Live Life Well...

 

For the past few months, as I've driven back and forth to school, this old barn had captured my attention many times. I really don't know why, other than it reminds me that everything, once upon a time, was new. Time marches on, and it doesn't stand still for anyone; so,

stop and take the pictures you want to, 5 minutes of beauty makes your soul happy;

stop at that roadside Farmer's stand and buy fresh veggies, your tummy will say thank you;

spend that extra hour watching cartoons with your babies, it makes them feel special (and it will make your heart smile);

travel, take mini-vacations, life is too grand of an adventure to miss it;

go on day road trips with a good friend (and laugh til your sides hurt), it's good for your health;

never stop being one who learns, your mind will thank you for it;

sit at the side of the lake, the ocean, a stream or the creek, and just be still, and listen, it will quiet your hurried soul;

take the time to have good, old fashioned, actual, honest-to-goodness conversations; the art of communication is more valuable than you realize;

let your kids help you make pancakes at midnight, a few giggles, glasses of milk and sweet late-night conversations make fantastic memories;

take the time to look up at the stars more than you look down at your phone, trust me, God's been working on me about this one;

say "thank you" more and more everyday, a life lived in gratitude makes for a pleasant attitude;

don't just say kind words, BE kind, it will lift another person's spirit, and bless your own;

The psalmist had it right when he said, "So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom." Life is so precious, live it well my friends, enjoy every moment..

 

His Girl Again

I flipped the pages to the calendar this evening, and was overwhelmed with my memories. 6 years ago, I was in what, to me, felt like a dungeon of despair. I was an addict who mourned a life she could only dream of. I remembered the call of my spirit to be His "girl again." I longed to make Him proud, I just didn't think I ever could.

I remember, even in my misery, my sin, my sadness, His word was my conviction, and it was my comfort. The dates in my Bible seem like a lifetime ago now, but wow, what a difference 6 years, and a marvelous Savior, can make!!  As I unpacked these golden nuggets from the storehouse of grace tonite, I could only weep with gratitude.

I am grateful His hand is salvation, and He heard me even though my sins had hidden His face from me. My paths had undoubtedly been crooked and finding my way back home was a long journey; nevertheless, the light did come. If you only knew that girl 6 years ago, you'd know why I find it amazing to have the beautiful life I do, and why I love Him so. I'm thankful He heard my prayer, and that even when I didn't feel like I was His girl, to my Father, I always was.


Behold, the Lord ’s hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear. The way of peace they have not known, And there  is no justice in their ways; They have made themselves crooked paths; Whoever takes that way shall not know peace...

Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. “Instead of bronze I will bring gold, Instead of iron I will bring silver, Instead of wood, bronze, And instead of stones, iron. I will also make your officers peace, And your magistrates righteousness. Violence shall no longer be heard in your land, Neither wasting nor destruction within your borders; But you shall call your walls Salvation, And your gates Praise.
   Isaiah 59:1-2, 15. Isaiah 60:1, 17-18

Cars, Bathtubs and Stillness

Sometimes when I'm sitting here, and the day is peaceful, and life isn't such a hurried mess, I find myself thinking about how good it is to sit still before the Lord and just be quiet. However, what happens to that stillness when I get lost in tomorrow's inevitable chaos? It becomes more of a seemingly elusive choice,  a choice to stop, even if for one minute, and be quiet. (My car or bathtub are looking pretty promising as domains of quietness) No phone, computer, textbook, or people to distract my collective focus on simply listening, and feeling His breath upon my scattered soul.

I'm not saying it will be easy by any means, but I am telling myself it is possible, because it is my choice. His words of promise, redemption, instruction and love assure me that He wants what is best for us individually, and as a collective creation, learning to lean on Him, listen and stand still before Him is an action..."belief is a verb" is how Ann Voskamo puts it, I liked that.

So, my friend, I am sending out a word of encouragement for you to stand still, and see His salvation, listen to His voice, it is possible to hear it, even in the midst of a crazy world and even busier life. Let His word uplift your tired soul and weary heart - His pleasure is to give you the kingdom, so shouldn't we trust Him for even the smallest if things?

 "There are many plans in a man’s heart,
nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,  Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. Commit your works to the Lord,
And your thoughts will be established. “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12:32, Proverbs 19:21, Isaiah 55: 8-9, Proverbs 16:3)

My soul is comforted ...

My time with the Lord this morning has been so peaceful.  You know when you are with a really really good friend and it doesn't matter if you say one word or not, the silence often is more golden than the audible  conversation?  Well, that's kinda what I'm talking about today, it's just really quiet and still, every now and again, He will whisper a verse to my soul through the stillness, but it's just so gentle ... ahhhh, my soul, what comfort there is to be found in sitting still with my Friend, my Father, my Peace.

"...the breath of the Almighty hath given me life." (Job 33:4b)

I adore, and am amazed by, the perfect way my Savior loves me. There is never one thing in my life that He cannot take and make better, if only I would trust Him in the process. A wonderful friend of mine once told me, " Dont try and out-think God!" This was very wise advice.  Romans 8:28 should always give a child of God peace...He has a plan -and it's a good one!!

At All Times

I love how the Lord speaks to our hearts in the sweetness of so many different ways. Today as I was reading Jesus Calling by Sara Young, I was reminded that when my eyes are fixed on Christ, then He will certainly keep me in His perfect peace. My Father went on to bless me even more when He reinforced this truth as I picked up my second reading for the day and  read, "the pathway to peace is marked with faith and trust in Jesus Christ (Words of Jesus for Women.) In a time in my life when I am uncertain of where He is taking me, it is a good thing to know that I can "trust Him in ALL times." (Ps. 62:8a)

Willow, Faithful Friend

 Ever since my childhood days, willow trees have been my favorite of the deciduous tools that hold the power to transport you to another world; and as a child, that was the only thing I had wanted to do – escape. So, years later, when I found myself living on property that housed one of these precious creations of God, I was ecstatic. Many times I have spread a blanket out under her long and flowing limbs as they cradled my spirit within their warm embrace. My willow tree’s tears would softly fall around me, bathing me in her peaceful protection. As I would settle onto her strong lap and lean against her sturdy trunk, it felt as if the arms of God held me tight – encouraging me to dream. 

Willow’s long and weepy branches held wealth enough to buy me a first-class passage back to my childhood days, where adventures and dreams were as free as the air we breathe and imaginations were Mary-Poppins-worthy.   The 180-degree circle of her graceful limbs sprouted green and yellow buds that were reminiscent of the bright beads on a necklace, perhaps like those from the transcendental era of hippies and free-love.  Their magical potential to invoke dreams of other worlds and distant lands appealed to my inner lass, who had long been forgotten and lost among grown-up responsibilities and daily to-do lists.
 
When life barrels by us like a freight train carrying important cargo, I find myself wanting to escape, as I did when I was a naive little girl so full of hope. Willow never disappoints that little girl tucked away inside this adult woman of God.  She has always allowed me freedom of expression – to cry, to laugh, to be angry, to be loud, and, to even be quiet.  She is a faithful friend and sweet generator of dreams.  When the wind is blowing a breeze through her wafting branches, I feel safe and full of hope again, and isn't that what being a good friend is really all about anyway?! 

"The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about...and ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees...and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the Lord your God..." (Job 40:22, Lev. 23:40a,b )