The transformation in my heart has taken many years to get to where it is now.  I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior at the young age of 11, that was over 40 years ago.  Learning to be like Christ and stay in step with him has not always been easy.  There are many influences of the world, and temptations that we face, that can test us and those tests help
to refine us and transform us into the person we were created to be. As a child, I faced the cruelties of the world because I was larger than most kids my own age and I felt awkward and invisible, as if no one cared if I was there or not and I wasn’t a pretty, preppy girl who had it all together.  Those were lies from the devil and for a long time I believed that beauty was all about how pretty your hair was, if your skin was flawless and then I came to learn through parents, teachers and most of all the Word of God that inner beauty , the shape that your heart is in, is more important than the package you present on the outside. I was taught by my parents in the way they modeled love and compassion that true beauty comes from putting others above yourself and your needs.  Helping others in need, by sharing your resources or just giving your time to another, is a beauty that no amount of makeup or stylish clothes can create.

Transformations comes in all forms. For some it may be a transformation in the way they look, eating healthier, exercising more, learning to love themselves so they can reach out and love others.  For others it may be, sharing their knowledge and increasing value in someone’s life.  There are many “fixer upper” shows on television where people take run down, dilapidated houses and transform them into beautiful, beyond words homes. A house is just a building, but a home is where love can grow. A safe haven.

Your heart is like that too.  Your heart can be so full of bitterness, anger, misunderstandings and emotions from sadness to loneliness, but when you decide to follow Jesus, repent of your sins and accept him as your Lord and Savior, there is a tremendous transformation that takes place in your heart. You have this extravagant love that pours over you, you can’t explain it, but it is an all encompassing love and there is nothing you can do to earn it, not one thing. He gives freely. Jesus becomes your guide in all you do.  Study his Word (Holy Bible), speak it, spend time with others that love him as much as you do and pray to God and speak with him daily.

As a person with a chronic illness for which there is no cure, it would be easy for me to sink into a dark hole of depression and say why me? Instead, I choose to focus on how Jesus is changing me daily and I am learning to walk in peace. I don’t have all the answers, but I know he has a plan for me and I choose to trust him.

Every person that goes through a transforming moment in their lives plays a role.  We all have choices we make every day.  Some choices bring rewards and some bring disaster. Part of having the good transformation in our lives, is the willingness to change on some points. If you have always done things the same way and the results are less than what you want, it may be time to change it up a little bit and try new ways of accomplishing what you want.  Just because you think that your way is best, doesn’t necessarily mean it is. Looking at someone else’s point of view, may just be what you need.

Jesus can take any mess-dangerous addictions-bad attitudes-grief filled lives and turn them into messages of hope. He was in the miracle business thousands of years ago and he still is today.  He loves you.  You don’t have to be all cleaned up to seek him. Reach out to him, right where you are and know that you matter, you are his child. He created you and he just wants to have a relationship with you.  He loves sharing in your joys and celebrations, but he also wants to share in your sorrows and times when life seems to be too much to handle. He is always available for you.  There is darkness in the world, but light always penetrates darkness. Let Jesus be your guiding light and you will be so amazed and how he can transform you, your life and everything in it.

Many blessings to all of you!
Transformation