I’m a joyfully in love with God, Christ follower. I’m also a writer, speaker, founder and host for Living Joyfully Free Radio, and a happily married mom of a son in college. I have moved thirty plus times in ten states, worked in banking, technology, and major computer corporations traveling the country as a systems analyst.
I’m not a perfect wife, perfect mother, or perfect at anything. I keep a fairly clean house, cook semi-decent meals, and love to write. I’m a real life woman with real life problems. I’ve made stupid mistakes, sinful mistakes, and often traveled down the wrong roads. God never gave up on me, never let go, and He welcomed me home when I stumbled back seeking His grace.
Thanks to undiagnosed Lyme disease for over six years, my medical journey could be used by several medical television shows. I’ve been poked, prodded, and diagnosed with… labyrinthitis, rheumatoid arthritis, swollen jugular vein, autoimmune inner ear disease, kidney infections, kidney stones, hearing problems, constant use of steroids to try and stop the unending dizziness, tumors, cysts, numbness, headaches, bleeding problems, eye problems, nerve damage, and the list goes on and on. Numerous surgeries, scans, blood tests, nerve tests… any kind of test, I’ve probably had it done.
Lyme Disease wasn’t my first journey through difficulties—there have been many. I serve an awesome God who has helped me through molestation by a baby-sitter, assault, rape, divorce, cancer, being stalked, death of loved ones, seven surgeries, and chronic illness.
There has been nothing enjoyable about suffering and pain. But I wouldn’t change what I’ve learned. Through it all I’ve grown closer to the God who created, formed, and loved me before I was born.
You are special to Him, so special that He inscribed your name on the palms of His hands. (Isaiah 49:16) You were fashioned and formed by the Creator of the universe for a unique purpose. He loves you with an unfailing love.
I know it’s easier to believe God is love on the “good” days. Unfortunately, life is often hard and difficult, which makes God’s love harder to fathom. And if God is love, why would He allow pain? I could quote pages of Bible verses, or I could share what I know about God. I know God is love, because I have seen and felt His hands through the highs and lows of my life. He has been with me through the fires, when the waters swept over me, and when the pain was too strong to scream.
God’s word promises, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze” (Isaiah 43:2).
And you, my dear friend, also have a God who is with you, and who loves you with a love that never fails. His voice whispers in the wind, paints in the sunsets, and shines through His creation. Watch for Him. This morning, He placed his rainbow in the clouds, and painted the sky in hues of pink and orange. Those were my gifts today.
God has left surprises for you. Notice the smile of a stranger, the person who allows you to merge in traffic, the wag of a puppy, the purr of a cat, the flower peeking through the crack in the sidewalk, or the butterfly perched on a leaf.
They are God Hugs. Enjoy them my dear friend, they are put there just for you.
Join me in this wild journey through life until we make it home to The One who loves us forever.
Please visit Lisa as she hosts guests each week on Living Joyfully Free Radio
Books by Lisa Buffaloe. Click on a cover to see more
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Lisa has several devotions featured in The One Year Devotional of Joy and Laughter
Lisa has a devotion featured in Pearls of Promise: Devotional Pearls for a Woman’s Faith Journey
Lisa has a devotion featured in PURIM Celebration: 28 Daily Devotionals (Daily-Bible-Reading Series)
Special thanks to I am A Woman of God for my awesome t-shirt and the abundant, amazing blessing of their recommendation as one of the 5 Christian Women to Follow on Facebook
My sweet family (October 2012)
Yard family photo and Lisa walking photo by www.TaddMyers.com
