms, fierce winds, and even oil spills. It speaks of God’s redeeming ability. Pain can be likened to such things. Yet, the deepest sorrow can be redeemed.

redeemed: to buy back; to free from what distresses or harms; to offset the bad effect of.

It doesn’t mean life will be the same. It does mean life will go on.  And there is  joy in finding the pleasures and treasures along the way that are given by a good God who cares that you are hurting.

Not only that, but you don’t know what tomorrow will bring.  When something bad happens suddenly – something good can happen just as suddenly!

questioning.

questioning.

by Kathleen Moulton ♥ 4 Comments

It’s normal to ask why when we’re facing pain.

Why did my friend die in the car accident and the drunk driver lived?  Why didn’t my father love me? Why did my child get leukemia? Why did I lose my job? I think what causes us to question is we compare ourselves with others. There’s nothing more discouraging than to work really hard at something, only to have it end in disappointment, failure, or heartache.

I’ve asked why many times – only to have it exhaust me. Most of the time there are no answers and we have to find resolve in that. I’ve often found myself saying, “it is what it is” and the practicality of that statement somehow made me feel better.  Since I have found peace in trusting God, I am able to say it and accept it.

Ask why. But don’t keep asking when you know there is not an answer. It will destroy you. Life has plenty of sadness but it also has plenty of happiness.  Think about those good things that happened and you don’t know why!

purpose.

purpose.

by Kathleen Moulton ♥ 1 Comment

Everything has purpose. When you consider nature and how everything fits and operates with value and purpose, how much more is your life valuable and purposeful?

There is struggle in nature. Chicks must peck their way through the egg. Delicate plants push their way through heavy soil. Without bees there are no flowers or food. Without an irritant there are  no pearls.

God would not order nature and not order human life.

He gives purpose to pain – not because God purposes pain for us, but because He knows how to bring purpose from pain.

opportunity.

opportunity.

by Kathleen Moulton ♥ 1 Comment

The old saying “when life gives you lemons make lemonade” used to be so trite to me. It always seemed to be a pat answer from happy-go-lucky people who didn’t have a lot of pain in life. Now I see things differently.

I’ve learned this: opportunity comes from pain.

  • We are able to readily understand the pain of others
  • We mature
  • We become stronger
  • We are wiser
  • We become thankful
  • We may write a book or begin a support group to help others

These opportunities make something beautiful out of pain!

needy.

needy.

by Kathleen Moulton ♥ 2 Comments

There’s two kinds of people. One type suffers in silence and the other type talks constantly about their suffering.

The silent type may or may not be so noble since silence isn’t always an indication of strength. Yet, the talkative type can wear people out. If you fall into this category, it may be because you are looking to people to fill a need that only God can fill.

Let me put it like this: we all need people. I process pain through talking it out. But if I find myself becoming resentful or angry when people are not available for me, that is a red flag. There is no human being that can possibly meet our every need. And if we attend church, sometimes we place expectations upon this as well.

The Apostle Paul tell us: “And my God will fully supply your every need…”  This is not said by a man who didn’t face trouble. He suffered imprisonment, beatings, famine, and more. Yet, he had learned to trust God through these hardships – knowing God sees it all.

This is not to say that people shouldn’t help us. The Bible is clear that we should help each other. But sometimes the phone rings and no one answers. Sometimes our friend doesn’t really understand. Sometimes people don’t really care the way we want them to.

There is one who never sleeps. He is available every minute of every day. And you can talk constantly to Him because He doesn’t mind!

People let us down. God never lets us down.

memories.

memories.

by Kathleen Moulton ♥ 1 Comment

Some memories are  unwelcome, dark shadows that creep in without invitation. They make reliving the pain torturous.

If you are a victim of painful memories, there is hope. It is not a pat answer or a quick fix by any means. But you must know that God, the Creator of mankind, provides comfort and peace. The memory will not have access whenever it pleases when you learn that God will help you through your pain.

Ask Him. He hears every prayer. I promise.

loneliness.

loneliness.

by Kathleen Moulton ♥ 2 Comments

You can be surrounded by people everyday and still feel alone.

The pain of loneliness is real. You may long for a husband, a wife, a baby, a friend. Maybe you never knew your mother or father.  I have found the best remedy is to climb out of  the loneliness pit and find someone to give to. Doing the opposite of what we are feeling works wonders!

Today, I noticed the gal at the register in my local grocery store looked sad. I have been feeling sad myself the last couple of weeks. I made it a point to admire her long, wavy, dark red hair. I didn’t feel like talking but I did. Her face lit up. Who knows what is going on in her life? But I made a difference. And when I walked away I was smiling.

It really is better to give than receive. And do you know that’s what the Bible is primarily about? God telling us to do the opposite of what we would normally want to do. He knows what works the best for us.

Reach out to someone who is lonely today!

know.

know.

by Kathleen Moulton ♥ 2 Comments

What does it mean to know God? Can one know God?

For centuries, religion has made God seem distant and mysterious. But when you read the Bible, you find that God tells us he is very near to us. That’s good news, especially for people who are hurting.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34

If you have only known God to be unreachable, detached, distant, or mysterious, today is your day to know He is not any of those things.  You can know all about Him!

joy.

joy.

by Kathleen Moulton

Joy is not happiness. Although, happiness can come from joy.

Joy is a constant light that is not too bright nor too dim. It burns steadily in your soul and keeps you balanced. It is not hindered by the extremes of emotions. Joy can be felt in the midst of sorrow.

Sudden and unexpected tragedy causes serious pain and heartache. But God has provided joy to overcome the sorrow. It is the bulwark that keeps the sorrow from overtaking you.

Whether you believe in God or not, you may have already experienced the joy I am writing about today. That’s because God has given it to all.

Let joy be your strength today!

inspiration.

inspiration.

by Kathleen Moulton ♥ 2 Comments

Your pain can be turned into inspiration for someone else.

Typically, we either end up as lifelong victims or victors in our circumstances. Understand, I am not minimizing pain. It’s important to go through the process of pain but you can’t stay there. It’s also unhealthy to act as if everything is okay and not ever face it. But in time, your pain can be turned into inspiration for others – and it helps heal your pain.

MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), was organized by a mother who’s 13 year old daughter was killed by a drunk driver. The mother’s pain was helped through helping others.

After the abduction and brutally murder of his son, John Walsh founded the Adam Walsh Child Resource Center, dedicated to legislative reform.  His organization later merged with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The father’s pain helped others and it helped his, too.

You may find it helps to create an organization or group in your community. You may write a book. Or you may do none of the above and find great healing and comfort just in conversation with people you come in contact with. Large scale or small scale, it’s not about the size. It’s about you being able to eventually look up from your pain and help someone else. I promise you, it makes all the difference to them – and for you.

Be an inspiration!