I Sing because I'm happy. He's the Reason I sing.

Perhaps that smile or that pep in someone else's step is a direct reflection of them celebrating God’s goodness and not them attempting to celebrate their own. Looking outward & assuming a joyful person has no struggles or hasn't been thru much wont lead to a break thru for our own hearts. It's looking inward and applying change that will help pave the way for God’s power to work in spite of its broken condition.You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.Isaiah 26:3 ESV

The Light Pollution of Our Hearts

We recently went on a Home school field trip to the Planetarium. We had the whole place to ourselves. The kids enjoyed a non traditional discussion on planets, the stars, and universe because of the intimacy. During that process the facilitator told us some things on light pollution. She went on to explain the affects on the various cities and our ability to see the beautiful created stars big or small. That made me think about the correlation between our daily thinking and our blessings. I want to be so guarded and so careful that I don't allow negativity, fear, or worrying cause that same light pollution for my life. God's stars are always burning bright behind all of the clouding of our artificial lights here on earth. And in the same thinking His blessings are always present despite how we might cloud things with our artificial thinking. I pray I might remove all pollution from my line of sight that I might continue to reap from the joys of each & every blessing (big or small), for they are each beautiful. 1 John 1:5&6 NLT ....God is light, and there is no darkness in Him at all. 6 So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God, but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth.

Learning to Give Thanks Thru Every Storm

"For many people give thanks to God when He gives, Job gave thanks when He took."....The Devil wanted to destroy Job's dedication to God. In fact, He boldly told the Lord the only reason Job feared God was because God had put a wall of protection around him, (in various forms of tremendous blessings)....so the Lord allowed Satan to test Him by stripping Him of all he had...Job's response was not an easy one, nor in today's society would it be a common one, but yet He yielded. He was blessed for it..."Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship. He said,"I came naked from my mother’s womb,and I will be naked when I leave.The LORD gave me what I had, and the LORD has taken it away. Praise the name of the LORD!” In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God. Job 1:20-21 (NLT). It's OK to mourn the losses we experience on this journey, but we can't live there. We have to keep fight knowing the God of Heaven will prevail. I want to BRING HIM GLORY WHEN IT RAINS

Nothing Greater Than the Peace of God

One thing I can can count on more than anyone or anything or any knowledge is God's stillness. His unwavering presence, His mighty protection, His tremendous comfort in all times. Sometimes my mind moves about engulfed in all the uncertainties of the day, tangled in the decision making & trouble shooting. He doesn't join me in that dance. Instead He stands ready, armed with a prepared peace for me. His power stands outside of all man's time. He is unshakable, never leaving those who love Him. And the knowledge of that kind of reliability quiets my restless cares... “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid." John 14:27 (NLT) "The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him" Nahum 1:7 (NLT)

Don't be a Light Snatcher

My child years ago was placed in a situation where she was being judged by her performance on one test area. Yet she was on the Honor Roll that year 3 quarters out of 4. She told me that individual made her feel dumb. I explained not everyone should teach and that she should just do her best no matter the audience. (I can make this assessment because I am blessed & surrounded by marvelous public educators as well as home educators) Anyhoo, she woke up this morning like she always does very nervous about a test. Not all children are the best test takers. She was second guessing herself, returning to that place of smallness she was placed in. I assured her it was just a test and that I know her work so I'm not worried. I wanted her to do the best that she is able to do & realize it's not defining her....She went on to Get an 89% on that test. I was proud of her, not for the number, but for releasing the lie. We have to remember as adults, how our words can be carried in the heart of a child for such a very long time. I'd rather support a joyful average student that wants to keep working at things, than be a "light snatcher Hebrews 10:24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works .

Reflection on the Last Six months...

I've lived in fear and instability, and nervous energy for a lot of my life. And especially in the beginning of my recent trials with my child. I was very use to having my own health struggles and being okay with whatever came of them, but God allowed a new type of struggle to come in and teach me that I had to deliver everything to Him. I needed to hand a lot of compulsive thoughts and behaviors over to Him, including the need to control which at least I found myself doing in this instance by self comfort thru food. The last two days have been freeing and liberating relying on food once again for nourishment and not security. I stand humbled that my instinct was not to find some other way to control, as I've done time before, but rather draw near my Father. So the last six months has been an absolute blessing to me, something I could not have said Faithfully at the beginning of my journey. Much love to all. Luke:1:46 (NLT) .... “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. 47 How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! 48 For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. 49 For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. 50 He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. 51 His mighty arm has done tremendous things!

Grey Stone

Most people will look at a picture of a tattered golden ring with a lumpy grey stone and not think twice about it, some I dare say will even be turned off by it all together. They may boldly state they don’t like it for some reason or another. Maybe it seems too rough; maybe it isn’t as polished or put together as someone might believe a ring should be. Perhaps they may think it loud or offensive. Yet an expert in this stone would see its true potential. That person would know it’s tremendous worth and wouldn’t right it off. They’d value, invest in, and accept the stone for the gem that it is. They would celebrate its beauty. That’s because the stone in the ring is a rough diamond. Sadly, the world teaches us to look at its beauty based on the shining and polishing of its outside. The world teaches us to jump on the band wagon of what the standard for value and beauty is instead of recognizing a beautiful precious stone. The same goes for many people. This world isn't the best teacher of acceptance of one another, but be assured we were made in the image of God himself. There is no better beauty if we tap into it. I want to be less focused on being accepted, or liked in terms of man’s standards and be grateful I am considered valuable by the expert Himself. God has been more than good to this rough grey stone. Most importantly, I pray that knowing I am accepted will help me be an instrument of acceptance towards other grey stones. 1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” Love and peace to all YOU ARE NOT ALONE! {{HUGS}}