God’s lessons do not come easily or without struggle. But, My Friends, they come, and they are worth every ounce of struggle, I promise! Here is one such story….
I woke up yesterday morning to water damage, yet again, in our beautiful kitchen. Water damage to our newly refinished hardwood floor. By the time I saw it one board’s edges were black and raised…permanent, ugly, expensive damage…I wanted to cry…to shake my fist, get angry, blame someone…I started to sulk and feel sorry for myself. Ugh! I had been through this before. I knew what it meant…$15,000 (at least) to fix it and complete upheaval of our lives…or I could just leave it, ignore it, pretend I don’t care or that I don’t see the damage. How could I handle this? How could I live with this “glaring” ugliness? God? Help me, I prayed…
God’s Lessons: He Speaks to Me
God spoke to me: Julie, this is a thing. Your house is a thing. Do not place the importance of things above me. This is a reminder. And this will be your reminder. Good things happen, bad things happen. Don’t ask why. Don’t feel sorry for yourself or you are wasting your time and your energy. Move forward to what is important. Your wood floor is not important. I am important. Your children are important.
God’s Lessons Come in the Form of Struggle
One of the greatest lessons I ever went through was my struggle with infertility in my 20’s. Read my inspiring story of hope in my post “How I Won My Battle With Infertility”. Share it with someone who needs to hear it.
God’s Lessons: He Woke Me Up
I woke up this morning and heard God’s voice again. It was 4:00 am. Could I maybe sleep a little longer? No, Julie, listen to me now. This is my lesson for you, Julie. I want you to see that blackened raised “ugly” piece of flooring and think of ME! Let it become a thing of beauty in your mind and in your heart always reminding you of me! Let it remind you too that I am in charge. I will always guide your life. Remember me first. Possessions are temporary and ultimately unimportant in the scheme of things. Don’t put them too high, Julie, don’t put them too high.
I thought to myself, Ok, God, you are coming through loud and clear! Wow! So I was wide awake by now. I knew He wanted me to get up and write this down, and share it with you…so, here I am.
True Wealth
Instead of regarding our riches as the material items we “own” we must put a much higher value on the riches of the Lord. For His gifts of love, mercy, forgiveness, and hope are priceless and immeasurable. Every single time I pray, God answers my prayer. I asked Him what should I do? I was truly at a loss. The floor looks the same as it did yesterday morning. And yet, I promise you, it has become a thing of beauty. God’s lesson is wrapped in that piece of warped wood. I am so much richer than I was yesterday. No money can buy my “wealth”. No value can be placed on the power of God’s lessons.
I share another gorgeous example of God working in our lives in our post, “Blind Faith in God Leads to Miracles Every Time.” We hope you enjoy it and that it inspires you to listen and trust more!
Watch my Faith Testimony Video HERE.
“Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.” Proverbs 11:28
“Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.” Proverbs 23:5
God’s lessons are everywhere if only we look and listen. Pray for ears to hear Him and eyes to see Him. He will reveal himself, I promise.
Read my family’s and my FAITH STORY and hear how God called us to Him!
With blessings and gratitude,
Julie
Lynne says
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful and important message!
jjdesigntwins says
Lynne, Jodie and I are grateful for your kindness. We are so happy that you are enjoying our posts. We really love hearing back from you…it makes the effort truly worthwhile. We hope you continue to enjoy reading and always welcome your comments and questions. With blessings for a wonderful holiday season and New Year! love, Julie & Jodie
Bette Andererson says
What can I say? Yet again, you inspire me to try and live a more spiritual life, one of thankfulness and praise. I feel so blessed to have a daughter with so much wisdom, who is a channel for God, one who wants to make this world a better place. This time, like no other, Julie, you are spreading “the word” a day at a time. With the deepest love and admiration I say thank you.
Love galore,
Mom
jjdesigntwins says
Maman, I’m so happy to hear you are proud and inspired. To have the power of the Holy Spirit working through me is more rewarding and amazing than I can put into words. But it also carries with it true responsibility. I pray for direction and the strength to follow His lead every day. I pray for understanding and His vision in my eyes. And I pray for the right words as I travel this path of spreading His message and His love to all who cross my path. With so much love and gratitude, Julie
Susan Harris says
Hi Julie, I follow you on Instagram and your Christmas tree picture made me look further. What a blessing to find this message on your blog. I try to stay positive during times of struggle, but that can be difficult sometimes. Thanks for this beautiful reminder! I look forward to reading more of your thoughts. Thank you for sharing your love of Christ!
Susan
jjdesigntwins says
Aw Susan, I am so happy to read this. This is how God works, though. All in His perfect plan. Our plans can’t possibly touch His. What a blessing that you found my tree…and were led to something of far greater worth…a reminder that God has you in His hands. He knows your name, feels your heart, loves you beyond measure. So incredibly happy that God used me to remind you today. Many blessings to you my dear sister in Christ, Julie
Ashley says
Julie,
Oh my goodness this is absolutely beautiful and such an important lesson for all of us. Thank you so much for opening your heart and sharing this with us. We all need this reminder in our lives. He has used you to gift all of us with this blog post. Xoxo – ashley
jjdesigntwins says
Sweet Ashley, You are so dear to us both. So wonderful to see you on the blog and to know my post touched you. I couldn’t be happier. Thank you for taking the time to stop by and to leave such kindness in your wake. Jodie and I love and appreciate you, dear one. We hope you will come back often. With love and gratitude, Julie & Jodie
Donna says
Thank you for this message. I was obviously sent here to read it today. I woke up this morning stressing about finances and lack but after reading this I look around and know that God will provide what we need. I am babysitting my grandchildren today and was stressing over not having everything that they usually get when they come to my home but they will be ok and thanks to this post I won’t stress but trust that God is with us every step of the way.
jjdesigntwins says
Donna, He sent you to this post. He has his perfect way of knowing just what we need and reminding us that he has us…even when we forget. I love that you were inspired. I’m just finished a post about worry, so I hope you will visit again because we have lots more inspiration to come. In the meantime you sure are on the right track. With gratitude & blessings, Julie & Jodie
LISABETH says
Thank you so much for this post, what a great lesson! love you both???? March madness
Rhonda Comus says
Julie- when I first started reading this post I cried for you regarding your water damage. By the time I finished reading it, I cried for you because I felt, along with you, that He will answer our prayers and things will work out. I’m glad He has brought you girls into my life. I am blessed to feel the power of prayer and love. ????Hugs to you both. ????
Kim says
What a powerful statement and so well written. I know your march giveaways are over but I’ve become accustomed to coming over and reading a little piece of your blog for daily inspiration. So I just wanted to say hello, happy April, and thank you for showing us that God will present himself in the smallest ways which turn out to be pretty big.
jjdesigntwins says
How wonderful Kim! Thank you so much for that. We each have such incredible God-given power to touch the world in positive ways. By sending these words you are continuing the circle of love Jodie and I are trying to grow each day. God bless, Julie & Jodie
Donna Turner says
Hello ladies, I continue to swoon over all your blog posts. It is so fun and such an abundant amount of love, great ideas and yet a lot of blessings. I so enjoy reading your posts on instagram and popping over to your blog.
I am in the middle of a life change, at 59 I am looking for a job. The company I worked for closed. It is a struggle, trying to figure out what I want to do for 6 more years, ideally I would like to work somewhere fun, most of those jobs won’t pay the house payment, lol…
So back to reality in getting a good paying job, working 40 hours a week, YIKES !
I continue to pray that one of these mornings I will have a good feeling that God is going to find the fit for me, you two are such a good influence on positivity and what faith is all about, keep posting these wonderful stories…
Donna Turner says
Hello ladies, I continue to swoon over all your blog posts. It is so fun and such an abundant amount of love, great ideas and yet a lot of blessings. I so enjoy reading your posts on Instagram and popping over to your blog. I am in the middle of a life change, at 59 I am looking for a job. The company I worked for closed. It is a struggle, trying to figure out what I want to do for 6 more years, ideally I would like to work somewhere fun, most of those jobs won’t pay the house payment, LOL So back to reality in getting a good paying job, working 40 hours a week, YIKES ! I continue to pray that one of these mornings I will have a good feeling that God is going to find the fit for me, you two are such a good influence on positivity and what faith is all about, keep posting these wonderful stories…
jjdesigntwins says
Donna, You truly are a blessing to this world. I love your attitude. Reading your reply was a gift! I know (and I know you know) that God has something planned for you. I’m excited just thinking about it. With faith and His powers anything is possible. And remember, no matter what your plan is, he’s got an even better one. Look past “the package” and be open for hidden joy, real meaning, and His purpose in all things. With love and infinite blessings, Julie
Lynn says
thank you for sharing! such a great reminder for all of us to put HIM first above all things. who knows this incident might open a brand new idea for you.
jjdesigntwins says
Yes, Lynn, you are so right! Thank you for your kind reply. So glad you found our blog and are enjoying reading. Blessings to you always, Julie