Saturday, December 29, 2012

New Year Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of His hand. ~ Irish Blessing

As the new year comes, there are a myriad of possibilities for your future. This is a time to start your life, fresh and new. All those changes you have wanted to make, now is the time. All those dreams you have longed to fulfill, now is the time.

You may not be able to change your past, but you can change your future. The question is, what do you want to do? What is it you are looking for in life? Where will your dreams lead you?

Life is not always what we want, or even remotely close to where we thought we would be. The question is, are your brave enough to make the change? Are you strong enough, and do you want it bad enough to do what it takes? 

Think about it, make a list, pray over it, trust in God to lead you down the path He has planned for you. God has a purpose for your life, it's up to you to discover it.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jer. 29:11

 

Monday, December 10, 2012

'UnPerfect' Holiday Blessings

Just taking a few moments to wish you a Happy Holidays!

We rush around day and night, making sure to get all of the details completed for our 'perfect Holidays'. Why do we do this? To create memories. The question I have for you is..."What makes a memory 'memorable'?" Is it those 'perfect' moments, or is it the moments that make you smile and laugh? Those moments where the turkey was supposed to be 'perfect', but you forgot to turn the oven on, and ended up with holiday meatloaf. Those moments where those 'perfectly' decorated cookies you were going to be handing out to neighbors - ends up being more icing on the kids, then on the cookies. Those moments where you took time to decorate the tree 'perfect', but the kitty decided to climb it, and drag it down the hallway, as you see all of your work strewn about the house, and have to start over. Those moments where you wrap the present 'perfectly', only to look at the ones already wrapped, and you see that the dog got into 'Uncle Billy's' summer sausage log, or the cat decided that they wanted to play with all of the bows and ribbons, and you have to re-wrap them.

What I am trying to say is that the more 'unperfect' the moment, the more memorable it will be, and filled with laughter and delight! So, on that note, I wish you 'Unperfect Happy Holidays!'

God bless! :)

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Just a note to say that I pray you have a wonderful time with your family or close friends on Thanksgiving Day. I will be 'off-line' for a couple days, to enjoy my family. Until we connect again, God bless you and keep you safe! :)

Monday, November 19, 2012

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving comes around only once a year, but I prefer to 'give thanks' when it's warranted. This accomplishes multiple things. First of all, it makes the person you are thanking feel a bit of gratitude- this is especially significant on those rough days. Now, to make my point clear, I'm not 'PollyAnna' by any stretch of the imagination, I just enjoy giving people something to smile about, when things around them feel exceptionally hectic.
The second reason I enjoy 'giving thanks' when it's not 'in style', is just the feeling I get when I see that person who looks like they may snap at any second, or who look extremely weary, actually have a smile on their face.
You see, manners go a LONG way, and, it seems, they are slipping as time goes by - especially the closer we get to the Holiday Season. These are supposed to be the seasons of love, peace, grace, thankfulness, and happiness, but you won't see that if you are shoving someone out of the way to get the better parking spot, or the latest toy.
Basically, what I am saying is, turn your phone off, and smile at your cashier; let the elderly lady, or the lady with four children clinging on her appendages have the closer parking spot; let the guy who s reaching for the same toy as you have it - there is always something else that can be bought; smile, and just say a simple, 'Thank You'.
The meanings of Thanksgiving and Happy Holidays may bring a smile on your face this year, instead of migraines and frazzled hair!
God bless! :)

Conversation with God



Why is it that you park in the drive ways . . . and drive in the parkways? Why is it that when children are babies, we encourage them to ‘pass gas’ or ‘burp’, yet it’s unacceptable to do so when we hit our Jr. High age?
Why is it that when we’re walking, jogging, or even taking a shower, that is the only time we truly sit down and think things through? Why is it that we wait until things ‘hit the fan’, before we decide to do something about it?
Why is it that our Father has the immeasurable patience to put up with our antics . . . yet turn around a split second later looking to comfort us in our sorrows . . . doesn’t His patience EVER wear thin?
In looking at my life lately, I just sometimes wonder why He doesn’t just shake His beautiful head at me, and let me go off on my own. For some STRANGE and UNKOWN reason to me, He still feels fit to want to ‘keep me out of trouble’ that always seems to find me! *shrugs with a grin*
I may have told you my story, and someday, I’m sure it may be one of my best sellers – if I ever get the guts to put it in print! The things that He has brought me through . . . the things He has saved me from . . . Heh! I feel REALLY bad for my guardian angel! I can see it now! He’s up in Heaven, talking to my Father . . .

Angel: “But Lord! My word! Have you SEEN what trouble she’s gotten into lately?!?”
Father: “Yes”, He replies calmly.
Angel: “I love, honor, and worship you, Lord . . . but I’m tired!! Can’t you send in one of the fresh recruits?”
Father: “Don’t you understand?” He shook His head, slightly perplexed – even though He already knew the answer.
Angel: “Understand what?”
Father: “Understand the future I have for her,” He simply said.
Angel: In wide-eyed exasperation, “But Lord!! She’s not going to make it!!”
Father: “That is precisely why I placed YOU over her as her guard. Don’t you understand that she is not only one of My daughters – she’s one of the Princesses of This Kingdom.”
Angel: “Yes sir, however, may I point out that she will be joining us A LOT sooner than You planned at the rate she’s going?”
Father: With a pleasant smile on His face, He chuckles.
Angel: “A thousand pardons, my Lord, but what are you laughing at?”
Father: “that you lady’s story has her ducking and running for cover. It has you chasing your tail to keep up with her.”
Angel: “That’s my point!”
Father: He leans forward, with His elbows on His knees, as he gently explains, “Don’t you see that she’s in My refining fire?”
Angel: “Than You’d better keep a closer eye on her! She’s about to melt completely!”
Father: Shaking His head, He says, “What others have thrown away . . . what others have called ‘filthy’, ‘marred’, ‘useless’, ‘beyond help’ . . . I will use! To me, she is ‘priceless’, pure, strong, and will help many! That one woman, does have a purpose – as many of my children do. I don’t take them through the fire, just to set them aside. I take them through, so they can help others through.”
Angel: “I understand that, Lord, but she’s just about burnt out!”
Father: “Then guide her to safety,” He shrugged at the simple solution.
Angel: “Is that possible?”
Father: “With Me? All things are possible!” He winked, with a smile.
Angel: “Then I will complete my mission!”
Father: “Go swiftly . . . and know that I will use her for great things!”
Angel: He bowed, before beginning to step away. Then he faltered, and looked up at The Father, and asked, “She will survive, right?”
Father: “There’s a reason she has gone through the fire so much. She IS a survivor. She IS strong. She WILL do great things for this Kingdom. Take care of her . . . and I will take care of the rest.”
Angel: He stood up straight. With renewed vigor, he saluted The Lord, and said, “Yes sir!” and he was gone.

. . . Is your angel tired? Worn out? Know that there is a reason for this! You WILL be used for good! You ARE strong!