Wednesday, November 30, 2011

PATHS

The Lord has taken me along a path that has highlighted my need for Him: placing me in situations where my strengths were irrelevant and my weaknesses glaringly evident. Through the aridity of those desert marches, he has drawn me closer and closer to Himself. I have discovered flowers of Peace blossoming in the most desolate places. I have learned to thank Him for hard times and difficult journeys, trusting that through them He accomplishes His best work. I have realized that needing Him is the key to knowing Him intimately, which is the gift above all gifts! (From Jesus Calling, 11-29)

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

"Let thankfulness rule in your heart. As you thank Me for blessings in your life, a marvelous thing happens. It is as if scales fall off your eyes, enabling you to see more and more of My glorious riches...Instead of trying to be in control, you focus on Me and what I am doing. This is the power of praise: centering your entire being in Me. This is how I created you to live, for I made you in My own image. Enjoy abundant life by overflowing with praise and thankfulness." Jesus Calling, Sarah Young


That says it all....a gift to lift my eyes off of myself and my circumstances...to look to the One Who is a joy to love and follow. Thank You Lord.

Monday, November 28, 2011

WHAT I DIDN'T KNOW

I never knew the bed I'd crawl into to get warm in the morning when I was a little girl, would be the one I'd lay on and read Max Lacado stories to my dying mom. I never knew that the Dad who didn't have time for me as a girl, would lavishly cherish my visits and reading to him of scripture during his last year of life on this earth. I never knew launching my kids into independence and adulthood meant that I had to grow up and become something besides my favorite occupation of a mom. I never knew the journey to a great relationship with my husband was through the difficulty of learning to know and share my feelings, and how to help him hear and share mine and his. I never knew that a really good way to a deeper walk with Jesus was through the door of physical pain.


I'm grateful I never knew.


And so glad for the gift of these journeys.