Unexpected Gifts...

Sometimes the most unexpected gifts are the most meaningful and precious gifts you can get.  They are often the ones remembered for years.  They are usually the ones that cause the heart and mind to cherish the friendship of those who help create those memories.  It is an amazing feeling to receive an unexpected gift... one that you really feel like you may not deserve.  Gifts that make you cry because you feel so undeserving and are incredibly humbled.

A few days ago a friend and I were talking and for one reason or another it was mentioned that I slept on an air mattress and had been doing so for about 5 1/2 months.  As I was leaving the doctor's office the next day, I received a text message to make a phone call.  On the other end of the line was this same friend.  She was telling me something I never expected to hear.  Hearing me say that I had been sleeping on an air mattress didn't seem to sit well with her.  "It really broke my heart to hear you say that because I've been there before."  A memory that I won't forget... receiving the unexpected.  This friend, in a few short hours, had reached out to many of our coworkers asking for help for a coworker they knew, and soon had enough money and this gift picked out.  No words... yes I was still on the phone but quite unsure what to say.  So humbling.  That feeling of not deserving something yet it is simply given.  A friend saw a need, reached out to those around her who know me and I am blessed to call them all my friends.  "... You work with amazing people that care about each other.  God has a way of getting the important things taken care of ;)"  That message locked to my phone.  I looked like a hot mess as I drove across town from my doctor's office to work... tears streaming down my face.  Today I was blessed with a bed because of some pretty amazing people (a real one... not an air mattress... I've never had a new bed before (that was my own)... my chiropractor would be happy to know I sleep on a bed and not an air mattress.  Then again, he'd have to know that I was sleeping on an air mattress to begin with =P).

This whole situation reminds me of the undeserved blessings we have received from another.  It reminds me of the unexpected gift that God has given... that gift that is there for anybody to take.  A hand extended to anybody willing to reach out and take hold of it.  He gives it.  It is there.  It reminds me of another who didn't  have a bed.  Instead, the place he was laid was a feeding place for animals.  He was God's gift to this world... one that had been talked about (prophesied) but was still somewhat unexpected... a King, the Son of God, born a babe wrapped in strips of cloth and sleeping in a manger.  Christ was alive on earth, born to die for mankind... and rise again to bring us new life.  That death equates to our life.  A gift from God so that we would draw closer to Him... undeservedly so.  The purpose of this child, perfection of God presented in the form of man, was to suffer for you and me... for all of mankind... and rise to bring us new life.

A gift, an unexpected version of a King.  The expected was to be a King, one of great power, a leader, mighty and strong.  This King was one unexpected, a baby born in a stable.  A servant to all.  He came to serve, not to be served.  "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many."  (Mark 10:45)  He came to love.  A gift form God to anybody willing to receive it.  A gift is free... that is what gifts are... they are given not earned.  Often undeserved.  Mostly unexpected.  Just as God gave us Christ Jesus... our gift of eternal life... bridging the gap between God and man... our bridge from death to life, from sin to eternity.  It started, unexpectedly, with a tiny babe laying in a manger.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord."
~*Romans 6:23*~

MY BED!!!!!!!!!!!! =D

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A few questions that I feel the need to ask... after writing this it is something that has sat on my heart... if you offer another a gift, would you want them to take it or not?  How would you feel if they'd say "No... I won't take it".  Think of God.  This gift that He offers... the MANY gifts, every blessing, every minute, every second is a gift.  He offers love.  He doesn't promise that it will be easy... but He offers love and guidance.  He offers eternal life.  All in the gift of His love and His Son Christ Jesus.  He is giving to the undeserving... but He WANTS us to take hold, to take the gift and receive His love.  He is waiting patiently, with open arms, for us to receive this unexpected and undeserved gift. 

Meet Me There

I am proud to announce that, after months of little baby bites of Scripture, I have FINALLY finished up a personal study on the book of Matthew... and I don't lie when I say months (I believe I started this at the end of April... just sayin) =)  YAY!!!  GO ME!!!  It just so happens that my church has recently done a six week study of Matthew as well.  Coincidence?  I think not!!  Does coincidence even exist or should it more appropriately be called "Godincidence"?  Anywho, I am pretty stoked as I can and will admit that up until today I have never made it through a single book (yes NONE of the books of the Bible) on my own.

The past few weeks of the study have taken me through Jesus' agony, crucifixion, and resurrection.  What stuck out to me the most was this:  Life, Death, and Life again.  Notice there is more Life than death mentioned.  Jesus went through more than we could ever even IMAGINE going through.  He experienced it and therefore can help us through any temptation, trial, or situation we face.  I know I get frustrated when people "let me down" or I don't get what I want or somebody or something doesn't meet or exceed my expectations.  A friend cancels on me or reschedules.  Somebody "forgets" something important to me.  I feel alone.  Somebody says something rude or condescending or inappropriate.  When it rains it pours.  Life is frustrating.  I am human and realize I am not perfect and I screw up a lot... then realize that Jesus is perfect.  Take a step back for a minute (or more since it'll take longer than a minute to read this).  This is a "short” (HA!!!) recap of a few areas that hit me pretty hard.

Matthew 26:69-75

Peter Denies Jesus.  

Not only did the disciples fall asleep in Christ's time of agony, when he was crying and sweating blood... or the fact that they all ran away... Peter fulfills a prophecy and denies even KNOWING Jesus.  Not just once, but three times he throws out denial.  The first time Peter simply acted confused and tried to divert attention away from him and attempted to change the subject.  The second time he took it a step further, using an oath to deny Jesus.  The third time he SWEARS he didn't know the Man.

Do you ever find yourself in denial of knowing Christ?  What does that even look like in our lives today?  Sometimes it can be pretty subtle.  You don't speak up or bring up the topic of Christ or the Bible, maybe.  I find myself being an avoider in most situations.  I avoid the conversation or topic.  Why is that?  Allow me to let you into my heart and mind a bit.  To me, I feel like God pointed out fear.  Fear of offending somebody with something I say.  But is it not offensive to God when I don't do what He calls me to do?  Shouldn't I be trusting Him in the words and actions?  Fear of what somebody may think of me.  What does that matter?  Shouldn't God's opinion of me matter more than another person's?  Fear of not knowing the answers.  I think I mentioned before how I was human, which means I don't know everything.  Shocking, I know.  But there is a fear for me in saying the phrase "I don't know".  Why is that?  Maybe the fear of criticism or verbal persecution?  Is "I don't know" a good enough answer in some cases?  It is definitely humbling.

A topic for discussion one of the few times I went to Alpha this past fall ended up on the topic of "persecution".  What do I take for granted in life when I say that I am a "Christian"?  I feel like I have it so easy here in life.  I can say "I am a Christian" but do I walk it out?  Or do I title myself "Christian" as some type of feel good thing?  Think of this:  In America, you can say you are a Christian.  You may be verbally insulted or criticized, what some may call persecution.  I am not trying to downplay this but bare with me here.  There is spiritual warfare that does take place through verbal abuse.  Satan uses whatever he can to tear us down.  What is convicting to me is that I am afraid to speak up and walk out what it means to be a Christian.

Culture change:  Brother Yun is a believer in a country where being a follower of Christ gets you more than just verbal persecution.  It is a country where there are certain implications in saying you are a Christian.  He should be dead from beatings and starvation and what is truly defined as persecution.  Where he is from, saying you are a Christian can get you killed.  Yet, through Christ's strength, he is not afraid to say he loves Jesus.  (His journey is documented in the book "The Heavenly Man".  It is an amazing story of what it looks like to follow Christ and I would HIGHLY recommend it to anybody.)  In some countries, it is not verbal abuse that is a concern.  In other lands, calling yourself a Christian is basically giving yourself a death sentence.  And yet, here I am scared of what somebody may think of me if I say "I love Jesus.  I am a Christian."

Just today I read the final portion of Matthew 28 and there was more that stuck out to me other than the Great Commission (which is awesome... but yes, there is more).

Matthew 28:8-20

Jesus Appears to His Disciples.

To me, what was so cool was where Jesus appeared to His disciples.  Allow me to explain (you have to :)). In Matthew 28:10, Jesus has just risen and He tells the women to run and tell His "brothers" to meet Him in Galilee.  However, fast forward through the Gospels to John 20:19 and Jesus actually meets with the disciples in Jerusalem and then LATER in Galilee.  Why is that?  "... the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders." (John 20:19).  Jesus said "Galilee!!”  His brothers said "I'm too scared to leave".  So what does Jesus do?  He met them where they were.  He didn't scold them, or put on a great guilt trip even though he had more ammo than anybody would ever need.  He didn't wait for them... He knew they were scared... He met them wherever they were even if where they were wasn't necessarily where He had told them to be.  The disciples were scared.  He met them there.  How cool is that?  What is even better is that Jesus will do the same for us.  No matter where we are, Jesus will meet us there.

He calls the disciples "my brothers".  They were in hiding for fear of what man could do to them.  They ditched Jesus in His greatest time of pain, suffering, and agony.  They denied even knowing Him.  And yet, here is Jesus.  He went to them, met them where they were, and still loved them enough to call them brothers.  These were the men who LITERALLY walked with Jesus EVERY DAY!!!!  They saw Him work miracles, witnessed His works, heard His teachings, and were personally mentored by God Himself.  And yet they ran away, denied Him, and hid for fear of man.  They didn't "remember" what Jesus had said about rising again and they had spent every day with the Man for crying out loud.  And they didn't go to Galilee... they stayed locked in a room.  Yet, after showing his love by dying on the cross, shouldering all the sin in the world, and feeling an agony we will NEVER feel, Jesus still takes a step... He met them where they were.  His love kept no record of what the disciples had done or what they did NOT do.  He is Love.  Love keeps no record of our wrongs.  Jesus went to the disciples when they were scared and in hiding.  They ran away and denied knowing Him (I've mentioned that before).  Jesus still forgave them, went to them, and met with them behind closed doors.  He forgave them.  He loved them.  He met with them in whatever place in life they were in.

What is so cool is that Jesus does the same for us.  He can say "meet me there".  Even when we don't go, He still meets with us.  He meets with us through the cross.  He wants us to meet him there... if we don't go, He brings the cross to us.  Jesus forgets our "imperfections" and wrongs.  He forgives us.  He loves us.  He meets us wherever we are in life regardless of whether that is resting in His arms, running to His cross, or hiding behind locked doors of fear and insecurity.  Even though this sounds cliché I'm going to say it:  Jesus holds the keys to the locks that bind the chains around our heart.  And He loves us so much that, not only did He spread His arms and die on the cross, no matter what we have done or where we are in life, Jesus still loves us, forgives us, and will meet us there.

Conviction in Action

Conviction in Action à Your actions in life back up what you say you believe.  I have thought about this a lot lately.  Saying it is one thing; a step in the right direction.  Doing it is another thing; a leap of faith.  I saw a picture on facebook recently about if we take a leap of faith, God will either catch us or He will teach us how to fly.  You won’t know if you don’t leap.  Either way, if we are leaping and jumping and running after Him, He will not let us fall.

Conviction in Action à It can be so darn difficult to do.  Fear often stands in the way.  The “what ifs” can blind us and back up fear.  They can often stifle and kill faith in action.  If we say it, should not our actions back it up?  That is the question that keeps on bugging me and just won’t leave me alone.  Recently, some “what ifs” in life served as my alarm clock in the wee hours of the morning… not a pleasant way to wake up but God uses things in ways we could never imagine.

Convictions à Who is God in my life?  What are the roles of each of the Three Persons in One?  How does that affect who I am and could I define each of those roles separately and together if somebody asked me to do so?  I think I could find and say what the Bible tells me, but do I believe it?  A question we recently asked to our High Schoolers at Youth Group:  If you take away all the “stuff”, who are you?  If you take away, Life Group, Church, all of the “Christian Activities” you participate in, what is your relationship with Christ?  What does that look like?  Do my actions follow through on my beliefs?  Do I live that out?  People are watching… closer than we often realize.  If people watch me, could they figure out what I believe and who I live for?

Convictions then action à  Follow through.  It is so hard to do.  We can say it… voice it… be heard… even argue it.  Do we follow through?  Or are we more concerned with what others will think?  What is more important:  what others think or what God thinks? (Galatians 1:10)  Are we more concerned about hurting somebody?  Will it not hurt them more further down the road?  Trust would be broken… a bond of trust that grows over time.  Healing could be more painful… the more you “lead somebody on” the more painful the experience once honesty makes its presence known.  Forgiveness could be more difficult.

Convictions à Where do they come from?  All Scripture is God breathed (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  The Spirit will convict us and when He does, we will know.  Do we act on those convictions?  The beauty is that God does not force us to move but He gives us the choice to do so… to step out in faith in Him.  He has given the gift of freedom… the freedom to choose… the freedom to follow… the freedom to act on convictions.  He leads… will we follow?

He will catch us if we fall… will we trust Him to do so?  There is a feeling that often comes with conviction.  I don’t really know how to explain it but it is there and you know it when it is.  It is kind of like “you know what you are supposed to do but you don’t really want to do it because it is too hard.”  It might be harder, but God is easy.  Nothing is too hard for God.  He is bigger.  He is stronger.  He will catch us when we leap… or He will teach us how to fly.

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"Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant." 

~ Galatians 1:10 ~

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.  God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work."

~ 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ~

I Am...

I Am... Love, Grace, Worth, Patience, Humility, Lord, Healing, Light, Truth, Mercy, Life, Rest, Perfection, Power, Eternal.  I Am a mystery...  The Alpha and Omega... The Beginning and the End.  I Am... hugs, kisses, tears, smiles, laughter, joy, richness, struggles, victory... The Almighty... in everything... all around you.  I Am... the only one, the only thing that can fill a void in your life and in your heart... the love that so many long for... the comfort that wraps its arms around you... the peace that fills your heart in times of chaos and calms your mind when life gets overwhelming.  I Am Fulfilling and Satisfying, Blessing, Everlasting.  I Am strength in times of weakness.  I Am... your Father, Friend, Husband, Lover, Teacher, Keeper, Companion, Provider, Rescuer, Healer, King, Deliverer, Protector, Living Water, Shield, Armor... the One... the One you can run to, cry to, hide within, count on, lean on, find strength within... the One you can trust to hear you and answer you always.  I Am your ONE TRUE LOVE.  I Am Promise, Peace, Relationship, Forgiveness, Desire, Righteous, Gentle, Worship, Complete, Freedom, History, Sacrifice, and Love.  I Am the Creator. I Am Living and Active, Kind and Faithful.  I Am so much more than you could EVER IMAGINE or even begin to wrap your mind around.  I Am... The Way.  I Am the impossible made possible.  I Am PERFECT, unfathomable, indescribable, infinite... I Am YOUR God... and I LOVE YOU!!!

Down and Dirty...

The other day at work, as well as several other days recently, I have been told that I've been dressing pretty "girly" lately (hard to believe, I know).  Most of you who know me understand why this statement may have been made.  You see, I REALLY love my sweatpants, gym shorts, and looser tees... and would EASILY take wearing them over jeans and a fitted tee, or skirts and a blouse (shocking, I know).  It is not a bad thing this comment was made.  It was kind of nice that somebody had noticed.  I responded with a comment that I probably would not be wearing a skirt in the near future... or more like next Spring.  When this particular person asked why that was, I reminded him of the strawberry/scar I have on my left shin.

A few months ago I slid playing softball (yes in shorts... no more sliding in shorts).  It was simply done out of instinct on a close play, something I did not necessarily think about when I did it.  However, I was safe at third and we ended up coming back and winning that game.  I told the person that the scar was not very "girly".  His response to that was, "It isn't a scar... that right there is a badge so you better wear it like one."  A badge?  Proof that I am willing to get down and dirty and sacrifice my body for something that I enjoy, even love, doing... without even thinking about it?

This conversation got me thinking today (imagine that).  How much am I willing to get down and dirty for my faith?  How much am I willing to sacrifice for Christ?  Some see living for Him as a risk... in my eyes, something done for Christ should not be seen as a RISK as it is being done for Christ.  However, sometimes I act as though I'm risking it all, holding on to materialism and "things".  He has yet to fail me and is always with me... every step of the way.  Am I willing to sacrifice anything and everything for the God who gave His only Son as a ransom for my filth?  Give it my all for His purpose?  His will?  For a victory ALREADY WON?

"Love the Lord your God above all else..." ~Matthew 22:37~~Mark 12:30~

"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.  But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first." ~Matthew 19:29-30~

My faith and my Savior, my relationship with the Father, should be something I am SO IN LOVE with, a relationship that I am so lost in, that I should follow wherever He leads and do anything for Him out of instinct... without questioning... without thinking about what I am doing in His name.  Prayer Required.  Counsel Sought and Received.  God's will to be done.  However, I often find myself questioning and doubting and hesitating.  When I do that, most of the time, usually always, I am focusing on me, my own inadequacies, faults, filth, and lackings.

"But this isn't about you..."
"Why do you think it is about you..."
"Stop focusing on you and focus on Who this is really, truly about..."

I am blessed by those who give these gentle reminders.  I am blessed by the guidance given and by those who challenge me.  The truth follows...

"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."  ~Philippians 4:13~

"... For apart from Me you can do nothing." ~John 15:5~

He is with me always... He will never leave me!! ~Isaiah 41:10~~Joshua 1:9~~Deuteronomy 31:6~

"For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, "Do not fear; I will help you."" ~Isaiah 41:13~

"The Lord is my Light and my Salvation -- whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life -- of whom shall I be afraid?" ~Psalm 27:1~

"If God is for us, who can ever be against us?" ~Romans 8:31~

"But take heart; I have overcome the world." ~John 16:33~

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." ~2 Corinthians 12:9~

There may be scars and hurts and persecution along the way... those trials should be expected, not a surprise. ~1 Peter 4:12-13~

"For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever." ~2 Corinthians 4:17~

Why is it so hard to go all out for God?  Those scars, should we not wear them as a badge, not to honor ourselves, but to glorify Him?  Something to ponder...  Am I willing to get down and dirty and sacrifice what I have for what I love more than anything else that ever existed?  Am I willing to give it all and go all out for Christ?

My Closest Friend...

Life is crazy sometimes... how God lays out our life before us and knows every step, decision, word, thought, and more.  When I choose to sit back and faithfully watch it roll out before me, it amazes me.  I only wish I would watch what He is DOING more often than I do instead of having to look back to see what He has DONE... looking back instead of forward.  Either way, to see His creativity at work and worked out usually leaves me in awe.  Such is the case here.  Originally I wrote the blog below about a week and a half ago before leaving on vacation with my family.  The daily dose of "Jesus Calling" struck my heart and stayed close to me.  I quickly wrote down one sentence from the devotional and followed it up with some thoughts I was processing.  A few days later, sitting on the deck looking out over part of His marvelous creation I marveled at His beauty (still on vacation so this creation is the Lake of the Ozarks).  "Jesus Calling":  this day a precious gift... prepared a way... eagerly await... rejoice when you glance My way... sing praise songs to Me.

"Let us come to Him with thanksgiving.

Let us sing psalms of praise to Him."

~*Psalm 95:3*~

Today I sit reading and my heart reflects on so much that has happened over the course of a few short weeks.  God has demonstrated His love and protection in so many ways.  He has shown me how He has prepared a way.  Have I given that gift of thanksgiving and worship back to Him?  This devotional, "Jesus Calling" was a gift... and has hit so many rough spots in my life.  I see it... read it... think about... do I do it?  Today's challenge:  "Practice praising and thanking Me continually throughout this day".

Psalm 100

A Psalm of Thanksgiving

"Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!

Worship the Lord with gladness.

Come before Him, singing with joy.

Acknowledge that the Lord is God!

He made us, and we are His.

We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving;

go into His courts with praise.

Give thanks to Him and praise His name.

For the Lord is good.

His unfailing love continues forever,

and His faithfulness continues to each generation."

The purpose of me writing this was to share with you the thoughts I wrote down on the morning of June 23rd before my family left on vacation... and to tie it to all of the above and to what is shown further down and to share some of the gifts I have been given =).
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6.23.12

Every Step of the Way

"LET MY LOVE STREAM THROUGH YOU, WASHING AWAY FEAR AND DISTRUST."

God's spirit can be grieved.  I try to imagine Him as a friend walking with me, side by side, every step of the way.  I hate seeing others in pain and anguish, hurting.  I hate seeing the hurt in their eyes and the pain in their voice... especially if I am the cause of it.
Is it something I have done that has caused the pain and hurt?  Is it an action by you, distrust, a lack of faith, a destructive step, something I could have prevented, causing this pain.  It is not just harm done to this friend that could be hurting them but maybe it is harm done to me... harm done to me caused by me... this friend does not like to see me hurting.
He hurts when I hurt, cries when I cry, laughs when I laugh, and shares in every moment of my life... has it planned out for me.  It is True Love.
Give your heart and life to Him.  Watch your steps and your words.  Be mindful of your actions and your thoughts.  Let the pain, anger, frustrations, sorrow, insecurity, shame, laughter, joy, thanksgiving, worship, and love fade into His glory.
Recognize His Presence.  Trust in His Promises.  Live in His Love.  Have faith that He has already won.  Listen to His Word.  Bask in the glory of the One who saves.  Allow His soothing whispers to comfort.  Let His mighty arms wrap around you.  Let His gentleness blanket you.  Let His strength shield you.  Let Light guide you... every step of the way.  He is there.  He is with you... loving, soothing, caressing, protecting, surrounding, comforting, holding, providing.  He is always there... every step of the way.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e8BPXh2L1k&feature=youtu.be

Happy 4th of July everybody!! =)

Protection & Rescue

It has been a while and life has been crazy... somewhat overwhelming.  Recently a sister gave me a devotional called "Jesus Calling"... absolutely amazing devo if you are looking for one.  This morning it hit the mark, not just with the devotional itself but also one of the verses included in the devo.  The verse comes from Psalm 18.  I will be honest in saying that I have forgotten how much I LOVE this Psalm.  I look at it and wish I would have come back to it more often than what I have. The reassurance given from... from being overwhelmed and overpowered by life to conquering all because of the strength that only God can give.

I remember when I first started meeting with a mentor of mine.  I was worried whether God would really protect and rescue me when life was overpowering.  She read me Psalm 18.  All I can remember is sitting there in tears as I listened to how "angry" God can be when evil attacks full force... and how jealous God is for us... that He would step down off of His throne to trample the evil that is persecuting one He loves and to rescue us.  

"He opened the heavens and came down..." Psalm 18:9.

How often does the Bible say God stepped down from His throne... step down to do ANYTHING, let alone rescue a sinner like myself? (If you have the answer to this, feel free to let me know what it is!!!)  I'm talking God the Father leaving His throne because He loves me so much... He is the protection and rescuer.  He rescues and then He strengthens.  He destroys evil surround me and then builds up and helps fight the ongoing battles.  God's protection is limitless for those who love Him.

Throughout this passage, David characterizes God as:
1.) A Rock: cannot be moved by harm.
2.) A Fortress: safety where the enemy cannot follow.
3.) A shield: separation between us and the enemy.
4.) A Power that Saves:  symbol of mightiness that saves.
5.) A Place of Safety: high above and out of the reach of the enemy.

God is not a crutch for the weak... His power shines through our weakness.  He is our protector.  When trouble overwhelms us, God is steadiness.  At times I know I feel as though I am drowning in "troubles"... or worries.  But I know God is the one who can pick me up, rescue me, steady me, and provide the peace and strength needed to keep on keeping on.  Trouble in this world will never end... even the trouble that seems minuscule for some compared to what it could or will be.  God strengthens to keep going and fighting.

God does not eliminate, trials, troubles, and challenges; He gives us the strength to make it THROUGH when we turn to Him.  Deliverance THROUGH, not FROM, trials.  If trials, mountains, valleys, troubles, rough roads, or obstacles did not exist, how would we grow?  God and all of His glory is the key to survival.  We do not go at it alone... He is always there, every step of the way!! :)
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"For I hold you by your right hand—
    I, the Lord your God.
And I say to you,
    ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you."

~*Isaiah 41:13*~

"This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For theLord your God is with you wherever you go."

~*Joshua 1:9*~