Take my hand

 All along my life journey, I could hear God whisper to me; "Please take my hand and I shall be with you." 

"Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hand; your walls are continually before me. (Isaiah 49:10 English Standard Version)

Each day I thought I could walk the road of life alone; I would tell myself I am strong enough to take everything on my own. I needed no help. 

When I happen to fall God was there whispering again "Please take my hand and I shall be with you."  Again I would push his hand aside thinking I could do this all alone. 

The last time I fell (November 2017) I could not get up and those I though who would help me did not, as I cried and grieved, there stood God. He held out his hand for me again and said; "Please  take my hand and I shall be with you"

That day I took God's hand and each day after that one I choose to place my hand in his.  My hand always seemed so small compared to his. 

Each moment now when I felt alone, scared, or out of control. I can feel his hand tightened around my hand and he would lead me along to safety or whisper words of encouragement in my ear.  

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you in my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 English Standard Version)"

When I feel happy and content. I can feel him squeeze my hand with reassurance and comfort. 

God's hand is opened for anyone to take, his whispers can be heard as loud as the thunder if you listen he is saying to everyone "Please take my hand and I shall be with you."

Who's hand is holding yours? 

"My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. (Psalm 63:8 English Standard Version)

Ripples in the water

    I take stone into my hand, it is smooth, oval, flat and the color is of a greyish tone. I wonder where this stone came from, how it got to its current place, and what stories it could tell. If only it could talk. Among all of the stone that lay beneath my feet, I ponder why I choose this stone in particular and this exact spot. As I close my eyes I can hear the sound of the water gurgling around me, it is such a soothing peaceful sound. The light breeze off the water kisses and cools my cheek. I smile and open my eyes. The stone withing my hand I into the water.  As it glides on the surface of the water it skips and makes ripples until it falls below and it is no more.

"Come to Jesus Christ. He is the living stone that people have rejected, but which God has chosen and highly honored. And now you are the living stones that are being used to build a spiritual house" (1 Peter 2:4-5 Contemporary English Version)

I am a living stone for God, what a powerful statement to say. I will shout at the top of my lungs I AM A LIVING STONE FOR GOD. 

Each day I cast my self upon the waters of our world, as I skip along what ripples am I making in my life or in others I come across. These ripples are they bringing me or those around me closer to God?  

"A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher. And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye." (Luke 6:40-41 New King James Version)

  

It is so easy to let ourselves get caught up in our busy lives and not notice those around us and how we are projecting and absorbing those around us.

Let our ripples in our lives and those around us be always guided by the guiding hand of God. Listen and he will lead us to the spot where we need to be, he will help us choose the stones we need to pick up and carry forward or the ones we should release into the water. 

God is my Sunshine

At the beginning of spring, I take some time to plant fruits and vegetables in my garden. There is a lot of planning and choosing which seeds shall I plant and where they will grow the best. Each plant has its own requirements and nutrients needed to thrive. 

" The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." ( 2 Corinthians 9:6 - English Standard Version ) 

Each night is spent watering and feeding the plants, while the morning is spent removing the weeds. ]

"As for that in good soil, they are those who, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience. " (Luke 8:15 - English Standard Version)

As the plants start to grow, they require more nutrients in order to flourish. The sun is their major source of that nutrient. If you watch closely you can see the plant will turn its leaves towards the sun's direction. 

Just like the plants in my garden we need to plant God's seeds in our life so that our roots are strong in our faith. Each day we need to spend time watering and providing nutrients to grow that faith in God. 

"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life." (Galatians 6:7-8 - English Standard Version)

God is the sunshine that I reach for and his word is my water when my soul is dry. When I am lost I turn my leaves to find his light. 

When my garden has weeds it is with his loving hands they are removed. 

I pray we may all face God's loving sunshine and taste his waters. 

When you can only move an Inch, let God push you a mile.

Imagine your an inchworm, crawling up a tree, as you look up to the sky,  the end of the tree is nowhere in sight and the task of reaching the top seems so overwhelming and unachievable.

Still each and every day you wake up, on the tree and inch by inch you keep moving forward. There are times when other creatures pass you laughing or yelling at you that you will never make it, or its too far and to give up.  Other times there is a voice that whispers to you that have faith you will make it. 

"He said to them, 'Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a gain of , mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20 - English Standard Version) 

So you keep on inching forward, day by day. At night you fall asleep beside the path and each morning you continue onwards. Until one day you're so tired that you cry out  " Lord please help me as the journey has taken everything from me and I can not go on". You lay down on the side of the path and cry. You pray until you fall asleep, thinking that you're a failure. 

"From the end of the earth, I will cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I." (Psalm 61:2 - King James Version)

When you awake you no longer are stuck to the tree bark, but are above it. As you look to your left and right you can see a beautiful brown wing on each side holding you up. 

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10 - English Standard Version) 

As you move your wings up and down a slight wind pushes you to the top of the tree and it is the most beautiful sight you have ever seen. 

This was truly worth the Journey. 

Just like the inchworm life can be very overwhelming and things in your path might seem unachievable. Just remember that God is there helping us along the way and you can reach the top. 

I really wish I had.......

It is very easy to look at your life and wish you had more or something different. Better yet to wish you had what someone else does. You under appreciate what you have and overlook those who are in your life. 

Imagine your self in a glass box, as you look around there are no other glass boxes in view, all you see is a vast emptiness of nothing. The only opening you can see is a wooden door, which will not open for you. You sit on the ground unaware of what is yet to come. As you sit in the nothingness your breathing becomes short and your anxiety climbs each second of quietness. 

"Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong." ( Job 6:24 New International Version)

In this space of quietness, you have time to reflect on what you really wished you had inside this glass box. At first, they are material goods, things you can purchase or replace. 

"Then he said to them, Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions." ( Luke 12:15 - New International Version) 

You stand and pace awhile thinking about things in your life that are not a possession, things you can not replace. You think of things that make you laugh and smile, instead of things that make you sad, stressed, and/or angry. 

You hear a voice whisper to you: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." ( Matthew 7:7 English Standard Version) 

As your focus becomes clearer on what is really important in your life, these images start to appear on the glass walls around you. Imagine in your life what would appear on your glass walls.

“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.” (Proverbs 3: 12-14 - English Standard Version)

You sit again in the middle of the glass room and finally have clarity, these images that surround the glass enclosure is what makes your life rich and not the possessions you covet. 

Upon this realization, the glass walls all shatter around you and you feel a sense of peace.  

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,  but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21 – English Standard Version) 

 In life, it is easy to put on horse blinders and not see what you have and only what you have not. I accept the challenge to remove these blinders and thank God for what I do have and even though it is not what I want it is what I need. 

©Jasmin Roussy

ME + YOU = WE

I can think of lots of times in my life where I have been scared of the uncertainty. Where the unknown has held me back from doing or saying what I should or could have said.

In a world right now full of viruses, change, and social distances. The uncertainty sometimes is overwhelming.

And We as fellow humans need to work together as WE are all in this together. 

ME and WE are  2 letters that can change a world. What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word ME. For myself when I hear that word I think of my husband our dogs and myself.  When I hear the word WE, I think of a group of people working together in a common goal or situation. 

When did the human race change from WE to ME.

That is an unending question, I know that there are people out there trying or doing the WE

"WE" is defined in the  Merriam-Webster dictionary as; I and the rest of the group that includes me: you and I and another or others: I and another or others not including you - used as a pronoun of the first person plural.

ME is defined in the  Merriam-Webster dictionary as; I.
So we could say; WE as a human race should be caring and looking out for others but in a society of so many uncertainties I need to put God first and he will direct ME and others to help the common WE.

 Able 

 ©Jasmin Roussy

When the road seems LONG, What will fill your tank?

Imagine yourself going out in the morning to start your car for work, as soon as you turn on the key it cranks over and putters to a start. As you look down at the dash you notice that the gas gauge is extremely close to empty. You pull out of your parking spot and mentally already have a plan on how you are going to make it to the gas station to fill up. On the way, your nerves are frazzled, and stress clouds your judgment. You pull into the gas station and up to a pump as you breathe a sigh of release. Looking out of the car window,  you notice that there are a few choices of fuel to use in a vehicle and you pause to choose the right one, as the wrong wrong fuel could destroy the vehicle. Once the choice is made you insert payment and fill the tank of your vehicle and continue with your day. 

Just like a vehicle, we all have tanks we need to keep full. It is this tank that carries us through the day and into tomorrow and beyond. 

When I look back on my life, I find it easy to remember the times I choose the fuel of abandonment, hurt, disappointment, anxiety, and fear. I am not surprised that my choice of fuel leads to depression, hate, and suicidal thoughts. By the time I ran empty on the side of the road I was in a deep gorge with no sign of escaping. The flares I shot asking for help, no one noticed or listened. I sat by the side of the road fuelless and wishing for an end. 

It was at this time I closed my eyes and prayed. Many years I drove my tank with no direction and without the guidance of God. My body was in so much pain, instead of dealing with it I buried it deep and tries to forget. 

"Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am in trouble; My eye wastes away with grief, And my years with sighing; My strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away." (Psalm 31: 9-10) 

Even though I was deeply broken he took me in his loving arms and pulled me out of the gorge.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6 - New International Version) 

I spent some time walking and talking with God, I wondered why he was not there to help me each day I added the wrong fuel again and again. He replied to me that he was waiting for me to open the door;

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20 - English Standard Version)

I had been keeping the door closed all along. It is easy to tell ourselves each day to not choose that fuel and to open the door, but how does one change when you are not sure how. 

You reach out and ask for help, God will always be there to provide you guidance, and when needed to carry you when your tank runs dry. 

"And in all the wilderness where you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the ways that you went until you came to this place." (Deuteronomy 1:31 - King James Version) 

Each day I now make a thoughtful choice on how and with what I will fill my tank so that I can live stress-free, laughing and enjoying life. When it seems like my tank is running the wrong fuel or is on empty I know now to stop and refill my tank with different fuel before I run off the road.

Life is too much of an adventure to always be filling your tank wrong. 

 ©Jasmin Roussy

It is so easy to tell ourselves that we need to move on, forgive, and forget.

Learn to Dance in the RAIN

One of the fondest memories that I have from my childhood was the excitement of puddle jumping. It caused much excitement, that those rubber boots could not go on fast enough. Then once they were on your feet, you flew out the door, and each puddle and step provided so much enjoyment and laughter from such a simple thing.

"This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24- English Standard Version) 

When did life get so serious and complicated?
How did it fill so fast with stress and problems?
When did we all start walking by the flowers and not caring to smell them?
How did we put Laugher and Cheer off to the side of life?
When did we stop trying to understand each other?
When did it become the new NORMAL, to no longer care as much about other people and to make it ok to put someone else down so you could get ahead?

"The heart knows its own bitterness and no stranger shares its joy." (Proverbs 14:10 - English Standard Version)

"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." (Proverbs 17:22 - English Standard Version)

I try each day to navigate this world with laughter, kindness and treating others how I would want to be treated. It makes me sad when I look back in my life and see how often I have been let down, hurt or in danger,  as others to my amazement did not also follow the same mantra as I.

"Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken" (Psalm 55:22 - New English Standard Version)

When I am stressed, scared and feeling lost I know I can always turn to God. His arms are always open to me and in his word I find encouragement to no only continue on my mantra but live as a symbol for God.  It will not matter in my life how many people let me down, because God is always there and walking beside me, even when I thought I was alone.

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let the steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." ( James 1:2-4 -  English Standard Version) 

In life, there are times when stress and sorrow can take hold of you, be encouraged to know that God will always be there to support you and he is only a prayer away.

Should you need someone to pray with or for you please contact me at findingmyselfthroughgod@gmail.com

Also if you need a buddy to dance in the rain with let me know and we can dance together enjoying life, laughter, and friendship.

"A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance" (Ecclesistes 3:4 - King James Version)

©Jasmin Roussy 

Have You Washed Your Hands with God

Over the last couple of weeks, I have noticed a lot of "Hand Washing" conversations. They each talk about how to properly wash to not get infected with COVID-19, which is a very important process to follow by all.


With that being said it got me thinking about how many times we have washed our hands with and for God, how often we are diligently opening our selves to his cleansing water and calming lather.

If I was to look down at my hand, currently they are dry, cracked and have small cuts. I can even see my skin pattern more pronounced around the loose skin. They cry out neverending for cream, salve or rescue from their condition. Compared to the rest of my body, my hands carry the most visible damage from washing as much as possible.

Like my hand my soul is also dry, cracked and it cries out for help to wash the damage from life away.

"These people draw near to me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from me. And in vain they worship Me. Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men." (Matthew 15: 8-9 - New King James version) 

Each time I pick up the daily grind of life, I already can feel the soap of hurt, anger, resentment, loneliness, fear, hate, sadness, sinful and so many more emotions and guilt. As I put that daily soap into my hand and it lathers all day with the waters of life, my emotions and each person I come in contact with all have a factor into that lather that is compiling all day long.

"A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones." (Proverbs 14:30)

"A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones." (Proverbs 17:22 - New King James Version)

I return home with a crack, dry and scared soul from the all-day lather. Instead of washing them with the word of God, I decide to use the same soap from yesterday, carrying the burden further into my evening and tomorrow.

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess." (Matthew 23:25 - King James Version) 

As I rinse with the water of life from the day's lather, On the outside my soul looks clean. However, under the surface, it is still cracked, dry and the cuts are deeper and they are all waiting to add tomorrow's lather and grow off it so that each day will feed off the previous one. Thus the cycle continues as each day we are not cleaning our burdens and hurt and washing them away to God.

Instead, God asks us to wash with him and work together as a team to be clean and saved in his arms, which is always open and waiting for us to pick up his holy soap and wash in his cleaning water.

"I will wash my hands in innocence; So I will go about Your altar, O LORD, That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, And tell of all Your wondrous work." (Psalm 26: 6-7 - New King James Version)

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16 - English Standard Version) 

Lessons I learned

We all have pain in our lives one way or another. Sometimes it is physical pain other times it could be emotional pain. Physical pain is easily spotted by others and no explanation is needed. On the other hand, emotional pain is felt inwards, and something we carry with us. Like a heavy bag that drags us down. Unless we verbalize to those around us, we should not expect them to know the pain we are carrying. 

I am very guilty of putting inward the hurt people do to me and my emotions baggage.  I usually smile and laugh as a front to the pain I am actually feeling.  Inside I believe that I am never good enough for anyone and that I have to prove that self-worth. Even if it kills me, and in the past, it almost has on more than 1 occasion. When others take advantage of my good nature and treat me like a doormat, I accept that and move on like nothing has happened. No is a word I rarely say, it is almost always yes, what do you need, how can I help, sure thing I got this. Sadly I thought that those around me would return the favor or notice that I was drowning. There are many things I wish I would have learned and understood when I was younger. 

In the past few months, there are a few hard lessons that I have learned:

1. People will treat you in the way you let them, and do not expect how I treat someone to be returned in the same fashion. Treat them well because you can and not for any reward.

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:34 English Standard Version)

“Let each of you look not only to his own interest but also to the interest of others. (Philippians 2:4  English Standard Version)

2.  I can not expect people to know something is wrong unless I verbalize it. No one is a mind reader. 

“For who knows a person’s thoughts except for that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 2:11 New Living Translation)

3. You are the common thing in your own repeatable issues and problem. 

"Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” (Luke 15:7 English Standard Version)

4. You need to know how to set boundaries, say no and to put yourself and God first. 

“For each will have to bear his own load. (Galatians 6:5 English Standard Version)

5. Life is a mess and stuff happens, just don't make your mess something you dwell on make it your message and rise above it. 

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith

6. Your happiness should and can not depend on anyone else but you.

“With joy, you will draw waters from the wells of salvation.” (Isaiah 12:3 English Standard Version)

“a glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is crushed.” (Proverbs 12:13 English Standard Version)  

7. People will let you down, it is how you forgive them and move on that is important. 

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth' But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other cheek to him also."(Matthew 5: 38-39 New King James Version) 

“Then Peter approaching asked him, ‘Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times’” (Matthew 18: 21 - 22 New King James Version)

8. Holding on to hurt feeling only hurts you in the long run. Instead, hold on to love.

“For now there are faith, hope, and love. But of these three, the greatest is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13 Contemporary English Version) 

9. Do not take anything in life granted. Something you have today can be gone tomorrow.

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD. And whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters. Which spreads out its roots by the river. And will not fear when heat comes, But its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought. Nor will cease from yielding fruit.” (Jeremiah 17: 7-8 New King James Version

10. When you try to do the right thing most of the time it might be tough, but the reward will always be worth it. 

“And whatever you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks to God the Father because of him.” (Colossians 3:17 – Contemporary English Version)

11. You can choose who is in your life and who is not.

“The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray.” ( Proverbs 12:26 – New King James Version)

“Just as iron sharpens iron, friends sharpen the minds of each other.” (Proverbs 27:17 Contemporary English Version)

12. Work is important as we all need money to live, but don't let work become your life as it is more important to live life and enjoy things around you. 

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2 New King James Version)

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36-37 New King James Version)

13.  In a world where most people are trying to be someone else, be yourself it is a road worth taking.

“But the LORD told him, ‘Samuel, don’t think Eliab is the one just because he’s tall and handsome. He isn’t the one I’ve chosen. People judge others by what they look like, but I judge people by what is in their hearts.’” (1 Samuel 16:7 – Contemporary English Version)

14. When you find your way to God, take that leap, it is worth it. 

"Again the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for the joy, over it, he goes and sells all that he has and buys the field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who when he has found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he has and bought it" (Matthew 13: 44-46 New King James Version)

“Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” (Provers 3:6 New Living Translation)

15. Keep your promises and abide by your words. 

“Let your Yes mean Yes, and your No mean No.” (Matthew 5:37 New King James Version).

"By your words, you will be acquitted, and by your words, you will be condemned. (Matthew 12: 37 New King James Version)

16. Do not worry about everything in life, as you will forget to live and worrying will consume you.

“And who of you by worrying and being anxious can add one unit of measure to his stature or to the span of his life.” (Matthew 6:27 Amplified Version)

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34 New Living Translation)

17.   Have faith that he has a plan for you

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will; knock, and it will be open for you.” (Matthew 7:7 English Standard Version)

18.  Be mindful of what you say as words can truly hurt

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1 English Standard Version)

©Jasmin Roussy

Why NOT a Blog

I have had a few people ask me about my blog and the journey to it and with it. They ask me to explain my self and this Blog and how I came to write it and why I am writing it.

There really is no grand adventure that took me to where I am today. Just like most people the road I walked had and has its ups and downs. At this point in my life, I owe no explanation to anyone but to God and my husband. My hope in writing this blog was to find a venue to be able to freely express my self without judgment, it is a journey to be the best person I can be, for my self, those around me and those I have yet to meet. If along the way this blog helps others in their journey, all the better.

To those who ask me to explain my Journey all I can say is stay tuned. Oh, and you might want to read the first blog post, as that is the best way to start at the beginning of a journey. Not in the middle and looking for spoilers.

Be your tree

Close your eyes and imagine standing in the middle of a group of Pine trees in a thickly wooded area. Under the soul of your shoes, you can feel the uneven ground that you stand upon has layers and layers of pine needles.  You take a big deep breath, the taste of pine indulges all your senses. That crisp air refreshes your mind, body, and soul.  It has been a long time since you have been this relaxed yet focused. 

Now as you open your eyes the forest comes alive before you. There are the sounds of birds chirping far off in the distance. You can feel the wind against the trees, it moves them in a rhythmic pattern, almost an intimate dance between each other that you are privileged to watch.

You turn to your left and right and notice that you are surrounded by other trees. Even though they are so close by and inside your personal space, you don't mind. You actually enjoying their company, their sounds and what they bring to your space.

You slowly look down and notice that your legs are gone. In their place, your legs have become the tree and your roots are far underground. They are strong, stable and hold your body upright dancing in the wind.

Again you look around at the other trees in the forest and notice that they are actually familiar faces of people that you know and some you have yet to meet. Each tree is dancing together in the wind and their tree roots all intertwine to help and support the growth of each other and foster new growth where there is a tiny seedling that sprouts. 

It is important in life to remember that we humans are like trees. We all have the ability to help each other grown in life, through our experiences and knowledge, if we share these with each other we all can dance in the wind.  It is only during the windstorms that if we do not stand and dance together we will all fall with broken limbs, and some might not be able to attach the branches back on or the roots may die.

"For the body does not consist of one member but of many." (1 Corinthians 12:14 - English Standard Version) 


"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works." (Hebrews 10:24 - New King James Version) 

We all need to gather in the woods of this world to dance in the wind. Foster each other to grown strong roots so that future saplings can pass this knowledge along and we will all prosper.

©Jasmin Roussy

Days when everything hurts

There are days where everything hurts and it seems like you can not escape the pain. Days that look so bleak you hardly know if it is worth carrying on. You feel like a burden to everyone around you and you get tired of having to tell people that you hurt. Tired of trying to explain your self and your chronic pain, you just get tired of talking about it and wishing it was gone. You feel alone and you try to reach out but your not exactly sure how to or that you'll be heard.

It is easy to let chronic pain rule your life, it's easy to feel alone and scared.  I find myself thinking about why God has allowed me to have this pain and what I did wrong to deserve it.  It is in these times when I question my Faith with God the most and go astray so easily into a self-pity party.

"Before I was afflicted, I went astray. But now I keep Your words. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes. I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right, And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me. " (Psalm 119: 67,71,75 - New King James Version)

However, it has also been this time that I have reflected on my life thus far and the paths I took to get where I am today. There has been a lot of decisions I made that I wish I could change, there are also some I am happy with. I would like to say that everything I wanted of life so far I received, but unfortunately, when I was younger I saw my life turning out differently than it is now.  With that being said, going forward I choose the path that God has written out for me.

You said to me, "I will point out the road that you should follow. I will be your teacher and watch over you." (Psalm 32:8 - Contemporary English Version ) 

As I go forward with God as my leader, I know to not be afraid as he is with me holding my hand.

"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your GOD. I will strengthen you, Yes I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10 - New King James Version)

" For I am the Lord your God. I am holding your hand, so don't be afraid. I am here to help you. "(Isaiah 13 - Contemporary English Version ) 

©Jasmin Roussy

What do you say when your not speaking

"There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard." (Psalm 19:3-New King James Version)


A lot can be told about a person based on their body language and the manner in how they carry themselves. Most of the time we are judged by that first impression, well before you had a chance to say a single word.

What do you see first about a person?  For me, it is the facial expression they have. There is a lot of emotions that you can get from someone's face; happiness, sadness, anger, surprise, disgust, fear, contempt, confusion, and excitement just to name a few.  After that initial observation, you usually determine how to react or treat that person going forward.

What if God had judged you on your first meeting if he met you today on the street? What would your facial expression and body language about you?

A year ago my body language would have read as someone who was stressed, let down, scared and not able to cope with life. A soul who had lost its direction and purpose. It took me a while to get on level ground and I am still working today to rise above it.  Despite this, I am trying to keep my body language as open and caring with a smile on the face. As much as I spend every day in pain, I do not want to be judged solely on the pain my body carries. I would rather people see the light of God through my eyes. Then feel sorry for me in regards to the pain.

When someone meets you, what do you want to say when you are not speaking?

I want my eyes along with my actions to be a testament to God. That testament I want it to shine as bright as the sun so that others will see him in my eyes and my smile.

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Eternal Love

There is a place where my soul can SING.
In this place I find PEACE.
Every word is of hope and praise.
And all are welcomed to entre.

There is a place within my heart,
where rests the light of the world.

And through my smile is shone his WONDERS,
for all the world to SEE.

Within this place,
Truly I sing of eternal LOVE
and my heart can SMILE.

©Jasmin Roussy

Are you a Flash light for God?

There are lots of things in life that are hard emotionally, spiritually, mentally and physically to deal with. Most of us struggle in silence, never asking for help.

It feels like your running in a thick dark forest, it is cold, you have no shoes, and you're alone.  It is so dark that you can not see the light and laughter through the trees.  Some are lost in the woods but eventually find their way out and others wonder forever.

So many times I forget that God is there with me as my flashlight in the dark. He will help me find my way out. However, some are lost in the woods and can not find their way out. I should then charge my flashlight batteries with the word of God and enter the dark woods. Using his words and our faith to shine the way for others to be found so that they can be shown the light of God.

This reminds me of the Parable of THE LOST SHEEP :

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!" ( Luke 15: 4-6 - New King James Version) 


When you come across someone lost in the woods. Help them find their way and light their path as a flashlight for God. So that they can walk forward in confidence and be that Flashlight for someone else who is lost in the woods.

©Jasmin Roussy

Washing the floor

     Suppose your life for the last 10 years was laid out on your kitchen floor. Every moment, decision and event that happened. What would your floor say about you and the last year or decade you experienced. 

My kitchen floor would show evidence of stress, illness, unworthy, misunderstood and the feeling of being lost. All these things created dirt piles on my kitchen floor. Each year would come and go, with new promises of change and direction. However, it is hard to change unless you can define the problem or the root of these dirt piles. 

So today I pulled out the mop and the bucket to wash my floor.  My life needed some cleaning and redirection. 

"So I confessed my sins and told them to you. I said, "I'll tell the LORD each one of my sins". Then you forgave me and took away my guilt." ( Psalm 32:5 - Contemporary English Version )

I asked God to fill my pail with forgiveness, that he may wash away these sins. So that I can start this decade and year on a clean floor. With each pile of dirt washed, I felt the load on my soul lessen. Sometimes the mop felt heavy in my hand, but as soon as it touched the flowing forgiving waters of God it no longer carried that burden. 

When I look forward to the years ahead, the LORD will fill my bucket and guide my mop for a cleaner path. These dirt piles might try to pile up again, but I am now armed with the mop and bucket to wash them away. 

"A Man's heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps" 

       ( Proverbs 16:9 - New King James Version) 

©Jasmin Roussy