Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Simple Blessings

When I read the subject for this week, "What’s a typical day in your life like right now? How can you see God’s hand in the middle of the “small” and ordinary too?" I wasn't too sure this would be very exciting to read. I am retired and my days are always different. My husband is not well and my body seems to have a mind of it's own. Anyway I will give you a small window into a sampling of my day.

I like to get up early, as that is when I feel the best, and sit down with my cup of chai tea and my computer. I check out my email and daily devotions that I subscribe to. It is still dark, and at this time of year a bit chilly. I empty my mailbox and then sit and write a letter to God. I have found through the years that for me to pray out loud or in my head the thoughts of the day, of yesterday, rattle so loudly that I can't think, so to be able to concentrate I need to write things down. I feel like I am writing to a loved one that is away on a trip. I tell Him everything that is on my mind and how terribly much I love him. Then I do my Bible study lessons, it is either a Beth Moore study that I am involved in or the book of Psalms that I am finishing up, or reading the book of John.

It's time to try to wake my husband, he always asks for just 1/2 hour more.

We share breakfast and then decide what we will do for today. We have a Skype call with friends from Kurdistan today so we are looking forward to that. We may go out on a small expedition of our new area and see what we can find. {we have recently moved to be near our daughter, son-in-law, and two granddaughters.} Perhaps we will go and visit them today. You just never know. What great freedom!

We will spend time together and that is the best thing of all, being with family.

We will probably end the day eating dinner together and watching a little TV or reading.

Fairly ordinary, but when I think of it it's the little things and the times that I feel God's presence so very close are exactly what life is all about. Spending time with the One that knows me better than anyone, being with the man of my dreams, sharing time with friends that had moved so very far away, seeing my beautiful daughter and her family, I realize that my life is full and so very blessed.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Joy Undescribeable

Our new prompt is "What brings me joy in my God-sized dream?" As I sit and think this through I look back on when we started this journey and it brings me joy to see how I have grown to look for God in all my situations. It is turning out to be an awesome journey. I thought I didn't have a God-sized dream and as I look back over the last weeks I see God drawing me to Himself in such a loving way it is breath-taking.

I thought when I started that I knew God. To have a God-sized dream you have to know the one that is giving the dream, so I thought I knew God. But as I have traveled these last few weeks I have searched for this dream but what I found was the wonder and awe of our awesome Father. The way he speaks to my heart at just the moment I need that encouragement. The sweet sister dreamers that leave comments that spur me on to seek more of this dream journey that I have taken. The words that Holley leaves each day that make me sit and think and nod my head in agreement. This all brings me joy.

Just to know that God is changing me {I am not sure if anyone else is seeing the change in me but I can see it as clear as the type on this page} that he loves me so much that he is revealing himself everywhere I look, how awesome is that? That, is the joy is this awesome journey. Thank you all for your part in my journey.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Time

What do I want more of in my life?

I can think of lots of things I would like to have more of, more time to spend with my children, more time to share with my husband, more time to talk with friends that are no longer a walk away from my home. I want more time to enjoy each grandchild on a one on one bases. I want more of God. I want to know Him with such intimacy that I can't wait to tell Him everything.

When I look at that list of the things I want more of I have to go to the next thing and that is what can I do less of to get to the MORE? Now that is the harder question.

Perhaps less time watching television. Maybe less time with my nose stuck in a book. (I don't think I can get up earlier or go to bed later, those aren't options.) I think that as I look at what I desire more of, I need to make better use of my time. I seem to waste quite a bit of it doing things that in the long run just don't matter much. I need to decide what I can do that will make a difference and bring glory to God.

As I reread the things that I want more of, the word TIME seems to be the ultimate goal. I can't get more time but I can start to use the time that I have better. Only with God's help can I leave some time stealing things and do time honoring things. Hmm it really does help to see things in print.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

A Letter to the God-sized Dreamers

Dear Sister Dreamers,

As I read the God-sized dreams so many of you have embarked on I can't believe what a God we serve! So many of us have taken the challenge that Holley proposed so many weeks ago. God has been whispering these sweet dreams to each of us. Can you see the wonderful pleased look on His face as you step out, trembling and struggling to be bold, but determined to walk with Him on this journey He has proposed! God is bending close to your ear telling you to "fear not, I am with you." He is talking to you sweet dreamer. The God that created the universe, the same one that knows the name of each star is bending low to tell you He is right there beside you. How awesome is that?!

Just to realizing that God has a wonderful plan to use YOU in a special way is enough to curl your toes and put a spring in your step. Don't give up when it seems you have run into a road block. Remember Who holds your hand! Lean in,be still and seek His direction. He hasn't left. He is still right there beside you cheering you on.

Please know that there are a cloud of us that are praying for you and cheering you on also. We are excitedly waiting to be encouraged by your dream and God's faithfulness.

I am excited to go through Holley's book "You're Made for a God-Sized Dream", with you and share her encouraging words as we travel this journey together.