What's in a Name?

He Teacheth My Hands to War? That's quite a title for a blog! Let me explain...

      Ten years ago, (WOW, ten years ago) I went to a retreat with a group of women from church. In the days leading up to it, I was reading in Psalms for a small group we were in. My husband and I were in bed reading and both stopped at chapter 18. "This is for you, " he said.  It was the same passage I just read! Verse 34 states that, "He (God) teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms."
      This verse really hit home for me. I am not a warrior in the traditional sense, but the old expression, "The pen is mightier than the sword." holds true for me on a personal level.  As I journey  through this life, God's Word and my journal are weapons in my hand.  I process life by putting pen to paper.  I have considered changing the title, but nothing else seems to fit quite yet. 

A Fresh Start

      Today is my birthday! While some people get up in arms about getting older, I do not. I figure the alternative to another birthday is... well...  So, I am thankful for each breath I take.  I've lived on this planet for thirty-seven years, long enough to know that there will be beautiful times and painful time.  God uses both to mold and shape us into His image.
      This morning I read in Psalm 37:23 - 24  "The steps of a man are established by the Lord, And He delights in his way. When he fall, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand." I have seen this play out in my life countless times.
      Birthdays are a time of reflection for me. A year has past and I look ahead with anticipation to what will be.  Who will I cross paths with this year? What new insights will I learn from the Word of God?  Where will I travel? What adventures are in store? How will my husband and daughter grow and change this year?
      The first adventure I'm embarking on is to take up this old blog again.  Over the past fifteen years I have filled many journals.  I write my joys, struggles, insights, prayers, and more.  They are living memorials of what God is teaching me. We recently moved and I unpacked and placed them on a shelf in the closet.  What good is a book on a shelf? There is so much power in our words and the things God has shown me over the years are not always meant for me alone.  I hope to encourage, edify, and cause you to pause and think.
     And so here I go... I'm setting aside my fear and stepping out once more to write.  I pray you are blessed (and sometimes challenged) by what you read.  As I am new at this I would love to hear your comments if anything here is worth reading! Blessings!