It Has Been Way Too Long!

March 24, 2021March 24, 2021 / Susan Woodward

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….

Are you a Magnum Opus?

October 9, 2017April 23, 2018 / 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.

When Storms Come

April 19, 2016April 19, 2016 / Susan Woodward / 7 Comments

Have you ever been in the middle of a storm? With it raging all around you? Where there is no clarity or feelings of peace? I have. And guess what? It’s been more than once, even more than twice. Let’s just say, I’ve experienced my share of storms…and so will you.

Sometimes the storms we face come on fast and strong, then seem to quickly pass and fade away. When things clear up, our outlook on life is often brighter and we have learned something from our storm to use in our future. Just be careful not to hang onto that last drop of rain, doubting that the storm has really ended or never learning anything from it.

Then at other times, the storm we are in the midst of, intensifies over a period of time and reaches a climax that seems unbearable to us. As the winds howl and things continue to pour down, we can completely loose our focus and even our footing. We try to make sense of our waves of emotions and we rely too much on ourselves to weather the storm out.

Whether it’s a thunder storm that we’ve anticipated and been able to plan for, or the dreaded torrential down pouring that happens without warning in our life…our God remains the same and He has the power to calm all of them! Our anchor has to be secured through Him alone.

If you happen to be in any kind of storm right now (big or little) Remember, that He is the only anchor that will hold. He is sure, certain and safe. He (our anchor and our hope) is steadfast, firm and reliable.

It is not in our own confidence that anchors our soul, but the sure reality and belief that Gods promises for us are true. This is our anchor. And this is what we are to lay hold of when our feet may begin to stumble or wander within our storm.

When we put our trust in Christ, our eternal hope, we can make it through any storm that may come our way.

How do we lay hold of something, when we are drenched in the middle of uncertainty?

I too am practicing this…but here are 5 things that have helped me in the midst of the many storms I have faced and am still learning from.

1. Read your bible! You have to know without certainty that your hope is in the eternal presence of God.

2. Pray! Ask God to open your mind and heart to hope in Him alone.

3. Remember how much Christ has suffered for you and your hope. (Wow… what an anchor right?)

4. Praise Him throughout the storm no matter what. Give Him praise for His Faithfulness, Strength, Wisdom, Mercy and Grace.

5. Think about other Christians (family & friends) who have weathered their storms holding onto their hope in Jesus. Lift up and encourage others. Share your testimony of faithfulness during and after your own storms.

May I suggest you start here:

Mathew 7:24-27 -Christ our solid rock

Hebrews 6:19 -Hope an anchor for our soul

Colossians 2:5 -He is with you

Psalm 107:28-31 and Matthew 8:26 -He calmed the storm

Nahum 1:7 -The Lord is good