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

A Rose

 If you were to come to my house, this is but one of the lovely blooms that would greet you.  Amazing how something so simple as a flower blooming can bring a smile to my face so quickly.  I wish I could share the aroma, but, alas, it is not available in this medium.  

I am so grateful for the wonderful reminder that each day unfolds as a bud blooming.  We can choose, no matter the news or circumstance, how to bloom.  We can choose joy in the morning and throughout the day or we can choose otherwise, but it is just that - a choice.  As for me - I choose joy!  This is a day that the LORD has made.  Let us rejoice and be glad in it!  

    So grateful for Friday this week!!  What a week!  Each day included doctor's visits and a surgery for my husband as an issue with his failing sight became urgent.  Today is the first day I won't be running home and then to a doctor's office or surgery center with him....only the usual Friday night for his dialysis.  

    I feel like I've spent the week running with little sleep and a bit of frustration as this was the result of a doctor he'd been changed to due to an insurance glitch.  We're back with the great doctors and they are fixing what the other doctor caused.  At any rate....God has been so good.  

    At times of great frustration, I chose to sing praises to God and what a difference it makes.  While rushing around - I had peace.  God IS good ALL the time.

 

 As I've gotten older and learned life's lessons toward peace, I've also become a bit of a tenderfoot.  When it's smooth sailing, the path soft upon my feet with the wear of experience and rough road smashed down over time into a path of soft dirt, I become accustomed to the little dirt clods on occasion.  But when the road becomes rocky with sharp edges, I'm startled by the pain and pause.  To be honest, at that moment of pain, I have a hard time considering it all joy. 

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter ^H)"various trials, knowing that ^I)"the testing of your ^J)"faith produces endurance. James 1:2-3 

 

It is necessary to consult a map - THE map (if you will) - so as not to make things worse or react in emotion born of pain, casting truth aside.  God is with you.  He is for you.  And He will see you through this time for He will never leave you nor forsake you as a child of His and He will work all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.  These are truths upon which you can stand fast during times of uncertainty and pain.  In holding fast to them we can be assured of growth in our love, faith, strength and very witness. And as you express your gratitude for these very truths, you may find yourself rejoicing, yes rejoicing, even in the midst of the trials.  

 

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials (1 Peter 1:6)

 

And the path will seem to smooth before you. 

 Happy New Year!

 

I know new years resolutions are seen to be a yearly effort lasting - many times - only a short while.  But we are called to examine ourselves - our lives and continue to do so with scripture as our measure.  We are called to "...examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD." (Lamentations 3:40)  As I participate in this examination I am compelled to make some determinations going forward.  One of mine this year is again - purpose to live with intention.  James Allen once said, "Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so you shall become.  Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day be; your ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil."

 

Just as the new morning brings light, what will your life unveil?  What does your gradual unveiling look like?

What will your legacy be?

Recently I received word of the passing of two ladies who had each seen over 7 decades of life here on earth.  One lived a life that poured forth love, compassion, gratitude, and joy no matter what she faced in life.  People poured in upon news of her illness and she had constant companionship, whether aware or not.  The love she'd shown each person with whom she'd come in contact was as a Stone dropped into a pond where it's impact sent wave upon wave ever expanding and reaching those who would never meet her, but benefited from the love of God she allowed to overflow from her heart toward others.  Her legacy remains, she is missed, but those who knew her are even more vigilant to pay it forward.

The other woman lived a life wherein she "told it like it was" through her eyes, when a friend or family member was absent there were sure to be unkind words or judgments, and she was clear about who she liked and did not.  She had several children, though nearby, not frequent visitors as she'd worked her "magic" on their spouses and children as well.  Her unkindness was legendary.  Visitors had trickled down to an obligated few.  Her legacy.  

I am grateful for the opportunity to have known each of the women.  I learned from both; inspired by one and through necessity with the other.  I offer these verses as they came to me so clearly. 

" ¹ If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body ^[a]to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, ⁵ does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, ⁶ does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; ^7 [b]bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  ⁸ Love never fails..." (1 Corinthians 13: 1-8a)

 

God bless you as you step forward, continuing your own legacy creation.