Tuesday, August 6, 2013

What If....

I finished my last post with the 'Whys' of life and wanted to start this one with the 'What Ifs' - which is another part of our everyday vocabulary that is driven by our feelings and not our faith! Linda Dillow puts it into these words:
Trusting God with the What Ifs

Waiting for the What Ifs of life, for what might happen, causes the sturdiest of hearts to be anxious. Contentment comes from a proper relationship with God, not a response to the circumstances. Our What Ifs will either drive us to God and faith or drive us to worry and dependence on self. We worry or we trust. God gives peace and contentment, worry gives misery.
Psalm 141:8 encourages us to fix our eyes on our Sovereign Lord and take refuge in Him. Psalm 112:7-8 says 'He will not fear evil tidings; his heart is fixed steadfast... His heart is upheld, he will not fear'. Only as our heart is fixed on our Sovereign, loving Lord can we be at peace in the midst of the What Ifs.
When we turn to control, strategies, intelligence, and manipulation, we are trusting in ourselves. Instead of giving our anxious hearts to God, we handle the uncertainty of the What Ifs of life by employing these control tactics to 'help God out'.

I don't know about you but I have to read this kind of encouragement daily. Especially concerning the circumstances I can be a complainer and have to change my mind and trust God again and again!

I hope that this might have helped one lady visiting my blog today..

 

Sharing a couple of cards I made using a new stamp set from the Clearly Besotted Stamps line, called 'Leafy Accents'. I love this leaf stamp which has been stamped in different color distress inks which gives it dimension. I had taken at least 150 stamped butterflies with me to Scotland and I cut them all out during tea time in the afternoons! This is one of them.


My second card started with a distressed panel of light pink and antique engravings distress ink. stamped over the top with the leaves and a Carte Postale stamp. I added a couple of butterflies from my scrap basket and a couple of sequins, which my lovely friend Betty sent me.

Here is what the stamp set looks like:

 Thanks for your visit, I always appreciate you.
Jacqueline

17 comments:

  1. Hi Jacqueline! What a post today, so full of inspiration in many different ways! I can only thank you for being the person that you are. Yes, I too would need to read this encouraging extract E-V-E-R-Y single day! Hugs to you! (Gosh, those leaves are stunning!).

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  2. Your work is wonderfull. I started following you on your blog. Your work is less is more. just love it. Anneke. www.annekescardart.blogspot.com

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  3. You have definitely found your way back.... And you are helping so many, including me, with your 'thoughts' today. Thank you. Keep the words coming and the beauty of your work always shines through.

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  4. Wise WORDS!!
    Thank you for sharing.
    LOVELY cards too!

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  5. your cards are beautiful as usual and i love seeing the sequins on your cards - i'm really getting to like them as an embellishment more and more.

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  6. such pretty stamping on both, and lovely coloring of the butterflies!

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  7. what delightful cards Jacqueline. So pretty

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  8. Beautiful beautiful cards! Love your new stamps ... Have a beautiful day

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  9. I love what you have done with the leaf stamps, Jacqueline. And the backgrounds blending from one color to another are gorgeous. Thanks for the important word today. I may be the one blogger who is supposed to read this and apply it to my life.

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  10. Wonderful thoughts and message Jacqueline, it's so important to feel encouraged by trusting in the Lord and yet we sometimes have our own feelings which I for one don't do in having enough faith. Thanks for sharing these precious words. As always you have used that simple stamp set to create gorgeous art...Hugs

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  11. I really enjoyed this post. I really needed this reminder in my life. Love your beautiful cards my friend.

    Hugs~

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  12. Both of your cards are so pretty and soft. Love em.
    Hugs...Leanne

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  13. Both cards are so beautiful. Thanks for a great, inspirational post today.

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  14. such a beautiful post Jacqueline. I am such a "what if" worrier and can put myself into a tizzy very easily. thank you for your wisdom. gorgeous card love the delicate design!

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  15. Gorgeous Jacqueline! LOVE each and every butterfly you cut out!

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  16. Lovely cards, Jacqueline. So soft and pretty. Your words are so remindful too, of where our trust should always be.

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  17. Love how you use this new vine stamp, Jacqueline! I am glad to hear you had such a wonderful rest and fellowship this summer. Blessing!

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Thanks so much for your visit - I so appreciate it!