31 Days Archives - Amelia McNeilly

New Blog Series Coming October 1, 2016!

Hi friends. Things have been quiet on the blog lately, but beginning on October 1, I will be participating in the 31 days of Writing Challenge again hosted by Crystal Stine.

I am super excited about my topic for this year, and can’t wait to share more about it with you tomorrow. If you have not already, take a moment to subscribe to my email list so you will never miss a post. Subscribe here.

Also, if you want to read my 31 days series from last year visit here.

Check back tomorrow morning for the reveal and first post in my new series!

31 Days, Articles

Day 31 – I Made It!

Friends! I made it through the 31 day writing challenge and managed to post on my blog every day in October. I made it — even when I did not think I had another post in me. Even when all the crap from this week threatened to overwhelm me — I made it. This past week I didn’t think I would make it to the end of the week without going to the hospital. However, by God’s miraculous grace– I am not in the hospital, and am on the road to recovery. Thanks so much for joining me on my journey this month, and reading what I have had to say about this current season of life I am in. Your kind words, prayers, and encouragement have meant so much to me. Don’t worry though, I am not going anywhere in November. I plan to still blog then as well, but maybe not everyday. So stay tuned. There is more to come.

To read more posts in this series visit here.

31 Days, Articles, Disability

Day 30 – The Lord is Near to the Brokenhearted

Well, this week has been a hard one. I feel like I am slowly moving out of the fog of medication and from being very sick. The bowel blockage is improving, thankfully, but I am still not well. The doctor wants to give it a couple more days before doing anything else so hopefully things will continue to get better. However, I am not going to be able to go on my trip to Texas to see my best friend Sara, and that breaks my heart. I feel like I am continually having to say “no” to plans due to health reasons. Sara has been super understanding and supportive and she has walked with me in my suffering so well over the past year. It is not always easy being friends with someone who is continually sick, but she has come alongside me in all of my suffering with love, encouragement, and is always ready to listen. That has meant so much to me. I am already looking forward to the next plans we make and seeing her face to face when I am doing better.

In my sadness the Lord has reminded me of Psalm 34:18 which states,

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

This is such an appropriate verse for me and it has brought much comfort to my soul today. The Lord knows. The Lord understands. He is comforting me in the hard places of life and that is such a gift. So thankful for this promise! I hope you all enjoy your weekend.

To read more posts in this series visit here.

31 Days, Articles, Disability

Day 29 – Update

Thanks for the continued prayers for my blockage. Today will be another short post, but I wanted to share an update. I was on a liquid diet all day yesterday and am on one today. I am not worse but I am not a lot better yet so I will probably be having a CT scan in the near future. For now, that is all the details I know. Please continue to keep me in your prayers and that a hospital visit will not be needed. Thanks friends. Have a blessed Thursday!

To read more posts in this series visit here.

31 Days, Articles, Disability

Day 28 – Some Days are PJ Days

Hey friends. Thanks so much for your prayers and encouragement from yesterday’s post. They mean so much. I was able to hear from my doctor and he has put me on a liquid diet through Thursday, and if things are no better by then I will have a CT Scan done. Until then, it is just lots of rest for me, and today will be another PJ day..haha! Please pray that the blockage goes away soon. Thanks so much, and I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday.

To read more posts in this series visit here.

31 Days, Articles, Christian Living

Day 26 – Laughter and Grace

Happy Monday, friends! I hope you all had a great weekend! Mine was incredibly blessed and full of laughter and grace. I am so thankful that in the midst of hard, God provides encouraging and fun moments that uplift the soul — and that is exactly what He did for me this week/weekend.

Wednesday, one of my dearest friends Casey and her son Malakai came over for a visit. Usually we get together weekly but October has been an extremely busy month and we haven’t seen each other as much so it was nice to catch up and spend time with them. Then on Thursday morning I was able to Skype with my friend Erin; and that afternoon my friend Anita came over and we talked and laughed for the longest time and played with her new jewelry that she had just received. What girl doesn’t like to do that? On Saturday my aunt visited and brought her sweet grand-daughter Lexi to visit and I of course loved Mimi time with her.

Saturday evening, my church had a “Parade of Tables” event where ladies from the church decorate tables and each one has a different theme. Everyone joins together for dinner and entertainment, and this year the speaker was Cherie Nettles. Ya’ll she was AMAZING! She is hilarious and now on the list of one of my favorite comedians. She also has a powerful testimony about the healing and grace God has brought into to her life. Her talk reminded me that as Jeremiah 32:17 says, “Nothing is too hard for God.”

So as you go throughout your week, remember this truth from scripture — Nothing is too hard for God. Nothing. That sickness you want healed, the job you want, the husband or wife you wish for, the baby you want to have, and the list could go on. God knows the mountain you are facing and he also knows the desires of your heart. He knows, and He cares even when it seems like He is absent from the circumstances. He is not absent. He is there and He is working even when we cannot see or feel evidence of Him. In those moments we have to trust what we know of our Savior, and as Elisabeth Elliot says, “Do the next thing.” When life is too hard and we do not know where to turn next — just do the next thing. Trust Jesus and do the next thing, and somewhere along the way you will begin to feel okay, and little by little feel his presence again because He has never left.

Be encouraged friends, and dwell on the fact that God is with you today and rest in His grace.

To read more posts in this series visit here.

31 Days, Articles, Christian Living, Devotionals

Day 25 -Quiet Time Encouragement

This morning in my time with the Lord I read this hymn from Anna L. Waring. This brings perspective and joy to my hard times this week and is a gentle reminder from the Lord of exactly what my soul has needed.

No matter what crap I am facing, or what fears that I have — the Lord is in control of it all, and He will take care of my life. I pray that the words from this hymn brings you encouragement like they have me. Have a blessed Sunday.

Father, I know that all my life

Is portioned out for me,

And the changes that are sure to come

I do not fear to see;

I ask Thee for a present mind,

Intent on pleasing Thee.

I would not have the restless will

That hurries to and fro,

Seeking for some great thing to do

Or secret thing to know;

I would be treated as a child

And guided where I go.

Wherever in the world I am,

In whatsoever estate,

I have a fellowship with hearts

To keep and cultivate.

To read more posts in this series visit here.

31 Days, Articles, Christian Living, Devotionals

Saturday Encouragement From Elisabeth Elliot

Lately, I have spent a lot of my time listening to audio messages from some wonderful women such as Corrie Ten Boom and Elisabeth Elliot. The stories these ladies share are amazing and are a good reminder to me of God’s faithfulness. As I am spending a lot of time at home these days, listening to these messages brings much encouragement to me, especially on days when I am not feeling well.

Below is a link to a message from Elisabeth titled “I Can’t, But I Will.” I urge you to take some time to listen to this, and I pray it encourages and challenges you like it has me.

Visit here to listen to this message and others from her.

To read more posts in this series visit here.

31 Days, Articles

Day 23 – Happy in the Lord

Happy Friday, my friends! I pray that you all have a wonderful weekend, and would like to share with you one of my favorite quotes that I have been reminded of lately.

I was looking through some writings I had done years ago, and found this quote from George Mueller. He states,

“I saw more clearly than ever, that the first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day was, to have my soul happy in the Lord. The first thing to be concerned about was not, how much I might serve the Lord, how I might glorify the Lord; but how I might get my soul into a happy state, and how my inner man might be nourished.”

Recently, as mentioned in some previous posts, I have been discontent in certain areas. However, the Lord has been reminding me more than ever of the importance of spending time reading and absorbing His word every day. It is so easy to get bogged down with the trials of life and neglect spending time with the Lord. However, that should be our most important priority before anything else.

True contentment and peace comes from spending time with Jesus.

No matter what you’re discontent in, whether it be your health, singleness, job, or something else — you can find true joy and happiness by giving your time to Jesus. I do not know what you are struggling with today, but make it a priority to take some time and make your soul ”happy in the Lord.”

To read more posts in this series visit here.

31 Days, Articles, Disability

Day 22 – 3am Wake Up Calls

The past few weeks I have not slept well, and have been woken up for one reason or another. Yesterday morning was no different. I woke up at 3am with some major issues with my bag. More crap to clean up..ha! There is no sweeter wake up call than that (sigh). I definitely relate to all you moms out there who get very little sleep. It is a struggle for sure.

I got frustrated at first because of the mess and knew that sleep would not return easily, but then I remembered yesterday’s post about not taking everything so seriously so I tried to find the amusement in a very annoying situation. Sleep did not return until about 6am and even then I did not sleep long. However, the positive in this situation is that I was able to read some very encouraging devotions during that time and to pray. I have been reminded that these unexpected wake up calls provide an excellent time to pour out my heart to the Lord and to ponder His Word. He always manages to help me put things into perspective and finds some way to get through to my sleep deprived brain. So the next time you find yourself not able to sleep, spend that time talking to God. I can assure you that He will not disappoint, and He will give you the inner peace and rest your soul so desperately needs.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday!

To read more posts in this series visit here.

New Blog Series Coming October 1, 2016!

Day 31 – I Made It!

Day 30 – The Lord is Near to the Brokenhearted

Day 29 – Update

Day 28 – Some Days are PJ Days

Day 26 – Laughter and Grace

Day 25 -Quiet Time Encouragement

Saturday Encouragement From Elisabeth Elliot

Day 23 – Happy in the Lord

Day 22 – 3am Wake Up Calls

ameliamcneilly

ameliamcneilly

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