Help! I'm Losing My Hair...

As I think about God, I am constantly overwhelmed by the fact that there is NOTHING He does not know about me.  In His knowledge of me, there is NOTHING that He allows that is not for my good and more importantly, for His glory.                                                          
Luke 12:1 states, "But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows." Wow! The hairs on my head are numbered...meaning, there is nothing about me God does not know.  This includes every little detail about me, even my hair!

I have been dealing with Graves disease for about two years now and it is a result of Hyperthyroidism.  One of the side effects of this can be hair loss.  Now, I realize there are far worse things in life, but lets be honest, for a girl, hair loss is a big deal.  In the past two months, my hair loss has become increasingly worse.  Pretty much everywhere I go, I tend to leave a trail of hair.  My husband is amazed that I have any hair left.  He joked with me the other day and said "when I lose hair, I end up bald...but, when you lose hair, you still have hair...how is that even possible?"   Well, to be honest, I have no idea.

However, in thinking about this I was reminded of the verse I mentioned from Luke.  God knows every last hair on my head and I am of great value to Him.  Yet, the words "fear not therefore" that are sandwiched in the middle of the verse are what really jumped out to me this past month.  You see all of us will face difficulties in life.  It is during these times, it will become so important to remember that we have no need of fear because God knows us and He is with us.

I know so many people who are going through such hardships...
sick and in the hospital for weeks now
health issues that have prevented pregnancy
dealing with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis
severe hailstorm ruining the roof and cars 
going through radiation for cancer
having a pacemaker put in
a baby born prematurely born and lungs not quite developed needing help to breathe
churches looking for new pastors
friends struggling financially due to job loss

The above are just a few examples from lives of people I know personally.  So much hurt and yet, so much opportunity for us to really see God working and to realize all the more that He is in control. You see whether all is well or whether all is falling apart, God is there and He still knows how many hairs are on our heads...meaning, regardless of the circumstances of our lives...He is there! 

For several months, I have been asking God for some very specific requests and answers to things on my heart. In doing so,  I did not ask to be sick for an extended period of time.  I did not ask to have to undergo major surgery in June.  I did not ask for my hair to fall out.  I did not ask for my home to flood a couple months ago.  Yet, I am beginning to see that God has and is answering my prayers.  He has been drawing me closer to Him and reminding me that I need not fear the problems that come my way...for He is here beside me.  I need not be afraid of what lies ahead...for He is there to lead the way. 

Sometimes, it is hard to trust when we cannot see, but the very thought that He knows the number of our hairs and that we are of value to Him is just enough to get us through the difficult days.  So, the next time you want to holler out "Help! I'm Losing My Hair..."  or whatever it is that you are going through, remember "FEAR NOT THEREFORE"...He is there!

Friend, Hang in there because God is right there with you and you are going to make it!

From My Heart,

Robyn

He Loves Me; He Loves Me Not...

Jeremiah 31:3 "The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee."

I John 3:16 "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren."

Today is the 14th of February...Valentine's Day!  A day when many are giving and exchanging expressions of their love for one another.  A day when others, who may not have that special someone, often feel a sense of loneliness. A day when children trade and exchange cute little cards and yummy little candies. A day when retailers rejoice in their sales.  Today is what has been deemed "The Day of Love" so much so that it is a national holiday.

Do you remember as a little girl picking that certain flower and proceeding to pull off the petals one by one while saying, "he loves me; he loves me not"?  I remember doing that and somehow as a little girl I became convinced this was do or die truth.  Looking back, I think what a silly little ritual this was to determine whether someone loved another person.  Yet, I realize that, at my core, and at the core of every person is a deep desire to be truly loved.

On this day, I am thankful that I KNOW that I am LOVED and I am not only loved, but I am loved with an everlasting and unconditional love...by my Father God.  No matter what our relationship status or whether we spent today surrounded by someone special or it was simply just another day, each and every one of us truly has the greatest Valentine of all and that is the love of our Heavenly Father.

So, on this day, I have decided to think a little more specifically about what this day means to me:

1. This day means knowing that I am forever loved by the One Who saved me and gave His life for mine...there is no greater love.
2. This day means knowing that I have been given an earthly love handpicked for me by my Father in Heaven...Jack Bachman, the man I was made to complete.
3. This day means knowing that I have been given the opportunity to share my love for two amazing boys...Ryan and Jordan, the ones who call me mom.
4. This day means knowing that I am blessed to be a part of a family...to share memories and create new ones with a father, mother, brother, sister and extended loved ones.
5. This day means knowing I am privilieged to serve God...to share His love with others and watch as they grow in their walk and love for God.

Today has been extremely commercialized by this world.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoy some chocolates and flowers as much as  the next girl, but as I grow older I am realizing that there is so much more to this day...

I encourage you to take some time to think about ALL of the people in your life who are special and have touched you in some way.  Don't wait for a holiday on the calendar to tell them you love them.  Don't wait to buy a card which shares special sentiments.  Don't wait...tell them now that you love them.  Think about the people who have loved you and invested in you...thank them.  Think about your family...love them, not just on this day, but everyday.  Life is short and goes by faster than we realize.  We are not guaranteed a tomorrow.  Take advantage of everyday you have and invest in every person who is a part of your life...you will not regret the time or effort. 

Most of all, today, as I look back at the flower petals let's just say that I am so thankful JESUS LOVES ME!!

Happy Valentines Day!  May it be special and may we all learn to make EVERYDAY a "Valentines Day" because in reality, that is what every day should be!


From My Heart,
Robyn