This song is helping me cross over to new beginnings...
I continue to wonder why it takes longer to grieve than to fall in love.
Everything a season, I recall...I hope this isn't a permanent season. I'm looking forward to a new spring (even if it's snowing!).
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
How does He always know?
I just wanted to share this little insight I read to start my day today. I was grateful for it on many deep levels, but moreso because often it is through my plants that God shows me how His plan makes sense in the long run.
Enjoy this for yourself. :)
God bless!
Enjoy this for yourself. :)
God bless!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Hard to swallow, but easy to digest
"All men are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of the Lord stands forever."
1 Peter 1:24-25
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of the Lord stands forever."
1 Peter 1:24-25
Sunday, June 14, 2009
For Heaven's Sake
"However, as it is written: 'No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him'—”- 1 Corinthians 2:9
Friday, June 5, 2009
Wasted
I've found it hard to share here lately, mostly because I feel as though there is an expected expiration date on my current struggles. If I continue to wade through the same garbage does that mean I'm getting somewhere or does it mean I'm defeated? I can't decide yet because I'm still waiting for one whole day of pure and fresh air, one day when I don't lose my footing and slide back down into the dumpster, not even one toe slip. The breaths are getting longer, but the stench is still very present.
I drove home, another solitary Friday evening, and wondered when I will stop believing that just because I was thrown into the trash that I am actually trash. Maybe it's just the time of year, a time when traditions used to run deep and now they are just memories left in the dust, most never to be spoken of again. Perhaps it's another year gone by, still with little obvious progress or change to my circumstances. Maybe it's just me. But I'm hoping to understand the secret to actually believing that a diamond is always valuable, even if it's thrown away and never retrieved or thought of again.
Or is that diamond's value wasted when it's given to someone who doesn't know it's a diamond?
I drove home, another solitary Friday evening, and wondered when I will stop believing that just because I was thrown into the trash that I am actually trash. Maybe it's just the time of year, a time when traditions used to run deep and now they are just memories left in the dust, most never to be spoken of again. Perhaps it's another year gone by, still with little obvious progress or change to my circumstances. Maybe it's just me. But I'm hoping to understand the secret to actually believing that a diamond is always valuable, even if it's thrown away and never retrieved or thought of again.
Or is that diamond's value wasted when it's given to someone who doesn't know it's a diamond?
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Among the weeds
I was reminded again this weekend that seeds planted still grow and bloom, even underneath inches and clumps of weeds upon weeds. They will sprout up...
To everything there is a season, right?
Happy spring!
To everything there is a season, right?
Happy spring!
Monday, February 16, 2009
No man's princess
I admit that lately I have a difficult time feeling as if I am special by any means. I can feel tugs in my lonely heart as if the Spirit is urgently trying to get me to remember I matter. Hopeful this is a temporary phase and mostly a result of circumstance and memories of several Februaries passed, I don't mean to post in this tone as if I have no joy, hope, love, or other blessings in my life. I wanted to share a verse I will use as a focus for when the girl in the mirror is trying to disagree:
"Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me..." 2 Timothy 4:8
I am no princess to any "prince" on this earth, but it is comforting to think there is a King who believes I'm already His princess. We are all royalty to this King. Someday I'll sell the rhinestone tiara that I wore 6 Februaries ago because it only means broken promises and tarnished memories. But I'll gladly wear the crown of righteousness God has for me because I "have longed for His appearing." Even if it doesn't always feel like it, I will do better if I focus on the royalty God sees in me. I am someOne's princess...thank You, Your Majesty.
...and thank you, Heather, for giving voice to His stirring in me. I needed to hear it. :)
"Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me..." 2 Timothy 4:8
I am no princess to any "prince" on this earth, but it is comforting to think there is a King who believes I'm already His princess. We are all royalty to this King. Someday I'll sell the rhinestone tiara that I wore 6 Februaries ago because it only means broken promises and tarnished memories. But I'll gladly wear the crown of righteousness God has for me because I "have longed for His appearing." Even if it doesn't always feel like it, I will do better if I focus on the royalty God sees in me. I am someOne's princess...thank You, Your Majesty.
...and thank you, Heather, for giving voice to His stirring in me. I needed to hear it. :)
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Believing in Hope
I've been worrying a lot lately about what direction God wants for me now. What purpose? What course? What plan? What actions does He want me to take? These thoughts have begun to overwhelm me to a point where it's hard to believe anything good can come next. I am not generally a hopeless person, which makes this doubt I've had over hope even more heavy on my heart. Last year I felt I had a purpose for my time, something definite that God was trying to show me and fight for. With the New Year already in swing, I'm at a loss and it's starting to douse my hope.
I was reminded in church today of one thing I listed yesterday: Soft soil to plant in. As they talked about abiding in God, always believing in and depending on Him, and how through this "plugged in" relationship God will produce fruit in my life, I was thinking about my doubt in hope. It seems so corny to write it like this, because it's so hard to detail the spark I felt the Spirit fanning, but I realized I must still believe hope is possible. I planted yesterday! Not just in a pot or temporary place, but in the ground. I must still believe deep down that something I do today will benefit my own, or another's, future. I planted hope. Hope. I was so glad for this innocent perspective on what I thought was just a way to soak up a little sun and cross another "to-do" off my list. Hope still exists in my heart and with patience, faith, and persistence, I believe hope will grow.
"Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope."
~1 Chronicles 29:15b
I was reminded in church today of one thing I listed yesterday: Soft soil to plant in. As they talked about abiding in God, always believing in and depending on Him, and how through this "plugged in" relationship God will produce fruit in my life, I was thinking about my doubt in hope. It seems so corny to write it like this, because it's so hard to detail the spark I felt the Spirit fanning, but I realized I must still believe hope is possible. I planted yesterday! Not just in a pot or temporary place, but in the ground. I must still believe deep down that something I do today will benefit my own, or another's, future. I planted hope. Hope. I was so glad for this innocent perspective on what I thought was just a way to soak up a little sun and cross another "to-do" off my list. Hope still exists in my heart and with patience, faith, and persistence, I believe hope will grow.
"Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope."
~1 Chronicles 29:15b
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Naptime Yet?
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."
Ephesians 6:10-13
I am amazed that we don't walk through each day looking skeptically around corners and into each room as we enter. We don't know when we will need our armor. But I think what amazes me about this verse most is that not only do we need God's armor for the actual battle, but also for the aftermath, when we are left alive to heal our wounds and pick up the pieces.
Maybe that's why I find it so hard lately to feel the strength I know is within. I'm worn from the heavy armor and rough battle. My wounds are deep and healing at different paces. I'm still standing, and I'm weak, tired and overwhelmed when I look at the rebuilding that needs to happen as I move forward post-war feeling defeated...yet I survived. I needed this reminder that it is not yet time to remove my armor, but in fact, it's time to hold tight to it and rely on it all the more. "...and after you have done everything, to stand." Amen
Ephesians 6:10-13
I am amazed that we don't walk through each day looking skeptically around corners and into each room as we enter. We don't know when we will need our armor. But I think what amazes me about this verse most is that not only do we need God's armor for the actual battle, but also for the aftermath, when we are left alive to heal our wounds and pick up the pieces.
Maybe that's why I find it so hard lately to feel the strength I know is within. I'm worn from the heavy armor and rough battle. My wounds are deep and healing at different paces. I'm still standing, and I'm weak, tired and overwhelmed when I look at the rebuilding that needs to happen as I move forward post-war feeling defeated...yet I survived. I needed this reminder that it is not yet time to remove my armor, but in fact, it's time to hold tight to it and rely on it all the more. "...and after you have done everything, to stand." Amen
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Tough times call for Counting Blessings
I've been wanting to write lately, but I've had a hard time focusing. Finally it occurred to me that maybe if I remind myself of the good going on amidst all the negative that it might help me see what it is that I'm trying figure out. So, simply, I'm going to list a few things that I am grateful for tonight.
- Lunch with my dad today
- Snugly puppy
- It snowed this morning
- Sweet thank you ecard from a friend
- God's ability to use all of us, as sinners, for His good
- Encouragement from two friends
- Tomorrow is a new day
"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." ~James 4:10
...preparing for lift off Lord! :)
Monday, January 12, 2009
What if it all goes right?
"Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise." ~Hebrews 10:23 NLT
As I recover from the last year I realize that I have fears and worries I never had before. Many "what ifs?" creep up at the most inconvenient times, sometimes not sparked by any source. "What if that goes wrong? What if this happens again? What if I...what if he...what if they...what if God???!!! What if...what if...what if!!?" It's a fast downward spiral if I don't catch my faith and hold tightly.
Then, I was making a batch of sweets for a friend and heard a newer song that the Spirit used to get His message of trust and promise across. WHAT IF IT ALL GOES RIGHT? YES!! What IF it all turns out OK? What if I can move on and be better in spite of a broken heart and confusion? What if God's promise is really all I need? Yes. What if instead of preparing for when it all goes wrong, I expect and prepare for when it all goes RIGHT?!
I spent so much time in the last year repairing collateral damage, nursing my wounds, and preparing myself for the worst. The "worst" kept getting worse and I'd still look around, catch my breath, and realize I'm still OK. So then I'd prepare for the next time it would get worse...and amazingly I'm still standing after over a year of hard blows. Naturally I began to condition myself to prepare for "wrong" and finally facing the question "What if it all goes right?" has really opened my eyes to my new course of action: Preparing for the best. One step at a time I will rebuild my confidence, security, and trust in God's promises for me. I look forward to seeing what happens when it all goes right.
New Year's Blessings to all! xoxo
As I recover from the last year I realize that I have fears and worries I never had before. Many "what ifs?" creep up at the most inconvenient times, sometimes not sparked by any source. "What if that goes wrong? What if this happens again? What if I...what if he...what if they...what if God???!!! What if...what if...what if!!?" It's a fast downward spiral if I don't catch my faith and hold tightly.
Then, I was making a batch of sweets for a friend and heard a newer song that the Spirit used to get His message of trust and promise across. WHAT IF IT ALL GOES RIGHT? YES!! What IF it all turns out OK? What if I can move on and be better in spite of a broken heart and confusion? What if God's promise is really all I need? Yes. What if instead of preparing for when it all goes wrong, I expect and prepare for when it all goes RIGHT?!
I spent so much time in the last year repairing collateral damage, nursing my wounds, and preparing myself for the worst. The "worst" kept getting worse and I'd still look around, catch my breath, and realize I'm still OK. So then I'd prepare for the next time it would get worse...and amazingly I'm still standing after over a year of hard blows. Naturally I began to condition myself to prepare for "wrong" and finally facing the question "What if it all goes right?" has really opened my eyes to my new course of action: Preparing for the best. One step at a time I will rebuild my confidence, security, and trust in God's promises for me. I look forward to seeing what happens when it all goes right.
New Year's Blessings to all! xoxo
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