A Fresh Look At Old Circumstances

I have had so many moments this week where God has shown Himself.  I feel like He has shown off a bit actually. ;-)  It's fun when you are able to take a step back and really watch and listen. You see things with a whole new perspective. You recognize how much God has a part in your life. You get to watch God at work, when you keep your mouth quiet enough to pay attention.  Okay, go back and change all of those you to I. That's all about me this week. I struggle with being quiet in the presence of God. I struggle with stepping back and watching Him at work. I'm appreciative of the new perspective and the fresh look at old circumstances. It's great because I get to see that God was/is at work the whole time, even when I feel like He's taking a break. When God is quiet, that's a really good time to start paying really close attention.

Five Minutes

It's another day of just sitting quietly. I'm trying to pinpoint what it is that I'm gaining from these quiet times with God. It seems like it is a necessary respite that I didn't even realize I needed.  He is providing me time to allow my mind to be free of all of the hindrances of the day because I'm focused on the quiet. Listening is such an important part of life with Jesus and I am guilty of overlooking it. I want answers or I want to just talk to Him about whatever is going on, but sometimes it is more important to hush up. I'm taking five minutes to just listen, focus on Jesus and listen. It's been my theme this week.

A Quiet Calm

I am feeling a little dry this week. I don't have many thoughts coming to mind when I sit to spend time with Jesus. I'm okay with that. I know He is present. I know He is working. I have peace. I just don't have a lot of words. I believe this is how growing a relationship is. There are times where many thoughts flood into your mind and you are confronted with new ideas or new ways of thinking. Sometimes there are insights into current practices or learning that refines with time and experience. And yet other times there is a quiet calm that settles. We need all of these times. I'm in a quiet calm time, and I'm good with that. The peaceful sound of silence.

Deepest Joy

I don't have any fancy thoughts today. I'm actually kind of out of thoughts today. I'm just grateful for the blessings of life, that in the midst of seemingly nothing but blandness of life, God bestows His deepest joy on me through my family. God is good, no matter the circumstances. We've learned that deeply over the last few years. Sorrow ebbs and flows, but the joy of the Lord endures!

The Best Life

Lately I've been thinking about things I thought would come to pass, but have not. I've been looking back at life, thinking about where I thought I would be and what I thought I would have accomplished up to this point. It's funny to me how I had so many plans, dreams you could even call them, that have not happened.  It's not because I didn't do them or because I didn't try to accomplish them. It's more about the fact that those things were not a part of God's plan. As I've grown, my plans have become more in line with God's. There are still plans that I am unsure as to whether they are God's, but I move forward with my focus on Him.  Am I bummed that some of my plans haven't happened? Sometimes. However, I am able to recognize that God's plans are always the best. A statement that recently has been shared with me is, "Good is the enemy of best." This has helped me in the face of these thoughts.  What I thought would be a good life, God is showing me is not the best life. I'm trying to grasp what God sees as the best life for me and move away from the good life conformities. I hope that makes sense. I'm just starting to grapple with it all.

Prayer for Healing

Lord, a prayer of healing for those who are hurting. There is so much pain in the world and I know you understand that a deeper level than most of us ever will.  Father, heal our souls, minds, and bodies.  Infiltrate our lives with your Spirit. You are the Great Healer. Rest your mighty hand on those who have need and give them the joy and peace that only comes from you. Amen.

Spend Time At the Well

Life is messy. It isn't simple. It isn't fair. If you want to be sad or mad all the time, it's pretty easy to find things to feel that way. It's easy to get caught up in the negative. This is why it is so important for us to spend time with God.  God is good. He is the only part of our world that is good all the time. Every time I go to God, even when I don't get the response I want, I know He is rooting for me and working for my good. Life can be messy. Circumstances can be overwhelming. Thankfully we have a God who loves us so much that He extends every good thing He has to us. As Christians, we have the power that resurrected Jesus living inside us. We have so much good to tap into, we just need to spend time at the well. That's what it's all about, spending time with Jesus, so our eyes are fixed on Him instead of the world we live in. Then our joy can be made complete.