This is my 2nd
session from my Refined Project…and if you missed the first blog about it…I’ll
recap it a bit for you. From the time I was a teen…God has been refining
me…freeing me from my past and creating a new identity in Him. I wanted to find
a way to minister this to other women, who have been through life’s ups and
downs…and have them share their story to minister and encourage others. My
Refined project isn’t about lots of make-up and styled perfect hair… I wanted
to capture these women in their own skin…in what’s comfortable to
them…beautiful just the way that God created them to be…(not that there is
anything wrong with make-up and styled hair…because we all know...I love me
some make-up J)..but I’m
sure you get the point. So, without any further delay…here is my 2nd
Refined Project Session.
Meet my beautiful
friend Sonja. Sonja and I met a little over a year ago through a mutual friend
and have been great friends since. She is such an amazing woman, wife, mother,
friend…you name it. One of the most giving and caring people you will ever
meet…and she has a story…an amazing one…full of God’s grace and love…but I’ll
let her tell it...in her words…
Blessings in
Disguise
Well…here goes. I
had a hard time knowing what parts of my testimony I should share. Should I
share about my childhood abuse? Should I share about the years that I spent
with my awesome sister and brother-in-law and all the lessons I learned as a
teen? Maybe I should share on the importance of waiting for the one that God
has for you.
I could talk about
the loss of babies and infertility or how 2 of my babies have overcome medical
obstacles…or about the sweat and tears that 13 years of marriage can bring.
This all seems so
trivial, it looks painful on paper when I write it down, but in my heart I feel
contentment, blessed, lucky. How awesome it is to have never felt alone, I
mean, I’ve been lonely, but never alone. From the time I was a little girl, I
have felt the loving arms of my heavenly Father. He has never left my side. I
have tried to walk away…He pursues me…I have cried out to Him and He comforts
me…I have asked Him why and He doesn’t always answer me.
All I know is
that my blessings have far outweighed my sorrows. I have family and friends who
love and care about me. I have an amazing husband and four, yes four wonderful
boys! Until I see my Savior face to face, there will be struggles in my life,
but someone else is always struggling more than I. My hope for them is that
they would come to know the LOVE of our heavenly Father.
Deuteronomy 31:6 – “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or
terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never
leave you nor forsake you.”
Isaiah 40:31 –
“But those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on
wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they
will walk and not be faint.”
Strong, Courageous, Hope, Renew, Soar, RUN. What an awesome God we
serve, sometimes it’s hard to look for the blessings when the sorrows are so
great…but I promise you..if you cry out to God and ask Him to show you His
grace, His mercy, His love and goodness…He will do just that and so much more.
Sometimes I still dwell on the hurts in my life, but staying in it doesn’t help
me or anyone else. So I will lift my hands to heaven and continue to ask God
for His help and guidance. I will praise Him for bringing me to this place.
-Sonja
Jeremiah
29:11 “For I know the
plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm
you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
As I'm finishing up this blog post..with tears in my eyes...I can't help but to think of how good God truly is...and how blessed I am to know this amazing woman. Sonja...thank you so much for being such a great friend. You have blessed my life in so many ways...I can't find enough words to say thank you.
For having the courage to share a piece of your life with people you don't even know...
...thank you...
Here are a couple songs that Sonja asked me to share...
Blessings - Laura Story
Praise You in this storm - Casting Crowns
