Morning Thoughts

 

GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY!
I've been up since 4:30 this morning, so it seems like half the day is over now.
It's a good thing it's not though, since i have a list long enough for 4 days to take care of today.
Seem familiar?

I called an office to find something out this morning, and couldn't figure out why the lady came in so late. (It was only 8:30.) And can't these electric and phone companies come in early so i can get the bills paid before i go off and forget again?

Now, this is being written by the lady (me) who used to sleep till 9 or 10 every day! I can't even imagine how i did that and got anything done! But I did seem to get it all done, and I don't remember it being such an effort. My neighbor and i used to have our work done by 11 in the morning, and sit around in the afternoon and watch our kids play, (3 each) and drink ice tea. Now even getting up at 4:30 doesn't give me enough day. And i stay up till 11 most nights, later others. Mind you, I do not get up early to get things done, it's just when i wake up, and can't go back to sleep, so i get up.

So, what has changed. There are still the same number of hours in a day, still some of the same responsibilities, (minus the 3 kids, but add back in 4 grand kids). Gotta love that math!!
There are still bills to pay, yard work to be done, cars to be fixed, friends to help, church to serve at, errands to run, and pretty much the same things we had years ago. (won't say how many years).

There is the added element of opening my own business, but it seems i was busy before, just busier now. (a great kind of busy, meeting new people, creating new things.)
My husband is more helpful than he was years ago, (or maybe I've just learned to appreciate it and him more.) And he is trying to maintain 2 properties for the last 13 years.

Some of you are sitting there saying, "Yes, but you are older now. You've slowed down."
I DON'T THINK SO! You may be getting older, but I'm staying at 35, thank you very much!! =)

OK. Seriously, if I can't figure out what is going on, or how to change it, I'd better just figure out how to deal with it.
I can tell you right off the bat, that running around in a frenzy is not the answer! Nor is adding more things to the mix. That frenzy thing can just make us grumpy and hard to live with, and we just get more stressed in that frame of mind. No one can move fast enough or in the right direction when we are like that. Traffic is too slow, the signals aren't set right, the person in the grocery line is causing problems with her coupons, and the clerk doesn't know how to do things.
What in inept world anyway!! Can't anyone do anything right except me?

WHOA! Hold on there. I'm getting in a frenzy just thinking about all that!!

Back to the answer. Going faster doesn't work, so how about if we try slowing down??
Sounds crazy doesn't it? But I'm going to try it. I'm going to take a deep breath, fix myself a cup of tea, maybe even look at a magazine!! Or better yet, bask in the presence of the Lord, and thank Him for His many blessings.
HAVE I LOST MY MIND? No, Ive just found it. That list of things we deem so important,
how much of it really is? How many pumpkins do I need to make to sell? Who is gong to notice if my curtains are 'fluffed' just right at the store? Will anyone even care if my area rugs match?
Will my frenzy make me any friendlier when people come in for a visit? Should that letter of complaint wait till I'm not so upset?

Bottom line for me. I have to reevaluate my priorities. And here's a really hard question I've had to ask myself: What of all these things, all these pressures i put myself under, all my expectations of myself and other people, makes me any closer to the Lord? What am i doing of any real eternal value?

With that in mind, I'm fixing that cup of tea now, and instead of a magazine, I'm just going to ponder that very hard question: what of all the things i do, has any real eternal value? It may be time to reevaluate some things in my life.

Blessings on your day. May it be peaceful, and full of joy as you serve Him.

Barbara jean

Choosing Joy

Where to begin....maybe just some random thoughts.

I'm 68.  I'm a young 68, if ya know what I mean. I walk each day for exercise and love it. I have my own business, and love it too. And we have most of our family living close to us. So grateful.

I am married to a wonderful man of 71.   (I choose for him to be a young 71, but sometimes he feels old.)
We have aches and pains...too many, for being so young, but we have generally good health. And we thank God every day for that.

We know a lot of people who are struggling with health issues.....Cancer, Alzheimers, bodies wearing down and giving out.
We have friends who have lost loved ones.....too young. Long illnesses, surgeries and a deteriorating life, or suddenly gone. 58 years old, healthy, then suddenly sick and die 13 weeks later.

Those losses, and the heartache of those left behind have been heavy on my heart. They weigh me down, sometimes to the point of becoming depressed if I am not careful.

I have to choose. Do I let them get me down, or somehow lift myself out of that pit and choose joy? It is very hard.

So, tho my heart is filled with tears for others who are suffering, I choose joy.

I choose to go out and enjoy the life and good health God has given me. Walk in the sunshine, do some fun things. Take days off from work....go for a drive, or walk by the river. Not big things, just little things that keep me connected with God and His creation.....
And I ask God for hope.....and for comfort for those who are suffering.

My prayer is that we will choose joy, and pray for the broken hearted.

Blessings, Barb

Delineating Duties

 

In your marriage or other relationships, do you delineate duties?
Have you figured out which things you will do, and which things your spouse will do?

Is it a written list, or just in your heads?
Does it change, or stay the same?

What about in your relationship with God? Have you delineated duties?
Is there a list of what you expect God will do,
and what you are supposed to do?
Is it written down, or in your head?
Does your list change?

Do you have things you feel like you can do yourself? the easy, every day things?
no need to bother God with those. you are quite capable to handle them yourself, right?

so, you only go to God with the big things. how do you think he feels about that?
OK, here is the scenario. you are going along in life, it's running smooth, then, bam! a big and not usually good event knocks you for a loop. then you call on God, right?

think about this a moment: how would you feel if a 'friend' never called you to say hi, or visited, or seemed to care a thing about you, then bam, out of the blue they had some catastrophe in their life and they desperately need your help. well like, who are you? you need what?

Just something to ponder....Do you call God your friend? Talk to Him each day? Stay connected?
Or is He just your "911" in emergencies.....

blessings all

Serious Question.....Aging, and Perplexed

Hi friends
I just need to get something off my chest and throw it out there for some feedback.
(It is too long for FB so I am putting it here.)

That picture is us. My sweet fella is 70 now, and I am 67.
We have been married 48 years, and very very happy.
We are in good health barring aches and pains that seem to come with age.

Here is what I am perplexed about:

We have a lot of friends and acquaintances who have serious health issues.
Cancer, heart attacks, Alzheimers, strokes. Some younger than us have passed away already.
 We are more grateful than words can say for our good health, and overall state of well being.
We love the Lord, and people, and are so grateful for our lives.

But I have been having this feeling that we need to 'do something'. Anything. Not just sit around and wait for one of those health issues to hit us.   We really have no desire to travel...(well, my sweet fella is most content to just stay home and relax.....he is retired and deserves that.)  He helps with things around the house, and I run my little store with a lot of help from my Mom, granddaughter, sweet fella and friends.
We live a comfortable and usually content life, looking for others to help.  God has blessed us so we can bless others.

But there is still that nagging...that 'get up and do something so we do not regret not doing it later' feeling.  I think my 'adventure' spirit is urging me to go have some fun, and I enjoy it most when my fella is with me.
Neither of us are feeling a 'calling' to foreign ministry, but do try to minister to those God puts in our lives every day.
But the "Urgency" to do something still nags me.

So, while we spend out days and evenings praying for marriages, addictions, and serious health issues for others.....I remain.....perplexed.

This is a chance I hope some of you will take to either give me feed back from things you have learned along these lines, or think of your own lives, and what you are doing, or not doing, while you still can.

Blessings in Him
Barb

Learning To Let Go

     I am learning that there is more than one way of doing things.
And I am learning that we do not have to be in control, or do it ‘our’ way in order for things to turn out right. (or sometimes even better than if we had done it out way)

     For instance: in years past, if I had a project, but needed help on it, I would try to ‘supervise’ so that it would be done how I thought it should be done.
Scott would get irritated at me because I wanted to know how he was going to do something I asked him to do, because if he was not going to do it my way, I needed to understand every step he was going to do to make sure it would turn out how I wanted. He would get frustrated, then I would get frustrated, and usually walk away upset. Not a good experience for either of us, and usually took longer to get what I wanted.
Or someone else would be helping me, and while I was busy doing something else, they would do it different than I had planned….I would come back to see how it was going, and it was not how I thought it should be…

     But you know what I have learned?  My way is not the only way, or always the right or best way to do something.
I have learned that there are a lot of ways to get something done, and some even better than the way I thought it should be done. I have learned (am learning) to let go, to let others do it their way. It gets done, and with a lot less stress on all our parts. (And sometimes it is even better than my plan was.) =)
I have also learned that while they are working out a plan to get something done, I can be doing some other work that needed to be done, instead of trying to ‘supervise’ how a job I gave them is being done.

    And this is what it has helped me learn too. God has His own way of dong things, and it is the right way.
And it is often a totally different way than I would have thought. And if I let it go, there is a lot less stress.
His timing, His way, is perfect.  And also, while He is working out His perfect plan and timing, I can be doing the other things He has called me to do.

  Thank you Lord, for using people to help me grow. For using situations to help me see how you work in us.
Thank you that your plan and your timing is perfect. Help me to trust you more, and walk in stride with You.
Amen.

My Morning Walks With God

On my walk a few days ago,
I saw, off in the distance,
running across a big pasture,
4 HUGE dogs.

My first thought was,
"Hope they are friendly".
Then,
"Is that pasture fenced?"
Then quickly realized it wasn't.

About then, they 'ran' across the road.
Only they weren't really running,
they were gracefully 'leaping'.

Yes, it was 4 deer.
Four beautiful, deer, crossing the road in front of me.

They were running into an area of trees,
and on the other side of the trees was a pasture.

I hurried down the road a bit,
and quietly moved into the area where they had crossed.

I could see three of them, a bit of distance from where i was,
then i saw one in the trees, closer to me.

I slowly walked across the manure filled pasture,
waiting, watching, slowly moving forward,
careful not to scare the deer off,
looking for the very best picture i could get.




The deer looked up,
and knew I was there,
but did not run away.

She would eat a bit, and look up to check on me,
Then eat a bit more.

And then finally she meandered off down the trees to
cross the meadow with her friends.

When we were done,
and as i walked my way back across
the area and to the road,
I was thinking about how i had been totally
focused on getting those pictures.
I had carefully taken every step.
Looking for the best picture i could get.


I was not thinking about anything else.
I was totally focused on one thing.
I had not one thought of the day's problems.
No anxiety, no worries.


" Lord to help me do that in my walk with You.
Help me to stay totally focused on You.
Waiting, watching, slowly moving forward
always looking for Your best."

Blessings friends,

Barbara Jean

This was re posted from last summer for you to enjoy.

Pondering Life

Just thinking:

We know several people, relatives, friends, acquaintances, who are either seriously ill, or have had family members pass away lately. My heart aches for them.
And it is making me ponder our life, Scott and I. We work, a lot. Yes, my work is also my fun, and I love what I get to do. But I am aware, that any of the illnesses or heartaches that have fallen on others, could happen to us, at any given moment. And of course, God is in control of all of that.

But it makes me wonder if we will be part of the huge percentage of people who will be sorry they did not take more time off, go on more trips, walk by more rivers, spend more time with friends.

And, in pondering this, we may need to make some changes.
Life is precious. Do not take it for granted.
Say I love you, TODAY. Give the extra hug to someone who needs it. Relax and have a little fun. Live each day to the fullest!!
That's all. As I said, just pondering.....Be blessed everyone.

Weird, Warm and Wonderful.

 Have you ever had something so wonderful, but unusual happen, that later on, even the thought of it brings back the warm fuzzies of it all?
That happened to me last week.

A friend that I had not seen for some time came in to see me at the store.
We greeted each other with a hug. (a pretty normal thing at my shop.)
But THIS HUG WAS DIFFERENT.
As we embraced, a warmth and peace came over me, from the top of my head, down to the bottom of my feet. I could even 'see' with my minds eye, a thin cloud surrounding me, going down over my body, and settling peace into my spirit. I did not even want to let go, it was so wonderful!

I stepped back. slowly, trying to keep hold of that peacefulness, and could barely speak the words, "that was, really, weird, and...wonderful." Then I tried in my feeble way to describe what I had just experienced.
A brief 'event' that went beyond words. But she understood.
So, here I am again, trying to explain this to you, and there are just no words, but the 'feeling' is restored as I speak of it here.

My friend and I proceeded to sit down and visit for awhile. (and this having been a very busy day at the store, I felt God gave us this wonderful time between customers.)
My friend told me how in the last few months she had such a hunger for God, knowing Him, knowing His word, spending quiet time with Him. She could not wait each day till after work to get home and read, and learn more about Him, and take more of Him 'in'.
It had changed her life. She was filled with so much love, and peace, it somehow washed over me in our hug.

Our time together visiting was so uplifting and encouraging, I cherish that we had it.

And it changed me. I wanted 'it', whatever 'it'
 was.
I spend time with the Lord, I love Him, and am blessed He walks with me each day. And I have love to give, but this, this was different, and I wanted it. I wanted to share it with others. I wanted them to feel that peace I felt, from head to toe. It takes my breath away to even talk about it now.
And I wonder now if she could feel the 'peace' flow out of her, as Jesus felt when the woman with the 'issue' touched Him and His healing power went out to her.

Now, since  you have read this, I will tell you, if someone shared this with me, I would probably be 'skeptical', or draw a blank as to what on earth they were talking about, but the reason I am sharing is for those who will take it to heart, and use it to help them grow, like I want to grow.

God has this gift of His peace for all of us. And He has enough to fill us to overflowing, so that we may give it out to others.

This is my prayer, for myself, and all of you who desire this extraordinary peace and love Jesus has for us to share:

Lord, I am so grateful for this 'experience' that showed me for a few moments the intensity of the peace you have for us. I pray that my desire for you might grow, and that I might be so filled with your loving and peaceful spirit that it may overflow into the lives of those you send my way.
As I sit here, I am breathing in more of your spirit and promises in my life, and I know you will honor this prayer, as it is what you want for all of us.
Living for Jesus, and in His Holy and Powerful name.
Amen
.

Dancing....why am I not dancing?

My Mom and I were driving thru the small town she lives in, and saw a man crossing the street, and he was dancing, and smiling and waving his hands.

Two ladies were crossing the walk going the other direction, and well, 'avoided' him, and looked at him like he was crazy.

When he waved at us, I smiled and waved back. It was fun, and I was actually jealous that he could walk around dancing and singing and waving his arms.

My Mom said he is around town all the time doing that, and that she was told he is harmless.

I longed for the day that I used to dance, even in my own home. I would turn on my praise music, and actually dance around, and sing, and sort of 'exercise'. I loved it. It was so free. I was free.

What happened to those days? What happened to singing and dancing before the Lord?
Has life gotten so busy, so filled with business and other things, that I do not 'feel' happy enough to dance any more? How do I get that back?

I am bipolar, but have been stable for a long time....no big ups, no big downs.
Each morning when I wake up, I CHOOSE to smile, and great the Lord, and give him my day.
Do I usually 'feel' like smiling? No. It is  a choice I make.
And I choose to get up, get dressed, go for my morning walk, and sing.
Yes, I sing. Not because I feel like it, but because it is a good thing to do.
I sing praises to my God.

When I get home, I read devotions, and pray...well, sometimes I just get busy with my day and do not really' pray' but God is on my heart all day long, and as people come to mind, I lift them up to Him.

Sometimes, on my sort of average days, I wonder if it was better when I was really down for a season.
I know after that there was a high time....life was more exciting, more visit, I laughed, and sang and danced.
But I remember those down times too clearly. It was not worth it. seems like it was forever I would be down, and only a short time I would be up.

So, I'm choosing to live a contented life. I 'choose' to smile, I choose to sing. Am I dancing yet? not quite.
But it will come. It WILL come.

What will your choice be today? Will you make choices that will help your day be better? Or will you let yourself stay down, stay secluded, stay.....unreachable. Those walls will have to come down eventually.
Why not today? God has given you this day. It is a gift from Him. Make it the best day you can.

And if you cannot make it better for yourself, make it better for someone else. Do something kind. It will help you quit thinking about your own sorrow, and you will bless someone else.

Be blessed everyone.
Hope you did not mind me thinking out loud here.

Barb

A Poem, from long ago.

The Busyness of Life, or, Where Did God go?  Aug. 2005

Day begins, so much to do.
Make a list, maybe two.
Hurry, hurry our the door,
add to your list more and more.
Help me God, along life's way,
Bless me God, Bless my day.

I help, I serve, I work a lot.
Sometimes I'm thanked, sometimes not.
They ask for help once, then twice,
they think that I'm so very nice.
"We need you here, we need you there".
There's no more of me to spare!
Help me God, along life's way,
help me make it thru today.

I should spend time with friends, I know,
but my list of things just seems to grow.
Maybe next week, or maybe next month
I might have time to go to lunch.
Or maybe just a cup of tea,
whenever they catch up with me.
Help me God to get it straight,
Should I work, or keep the date?

My quiet time is gone these days.
Lists of things get in the way.
Pay the bills, dig the yard,
sometimes it is so very hard.
As for God, there is not time,
Maybe He could get in line.
Help me God, anyway...
Bless me God, Bless my day.

 Not enough time under the sun,
not enough strength to get it all done.
I lay down, and cry for rest,
God I've done my very best.
Am I approved? Did I stand the test?
Is it OK that I ask to be blessed?
Bless me God in my weariness.

"This was not a test at all my child,
I wanted to show you your life is to wild.
Too many sports, too much TV,
too may things put ahead of me.
So take a deep breath, put your list away.
Spend time with me, read, and pray.
I will bless you, I will guide your way,
I will bless you, I will Bless your day.

by Barbara Jean Simmons

Who are we praying for?

It is amazing to me, how we can get so caught up in ourselves, we forget how good we really have it.

Take me, for instance.
I had surgery about 6 weeks ago. Major surgery. And I have been laying around complaining about how I am not getting better fast enough.....tired of laying around, need to get back to the store. (I own my own shop. wonderful help, but they cannot help forever). I miss being around people, so much to do, and so on and so on.

Now, to think of others:
I am on FB, too much really....when I see a notice from a friend asking for prayer for a young man who has been in a serious accident, and is in critical condition in ICU, and needing surgery....but having to wait till they can do one thing in order to do the next.
The picture showed his car. Totaled, as in, I had a hard time figuring out which end was which. And this nice young man was pictured next to the picture of the car......
It does not sound good.

My whole point here is, that sure took my mind off my own little problems....
Now my prayers are not for myself to get better quicker, but for this young man, his parents, and sisters....

God thinks of us more than there are grains of sand, (Ps.139:17,18) and He has our overall best in mind in all His plans for us, and for those who love us, and love Him.

So, who and what are we praying for?  something we want? a 'thing'? better health for ourselves?
How about praying for those who are much worse off than we are. It is not hard to find them if we only look outside ourselves.

be blessed
Barb

"LATE"

 

On my walk this morning, I passed a man who was going the opposite way.

"How you doing?" he asked quietly.

" Great" I said. "How about you?"

 (All this while walking quickly past him.)

"Oh", in a lowered voice he said, "I guess OK." 

and he slowed his pace even more.

In my rush to get home I gave him the thumbs up 

and "better than horrible."

ouch!!

did i just really say that?

how would i feel if i was just doing 'OK' and wishing someone cared?

what could i have said? 

'hope it gets better'?

'pray it gets better'?

``````````````

"I'm late. I'm late. gotta get ready,

gotta get there.

I'm late I'm late. can't take time to care."

should i have paused, in my hurried world, 

and taken time to care?

"I'm late I'm late....."

get where? church?

for what?

to sing, to hug, to get fed?

 to hope someone cares more about me more than

  I cared about a hurting person I passed on my walk?

or should i have stopped and taken time to

care about his person, maybe a lost soul?

I think we all know the answer to that....

Not that there is anything wrong with all the hugging,

and being fed ourselves, but there are times when we need

to reach out to others too.

Maybe even those who are not in our building

 on Sunday mornings.....

I'm late. I'm late.

but gotta take time to care.

Be blessed everyone.

Barb

  

Jesus took time to care...

Walk on beach

Last year at the Beach:

Scott, "Take my hand."

 I did not ask where we were going or what we were doing.
I just took it and let him lead.
 (In previous years I would have asked 'why', or 'where' are we going?)
But I was learning to trust.

Carefully he guided me over jagged rocks, then a couple of feet onto  the beach.
Scott, "now we can say we walked on the beach".
It was a simple thing.

When I thought back about that, and realized how much that is like our walk with God.
He stretches out His hand to us.

We start out unsure, not fully trusting maybe.....
Wanting to know the 'why' and the 'where', or for 'how' long.

He wants us to take his hand, trust Him, let Him lead us.
Maybe it is just a few steps over jagged terrain,
 or maybe a longer walk and more difficult journey.
No questions, just taking his hand and trusting him.

We do not learn that over night, and He understands that.

So, where are you today?
Is He reaching out?
Are you asking "Why"?
Or "Where"?
or "How long"?

Or will we simply take His hand,
and trust that He will lead us in a safe path.
He promises to never leave us or forsake us,
and He promises to take care of His children.

Thank you Lord.

Be Blessed everyone
Barb

Getting Motivated or (How to get on your little red trike and get somewhere.)

 

   Hey, anyone out there feel stuck? So many projects you do not know where to start, feel overwhelmed, and you just cannot get motivated to do anything?? Sometimes even just go take a nap, then get up feeling the same way again?

   That is what my friend posted on FB earlier this evening, so, seeing that I have that same problem myself, I 'challenged' her to go get one of those things done in a half hour. I would go do the same, then we would meet back here to tell what we got done.

    Well, what a great idea that was. (Must have been the Lord. =)
We both worked 1/2 hour, then met on FB to tell, and we got so much done.
So, we did it for the next half hour! And again, got so much done.
(I think part of why this worked, is you do not have time to see all there is to do, you just choose one and go for it.) 
I also noticed that I keep up that energy and work for awhile after we stopped 'checking' on each other.

   So, find someone to be accountable to, set a time limit, then come back and share.
And feel free to share this idea too. It works!!
(if you do not have anyone to be a partner with you, you can leave a comment here any time to let me know what you got done. So excited to hear from you all.)

Thanks Lord!!!

Blessings all,
Barb

 PS I told my friend, next time she feels unmotivated just set the timer, work one half hour on anything! Then come let me know what she got done. =)

PSS would love to hear any adaptations of this that works for you, too. =)

OK. Someone said tell what I got done. Here it is.
In 1 hour I...
spray painted two frames and a little metal chair
started laundry
cleaned bird feeder
put some stuff away
picked up boards from driveway
cleaned 2 pieces to be painted
got bank deposit ready, and added names to my business email list. 

A Page From My Journal

 A page from my journal:

"OK Lord. Today is Friday, Dec 21, 2012.

Help me to trust you for my needs today, 

1 minute, 1 hour, 1 step at a time.

Help me to remember, You Are my peace, my protector, 

my provider; you are my answer when I call for help, 

you are my guide, my deliverer, my help, my God and my King.

You have a plan for me, for today.. 

Help me not to think about tomorrow, or even my next step today,

 knowing you will guide me through it.

You will give me enough love, your love, enough strength,

 your strength,  for today, for my next step.

Help me be mindful of that, with each step I take.

Help me be mindful of You, with each step I take."

Be blessed my friends.

Taking one step at a time with Him.

barb

Resting in Him

Oh Boy do I need this today.

Blessings fellow bloggers.
Peace and His rest to you this day.

barbara jean

slow or fast pace?

 

slow pace or fast pace.

I've been noticing different families lately.

Observing the pace at which they do things.

And, of course, it has got me pondering life again.

Some families are rushing from one activity to another. 

Always pushing their kids to go faster, get ready, hurry up, 

get out the door, we'll be late. Cramming so much into a day everyone is

 too tired to be civil when they do stop.

Or the TV is on, or computer, or games....

no need to interact, just fill our time with activity,

 and our brains with noise.

Then I've noticed this new friend. She is very laid back. 

Made me notice how her child was.

Pretty laid back. Kind of just enjoying a slower pace of life. 

Taking time to 'be still', enjoy nature, enjoy people, hear God.

 No TV blasting, no texting, no computer going for hours.

Made me wonder what we are teaching our kids??

Are we starting them out in life not taking the time to

 enjoy things, but to just rush from one activity to another? 

Do they even know how to be still? Or do quiet things? Or hear God?

Or have they inadvertently  taught them to ignore the very one who created them?

 The one who longs to have relationship with them?

I'm not saying you have to get rid of your TV,

your computer, your phone,

just try moderation, and try teaching your kids moderation.

So, just ponder a moment, when is the last time you were still, 

or you encouraged your children to be still?

Try it....then remember what it was like, and teach it to your children.

"Be still and know that I am God".

Enjoy the beauty of His creation.

Enjoy the sound of the Wind,

the singing of the birds.

Stop and smell the roses.

Thanks for stopping by.

be blessed

barb

 

Christ is Risen

Christ our Lord is risen today!!

Hallelujah!! What a savior.

Blessings all as you clelbrate the new life we have in Christ,

because of His sacrifice for us.

Thank You Lord

Thank you Lord, for all the beauty you surround us with.

Help us pause and enjoy it.

Help us slow down, and listen for your voice.

Blessings everyone.

barb

Lord????? Here I am....

 Lord, some times I just do not know what to say to you.

Maybe I am tired......or cannot quite figure out just how I am feeling.....

or feel a little stunned by life....  like a little birdy just learning to fly,

and not making it on my first effort.

Maybe I am puzzled about how to even go about it all...

this walking with You,

this soul searching, this walking day by day.

I'm not sure just what it is....

Maybe it is the sad of life around me.....

people I know, and don't know, suffering through things.

So, I'm quiet.   I think of You, and what your Word says.

I know you are here with me.....

I know you have a plan for me....

You chose me......

You created me,

You know me better than I know myself.

You have created in my heart and empty place,

that can only be filled with You.

Lord, thank you, that even on the days I feel like

I cannot fly, you are here. Your hand feeds me, You love me,

You wait for me.......

I will be nourished, by your word and your love.

And tomorrow, I will try to fly again.

One day at a time.

Thank you sweet Jesus.