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
.

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

Update For You- Newness of Life

Newness of Life.

Yes, that is what Christ gives us.....

We muddle along, doing the best we can.

We wait, try to rest, call upon His name....

each day may seem the same as the day before, for awhile.

Sometimes He sends someone to help point the way,

or to say an extra prayer for us.....

He is so good that way.

Friends prayers, encouragement and support, 

and most of all quiet time with God,

have brought back my smiles.

I am hopeful.

I believe God has a plan for me.

I know He is with me...

And, as one sweet friend said it, 

"God has a plan for me, and I am smack dab in the middle of it".

Have you ever thought about that?

No matter where we are, 

we are "smack dab" in the middle of God's plan.

I find great comfort in that,

knowing God will use whatever happens in my life,

even lostness, loneliness, and grief, to

make me into who He wants me to be.

Be blessed sweet friends, and know you are not alone.

He is right there with you.

Taking one step at a time.

barb