I BELIEVE!!!!

My heart and soul have been absolutely consumed lately. Rather than give you a laundry list of ALL that is going on in my head, home and heart I thought I would just see if I can somehow express some of my feelings and emotions in hopes that I can bring light to someone else.




Life has been full, overflowing actually, with a lot of BIG stuff.
The big things that only happen once in a great while, if EVER!
Those kinds of things that are the high scorers on the score sheet of stress levels.


A very dear friend of mine who has been going through a very trying time once told me that "You never know desperation, until you have been desperate"
She certainly knows desperation!
I am pretty sure I know desperation.
But that is not where the story ends.
The story goes on to the one who holds the hope and the future.

"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."

DEUTERONOMY 31:6

I am thankful to be able to put all of my faith and trust into a loving God who cares for me. Who will never leave me nor forsake me.
He is right there beside us, helping us walk through this journey we are facing.
He carries us when we cannot take another step forward.




We go through seasons...
Some seasons are filled with cold, dark days.
Some are full of flowers and rainbows.
All are important and necessary.


We must remain in faith when we cannot see through the piercing darkness. It is easy to take the next step or to sing the hallelujahs when we are seeing rainbows and flowers.
Faith calls for us to do so even when we cannot see the future, when it does not LOOK as if it could ever work out.




Who ever thought when Jesus was placed in the tomb after dying a gruesome death on the cross that three days later that huge stone would be rolled away and the tomb would stand EMPTY!?
 That Jesus would be ALIVE!?!?!? 
That there was a power THAT strong!


THAT is the power I am putting my hope in.
The resurrection power!!!
I BELIEVE!!!!
Do you believe?
Is your hope in the One who holds the future or only in what your mind can comprehend?


I want to encourage you to put your hope and faith in the ONE who holds the future. The One who died upon the cross to save us from our sins and then surprised everyone by rising from the dead!!!!!

"MAY THE GOD OF HOPE FILL YOU WITH ALL JOY & PEACE IN BELIEVING,
SO THAT BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT YOU MAY ABOUND IN HOPE"

EPHESIANS 15:13


Whatever you are facing today, whether it be desperation or simple exhaustion and frustration...hold on dear one to the perfect promises of our faithful and loving God! All He asks you to do is to BELIEVE!!!!


XO
Much love to you!
Sherry

The pain of a friend....

So....when I posted here the other day I noticed several "drafts" that had been saved. This one jumped out at me and I feel as if it needs to be posted. I don't think I had felt finished when I wrote it months (maybe a year or so) ago. I was probably "flitting" around that day too!!
 ;)


Here it is.......


As I drove away I immediately began asking God to forgive me for failing a friend so deeply. Yet, as soon as the words came out of my mouth I knew that I did not want God to patch this one up and make me feel all better. NO, I deserved the pain that had pierced my heart because a lesson was here to learn. I knew it immediately.
One thing about getting older is knowing and fully understanding that it is necessary to own our mistakes, even when they are invisible ones that we could easily get away with.

The reason I knew how deeply I had hurt my friend is because every word that came out of her mouth could have just as easily came out of mine, had I the guts to say them. She wasn't speaking to me directly, she was speaking to the five of us girls sitting at a sweet little bustling Italian cafe' over dinner and tiramsu. We had failed her. She was not pointing a finger or speaking an ounce of judgement, just simply speaking with open honesty. Her world had crashed down around her and none of us had a clue. We didn't have a clue because we were so wrapped up in our own little lives that we failed to see the veil of pain and deep heartache that was stretched over her world. Here we were sharing small talk not even noticing that her heart was bleeding.

We get so caught up in our own worlds, there is much to get caught up in. We are busy, we have our struggles, issues, situations, heartaches, things to do, errands to run, jobs to go to, things to accomplish, our daily lists go on and on and on...... In that, we fail desperately to be there for one another. God in the flesh. There to comfort and just BE with those who we love and are hurting.

I'm not sure how we fit it all in sometimes, it just seems to be too much. People to love on and enjoy, relationships to deepen and nurture. All while juggling every ball in our own lives  (work, errands, housework, kids, parents, laundry, illness ...)
Living in balance seems to be the biggest juggling act of all time.
How do we do it?

I don't have the answers, you can rest assured I will be seeking them. I will be trying my darndest to hone my personal juggling skills. I am not interested in learning how to juggle as a hobby, but as a way of life, a way of keeping the things, the people, that are important to me from falling and crashing to the ground.

I hope I never forget the lesson I learned, because for far too long I have felt as if everyone one else needed to learn it, HA! the joke was on me! I was just as desperate and in need of such a valuable lesson.

Here's to lessons learned and that we might never forget the impact of them upon our hearts and lives. As you go out today, be the blessing so many need in this busy, hectic world.

XO
Love & Blessings!
Sherry

Flitting and Trusting

Have you ever found yourself in a dance of avoidance?  When you are supposed to be doing one thing but you keep on flitting and doing OTHER things? It seems like your mind cannot focus or that you have too much inside and you have to get it ALL out?


Well, that seems to be where I am today!


I am supposed to be preparing for a retreat I am going to be speaking at, yet I am finding myself suddenly wanting to create a blog post!  Not sure where this is even leading, I am going to discover it along with you  ;)


I have so much on my mind and my heart. As we all do at any given time.


The retreat message I am preparing does not come difficult to me, only the thought of "speaking" does...I can write all day long and feel fine about people reading what I have to say, but when it comes to standing in front of sweet gals and trying to eloquate the message in my heart, I struggle BIG time!


My heart is also being pulled by the vortex of a huge life event that is in the wings.
 My son and his wife and two little girls will be leaving in two weeks for three years to Japan. That is a whole lot of ocean between this mom/mimi and my precious ones!
For years they have lived 7 hours away which was inconvenient but oh so doable! Now I cannot just jump in my car on a whim and go hang out with my loves. They surely will not be able to come home either.
So, my heart is left to ache this difficult time and I feel like a bucket of tears, spilling over at the tiniest bump. That bump can be just a thought, a word, a song, a sight, a text message, a photo...you name it!


Life is full of struggles and challenges.
  Many of you are going through some pretty tough times.
 You wonder when the fog will EVER lift!
 Seems like some days you just feel so weighed down by all that is on your "plate" as you hope for brighter days ahead.
When will you be able to rest peacefully when you lay your head on your pillow at night.
 When will the lonely feeling ever end.
 When will you receive the answer to that prayer that is ever on your lips.
 How can you keep on going like this?
 How can you make it another day?


God holds every answer. He is also the source of our comfort and joy as we find our footing in this often treacherous world, as we navigate through our struggles and anguish. He is reaching out to hold our hand and guide us through any struggle we find ourselves in.
He loves us more than we can ever imagine.
He knows the outcome and He wants us to be reassured that in the end, it will be okay. 
It really will.
Not everything is perfect or easy, but He is almighty and will never leave you nor forsake you.
He has the whole world in His hands and He wants you to find comfort and peace in the fact that He wants nothing but the best for your life.


I am going to remember that as I kiss my sweet boy, my darling daughter-in-law and my two little grandangels good bye. As they fly off to this new adventure in their lives. I KNOW that God has great things for them, I just also know that my heart is in knots at the very thought of missing them!


I want to encourage you today in anything YOU are going through, that you know God has YOU, He has your loved ones and your circumstances. Relinquish all the control and worry over to Him. He has never intended for us to worry and fret, but to think on good things!


I am going to leave you with the verse that has been my great companion through many a tough time. It has helped me keep my focus when my son was deployed, or when I feared the worst in a diagnosis or just had a time of anxiety that I could not get a grip on.
I would encourage you to write it upon your heart as I have...so you can pull it up when you are feeling those moments of overwhelm and anxiety.


"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be you."
Philippians 4:6-9


Let's focus more on HIM and less on our circumstances! By doing so we will feel the peace of God that SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING!


Love and blessings to you on this beautiful day that the Lord has made! REJOICE and be glad in it!!!


XO Sherry

TIME

Time is the equalizer of all mankind.
No one can obtain more than another in any way. Even the rich cannot purchase more.
 We are all given the same 24 hours a day. 1,440 minutes a day to use to our best ability.
Yet have you ever found yourself feeling as if you do not have enough time? Do you ever find yourself looking at the lives and accomplishments of others and feel as if somehow they must have more time in order to do all that they do?
I suppose some of you are like me, wishing for more time in a day. Wishing for more time to accomplish the things on our lengthy lists.
I have some pretty big goals and aspirations this year so I know I must figure out how to conquer this time machine issue.
How does one fit it all in?
Maybe that is part of the issue right there. Maybe it is not possible and that is part of the problem. I try to fit more in than I should, more than is possible.
Don't we all?
I do want to do it ALL. I want to go everywhere and do everything I can. I want to be at every event, take every opportunity I can. How does one choose which ones are better than another? Which ones are more important than another?
I think part of the answer lies in finding our gauge in which to measure things by. Measuring the importance and value of the decisions of which things matter most.
But how do we do that?
How do we come up with a gauge, a standard, a guide?
I think it lies in the things that we value, what matters most. We make room for the things that are important, the things God wants us to squeeze into the nooks and crannies of our 1,440 minutes of each day.
One of the ways I have practiced for the past few years as a guideline for measuring the ways I should use my time and energies is to choose "a word of the year".
This word is used as a focus, a source of encouragement a rudder and guide in my daily life.
This word is something I keep at the forefront, I make it present in my life so I am reminded of  my intentions.
I spend a lot of time coming up with my word each year. This year I thought I had my word figured out only to discover that this word I had chosen was causing me more frustration than encouragement.
 I had chosen the word DO.
 I had good intentions, pure motives when I chose the word. Yet as time goes by I find that this word causes me to feel the pressure of doing more than is possible. I chose it because I am trying to accomplish some things that have been on my heart for a very long time, things that keep on getting put off because everything else in life has a way of trumping these things I want so desperately to do.
So I am back at the drawing board.
Maybe my word is ACCOMPLISH? I need to focus on accomplishing the dreams God has placed in my heart. I want nothing more than to finally be at a place of accomplishment. I want to achieve my goals! I am ready for God to use me the way I know He wants to.
What about you? Do you have a word of the year? Did you choose one only to find that it caused you more struggle than encouragement? If you did, you can re-think it. It does not matter what month it is. You are not stuck. God has great things in store for you, for your life. Open yourself up to Him.
I would love to hear about your word for the year.
How you came up with it and how it has served you.
I know it will take more than one little word for me to find the time I need to, to keep myself focused, but it is a start. I pray daily that God will lead me and direct me every step of the way, each of those 1,440 seconds of every day.

Let the New Year Begin......

Whether this has been a year of pleasure, pain, or a wild mix of both...it was undoubtedly a year that God was at work in your heart and life.
I for one feel like it was a year of tremendous highs and desperate lows. One that I am thankful I do not have to live over again, yet on the other hand one that I wish I could enjoy part of  once again.

Every year as the last page of the calendar turns over I find myself reminiscing and pondering the past. Not just the last year but the years before.
Tonite I am remembering the New Years Eve, many moons ago that I braved the cold and crowds along with my three kiddos as we camped out overnight in downtown Pasadena, California waiting for the annual Rose Parade. It was definitely a night we will always remember.
Most of our New Years Eves were spent at home playing games and sipping sparkling cider watching the ball drop in New York City Times Square and I remember those just as fondly.

All those years I was the only one who fessed up to  "making resolutions".  I still make resolutions/goals for the new year. I spend time pondering, reflecting and praying about the lessons of the past and the growth of the future.

I always have so much I want to accomplish, so much I hope to achieve. I find myself making lists and journaling my thoughts.
How about you? Are you a resolution maker or do you just take it as it comes?

I do not think there is a right or wrong way. I think we are all wired differently and whatever works for us is what we should do.
It's just like how I need to write things down to remember them and some people just remember.....

I just challenge you to pause, pray and reflect long enough to feel God's presence and hear His voice. To have a bearing on what HE is wanting for you in this new year. What changes you need to make, what things you need to continue with. What is He telling you to do differently? Is He calling you to step out of your comfort zone? Is He calling you to do that thing you have been putting off? Is He maybe just calling you to come closer to Him? Maybe it has been too long since you have drawn near to Him?

Listen.......
What do you hear?

I pray this is a year of drawing close to our Father as He longs for us to be close to Him.  He is our source of strength and hope as we step into the future.

For several years now I have chosen a "Word of the Year". Last year my word came to me and did not make much sense, well that is until the year began unfolding. It did not take long for the word EXPLODE to make itself understood! It was definitely a year of explosion for me. Much of that was positive but just as much was negative and difficult. Like I said, it is a wild mix of both!

 Such is life.

I haven't had a word "come to me" yet, for 2014. I am taking some time tonight to pray and see what He has for me.
How about you? Do you choose a word? What is YOUR word for 2014? I would love to hear it.

I want to wish you a new year filled with HOPE and PROMISE, with HAPPINESS and JOY, filled with LOVE overflowing!!!!
Be blessed and KNOW the love of God that is beyond everything!!!!!

XO Blessings!
Sherry

Greetings to my dearest friends and family…

As many of you remember back in 2002 I participated in the Avon Breast Cancer Walk.

 It was a three day-60 mile life-changing  journey.

I have wanted to do this again for many years, but because of my chronic health condition I have at times been unable to walk around the block let alone 1 mile or 60!

 But, PRAISE GOD….He has brought restoration to my body and I now feel like I can do it!!!

I have signed up for the 2 day – 39 mile walk in San Francisco in September 2013.

 I am so excited to help bring awareness to this dreaded disease that has struck close to home far too many times. 

I am making a plea to you for your help in reaching my requirement of raising $1800.

I have a couple of fundraisers in the works…..

The first one is a QUILT RAFFLE.

 My dear friend Mary Bowen created a gorgeous pink quilt for me to raffle off.

 For every $5 in donations I receive I will put your name into the raffle.

 

The other endeavor is a YARD SALE on Saturday May 4^th at my house.

 I would appreciate any donations for this, which I hope to be my biggest boost in raising funds.  During that yard sale I will take the last donations for the Quilt raffle and then at noon we will draw the winners  name.

When I did the walk in 2002  I was able to raise MORE than I was required to and it was because of all of you who gave so generously. I am depending on that same love and support this time around. I could not have done it without you then and I cannot do it without you now!

Thank you for believing in me!!!

Sherry

 

 

www.avonwalk.org/sherrycoggins

I am not certain why but this is no longer a direct link (so when you go there just select participant and then type in my name and it will take you to my page)

Happy 2013!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR ONE AND ALL........

As I was thinking about today, New Years EVE, I was realizing how this day is just like my favorite part of a DAY.
Dusk is my favorite part of a day. New Years Eve is just like DUSK!
 It is the end of the year when things are calm and there is a sense of pause in the air.

I love pausing and reflecting at the end of a year. Pausing to reflect and remember the blessings of the year and the anticipation of the year ahead of us. For as long as I can remember I have taken time to sit down and go over the past years calendar, making note of the things I have done and the things that have transpired, lessons learned, memories made. There are always things that make me wish I could have a do-over and things that I wish I could live over. Things I wish I did not have to go through (but seeking the lessons learned)
 In it ALL I know God is in control and it is HIM that I seek to please and honor.

My hope and prayer for 2013 is health, peace, LOVE, happiness and GROWTH. I want to grow in His love and mature in my walk with HIM!

I happen to be one of those who choose a word of the year. I have only just began pondering my word and so far the one that is sticking is GrOw!!! I have always loved the play on the word....to GrOw/GO forward in my walk with the Lord...to be all and do all for HIM!!!!
I have some ideas about the new year ahead....I am still consulting HIM about them....IF they are of HIM then I shall be seeing some astounding and profound growth in this new year ahead.

What about YOU?
Are you refelcting over the past year and it's events and lessons learned?
Are you ready and excited to embark upon a new year filled with promise and potential?

What are you hoping for, planning for?
Are you consulting HIM?

Are you choosing a "word of the year?"

I would love to hear all about it, all about YOUR New Year process.

Love & Blessings to you for the new year ahead!!
XO