Jan 19, 2011
Thankful for Now ~
I am currently exercising a muscle that has long been atrophied. I call it my "thankful muscle", or "grateful muscle".
How much time my mind spends harking back to "the good ol' days", or trying to "come up with the perfect scenario" for my present or future life, I would be embarrassed to divulge to you.
I just know what I have to do. I have my work cut out for me.
Every day, when I open my eyes, I enter a fight for my life...and I mean REAL LIFE.
I have to grab hold of my thoughts, as they're soaring downwards, towards the negative gutter, and begin to willfully and intentionally think of things to thank God for...even things like "a boxspring & mattress to sleep on", "privacy", "food to eat", and on and on. The list really IS long for us all, especially here in these United States, where we are SOOOOOO priveleged, AND where it IS a PRIVELEGE to live.
I don't know about you, but I FIGHT for my peace each day. I don't wake up with rosey thoughts, but I can tell you that I get there, off and on, throughout the course of a day. And taking time to worship God and pray? A discipline. A PRIVELEGE, yes, but it is a spiritual EXERCISE, and the flesh doesn't like it, but once we enter in, WE get to sense the PRECIOUSNESS of where we've entered into...and that would be HIS PRESENCE.
HIS PRESENCE IS MY GOAL, EACH DAY. And, I'm not trying to be spiritual, act spiritual, or make you think I am spiritual...I am just being totally honest with you. I, of all people, am most needy, that's all. I just NEED HIS PRESENCE. I am just DESPERATE, that's all. That's it.
So, if any of you out there wake up struggling in the mornings, and begin to think you're the only one like that, take another look at this blog, for I am your struggling sister.
But, one thing IS FOR SURE, whether I struggle or not...and that is that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, whether I feel like He is or not, whether the world says He is or not, come hail and high water...JESUS CHRIST IS LORD! And, for THAT, I am thankful.
posted by Kelly Willard @ 11:30 PM
|| 13 comments ||
13 Comments
Kelly, You've shown how human and like the rest of us you are. It's a brave thing to lay yourself open as you just have. I pray God's best for you. Allan
Yes, agree'd.
The 10th leper made the effort and was told that his faith had made him whole.
Not just healed of the physical - but whole.
Be well Kelly.
Yes, agree'd.
The 10th leper made the effort and was told that his faith had made him whole.
Not just healed of the physical - but whole.
Be well Kelly.
Hi Kelly,
It is late on a California Saturday night and as I was reviewing our worship for tomorrow, I saw a song I used to hear you sing. That led me to your sight. I am a pastor in San Juan Capistrano and I just wanted to let you know that I value your ministry today, just as much as I did 30 some years ago. You are a blessing to so many and I will be thinking of you as we sing tomorrow. Thanks for leading so many to the throne as you serve.
Blessings dear sister,
Mark Barrett
Calvary Chapel South County
Hi Kelly,
I miss seeing you come by the Joy of Yogurt... time has marched on and we have all grown, had families and so much more. I bought the Joy of Yogurt, South Coast Village, in 1980 and was blessed to have you come in from time to time. My mom and I worked the shop and it didn't last long. So, we packed it in. I still listen to my old albums and was just loading Garden into iTunes. I googled you and up came your website. God bless you my sister in the Lord. Thanks for sharing your God-given gifts with the world. I've been blessed.
That was great Kelly,and just what I needed to hear...Jesus is Lord!
That was great Kelly,and just what I needed to hear...
JESUS IS LORD!
Kelly,
My brother, J.D. pastors a Calvary Chapel in the Houston area, and you led worship for them on Mother's Day last year, I believe. I wanted to tell you what a blessing it was for them. He said there was such a sweet spirit there on that day.
I pray the Lord will daily bless you, keep you, make His face to shine upon you, and give you peace! I'll also be praying for that thankful muscle to get stronger as well. Blessings in Christ!
Kathy
Hi Kelly!
Just wanted you to know that I am one of the, I'm sure MANY, who LOVE your voice and your music! Your song, BLAME IT ON THE ONE I LOVE, is the theme song of my life!! I hadn't heard it for years...but it did not ever escape my memory...because it is ME!! I found it on youtube and listened over and over, then it disappeared! Finally, I searched on itunes and bought it!! YEA!! Now I listen to it over and over again! My son and I dance and sing to it in the kitchen! I recently played it at a women's retreat. We were listening to music as we were writing prophetic words to each other. Your song came on and I could NOT contain myself! I got up and started singing and dancing, and several of the other girls got up and danced with me!! A few were saying....OH! I remember this song!! My spirit soars EVERY single time I listen and sing along!! I feel I have a special love for you because of that song!! Just wanted you to know HOW MUCH you have blessed me! God gave me "my song" thru you, and I TOTALLY LOVE IT!!!! THank YOU!!!!!
lisawatson@flash.net
Hi Kelly-
I was thinking about you and happened upon wikipedia.
I am so very sorry.
I thought of your many years of sacrificial service to the Lord and how no one is spared from pain in this life.
I will not throw Bible verses at you, as some may. I cannot because God's word is too precious to be bandied about like some type of bandaid to a deep wound.
All I can tell you is that you and your ministry have meant so much to me, even though we have not met. You were one of the first singers that I became familiar with as a new believer in the late 1980s. You, your voice, your music walked me through the early days and through my new marriage. Your voice comforted me and kept me focused at a job I hated. Your worship music inspired us and our congregation.
I know that these are only words and that it was God who gave the increase. But it was your faithfulness and obedience and blessing that I ministered to me, a young believer.
I saw on youtube that you performed near my parents' church in Florida. And I read that you have found a church family there. I am glad.
God bless you, Kelly. You have meant a lot to many, many people.
Kelly,
I have been guilty far to often of not using my "grateful muscle". Thank you for the reminder. Your candor is refreshing.
Because of Jesus,
Lyle
Kelly,Altho its been 8 months since you wrote your comments. Thank you for the CD's I ordered recently. What you said, reminded me of the time i got an early released honorably from the U.S. Army as a young believer. As I flew home, I wanted to put my arms around all believers and sing jubilantly a love song to the Lord, God, Almighty. I had been released from the largest deterrant of life for every young man in America. I would be able to go back to my hometown and serve God freely. I had been converted than drafted the very next week. At the time, it was the hardesy and darkest period of my life. Looking back, I see all things do work together and i would not have chosen most of it. I have had to face other dark days. I am yet learning, "monumental moments" with God makes it all precious and undeniable. Bless you.
Kelly, It was so nice to meet you at the Trout Run UMc church on Sunday, Oct. 16th. You are such a talented person with a voice and spirit blessed by God. May the Lord continue to bless you in your music ministry.
Your sister in Christ,
Marian K. Anderson, Pastor
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