IS THIS REALLY FOR REAL!

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above
all that we ask or think,
according to the power that worketh in us.”  Ephesians 3:20

I keep pinching myself and it REALLY hurts, so I know I'm not dreaming!!!! 

Well here it is!  My first devotional, article, blog, whatever you want to call it on my very own website!  Or I should say the website which THE LORD GAVE TO ME!!

This was NOT suppose to happen, but then I guess I forgot what the Lord promised in
Psalm 37:4 “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”

Back in August, I scribbled some notes on a sheet of paper while I was listening to a well known preacher of the Word of God.  What he was saying was really good and I just wanted to take some notes for my own personal use. The following day, I shared with one of my best friends what I had written and she said, "Barb, the Lord is going to use what you wrote to help someone".  I really wish I could be totally honest and say that I responded to her in a right and godly way, but I didn't!
My exact words were, "Yeah, right! I don't think so and I can't imagine how He ever could!"
“O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”  Matthew 14:31  

The day before, the entire time I was writing, the adversary, the evil one, the devil, was whispering (SHOUTING) in my ear, "Barb, what are doing?  Why are you wasting your time researching and writing this out?  You're stuck at home all day with a chronic illness, so it's not like anyone else is ever going to benefit from it.  No one will ever get to see what you wrote.
You might as well just put it away because it's just a big waste of time."
I was able to block out that "voice" and those thoughts at first, but then I "caved",
and slammed my journal shut and that was the end of it … or so I thought!

BUT GOD has His own way of doing things!
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your  thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:8-9

I shared what I wrote, not only with my really good friend, but also with my husband, and he highly suggested that I send it to my best friend, Shelly, the owner of the website, "Renewed Daily", just to see if there was even a slight possibility that she might be interested in posting it on her site.  I really was not "holding my breath in anticipation."
“O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”  Matthew 14:31  

I made it very clear to Shelly that just because we were friends was NOT a reason for her to post my devotional.  So I was quite "taken back" when she showed great interest and definitely wanted to post it!  WOW!  I was amazed to say the least!  After that first post, people suggested that I begin my own website.  But why?  This was only going to be once and done!

BUT GOD had other plans!

I must admit that I really struggled with doing this, and I still am!!

I was COMFORTABLE right where I was and I didn’t want to move.

I was thinking to myself, “thank you very much for the offer, but I think I’ll just “stay put” right where I am!”
I do not like change!  I equate change with “not so easy things”.  Such as adapting to my ever changing chronic illness or having to go on living my life after my Mom went to Heaven.  Dealing with all the changes that each birthday seems to bring!
BUT I should have been looking at change through the lens of all the "good" things.  Such as my salvation and how the Lord continues to change me through spending time daily in prayer and in His Word.  The day thirty-two years ago when the prefix to my name changed from Miss to Mrs., and how the Lord continues to grow that amazing relationship known as marriage!  The day when our son allowed me entrance into the world of motherhood and changed my name to Mom!  The day when my baby placed his baby in my arms and my name changed to Grammy!  

And, yes, I must even admit that there are many good changes even amidst this never ending chronic illness.  Such as allowing me to understand more completely those who are suffering and, by God's grace, being able to better extend compassion to them.  Growing closer in my daily walk with the Lord.  Depending on the Lord, by faith, for things I never even once thought of, such as walking from one place to the next, cooking a meal, going to church.  Well, now that I wrote it out, I can REALLY see some of the benefits of change...

but schhhhhhh don't tell anyone, it will be our secret!!

But to be totally honest, the past thirteen years of dealing with a life alternating daily illness that leaves you never knowing how you will feel minute by minute definitely has a way of kicking you out of the nest of comfort and causes you to fly on wings of faith! 

So that's basically what I am doing here on this website ... flying on the wings of faith.  But not just any faith, certainly NOT my own faith! 

It's ALL due to faith in my Saviour, The Lord Jesus Christ!  And because of Him, I don't just need to fly,
I CAN SOAR!!
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:31

The title for this site, “Casting Your Care”, came to me around two in the morning as I was laying wide awake praying.  In the middle of our conversation, the Lord laid upon my heart, “Casting Your Care”, which is based upon
I Peter 5:7  “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

This has become one of my “go to” verses.  I go to this verse MANY times.
Sometimes MANY times throughout a single day especially when my symptoms are flaring big time.
This verse reminds me that I can cast ANYTHING and EVERYTHING upon Him.  

My deepest and ONLY desire for this website is that ALL which is written would bring honor and glory to my Saviour.  That every word would bring joy or peace or encouragement to someone who may be discouraged by a chronic illness or facing some other trial.  That whomever finds themselves on this site would find a place of rest, a balm for their soul, a laugh here or there, blessed and challenged by Scripture from God’s Word. 

And most of all, those who don’t know Jesus as their Saviour,
would come to know Him!

I’m excited about deepening existing friendships through this site, as well as, developing new friendships!
I love people.
I love meeting new people.
I love interacting with people. 

Even though it will be friendships, conversations, encouragement, tears shed, prayers prayed, and blessings shared via the Internet …
I truly believe that the Lord will make it as if we are sitting side by side, looking at each other face-to-face, sharing our concerns, trials, God’s goodness, praying one for another, as if no time or space was between us at all!

I pray that you will be blessed and encouraged as you travel this new journey along side of me.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!

“Father, thank You so much for giving me the desire of my heart that I have had to write ever since I was a little girl!  Lord, You know that I want all that I write to bring honor and glory to You.  Thank you, Father, for being so good to me, NOT because You gave me this website, but because You gave me new life in your Son, Jesus Christ!
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

I just couldn’t think of a better song to kick off this website because this IS my prayer, not just for this site, but for my life. 

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May God Bless You,

Barb