New Year's Resolution

Can you believe that 2014 is gone? It seems like just yesterday we were bringing it in. I guess the older you get the faster that things go by is true.

As I look back at 2014 it is filled with some terribly difficult moments. I guess more than moments, but it has also brought me closer to God because He has been the only thing to hold on to in those moments. It has had some fun and exciting moments also. I am sure we all take at least a bit of time to look back and evaluate our year.

It is ok to look back as long as you don't get stuck there. I have noticed when I tend to look back at the good I want to stay right there and not look anywhere else. When I look back at my mistakes or shortcomings I wallow in the mess I have made. Neither one is good.

If I just look at the good I will never move away and grow to move closer to God and know him in a new and exciting way. If I sit and moan over what was wrong I will never lift my eyes to see God waiting for me.

If we take the good and the bad and learn just a tiny bit from them both and then move on not to turn back and gaze at what was past I think that is the best way to start this new year. I can NOT change one thing that has already taken place. No matter how long I gaze or wallow it will not create a new ending. I think Paul said it best:

Philippians 3:13-15

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. [ Following Paul’s Example ] All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.

 

Perhaps this should be our New Year's Resolution, to Press On! Remember you are not alone in this, God is in this with you till the end. [He promised to never leave us] I wish you the very best 2015! Happy New Year.

 

 

Such a Small Gift

I am sure that many have been in line behind a small child in a cart that is checking you out.[is that the reason its called the "check-out line"?]   I have the reaction to smile at the child and usually they will smile back. You can get all kinds of reactions, from a shy child that hides behind "mommy" then peaks around to see if you are still there, to the child that is so tired they are spaced out and don't really see you standing there smiling, or the child that sees "stranger danger" and starts to wail. But usually they mirror what they see and smile back.

Once I get the sought after smile, I want more, a giggle, or outright laughter. It sure makes the line go so much faster and makes me feel so happy on the inside. Such a small gift - a smile - but such a huge effect it has on the giver and the receiver.

Last night as my husband came to bed [don't worry nothing crazy here] he reached out and touched my hand. His was freezing and as I took it made the comment you are so cold. As we lay there and held hands soon his was as warm as mine. Such a small gift - a warm hand- but a huge effect on the receiver - warmth shared.

At this time of year things are hectic and running together and sometimes overwhelming. But we need to take a moment and think about the "small Gift" that God has given in the form of Baby Jesus. A King in a small package, The Savior and Prince of Peace was perhaps the smallest gift but oh the huge effect He has had on the world! To all that believe He has given us so much, salvation, to be His child, freedom from fear, and the list goes on. Such a small gift - that Baby Jesus - such a huge effect on the world. Have you met him? He would love to meet you and have a huge effect on your life!
Have a Merry Christmas and check out that "small Gift".

Luke 2:11-12

 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

A Gift

This is the time of year that a lot of us are buying gifts and wrapping them with great expectation of the recipient being thrilled with the present. Have you ever given a gift that was never opened?

I had given a gift that I thought would be well received and the recipient so happy to get it. I waited to hear her joyous news that the gift was the perfect thing that she had been waiting for. I waited, and waited, and waited. But she never opened the gift. She still has the opportunity to open it but, has chosen not to. I was so sad that this well thought out gift is still sitting in her home perhaps tucked away in a closet somewhere. Had I done something or said something to make her not want to open a gift from me? Did she not need a gift that was free? Did she not care about getting a gift? Has she held onto it so long that she has forgotten?

I haven't forgotten! I wait each day to see or hear from her that she has found the gift and opened it and is enjoying it.

I have just gone shopping for another gift to give to another loved one. It was such great fun to pick out the perfect small gifts and to take them home and put them together just so. The anticipation of seeing the delight on the faces of those to receive them was exciting. I informed the loved one that all she had to do was come to my place and I had a bag of goodies waiting. She informed me that she would be there.

Guess what she didn't come. I was disappointed but did not give up. I saw her the very next day and reminded her of the presents and she told me she had forgot but could she come now? YES! She was so grateful for the presents and told me they were just perfect. She excitedly took them with her. She called the next day to tell me again how perfect they were.

You know what? God has given us a FREE gift. A gift that has been thought out and is absolutely perfect for you and for me! He loving selected and gave His Only Son for you and me. Do we do like the first person in the story just set Him aside and never accept Him? Or do we do what the second person did, even though the gift was forgotten for a little while it WAS opened and loved.

This is the season for gift giving and God has the ultimate gift waiting for you! Won't  you "open" it?

John 3:16

 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Whose Plan

I was shopping the other day and saw what I thought would be the perfect project for my granddaughter and I to tackle. There were these very cute buttons, Christmas lights, a few funky reindeer, and one Santa going down a chimney. I thought wouldn't it be fun to make a necklace so she could wear it to school! So I purchased them and some of that stretchy elastic to put it all together. Such a wonderful plan!

I had it all laid out in my mind just what it would look like and how we would have fun doing it together. So I asked her if she would like to make a Christmas necklace. She was very excited when she saw the cute buttons placed before her.

We got right to work. She made a pattern with the different buttons first, then we started to string them. It went well but the buttons didn't stay where we wanted so we had to rethink and then start again. This time we put a knot on each button and held them in place. Perfect. It was so cute. I handed it to her and she put it on. Wonderful, or so I thought.

About 2 hours later she came to me rather sheepishly and told me she wanted to give the necklace to one of her little friends. Well, I was very proud of her not wanting to keep it but give her creation to someone else. I told her that was a super idea but what was the problem? She opened her hand and the necklace that we had perfected was now in a ball of knots of reindeer and lights. Santa was so tangled that I couldn't find him.

I tried to hide my distress when she said "Can you fix it Nana?" I told her I would try. It was now a gift after all.

I set to work trying to find an end to try to unravel the tight ball of knots. I worked for about 1/2 hour struggling. I almost made it to Santa, who was the center piece of the necklace, but the last half was not salvageable. I finally gave up and cut each button off, kept the pattern she had set and restrung the necklace to its original look.

We put it on a paper with tape so it wouldn't tangle again and she painstakingly wrapped it for her friend.

I started to think about how sometimes the plans I make in life are like that necklace. They sound perfect, easy to complete, but end up in a "ball of knots". I need to start over and this time go to the Creator and seek his plan. His plan always turns out into the perfect finished project. I need to start with Him first so I don't waste time trying to unravel my feeble attempts.

How are your plans? Are you starting in the right place? God has a plan for you. Why not check it out?

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Expectancy!

We have been in search of a new church family since we have moved here. Not an easy thing to do, replace your "family" with a new one. We have had to do this a few times and it is not something I look forward to because you are constantly comparing old and new. Have you been there?

Well, the pastor had a new take on the Christmas theme, which I am sure is a difficult thing to do as everyone in the listening seats is thinking,  "I know this story by heart" and starts to zone out. He had the stage loaded with giant presents with labels on them. He started with the longest, "EXPECTANCY" the label read. Hmm let's see what he has to say.

He talked about how the Bible tells of the coming Messiah in the old testament. God gives us great details.

Who-Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Where-Micah 5:2

 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
    though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
    one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
    from ancient times.”

 

Then he went to the new testament and started sharing about the expectancy of Zechariah and Elizabeth, and Mary. As he moved on to the shepherds in the fields I started to get this picture in my head. Let me share with you a little of the expectancy I started to feel myself.

 

Can you see God sitting on his throne and gathering his angels to give them their new assignment and explain what was about to take place. These are not the kind of angels we see on TV or are painted in pictures, these are the Warriors of heaven that do battle, they are the ones we read about in the bible, the ones that light up the night sky with terrifying glory. Can you see them on bended knee staring at God and hearing for the first time what will happen next. God is going to send Jesus to earth as a child to save the world and their job is to share this wonderful news with those shepherds in the field near Bethlehem. Can you imagine their joy! They listen as the angel chosen to tell the shepherds finishes and they can no longer hold in their expectancy and start glorifying God in a warrior type shout. Well, no wonder the shepherds were afraid, sky lights up, voices singing, shouting, cheering;

 

 

Luke 2:13-14

 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

 

I guess I missed the rest of the pastors words because I was so taken in with the scene in my mind, just imagine the whole thing taking place! I pray you catch the EXPECTANCY of this time of the year.

 

Please sit back and let this wash over you and enjoy! It is a group called Pentatonix.

 

 

Need a Reminder?

This is the time of year that everyone is talking about giving thanks. We are given ideas on what to be thankful for. I wonder if that means we don't give thanks enough?

I receive a few devotions through my email and they are reminding me to be thankful for family. Well, this has been a very trying time with family. I am sure you could relate. Kids are screwed into the ceiling about now with all the "things" they would like to receive. Tempers are gearing up for the holiday spirit. Faces you pass are weary already. You have seen and heard them in the grocery stores.
I am thankful for family, even through the trying times as well as the good times, as I am sure you are if you look past the hype.

We are told to be thankful for warm homes and food on the table. I know we are all thankful for that and don't have to be reminded. As we smell the turkey cooking and pies baking how could we forget to be thankful for that? Right?

But what about things like the love your see in your grandchild's eyes just there for You? Are you thankful for that? You bet you are! How about times shared with a spouse or calls from someone you haven't seen in a while. What about a text that tells you they miss and love you? Wow those are special things to give thanks for.

What about eyes to see the snow falling so white and silent, or ears to hear the sound of children laughing with their parents? How about a God that loves you so very much He couldn't stand to be separated from you so He sent His very own child to bring you to Himself. Now there is something to be thankful about for eternity! I know if we take just a moment from our harried schedule we have so very much to be thankful for that is not just rote reply.

I guess this is another reminder to give thanks, we have so many blessing to count and give thanks for. Start to count your and you will probably agree.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

 

 

Same or different

I have been blessed with 2 beautiful granddaughters. They couldn't be more different. One is a beautiful strawberry blonde with crystal blue eyes. The other has red hair and hazel eyes. One is creative, she can take tape and a piece of paper and make a portrait of her Nana. The other one tells you what to say when you are playing with her.{bit on the bossy side, you bet} One of them is a dreamer, but there is not a thing that she doesn't notice when she comes for a visit. "Is that new candy in the dish Nana?" Or "When did you get that new tablecloth?" The other one will have conversations that are about her. "Did you see my new tooth?" " I am dressed pretty today."

They are from the same family and oh so different. Do I love them differently? Yes. Does that sound scandalous? Well, this is what I mean, I love them both equally but the character of each thrills me in different ways. One of them keeps me laughing and how I love and need to laugh. [don't we all need to laugh more?] The other one longs to do the things I love to do. She wants to learn how to sew, crochet, and make crafts. [who wouldn't love a child like this?]

Made me think of God. We are all from the same family, human. Does God love us differently? Maybe. Perhaps just I love my grandchildren differently he loves us differently. He created you just so you could bring him glory.  I am sure we are different you and I, but we were both meant to bring our Father glory and praise and joy. You can bring it one way, like the granddaughter that longs to do creative things, or you can be like the other granddaughter that makes me smile. Just know this without a doubt God adores his children. He longs to be with you and enjoy each moment of your life. Perhaps you can make him smile today, just be who He created you to be!

Luke 18:16

But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

The Missing Piece [Peace}

My grand daughter, who is the ripe old age of 8, has a new vocabulary, a very limited one, but new just the same. The words, "I'm bored" seem to flow off the tip of  her tongue regularly. I will have to admit that she has been playing with just a few choice toys as we have been on this adventure now for over 2 months and all her regular toys are still in the moving van waiting the final destination.

So with the latest "I'm bored " her mom found a jigsaw puzzle in a cabinet where we are staying and told her what fun it was to put together to see the picture come to life. It was a picture of too many cats sitting on shelves too close together for my liking but we pressed on. The box said 300 pieces. Good not too few and not too many. So we started by telling her the way to go about this new challenge. We dumped the box and began turning over all the pieces. That was "way boring". Now we were looking for the pieces with a straight edge so we could make the border. Her interest sparked but quickly faded as there were so many straight edges that didn't connect immediately. But her mom and I persevered. We got the border finished that evening. {did I mention the word addiction?]

The next morning we went to  work on the puzzle and her mom had small parts connected but not in the right places yet just small scenes around the puzzle. That  intrigued the 8 year old. She could work on a small scene and work she did. Every piece was a victory and we celebrated each one!

We had the puzzle almost together but there seemed to be so few pieces left and too many large gaps. My daughter stated, "I think there are pieces missing." We continued to press on. We finished the puzzle but there were only 299 pieces so we had  a gap in our finished product. We were elated that we were finished but disappointed that there was a missing piece.

We all went to bed. The next morning at breakfast my husband, [who hung in the background watching the whole thing] informed us that he had found the missing piece. What? Where? Really? So as a group we hurried into the living room to inspect his claim. We looked where the missing piece had been and low and behold it was there. No, wait something was not right. My husband had meticulously cut out a piece of paper to fit the hole but was limited to the colors he could color it {only a red or black pen]. He did a really good job but it wasn't quit right. We all had a good laugh and left the puzzle there for a few days and a little girl wasn't as bored as she had been.

Sometimes life feels like that 300 piece puzzle with only 299 pieces. We are unable to find the piece [peace] that we search for. We could be looking in the wrong places. Perhaps we search for peace in our spouse, or the shopping spree that we are sure is the missing peace. But the word of God states

Isaiah 26:3You will keep in perfect peace    those whose minds are steadfast,    because they trust in you.

Don't try to fix things on your own [cut out your own peace] but see the Prince of Peace and He will provide it for you and it will be the real thing not something almost there.

Where Ever You Go

My husband and I are on the brink [very good descriptive word] of a new adventure. When I say the word adventure it brings to mind Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn, but my husband and I are too old to raft down a river. No, we are embarking on moving. I can hear the words 'bless your heart ' from those from the south and 'you poor dear' from others. Moving is a stress filled time for all, to say the least.

I have begun wondering about Sarah as Abraham said pack up we are heading out tomorrow. I know she went but did it stress her out? What about all the Israelites as Moses was saying "let my people go" where they wondering how to squeeze all their things into boxes? Or was their question, "go where?"

We have been preparing for this for weeks now and it is getting old. And with the day to day packing and readying come the "I wonder" times. I wonder where all this stuff came from? I wonder if my husband has thought of . . .? I wonder if we will be ready in time? [I think this is making rafting down the river on tied together logs look like a walk in the park!]

We are down to 4 days and the pressure is on. Now you start to sling things out the door and not care that perhaps they could be used. {haven't been used in 3 years so why not?} Questions, questions. Did I cancel the mail? Did I tell all the Dr.s we were moving? Did I say good bye to all our friends here? Do I give back that library card or just toss it? My mind is whirling.

Then I read the words, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you WHEREVER YOU GO. Joshua 1:9 Wow what good news and a great relief. I have just taken a deep breath and am ready to start my day knowing I am not doing all this by myself.

Are you starting a new adventure? New family, new addition to your family, new location, new  . . .? Just remember you are NOT doing it alone so don't be discouraged or terrified, you can be courageous and strong because the Lord is with you!

Coffee for Your Heart

Lazy River

We have a Lazy River at the pool I go to for exercise and it is great fun. It is a sort of misshapen oval that has powerful jets at certain areas of the pool that push you forward quickly then you slow down and meander until the next burst of turbulence pushes you forward once again.

It has been such fun to watch the children as I do my walking on the aquatic treadmill. The children that can not swim must have a life jacket on. There are red, blue, and yellow ones depending on the size of the child. I watch parents put their children into the contraptions and cinch them up tight. The children eye the water the whole time trying to build up their courage to face the "raging" water. I have also seen parents bring their own devices from home and try to use them here. The life guards are very vigilant and no other devise is allowed but the official ones.

I watch as the parents, eager for their child to have a wonderful time, ease down the steps into the moving water with the child clinging like the bark on a tree so tightly that small hands are turning white with the effort. All the time the parent is reassuring the child the life jacket will hold them up and that they are right them with them. Some children start to wail and squeeze their eyes shut and hold on tighter, if that is even possible.

You can tell the children that have been here more than once as their hold is so much looser and they even venture a touch of the water with their hands, though one hand is still holding on the their parent.

I saw one small child in pure ecstasy the other day. She was encased in her life jacket, lying on her back, her small hands resting on her chest, eyes closed, and the hugest smile on her face as her older sister was racing her through the water. She had both tiny feet in her hand and was "running" in and out of the others that dotted the pool. When they would come to one of the jets that push you through the water she would squeal with delight which only made her sister laugh out loud.

I started to think we are a lot like the children wearing life jackets. As we travel through life we meet God and He becomes our LIFE jacket. We start out clinging to Him with white knuckles as we are pushed through troubled times. He is holding us tightly and telling us he is right there with us. We slowly see he is telling us the truth and the "water" [life] evens out and it seems easy sailing. We continue learning about Him and the next time we enter the water we even place our hand in it to reassure ourselves we have been in the trouble waters before and God never left us and we stayed afloat. Oh, to get to the place where we can be like the little girls who KNEW the life jacket was the safest place to be and knew that even in the "troubled" waters she was safe, carried on the life jacket to the calm waters ahead.

 God is our LIFE JACKET and he has promised us to never leave us or forsake us. Even in times of trouble or great distress he is carrying us to the "calm waters". Let Him be your Life Jacket today.

Hebrews 13:5

Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I’m fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?

Coffee for Your Heart

 



Just Plain Exciting!

We are preparing to move and some things are hard to do and others are just plain exciting. In the time we have spent in this place we have met so many wonderful people and for so many different reasons. We have made some life long friends at our church, we have made friends with the nurses that treat my husband once a month, I have met the frozen food lady in Wal-Mart and the Subway lady that share their stories a little at a time with me once a week. These are just a few examples of the people God has placed in our path.

Now there are hard things to do, like saying good bye to the ladies at my Bible study. These are ladies I was privileged to get to know and share life with. No judgments, just love. [isn't that what we all long for?] Things like going through all the "junk" we have collected and don't need, that's hard in a different way.

Then there are things that are exciting to do, like creating little gifts to give to that shine the light on God. They all have to be thought out and planned ahead of time. All the recipients don't have a clue and that is why it is so exciting and fun to do. When I give them their small gift I just love to see the surprise and wonder on their face, that someone, that only knows them once a week, would give a gift.

That got me to thinking about how God does all these little surprises for me. {us} Like my husband finding a $10 bill as he was weeding around our little lot, or when I called to check on a bill that was already paid. How about waking up to see the sky with its beautiful pink and golden hues to start the day or have your grand daughter grab your face with both tiny hands and pull you close and gently give you a kiss. Oh yeah, God has such wonderful surprises, well thought out and planned ahead of time. Wonder if He gets excited to see the surprise and wonder on my face? I think He must. He must love to hear his "kids" laugh and just say thank you, that was so awesome!

When I look at all the things above it comes down to love. We love to get good gifts and we also love to give gifts.

John 13:34-35

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

 

This certainly wasn't my idea! It comes straight from God. That must be why it seems so natural and exciting to do. God has loved us so much and it is impossible not to love others. Have you been caught by surprise today with the love God has given you?

 

Coffee for Your Heart

 

 

Circumstances

How many times I have asked God to change the circumstances in my life! Asking to be removed from hurtful words, get me out of this broken mess etc. Have you struggled with this? I have great news if you have!

Well, just recently I have been in a 'tight' circumstance. By that I mean a time when breathing comes hard because of all the things happening around me. It seems like my whole world was caving in. Family trials, moving or not moving, sickness, house problems. It just seemed like every facet of my life was being effected with some sort of trial or terrible circumstance.

I had prayed to hear God's voice and know which direction we were supposed to be going. I have found there is nothing worse than heading away from God for the solution.[think Jonah!] As I prayed it seemed like God was sitting as silent as a stone. So I reached out to a friend that knows the 'circumstances' in my life and asked her to pray. [I think in a small part of my brain I was sure that God would speak to her and not me.] When I saw she had answered back I stared at the closed email for awhile thinking, will this influence my thinking, or is this from God. I didn't open it right then but prayed.

When I finally opened the email it wasn't what I had expected, not a solution to all this drama in my life. I thanked her and then went on to my devotions. And wouldn't you know it, God was there in my devotions. This was the paraphrase of what He told me.

Don’t let circumstances distress you. Rather look for the will of God for your life to be revealed in and through those circumstances.

Romans 12:2

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Don’t ask God to change the circumstances to suit our own needs. We need to conform our will to His!!

I don't know about you but this revelation made me jump for joy and want to run around telling everyone just how great our God is. He cares about you so much. He has a perfect will for your life and mine. He is willing to share it with us, a perfect plan, all we need do is ask and trust that He is able to complete it. 

Coffee for Your Heart

A Better Plan

Have you ever planned a fun activity or a super outing with family only to have things fall apart? Well this just happened to me. I saw an invitation for children to go to a Wilton class to learn how to decorate a cake. I thought what fun, right? So, I asked my granddaughter if she would like to try it out. She was excited so I called and made reservations.

I got the list [more things than you need for a weeks vacation in the Bahamas] of things that would need to be purchased before attending the class. I went out and bought all the needed items. I think the wait was as hard on me as it was for my granddaughter. I would check the calendar to see how many days we had till then. She was asking her mom is it today? So we were both in such high anticipation for our outing together.

There was a clause in the registration that stated if they didn't have enough people the class would be canceled. I understood this so I called  a week in advance to make sure the class was still on so I could prepare my granddaughter if things didn't pan out. They weren't sure but advised me to call back in a few days as they were taking it to the meeting for discussion. Hmm wonder what that means? The wait seemed to be an eternity but I called after waiting 2 days, [now only the weekend separated us from the class] only to find out the class was canceled because they couldn't find a teacher!

I had all the things [any pastry chef would be thrilled with the items] but had no idea how to use them or for that matter what they were needed for. {Why would you need 100 toothpick to decorate a cake?] So as not to disappoint my granddaughter told her the class was canceled but we would do the decorating at her home! She was thrilled, I was nervous!

I called a friend that had done amazing cakes and decorated award winning designs for advice. Since she had moved 1000 miles away she suggested YouTube. Of course, why didn't I think of the that? I studied all the women in the world that demonstrated how to decorate a cake and was now more confused than ever. I was apprehensive at our success at a happy outcome but plunged ahead.

I arrived with my heavy bag of tricks to my granddaughters excited little face. It perked me up and we dove into the adventure. I pulled out all the supplies [which took quite awhile] as she asked what all that was for. I said we will see.{as I wasn't quite sure myself!} Excitement built.

We experimented with the decorating tips and then she took off and had the time of her life. The end results looked nothing like the picture of a month ago in the ad, but it was something that was HER masterpiece. She had a blast doing her own thing and spending the morning with me. She told me it was way better this way and she had a great time. Know what, so did I.

Sometimes my life seems like this. I have these great plans that are anticipated with great excitement only to have them changed by circumstances beyond my control. But when I give those plans to God they turn out surprisingly wonderful, "way better His way".

Proverbs 19:21

New International Version

^" Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails."

Coffee for Your Heart

 



Based on what?

So many times I have based my happiness on what others think, or the ways they respond to me, or to my words or actions. This week that was made so very clear to me. I was feeling down because a member of the family that I thought should have contacted me didn't. This is were the thread of doubt started. Did I say something wrong? Was I supposed to call? Have I done something I shouldn't have? All these crazy thoughts and others like them swirled in my brain till I had a headache. Have you ever been there?  Was I seeking approval from a family member? Did I need that approval to be happy? It sure seemed like it. I was fretting until I made myself crazy. [not a long trip]

As I did my devotions God impressed on my heart that I was seeking approval in the wrong place. He reminded me that He is my joy. [Psalm 42:11The Message]

¹¹ Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul?
    Why are you crying the blues?
Fix my eyes on God—
    soon I’ll be praising again.
He puts a smile on my face.
    He’s my God.

He alone is the source of my joy? Yes, I need to be kind and loving but I can not make decisions for other people. I can not dictate their behavior. I need to choose each day, [for me some days it is each moment] to "fix my eyes on God" and praise Him. The next line tells me exactly what He is going to do;"put a smile on my face".  I had to tell myself a couple of time that the "joy of the Lord is my strength" that day but you know what, He did put a smile on my face! It doesn't matter what others think of me [when I am striving to do God's will] it only matters what He thinks of me! It is the same for you, don't let others govern how you feel each day, allow God to put a smile on your face!

 

 

 

Coffee for Your Heart



Unique

I think sometimes we need to be reminded of just how unique and special each one of us is. We are bombarded with what we should look like, smell like, and behave like that we forget who we are. It seems that we are not to look our age as wrinkles are out. [have you seen the aisle that has all those regenerative lotions in it?] Your teeth need to be whiter so now the toothpaste aisle is overflowing with tubes that claim whiter brighter teeth! Don't even get me started on the diet selection that is available now. Belly fat, body fat, who knew there was so much fat to worry about!

I am all for personal hygiene but things are so out of hand and why? So we can look like the women on the magazine? Why are they the women we should seek to be like? We were each created by God. I don't think He created one and said "oops that doesn't look too good, or yikes that is a mistake!" No, God said that his creation of man and woman was "very good". There are so many verses in the Bible that tell us Who created each of us and why. In Jeremiah 1:5 it says, "I knew you before you were born and I designed YOU for MY purpose." How about Psalm 119:73 "I created YOU with My own hands," This one is very special, 2 Samuel 22:20, "He brought me {you} out into a spacious place, He rescued me because He DELIGHTED in me {you}" I have added the caps so you wouldn't miss what it says. God the created of all things delights in YOU. Just think about that for a moment. He doesn't think you need to look like anyone but you, and on top of that He delights in you.

I heard a pastor say  that "there is no win in comparison". We are not to compare our skills, our looks, our finances, anything to anyone else. Yes, we need to look our best, and be our best but we need to check to see who we are doing all this for. Not to impress the neighbor or anyone other that our Creator. Since He delights in you shouldn't you delight in being you? You are one of a kind, carefully and wonderfully made.

Coffee For Your Heart

 



Labels

Everything these days has a label. It seems that many have gone to the label that can't be chopped away with the scissors but is embedded into the fabric. There are no more pesky labels that scratch the skin off my neck or rub my waist raw. Instead, they are still there just not as painful as before.

We have labels that either we give to ourselves or others have so "generously" given us. Labels like ugly, bashful, not enough, lazy, uncaring you know THESE kind of labels. These are the pesky labels that scratch the skin right off our hearts and minds as they rub us back and forth through out the day.

I was watching an Andy Stanley video the other day that was talking about this very thing! {imagine God's perfect timing!}He mentioned some important things to think about. The only one that had the right to put a label on one of those T shirts or purses or whatever was the manufacturer, the owner of the product line, the one that created the product. Not the purchaser or the one looking at the product! Hmmm! Does that make you think a little deeper?

We are not our own. We are created in the image of God, He is the creator and only He has the right to "label" us. You don't have the right to even label yourself! Guess what He labeled us?

2 Corinthians 6:18

“I will be a Father to you,
    and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.”

 

Did you catch that label? He labeled us a "daughter" to the King. I think that makes us a "princess". This is one of those labels that is not something that is able to be cut out with a pair of scissors but is embedded on our hearts and minds. Why don't you toss out those "other" labels and believe the one that was given by the Creator. It is the only true one, the only one that counts! Live like  you believe the "label" given to you by God,

 His Child,

His Daughter,

His Princess!

 

Coffee for Your Heart



If Only. . .

Do you have certain things you like to read over and over again? I do. I am rereading the story of Esther. Awesome book of the Bible. If you are not familiar with it here is the short version.

There was this king who got rid of his queen because she wouldn't parade around in front of a group of drunk men with only her crown on. Then he had the kingdom send all the beautiful young girls to the palace to find a new queen. Enter Esther. She has a year of preparation! {now that is a lot of pampering} of course she is selected or the name of the book would be someone else. All is well in the kingdom until {duh duh da enter the villain} Haman enters the picture.

Now Haman is one of those guys whose cup is half empty, maybe even three quarters empty. The king thinks he is the greatest thing since sliced bread and that isn't enough for him because of this ONE guy named Mordecai who is a Jew and won't bow down to him.{God is the  only one to bow before}Now the rest of the kingdom bows before him but one man refuses. {the plot thickens}He convinces the king that all the Jews are a threat and that they should be wiped of the planet and the king who isn't paying much attention say ok do what you think is best. The date is set.

Haman is called to a banquet with the king and queen, just him, and they also want his presence the next day for another banquet! Now, he is so elated until he spies Mordecai, who still won't bow, on his way home to tell his wife about his good fortune. He moans to his wife all is terrific IF ONLY that guy Mordecai wasn't around.

I will let you read the rest for your self, it is a spell binder. Any way I was thinking about how sometimes we can be like Haman. We look in the mirror and say, IF ONLY I didn't have that . . . or we look at our lives and say IF ONLY  I was more like . . . Perhaps we look at our children and groan IF ONLY  they would . . .  { and you thought you would never identify with the villain}

If you have ever fallen into the trap of the IF ONLYS you are looking in the wrong direction. We need to look to Jesus and not ourselves. God is in charge. He created us to look exactly like we do. We are to compare ourselves to no one else. He loves you just the way you are. He adores you for that matter. Don't get caught up in thinking IF ONLY but praise God you are the ONLY one like you.

 

Coffee for Your Heart

Surprise!!!!

Where we live right now it hardly ever rains. When it does there seems to be about 4 drops and the sun comes out again. Well, we were in for a surprise last Saturday. It was like the cloud above us was somehow anchored right over our home and it stayed there and poured down every drop of rain in the storehouse.

The area I live in was so taken back with this new development that even the power went out for about 2 hours! So with little to do and nowhere to go my husband and I decided to take a nap. We woke to find it still raining but to our surprise as we looked out the window there was a mudslide headed straight for us. {nothing like those of CA mind you but just the same it was pretty ugly} As I looked out it was like caramel icing that wasn't thick enough to spread and it was oozing all around out home. We looked up to see where the "leak" had started. The berm made of rocks of all sizes had been broken through and the water and mud were pouring through the break and heading our way.

We ended up with about 4 inches of mud. Have you ever tried to walk in mud? {maybe when you were a child with bare feet. I am not a child and bare feet were the last thing on my mind.} Well we needed to get to church so we donned our winter shoes {spring shoes don't have high sides} and stood with the door open and tried to make our feet go down the stairs into the awaiting goo. With trash bag in hand and a change of shoes in the bag, we made it to the truck did a quick-o-change-o thing. Good thing for the plastic bag as the mud was like concrete and our shoes were encased in the muck. { if we didn't walk quick enough we could still be standing in the drive!}

When we returned home the area had been backhoed out but now in its place was a hard layer of mud. {used to be stones but they are all at our neighbors now}  We didn't need the winter shoes, we were able to walk right on top of this hard mud. It was a little dusty but it held us up just fine.

I got to thinking about times in my life when "surprises" arrived. Like when my husband's blood work sent us to an oncologist, or a family member suddenly became very ill. Just like that oozing mud headed straight for us. However, just as the mud was backhoed and we were able to stand on the hardened mud so are we able to stand on the words that God tells us over and over again. Words like,
"I see that the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken for he is right beside me." Acts 2:25 or "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

I pray your next "surprise" is a good one, but if it's not then turn to the words that will set your feet on the Rock.



Coffee for Your Heart

Who Knew?

I love being a "nana"! I wasn't sure at first if I was old enough to have that title, but as I passed by a mirror I had to look twice to see who that was. Then I realized yes, I qualified. I love the way 2 little girls run to the door to greet me when I stop by. They never get tired of seeing me or seem to be upset that " here she is again". No, they can't wait to give me kisses and hugs and demand, "come play with me!"

I have found that I look forward to see "who" they are that day. One day I might find a princess, complete with a gown of white with gold trim and a sparkling crown. Perhaps the next time I find a builder that has constructed a huge building made of colorful legos. Then there can be an artist that had created so many masterpieces that the refrigerator couldn't hold them all and they were spilling onto the kitchen counters and I had to hurry into the home to see each one. I think the most startling time was when I found two little "naked as jaybirds" girls flitting around the house because clothes were just too confining to wear that day!

Yes, I just love being nana! Life with 2 little girls is so unpredictable, but oh so free! They are so quick to make me feel so very special and so deeply loved. They don't care if my hair is grey, or the wrinkles are expanding by the second. All they care about is that I am there and they know I adore them.

I look at my daughter and my love bubbles over because I also love being mom! I think back on the day that title hit me. Once again I wasn't sure I was old enough or wise enough to have that title. As the days passed and the love I had for my own little girl grew until I thought my heart would burst from my chest. I still have that feeling after 40 years.

It makes me think of how God must see me. One day a princess all dressed up and feeling so special. Perhaps the next day not so much. However, just like a nana or a mom that is so in love with her girls, God is crazy in love with me. I can't wait to tell him all about my day or ask Him what are we going to do today. Just like life with 2 little granddaughters, or life with my precious daughter life with God is so unpredictable but oh so free!

God is crazy about you too! Did you know that? Do you believe it? Just check out what he did for you so he could tell you that He's crazy in love with you His precious daughter.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world {YOU} that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

 

Happy Mother's Day

 

Coffee for Your Heart

Safety Net

I have moved around some and in that time I found it difficult to leave some of those friends I accumulated along the way. It is hard to find that right combination to go along with my personality. [have you ever felt that way?] I had built up so many protective walls around me I was like a fortress. I didn't allow others in but was willing to listen and share with those that would want to have a sounding board or a confidant.

There are places that I have lived where I can't remember one single friend but there are more where there was one special person that was able to breach the walls because of their caring and observing the real woman behind the mask. Those are the woman that no matter where I move to I can still call and it is like I was just sitting in their home yesterday. [I pray you have someone like that]

They never judge me and all my muck. They listen and hear my words that are spoken and even the ones that are silent but my heart is shouting. They are the ones that stop everything and pray with me, on the phone, or send an email that is the sweetest prayer it makes your heart melt and know that they have led you back to the Father and his open arms.

I desperately want to be like that, to share another woman's burden and  to lead her to the One that is waiting to enfold her in His arms so she can hear the steady beat, beat, beat of His heart. To remind her that God has a plan, and He has not been taken by surprise. He is working all things out for her good and He is madly in love with her.

Perhaps you are a sister that is hurting and wondering if anyone really cares. I can tell you from experience that our God cares. He is waiting for you to just place all that garbage in his pack and the boulder you are carrying that makes your heart feel like it can't take another thing He wants to carry it too. He will exchange with you his load that is light as a feather. You will be so surprised that he takes it immediately and you will feel the weight be lifted away. Try Him! You have nothing to loose and everything to gain. I pray that you will be overcome with the such a great love that flows straight to your heart. It is like none other.

1 Peter 5:7

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Jeremiah 29:11

 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

 

 

Coffee for Your Heart



Bouquet of Your Choice

I just love flowers don't you? I love the potted plants that smell so fragrant. I love the cut flowers that can go in a vase to make the house look festive. I love looking out in a field of wild flowers as they sway with the breeze and the scent drifts toward me and makes me close my eyes and savor.

I have found lately that there is another kind of "bouquet" that can be gathered that perhaps we should leave in the field or on the path of life. I have been gathering "flowers of sarcasm". There have been fields of "you are not good enough", and a bed of "you are too dumb to even know that". There even was a bloom so big of "I don't like you today". I gathered all these that seemed to just fall in my path. They didn't make me smile and the smell was pretty repulsive but I seemed to gather them to me anyway. At the end of the day they didn't make up the beautiful "bouquet" that I had longed for but as I finally looked at them they were just thistles and thorns and a huge clump of weeds.

Have you ever gathered a "bouquet of hurtful words" and held onto them like they were presented to you like Miss America? Did you go to bed crying because you believed each and every "flower" you had collected that day? I have, and it was such a dismal night until I realized that these flowers were strewn by one that has no regard for me and really doesn't even know me. Even if these words were spoken by someone I love or someone in passing I seemed to collect them instead of being selective in my "bouquet" gathering. The Bible tells us;

John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;

 

 

Hmmm, so the flowers that I carelessly collected yesterday did just that. They stole my happiness and destroyed the time I could have enjoyed with a loved one. But that isn't the end of the quote, here is the rest;

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full

 

Alrighty then, I think I get it. I need to only collect the "flowers" that are kind and loving and uplifting and leave those other ones in the field and by the wayside. I need to stay in the "field" of the one that created the "flowers" in the first place. That is exactly what I intend to do today so that tonight my "bouquet" will be sweet smelling and beautiful. I want the life and to live it to the fullest. Don't you? Happy "bouquet" gathering!

 

 

Coffee for Your Heart



You are Loved

I am a slow learner when it comes to the things of God. I am able to read the Bible and take a few notes of things that I didn't seem to catch the first time I read it. But it seems like just lately I am finding out that what the Bible says to ME and what MY life is all about is slowly coming into my range of view!

I would read the words and be sure they were for someone else. It was so very hard to understand that God is speaking to me. I guess I needed someone to show me just how to read and truly listen. The book, His Princess: Love Letters From Your King by Sheri Rose Shepherd is a book just perfect for revealing what God has said in His Word but it is written in a very personal way to really feel like God our King is speaking directly to our hearts.

I read it each evening and the words make my heart melt. To know that God love me so very much and He desires me to know that, is overwhelming at times. Have you ever been overwhelmed by love? It takes your breath away, makes the tears flow, and your chest ache. That is the kind of love God has for each of us.

There is a page called "You are my precious daughter". It tells us that we are the "apple of His eye, Daddy's girl". Well, my father died when I was very young so I have never been "daddy's girl or for that matter the apple of anyone's eye. Those words come form 2 Corinthians 6:18 "I will be your Father and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord God Almighty".

You know that the Bible tells us that God fashioned us in our mother's womb, so who knows us better than any other. He created us, He knows our quirks, {He gave me an over abundance in this department}, He knows what makes us tick. We are exactly what He had in mind when we were born. How wonderful to know that truth.

Perhaps you need to know just how much you are adored by the God of love. If you don't believe it just do a word search in the Bible for love. You will be reading loads of verses. Remember only God's love is perfect for He is love, and you are the Apple of His eye!

Coffee for Your Heart



The Word

I just received this picture in an email.

 

In the beginning was the Word

In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

 

which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.

 

May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise

 

Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.

 

“I, even I, am he who comforts you

 

I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

 

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

 

These are just some of the words that I found that relate to this picture and they are all from the Bible!

 

How awesome our God is that when he speaks to us through the written word we can feel just like the picture above, wrapped snuggly in His arms. No matter what we perceive our problem to be, God is in the Word and ready to envelope us in His arms.

 

 Doesn't she look at peace and it looks as if she feels so safe right where she is. We all have that opportunity to feel exactly like she looks, contented and safe. We just need to "get into the Word". Take God at His WORD today. May He bless you richly this day!

 

Coffee for Your Heart







It's Never Too Late

Sometimes I wonder how I have made it through life this far.  I can't believe how thick my head is sometimes! I don't know if there are any others like me out there but if there is just one, then I need to share the most wonderful thing that has happened to me in the past week and a half so you don't wait till you are so close to Medicare that you can hear the door creaking open!

I got an email that invited me to get a book by Sharon Jaynes entitled "Praying for your Husband From Head to Toe". Yes I have prayed on and off for the wonderful man I married 40 years ago but it was when there was a crisis or something I was sure God needed to change in him so we would be happier. {what I really was telling God was that my husband needed some tweeks so I would be happier.} So I thought why not and bought the book.

The first part of the book explains all the parts of my husband and why I should be praying for them. Kind of an eye opener to me so I kept reading. The second part of the book is where she uses scripture to back up each of those parts to pray for and then gives examples of how to pray. {I am very glad for examples as I said before my head is pretty thick.}

So along with Sharon I start to pray for my husband. {I tell God first that I am going to give this a go to see just what will become of this.} God is so faithful and so patient with "thick headed wives". God knows my needs so well and instant gratification seems to be something I need. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to actually see answer to prayer that happens in the same day but I was blown away by God's blessings.

The first day my husband and I had a small altercation and he said something to me that hurt my feelings. {they are so easily hurt} But in the next moment I heard him tell me he was sorry! Well, I don't know about you but that was a first for me. I was so grateful and praising God that  I don't think I touched ground for the rest of the day.

I was pretty excited to pray the next day to see what God had in store. We had a home malfunction {water heater broke down} and he told me to go on ahead to the gym with out him and he would wait for the repair man. I said that I had a few errands to run after but would be home directly. I went to the  gym and then to the grocery store and got a phone call from my husband. I was sure he was going to ask when I would be home but no another huge surprise, he said " I just wanted to tell you to please be careful as the weather had turned ugly and be safe on your way home. I love you." Well, I don't know if any one in the store noticed but there was a smile and a warm feeling all the way to my toes as I went through the check out lane.

I am so privileged to be able to pray for the man I dearly love and see God's hand working not only in his life but God is changing me in the process. I didn't think I could be more in love with him but each day there are little surprises from my husband for me that God is showering me with. I have changed my reason for praying for my husband, not to be happier but that my husband has God's complete covering over his entire body and that he is blessed.

So if you are a haphazard prayer for that man of yours you need to start covering from Head to Toe with your prayers.

Ephesians 5:31

New International Version (NIV)

³¹ “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”

 

 

Coffee for Your Heart

Coffee for Your Heart

It Isn't Easy

Recently I was at a meeting where a younger woman confessed that she had been under such guilt of not being able to forgive herself for her past. As the ladies around the table began to nod in agreement that yes this was a real stumbling block for all of us. I was so encouraged with what one of the beautiful women had to say.

She talked about struggling with this same issue and then shared what the Word has to say about forgiveness. She said that Christ died on the cross to take those sins from us. {Yes we all nodded in agreement knowing this part already, just not quite able to apply that truth to ourselves}

She noticed that we all believed that part but our faces must have shown that yes, we can forgive others but not those horrible things that we have not shared with anyone because, as we look back we can't believe ourselves that we have done those things.

So she continued as we sat on the edge of our seats to finally know how to move beyond our past and to have it gone. She told us "trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on you OWN understanding in all your ways ACKNOWLEDGE Him and He shall direct your path." {Proverbs 3:5-6}

Then she sat back and we all just sat still for a few minutes to take in what she had said. Sure I had heard that one also but I started to think about the words and to soak them in. Was I leaning on my own understanding of my past? Had I really acknowledged that God had taken away all the gunk that the enemy flings in my face when I least expect it? If not, then how will He direct my path to the freedom from those sins that I long for? Hmmm, I think you could hear the wheels of our minds grinding away as we really heard the words that have been spoken to us many times before but glazed over in our hurried state to get to the end.

If you are like the ladies sitting around that table longing for the solution of how to give your past sins to the only One that can really remove them from you aching shoulders, then reread those words and sit still and let God do exactly what He has promised, to remove yours sins from you and separate them from you as far as the east is from the west. Trust Him. Acknowledge Him! He adores you! He WILL direct your path.

Coffee for Your Heart



Words

A small thing that makes a big difference is the post prompt for today's writing. I would have to say that words even though they seem small or unimportant at the time are something that make a big difference.

Take a birthday card. The ones that have that handwritten note inside that let's you know the heart of the person it came from. {I don't know about you but my eyes race to the handwritten words and skip the poem.} How about a letter that comes in the mail? {those are so few and far between that I rip open the envelope to read what someone took the time to say. Awesome!}To think that a friend would take the time to pick out the writing paper, nice pen, and sit down and send those words of love to me, makes a difference in my day. I must read it over and over in my mind a thousand times.

Then there is the email. {yep, I am up to date knowing that it is a sign of the times} When I check my inbox and there is something there besides spam and companies that seem to think I am their new best friend, and spy a note from a friend  that has moved away or a relative that I am not able to visit because the funds are not available, and they are sharing some news about themselves that is a small thing {I am sure to them} but it makes a big difference in my day.

There are the words "I love you" spoken from a granddaughter, for no reason, other than to express her feelings at the moment. Just 3 words, small in number but have a HUGE impact on the Nana that hears them. Oh yes, my day has taken flight and I am soaring for a week!

So I guess I am saying that the small things in my life that make a huge difference are the words that are read and spoken. Words that bring love and sweet joy into my life. Even words from a book can bring such hope and peace. Words like: "I will keep  you safe because no one can snatch you out of My hand" John 10:29, or "The good things that I have planned for  you are too many to count," Psalm 40:5, maybe this "I will never abandon you!" Hebrews 13:5. These are the words my King says to me. Don't they just make you want to dance and shout.

 Yes I think the small things of WORDS that are spoken with such a great love behind them make a HUGE difference. Choose them wisely and say them often.



Who Inspires You?

This prompt doesn't take much thinking on my part. I have three wonderful friends that bring such inspiration that lifts up my spirit just thinking about them.

Friend # 1 is just a bit older than I am and I have learned a great deal from her. She has shown me how to welcome all into a group. There is no one that remains a stranger when she is around. She also has shown me that just because we grow older doesn't mean that we have no usefulness any longer. She is a champion of people that have lost a spouse. She is the pioneer that is leading the way for those so overtaken by grief that it seems impossible to go on. She has first hand experience and hasn't let it overwhelm her but strengthen her to help others.

Friend #2 is a little younger than I am but so much wiser. She  has such a heart for the children others consider unteachable. We worked together for many years and she taught me not to be afraid of children with disabilities but to see their inner beauty. She is so in love with God that it draws you in and you have a new look at God through her eyes. She is a friend that I don't get to see very often but who I have shared my inner most thoughts, pains, and joys with. She always has a listening ear and a wonderful word of encouragement.

Friend #3 is about the same age as I am but has lived life in a very different place than  me. She has had more pain in her life than I think most of us will experience in 2 lifetimes. She has the knack of making you want to be better and to know God like she does. When asked how she is, she is always "blessed" even when things are closing in and life seems difficult. She is a person that is always ready to pray for and with me. When I am feeling like I want to pity myself for what is going on in my life I just have to get a text from her and I am reminded that God is in control and working all things for my good.

These 3 wonderful ladies are such an inspiration to me. They mean more than just the few words I have shared. I believe God always knows what we need and he gives us "skin" to help us see Him. That is what these three friends have done for me, help me see God with "skin" and help me want to come closer to Him. I pray he give you that same "skin".

Coffee For Your Heart