Greetings, Friends!
I've had time for a break, and I just wanted to take up again with this thought of home; and how things feel when that place isn't the home sweet home we all long for...
Have you ever had days when going "home" makes you feel a little "
green around the gills?"
If you are one of those people who are struggling with issues about the holiday season; then you know what I mean.
I'm talking about those times when you're at a gathering, having lunch with a friend; or just spending time in a social environment where there is laughter and "fellowshipping" with other people... you feel safe, and have even found yourself laughing!
Then, seemingly all at once; the party is over and it's time to go
"home."
...you find yourself feeling a twinge of remorse, because you would rather go home to somebody else's house!
I'm speaking of the days when your life is filled with sad realities...days when you've just been handed divorce papers, or frightening medical reports...or you're confused about the circumstances of your life.
Days when you are experiencing depression...for no apparent reason; days when you can't sleep for days; days of sorrow that hover over you like a dark cloud...
...and it's a STORM cloud!
It's uncomfortable to endure the rain of pain when you're stuck without an umbrella!
As this year's season of Thanksgiving approaches; I find that once again, I am also enduring the shadows of emotions that seek to dispel the joy of the season.
But, there's a difference this year...
I can put it in one word, one name; actually...and that is the name of Jesus Christ. 
Now...before you get all excited, and tune me out; let me tell you that my relationship with Him has been the deciding factor in changing my life, my mind, and my once broken heart!
Not to mention the details of my life!
During the worst of my storm, I ended up homeless; I was just too sick to take care of myself; too sick to get the right help; and too sick to care anymore...
I was not only sick and tired, I was sick and tired of BEING sick and tired! I wasn't very happy about it either...I was beginning to experience the dormant rage that had been buried inside my "self" for many, many years!
I was sick, and just plain MAD!
...even that generated more problems; because I didn't know how to be mad, and not feel guilty about being mad!
Another complication was the fact that I was a
"Christian."
These things weren't supposed to happen to Christians...so now you could add failure to the mountain of emotion that I was living with!
I have to laugh out loud as I experience my journaling time today...it's a happy feeling to be discussing these issues from THIS side of the table, instead of THAT side of the table!
The passing of time that has carried me from then til now...
What a wonderful change, and I am forever grateful that Jesus showed me the path to get from there to here!
Here being the fact that I'm not only still alive; but my mind is at peace with the process I am in; my body is healing, and my spirit is in the process of restoration!
PRAISE THE LORD!!!
Home at my house has always been wherever I am. I have lived in houses in my lifetime; but most typically, I have been an apartment dweller.
I've lived all over the country, and have lots of experience at MOVING!
My apartments have always been really "cute." They have been filled with the crafty kinds of things you see in my club at Squidoo...as well as home-cooked meals, live plants; and ideally; a kitty or two!
www.squidoo.com/groups/conniescraftaholicsclub
But, for all their "cuteness"...there was still an underlying emptiness that overshadowed what "appeared" to be a happy, safe and loving home.
That emptiness was my spirit crying out...
This time of year always reveals my current reality when it comes to the mental status of feeling safe, loved and at peace about "home".
You know the saying...
"Wherever you go, there you are..."
Your issues, thoughts, feelings, perceptions, attitudes, actions and reactions follow you around in the vehicle of your subconscious.
That often makes day to day living a whirlwind; because you don't realize that some of your thoughts, perceptions; actions & attitudes may be in complete opposition to each other!
Talk about a tempest in a teacup!
Phhewww! Opposing mindsets can be enough to throw your mind into a raging whirlwind...
...and rest assured; your life will follow the tracks laid down by your train of thought!
And so it went...my life completely bore the fruit of my mental status, and it was a mess...
But...
JESUS.
In a nutshell...He's the reason that I am in a changed place today...
I'm experiencing peace, healing, changed life circumstances...peace of mind...(MOST of the time!) 
...and a heart filled with optimism about His plans to finish the good work He has begun in me!
Let me leave you today with the words of song, and the words of a scripture...
First; the word:
"He who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it..."
Philippians 1:6
"Shall I bring to the birth and not cause to bring forth?"
Isaiah
...then the song:
It's a song that I taught to the kids in Children's Church...sung by
Bill and Gloria Gaither...
It was intended for the kids, but it has had a deep impact on my own life...and I am grateful to the Gaither's for the gift of their song!
"He's Still Working On ME!"
There really ought to be a sign upon my heart
Don't judge me yet, there's an unfinished part
But I'll be perfect just according to His plan
Fashioned by the Master's loving hand.
He's still working on me
To make me what I ought to be
It took Him just a week to make the moon and the stars
The Sun and the Earth and Jupiter and Mars
How loving and patient He must be
Coz he's still working on me.
In the mirror of His word, reflections that I see
Make me wonder why He never gave up on me
He loves me as I am, and helps me as I pray
Remember He's the Potter, I'm the clay.
www.gaither.com
It's time for me to step back into the routine of my day...I bid you God's peace as you journey through this season of your life.
I pray that this pre-holiday be a time of discovery for you...I pray that you discover the richness of the good life that God intended for you.
I know, that you may be facing the turmoil of a life that is less than ideal...
I know you may be struggling with dark emotions, grief, and raging turmoil...
I know also, that as BAD as that feels...it really is something to be thankful for! Oh, I know; I didn't think so THEN...but I know better NOW!
I know that you are on a path of dissatisfaction that will lead you into a place called peace!
I encourage you to DIVE headlong into God's word...it's the ONE place where you will find the answers to all those questions you've been trying to come to grips with.
After all, God's our Father; and He invites us to come and chat with him!
"Call unto me, and I will show you great and mighty things which thou knowest not."
In the words of Jesus...
"Come unto me, all ye who are heavy laden... and I will give you rest."
In the words of the Holy Spirit...
"I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you."
I usually put the Scripture references with these verses; but today I feel the need to just give you the words that directed me when I was floundering...
It's time to dig in!
"Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."
God has an answer of peace for you...he has solutions for your problems, and He's eager to show Himself strong on your behalf!
Here are a couple of different online Bible study tools...
www.ebible.com
www.crosswalk.com
If you don't know Jesus, just call out His name...ask Him for help...He WILL show up to help you with your life!
God is no respecter of persons...what He did for me, he will also do for you. Just give him the opportunity!
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that WHOSOEVER believeth on Him would not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
Your journey begins with a conversation with Jesus...he said:
"I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me."
"I am the Good Shepherd, I lay down my life for my sheep."
"That which is born of the flesh is flesh, but that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit."
"Marvel not that I saith unto thee, that ye must be born again."
"Come unto me, all ye that are heavy laden and I will give you rest..."
Now, go have a little talk with Jesus! Find those verses, and begin the journey that will change YOUR life...FOREVER!
I'm praying for you, I love you and am looking forward to the day that YOU have an encouraging word to share...the day when YOUR life is forever changed for the good, and you too can say...
Jesus made the difference that I needed in my life, too!
God Bless You...I'll talk to you again soon!
Connie
God's Grace Notes Blog
All content provided by Connie Walcott 1993-2007 (c)
All rights reserved
Hey Webmasters! New Photo Album Service Launched - Check it out!
God's Got a Really Good Plan For Our Lives.... 
HI, THANK U 4 LETTING ME B PART OF WHAT U R AND WHAT U R DOING...TERESA 
Bravenet Blog 
Blog Community
Get a Free Blog
Manage your Blog
bravenet.com