I echo this prayer written by James Dobson,
“Father, each day of life is a gift, and we do not know when we will draw our last breath, may we live circumspectly, with eternity always in view, Amen.”
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Each day is a gift
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Beautiful people
“Sometimes people are beautiful. Not in looks. Not in what they say. Just in what they are”—Markus Zusak.
Today’s society relies so much on exterior beauty as a compass for determining worth and physical attractiveness. Size matters. Fitting into a “0-1-2” is considered lovely or glamorous. If the path to accomplish this goal leads to emotional trauma and anorexia, this is not healthy or appropriate.
When faced with a decision regarding a suitable warrior, shepherd boy David was chosen. Age was against him. He was not extremely tall or built large physically. In fact, Goliath towered over young David. Anyone could see that he posed no match for the Philistine giant. Other than battling wild animals to fend off destroying his flock, David possessed no war medals. Yet, God counted him a worthy defender of the Israelites. David’s inner strength and victory came from his commander and chief: God.
Women and men look on the outside, but God looks on the inside. What’s beneath the surface is the stuff that equals courage. Is there evidence of love, joy, peace, long-suffering, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in my life? (Galatians 5:22, 23)
I want to be beautiful—beautiful on the inside; what I am not just who I say I am. To do this, my actions should reflect my words. My words reflect what’s in my heart and mind. It’s what’s on the inside that counts.
Dear God, Thank you for providing the model for beauty. You sacrificed Your only Son so that I could enjoy life to the fullest. I want to be worthy of this ultimate gift by reflecting beauty from the inside out. You are more concerned about what’s in my heart.
What character qualities are you cultivating?
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Mind Renewal
“A renewed mind is Presence-focused. Train your mind to seek Me in every moment, every situation!” (Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young)
From the moment I open my eyes this morning; You granted me another day on earth. I hear the furnace pop on and my room becomes toasty warm. You are present.
I see Your written words when I turn on a switch. Light illumines the page. Words of comfort and affirmation waken my soul. I don’t see You, but my being knows You are orchestrating my day.
“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always,”—Psalm 105:4.
It’s not always easy to seek God’s face. It’s not necessarily a natural response, but a learned one. Every time I seek after God and His wisdom and ways, I am rewarded. Blessings come. Some I recognize; others I breeze past.
How about you … how do you seek God’s face?
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I am with you always
Are you dealing with a tough decision today? Know that the God of all ages sees, hears, and knows your every struggle.
He knows when you’re happy, sad, glad, or angry. God longs for you to tell Him your doubts and to share your pain. Confide in Him, my friend. You won’t regret it.
“And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age”—Matthew 28:20.
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Joy in stress?
How you ever considered that trials and temptations can be a way of making us mature? Or molding us to be complete and lacking nothing?
That’s what the writer of James is telling us in the first chapter of his book. James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ says to “consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides” (The Message). When’s the last time you jumped up and down with excitement in the middle of a trial? My normal response would be to recoil and think, Why me?
But that’s not the way we are reminded to act or react. I don’t believe we necessarily have to be excited about the trial itself, but encouraged that as a believer, I can rejoice in the fact that God is on my side. He has me covered; therefore I need not doubt or be afraid.
Maybe, just maybe, this testing of your faith you’re going through is meant to be shared with others. You probably aren’t feeling excited about an uncertain health issue, losing your job due to downsizing, or parenting a troubled teen. Still … there are lessons to be learned. And glory to be given. More than likely, there are individuals in your circle of influence who could benefit from hearing about what you are going through right now. As you and I handle a tough time, with the grace of God and His wisdom, others can be comforted.
Dear God, I admit I’m not overjoyed about this time of my life. In fact, I feel depressed and sometimes alone. Yet, in my heart, I know that You have my best interests in mind. I can go to You anytime day or night with my burdens. Thank you for loving me when I’m least unlovable. Amen.
Is there a message others need to hear about how you (with God) overcame a certain obstacle? Something that seems too big and wide to get through? Will you speak or pen those pearls of wisdom so another can benefit?
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything”—James 1:2–4.
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God is with me & God is for me
Regardless of how I feel today or yesterday, God is on the sidelines cheering me along. Even though I might not sense it. Even though I don’t see Him or His work. He is there! God’s word declares it, so I believe it!
My body may be weak and my mind not so quick, but God knows my every ache. He knows my every thought and feeling. He longs to comfort and tell me that it will be all right. This too shall pass.
I must slow down my pace to equal His perfect timing. His timing may not be mine. Prayerfully and slowly I must give space to God’s leading in my day and in my life. His ways are just. His ways are perfect. My ways are often the exact opposite.
Even though the day is very cold and dreary, God watches over all. There is no bright light in the sky to uplift my spirits. Yet, He knows my heart yearns for sand and sun. I do know that He can be my all sufficiency if I allow Him free reign and control.
Dear God, I confess I am not fully satisfied. Circumstances and certain people in my life cause me to be confused and sometimes unhappy. Help me to be content in my circumstances and in the people you have put into my life. Only You can show me joy in this journey. With You leading the way, I know my journey is not in vain. With You, nothing is wasted. You use every situation as an opportunity to praise Your Name and give You the glory. I long to be that person who will do just that for You. You’ve done so much for me. Thank you. Amen.
- Do you long for something different? To be somewhere else? Where/what might that look like?
- Feeling like there should be much more to life than what you see and feel right now? What exactly has you troubled and stuck in neutral?
- Will you stay close to God and be open to His love and leading? How will you do this?
“What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?”—Romans 8:31.
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DREAM Big!
My husband and I did some after-Christmas shopping. While browsing the shelves for bargains, we purchased hand towel with the words: DREAM written across the bottom edge. Above the lettering appeared a spray of green leaves and red berries with a gold thread running throughout.
I didn’t pay a lot of attention to a possible meaning behind the word on the towel until several days later after the excitement of the holidays passed. This morning I picked up the towel and realized just how inspiring this towel could be for my writing in 2014.
I recently read a piece from Jeff Groins, How to Get Ahead During the Holiday Season (or anytime of year). He includes several tips about how to get ahead and stay motivated.
“Successful people aren’t successful because they’re like everyone else. They are successful because they’re weird. Because they do what others are afraid or unwilling to do.”
I began to ask myself questions while thinking about Jeff’s article. Am I that type of person? Am I willing to do what no one else will? Willing to be classified as weird?
If I am willing, I must learn focus, stamina, and balance. Only the smart ones will finish. Will I finish that book I’ve started? Query an editor about an article burning deep within? Jeff goes on to say, “I must put pain from my mind. And on the last day … you alone will be friendly with the dark.”
My desire is to “break out of the constant feeling of being left behind. Work harder; show up more often; and eventually, you will prevail. It’s not easy. It will require sacrifice. But it will also lead to victory.”
So Dream Big—I plan to dream so big others will look sideways at me concerned. Concerned that I possibly might have bit off more than I can chew. That is just fine. Because when I bite off more than I can humanly handle, that’s when God’s miraculous powers come into play. And into view for all to see, marvel, and glorify His holy name!
What are you willing to do to break out of the norm? Will it be staying up an extra hour to put the finishing touches on a manuscript? Or, maybe sequestering yourself away from the TV room and spending an extra 45 minutes in front of a computer, or reading and doing research for your project.
What goals or new patterns do you want to put into practice in 2014? Here are a few suggestions to get your thinking cap spinning:
- Get up early to write
- Less TV; less Candy Crush, Lucky Slots, etc.; more real writing
- Exercise consistently (not just when the clothes don’t fit like they used to fit)
- Read the Bible through in a year
Dear God, as I look at my new, unspoiled 2014 calendar, my desire is for a new me too. You’ve taught me much in 2013. I have grown, but there’s so much more internal growing to be done. This new me—I want to look more like You and less like the old me. Thank you for what You are about to accomplish in my life, my goals, and talents. The goals and talents You so graciously gifted me before the beginning of time. Amen.
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The Transformation Project
This year, our local Word Weavers writers group embarked upon a mission of compiling an anthology book. The theme would be “Transformation.” For some odd reason, the idea didn’t excite me—at least not at first.
Most of the submissions were already turned in, critiqued, and accepted before I decided it would be a good idea to get with the program and come up with something for the book. I searched my archives and found the perfect journal article. My son.
My son was transformed later in his teens—(you’ll just have to read my story to find out about the before and after details). Little did I know that during that whole upsetting ordeal that God was transforming my heart. Transforming it from independence on self and dependence on the only wise God. I didn’t even realize this story had evolved into a double transformation. One in my dear son’s heart and one close to home: me.
Maybe you’ve experienced deep grief in your soul in the past. Or, maybe you’re experiencing it right now. I invite you to take a look at the stories enclosed within the covers of our new release, The Transformation Project. The book is available in both paperback and Kindle format.
P.S. the title of my story is: I Hope He’ll Come Home.
Dare to tell about a time of #transformation in your life. #WordWeavers W MI authors did. https://amzn.to/1d195NW
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Feeling cowardly or courageous?
How do you handle bad news? Or news that could potentially be negative? Do you fuss and fume for days on end like I am inclined to do?
I’m programmed to ask my family and friends for prayer. Even that took years to sink in that more prayers equal more power. But I’m sometimes negligent to go to my heavenly Father immediately. I tend to over-analyze the situation looking at all the possible human angles. If the result of that situation is ____, then what about ____? This could happen and if that happens, then such and such could result.
As a child, I learned the verse “Cast all your cares upon Him for He cares for you.” I didn’t forget the verse, but I don’t always put the verse into practice in my own life when worries knock at my door.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go”—Joshua 1:9.
Dear Heavenly Father, I want to be strong and courageous. But sometimes I more closely resemble a coward. Teach me to lean on You. I need to believe and trust that You have my best interests in mind. Help me to live my life in such a way that others see I am not afraid of whatever comes my way. I want to rejoice in You during the good and the bad times. With You by my side, nothing is impossible. Amen.
What circumstance in your life today causes you grief or stress?
