Christ

It Has Been Way Too Long!

/ Susan Woodward
YES! I AM BACK AGAIN…

I have taken a break from my Blog for way too long. How dare life get so chaotically busy that it takes me away from something that I am so passionate about. YOU!

I am ready to share once again! I have been using Facebook as a ministry for several years. I have tried my best to write things on that platform that speak truth, encourages others to love like Jesus and promotes serving others. That is what my intentions were when I started writing on this blog/website. I have decided to once again make this a place for me to let go of what is on my heart and let God touch whomever It can. I want the work that God has done in my life and what he inspires me to share, to somehow make a difference in others.

“What good is it to have God work within us, if we are not willing to share the work he has done” ~SW

Truth, Love and Service. Those three things mean so much to me. They are who I am and It is the reason I started highlighting some tid bits of my life on this website several years ago. I have shared about being a Parent, Adoptive Parent, Foster Parent, Mimi, and the Wife of a Care Pastor. I am also the only Daughter to wonderful parents and a Sister to three brothers. All of those things have given me great fulfillment, but no title compares to being a Child of the Most High. It gives me abundant joy to share the little things in life that are of great importance to God.

Each of our stories are unique, significant and worth sharing. I am always learning to embrace mine just a little bit more. I am forever thankful that Gods plan for each of us is much greater than we can imagine for ourselves.

On no particular schedule, I am looking forward to sharing more about all the good, the bad, and the ugly that makes my life come together as something so beautiful. Each one of our lives is something that is imperfectly perfect to God. I hope to encourage you to look at your own story and only see the beautiful, as Christ does.

Also, I am hoping you choose to share this website/blog with others who may need to learn to embrace their story just a bit more, as well.

Live by Truth

Love Like Jesus

Serve People 

Here’s to new things….

I am in LOVE!

/ Susan Woodward

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I am in Love!

I am in love with today!

Because it’s a gift given, with every breath I take.

I am in Love with my husband!

 Because with every moment shared, I am reminded of two souls that became one.

I am in love with my children!

Because the gift of love with each of them, is one that keeps on giving.

I am in love with my Granddaughter!

Because she reminds me every day, Gods perfect plans maybe different then our own.

I am in love with my parents!

 Because they taught me love can be hard, but nothings is too hard for our God.

I am in love with the Foster children God places with us!

Because every little difference we make in a child’s life, is a big difference to their heavenly father.

I am in love with my friends!

Because we help each other receive blessings, even in the chaos of life.

I am in love with tomorrow!

Because I know who holds all of our tomorrows, in the palm of His hands.

I am in love with my Jesus!

Because He has shown more Love to me, then I could ever repay.

I am in Love!

Because “God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us”.  

1 John 4:11-12

 

“Love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God”. 

1 John 4:7

 

ZLOVE

Are you a Magnum Opus?

/ Susan Woodward / 1 Comment

YES you are!!!!

To God you are “His Magnum Opus!”  

mag·num o·pus
noun
1.) a large and important work of art, music, or literature, especially one regarded as the most important work of an artist or writer.
2.) a great work; especially :the greatest achievement of an artist or writer
No doubt a writer or artist has a deep passion for what they do. They have an end goal when they start on their work of art. They work on precisely carrying out their plan so someday they fulfill their end goal. Allowing their work to reach its sole purpose.  It takes time, sometimes years…But they move forward, don’t give up and keep focused.
You can read stories written from the heart of an author and you can see artwork from an artist that reflects their passion, dedication and commitment to their work. They strive for the ultimate Magnum Opus.  Each of them have important and even great works, but they strive for and work diligently towards their “greatest achievement.”
When I was much younger, my mom told me “You are God’s Magnum Opus” “You are one of Gods greatest accomplishments” “His most important work.”  That analogy and profound statement has always stuck with me. 
God himself, not only planned me, but he had a sole purpose for my life when he uniquely designed me. He did the same for you. He started working on that beautiful masterpiece in my mother’s womb and is still carrying it out to completion. He is precisely planning on my behalf and working things for my good. He has created each and every life with the same heart and deep passion. He strives for excellence in us.  But he accepts the mistakes and the do-overs that we may need. He never gives up on us. He works diligently on our behalf, as our lives and his masterpiece, continues to unfold. 
Look at your self today with God’s eyes. In your failures, your self-doubt, your disappointments and trials. Remember through all of it, God does not see them the same as we do.  He sees the beautiful in the midst of your ugly and he already knows the  outcome of what he started in you.  He sees you as one of his greatest joys, a prize possession, a work of art…and one of his greatest masterpieces. Embrace that!
Let others know who created you and how special, miraculous and beautiful all life really is.  And then, let YOUR life reflect the wonderful “Magnum Opus” that you are. 

Whats your kind of Resolution?

/ Susan Woodward

I’m not really a “resolution kind of girl.” Maybe it’s because in years past I didn’t end up keeping them. They were either too farfetched, I changed them mid-year, or I never really meant them to begin with.

I don’t really know when I changed. But I did. And it works for me. I stopped setting a “New Year’s resolution.” Well, i no longer put full effort into accomplishing ONE particular thing before the years end. To me, “my kind of resolution” is bigger and last much longer.

Making this personal change has proven to work for me. That doesn’t mean it’s for everyone. Nor do I frown upon any “New Year” positive resolution that’s made. But I challenge you to try it differently. Reaching daily goals and learning to live in each moment has been beneficial to me and my family in so many ways. I accomplish more, and do better on a “short term” (daily) basis, as opposed to setting my goals on a “year’s term”. 

I make goals often. Some of them may seem trivial or even silly to others. God’s word offers me a great source for “self-pep talks” on my way to achieving them. His word encourages me to remain steadfast and determined.

I want to live a life of Joy, Grace and of complete fulfillment in Him. And I want it on a daily and momentarily basis.

Life’s way too short and can change too suddenly. My plans become altered. My goals often shift. Life can have set backs and come at us with many twists and turns. We have all experienced failed attempts and less than great moments, as we strive to achieve our goals or just doing life.

But…Just as suddenly, life can bring great triumphs, unexpected victories, and positive results from our perseverance, and eternal rewards from our experiences and encounters.

So, I face each moment, each day, each test, trial, triumph, and New Year…the same way.

With One focus.

And One goal.

To be better than I was yesterday. To be kinder, wiser, more compassionate, more selfless, more giving. To be a better wife, a better mom and a better person. My “lifetime resolution” is to be more like Christ. Every moment is a lesson I can learn from. Every connection made is a gift to practice being more like Him. Every opportunity given, is an opportunity that I never want to miss…sharing His love. Every breath I take…is a gift.

So, maybe I am a “resolution kind of girl” after all. It’s just that my resolution doesn’t come forth only at the New Year.  I want to live with a resolution (with intention, a plan, a conscious decision, with aim, a commitment, and a promise) Every. Single. Day.

When I fail…and I do. I get back up, I refocus, I stay close to His word and cling to His promises. I choose Joy in the hard times, and claim His strengths in my weaknesses. I thank Him often and praise Him for each day that He’s given. I choose to move forward, when life at times, can seem at a standstill.

No matter your struggle, or your current situation, you can do the saimg_7629-1me. Make a resolution. Maybe, make it differently…

Choose one focus.

Choose one goal.

Choose to live a life as a reflection of Him.

Do it daily!

With this kind of resolution, I have experienced the most success as I have grown in Him.

And I will continue with this kind of intent, as long as I have breath.

I Have Been Inspired

/ Susan Woodward / 9 Comments

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I have been inspired and therefore, I want to live as an inspiration to others.

I don’t want to fear life’s challenges, I want them to build me up and make me stronger.

I’m over trying to be perfect, it means much more for others to see how I deal with my imperfections.

I don’t want to live my life ordinarily, I seek God daily to use me extraordinarily.

I know the things I hold in my hands are temporary and what I hold in my heart is forever.

I’m thankful to be filled with Gods peace and joy, I want others to trust God and have hope as I do.

I embrace my story, because I know it’s been written for me to share with others.

Life is better when I am happy, but it’s the greatest when those around me are even happier.

Some of the smallest steps I’ve taken in the right direction, have been my life’s biggest moments.

The absolute hardest times in my life have strengthened my relationship with the Lord, they did not break me.

My greatest challenges were those out of my comfort zone, where I’ve had to fully rely on Him.

I will forever be grateful for Gods amazing gift of mercy and grace, for I have been saved by them both.

I know today will never come again, so I choose to be of encouragement to others, a friend and a blessing.

I struggle with insecurities, but I’m thankful to personally know who holds me securely.

I want to live my life today to change someone else’s tomorrow.

I have been inspired and therefore, I want to live as an inspiration to others.

If a door opens…make sure to use a door stopper!

/ Susan Woodward / 1 Comment

Have you ever encountered a door that opened up for you right in the midst of searching or praying for one?  What about a door that opened in a direction that you had never thought of going? Sometimes…God clearly opens them…just for us!

If a door opens…make sure to use a door stopper!  It’s important not to walk through or shut a door prematurely. Take the time to examine the source of who opened it. Carefully evaluate if it’s in your best interest before you step forward. Sometimes it only appears to be.

Doors can open easily if we are too anxious and looking for ANY opportunity. And sometimes, we just want to flee our current situation. Be careful not to move too quickly, it may not be according to Gods plan.

door

The great news is…God truly does open doors for us! He also gives us wisdom on which ones we should quickly close. The easiest way to determine what to do when a door has opened, is to use a door stopper…and pray!

If you weren’t praying before the door opened, you should surely be praying when it does. You don’t want to step in a direction that is unknown, before seeking the Lord.

I have walked through opened doors in my past without using a door stopper. I was anxiously looking for the next best thing, or an answer to something, but I wasn’t seeking the Lord in my current circumstance. Those are the doors that I can look back on now, and see where I stumbled. I fell through them unprepared and without evaluating what was ahead of me. I just jumped through…ready for whatever was next. And what was next…took me in directions and places I shouldn’t have been.

My greatest moments in life (kingdom building and life changing opportunities) have been through the doors that were opened directly by Him. Just because they were opened by Him doesn’t mean I didn’t step through them cautiously. Some have totally been out of my comfort zone and have pushed me to places I had never imagined. But knowing that “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” has motivated me to move through doors I may not have on my own. The most effective doors I’ve walked through, have been the ones I was uncertain about. I moved through them out of obedience to Him. Knowing that when “The Lord opens the door, no one is able to shut it.”  These kind of doors bring the greatest rewards. So, pray for them…

I am there once again…A door has recently crept open for me. I hadn’t been praying for this one. So, I have used a door stopper. I am praying and searching again now, for His direction. He has never failed me. I’m pretty sure I’ll know when and how to step, as long as I continue to seek Him.

Is there a door you need opened in your current situation? Have you been praying for God’s direction? If not, I suggest you seek Him first. And then, use a door stopper before you walk through. I guarantee that your greatest life moments, will be through the doors that He has prepared for you!

And then…Walk Boldly!

Revelation 3:8 “‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.”