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I will never forget today.

Sept 11^th was a day in our country’s history that changed our lives forever.  I remember watching on TV as airplanes were used as weapons and thousands of people lost their lives.  I will never forget watching the twin towers crumple to the ground and feeling helpless as our country was under attack. 

That tragic week, our country wept together.  We cried for all the pictures of missing people hung in NYC.   We united together to help the wounded that had survived.  Together we prayed for our nation.  Together we stood strong as we rose up from the ashes.  TOGETHER!

I believe that our enemy meant to divide our country that horrific day, but it actually did the opposite.  Our country became UNITED!   

Boldly, we let our enemies know that we are the United States of America and united we were!  With our flags hung proudly at our homes, we showed our patriotism as well as our cohesiveness! 

Our country bounced back stronger than we were before the attack on Sept 11th.

As I reflect on this day, I am reminded that each of us will experience are own tragic days.  A loved one will pass.  A marriage will end.  A job will be lost.  A cancer diagnosis will be given.  A child will rebel.  There are no guarantees that we will get through life without any pain or hurt. 

This can feel hopeless at times, but I want to share with you a quote from Jennifer Dukes Lee.  She says, ““The guarantee has never been that we would avoid the valley.  The guarantee is that we wouldn’t walk through it alone.” 

Friends, this is so important that we don’t miss this.  We are never guaranteed a problem free life, but we are guaranteed that God will be with us, helping us through our heartbreak and pain. 

As I walked through my own deep valley, I can confidently say that I was not alone. I felt God’s strength to help me get through each day.  I felt His love and comfort as I grieved.  He gave me wisdom and guidance when I felt lost. God wants to do the same for you. 

Just like our country bounced back stronger, I believe that you will bounce back stronger. 

As you face these hard days and challengers, remember that you do not have to face them alone.  God is walking with you.

Let’s pray today for all the families who lost loved ones in the 9/11.

Love, Jodi

Note: The quote I shared is from Jennifer Dukes Lee’s most recent book, It’s All Under Control. I had the privilege to interview her in my latest Depth Podcast.  I encourage you to check out interview.  You can find links to apple and google podcasts on the homepage of my website.

I can do this, or God can do this.

I wish I could say that I always picked the latter one.  For years, I tried to do life in my own strength.  I was always striving and never really at peace.  Can anyone relate?

It took a season of brokenness for me to realize that I cannot do it all on my own.  As I cried out to God for help, He faithfully walked with me.

Learning to depend on God was a gift in the middle of my greatest heartbreak.   

Friends, God wants to give you this same gift.  The gift of His Presence in Your Life!  He wants to do life with you.  He wants you to seek Him, rely on Him, and allow His Strength and Power to guide you.

What does this look like practically?  Open Hands! 

I love this prayer that Pastor Buddy Owens has taught us at Saddleback Church.  As you pray, instead of folding your hands tight, keep your palms open wide and pointed up toward God.  As you do this physical act with your hands, say, “God, I give this to you.”   Then turn your hands over so they are pointing down and release it to Him.  Lastly, as you ask God for His strength, power, and wisdom, turn your palms up one more time to receive His provision.

This prayer of surrender is a powerful first step. 

But there is a next step.  After God guides you and places a calling in your heart, then you must be faithful and do the hard work.  I love what Jennifer Dukes Lee says in her book, It’s All Under Control, “We surrender outcomes, not effort.”

Our job is faithfulness.  God’s job is fruitfulness. 

Friends, this is where it gets exciting.  We don’t need to worry or compete.  We just need to be faithful and do the next step God has directed us to do.  As we follow God’s plan for our lives, He will handle everything else. Honestly, it does not get any better than that. 

So today, as you live out your unique calling on your life, let me ask you a question: Which phrase best describes you?

I can do this in my own strength or God can do this through me as I rely on His Strength.

I pray we will always choose God’s strength!

Love, Jodi