Rock Bottom Looking Up

Life certainly finds a way to keep us on our toes at the best and worst of times doesn’t it? This life we have, this time here on earth, it’s borrowed time. It’s time that G-d granted us. Time meant to be spent growing, learning, sharing, and serving. It’s time spent finding ourselves, finding G-d, and fulfilling the purpose He has in mind for us. Filled with ups and down as well as insides, outsides, crisscrosses, and diagonals. At no point did G-d say that life here on Earth would be easy. In fact, He actually tells us to expect trials all through our lives. And trials we get! I could write at least 20 or 30 blogs just on the life lessons I have come across. Tonight, I want to talk about what it’s like to hit rock bottom and what it’s like to realize that G-d is right there to pick you up.
I won’t bore you all with details but I will say that I have hit my own personal lowest point twice in my life. Rock bottom isn’t a fun place. You never know how lost you can feel till you hit that point. And to be honest, I believe that is one of the places that you become most vulnerable to the devil. Goodness knows he loves nothing more than kicking us when we are down. Interestingly, hitting rock bottom was exactly where I needed to be at those times. I don’t think G-d sat in heaven thinking, “I’ll make all this stuff happen so I can finally get through to her.” Not at all! I believe He was thinking, “OK…She’s going to make some very bad decisions and she’s going to find herself in a very difficult situation. How can I help her see this through and what can I help her learn from it.” Our G-d is a merciful, wise, incredible G-d and no matter how out of control things feel, He’s always completely on top of things. The first time I was seriously struggling, I started finding my voice. I started finding myself a little bit. Not completely though, that would come with the second falling…so to speak. The second time I hit rock bottom the only thing I felt I had left to hang on to was G-d. For the first time in my life, I was completely and totally open to Him because I knew there was no way out aside from Him. The day I surrendered completely to His will, was the day I began to wake up. It was the day that the sun came out. It was the day that I started seeing G-d for who He really was. I have always had religion around me. But I don’t think I even really let Him in till then. That’s when I started to grow. That when J and I started becoming more focused on what the future could hold for us. And what we could do in His name.
My point is, I don’t know many of the people that read these blogs. I don’t know what they are dealing with. What I do know is that we all face different situations, we learn different lessons, we make different choices, and we go in different directions. Sometimes those directions take us to a place where know we shouldn’t be. Whether it be a habit, a chain reaction, a relationship…the list goes one. In all the mistakes I have made, I spent several years of my life feeling like G-d had every reason to turn His back on me. Had he been human, I don’t think anyone would have blamed Him at all. But He never did. As much as I tried to ignore or hide, His kind, sweet, subtle voice was there reminding me of the love and forgiveness waiting for me when all was said and done. Some of you may be in a very happy place, while other may be struggling at the moment. A few things I would like you to remember…

1) When G-d feels distant, it’s not because He’s distancing Himself from you, it’s because you are distancing yourself from Him. He promises over and over to never leave or forsake us. If you quiet yourself and listen, you will hear His voice calling you and you will feel His arms trying to wrap around you. His love knows no bounds, His love is unconditional, and His love is forever.

2) There is NOTHING you can do to make Him look the other way. All those people that we consider to be the most horrible…the evil leaders, the murderers, the rapists, the liars…G-d loves them too. He doesn’t agree with what they have done and all will be held accountable for their actions, but He still looks on them with love. Just as He does with any of us.

3) The moment we are ready to talk, He’s listening. There have been times in the past that I didn’t even want to speak to Him. But eventually I had too, and when I did, I spoke, I cried, I told Him everything in my heart (even though he already knew). And you have no idea the relief and warmth that will come over you. Because, as it is now and will always be, He’s ready to love and comfort you through anything trial you are facing. All you have to do is choose to let Him.

4) Never forget that others are struggling too. G-d uses us all in different ways. And that includes comforting and communicating love and compassion to others who are in need of it. It can be so easy to get wrapped up in our own lives and our own issues. And while we do need to take care of ourselves, never forget that there could be someone else nearby that simply needs a hug or kind word…sometimes we just need to hear that someone is there and thinking of us. Sometimes something as simple as that can remind them of G-d’s presence.

So with that I would like to leave you with comfort, love, and hope. We will continue to pray for all that come across our words and for all who are yet to come. G-d is with you right now; loving you. His Love is after all...unstoppable. Let’s take a moment and thank Him for that.

Here's a link to a song that I want to include with this Blog. Copy, Paste, and enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch#playnext=1&playnext_from=TL&videos=WhwMIi2NOfA&v=aBlKYBZIviA

G-d Bless,

K