“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory...” Ephesians 3:20-21a/NKJV
Just to let you know that it will be two more weeks for an article as my computer crashed and we are in the long haul of setting up a new one. We will also be traveling.
I look forward to sharing the amazing things that I know God will do in the next two weeks! He is always faithful and does more than we can think or ask!
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)
Embrace – to take or receive gladly or eagerly; accept willingly.
A few hours after writing my previous blog post, I checked Facebook, Twitter, and email to see if anyone had made any comments. This was not to feed my ego. I have prayed several times over the course of two years for two things I wanted to achieve in my writing. One, that readers would see the faithfulness of God in their own lives and give Him glory; and two, that the one person out there who felt broken, lost, or hopeless, would find courage for today and hope for tomorrow.
I wanted to know if this struggle with time, words, and prayer in writing was making a difference. After two concussions and other health issues, word meanings and spellings seem to evaporate from my mind like steam on the hot pavement after a rain. Praise God for a former English teacher who edits my blog and book!
Friends will mostly encourage you. That is always appreciated.
God, please, send me a person that doesn’t know me, that would acknowledge that what I wrote, encouraged them, convicted them, or brought them reassurance? What was the point of writing if not?
I’m not trying to make a name for myself but to make the LORD’s name renowned.
We all desire that what we say or what we do will make a difference.
We observe professional athletes, actors, singers, and other professionals receive accolades, and yes, criticism too at times. But I believe it’s the hidden artist who paints, writes, teaches, preaches, and creates, that lives in uncertainty asking, is what I’m doing having any effect on anyone?
I read recently of an artist who had submitted a painting to a show, and their painting was not accepted. You could tell he was a little disappointed. I wrote a note of encouragement that no matter what he created, some people were going to love it, and some were not. But if God had given him a gift, to keep using it and keep submitting the finished work. One day it would bring joy to the perfect person.
My issue wasn’t about being accepted (well, wait till I try to publish the book!), it was more about if my writing was making a difference. I pray before I write anything and hope that the Holy Spirit is instilling words into my heart that pour out of my hands into the keyboard.
As I sat there praying about writing, I heard the Lord answer in my heart.
Why do you need someone to acknowledge what you’ve written? Just obey!
Listening to several of the late Dr. Charles Stanley’s sermons, I’ve repeated his life-long phrase a hundred times in my mind: “Obey God and leave the consequences to Him.”
God then placed a vision in my mind to humble me… Jesus kneeling at the rock in Gethsemane.
God just asked me to share His faithfulness in my life. God asked His Son to give up His life. The most difficult obedience ever – die the most painful death for universal sins, past – present – future. Did He receive encouragement from his disciples that had journeyed with Him for three years? These men had seen the way Jesus treated outcasts with unfathomable love. They had watched the miracles of touch, and sometimes the miracle of a word. But no, they couldn’t even stay awake to be with Him when they had heard what was about to happen.
They didn’t see Jesus sweat tears of blood, asking, My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me (Matthew 26:39).
When Jesus was being obedient, and suffering on the cross, was there any acknowledgment?
There was no…
Hey, thanks Jesus, for doing that! Your sacrifice encourages me! You set a good example for us all!
Instead, Jesus was ridiculed, laughed at, spat on, slapped, criticized, and doubted. Those who did not believe He was the Christ, thought he was a self-seeking, crazy man. Those who did believe in Him were…
Disappointed
Doubtful
Depressed
Yet… Jesus still obeyed. He died the most horrific death and gave His life for our salvation and redemption (John 3:16). There was no applause for His sacrificial offering.
The next time you are desiring acceptance, acknowledgment, or confirmation…remember how Christ surrendered everything for you.
Just obey and leave the consequences to God. Even if you are rejected, turned down, criticized, or forgotten.
If God has given you a gift or a calling, embrace it and obey.
If God has asked you to go out of your comfort zone and do something you don’t believe you have the skills to do, just obey and leave the consequences to God.
You may never know until heaven if you have encouraged someone, saved someone’s life, or led them to Christ.
Whatever God has called you to do…
Teach
Paint
Write
Build
Preach
Caretaker
Nurse
Create
Be a mother to a behavioral, needy, ill child…
…work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. (Colossians 3:23).
Leave the ramifications, results, and reactions to God.
Embrace your calling remembering that every skill you have comes from God. We perfect it with practice to proclaim the precious name above all names.
How lovely is your dwelling place, LORD of Armies. I long and yearn for the courts of the LORD: my heart and flesh cry out for the living God… They go from strength to strength. (Psalm 84:1-2, 7a)
It has been two and a half months since I have been able to write on this blog or make any progress on the book. It has not been by my own choosing. I yearn to spend time with God every morning, and mostly, by God’s grace, I am blessed to be able to spend that time in the presence of my Lord. I deeply desire to write of God’s wondrous love and faithfulness, especially the love He has given me over my lifetime. The latter is getting bombarded by obstacles daily by the enemy.
Everyone has trials, bad days, and tragic things that happen in their lives. However, when the flaming arrows are relentless, you can be assured that God has a special purpose for you to fulfill and the enemy is trying everything possible to deter it.
At first, I thought the adversities were God testing my faith, or working on building my character to be more like Him. After the last rocket hit us this week, I knew that it was flat-out warfare. The trials we were experiencing were swallowing the time I needed to do what God told me to do… which is to share His story throughout my life. Yet, still, God does allow those painful circumstances to happen to see if we will throw in the towel and quit? Or will we persevere and follow the will that God has called us to do?
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. (I Peter 4:12/ESV)
Therefore, let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. (I Peter 4:19/NKJV)
And we all, with unveiled faces, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. (2 Corinthians 3:18)
If you cannot determine the difference, pray to God and He will show you. Does it matter whether the trial is character-building or warfare? To me, personally, it does. In the first, I persevere, in the second, I counterattack with my own arrows – the Word of God. Speaking Bible verses out loud or singing worship songs to God is more powerful to defeat Satan than any other ammunition I have found.
Remind yourself:
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (I Peter 5:8-11/NKJV)
Do I dwell on the enemy? No, but when I realize that it is he who is causing the ground to shake, I put on my spiritual armor and fight him with God’s promises.
I’ve grown weary of being knocked down, getting up, being knocked down, getting up, repeating.
Do you feel the same way?
Living from strength to strength?
It doesn’t have to be that way.
Let’s walk our daily walk as I Corinthians 16:13, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (NIV). In other words, grab your shield (Ephesians 6:16), put on your heavy work boots, and let’s build a firm foundation going from strength to strength – to Being steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord (I Corinthians 15:58).
The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:17)
In my early teens and twenties, I despised sleeping. I thought it was an enormous waste of time. There were many productive activities I would rather be completing than sleeping! It was nothing for me to sleep four to five hours a night and have no ramifications.
In my time overseas, involved in ministry and bringing into my home a five-year-old autistic child, I began to think about sleep a little more, or in that case a lack of sleep a little more. The culture festivals that seemed to be every month lasted all night long with food, music, dancing, and fireworks… always fireworks. It reminded me of those cherry bombs my father used to get us when we were kids. The explosions were earth-shattering! I believe I lost most of my hearing overseas due to the fireworks and vehicle horns!
“A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book.” — Irish Proverb
These days as the years have flown by, my sleep time has been disintegrating. When a health issue escalated two years ago, my sleep time became mostly non-existent. Two to three hours at a time, or sometimes that is all I slept in a night. Funny how circumstances change your attitude. I now cry for sleep, whine for sleep, beg for sleep, and pray for sleep… sandman still sprinkles his golden sleep dust but an undetectable elf whooshing in blows the dust over my already sleeping four-legged guard dog happily snoring at my feet. There goes my protection from things that go bump in the night!!
God mentions time quite often in His Word:
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3:11
As long as it is day, we must do the work of Him who sent me. Night is coming when no one can work. John 9:4
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Proverbs 27:1
My times are in Your hands;… Psalm 31:15
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12
We have all paused for a moment to honor a memory of some tragic event or the memory of a loved one. I love the moment in the movie A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019) when Fred Rogers asked Lloyd to do an exercise with him. Mr. Rogers said, “We’ll just take a moment and think about all of the people who loved us into being.” Although I wasn’t a precious thought in my parent’s minds, I still stand in awe to think that God (Psalm 139:13-16), and someone before I was born, prayed and loved me into being.
I’ve thought about the time wasted over my life. Sometimes I have fretted over time squandered in my teens and early adult life. However, if I wouldn’t have the experiences that I did, I wouldn’t be who I am. And even though I don’t waste time watching television, I have been known to convince myself that it was too difficult of a day and I needed respite from the world. Instead of soaking in the love of God in worship songs, Bible reading, or inspirational reading, I’ve lost myself in some comedy or several old television episodes from my childhood. I know we need rest to renew our body and mind, but it’s better to renew it with something that has long-lasting healing and regeneration and not just a mindless laugh. I’m not against a good laugh.
In the early hours of the morning, while I was wide awake, again, I decided to watch the clock for Daylight Saving Time, as the world changed from 1:59 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. Shazaam! Instantaneously, an hour was taken! In a split second, it was gone!
In a split second…
I rushed my son out the door for the bus.
I sneaked into the house hoping the neighbor wouldn’t see me.
I took that second helping of food.
I didn’t pray for the person in that instance.
I lost several family members.
I said goodbye without saying I love you.
A split second can be a crucial eyeblink. What do you want your defining moment to be?
Valuable time was spent yesterday listening to a sermon. There were several, Biblical tools I was given to help me build and repair things as I maneuver my way through life.
Pray before talking to anyone that is hurting, in need, or has questions.
Not only seize the day but seize the moment when a neighbor wants to talk.
Strive for my walk to match my talk.
These weren’t exact sermon notes but how the Lord spoke to me.
The other great point in time was watching my son quickly scoot over to the iPad when I told him it was time for worship. He couldn’t sing with the worship, but I saw his sweet desire, especially when He swayed to the music.
Take nothing for granted.
Remember the valuable people in your life. Ones that could go in a split second.
Cherish your special moments.
Always look for golden opportunities to share the love and joy of Christ.
“This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the vast number; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15
Boldly I spoke, “LORD, You know what is happening in this place. You have not given words to my child so he cannot tell me. But I know what is transpiring and I entrust this to You! The battle is Yours! Fight for this child!”
And yet, when my precious child must leave his haven of love and safety and go out into a world he doesn’t fully understand, and is unable to speak his needs, I worry. I remember the tears flowing down my child’s face. I watch my child in the rear-view mirror, singing, laughing, dancing in his seat, yet when we reach a familiar path of a place that he needs to go, the smile turns to a frown, his head drops in defeat, and a low whimper emerges… my heart is crushed. I cry out, God! Why aren’t you fighting for him?!
One day turns into another. The strain of trying to manage this crisis is affecting his health. I’m sure he wonders why I am allowing this injustice to continue. Nonetheless, I know it’s not physical cruelty but mental demoralization due to ignorance. The child doesn’t know that I am fighting for him and his rights but the numbers against me also are growing. I cry louder, God! He is an innocent child suffering so deeply! I am surrounded with no help in sight!
On a different day, the child slowly descends the stairs with his bag behind him and a weight on his shoulders. We make it to the end of the drive and he lethargically gives his faithful pup a treat as I mouth the words assuring his companion as he leaves from this spot he will after so many hours return to this same spot. His four-legged companion is partially blinded by the child’s suffering because of her love for him.
The days have been long and hard. No longer does the child find comfort in his mother’s long warm embrace. He knows she loves him with a never-ending love… but not even the hugs or kisses bring him comfort or joy.
Skidamarink a dink a dink, skidamarink a do, I love you.
His formerly cherished transport arrives. Head bent down, the loving warm greeting from the driver swirls past him like leaves floating in the wind, but with his eyes filled with tears, the child doesn’t even notice. He walks down the barren dark aisle and slumps into his seat. No longer does the window entice him to give a final glance to his mother. He doesn’t know that behind her glasses are a thousand tears waiting to explode. The vehicle creeps away.
Safe inside from any eyes being able to see, the mother sits at the desk with the Bible opened in front of her. She pours out her tears and her heart before the LORD.
And the LORD whispers to her…
Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the vast number, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
The mother decides that both she and her son need a desperate, healing respite. She carries the child away in their motorized chariot to a secret garden where the heartbreaking arrows can’t penetrate the child’s mind. They arrive with the sun lighting their path. The aroma of the wind is of scented flowers. The birds joyfully wave as they fly around their heads whistling happy tunes. The mother propels the child in his wheeled sled down familiar and unfamiliar trails.
The mother swiftly turns the corner and is awestruck by what lies before her eyes. To any other person, it would look like a pile of common rocks, but to her, the vision was clear…memorial stones. She gazes at the stones, unable to breathe. Joy, gratitude, and praise swell up from her soul.
Early in the morning, Jacob took the stone that was near his head and set it up as a marker. (Genesis 28: 18). The LORD spoke to Jacob in a dream about his future.
Each of you lift a stone onto his shoulder, one for each of the Israelite tribes so that this will be a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, “What do these stones mean to you?” (Joshua 4:5-6). The LORD parted the Jordan river so they could cross over on dry land.
Afterward, Samuel took a stone and set it upright between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, explaining, “The LORD has helped us to this point.” (1 Samuel 7:12).
The mother remembered and smiled; how many times has the LORD helped us to this point?
The time the officials told you that the child would never be yours…
The scores of times you were protected traveling overseas…
The myriad of times that the LORD has supplied every physical need…
The mother, now immersed in peace glanced to see the child in the sled with wheels gaining speed down the path. At the speed of light, she ran after the escaped sled and snatched it before it careened into the waiting pond. The child was now laughing! The first laugh in numerous weeks. The mother too erupted into laughter.
A moment in time later, the Lord moved. Prayers were answered. The child’s feet were no longer dragging as he made his way down the drive. His head was up and watching as his once again cherished transport arrived to take him to his daily destination. The child began returning at the end of the day with a smile on his face. He no longer feared the morning trips. He loved listening to his mother sing again in the morning. Changes slowly happened.
Why my soul, are you so dejected? Why are you in such turmoil? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God. (Psalm 42:5)
I would have lost heart unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! (Psalm 27:13-14)
Waiting for the LORD to answer in the middle of a crisis takes patience and perseverance. Sometimes the LORD answers quickly, sometimes it takes a long time. God waits for us to see if our faith will stand firm when everything around us is crashing down.
Are you struggling right now? Do you believe that God is not hearing you? Stand firm! Give it to God, He will fight the battle for you. You may have to take some steps and work, but He will open the doors.
The best thing that you can do in a crisis is to pray first, trust always, and remember all the times that the LORD has been faithful to you before. You might gather some stones to remember.
Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today…The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. (Exodus 14:13-14)
Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am He, I am He who will SUSTAIN you. I have MADE you and I will CARRY you; I will SUSTAIN you and I will RESCUE you. (Isaiah 46:4/Emphasis added)
It’s a New Year! Some of us positively dream of a new year ahead. We have been weary and overwhelmed over the past few years. Many of us are just getting our heads above the water, praying, we will be lifted up and not crashed down by another wave. Others move cautiously, reading the headlines and imagining the worst. I gave up the news and television years ago. It always depressed me. I may scan a few headlines and pray for some heartbreaking situations, but I’ve chosen this year, more than ever, to choose joy and to always trust God.
As I have done in the past several years, I had planned to read through the Bible. I don’t do it for a “Hey, look how holy I am” reason. I do it to know God more intimately each day. This is why each year I read from a different version of the Bible and use a different reading plan. But something strange happened!! I didn’t get to read the first ten days of the year because of some health issues, and there were some other personal time-depleting circumstances. I tried to begin with Genesis 1 on January 11th but soon found that I was just rush reading and not really meditating on God’s word or listening to what He wanted to say to me. I decide to skip the previous days and begin the reading for the date it was. January 13th, Genesis 37.
Only God…I marveled, pondered, and was even amused that God would start my reading this year with Joseph. I know Joseph well. I have studied his story many times. His rejection and abuse are familiar and personal. But it’s his faithfulness that I have aspired for. He was crushed… he was deeply broken… he was forgotten… but the Lord was always with Him. Joseph trusted God, despite what happened to him. Joseph was sold into slavery at age seventeen and didn’t begin his higher position working under Pharoah until he was age thirty!
Have you grown impatient with God’s timing? I know I have at times.
I was blessed as God showed me new insights through Exodus and the Israelite’s rescue and journey toward the promised land.
Enter January 23, 2023, or 1/23/23.
The day before I had watched an amazing sermon. The pastor was emphasizing not to focus on the entire year of 2023 – as none of us truly knew what would happen in the world this year (not that we ever know what will happen), but to focus on one day, committed to the Lord, with a desire, “A priority and desire to navigate the natural world with a supernatural mindset.” I am a very symbolic, visual person, but let me clarify that this isn’t some magic ritual… just a symbolic day to see what God’s word is to each of us. I prayed that night God would put a hedge of protection around my morning. I was open to however He wanted to use me.
The point of the sermon? What are your priorities? What are you required to do as a believer? What is your purpose? What is your desire?
God never disappoints us when we dedicate uninterrupted time to reading His Word and listening to what He has to say. The morning before I woke, I had a three-point dream, and earlier in the night a reminder of what God had first rescued me from. I need you to know that I never remember dreams. Normally, when I wake up, my dreams sprint off like an Olympic runner. Not this time… still to this day, I remember every point God showed me.
The first rescue… and there were many more over my life.
The loss of a gift… God took it away because of pride.
An opportunity to help someone, and in the dream I didn’t help… so someone else did. This is a reminder that if we don’t do what God asks us to, He will get someone else to do the job. What a significant loss that would be for us!
The only point I could not interpret was a child who was poor and needed water. I tried to help but couldn’t… then I awoke. I’m still listening for guidance on that one.
January 23, 2023’s reading was Exodus, chapters 17 and 18.
Write this down on a scroll as a reminder.
Moses recounted to his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardships that confronted them on the way, and how the LORD rescued them.
Jethro rejoiced over all the good things the LORD had done for Israel when he rescued them from the power of the Egyptians. “Blessed be the LORD,” Jethro exclaimed.
Then Jethro, Moses’s father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God…
I know what God has done in my life – some of it miraculous. Does my life inspire others? I pray so. Not what I’ve done but what the LORD has done.
So my worship, offering, and sacrifice to God, among other things, is the book telling of His marvelous ways. It doesn’t matter what others think. It’s what God has called me to do. It’s between God and me.
I am not as old as some young people think I am but the years are passing quickly. The point is, though, I have God’s promises, the same as you for this moment. God has rescued me in ways you would not believe! More than once! God has cared for me, carried me, sustained me all of my life. May the glory and honor be given to Him.
What about you? January 23rd has passed, but again, it wasn’t a magical day. You can pray right now that God would meet with you tomorrow. He can do more than you can imagine or dream of!! (Ephesians 3:20).
Why would you not want to see what God can do through you??
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12
I would love to write in my book daily as I hope and pray to be finished in a few months for publication. As a single mom (or a mom in my new ministry group who refers to herself not as a single parent but as an only parent), it is difficult to accomplish everyday tasks! When you have a special-needs child (a friend calls these children, differently-abled children), that is dependent on their daily needs, the time available to do anything becomes microscopic. Predominantly, differently-abled children have enormous medical conditions too!
It is very difficult for an only parent to find time to…
Take care of the house and yard work.
Keep up with the laundry (and some differently-abled children, like my son, produce a boatload of dirty clothes, sheets, and pads)!
Buy groceries and prepare meals.
Manage the maintenance of your vehicle.
Control heaps of paperwork to the insurance company, and state agencies for services for your children, pediatricians, and specialists, plus insurmountable phone calls to the same agencies.
Continually fight the school system so that your children receive a quality education.
Endlessly look for programs, camps, and activities that will welcome your child and benefit your child too!
The list is cease-less.
I have designated a day for writing and would love to write on other days, but even the hours of a designated day can mysteriously vanish with unplanned interruptions and tempting distractions.
Mostly I pray,
Lord, lengthen the day!
Lord, make the hours go slowly!
Lord, inspire me more quickly!
God’s response to me?
Value your time!
Allot your time wisely!
Number your days!
If you are like me, you cringe when you receive your weekly screen time announcement on your phone. That is so distracting!😊 I was actually happy to receive my notice last week… 14% down from the previous week! High-five! Then I glanced at the “Daily Average.” My first thought was, I could have written two chapters in that amount of time!
Without honoring the time the Lord has given us, a year can pass before you can blink.
What else dissolves your time? Binge-Watching shows? Having conversations with friends or neighbors that may not be edifying? In-person window shopping? Online window shopping? Seeing how many people comment or like your Facebook posting? I get wrapped up in the talent shows. I used to sing and dreamed of being a professional singer when I was younger. There’s nothing wrong with watching the competition. It’s what my thought patterns are during or after the show. How often do you daydream after a Netflix series or dance competition?
You don’t want to end the day saying, I wish I would have…
So put your phone down. Turn off your computer.
Read a book to your child. Sings songs with your child. Talk to your child about life!
Give your full attention to your spouse or friend or partner. Full attention! No, uh, huh… whatever you say… it’s okay with me.
I read recently a good recommendation. Don’t ask, How was your day? Instead ask, What will you remember about this day?
Value your time.
Allot your time wisely.
Number your days.
365 days a year.
720 hours in a 30-day month.
1440 minutes in a day.
God values your life. He also values your minutes.
What are you going to do with your minute? I’m going to go finish writing chapters in my book!
Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. James 1:19
If you are short like me, you learned a long time ago that you had to walk fast to keep up with everyone. It could take me up to two or three steps just to keep up with another person’s one step forward.
For me, after walking fast for all my life, it became a habit. As I got older, people would ask me, Why areyou walking so fast?! Slow down! Yes, they were close to my height but obviously didn’t grow up with tall family members or friends!
Sometimes we need to be swift. James says, “Be quick to listen.” Timothy says, “flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace...” 2 Timothy 2:22. Another word for flee is to run away… skedaddle!
I am also thinking we should be swift to help someone in need…
Pray for a friend, neighbor, coworker, relative, or stranger.
Provide food to someone who is financially struggling.
Be a babysitter to a single parent who needs a break.
Provide your services to someone who is a caretaker for a terminally ill family member.
Help an elderly neighbor, who can’t drive, by taking them to run errands, go grocery shopping, or to doctor appointments.
Sit with someone who has lost a spouse, family member, or friend… just sit and listen.
Be swift to smile, open doors, allow someone in front of you in a store line or car lane. Be swift to give a word of encouragement.
But predominantly, the Lord wants you to slow down and wait:
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, and in His word do I hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than the watchmen for the morning. Psalm 130:5-6
Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:31
Cease striving (be still) and know that I am God… Psalm 46:10
Tomorrow morning when you wake up and look at your never-ending “to-do” list, turn it over… close your eyes… and pray to the Lord who loves you dearly. Run from things that can harm you, discourage you, waste your time, or steal your peace. Start your day… slowly… in communion with the Lord and His precious word. You will have more peace and strength to accomplish things on your list, and the unexpected things that try to steal your time and your joy.
“As the foundation of faith is being undermined and the walls of truth broken down, God is calling all His children to refocus on the essentials.” Taj Pacleb
The first and foremost essential is to know God more and follow Him.
The next indispensable thing for me is to care for my totally dependent special-needs son.
Finally, to complete this book of hope and encouragement of God’s faithfulness.
With new conviction and focus, I find that I will drop Wednesday’s Ripples for a while until the book is completed. I will go back to bi-weekly postings on the blog. The book is getting to a point where I will begin to post excerpts from it.
In the meantime, I pray that you receive your daily refreshment, guidance, and ripple of inspiration from God’s Word.
Waves of Gratitude 