~My life is not contingent on anyone who leaves it.
~God will not let anyone who left me limit me.
~Everyone isn’t made to make the journey with me.
(Anonymous)
~You were enough. Maybe you were too much. Maybe he prefers less and you deserve more. (r.h. sin)
Yes, then no
fast, then slow.
Up, then down
around and around.
As easy as the wind blows-
your love comes and then it goes.
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it. Jeremiah 17:9.
I’m everything you could ever want.
Then, all of a sudden I’m not.
Crushed by confusion,
comparisons fly:
If this man doesn’t love me,
then what good am I?
Daughter of the one true King,
the Father hears my cry.
He says his plan is greater than mine, it just takes time.
Steady, humble, UN-conditional and true.
Hard to find that here on earth,
but I found it in You.
-TLW
I never thought I’d be here;
Saved by grace through faith,
And free from fear.
No words can proclaim,
And no mind can perceive
The extent of the Greatness
Of His majesty.
The One who saves has made a way;
He’s given me a new day
To rejoice, serve, thank, give, love, testify…
To live.
To be called according to His purpose
Is where I want to be;
Seated at His feet for all eternity.
Two words that I don’t say very often: I’m sick. Nothing serious, but it’s had me in it’s grip for about 5 days now and I want my mommy!
While I was laying in bed trying to fall asleep last night, not able to breathe, achey, and just feeling plain pitiful, I conceded and turned off the TV which is usually my sure-fire tool to help me transition into dreamland. I opened all three windows to let fresh air in from the 70 degree ‘winter’ day we had.
What I discovered was the harmonious sounds of crickets and the sound of constant flow from a stream. I don’t know if that stream has always been there or if it’s because of the heavy rain we recently had. Either way it was a serene combination that ultimately brought me some zzz’s.
I awoke this morning to the melodies of God’s creatures: beautiful singing birds who were happy for the blue sky and sunshine. I don’t think the hour we humans lost as a result of daylight savings time effected them as much.
Amid my pity party of sickness, I was reminded of one of the greatest gifts of all: gratitude. I was so grateful for my home and the woods that surround it and all of God’s creatures who I tend to drown out with electronics and media. If you take a moment to breathe it in, it truly is the most remarkable of simplicities.
Love your life today, no matter what!
Live your life ON PURPOSE!
This is what I think about when I’m driving to work in the morning. How can I live purposefully today? How can I live with INTENTION today? When I start my day meditating on this and then putting it into ACTION, the results are fruitful and the spirits are higher in me and everyone around me.
Our God is a purposeful God.
Exodus 9:16 – But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.
Things that brought me happiness today…
-The smell of clean laundry
-Reading God’s word
-Receiving God’s love
-Sunshine
-Car windows down
-Dog cuddles
-A refreshing nap
-Seeing a friend celebrate an accomplishment
-Hoodies
Finding joy in the little, daily things brings Him glory. “For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever!” Romans 11:36
“…for the holy spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”
Luke 12:12 NIV
As I grow in my relationship with God, I find myself more and more in uncomfortable situations. Not dangerously uncomfortable, but challenging uncomfortable. I’m starting to learn that God doesn’t like us to get too cozy and complacent in one place for too long. A few years ago, I was not equipped to handle some of the things I am blessed enough to face today. Whether it’s in the corporate world, social circles, or church life, I am constantly learning.
Have you ever faced a tough situation that you just didn’t feel adequate or able to handle? I usually become full of fear and anxiety when I have to confront someone. Even though I enjoy kickboxing and MMA, I do not like confrontation!! So when I recently had to have an uncomfortable conversation, I knew I could not do it on my own, and for me that’s progress! Knowing what I don’t know and when I need to ask for help and guidance is huge. In this particular situation, I knew I needed help. Not only did I need the advice of trusted confidants and mentors, I needed HIM. I prayed and asked God to guide me, fill me with the Holy Spirit, and give me the words to say. Melissa Moore Fitzpatrick (Beth Moore’s daughter) says, “…God gave us the Holy Spirit to empower us for messy situations…” Luke 12:12 says, “…for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say. (NIV)” Even if the outcome or the other person’s response doesn’t go the way I want it to, I can carry my head high and lift my eyes up to the Lord knowing that I sought Him and He was with me.
I don’t have to go through anything alone today! Thank you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Believe in the fear.
Have faith, my dear.
Remember the days
of a more simple time;
when poems always seemed to rhyme;
when smiles and laughter came from someplace real-
Untouched by the darkness,
where wounds could heal
Yes, this is another cliché ‘what am I thankful for’ post at Thanksgiving. BUT let me say that gratitude is never cliché. I don’t think you can ever talk about, write about, or think about GRATITUDE too much. Every single day is a gift from our creator. My prayers always start with “God, thank you for the GIFT of life today”.
I didn’t realize how very, very precious life is until I was 24 and breathing what I thought were going to be my last breaths. Unfortunately, for some of us that’s what it takes. Hopefully, for anyone reading this, you can just take my word for it…be grateful for every single day. Even the miserable ones because even in the darkest days there is light and a lesson: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all (2 Corinthians 4:17).”
Above all else, I thank God. He is #1 on my Gratitude List and everything that comes after is merely a bi-product of his greatness. Psalm 100:5 praises: ” For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Without his love, mercy, and grace I would be nothing and I would have nothing. I could list 100 things/people/miracles that I’m thankful for, but it really just all comes back to Him. What are you thankful for?
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. – Psalm 100:4
While I don’t agree that in order to be a great writer, you HAVE to follow certain rules, I think these are definitely helpful guidelines to try to stick to and incorporate in your writing world. Check it out! Maybe it will help you too…
Tracey's Truth 