Everyday Miracles

Daily gifts from God's loving hands,

Glimpses of beauty He so richly shares;

Scattered jewels like grains of sand,

Remind us that He really cares.

Birds of scarlet, snow pure white,

Flowers crimson, skies of blue,

Yellow moonbeams, bright sunlight,

Emerald grass,sparkling dew.

 

Children's laughter, babies coos,

Caring words, compassionate tears,

Smiling faces, happy news,

Hugs from friends, listening ears.

Miracles of love so freely given,

Enrich my life each day.

God gives me a small glimpse of Heaven

With each wondrous display.

Thank You, Father, for Your gifts of love.

Thank You for the peace each gift brings.

Thank You for the hope that comes from above.

Thank You for the songs Your Creation sings.

"Walk in the Light of My Presence."

Sunshine!

Warmth!

Light!

Truth!

Obedience!

 Healing!

Hope!

Joy!
Heaven!

"Blessed are the people 
who know the joyful sound!
  They walk, 
O LORD, 
in the light of Your countenance.
 In Your name they rejoice all day long,
         And in Your righteousness they are exalted."

Psalm 89:15

Who Control's My Steering Wheel?

I am learning that life is so much easier when I let God have the driver's seat.  I just wish it hadn't taken me almost 60 years to figure out life works best that way.  There have been many times in my life when I've yielded control to Him and the road He took me on was full of joy even in the midst of trials.  Yet, for some unknown reason, I would eventually take back the steering wheel and veer off course.  

After I've made a total mess of things, I desperately invite God back into the driver's seat.  Thankfully, our God of mercy and grace retakes His rightful place and gets me back on the right path.  However, He usually allows me to suffer the consequences of my actions so that I may learn a lesson.  I do believe He often softens those consequences out of His abundant love and compassion. And then the joy is restored and I rest in His Presence.

I hope that at this stage in my life I have finally learned my lesson.  I know that I will be tempted to take control again.  I pray that the Holy Spirit will remind me of the consequences of being in control and that I will be able to resist that temptation.  I choose to surrender control of my life to my Father who loves me and knows what's best for me. 

I take comfort and encouragement from Psalm 30:5:

"For His anger lasts only a moment,
   but His favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
   but rejoicing comes in the morning."

"Father, Thank You for Your loving patience even when I don't deserve it.  Help me to remember how much better life is when I allow You to be in the driver's seat.  And thank You that joy always follows weeping when I trust in You!  In the precious Name of Jesus.  Amen"

Alive!

Today is a great day to be alive.  Yes it is very cold.  Yes it is very windy.  But we do not have 22 " of snow.  I am so thankful to be living in God's world and that I have the opportunity to serve Him in my job.  It is a blessing to work in a church with people who love God and desire to spread His word to a hurting world.  It is also a joy to work with people who love to laugh and who care about others.  So 'thank You, Lord, for the simple pleasures You place into my life every day."

"Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory!"

One of my verses this morning was 1 Peter 1:8. "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:" (emphasis mine).

That's how I want to live; believing and rejoicing with unspeakable joy and full of God's glory. I want people to see the difference being God's child makes in my life. Yes, I have troubles, sorrows, and trials. Yes, there are days when I would love to be able to stay in bed. That's the human state.

I want to live by grace, not by works. I can't do anything to make myself be the kind of person I want to be. God's Spirit living in and through me makes me that person. When I allow Him to fill me up I then overflow with His love, mercy, and grace which spill out onto people with whom I come into contact.

When I allow God's Spirit to flow in and through me, I am filled with "joy unspeakable and full of glory". What a wonderful way to live!

Game of Life

I spent yesterday afternoon playing with my 5 yr old granddaughter, Jena. We play her games with her rules. They often change as the game progresses. She hates to lose. She doesn't see the big picture. She only sees and feels what is happening to her right then so losing is a big deal. As her Memaw, I don't mind losing to her, but I also want her to learn to lose gracefully because, she is going to lose. That's part of life.

How often do we as God's children do the same thing? We want to play our life according to our rules but then we don't like it when we lose, which we inevitably will. Then we want God to bail us out. We don't want to suffer the consequences.

Or we try to follow the "rules" man has ordained as God's directions. But we cannot do this. We are born with a sinful nature and will slip from time to time no matter how good our intentions. Then we feel guilty and think God is angry with us. So maybe we quit trying.

How much easier and more productive it would be if we allow our Creator to direct our steps; if we allow Him to order our days according to His purpose and His will. We don't have to follow "rules". We need to develop a deeply intimate relationship with God. He is the One Who makes us more like Jesus. His Spirit convicts, corrects, guides, and molds us to be the person God created us to be.

In this game we call life, God has already won the victory. Jesus did that on the cross of Calvary. Sure, we'll suffer losses in this world. But if we keep our eyes on the prize, those losses will be "light and momentary" as Paul said. (2 Cor. 4:17). In the end, we who belong to Him win. I pray that Jena will realize that her greatest victory will be in knowing Jesus and in allowing God to guide her steps in this game we call Life.

Thoughts

I have not written on here for a long time. Actually, I haven't really written anything for a long time. I've been struggling with whether I'm supposed to write and, if so, what I'm to write. I've decided several times that the writings I did were for that season of my life. But somehow, the thought that I should write sticks to me. So I've decided to just write what comes to mind and see what happens.

On Dec. 7 I had my right hip replaced. I was walking with a cane and in great pain. Some days I was tempted to ask for a wheel chair. The x-rays showed my hip joint was bone on bone. No wonder I hurt. Then the surgery! They got me up that day and the pain in my hip was gone. I couldn't believe it. The only pain I've experienced from the surgery was my incision and it has quickly healed. I can walk without pain. I can sleep at night without pain. What a blessing this is. I am so grateful for God's provision of good doctors and of healing in answer to my prayers. God is so good. All the time!

My goal for 2011 is to deepen my relationship with God. I know that I too often take Him for granted. And I make Him too small. He is God! Almighty, powerful, loving, all-knowing, merciful, forgiving, holy, awesome God! He is my Best Friend, Husband, Master, Teacher, Guide, Comforter, and Constant Companion. I want to know Him more and become the person He created me to be. That is my prayer.

"Father, You alone are God. Teach me to live in the moment You have given to me. Sweeten my spirit and open my eyes to opportunities to serve You by serving others. I am so thankful for Your abiding presence in my life. I love You! In the precious Name of Jesus, Amen."