Susan Marlene
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UNLIKELY CIRCUMSTANCES

10/28/2017

2 Comments

 
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I’m dizzy with gratitude!

Have you experience circumstances that seemed to detour your plans, crush your hopes, and possibly even caused you to be the laughing stock of your enemies? Many of us have or will, though some would not own it.

Can you believe that you are in rich company? I was sitting here considering Abraham, Esther, and Nehemiah. None of their lives were protected from trials. Each one had their own hurdles to leap over. Joseph, Ruth, Paul and so many—if not all—of the heroes and heroines that the Bible records hold something in common.

Their hope refused to be swayed, their loyalty to the Lord stayed intact, though they came from seemingly impossible and ridiculous circumstances.  Who on earth would choose these people for the positions that God Almighty elevated them to? Thankfully, God looks into the heart!

What would we find if we inspected our hearts? Is there something that Holy Spirit is drawing our minds to right now? Something that we have protected and left tucked deep inside, which needs released? Something we only ever meant to hide and ignore? Maybe this feels like a precipice, like death itself. And truly this is a death of something selfish or less-than what God would have us enjoy. I believe that is true, yet sometimes I still hold on. So pointless—at least that is what I’ve realized once I get past the great whatever and can look back once more.

 Who among those Bible heroes enjoyed a so called normal existence? And were they not all a surprise to their families or neighbors and enemies? God keeps us in perfect peace when our eyes stay on Him. Let’s do that—you and me. Let’s consider His attention and direction to be the best for us and believe that our…

Unlikely Circumstances = God’s Open Door

2 Comments
Saleslady371 link
10/28/2017 02:19:50 pm

I use to think that once I get passed life's trials or unhappy situations, my faith will take off. Yet it is those pressure points that help me embrace faith and relate to Abraham and the others. Sometimes the best ministers are the ones who've looked inside and share their struggles.

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Susan Marlene link
10/29/2017 05:11:29 pm

Thank you Mary! I so agree...now we can be thankful for those pressure points and trials. Not for the sick perspective of "I've suffered more than you.... but we come to know Him in the trial and suffering! Turns into valuable assets. :)

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    Susan Marlene is the author of Sisters & Friends, HEARTS FOREVER FAITHFUL and SHORT STORIES, Some Fanciful, Some True, A Collection from Various Time Periods & Adventurous Tales, as well as ​Splashes of Hope, A Trio of Short Stories.

    She has published in these venues also. 

    www.ChristianDevotions.us and in Splickety Love Magazine, The Novice, and  newspapers. She writes devotions, fiction, and nonfiction. She is a member and co-founder of Pens of Praise Christian Writers 
    Group.  She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW).

    ​She speaks at writers' groups and prepares devotions and teachings often for Pens of Praise Christian Writers,  and was a former member of Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild. She is a wife, mother, and grandmother. She loves  antiques and misses  her Leonberger, but loves her Boxer who fills their lives with love and laughter. Her cat was the queen of the household and is also dearly missed. 

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"Hope" is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul, And sings the tune without the words, And never stops at all,​  by Emily Dickinson


​Generative artificial intelligence technologies (AI) are forbidden to copy or use for training purposes and/or other purpose the writing, photography, or artwork of Susan Marlene.  No permission is granted to generate text, photography, and artwork in the same style or genre as Susan Marlene’s Work, unless express permission is granted by Susan Marlene. No permission is given to sublicense others to reproduce and/or use Susan Marlene’s writing, photography, or artwork without her permission. 

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