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Are We There Yet?

January 16, 2015January 28, 20154 Comments

Well, we’re halfway through the first month of a new year! How are you doing? How have the days been so far? Sticking to those resolutions?

I don’t know about you, but I’m still thankful, glad and joyful over these days the Lord has given. They haven’t all been easy, but life is still a gift and a blessing. (I know some of you have found that out, TRULY.)

Looking back at the first 15 days, it’s easy to dwell on what we’ve already failed at, goals not met, not living up to who we wanted to be, often asking if our efforts have made a difference. Have I arrived? Am I there, yet?

Some days you have to fight harder than others to get there, wherever there is for you, but the point is, fight! Follow your dreams, go for what you want, don’t give up! Commit to the hard work, even if it hurts. In the end, if you don’t, you’ll only be hurting yourself.

I have one goal for this year: to live my life better. Sure, I have other quests, like starting a blog (DONE!) and making a quilt. But with each new day the Lord gives, I aim to live fully and truly.

Photo credit: Georgianna Lane. http://georgiannalane.com. Used with permission.

Being Inspired…

January 14, 2015January 14, 20156 Comments

Today’s Blogging 101 assignment was to expand on a comment left on a fellow blogger’s post. I’m inspired by https://chasing4jesus.wordpress.com and https://seekingsamantha.wordpress.com/2015/01/11/a-little-love-would-have-been-nice to write a little on patience…

Patience is truly a gift, one that I haven’t always activated when I should have. We want what we want when we want it because it’s all about us, right? I get mad at myself when, for example, I beep my car horn (well, more like BEEEEEP) at a driver not paying attention to the just-turned-green light. Was my BEEEEEEP really necessary? Or blowing my breath and rolling my eyes at the person in front of me in the line at the grocery store who doesn’t have enough cash, or an expired credit card, with five screaming children running all around… Why not offer to help instead?

Even here in Blog Land, trying to figure out what to say, how all the tools and widgets and links work, wondering who’s reading and who cares can be daunting. We want success and “it all figured out” from post one.

When things and life are left in God’s hands, everything will happen with divine perfection. There’s no need to worry. Be sure to embrace and receive the day’s assignment, and act with kindness, gentleness, and respect. Take a few deep breaths, choose your words before you speak, and look for the opportunity to serve the Lord. Serving Him, after all, is waiting in Him. Being… patient.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬ KJV)

Toolboxes

January 9, 2015January 9, 20155 Comments

This is a picture of one of my husband’s toolboxes, in all its glorious mess. I couldn’t tell you the name of most of these instruments, nor the purpose for which they were designed. But I can tell you that my husband CAN. He has a knack for working on cars, mostly mine and his, so please don’t contact us for an appointment, though I do think he could successfully operate a car maintenance shop if he’d just put his mind to… oops. Sorry for that tangent.

Anyway, yes, my husband absolutely knows what each tool is for, and when he encounters an issue on a car for which he has no tool, he’ll buy what he needs. That’s why the toolbox is so full. Problem, don’t have tool, need tool, go get tool. Problem, don’t have tool, need tool, go get tool.

We should have life toolboxes that serve as collection points for the tools we need when issues or problems or challenges arise. Well guess what? The Word of God IS a toolbox for life! Whether you’re overcome with worry, searching for direction, or need healing, you’ll find help. The Word will never steer you wrong; just present your issue, get the “tool” or verse or promise you need (if it’s not already settled in your spirit), and fill up your box.

Jeremiah 29:11 is one of my favorite faith tools. Whenever I start to wonder about the future, I remember this promise: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ KJV)

What’s in your toolbox? In your spiritual well that motivates you to seek and know God more? Whatever the size, be sure your box keeps getting full. You never know when someone might ask you to fix their car…

Power Words and Connections: #FaithTools, Jeremiah 29:11