CiCi's Space

Sharing faith & encouragement

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Hello:) My name is Missie, a woman that enjoys writing, reading several books at the same time, Bible study, singing, baking, sunrise walks and taking pictures of beautiful trees. Most importantly, I love Jesus! HE has changed my life in so many ways. I’m most grateful to have this amazing love, which is the reason I would like to share my faith & encourage others as well, on this journey called ‘life’ with every post. If I can brighten someones day, even a little, by sharing some of my experiences, I am grateful to do so:)

  • Waiting

    Happy New Year dear reader:) It was around the Thanksgiving holiday that I began to get really excited about the new year and all it would bring. Somehow the beginning of the year has always felt like a clean slate to me…a time to slow down, reflect and pray about what God has in mind for me during this season. What I’ve discovered is that it’s always a step at a time. God wants me to do the next thing in front of me, whether it’s loading the dishwasher, making a phone call or sometimes just being still in His Presence when Im running on fumes.

    Have you ever been waiting for something and it seems as if it’s taking way too long? “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways…my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9). This scripture often comes to mind when my thoughts begin to spiral. God knows exactly where I am and whatever He’s allowed to come into my life during this season, ultimately, He will work something good out of it (Romans 8:28). At the end of last year, I was eager for the new year to come. Now that it has, I find myself still waiting. One might ask “What are you waiting for?” I don’t know exactly but there is a restlessness that I cannot shake. In truth, I think I need to visit my family. It’s been quite a while since Ive made the trip back to the midwest where I grew up. I need to see as many family members as I can while I have the chance and they’re still here. No one is getting any younger. In the past month, even with all of the holiday cheer, Christmas felt so different. Time continues to march on and Im feeling it.

    “Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16). As I understand this verse, I need to make wise use of the time that Ive been given every day, no matter how long the wait. One has to be intentional about this, otherwise you might find yourself scrolling for hours or watching Netflix all day. Maybe, like me, you’re waiting for something as well~ a wayward child to return home, your health to improve or a better job? What will you do in the meantime? May I encourage you, dear reader, from the scripture: “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people” (Colossians 3:23). In other words, during the waiting time, keep a great attitude:). While situations may be out of our control, we can always choose how to respond.

  • Struggling

    Have you ever noticed how hard it is to be good? What I mean is, I can have the best of intentions but somehow end up doing the exact opposite of what I meant to do. Some might say “Thats because you’re human” and while that is true, we are all flawed in some way, every day Im striving to do better than the day before. I want to live a life pleasing to God and while I know that He isn’t surprised when I mess up (quite often in fact!), Im disappointed. in myself. In truth, it’s Romans 7:18-20, that rings loud in my ears today, where Paul states it’s his sinful nature that makes him do what he doesn’t want to do. All I can say is “Thank God for Romans 8!’ which tells me I don’t have to live in condemnation because the Spirit of God lives in me and as I yield daily to Him, He will keep me on His path. Repentance….turn back to His path. I find that this is a moment by moment decision. How often we think it’s the big decisions that trip us up. I’ve discovered its those small, daily things that get me off course~ not having quiet time the first thing in the morning, losing my temper, raising my voice, watching too much Netflix instead of doing something more productive….it really is true that how a morning begins typically ‘sets the tone’ for the rest of the day.

    Dear soul~if you happen to be someone who also struggles often, please know that you are not alone. While we may never meet in person, I hope that you’ve found encouraging words here as I’ve shared a bit of my story. If you don’t already enjoy quiet mornings, may I encourage you to try it for one day~maybe just 15 minutes in solitude to begin with and see how your day goes. Some people prefer prayer, breath work or meditation…whatever your choice, it’s important to just get going. I’ve noticed for myself that every morning that I begin with prayer goes much better than those days that I get derailed and start working on something else. Those prayerful mornings keep me in a positive frame of mind and the days are more productive as well. Most importantly, don’t dwell on what went wrong, just keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward:)

  • Tis The Season!

    Welcome December! This is the season ‘to be jolly…fa la la la la..la la la la’ right? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone felt happy and extended greetings to strangers as they passed each other? Joy would fill the air…I love the thought:) The truth is that the holidays bring to mind many memories, great for some and not so good for others. As much as I’ve always enjoyed this time of year, I woke up on Thanksgiving morning feeling somewhat sad. Of course I was thankful but something felt like it was missing. During the worship service a bit later when I heard a message about the duality of Thanksgiving & Thanks grieving, I thought “thats it!” We can be thankful and grieving at the same time. Whatever it is that we’ve lost, whether it’s the loss of a loved one or living with an illness. We don’t need to pretend.

    Have you ever noticed how those great saints that we read about today also faced a duality with their calling and their daily experience? I often think of this as a “cross and a crown on the same coin” so to speak. You can’t have one without the other. While called to Calcutta, Mother Teresa experienced decades of “spiritual anguish” according to her personal letters that were published after she passed away. Watchman Nee had such profound spiritual insight, and yet spent 20 years in prison and labor camps. Elisabeth Elliott, a missionary who returned to Ecuador to serve the Auca people, after her husband was speared to death~her books are classics. Duality. This seems to be the way of life. What Ive found to be most helpful, especially during this season, is to accept reality as it is, and to be grateful for all that is well~my family is healthy, we are all together, our Christmas tree is up (but not yet decorated). I plugged it in briefly just to see the lights. Most importantly, I was reminded of Who this season is all about~Jesus, the light of this world (John 8:12). He is the source of spiritual light and life. Dear soul, no matter the ‘duality of daily living’, may I encourage you to follow Jesus? As you stay in step with Him, He will keep you in the light!

  • Living Water

    After a few days without hot water, I was beginning to wonder if we would have it again any time soon. Every time I turned on the tap and felt cold water, the thought came to me of all of the things we take for granted~hot water, heat, electricity….We don’t realize how much we need it all until we’re boiling water, wrapped in layers of clothing and lighting candles. After making a few phone calls about the water heater malfunction, I was told that I would receive a follow up phone call or text message. By evening time, still waiting. I decided to reach out to another company online and was able to make an appointment for the next morning.

    I woke up early and went to run errands before the appointment, only to have my cell phone ringing a few times while I was out. It turned out, the hot water heater was leaking and needed to be replaced. What an expense to have before the holidays! After returning home, I found out the warranty had just expired. In truth, I was beginning to feel a bit irritated. I lost my peace thinking about this situation that I couldn’t control.

    As much as we needed hot water, I knew at that particular moment what I needed most was the Living Water. Jesus gives us what we truly need every day. His encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well is one of my favorite passages. He always meets us right where we are. Just like many people today, she, too, unknowingly was thirsting for Jesus. Today we might say that Jesus was “reading her” as he told her about her lifestyle. He used the metaphor of water to refer to Himself. While she was drawing water to quench her physical thirst, it was her spiritual thirst that was parched. Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life” (John 4:13-14).

    Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you (Psalm 55:22). My heart posture needed to change. I needed to be still and get centered. I sat at my desk and had lunch while listening to worship music. Im reminded of that song “What a Friend we have in Jesus.” One of the verses asks a question: Are we weak and heavy-laden, Cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge— Take it to the Lord in prayer:) Immediately, I felt lighter in spirit and went about the day. Why didn’t I do this sooner?

  • Gifted Hands

    While recently attending a food & craft fair, there were so many vendors that I could hardly take it all in. So much creativity all in one place~beautiful aprons, birdhouses, knitted caps, unique potholders, wooden bowels, jewelry, glass art…..What was obvious is that the vendors had spent much time honing their craft. “God has given you an amazing gift!” I said to one vendor while admiring his birdhouses. There were plenty of vendors offering samples of their jams, marinara sauce, roasted pumpkin seeds, toffee, popcorn….After sampling the dark chocolate toffee, I purchased a bag on the spot. It was worth every cent!

    While all of the beautiful creations I enjoyed were man-made, it is God that gives each of us our gifts and talents. “Whatever you do, work at it with all of your heart, as working for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23). He is the one who blesses the work of our hands and gives us success, whether it’s creating beautiful art, making delicious jams, playing an instrument or writing a book. One of my favorite verses is “Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him to help you do it, and he will” (Psalm 37:5). This is a great reminder to do whatever God has called me to do and trust Him for the best outcome:)

  • Relationships

    Have you ever noticed that with the many technological advances we have now that people seem lonelier than ever? It seems that we communicate more now with text messages. Much to my surprise, even doctor’s appointments can be scheduled on a zoom call! With all of the conveniences of ordering merchandise online, other than grocery shopping, we don’t even have to go into a store that often. I think of a cartoon that I used to watch when I was younger called “The Jetsons”~ the family could push a button and ‘zap’ whatever it is that they wanted and it appeared. Even with all of this convenience I often feel distant from friends & loved ones because we are now living in different states. Although it was a long time ago, I was around my extended family most of the time growing up. I have such fond memories of spending time with my grandparents. We weren’t doing anything special, just sitting around talking, laughing and maybe eating popcorn while enjoying my grandmothers sweet tea:)

    If you find yourself lonely during this beautiful season, reach out to those that you’re already connected to. Be intentional about connecting with others. Im reminded of an unexpected connection that happened in a restaurant while I was waiting for my order. A woman passed by and gave me a compliment. I thanked her and we started chatting, exchanged numbers and then began texting each other:) I couldn’t have been more surprised! I found out later that we had a mutual acquaintance as well.

    While people may not always be available when we need a listening ear, God will never leave you. I am convinced that many people feel lonely because they are not connected to Him. I do believe there is a gaping hole inside of every human being that only His spirit can fill. In truth, when we find ourself binge watching on Netflix, maxing out the credit cards, overeating, etc…I think the hope is to find solace somehow. The truth is that only God can fill that space. It all begins with having a relationship with Him. Dear soul, you might ask “Why do I need a relationship with God?” Simply stated: Sin has separated us from God (Romans 3:23), God sent his Son, Jesus, so that all who believe in Him should not perish but could have eternal life(John 3:16). Jesus’ death on the cross provided the way for us to be reconciled back to God. It is a free gift! God is the Creator. We need a relationship with Him so that we can have peace with God. This is what the Bible teaches. How does this happen? With sincerity of heart, pray to the Father: Lord Jesus, I want to have a personal relationship with You. I know I am a sinner and I believe You died on the cross for my sins. I turn from those sins and put my faith in You right now to be my Lord and Savior, my God and Friend. Thank You for hearing this prayer. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

    If this is your heartfelt prayer, I praise God! I encourage you to pray and ask God to help you to find a church home. Life is so much better with a community of like-minded people to support and encourage you on your faith journey. Your life will never be the same! Dear soul, although we haven’t met face to face, I know this to be true!

  • Keep it moving!

    At some point last night I realized that I had posted my second post before the initial one. Im still figuring all of this out~blogging, etc….but I just want to share my thoughts. I laughed at myself because the post ‘Anxiety’ came before the initial post about “Living Gratefully”….I thought to correct it but then began to think about how sometimes mistakes in life can send a person spiraling…..a teen getting their first traffic ticket, a Mom yelling at her child, a friends betrayal….. We are human beings and will make mistakes every. single. day. As a person who wants to live a life pleasing to God, Im well aware that I cannot do this on my own. It’s apparent that when Im irritable, and/or exhausted I’m leaning on my own strength and not His. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Don’t walk around carrying the guilt. The Bible says “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). I would encourage anyone to pour their heart out to God every day. Thank Him for a new day, confess anything that you’ve done wrong and make amends if possible to the person that you may have wronged. Ask God to help you live in a way that is pleasing to Him. Enjoy your day and remember to smile. It might brighten someone else’s day! As I’ve often said, “Your worst day on earth with Jesus is better than your best day on earth without Him.” I realize that every person that reads these posts may not share my faith. It’s okay, I know that God meets every person whose heart is open to Him right where they are on this journey called ‘life’. Im grateful that you’re here:)

  • Anxiety

    Have you ever been anxious about something and by the end of the day realized that the situation that was causing the anxiety had worked itself out? My daughter texted me that she thought she might have a flat tire. Immediately, my mind started swirling….”What if she gets stuck on the highway? It’s still dark outside…….” Of course I prayed for her to make it safely to work. She made it but did, in fact, have a flat tire by the end of the day. When I went to pick her up we started thinking of how to get the car to the auto shop. My husband wasn’t at home and there wasn’t anyone else around to assist in any way. Both of us were considering the options. Since we were on a military base, we thought there must be a service available for emergencies. I drove to the auto port and we could get help but it would take a while. My daughter ended up calling for a tow truck to get her car repaired. Since it would be a while before it arrived, we zipped back home for a bit. In short, before the day ended, she purchased new tires and all was well again. How much energy we can expend on situations out of our control! How often have I read “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” (Philippians 4:6-7). In truth, I’ve often wrestled with the “thanksgiving’ part of that scripture. Be thankful for a flat tire? Be thankful that there wasn’t anyone around to assist us when we needed help? Of course not. I am thankful, however, that she made it to work safely. Im thankful that the tire was flat while her car was parked on the base in a secure area. Im thankful that I was at home at the time to help my daughter when she needed it. Once again I am reminded that I will have peace of mind when I pray to God first –this is what keeps anxiety at bay!

  • Living Gratefully

    Welcome dear soul:) My intent in creating this space is to share my faith & encouragement to anyone who finds their way here. While I wouldn’t consider myself a “blogger”, I have been a writer for most of my life~journaling, writing cards, letters, etc. With Thanksgiving only a few weeks away, I thought it was a good time to write this initial post This is my favorite season of the year. I have fond memories of the holidays with all of my family around and plenty of delicious dishes to enjoy as well.

    While the holidays can be bittersweet or sad to many people for different reasons, may I encourage you to do something that you normally would not do. For example, if you’re alone for Thanksgiving, why not call a friend or visit a church to see if there will be a Thanksgiving dinner? Maybe volunteer to serve at a homeless ministry for the holidays? You’ll be surrounded by people and also serving your community as well:) There might be a neighbor who would welcome you to share a Thanksgiving meal. This season is the perfect time to reach out and make a new friend. The library often has a calendar of local events in the area. For those of you who may enjoy being outdoors, participate in a turkey trot! Who knows, you might be the winner:) If you’re grieving through the holidays I know that it can be a difficult time. My prayer is that you’ll find words of comfort in this space to lift your spirits, if only briefly. While your loved one is no longer with you, is there some way you can honor that persons memory now~making their favorite dish, watching a movie, listening to a song or even writing that person a letter? It is possible that when you do so, a sweet memory will also come to mind:) Please know that however challenging the holidays may seem, you are never alone. Always remember, the Lord is close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18).