Oh my goodness!  I love this time of year - when you can open your windows in the evening and enjoy the cool air and respite from the heat of the day.  The day truly is a new, beautiful day, free of the oppressive heat from the desert. The season is changing and God, in grace and mercy, allows us to delight in it! Thank you, Lord.  What are you grateful for as the seasons change?

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."   Ecclesiates 3:11

 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path."  Proverbs 3:5-6

Sounds simple enough, right?  When a tire needs repair or a light goes out, I barely give a second thought, but when catastrophic news comes - my heart still takes pause. and I find myself seeking solutions and making plans before consulting with the One Who knows and has the best plan, not just for me, but for everyone involved.  My understanding, limited by my sight and focus, is so small when compared to that of the Creator.

I am so grateful there is One I can go to, Who will show me the way - even working all things together for my good - directing my path as I simply acknowledge Him.  

From Doubt to Delight

 As we look forward - hearing the voice of our Creator call us forth, often our heads fill with messages of dismay - "but I can't do that... or I'm too old to try that now... or but that's impossible."  Sometimes it's not even a "great calling" but simply the prompting just to speak to a stranger or extend a hand to a neighbor that prompts doubt and fear of rejection.  But we are told clearly - So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

 

Isn't that amazing?!?  It means we go through life with a net.  As we teeter on the tight rope in the circus of life, feeling frail and weak at times we receive encouragement from the greatest, most powerful One - "I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you."

 

What an incredible promise!  Now - run and fly with renewed courage, strength and hope.  I am so grateful that I can live my life from this premise.  Join me, won't you?  I can't wait to see you soar!

 What a wonderful morning!  I love to see an active sky and enjoy it with great anticipation.  The clouds, the colors, the movement and prospect of a storm are winners to me and I am grateful to see the beauty and power as well as enjoying the scent of water in the air.  

So many storms roll through our lives and we have a choice- lean in for the learning and growth or hide in fear, doomed to repeat the scenario cowering in fear.  

Lean in, for "the mountains may depart and the hills may be removed, but my steadfast live shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the LORD, who has compassion on you. " Isaiah 54:10

Make it a great day!  What are you grateful for?

 What a beautiful day!! 

Okay - so if you'd been a "fly" in my car this morning, you'd have witnessed my frustration with traffic and myself as I reacted to individual drivers whom, I can only guess, believe that the laws governing the roadways are mere suggestions, with lines, lanes, signs and lights being annoying interruptions of their cell phone use.  I would ask God for forgiveness for my agitation, then come back within only minutes to seek His grace again - I even had gospel music playing! 

But I wanted to break this cycle  - and it came to me - twice this morning already I had heard, "but Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger....." and that's when I asked the Lord to help me see each person as He sees them.  I don't know their back stories - or those things on their mind that distract them - but He does.  Most importantly, I just need to love - and that is a choice...so I became grateful that I have the privilege of driving a car, the opportunity to pray for those on the road with me and to show grace and kindness, whether returned or not... and my day changed.....and I am grateful.   

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40

 

I am on a path that I did not choose, nor did the one whom I will gladly, wholly support on it.  It occurred to me today as I went to order something lovely for my path partner, that it could come too late and not be a blessing to them at all.

The thought shocked my senses and I quickly moved away from it, opting for a less "perfect" item that would be delivered in a day or so and hopefully, a blessing, none-the-less.

I will move forward - whether climbing or clamouring along a slippery slope, though I know there will be times when I slide back in tears and fall to my face.  Yet in the midst, I know that One Who is faithful, full of grace and truth - and oh so very much love will never leave us nor forsake us. and I am grateful.

"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