___________

 

My Lord Jesus Christ has been blessing me, even through this last year of challenges. Financially our family is strapped, but I'd like to give in the way the Lord has given to me---by sharing how God is always there for us through life.

 

Life has been very challenging lately. Our children's problems, an upcoming wedding, sibling issues. My mother's grieving for the loss of her husband, subsequent loneliness and its aftermath. My 86-year-old mother-in-law living in with us and its very real challenges. Losing our dog.

 

Oh, I forgot, and I had serious food poisoning and missed work because of it. This is besides dealing with pain issues from being in a serious car accident over a year ago. I'm a caregiver to four  developmentally delayed individuals and there's next to no benefits at my work due to the poor economy. I couldn't collect sick-pay either. The list goes on and on!!!

 

After reading "No Simple Recipe" this morning, a memory came to me of my Grandma Remple. When I was 4 or 5, she would have me sit down and read out of a little pamphlet that had true life stories. She was teaching me to read by reading to her mother, my Great-Grandma Young.

 

I had quite a time learning to read, much less reading out of an adult inspirational booklet. But you know what? God has blessed me. Here I am one of His children, a Christian, still reading and now being blessed with readings like this one...when I really need it. And the coolest thing this morning---I was reading this article to my mother-in-law, and she was listening and smiling! She was getting it!

 

Praise our Lord Jesus Christ, God our Father who sends recipes for life by the Power of the Holy Spirit, that go beyond feeding our stomach. Best recipe book on life = The Holy Bible!

 

Life as a Christian is rewarding even when it's tough and challenging most of the time!!! Anyways, this really fed me with inspirational encouragement. I pray it will be a blessing for you as well!!!

 

Your sister in the Lord Jesus Christ,

 

Terry L. Coleridge

 

 

No Simple Recipe...by Bill Crowder

 

For our grandson's birthday, my wife baked and decorated a gigantic chocolate chip cookie to serve at his party. She got out her cookbook, gathered the ingredients, and began to follow the simple steps involved in making cookies. She followed a simple recipe and everything turned out well.

 

Wouldn't it be nice if life was like that? Just follow a few easy steps and then enjoy a happy life. But life is not so simple. We live in a fallen world and there is no easy recipe to follow that will ensure a life free of pain, loss, injustice, or suffering.

 

In the midst of life's pain, we need the personal care of the Savior who lived in this world and experienced the same struggles we face. Hebrews 4:15 encourages us: "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." Christ, who died to give us life, is completely sufficient to carry us through our heartaches and dark experiences. He has "borne our griefs and carried our sorrows" (Isa. 53:4).

 

Jesus knows there is no simple "recipe" to prevent the heartaches of life, so He entered into them with us. Will we trust Him with our tears and grief?

 

When the trials of this life make you weary
And your troubles seem too much to bear,
There's a wonderful solace and comfort
In the silent communion of prayer.-Anon.

 

The Christ who died to give us life will carry us through its heartaches.¹

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