e-mail 10/8/6

The story of Queen Esther in the Bibe is a beautiful account of God intervening in the lives of His people. Esther was a lovely, young Jewish woman who was adopted by her uncle, Mordecai. God's name is not mentioned in this book and yet a careful reading will show God very active before and after Esther became Queen.

My favorite verse in this book is Esther 4:14. Uncle Mordecai had sent a message to Esther, asking her to risk her life for her people. He said to Esther, "For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish, Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

There are two big thoughts or messages in this one verse. First is that if we fail in our mission to do what God ask of us, God will send someone else and we will miss the blessing intended for us. The second message is in the last part of the verse, "Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this".

I do not know anyone who at some time in their life has not asked God the question, "Why me, Lord?" Each of us deals with blessings, trials and pain. All of these have been a part of my life and the choice is mine as to which one I will spend the rest of my life focused on.

I would like to focus on my blessings for a brief moment here. The very first blessing that I remember was getting a baby brother for my 4th birthday. I have always been thankful for Bobby and for his family. I was blessed to have a praying Grandmother who had a personal relationship with Jesus. I was blessed to be saved as a child. I was blessed beyond measure when Bob Hughes asked me to be his wife. I was extremely blessed to be Debbie's mother after doctors gave us little hope and I have been double blessed with our grandchildren. I am blessed to have Christian friends across the country and especially my friend, Joyce who keeps me straight. I have been blessed to be a Bible teacher several churches. I felt very blessed when I stood before Henry Blackaby in Atlanta and got to tell him in person how much his book and testimony had changed my life. I have been blessed to know prominent women who demonstrated by their lifestyle and teachings what a godly woman should be. I am also blessed to be part of God's family at Westside Baptist Church and having Bro.Gregg as my pastor. My life has been and continues to be one blessing after another.

"Why me, Lord, what have I ever done..."? These are more than just words to a popular Christian song. They really describe my life and if you would try, you might realize how very blessed you are.

Have you sat down and thought about your blessings? Or are you so filled with thoughts of what is wrong with your life that you cannot see the good that stares at you every day? Can you really recognize your blessings? Have you considered that what you call bad is really a blessing in disguise? There have been many blessings and so many wonderful people and experiences in my life and all of them have helped me on my journey. My blessings are more than just good feelings, they are milestones along the way.

Even now, though I live with pain, I do not ask or want pity. I am so blessed that my blessings override my hurts. I may not be able to do all the things I once did but Jesus is not done with me yet. He is faithful to keep His promise to be with me to the end.

Every person, every situation, every trial, hurt or pain has brought me to this point, this time in my life when I can try to encourage others. I don't know the answers to all of life's problems but I know the "One" Who does. Like Esther, I was nobody until Jesus made me somebody. There is nothing that He has done for me that He will not do for you.

If you are going through a difficult time, you need to be mindful always that you are not alone. God knows everything and He does not need our permission to allow something or someone in our life to mold us into who He wants us to be. Let's be thankful through good times and bad because He loves us enough to shape us into someone beautiful, someone He is pleased with.He is most pleased when we are ...

Sharing God's Love,
Peggy