Heart Choices: Walk with Him Wednesday ~ Surrender -->

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Walk with Him Wednesday ~ Surrender


holy experience

Last Wednesday was my first week participating in Walk with Him Wednesday, and I loved it. Ann Voskamp is our host and I have to say I've found myself drawn to her blog Holy Experience. It's like stepping back in time to peace and quiet and ...my soul seems to be craving that right now.

(Photo credit: House Beautiful)

I'm the kind of person who loved the Walton's. Growing up, nobody else in my family liked that show. After all, I was born and raised in New York. It was Long Island but we often spent time in the city since it was an hour train ride on the Long Island Railroad.

But as an adult, I always take the time to watch the Walton's Thanksgiving movie. Sometimes I think I should have been born in earlier times but then I remember they didn't shower often and forget about blow dryers and microwaves. So, I guess God knew what He was doing by allowing me to be born for ...such a time as this.

Ann suggests that we post ways we grow closer in our walk with the Lord each Wednesday. Last week, we wrote about ways that we slow down and are still. It was a good exercise for me and I enjoyed writing that post.

This week has been very trying for me. I've struggled more with being still and lapsed back into worry. Oh, I hate when I do that because I know better.

I pray and read my Bible each morning. I'm trying to develop a lifestyle of prayer. I'm even doing a study on Romans 12 with my Sunday morning small group at church.

Romans 12: 1-2 has become an almost daily prayer for me.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will."

So, what's my problem? I still keep struggling with control. I think I'm fully surrendered to the Lord. I give Him a blank check to do what He pleases with my life.

But then ...life gets in the way.

I get scared.

I can't control the reactions of the people closest to me.

I don't know what the future holds.

As I'm writing this, I have to smile because I know I do not have to fear or worry about being in control.

I serve a loving God who is the Creator and sustainer of all. And He is in control. Not me. Not the circumstances and challenges. And He knows me intimately and He still loves me. How much better can that be?


When I remember this, I am filled with hope, joy and peace. When I surrender it ALL and lay down ALL of the uncertainties ...I can rest in Him.

And then He can use me as His vessel to work in me and through me to touch others in love.


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Debbie Petras
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16 comments:

  1. Wow, this one hit home. When all is peaceful the cup is still but along with the bumps come words that even surprise me. I shock even myself. I am glad the Lord has provided us a way for forgiveness. Too often I find myself in the flesh. The best time of my day is when I am in the Word, praying, encouraging or just plain being thankful for all things.

    Debbie I found it but it is so tiny I needed a magnifying glass to find the comment section.

    It was good to see you yesterday

    Love and Blessings

    Anna May

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  2. Some years ago I had one of those "aha!" moments that helped me understand how God's spirit develops the fruit in me/us.

    I realized that there's no such thing as having patience until one's patience is sorely tried; there's no such thing as faith until we're called upon to exercise trust; there's no such thing as courage until we've been buffaloed by fear ... etc.

    So ... when I experience worry, or doubts, or mean-spiritedness, or _____, it is a reminder to my spirit that God's sanctifying process works best when I'll just admit it. Surrender does not always come easily, but I've found with age (and very little success controlling the uncontrollable) it comes much quicker.

    Blessings,
    Kathleen

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  3. Hi Debbie, well again I can so relate to this post. Not only was the Waltons a favorite of mine, we HAVE the Waltons Thanksgiving video and pull it out every year the Wed. before and watch it, haha. To this day my kids KNOW it will be on, to start the holiday off right. Little House on the Prairie, is another favorite, but I regress.. I have struggled my whole life with anxiety and fears and "being still and knowing I am God"...I have accepted that it just seems (unfornately) to be part my particular nature. BUT!! through the years of struggle with this and the time spent at the feet of Jesus, I have also come to realize that try as I do to change this about me, I truly am powerless. BUT!! He can...and therein is truly the miracle. I have to start each day completely surrendered to Him, and atop along the way occasionally and give it back when I realize I've again snatched it away. Sometimes I find myself going along for LONG periods of time surrounded by His peace and yet eventually I find myself slipping back worrying and trying to be in control. I LOVE that He is always there, always forgiving, never angry or frustrated with me, unchanging, WANTING to carry it all for me, and most of all understanding my limitations and weaknesses as a human being. Have a great day Debbie. I so love coming by your blog, I am always so blessed. Love to you, Debbie

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  4. I almost chuckled when I read this... it sounds like me! I am strugglind with the same things, and yet I sense God is moving me forward, even though I struggle. My head and my heart are not always lined up perfectly! But, like you... I know who has our answers and He is what I want more of.

    One more thing, not only Norway... but I was born in Long Island, and I thought that was fun to read about you too.

    Blessings Debbie and thank you for the honest sharing.

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  5. Hi sweet Debbie, Loved this post and of course I've been following Ann since I first started blogging. She is so transparent and draws us deeper in faith. I pray you are well. Write me.
    Love and hugs, Noreen

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  6. Debbie, I can soooo relate to your post and was tremendously blessed by it! The Lord has been speaking to me about "patterns" and when you shared that Ro 12:1-2 has become a regular prayer for you also it was so confirming! The "do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world" portion of that scripture is soo real to me now! Example - the world is in fear and worry, BUT I'm not gonna conform or yield to that pattern - I choose to renew my mind with His Word and become patterned after His Promises. It's not easy - after all, our flesh is perfectly comfy and happy with it's pattern of behavior and responses and rebels against a pattern overhaul! Oouch! But the results of choosing to yield and conform to His pattern will be a Divinely designed pattern of peace and freedom! Glory to God!

    Also, I'm a Arizona neighbor - I'm in Prescott! We used to live in the Valley - miss it and in His timing will move back some day.

    Blessed by your blog and will stop by often!

    Sweet Blessings!
    Jackie

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  7. Surrender...
    Yup, that one's going to be a lifelong lesson for me!

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  8. I am drawn to Ann's blog, too. Her writings really touch my soul.

    My sisters and I loved watching the Walton's. I haven't thought about that in quite awhile. Romans 12 is a great text to spend time with. May you find rich blessings in it. Praying for your rest in him...

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  9. Debbie, this is amazing. I read that cartoon and I felt sheepish because I often get tangled up with fear because of what's going on in the world these days. I mistakenly keep thinking that the leaders over us are in control and forget that The Leader is actually the One in control. I will forever have that picture in my head now to remind me! I love it!!
    I'm so glad you have joined the community of walking with Him @ Ann's blog because it is such a huge blessing and Ann is SO amazing. She has changed so much of my life in just the 6 short months I've been reading her blog. God is using this gentle, humble, beautiful person to reach so many of us. It is amazing. :)

    http://christinnjon.wordpress.com

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  10. So true...I often am afraid of other's responses...why?

    It is between them and God, why do we try to control when all we can do is encourage?

    blessings,
    thanks for sharing your thoughts,
    Sarah

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  11. Thanks for the great post, Debbie. I know what you mean when you refer to "the reactions of those closest to you." I have a problem with that too.
    Love and Hugs ~

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  12. Thanks for being so honest, and open. I love you.

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  13. Hi Debbie,
    Just stopping by. Always, such a wonderful post, always something to think about.

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  14. What a beautiful post Debbie. Thank you for being so real and transparent. I too must surrender daily and fight my fleshly desires to be in control. And, yes I LOVE everything Ann writes at a holy experience.
    Love & Blessings from Hong Kong,
    Kim

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  15. Debbie, I really enjoyed reading your "interview" on Faithful Bloggers. This Wednesday post was beautiful...thank you for sharing ~ I needed that. :)

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  16. Thanks for being so honest and open in this sharing dear sister.

    I love when you said: "But as an adult, I always take the time to watch the Walton's Thanksgiving movie. Sometimes I think I should have been born in earlier times but then I remember they didn't shower often and forget about blow dryers and microwaves. So, I guess God knew what He was doing by allowing me to be born for ...such a time as this."

    I know for sure after reading that that we are indeed related! :) Love you.

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