Well, the snow storm hit. We now have 15-18″ of snow on the level. There is no wind so I’m truly grateful for that. The temperature is in the teens rather than single digit which I also appreciate. We have to head to the airport in 2 hours to get Kathy’s sis and niece. They have been on a buying trip for her sis’s store in Joseph, OR. I have no idea what road conditions are like, but just getting out of our driveway may be our biggest challenge! Church is cancelled for the day. The office had given out a warning email when this storm was being predicted so I’m hoping everyone got it and stays home.

One of my Christmas presents was a book about shame. It’s title is: The Soul of Shame. I use to live in shame almost continuously. The need to hide my past was driven by this topic. The book has many stories about one’s who have battled this. Even though I don’t relate to what drives the shame some stories tell, what shame does to its owner is the same. 

What is so blessed amazing to me is that I now read this book understanding what the author is telling, but its grip on me is now gone. Sure, there are moments that are raw just from the truth of them, but the grip to hide it is no longer there. The amazing work of Christ on the Cross, burying our sins and those done to us, is incredible. Once I was able to speak out loud and to write out the tormenting evil within me; and lastly, find Jesus in it, I began to find the shackles fading away. 

God is so GOOD. Giving us His Son and to also give us His Holy Spirit is a GIFT beyond anything man can comprehend. Yet, when we allow them to daily be our motivation, our comfort, our peace, we can live letting God use all of our story for HIS GLORY!