Knowing what He desires in the spiritual will help us move in the natural EL

Monday’s Mantra 

~Love Letter~

Come closer, My beloved…

Those who are motivated by the flesh only pursue what benefits themselves. But those who live by the prompting of the Holy Spirit are motivated to pursue spiritual realities. And this must be sought after by pursuing Me, by desiring the deep things of the Spirit.

Come, My love, come and spend time with Me. Make it a daily habit that We can spend time together so you learn My voice, My leading and where I'm taking you.

Before you go anywhere in the natural, I desire you to come and know what I desire in the spiritual. I have much to share with you as you make that place of giving to Me. Never let your life become so busy that there's no time for Me, for you lose your sensitivity to Me and then you are doing things in yourself. And then before you know it, My beloved, you are wore down and out. Build yourself up in your most holy faith by singing songs and hymns and spiritual songs. Dance before Me just as I sing and take delight in you. Let your love for Me spill out even as My love for you fills your heart and life.

From God thru…

Debra

Sometimes we’re so focused on what’s wrong we can’t see all that’s right! EL

 Faith-Filled Friday

Philippians 4:8: Finally, ________, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things.

Welcome to Coffee Hour with Chicklitpower and Faith-Filled Fridays with Trench Classes United! Grab whatever drink you have for your break, a journal for notes and your strand of faith and hopefully you’ll leave with a couple knots tied and your faith that much stronger.

Have you ever caught yourself focusing on what’s wrong in your life, or in someone else’s for that matter, or what’s wrong about another person and their actions, especially as they pertain to you, instead of all that is right? Why does it seem to be so much easier to focus on the wrong instead of the right? 

I don’t know about you but sometimes I can really be a negative Nelly. Funny, just writing about this is taking me back to when my mom used to call me Pollyanna! There were times she said it sarcastically – that was in our time of Exodus which was when I was 12 all the way to 49 -- but I’ll never forget the time she said it while she was in the hospital and I was coming to see her every day.

I was telling her she had to get better so we could spend time together when she got out, and she smiled the sweetest smile – something I had rarely seen – and said, “You are such a Pollyanna.” 

It caused me to stop what I was doing and look at her to confirm she was really being sweet…she was.

It wasn’t until later that I looked it up and it made me weep and I do mean weep. My tears turned on like a faucet full blast and humility washed me clean of all the years where I had misunderstood her. See, the definition for a Pollyanna is “an excessively cheerful or optimistic person”!

I never did get to discuss that with her because she never did make it out of the hospital, but, oh, how happy I was to be sad…for God had finally made right what was wrong all those years.

See, all those years I thought she was focusing on something negative about me which kept her from me and it wasn’t that at all.

How many times have we thought incredibly negative thoughts of someone just because of what we think they’re thinking of us?

 Coffee Hour Friend, God calls us to get our focus on what is right about any of our circumstances, or about that person we’re in conflict with, and get it off of what’s wrong. He calls us to meditate on things that are true, noble and just – which may not describe the situation or the difficult person you are dealing with but there is ONE who is all of these things. He calls us to mediate on anything that is praiseworthy, on things of any virtue.

This God-breathed command spoken to us through Paul reminds us to quit picking apart and looking for all that is wrong, for when we do focus on what is right, the guarantee we have is we will be changed!

When we are focusing on what’s wrong, we rarely have eyes to realize what’s right…and what’s right usually far out-weighs what’s wrong, especially when we let go of what’s wrong and let Him make it right!

Thoughtfully,

Kim-Evinda

Waves of life can leave us lost but truth will lead us home EL

 Faith Filled Friday 

John 8:32-33 And Jesus said to those Jews who believed, if you abide in My Word, you are My disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.

Have you ever gotten lost on your way home? I realize that in today’s era, with all of our technology available, any sort of directions at our fingertips just by asking Google or Navigation or our factory-installed GPS equipment in our cars, it’s a little more difficult to get lost. And yet, I have found myself lost a time or two as I don’t always remember to rely on technology! I’ve even been known to go to the wrong law office for a deposition before, having put in the wrong number or even worse, getting the wrong information! Wow, is that ever embarrassing! J

Welcome to Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and faith-filled Friday with Trench Classes United.

Getting lost is a horrible feeling, and I don’t just mean physically lost. I run into so many hurting people who are not lost, per say, overwhelmed with suffering of some sort. The waves of life have tossed them to and fro, and they have lost their way, their hope.

Talk to the wife who has just discovered her husband’s having an affair…either with another woman or with an addiction of some sort, and then there’s the parent(s) hurting over the choices their child is making, choices that surely are going to cause so many unfavorable consequences. It’s like being lost in a sea of hopelessness for there is nothing to do but watch the unfortunate consequences come and do whatever they’re going to do. And what about the one just given a life sentence via a medical diagnosis with a prognosis revealing the end is around the corner?

Friends, life is happening all around us and if it’s not happening to us, it’s happening to those close to us. What are we doing for them? What kind of directions are we giving when they reach out for help? Where do we send them or do we even stop to notice they’re a bit lost in their sea of life and the circumstances swimming around them threatening to overwhelm them, toss them to and fro that they may lose their way?

See, no matter the circumstance, there is a place to abide where we will never get lost, a place that will shed new light, a fresh perspective, a location that is filled with peace and hope, a foundation built with grace, a place that if we would only turn to, land in, abide in, we would find freedom from all that has us overwhelmed: His Love Letters to you and me!

It’s time to stop being one of those who don’t ask for directions and abide in that place that we will be found, never to get lost again because when we abide in His Word, and invite others to join us there, it is there we are found, and freed!

Abiding in His promises and principles,

Kim-Evinda

Thursday’s Trench Truth

Thursday’s Trench Truth

Have you ever been pretty annoyed or irritated by an issue and you’re pretty sure that no one around you is comfortable either, but you all suppress the urge to address it? The more you suppress it the more it bugs you and consumes your thoughts, especially if you’re anywhere near it and the people involved… almost like there’s an elephant in the room.

There’s still time to join us in a location near you!
Love,

Kim-Evinda

God talks to you in your language EL

Wednesday’s Word

Have you ever received a message that you know that you know it was from God? Did you know He talks to you in your own language?

Thanks for joining me for Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Wednesday’s Word with Trench Classes United.

Last week I shared some unexpected news I received after a 3D mammogram and another very specific mammogram to reveal the need for a biopsy but what I didn’t share with you is a very specific message I received in the most unexpected place and time.

We were making our way back to the boating dock after a great day on the lake. For the most part, I had left my news at home, but every now and then, it would weigh in on my thoughts like an anchor holding a boat in one place while bouncing up and down, side to side in response to the passing boaters. 

I was up front with one of my friends, and I remember sharing my fears about the biopsy, still in disbelief that I have to have it done but then again, I didn’t linger there long.

I relaxed in the bow of the boat, listening to the steady sound of the engine on the water, the music of the waves splashing as we crashed over them, and Pandora blaring Country music which had been playing the entire time…until all of a sudden, I’m singing the words to a Christian song, and at the same time, sort of puzzled by the change in genre but nevertheless I kept singing.

When the solid ground is falling out from underneath my feet
Between the black skies, and my red eyes, I can barely see
When I realize I've been sold out by my friends and my family
I can feel the rain reminding me
In the eye of the storm, You remain in control
In the middle of the war, You guard my soul
You alone are the anchor, when my sails are torn
Your love surrounds me
In the eye of the storm

As the words came out of my mouth, their meaning warmed my soul and tears ran down my face, the wind drying them almost as fast as they fell.

I continued to sing along to this song I hadn’t heard in a very long time

When my hopes and dreams are far from me

And I'm runnin' out of faith
I see the future I picture slowly fade away
And when the tears of pain and heartache
Are pouring…

In the eye of the storm, You remain in control
In the middle of the war, You guard my soul
You alone are the anchor, when my sails are torn
Your love surrounds me
In the eye of the storm

As soon as the song finished, Pandora returned to the Country genre and my girlfriend looked at me, I looked at her, and I’ll never, ever forget her affirmation: If that wasn’t God talking to you, girl, I don’t know what was!

My hope is that I’ll have only one more blog to write about this storm, sharing how I get thru the biopsy and thereafter receive positive results…but only He knows when my next storm will come and He promises to be there with me.

I pray that you take time to listen to God speaking to you, for you and about you

Love,

Kim-Evinda

Tuesday’s Trench Truth

Tuesday’s Trench Truth

Why is it not okay to not always be okay? If you are experiencing a low because of a setback, join us for a comeback and learn how to live your life fueled with hope, loving healthier and laughing more.

Coming to a trench near you

Is God missing you? EL

 Monday’s Mantra

I’m so excited to feature one of my favorite bloggers this week, Jenn Woosley, and I know you will enjoy her blogs today and Friday as well. Thanks for joining us for Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Monday’s Mantra with Trench Classes United.

The other morning I was sitting on my couch, as I do nearly every morning. In the quiet, I read inspirational things, talk to God,  and think. My thoughts are all over the place…and often there are tears. Today was no different... I was thinking about the people I love most, and the loneliness that comes from their absence. 

Then, I read something, the gist of which is that God is thinking of ME every single moment, and that I am in His thoughts constantly. Now, supposedly I know this; it's in the Bible, how God cares for me, but for some reason, it stood out to me today in a different way. 

Suddenly, I pictured Him wishing to be with me the way I was wishing to be with my loved ones. Does He wish to be next to me, give me a hug, hear about my day, my thoughts? Is He lonely without me? What if He is? 

In church, the sermon was on Romans 8:16-17. In The Message Bible it says: "God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who He is and we know who we are: Father and children."

The tears came but this time because it hit me how beautiful this is. God gives us relationship with others to help us understand Him. It's true that He longs to be with those He loves, me and you. And the warmth of this truth, knowing we're never really alone washed over me and filled me to overflowing!

May you always know you are never alone!
Jenn

When fear comes knocking, let your faith answer! EL

 Faith Filled Friday

I got the phone call while I was at a filming conference with my co-author/friend. I looked down to see who it was, at the same time frustrated I hadn’t remembered to put it on vibrate. Dr. Mheta’s name filled my screen. What in the world…

Thanks for joining me for Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Faith-filled Friday with Trench Classes United. Come on in as I share for the first time on social media one of the biggest scares of my adult life.

“My doctor never calls me so let me see who this is, Steve.”
“Sure, sure,” he smiled.

“Kim, this is Heather from Dr. Mheta’s”

Silence

“How are you?” she asked

“I’m good; how are you?”

She got right to the point, sounding as positive as one can when they have not-so-good news to share with a patient. “We received your mammogram back and they want you to go in for further testing.” She hurriedly reassured me it was probably nothing and told me she’d be sending the order in and the imaging facility should call me sometime that day.

I hung up in a bit of a dazed shock, but I do remember seeing faces of others whom I’ve known went thru breast cancer fights and/or just scares, and I felt this sort of compassion for them that I had never known before.

I shared the news with Steve. Both of us shook our heads in disbelief and reminded each other of Who is in control. I had just been recounting the story of almost getting hit by a train the day before, and knowing that God had completely intervened in that scenario served as a fresh reminder that He’d get me through whatever this was going to be.

We talked for a few minutes and then I left, purposely switching my thoughts to my next task, though fear knocked on the door of my mind and heart, at times sounding like it was going to bang the door down.

Apparently there was a bit of confusion combined with miscommunication between the original imaging center, my follow-up imaging center and the doctor’s office but finally a week later, I went in for the follow-up test. Oh, Mylanta, I had no idea that an itty-bitty thing could be tugged on, twisted, turned and tortured so much. The pain combined with the fear was just too much and I let the tears fall, all the what-ifs flooding my soul.

I did combat the continued threats of fear knocking me down and filling me up with scripture, prayer and sharing with a few my news. My husband comforted me with his adamant opinion that it was nothing; there was nothing to worry about.

Imagine his surprise when I called to tell him that there was something and the next step was a biopsy. He actually was angry, his first response, “Why, Lord, why are you doing this?”

I realized in that moment he was going to have his own experience thru this, whatever happens. I gently reminded him that if I’m going to walk thru this, whatever “this” is, like I believe, then I need to trust His promises of working all things together for His glory, my good (Romans 8:28), knowing that His plan is not to harm me, tear me down, but to lift me up (Jer.29:11)

Please join me Monday for more of this life-changing story that I am trusting will increase the territory He’s already given me to comfort others with the comfort I’ve been given.

Faith-ing thru

Kim-Evinda

Sometimes He calls us into deep waters to teach our faith to float! EL

Wednesday’s Word

Welcome to Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Wednesday’s Word with Trench Classes United! You’re in for a treat today with a heartfelt blog from Julie.

When “time hop” pops on your profile FB and reminds you all God has done  🙌 😭
Seriously, I had no idea I would be taking a photo six years later of our five children at the same spot!

Children did not come “automatically” for us as my Uncle told us. We walked the road of infertility and bringing our “wants” to the Lord and exchanging them for his beauty. Honestly, it has felt like God pouring children into our lap at one point.  😭

🙌 

Anyone out there praying and knocking and feeling hopeless like God is not answering?

Don’t lose hope; instead pray, seek, knock and keep knocking.

Remember the story in the Bible how the disciples had fished all night and caught nothing and then …“When he had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.” (Luke 5:4-6)

Notice Jesus spoke to go into the DEEP waters, put down your nets, not just one net, and Simon said “we worked hard all night…” it was beyond their “works”.
God was requiring FAITH in that moment in their lives. They were about to partake in a tremendous miracle of the His faithfulness, of His authority, and of His word.

Imagine they threw the net down and said “not today Lord, we are tired!” They would have missed a blessing, a gift, a miracle, and not just for themselves but for all the others too, and us as well.

So when you feel tired and you want to scream “forget this!” dig deeper in the Word of God and listen for His voice. He may be speaking in the still of the night.

When Nathan and I went back to foster/adopt, we had basically the bare essentials. Honestly it didn’t really seem “like the right time” in our eyes... but God showed up unexpectedly!”

Is God asking you to walk by faith and not by sight? Throw your net again?! Maybe He has a miracle ahead...remember our “works” will never be enough; we will always come back exhausted but when God speaks, He brings the Harvest AND you will glorify Him!

Thanks for joining me….

Casting my nets,

Julie

Perseverance changes lives…yours and those whom you’re preserving for and with. EL

Wednesday’s Word

Do you ever feel uncomfortable sharing your faith with someone you fear won’t be as receptive as you’d like them to be? Do you feel reluctant to even approach the subject sometimes? I know I do. Thank the good Lord for those who don’t!

This is a reposting of a blog by Megan, one of our Coffee Hour writers. This blog though written last year is so relevant today and a truth that never gets old. I am confident you will agree.

Welcome to Coffee Hour at Chicklit Power and Wednesday’s Word with Trench Classes United.

Some time ago, I volunteered for the Women’s Bible Study sign-up table at church. As I assisted with registration, I could not help but overhear the conversation a woman was having with another volunteer at the table. She was lamenting how, once again, she had asked her friend to attend the bible study – and how, once again, her friend had declined.

I remember attending my first Bible Study. I did not know the first thing about the Word of God. Over the period of three years, a faithful Christian friend called me every time her Bible Study group started a new study, and every time I answered with a “No.” Even though I believed in God, I felt nothing I did was good enough for Him. I felt all of my failures were indicative of my unworthiness of Him. I definitely had a tumultuous relationship with God, and the point at which my life began to mirror my relationship with Him, I despairingly responded with a “Yes!”

When I told my husband I was going to attend a Bible Study, he asked, “What made you change your mind?” I told him I needed to find out why God did not love me.

I attended my first Bible Study because I believed God did not love me. Why was I convinced He did not love me? Because, I did not know the first thing about the Word of God! By the end of the first month, I knew how wrong I had been.

I momentarily stopped filling out a registration form and shared this story with the disheartened woman whose friend, once again, had turned down her invitation to Bible Study. I encouraged her to please...

DON’T STOP ASKING!

Perseverance like my friend’s, changes lives.

I know - it changed mine.

Your comments are always most welcome.

Lovingly in Christ,

Megan

God winks at us all the time!

 Monday’s Mantra

God –“The one Supreme Being, the omnipotent, omniscient creator and ruler of the universe.”

Wink – “To open and close one eye deliberately, as to convey a message, signal, or suggestion.”

God Wink – “A uniquely personal experience or event, often mistakenly identified as a coincidence” … L

This week we are so excited to feature Megan Pilarik for our Monday/Wednesday/Friday blogs. Plan on joining us for each of them!

Welcome to Coffee Hour at Chicklit Power and Megan’s Monday Mantra with Trench Classes United.

I am not a believer in coincidences. Oftentimes, when I am in need of direction, reassurance, or a solution, it unexpectedly comes through a radio broadcast, a stranger’s comment, or a turn of events. I get so excited when I “catch” one of these moments, because for me it means God really cares and He is hearing me! I was blessed with one such moment last week …

I’ve learned asking the Lord for help is the best way to tackle any dog-training challenge. Since He is the one who created the dog, I’m sure no one knows better than He how to train one. I am currently training my young, enthusiastic Boxer for competition obedience. Competition obedience demands an exorbitant amount of focus from the dog. Requiring my highly distractible Boxer to keep his undivided attention, solely upon me, is proving to be an arduous task.

After a particularly frustrating day of training, I came home and opened up Sarah Young’s daily devotional, “Jesus Calling”. It read: “I am intimately involved in all of your moments, and I am training you to be aware of me at all times. Your assignment is to collaborate with me in this training process.” I stared at the devotion in disbelief. “WOW”, I blurted out loud, “The Lord is teaching me the exact same thing I am teaching my dog!”

A mere coincidence – what are the odds of that?

I shared this experience with my friend and workout instructor, Cheryl. She told me her family calls these special moments “God-Winks.” I am not familiar with the expression, but the visual it represents is powerful. Whether through a thoughtful observation or a moment of recognition, we have access to God’s guidance. All He asks of us is to be aware of Him at all times.

Imagine the countless blessings - the gift of peace, once fear is dispelled, the clarity of mind, once doubt is negated, the certainty of love, once faith is restored … all in the wink of an eye – God’s eye!

Are you aware of God’s winks in your life?  Has God winked at you today?

Dear God, let us have the eyes to see…

Your comments are always most welcome.

Lovingly in Christ,

Megan

To know God is to experience His goodness with our Soul EL

Power Friday

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I get it; if I had a penny for every time I’ve said that to confirm I understood what was being said, I’d be a billionaire!

Thanks for joining me for Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Power Friday with Trench Classes United.

Some of us have heard the term yada before, yada, yada, yada…and we’ve laughed at ourselves and with others about that term…BUT we probably didn’t really “know” what it meant. See in Hebrew, that word yada translates to “know,” and one of the definitions for this translation is: to experience with your inner being.

Well that puts knowing on a whole different level, huh! So with that understanding here’s today’s power thought:
We can’t really trust God unless we “know” Him, experience Him with our soul!

May you press in and get to know the One who loves you more than anyone or anything that you may experience Him with and in your soul!
Love,

Kim-Evinda

Sometimes we need to let go of what is to grasp what could be!

 Thursday’s Trench Truth

Living Fueled by Hope is coming to a trench near you!

Join us on Facebook to stay updated on when and where www.facebook.com/trenchclassesunited

Love,

Kim-Evinda

You can never overeat from the B-I-B-L-E! EL

 Monday’s Mantra

I love when I see such simple but profound truths on social media! Welcome to Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Monday’s Mantra with Trench Classes United! I just know you’re going to enjoy this post from Julie Held.

I believe the Bible has the answers to life. As a mother, it’s so easy to become entangled in finding answers to life in other parenting books, blogs, videos, etc. They have a place but they honestly can’t replace the Bible. The Bible is real, true, a rock to stand upon.

We, as parents are not to hinder the Word of God but share it. Whatever season you may be in —-> littles, tweens, teens, young adults, grandkids  ....don’t hesitate to just read out loud as we are instructed to in Deuteronomy 6:7 “Teach them to your children. Repeat them when you are at home and when you are away, when you are resting and when you are working.”

This picture was a funny moment. I was highlighting 2nd Samuel 7 and my baby girl climbed next to me and started doing the “same thing” in a devotional book. I figured she would highlight something that would go with the study. J J J  

The Word of God is never void. The Bible sharpens and shows me what real love is. The Bible is like looking in a mirror and really reflecting my heart. It brings my voice to the Lord to confess my sins; it helps me to thank God for His grace, love, mercy and faithfulness!

I walk away so FULL of His love I can’t wait to share…and you will/can too!

But then the opposite is this.... when I don’t read my Word I am just empty. Anyone relate? There is none like it, the B-I-B-L-E!!! Amen!

Fulfilled,

Julie Held

When feeling overwhelmed, get under the shelter of His love.

 Faith-filled Friday

James 1:12 (NLT): ¹² God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Ah, patiently enduring testing…what does that even look like? Welcome to Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Faith-filled Friday with Trench Classes United. Come on in for a picture of patiently enduring…

Suffering well and with a thankful heart, this is easier said than done. Last week, I found myself completely overwhelmed. I had been suppressing my workload; however, I wasn't aware that I was doing this.  A few mornings later, it all came gushing out with babbling tears. I was a complete mess.

Immediately I realized my plate was too full. I began to seek the Lord with this question: What load could I take off my plate? "Lord show me your way," I cried. 

I went to church the next day, and the message was on suffering well. Some may say a coincidence, I say not!  The message got me to thinking: Jesus suffered the greatest of all, and He suffered well. He knew His purpose on this earth was to solely spread Gods love.  He could have chosen not to suffer, but He loved us so that he paid the highest price so that when we suffer, He could be there to hold our hand and pour His love out on us, even if the suffering is at times self-inflicted.

 I pray that I could suffer as well as He did; that during times of trials and tribulations I'd remember to seek His face and to be thankful that He is right beside me every step of the way.  

 Each trail builds us into stronger warriors for Jesus, so that we will be able to sympathize, encourage, and love on someone else who is going through a trail we have already endured.

Oh, and by the way, it was revealed to me what thing I needed to take off my plate. God does hear, listen and answer!

Take courage Coffee Hour friends; He is with us. Let us remember to count our blessings every step of the way.

Love,

Ashley

He’ll meet you in the midst of your mistake EL

 Wednesday’s Word

Have you ever done something and then thought, oh no, I shouldn’t have done that? Oh, have I got a big uh-oh to share with you today.

Thanks for joining me for Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Wednesday’s Word with Trench Classes United.

So picking up where we left off on Monday, I’m on my way home and discover that my GPS must have been in the mood for my company because it took me the long/wrong way home and by the time I realized it, there was no going back so I just settled in and continued making phone calls until I finally reached my off ramp, and wanted to drive the rest of the way home listening to some uplifting music and unwinding as much as one can in the car after an emotionally draining day.

As I made my way to San Timateo Canyon Road and turned left, I pulled up alongside and eventually passed a slow-going train. I thought, oh, I may have to stop up ahead when I make my right on Live Canyon. But I didn’t. There were a couple cars ahead of me that turned right and went over the railroad tracks, and I looked at the railroad crossing bars to make sure they weren’t coming down or that the lights weren’t on yet. They weren’t, so I proceeded forward. I looked to the right, quickly, and I saw the slow-moving train about 1.5 football fields down the track. No problem. I turned and as I landed on the tracks, the railroad crossing bar was coming down!

Instinctively, and quickly, I tried to back up. Nope! The one behind me was coming down on me!! LL

By this time, the train was about a football field down the track. I slammed the car back into gear and pushed the pedal to the medal. My car lunged forward so fast and I escaped as the rear crossing bar came down on the roof of my car.

I drove in utter and complete shock for about a half mile and dared to look out my back window. I saw a piece of something hanging so I pulled over and got out. It was a rubber piece that encased the antennae on the roof of the car. The little red wing that covered the piece that encased the antennae was gone, but at that moment I didn’t see any other damage…until I got home.

By the time I did get home, the reality of what had just happened had washed all through me and I was near hysterics. I went back and forth between thanking God for his provision of protection and beating myself up for not stopping and just waiting for the frapping train to pass. Why had I taken such a risk?

I couldn’t sit still for hours; I was really wound up like an angry robot swimming between thankfulness, disbelief and trying not to drown in it all. I kept seeing the train coming and the forward and rear crossing guards coming down on my car, as if to trap me…but why didn’t they?

There’s no other explanation other than to say: God met me in the midst of my problem and He rescued me, despite me!  See, in my heart, I know that I am not supposed to be working more than ONE day a week; and I keep pushing the envelope. From the drive to get to work, to the computer problems trying to prevent me from working to the long drive to make it home to a near-death experience, God was there…despite my choices.

Coffee Hour Friend, in what area of your life do you need rescuing? Can I encourage you that no matter where you are in any mistake you may have made that God is ready, willing and able to meet you there!
Love,

Kim-Evinda

He’ll meet you @ your mistake! EL

 Monday’s Mantra

^{Have you ever ignored the little gut feeling that tries to warn you not to do something? Well, darn it; I just did that and as the day continued, the warning got louder and louder and louder!
Thanks for joining me today for Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Monday’s Mantra with Trench Classes United. Please, come on in and et comfy for a true story, from my heart to yours that actually may take us to Wednesday’s blog as well.}

^{I was pretty tired this particular morning and by the time I was dressed and ready to head to my deposition in Temecula, I had made a decision: beginning in two weeks, I would no longer work more than one day a week; I would trust God to meet us in our financial needs and hunker down as we prepare to launch a program that will truly help others live more transparently, love healthier and laugh more.  Oh, how many times have I said I would do this? I groaned aloud as I loaded my car and got the dogs situated.}

^{But I mean it this time! Sound familiar? Oh, thank you, Abba, for your grace that out-waits our unfulfilled promises to you and to ourselves. I asked Him to help me be a light to someone in that room today.}

^{Looking back on the day, there were actually plenty of warning signs of a tough road ahead. For starters, I’m not sure how it happened, but my GPS sent me on a crazy hunt for my location. I mean it had me going on and off the freeway and what felt completely out of the way and instead of being early enough to be calm, cool and prepared, my equipment set up and a job dictionary built, I arrived with only 10 minutes to accomplish all of that. Talk about hot flashes running down my back! But it doesn’t stop there.}

^{As I’m getting set up, I turned my computer on and it’s telling me “Preparing updates; 30% complete; don’t turn off computer.” WITW? (What in the world?!)  And then just like that, it let me into my court reporting program…and then proceeded to freeze! At this point I had only five minutes to be ready and waiting for counsel and the witness.}

^{To top it off, when I finally took a moment to look at the caption and let it sink in, I groaned – to myself of course, as I realized we had a minor in the witness chair with a claim of molestation by a teacher. L L  As I was frantically trying to get my computer to cooperate – ever have one of those moments? – I invited God into my frustration and literally offered up some honest-to-goodness begging! HE HEARD ME! J}

^{I was ready to go by 10:01, thankful, trying to put the previous warnings behind me and focus, focus, focus! J J}

^{Within the first hour, I could tell that this witness had definitely been molested…but the teacher wasn’t the first person who had molested her. When I hear cases like this, it confirms my knowing that dysfunction is a cycle, whatever flavor, and is cross-cultural, non-denominational and worldwide. Don’t get me wrong; I don’t keep the cases stored up in me, allowing their truth to weigh me down; but I do use this information for others good and His glory.}

^{Several times the witness and her counsel had to confer off the record – which means we stop and they go outside and chat. No big deal; I begin editing my transcript so there’s less to do at the end. There were some questions that you could tell that while she may not have been lying, she was trying to be very careful with her response as it was a tricky question; and then there were others that she just flat-out didn’t get. To top it off, she is an African-American high school student with lots of Ebonics and once fired up, wow, all I can say is my fat fingers were all over that keyboard and my machine was smoking as the speed indicator kept flashing. They actually got up to 310 words per minute!!!}

^{Towards the end of the day, as we tread on the waters of this witness’ promiscuity, her attorney asked to confer with defense counsel outside. I was totally a proponent for this girl, but as the case began to unfold, I began to realize she has been a troubled child since grade school, and the teacher was not the only contributing factor. In fact, when a jury hears her case, her promiscuity may deter them from the facts, from the root of it all, but is really a symptom of it all. Oh what a complicated web of dysfunction that I long for the world to understand.}

^{I’m not sure what came over me but in the first few minutes that both attorneys were out of the room, I took the liberty – I could get in trouble for this – to begin talking with her and at the risk of incriminating myself, let me just say, it was a pretty powerful conversation and as I said the last thing, I returned to my computer screen and the door opened and the attorneys returned; I breathed a sigh of relief, and we went back on the record.}

^{By the time we finished for the day, I was pretty wiped out. I sat in my car for a moment, allowing the air conditioning to cool me from the inside out, shaking off the oppression of the case, and then pressed my destination of home.   I didn’t even give it a second thought, just expecting it to take me home the right way, not the long way.}

^{I began to return phone calls and it wasn’t until I had been on the phone for a while, that I realized I had followed the voice on GPS and gotten off the freeway. But WITW Why? Unbelievable! It took me home the same way we came and I’m still perplexed as to why. So what should have taken about 45 minutes turned into an hour and 45 minutes! Needless to say by the time I got to my next mistake, I was pretty wiped out! Have you ever noticed that one mistake often leads to another?}

^{Join me Wednesday for part two of this blog where I will share something that I am still trembling about, and probably will every time I think about it. What comforts me is I know that I know that He was there at the beginning of my mistake, and He certainly met me in the midst of another one.}

^Love,

^Kim-Evinda