This is Me Being Careful

My grand daughters like to come to our little place after school for a treat. I have just recently had surgery so I am like a pillow on the couch, stationary. I have this crazy giant Christmas ball made of ceramic that I won 4 years ago at one of those parties. It's not so much the ornament that has the attachment but the friends I remember that holds my sweet memories. So when my tiny [please never tell her I called her that] grand daughter comes to get her treat I always say,"Please be careful." to which she responds, "This is me being careful!' {what a trip? Right!}

Sometimes I feel like my grand daughter when I talk to God about forgiveness. "This is me God being very careful".  I am not having so much trouble forgiving others. I realize this is a choice and I choose to forgive. I know [from experience] that if I don't choose to forgive it really only hurts me. [you found that out also? Why didn't you share this?]

The part I am struggling with is to forgive me. Not forgiving is like being on a tread mill.  You can run till you drop but you will never get to the corner stop on that tread mill. I [and you too if you struggle with forgiving yourself.] need to stop reliving the past and let it go. Just like that tread mill trying to fix something that is in my past will never get me there. I need to start today and accept the forgiveness that God has already given me. [see I have already ask for forgiveness for this before.] Someone once told me it was like slapping God in the face when I didn't accept His forgiveness the first time.[that just added to my guilt didn't make it better!]

I just read in one of my devotions this morning that when I accept the forgiveness of God he separates me from this sin. I don't have to FEEL forgiven. My feelings are not important, my obedience, however, is. God supplies the forgiveness. If you don't take anything away from this blog today, please take this "Forgiveness is our greatest need and God's greatest gift." [this is from Girlfriends in God devotion today.]

I choose this day to live life with abandon and accept God at his word. I am jumping off the tread mill, and not telling God any more, "This is me being careful, God", instead " This is me choosing to accept your forgiveness God and living with abandon."

Care to join me?

I'm Losing my Appetite!

I just love the way my, just a day ago, 6 year old granddaughter has a way with words. She is now in Kindergarten and when she and her sister come home from school they are hungry. [School and all that work you know!]
My daughter picks them up from her job. They always race into the house. They go UP the stairs and get ready for their after school snack. My daughter made the mistake of coming  DOWN the stairs to check on me. [just had surgery last week] We were talking about our day when I hear this voice that is not very happy we are talking, tell her mom, " I'm losing my appetite.". I had to send my daughter UP the stairs to make sure that little girl didn't "lose her appetite." I was giggling and smiling all the way to bed. What a trip!

As I was doing my Bible study today in Luke 8:40-48 I started to think of people that were "losing their appetite" with Jesus. They had been waiting for him to return on his boat trip across the lake. There were so many people there that it says they almost crushed him. What had whet their appetite? Were they looking for that healing touch that he had done in so many towns before? Did they want him to personally touch them for something specific? All the crush and shove and he is asking about someone touching him. He is kidding right? It had to be like a rock concert at the entry way. Then he stops to talk to a WOMAN! Come on Jesus "I'm losing my appetite here".

Is this the way we approach Jesus? We have a need, job, financial, sickness, [put that need of yours here] and we start the crush. We need an answer right now and if not do we "lose our appetite"? Do we start to doubt? Do we decide we need to take care of things ourselves?

We need to remember what 2 Corinthians 9:8 tells us

"And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

God is making sure you have all you need so you don't "lose  your appetite". Keep your eyes on Him and not your situation, He is more than able. He adores you.

Just One of Those Days

Have you ever had one of those days? The Internet is flat line, your brain just won't kick in, your fingers have forgotten where the keys on your laptop reside. Do you just want to scream and throw things. This is how my day is going. I thought I knew what I wanted to write about here but with all this above happening I have completely forgotten.

Oh, yes it is to encourage others. Perhaps I am the one that needs the encouragement!

I turn to God's word and there is encouragement. Psalm :46:10 tells me to be still and know that He is God. Trying to g.t still.[knowing everyone else has already posted to Holley's blog] O,k not quite there yet.

Psalm 37:7 tells me to "Be still. Be patient.[doesn't God know I am way behind?] Wait for the Lord to act. Don't be upset when other people succeed. Are you talking about being the last to post Lord? {just so you know I just lost everything and am starting over.]

Have you ever been here? Were you frustrated to your last nerve? God is saying "Be still." I know we find that almost impossible. Our minds are running into tomorrow and beyond. But if you can just close you eyes and listen he is talking to you. Be still my daughter, it will all be there is a few more minutes. Take a deep breath and breathe me in. I am your rock, I am your shield, I am your Savior, I am the Good Shepherd, what more do you need.

Can you feel your shoulders relax? Do you feel your heart rate slowing down? Is what you are doing earth shattering? I thought so.

God never leaves you even on days like today, when all seems to go haywire. He is still in control and wants  you to lean in and allow him to still you and feel his love.

I am going to go and just be still. Looks like I do have a post after all. Let God be your Rock and Shield today.