My refuge. My Rock.

1 Samuel 2: 1-10 (Hannah's Prayer) Then Hannah prayed and said: V. 2: "My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance" A little background: Hannah could not have children and back in the day if a married woman could not have kids, it was culturally shameful. However if you read about Hannah you'll see that she didn't just want children to comply with culture, she really wanted to be a mother. She prayed and begged God crying out to him for a child and even promised that she would give her child to God to be used for His purposes. Hannah wholeheartedly prayed and God heard her prayer and he was merciful to her. God decided to use her to be the mother of someone who would eventually be used to deliver God's people (Samuel).  What inspires me most is her first few words to God. "My heart rejoices in the Lord, in the Lord my {Horn} is lifted high". ...

Today I turn 40 years old. The third decade has left. Another decade has emerged. Only it's not just another decade I'm coming into, it's the decade in which I get to live adventures I've never lived, do the things I used to be afraid of doing, conquer the battles that lie ahead, and love like I've never loved before! You see, in my 30's, I lived a lot. You can say I lived a lifetime in those ten years. I became a mom of my second little boy at 30 years old. I was challenged in my faith like never before and sadly walked away from God at 31, went though a tough divorce at 32, and thankfully came back to my God and Father at 34. While strengthening my faith, I made great new friendships and rekindled old ones, I learned how to be a more loving and patient mother (though I'm still learning!), and then at 39 I married the love of my life! Now God is calling me higher. He has a dream for me. He believes in me. I remember telling Him years ago that due to the...